10 Days Cairo, Luxor, Nile River Cruise,
Esna, Kom Ombo, Aswan
Day 1 Thu: Arrive Cairo
Arrive in Cairo, the capital of Egypt. You are met and escorted to the CAIRO MARRIOTT HOTEL.
Day 2 Fri: Pyramids / Memphis / Sakkara
Visit the Great Pyramids of Giza—including the Pyramid of Khufu and the Sphinx. Drive to Memphis, once a vast metropolis and capital of the Old Kingdom. Continue to Sakkara, the oldest stone complex in the world, to see the towering Step Pyramid of Djoser, the earliest of all pyramids. (BL)
Day 3 Sat: Cairo Sightseeing
Explore the ancient city of Cairo, including the Egyptian National Museum, Old Cairo, the Citadel, the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali and the colorful Khan el Khalili Bazaar. (BL)
Day 4 Sun: Cairo / Luxor
Fly to Luxor and transfer to the charming AL MOUDIRA on the West Bank. The hotel has been designed with traditionally styled architecture incorporating actual pieces saved from old Egyptian buildings. This evening, enjoy a Sound & Light Show at the Karnak Temple. (B)
Day 5 Mon: Luxor - Nile River Cruise
Board the deluxe SONESTA NILE GODDESS, your home for
the next four nights as you cruise the majestic and
mystical Nile River. This afternoon tour the Karnak
and Luxor temples, followed by an evening of dinner
and dancing on board. (BLD)
Day 6 Tue: Luxor / Esna
Cross the Nile to the West Bank to the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. Continue to Esna, the site of a temple dedicated to the ram-headed god, Khnum. (BLD)
Day 7 Wed: Esna / Edfu / Kom Ombo
A short horse-drawn carriage ride takes you to the temple dedicated to the falcon-headed god, Horus. Sail to Kom Ombo. (BLD)
Day 8 Thurs: Kom Ombo / Aswan
Visit the Ptolemaic Temple of Kom Ombo before sailing to Aswan. See the High Dam, Old Dam, Granite Quarries and the Temple of Philae. (BLD)
Day 9 Fri: Aswan / Cairo
This morning, go sightseeing by felucca (wooden sailboat) around the botanical gardens on Kitchner Island. Take an optional excursion to Abu Simbel, before returning to Cairo by air. Enjoy a farewell dinner and folk show, complete with belly dancer. FAIRMONT HELIOPOLIS (BD)
Day 10 Sat: Depart Cairo
Depart Egypt this morning and arrive home today, or continue your exploration with one or more extensions to Jordan or Turkey. (B).
Extend your stay to Alexandria, the second largest city in Egypt, with an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern. Alternatively, travel to Hurghada, the underwater wonder of the Red Sea, a living tapestry of vibrant coral and exotic fish. Or visit Sharm El-Sheikh, where the simplicity of sun, sea and sand is combined with the luxury of five-star hotels, water sports, shopping and entertainment.
