Itinerary Details
Cairo & Alexandria Escape With 3-Night Nile Cruise
Day 1ARRIVE IN CAIRO, EGYPT Welcome to Cairo. At 6 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Day 2CAIRO. EXCURSION TO GIZA Secrets of the Sphinx Your Egyptian discovery starts in the vibrant city of Cairo, located on the River Nile, with a guided sightseeing tour that features a visit to the Egyptian Museum. Later, a short drive to Giza is the start of an iconic visit to see some of the most recognizable landmarks in the world - the Sphinx and the Great Pyramids. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORY & MYSTERY Get up close and personal with The Pyramids of Giza - one of the World’s Seven Wonders. Ponder the enigmatic secrets of the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza. Marvel at the massive monument of Cheops, the most colossal pyramid ever built with an original height of 496 feet.
Day 3CAIRO–WADI EL NATRUN–ALEXANDRIA The Mediterranean Pearl Today, depart Cairo and head to the desert. En route stop at [LF] the oasis of Wadi El Natrun and visit a Coptic Monastery. Continue to the charismatic city of Alexandria, located on the Mediterranean coast, and boasting the oldest tram system in Africa. Enjoy free time to explore the city at your own pace. (B)
137 mi / 220 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
CULTURE & TRADITIONS In Arabic, Wadi El Natrum means “Valley of Nitrates,” due to the presence of eight different lakes containing nitrates in the surrounding area. In Coptic, the region is also known as Shi-Hyt, which can be translated as “balance of the heart” or “measure of hearts.” The monasteries of Wadi el-Natrun are the source of indispensable data for the study of the Coptic heritage, and especially for Coptic literature, art, and architecture.
Day 4ALEXANDRIARoyal Majesty of the Montazah Gardens This morning, discover the fascinating city of Alexandria with a guided sightseeing tour that includes the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, that commemorates the ancient Library of Alexandria, and the 15th-century Qaitbay Citadel. Visit the Montazah Gardens that were once frequented by Egypt’s royal family. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon and evening. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORY & CULTURE Originally founded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria was once one of the wealthiest cities in the world and the Montazah Palace gardens are a true testimony of this wealth. Designed to be a place of relaxation and recreation for the Khedive and his guests, they are filled with flowers, trees, and shrubs.
Day 5ALEXANDRIA–CAIRO A Drive Through the Red Land Enjoy a scenic drive back to Cairo through the El Beheira desert. Enjoy some free time in Cairo before joining your travel companions for dinner at your hotel. (B,D)
155 mi / 250 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDARY LANDSCAPES In ancient times, the Egyptians called the desert the "red land," distinguishing it from the flood plain around the Nile River, called the "black land". These reflect the fact that the desert sands have a reddish hue and the land around the Nile turned black when the annual flood waters receded. Over thousands of years, the Nile River evolved into its present shape, surrounded by the Eastern and Western deserts.
Day 6CAIRO–ASWAN (EMBARKATION) The Inspiration of Isis This morning, head to the airport for a flight to Aswan, Embark your cruise ship for the start of your Nile River Cruise. Start to get acquainted with the ship and enjoy lunch on board. This afternoon, explore independently or join a shore excursion. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
THE GIFT OF EGYPT Flowing through 11 countries, the Nile is the longest river in the world. Often called “The Lifeline of Egypt,” the importance of the Nile through history cannot be overestimated. Without the fertile soils carried by this legendary river of life, Egypt would have surely been a desert. Ancient Egyptians worshipped the Nile as the god Hapi, believed to be the source of all life, yet they also believed it would lead to the afterlife. A symbol of fertility, abundance, and the cycle of life; the Nile riverbanks are still home to approximately 95% of Egypt’s population who live close to its banks.
Day 7CRUISING: ASWAN–KOM OMBO–EDFU Egyptian Gods & Gowns Enjoy a leisurely morning before calling at Kom Ombo for a guided walking tour featuring the temple dedicated to the crocodile and falcon gods. Enjoy some free time to browse. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE Explore captivating Kom Ombo with a walking tour of its bluff-top twin temples. Gaze at the spellbinding temples dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek-Ra and the falcon god Horus.
Day 8CRUISING: EDFU–ESNA–LUXOR Legendary Luxor Today, in Edfu, visit the impressive Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Return to the ship and enjoy lunch while sailing. Arrive at Luxor and join an excursion to visit the Temple of Luxor. (B,L,D)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
OF GODS AND PILGRIMAGES Step back in time and wander through the magnificent temple dedicated to Horus, one of the most important gods in Ancient Egypt. Learn how this became the setting for many important festivals which resulted in huge pilgrimages. With time the temple suffered the elements and got buried underneath the sand where it remained until 1860!
Day 9LUXOR (DISEMBARKATION) Palace of Life This morning, disembark your ship and transfer to your hotel. Later, join the guided sightseeing tour to see the breathtaking Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex in Egypt. Enjoy free time this afternoon and evening.
(B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
PLACE OF THE PHARAOHS Known as Ipet-Isu (the Most Select of Places) by the ancient Egyptians, the Temple of Karnak was built over 2000 years ago—considered by unassuming ancient Egyptians as the place of gods. Here, dozens of pharaohs added their own additions to the site, making this one of the most impressive open-air museums in the world.
Day 10LUXOR–CAIRO Cairo Bound Depart Luxor and take a flight to Cairo. Enjoy some leisure time in this exciting city to explore more. (B)
ENHANCED FREE TIME
EXPLORE MORE on an optional excursion to the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens on the West Bank of the Nile where generations of pharaohs and nobles were entombed in cliffside crypts. See where 62 royal tombs have thus far been discovered, of which one was found virtually intact—the splendid tomb of Tutankhamun discovered in 1922.
Day 11CAIROSafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
