Fri Feb 08 Depart from Seattle (please call for pricing from other gateways).
Sat Feb 09 (D) Welcome to Egypt, Land of the Pharaohs! Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport we will be met and assisted, then transferred to our hotel. We will begin our tour of Egypt with a lecture by our Egyptologists for 30 minutes and a reception by our representative in Egypt. In the evening dinner will be at the Café Moo Restaurant located in Mohandesin Area. Overnight in Cairo.
Sun Feb 10 (B/L) After breakfast we will depart for a full day of sightseeing starting with a guided tour to the Egyptian National Museum of Antiquities. The Museum houses the world's greatest collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, including 12 rooms filled with golden treasures from the world-famous tomb of the boy-king Tutankhamen. Included in our visit to the museum is a special visit to the Royal Mummy Room. After the Museum we will visit one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: the Pyramids and the Sphinx at the Giza Plateau. The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) was completed around 2600 BC, and was 146m (478ft) high and consisted of over 2 million limestone blocks weighing over 2 tons each. We will visit the Solar Boat exhibit and then have a photo taken at the Panorama Area in front of the Pyramids for everyone in the group. We will also enjoy a camel ride. We will have a late lunch at the Andrea Restaurant. In the evening we will attend a Sound & Light Show at Pyramids Area which begins at 06:30 PM. Return to the hotel at 08:30 PM, and the rest of the evening is at your leisure. Overnight in Cairo.
Mon Feb 11 (B/L) After breakfast we depart for more sightseeing in and around Cairo, including a visit to the Jewish Synagogue, the Hanging Church and Coptic Museum. Lunch will be served at Abu Sied Restaurant in the Zamalek Area. After lunch we will visit the Citadel of Salah El Din and the Alabaster Mosque of Prince Mohamed Ali. After the Citadel we will have free time at the Bazaar where you will have free time for shopping and to relax and enjoy a complimentary Egyptian tea at the famous Egyptian Café El Fishawy (03:00 PM - 07:00 PM). Return to the hotel and make it an early night.
Tue Feb 12 (B/L/D) We will check out after breakfast and transfer to Cairo's domestic airport for our flight to Abu Simbel. In Abu Simbel we will transfer by Egypt Air Shuttle Bus to the Temple. Our guide will accompany us during our visit. The temple was originally located further down the bank but was carefully dismantled and reassembled in its present location to protect it from the rising waters of Lake Nasr when the High Dam was completed. After our visit, we will transfer back to the airport for our flight to Aswan. In Aswan we will be met and assisted and transferred to the Nile Cruise Ship to check in. Lunch on board. After lunch enjoy a Felucca ride on the Nile to visit the Botanical Gardens and see the Agha Khan Mausoleum. We will also visit to the Nubian Museum in the afternoon, where we will learn more about the story of the rising waters of Lake Nasr, ancient Nubia and life along the Nile in Upper Egypt. Return to the cruise ship for afternoon tea. In the evening enjoy dinner and dancing. Overnight in Aswan.
Wed Feb 13 (B/L/D) After breakfast we will visit the Aswan High Dam and the Old Dam. We will also visit the Granite Quarries where much of the beautiful pink granite used in many monuments and temples along the Nile. Afterwards we will visit the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Return to the cruise ship to sail to Kom Ombo. After lunch on board we will dock in Kom Ombo and visit the temple there. This temple is dedicated to two gods - Haroeris and Sobek, represented by the crocodile. You will see how the crocodile played a role in the religion of ancient Egypt at this temple. Return to the ship and sail on to Edfu, enjoying afternoon tea as the banks of the Nile glide by. In the evening the fun begins with an Oriental Dinner followed by a Galabiya and Costume Party. Overnight in Edfu.
Thu Feb 14 (B/L/D) After breakfast we will go to the Temple of Edfu by horse buggies through the streets of Edfu to the temple. The temple is dedicated to the god Horus, and a large statue of a falcon is located at the entrance to the inner temple. Return to the ship and sail on to Luxor, crossing the Esna Lock on the way. Dinner aboard the ship followed by a Disco Party. Overnight in Luxor.
Fri Feb 15 (B/L/D) After breakfast we will begin our tour on the West Bank of the Nile in the Valley of the Kings. This is the location of numerous tombs belonging to kings and noblemen, but the most famous is the Tut Ankh Amun Tomb, which we will be able to visit. We will also visit the reconstructed Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El Dier El Bahari. The story of Queen Hatshepsut, who ruled Egypt briefly, is full of intrigue, murder, politics, and family feuds. Before returning to the ship we will stop and see the Memnon Colossi - two statues of Ramses that sometimes emit a moaning noise, causing some to believe they were haunted. Enjoy lunch on board the ship and a brief rest. In the afternoon we will visit the Temple of Luxor, with its elegant colonnaded hall. In the evening we will attend the Sound & Light Show at Karnak Temple. Dinner and overnight on board.
Sat Feb 16 (B/D) After an early breakfast we will check out and transfer to the Luxor Airport for a morning flight to Sharm El Sheikh on MS 162 at -7.00 a.m. Upon our arrival in Sharm El Sheikh and transfer to the hotel for check in and relaxing on the beach for the rest of the day. We will attend a Safari Dinner before sunset in the desert in Bedouin tents, enjoying a traditional folkloric Bedouin show and B.B.Q. After dinner return to the hotel. Overnight in Sharm El Sheikh.
Sun Feb 17 (B) We will have breakfast at the hotel before departing for a visit to the Ras Mohamed Aquarium, which is located 50 KM from Sharm El Sheikh. We will have about three hours for our visit and still have time for diving, swimming, or snorkeling before returning to the hotel. Overnight in Sharm El Sheikh.
Mon Feb 18 (B) We will have an early morning departure (05:00 AM) to St. Catherine. Once in St. Catherine (arrival at about 08:30 AM) we will visit the Monastery of St. Catherine, constructed in the 6th century AD where the Burning Bush was thought to be. The monastery has an amazing collection of icons and artwork to view, many pieces rivaled only by those housed in the Vatican and the British Museum. After the visit return to Sharm El Sheikh around 03:30 PM . Rest of the afternoon is free. Overnight.
Tue Feb 19 (B/L) After breakfast we will check out and transfer to the airport for our flight to Cairo. Upon our arrival in Cairo we will be met and assisted, then transfer to our hotel. At noon we will have a farewell lunch on board a felucca managed by the Oberoi Restaurant. After lunch we will return to the hotel and the rest of the day is free for shopping or last minute exploring. Overnight in Cairo.
Wed Feb 20 (B) After breakfast we check out and transfer to Cairo International Airport for final departure.
