Today, tour members gather at their respective airports for the flight to Cairo. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the onboard entertainment as we journey toward Egypt. Tomorrow, we’ll step into the cradle of civilization and begin our unforgettable adventure.

Welcome to Egypt! Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, we’ll be greeted by our local representative and transferred to Le Meridien Airport Hotel. After check-in, we’ll enjoy dinner and relax overnight, preparing for the exciting days ahead.

After breakfast, we’ll fly to Luxor, where our representative will guide us to our Nile cruise ship for embarkation before noon. Our day will start with a visit to Karnak Temples, the largest religious complex ever built. The primary structure here is dedicated to Amun Ra, the chief god of ancient Egypt, whose name means “hidden”—symbolizing his powerful presence. We’ll continue to Luxor Temple, located in the heart of ancient Thebes, dedicated to Amun Re, further exploring the city’s ancient grandeur. Afterward, we’ll return to the ship for dinner and enjoy an Egyptian folkloric show onboard. Overnight in Luxor.

After breakfast, we’ll explore the sacred West Bank of Luxor, including the Valley of the Kings, the burial ground for Egypt’s pharaohs. Here, we’ll see three tombs of famous Pharaohs and feel the weight of history (Note: it will cost extra to see Tutankhamen’s tomb). We’ll also visit the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El-Bahari, a stunning example of ancient Egyptian architecture, carved into the mountainside. Continuing, we’ll explore Medinet Habu, where Ramses III’s victory over the Sea Peoples is depicted. The day ends with a visit to the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. We’ll return to the ship for lunch, then sail toward Edfu for dinner and overnight on board.

After breakfast, we’ll visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, dedicated to the falcon-headed god of the sky. This wellpreserved temple is a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian architecture. Next, we’ll sail to Kom Ombo to explore its unique dual temple dedicated to the gods Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, a form of Horus. As we sail toward Aswan, we’ll enjoy the serene landscape of the Nile. Dinner will be served on board as we arrive in Aswan late in the evening.

After breakfast, we’ll journey to Abu Simbel, where we’ll explore the majestic temples built by Ramses II. The Great Temple is dedicated to the sun god Ra-Horakhty, while the smaller temple honors Ramses II and his queen, Nefertari. We’ll return to Aswan in the afternoon, visiting the Unfinished Obelisk. This giant red granite obelisk, dedicated to Amun Ra, gives us insight into the grandeur that was never completed. Later, we’ll return to the ship for tea and enjoy the evening at leisure. Dinner and overnight in Aswan.

After breakfast, we’ll visit Aswan’s High Dam, constructed by President Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1960 to protect Egypt from annual flooding. Next, we’ll take a motorboat ride to Agilika Island, where we’ll explore the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis, known for her association with the legendary tale of Horus’s birth. We’ll then fly back to Cairo, where we’ll have dinner and stay overnight.

Today, we’ll explore Old Cairo, visiting ancient Christian churches and the synagogue that testify to Egypt’s rich, multi-faith heritage. Afterward, we’ll delve into the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of Egyptian antiquities. From the treasures of Tutankhamun to the grandeur of ancient Egypt’s kings, we’ll see firsthand the artifacts that have shaped our understanding of this remarkable civilization. Later, we’ll return to the hotel for dinner and a restful night.

After breakfast, we’ll visit the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the only remaining wonder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We’ll also see the enigmatic Sphinx, a symbol of ancient Egyptian mystery and power. In Sakkara, we’ll visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the first monumental stone structure in Egypt, and explore the tombs of Ti and Ptah, giving us a glimpse into the burial practices of Egypt’s Old Kingdom. Afterward, we’ll return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

We’ll delve into Egypt’s Eastern Delta, the biblical Land of Goshen, where the Israelites are said to have settled after being invited by Pharaoh during a time of famine. Our first stop is Bubastis, the city where the goddess Bastet was worshipped. Archaeological evidence suggests that Joseph might have overseen the land Pharaoh gave to his family here. Next, we’ll visit Tanis (Zoan), where we’ll see monumental statues of Ramses II and the royal necropolis, including the tomb of Shoshenq I. Returning to Le Meridien Airport Hotel, we’ll reflect on our discoveries during dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to Cairo International Airport for our flight home or continue the adventure with a flight to Tel Aviv for the Israel tour. Safe travels!