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 a Africa's largest metropolis starts at the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis, where you can admire the 40 foot square 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. 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 of Giza. Visit the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammad 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. How about an optional Nile River dinner cruise tonight? (B)
Day 4: CAIRO-ALEXANDRIA This morning, a pleasant drive through the fertile Nile Delta takes you to the seaport of Alexandria. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331BC, this Mediterranean port city soon became one of the major commerce and science centres of the Hellenistic world. Your sightseeing features the National Museum, Pompey's massive red granite pillar, and the intriguingly decorated Catacombs, the Library of Alexandria, and the Pharoah's lighthouse, built to aid ships navigating the featureless coastline of Mediterranean Egypt.
Day 5: ALEXANDRIA-ASWAN (EMBARKATION) Today, return to Cairo for your flight up the Nile Valley to Aswan, where you board your Nile cruiser in time for lunch. This afternoon, visit the Souk of Aswan before meeting your friendly crew over a welcome cocktail on board. (B, L, D)
Day 6: ASWAN-KOM OMBO-EDFU This morning, consider an optional flight (weather permitting) to the huge sandstone temples of Abu Simbel. Return to your ship in time for lunch. Later, 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. After dinner tonight, it's time for some fun and an onboard Galabya Party. (B, L, D)
Day 7: 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 Temple. Later, visit the Luxor Museum, containing one of the best displays of antiquities in Egypt. (B, L, D)
Day 8: LUXOR After breakfast, disembark and 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 1922. Visit Deir El-Bahri, Queen Hatshepsut's monumental rock temple. Stop for pictures at the two Colossi of Memnon guarding the valleys. Later, visit Karnak, which, together with Luxor, were the greatest cities of ancient Egypt that had a combined population of more than one million. To walk among 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 the rest of your life. This afternoon, learn more about this ancient civilization during an exclusive lecture by your Egyptologist. (B, L, D)
Day 9: LUXOR. EXCURSION TO DENDERA-EDFU Today, drive northward to Dendera to visit the Temple of Hathor, one of the very few temples that remains almost completely intact. (B, L, D)
Day 10: EDFU-KOM OMBO-ASWAN A leisurely day today lets you relax on the comfortable sun deck of your ship to catch up on postcard writing or to simply muse over the marvelous sights and sounds you have experienced in recent days. The more active may wish to return to the temples for another look and more photos. (B, L, D)
Day 11: ASWAN Sightseeing today starts at the Granite Quarries that supplied ancient Egypt with its hard stones for the pyramids in Giza. Also see the famous infinished obelisk, still in the quarry. Next, visit the gigantic Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970. Board a motorlaunch to the island of Agilika, situated between the two dams, and visit the Temple of Isis, transplanted from the submerged island of Philae. This afternoon, board a Felucca and sail across the blue waters of the river. En route, see the ancient "nilometer" on Elephantine Island, Kitchener Island's lush Botanical Gardens and the splendid Aga Khan Mausoleum on the left bank. (B, L, D)
Day 12: ASWAN (DISEMBARKATION)-CAIRO A last chance to catch up on postcard writing. Fly back to Cairo and enjoy a special farewell dinner tonight. (B, D)
Day 13: CAIRO Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
* Ports of call may vary based on itinerary and departure dates selected
Cabin Pricing
Ports
Alexandria
Named after its founder, Alexander the Great, Alexandria stands as Egypt's largest port, and second-largest city. It is the port of exploration of Cairo and the ancient sites of Giza (pyramids), Memphis and Sakkara. Here, a Mediterranean feel mixes with centuries of history and folklore to create a unique mix of Egypt old and new.
Country - Egypt Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from port to Airport - 10kms Currency - Egyptian Pound (EGP)
Places of Interest Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Roman Amphitheatre, Greco-Roman Museum
Kom Ombo
Country - Egypt Distance from port to City - 0kms Distance from Port to Airport - 0kms Currency - Egyptian Pound
Places of Interest
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Avalon Waterways
Now that you know why river cruising should be your next vacation, you need to decide which cruise company to choose. Thats easy, When you travel with Avalon Waterways, you can relax in the knowledge that you've made the best choice. Newest Ships
Avalon sets a new standard in river cruising Europe's newest ships; you cruise in amazing, one-of-a-kind travel comfort. Sleek and elegant, they are part of a new generation of river cruisers, with state-of-the-art technology. These ships offer larger accommodations with hotel-style beds, private facilities, satellite television, and much more, including email or internet access, and floor to ceiling sliding glass doors in many staterooms. Travellers will enjoy a fitness centre, hair salon and massage services.
The Most Enriching Experiences
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.
Created for the English Speaking Market
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.
Fine Dining
Whether you savour time-tested recipes or experiment more boldly, with Avalon you'll taste the true flavours of Europe, Egypt and China. Meals enjoyed in the company of your travelling companions are a major part of your vacation experience. On Avalon's ships, you'll enjoy open seat dining with one sitting, wine included with all onboard dinners, and panoramic views from your restaurant.
Quality Hotels
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.
Unbeatable Value
We include all the main features of a destination without extra cost. Our volume buying power saves you money. And we handle all the logistics and details, leaving you free to relax and enjoy your cruise. Plus we provide all meals on board, a rich land excursion program and much more!
