Treasures Of Egypt

Day Stop

• Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

Today, arrive in Cairo, a modern megalopolis with an intriguing past.

Day Stop

• Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

Experience

Visit the Pyramids of Giza, the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Hotel(s)

Cairo Marriott Hotel & Casino, Cairo

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

This morning, get a glimpse into ancient Egypt’s Pharaohs, power struggles, and dynasties during a visit to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. Be prepared for a dose of Cairo’s legendary traffic as you head to Giza. Fulfill a lifelong dream as you encounter the Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and marvel at the enigmatic Great Sphinx. Return to your hotel in the late afternoon and gather for a welcome dinner this evening. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum is experiencing repeated delays. Once opening is confirmed, we will be pursuing ticketing and replacing the visit to the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities with a visit to the new museum.

Day Stops

• Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
• Luxor, Luxor City, Luxor, Luxor Governorate, Egypt

Experience

Embark on a 7-night cruise and discover the secrets of the Nile, the world’s longest river.

Hotel(s)

M/S Blue Shadow II, Nile River

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart your hotel before dawn for your flight to Luxor. Pause for a visit to the expansive Karnak Temple. Wander through this 4,000-year-old complex of pylons and obelisks, often of near-mythic proportions. Then, board your cruise ship for your 7-night voyage on the Nile River. After lunch on board, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to get familiarized with the ship. This evening, take in the views from the sundeck before joining your fellow travelers for your first dinner aboard. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

The exact flight schedule will be confirmed closer to departure. Due to limited flights, our departure from Cairo to Luxor will be at 6:30 a.m. or earlier, requiring a 3:00 a.m. departure from the hotel.

Day Stops

• Luxor, Luxor City, Luxor, Luxor Governorate, Egypt
• Nile

Experience

Discover the Valley of the Kings, including a viewing of the tombs of the Kings Tutankhamun and Ramses VI.

Hotel(s)

M/S Blue Shadow II, Nile River

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Venture thousands of years into the past. As the sun rises, cross the Nile for a day in ancient Thebes. Explore the Valley of the Kings, including the world-renowned tombs of Tutankhamun and Ramses VI. Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut as well as the Colossi of Memnon. Return to the ship for a late lunch and settle in for views of the fertile banks of the Nile as you sail upstream towards Kom Ombo, where you’ll arrive tomorrow afternoon. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

Visiting the Valley of the Kings requires walking on sand and mostly unpaved paths. In addition, visiting the tombs requires navigating through multiple steep staircases and/or ramps with limited help from handrails. The tombs are located underground. This activity may not be suitable for people suffering from claustrophobia.

Day Stops

• Edfu, Adfo, Edfo, Aswan Governorate, Egypt
• Kom Umbu, Kom Ombo, Markaz Kom Ombo, Aswan Governorate, Egypt
• Aswan, Aswan Governorate, Egypt

Experience

Get a first-hand introduction into how Egyptian cuisine is prepared during a cooking demonstration.

Hotel(s)

M/S Blue Shadow II, Nile River

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Linger over a relaxed breakfast and a lazy morning on board. Take in glimpses of the small farms that dot the Nile’s banks, appreciating the simple, modest livings of local farmers. In a place where daily life has changed little over the centuries, stay on the lookout for water buffaloes and other farm animals dotting the landscape. Later this morning, engage in an informative talk covering Egypt from past to present. After lunch, dock in Kom Ombo and explore its unique double temple. Return to the ship bound for Aswan, the Nubian City. This afternoon, enjoy a culinary demonstration and learn about the staples of Egyptian cuisine from your chef. Later on after dinner, dress up and join the fun during a traditional galabeya party. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

Day Stop

• Aswan, Aswan Governorate, Egypt

Hotel(s)

M/S Blue Shadow II, Nile River

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Consider a full-day optional tour to Abu Simbel to visit the extraordinary temples of Ramses II, saved from the rising waters of Lake Nasser during the construction of the High Dam. If you decide to sleep in, enjoy a day at leisure to explore Aswan. Perhaps you’ll visit the fascinating artifacts at the Nubian Archeological Museum or stroll along the Corniche, Aswan’s waterfront promenade. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

The optional tour to Abu Simbel includes round-trip transportation by air-conditioned motor coach, entrance fees, and lunch at a local venue (which replaces the lunch on board the ship). Please expect to depart the ship as early as 7:00 a.m., returning around 6:30 p.m.

Day Stop

• Aswan, Aswan Governorate, Egypt

Experience

Journey by motorboat to Philae Temple, rescued stone by stone during the construction of the High Dam.

Hotel(s)

M/S Blue Shadow II, Nile River

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, hop on a motorboat for a ride to the sanctuary island dedicated to the goddess Isis. Philae Temple is among the architectural wonders rescued from the rising waters of the Nile during the building of the High Dam. Then, gain a different perspective on the epic construction of the dam during an up-close visit of the area, before returning to your ship for lunch. The afternoon is yours to explore more of Aswan. Perhaps you’ll wander the local stores or search for spices in the local market, before regrouping for dinner aboard. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

Day Stops

• Aswan, Aswan Governorate, Egypt
• Edfu, Adfo, Edfo, Aswan Governorate, Egypt

Hotel(s)

M/S Blue Shadow II, Nile River

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, board a felucca (wooden sailboat) for a scenic sailing. As your time in Aswan draws to a close, take in the views of the tall sand dunes on the western shore of the Nile. Your ship sets sail once again after lunch for a relaxing afternoon heading downstream towards Edfu. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

Day Stops

• Edfu, Adfo, Edfo, Aswan Governorate, Egypt
• Luxor, Luxor City, Luxor, Luxor Governorate, Egypt

Hotel(s)

M/S Blue Shadow II, Nile River

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Beat the heat with an early morning visit to the well-preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu. Peruse the endless carvings of scenes depicting the power and grandeur of the pharaohs. Return to the ship for your last stretch of sailing, docking in Luxor mid-afternoon. Upon arrival, visit the city’s homonymous temple and walk among the mysterious human-headed sphinxes lining the ancient processional road to Karnak. After dinner on board, it’s your choice! Linger aboard the ship -OR- join your guide for some time at the local souk (market), ending at a traditional café for a taste of mint tea. Today breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included.

Day Stops

• Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt
• Luxor, Luxor City, Luxor, Luxor Governorate, Egypt

Hotel(s)

Intercontinental Citystars Hotel, Cairo

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Early this morning, return to Cairo. Head towards the old town to enjoy some free time to shop in the world-famous bazaar of Khan el-Khalili. Peruse colorful trinkets, hand-painted crafts, polished pendants, and more. Check into your hotel in the late afternoon, where this evening, you’ll join your fellow travelers for a farewell dinner. Today breakfast and dinner will be included.

The exact flight schedule will be confirmed closer to departure. Due to limited flights, our departure from Luxor to Cairo will be at 6:30 a.m. or earlier, requiring a 4:00 a.m. departure from the ship. Occasionally, your visit to the Khan el-Khalili bazaar may take place during your first stay in Cairo.

Day Stop

• Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Your adventure in Egypt ends today. Return home with a new understanding of this mystical land. Today breakfast will be included.