Day 1: ARRIVE IN CAIRO, EGYPT A welcome drink awaits you at your hotel, settle in and start soaking up the atmosphere of this exciting city.
Day 2: CAIRO Meet your Egyptologist and traveling companions at 8am. Sightseeing in and around Africa's largest metropolis starts at the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis, where you can admire the 40 foot statue of Ramses 2 and the Alabaster Sphinx. On to Sakkara, a vast desert necropolis built for kings and nobles, and its "Stairway to the Sky", the oldest of all pyramids. In the afternoon drive south to the now famous Tahrir Square and visit the Egyptian Museum with Tutankhamun's fabulous treasures and many other masterpieces of ancient Egypt. Tonight, enjoy a Sound and Light Show at the pyramids that will put these wonders of the ancient world into an easily understandable historic context. (B)
Day 3: CAIRO Today visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World's. Take a close up look at the daunting Great Pyramids of Giza. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet, is the most colossal pyramid ever built. A little farther away you find the mystic guardian of the pyramids, the enigmatic Sphinx. Drive back to Cairo to Saladin's 12th century citadel, whose robust walls and towers were constructed with stones stripped from the pyramids at Giza. Visit the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali, built completely in Turkish style and making no attempt to incorporate the Egyptian architecture of the time. In Coptic Cairo, see the Hanging Church where the Virgin Mary and Jesus stayed while in Egypt, then walk to see the oldest synagogue in Cairo, founded in the 9th century. There is still time for a visit to the labyrinthine Khan el Khalili Souk before returning to your hotel. How about an optional Nile River dinner cruise tonight? (B)
Day 4: CAIRO-ABU SIMBEL, LAKE NASSER (EMBARKATION) This morning fly up the Nile Valley to Lake Nasser, created in the 1960's when the Aswan High Dam was built. The lake was named after Gamal Abdel Nasser, Egypt's President from 1956-1970. At Abu Simbel, on the southern end of the lake, your elegant cruise vessel awaits your arrival. (B, L, D)
Day 5: ABU SIMBEL-KASR IBRIM A special experience this morning (weather permitting); watch the sun rise over Abu Simbel. Later, visit the magnificent TEMPLES built by Ramses 2, the mightiest of the pharaohs. In 1968, the temples were dismantled and raised higher up an artifical hill to save them from submersion in Lake Nasser due to the construction of the High Dam. This afternoon your ship docks in Kasr Ibrim in sight of the ancient citadel, the only Nubian monument that still exists in its original location. Entrance to the citadel site is not permitted. (B, L, D)
Day 6: AMADA-WADI el-SEBOUA This morning, sail to Amada to visit the Temples of Amada and Derr, as well as the Tomb of Penout, the viceroy of Nubia under Ramses VI. Over lunch, sail to Wadi el-Seboua, which means "Valley of Lionesses" and is named for the sphinxes guarding the rock Temple built in honor of Ramses 2. Nearby is the Temple of Dakka, where, if you are feeling energetic, you can climb the Pylon for an amazing view over the surrounding area, as well as the smaller Meharakka Temple. (B, L, D)
Day 7: ASWAN On your way to Aswan today, sail across the Tropic of Cancer. In the afternoon, visit Kalabasha Temple, the rock cut temple of Beit El-Wali, where several reliefs detailing the Pharaoh's victory over the Nubians can still be seen, and the tiny Roman Kiosk of Kertassi. Arriving in Aswan, there's time to visit the Souk. (B, L, D)
Day 8: ASWAN, LAKE NASSER (DISEMBARKATION)-ASWAN NILE RIVER (EMBARKATION) After breakfast, say goodbye to your Lake Nasser cruiser. In store for you today; the Granite Quarries that supplied ancient Egypt with its hard stones for the pyramids in Giza. Then, see the famous unfinished obelisk, still in the quarry. On to the turn of the century Old Dam - to this day, the widest dam in the world - and the gigantic Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970. Board a motor launch to the island of Agilika, situated between the two dams, and visit the Temple of Isis, the most romantic of Egypt's monuments, transplanted from the submerged island of Philae. The crew of your Nile cruiser now welcomes you, with time to freshen up and enjoy lunch on board. Later, board a Felucca and sail across the blue waters of the river. En route, see the ancient "nilometer" on Elephantine Island, Kitchener's lush Botanical Gardens and the splendid Aga Khan Mausoleum on the left bank. (B, L, D)
Day 9: ASWAN-KOM OMBO-EDFU Today, dock at Kom Ombo for a short walk to its bluff top twin temples. The right side is dedicated to the crocodile god, Sobek-Re, while the left side is dedicated to the falcon god, Horus. This is where you will also find man's first calendar. Later, while sailing to Edfu, learn more about this ancient civilization during an exclusive lecture by your Egyptologist. After dinner tonight, it's time for some fun and an onboard Galabya Party. (B, L, D)
Day 10: EDFU-LUXOR This morning, visit the Temple of Horus with its menacing black stone statue of the falcon god. Built in the time of Cleopatra about 2,000 years ago, it is recent by Egyptian standards and beautifully preserved. Sail on to Luxor and visit the stunning monuments of Luxor and Karnak, the greatest cities of ancient Egypt that had a combined population of more than one million. To walk amongst the pillars of the colossal Temple of Amun-Ra and along the Avenue of the Sphinxes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an experience you will treasure for the rest of your life.
Day 11: LUXOR (DISEMBARKATION)-CAIRO After breakfast, disembark and set out to visit the Valley of Kings and Valley of Queens on the west bank of the Nile, where generations of pharaohs and nobles were buried in great splendour in crypts cut into the cliffs. Sixty-two royal tombs have been uncovered so far,, of which only the tomb of Tutankhamun was nearly inviolate when discovered in 1992. Visit Deir El-Bahri, Queen Hatshepsut's monumental rock temple. Stop for pictures at the two Colossi of Memnon guarding the valleys. Later today, fly back to Cairo and enjoy a special farewell dinner. (B, L, D)
* Ports of call may vary based on itinerary and departure dates selected
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Kom Ombo
Country - Egypt Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 0kms Currency - Egyptian Pound
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Our Enrichment Program is among the best in river cruising. Experienced local guides will take you on sightseeing tours of wonderful towns and cities, plus you can spend the evening on shore, if the schedule permits. In addition to fascinating sightseeing on each itinerary, you can choose from a few optional outings, and there's always time to make your own discoveries as well. Back on board, you'll enjoy interactive presentations with area experts, wine tastings, local entertainment, and more. Look on each cruise itinerary page to see the Included Features and Special Highlights listed for each vacation.
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These new ships are built for the English Speaking Market, with non-smoking interiors and English speaking crew. They feature larger staterooms than most other river cruise vessels with comfortable beds and large windows to view the passing scene. Meals are European cuisine tailored to western tastes with coffee and tea available at no extra charge throughout the day. The Enrichment Program is geared towards those that like to travel with lively itineraries, time for individual discovery, and onboard entertainment.
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On several itineraries, you'll either begin or end your experience with a stay on land. We understand the importance of hotel quality to your vacation; that's why any hotels included in your itinerary are rated first class (F) or above (SF). Look for the exact ratings on the itinerary pages.
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