DAY 1: CAIRO, EGYPT

Welcome to Cairo, "Mother of the World"

DAY 2: CAIRO

Desert Sands and Secrets of the Sphinx CLASSIC - This morning take a close-up look at one of the

World's Seven Wonders and guardian of the great pyramids, the enigmatic Sphinx, and the Great

Pyramid of Giza. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet, is the most colossal pyramid ever built,

and of course enjoy the visit to the newly discovered the Sun Boats. CLASSIC - Drive to Sakkara, a vast

desert necropolis built for kings and nobles, and its "Stairway to the Sky," the oldest of all pyramids.

Also admire the special tomb of Mary Loca and the Step Pyramid. An Optional Guided Excursion to

the pyramids this evening features a Sound and Light Show complete with historical stories and

secrets of the Sphinx. (B)

DAY 3: CAIRO

Ancient Cairo, a Boy King, and the Christ Child CLASSIC - Enjoy a guided visit to the now-famous

Tahrir Square and visit the Egyptian Museum. Peruse King Tutankhamun's fabulous treasures and

many other priceless artifacts of ancient Egypt. CLASSIC - Drive to walled city of Old Cairo, with

Saladin's 12th-century citadel, and the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. CLASSIC - Drive to

"Coptic Cairo" to see the Hanging Church where the Virgin Mary and Jesus sought refuge while in

Egypt. Walk to see Cairo's oldest Jewish synagogue, founded in the 9th century. (B)

DAY 4: CAIRO-LUXOR (EMBARKATION)

The World's Greatest Open-Air Museum Fly 300 miles up the Nile Valley to Luxor to board your Suite

Ship. CLASSIC - See the stunning monuments of Luxor and Karnak, ancient cities whose combined

populations swelled to more than one million. Walk among the pillars of the colossal Temple of

Amun Ra and along the Avenue of the Sphinxes for an experience you will treasure for a lifetime.

Consider an Optional Guided Excursion to enjoy the sound and light show in Karnak Temple.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LUXOR (B,D)

DAY 5: LUXOR-EDFU

Royal Resting Places of Kings and Queens CLASSIC - Venture 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

virtually intact-the splendid tomb of Tutankhamun discovered in 1922. CLASSIC - Visit Deir El-Bahri,

Queen Hatshepsut's monumental rock temple. Stop for pictures at the two Colossi of Memnon

guarding the valleys. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN EDFU (B,L,D)

DAY 6: EDFU-KOM OMBO-ASWAN

Egyptian Gods of the River and Sky CLASSIC - This morning visit the Temple of Horus with its

menacing black stone statue of the falcon god. CLASSIC - Enjoy beautiful Kom Ombo for a short

walk to its bluff-top twin temples. The right side is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek-Ra, while

the left side is dedicated to the falcon god Horus. Enjoy a leisurely sail to Aswan. DISCOVERY - Enjoy

an exclusive lecture on this ancient civilization by your Egyptologist. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN

ASWAN (B,L,D)

DAY 7: ASWAN

Temples from Above and Islands Below This morning, consider a Guided Optional Excursion with a

flight over the huge massive sandstone temples of Abu Simbel (weather permitting). CLASSIC -

Board a Felucca (traditional wooden sailing boat) and cross the blue waters of the Nile. En route, see

the ancient water measurement system, "Nilometer," on the Nile's Elephantine Island. Visit

Kitchener Island's lush Botanical Gardens and the splendid Aga Khan Mausoleum on the left bank.

Join an Optional Excursion to the Sound and Light show in Philae Temple. Tonight, enjoy live

entertainment onboard. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ASWAN (B,L,D)

DAY 8: ASWAN (DISEMBARKATION)-CAIRO

Work in Progress and the Goddess Isis CLASSIC - Join a Guided Sightseeing Excursion at to explore

the Granite Quarries that supplied ancient Egypt with its hard stones for the pyramids in Giza. See

the famous unfinished obelisk, still remaining in the quarry. CLASSIC - Visit the gigantic Aswan High

Dam, completed in 1970. Board a motor launch to the island of Agilika between the two dams. Visit

the Temple Of Isis which was dismantled from the submerged island of Philae and reassembled

here. Board your flight back to Cairo later today, and consider attending an Optional Dinner Cruise

on the Nile to celebrate your Egyptian adventure. (B)

DAY 9: CAIRO

Amazing Palaces and Marketplace Mazes CLASSIC - Enjoy a special tour of the world's widest openair

museum to admire palaces and mosques. Browse the maze of shops in the vast labyrinths of the

Khan al Khali Souk bazaar and Medieval alleyways. CLASSIC - Take in a full panoramic view of Cairo

from the Nile River-on board a traditional wooden sailing vessel (Felucca). CLASSIC - Discover Cairo

by night on an orientation tour in the old city. (B)

DAY 10: CAIRO

Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

Cruise & Rail

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