Day 1 - DEPART USA

Overnight flight.

Day 2 - ARRIVE CAIRO

Welcome to Egypt, the timeless land of the Pharoahs and a treasure house of ancient history. On arrival in Cairo you are met and transferred to your sophisticated tour hotel, built around a stunning landscaped atrium.
Hotel: Fairmont Heliopolis

Day 3 - CAIRO - ST CATHERINE

After driving through the tunnel under the Suez Canal, look out for the huge cargo ships as they negotiate this famous waterway. Cross the Sinai Peninsula to St. Catherine's village in the shadow of Mt Sinai. You are also invited for tea with the local Bedouins. Later there is time to relax before dinner.
Hotel: Morgen Land. (BB,D)

Day 4 - ST CATHERINE - GULF OF SUEZ

Passengers who choose to ascend Mt Sinai will see the cave where Moses hid and the sunrise from the summit. Later, one of the priests guides you through St. Catherine's Monastery (if open). Drive on to your seaside resort.
Hotel: Palmera Ain Sukhna (BB,D)

Day 5 - GULF OF SUEZ - ALEXANDRIA

Drive through the desert to Alexandria, Egypt's major port, founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC.
Hotel: Helnan Palestine. (BB,D)

Day 6 - ALEXANDRIA SIGHTSEEING

Your full day city tour includes the National Museum, Roman Amphitheatre and Roman Catacombs. After a visit to the 15C Quayet-Bey Fortress, your final stop is at the Montazah Gardens. Tonight, your Highlight Dinner is at a local restaurant. (BB,HD)

Day 7 - ALEXANDRIA - CAIRO

Drive into the Western Desert to
El-Alamein. Time here to pay your respects at the War Cemeteries and visit the Military Museum. En route to Cairo make a stop at the Coptic Monasteries at Wadi El Natrun (if open).
Hotel: Marriott (BB)

Day 8 - CAIRO SIGHTSEEING

Enjoy views over the city from the Citadel of Salah El Din and then visit Mohammed Ali's great alabaster mosque. Continue to the Egyptian Museum to gaze upon Tutankhamun's treasure. Later, experience a Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids of Giza! (BB)

Day 9 - CAIRO - LUXOR- join cruise

Fly to Luxor on the banks of the Nile, to tour the Temple complex of Karnak. Walk through the avenue of Ram-headed sphinxes, past the statue of Rameses II, to the vast Hypostyle Hall, a veritable stone forest, housing 134 giant decorated columns. Later, get to know your cruise boat, and set sail for Dendara.
Ship: MS Miriam/Ms Giselle. (BB,L,D)

Day 10 - ON BOARD SHIP

Visit the Temple of Hathor in Dendara, one of the best preserved temples in Egypt and containing a rare depiction of Cleopatra and her son Caesarian, whose father was Julius Caesar. Return to Luxor around midday where you are at leisure. In the cool of early evening, visit the ancient Temple of Luxor, founded in 1400 BC during Thebe's Golden Age. (BB,L,D)

Day 11 - ON BOARD SHIP

Travel by air-conditioned coach to the West Bank of the Nile to see the Colossi of Memnon, and visit both the Temple of Hatshepsut and Valley of the Kings, where many Pharoahs were buried. Return to your cruise boat and sail via the Esna Lock to Edfu. (BB,L,D)

Day 12 - ON BOARD SHIP

Visit the well-preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu, dedicated to the Falcon God. After exploring this fascinating site, your cruise continues to Aswan. Don your galabeas, (traditional Egyptian attire), for a fun-filled Egyptian Dinner and Galabea Party. (BB,L,HD)

Day 13 - ON BOARD SHIP

A full day of sightseeing includes a visit to the Aswan High Dam and Granite Quarries to see the enormous unfinished obelisk. Travel by motorboat to the Temple of Isis, rising from the waters of the Nile on the Island of Philae. Later, return to Aswan to sail in a traditional Nile felucca around Aswan's Botanical Gardens. (BB, L, D)

Day 14 - ON BOARD SHIP

Perhaps join the optional excursion by air to the temples of Abu Simbel ? Later, sail to Kom Ombo to visit the only double temple of Egypt dedicated to two gods, the crocodile headed, Sobek and falcon headed Horus the Elder. (BB,L,D)

Day 15 - ON BOARD SHIP

Your cruise continues along the life giving waters of the Nile. In the evening arrive back in Luxor where there is time for last minute shopping and sightseeing. (BB,L,D)

Day 16 - LUXOR - CAIRO

Disembark from your cruise and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo. This evening you have time at leisure.
Hotel: Marriott (BB)

Day 17 - CAIRO SIGHTSEEING

Drive to Memphis to admire the statue of Rameses II and the great alabaster sphinx. Continue to Sakkara to see the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest in the world. Now enjoy a highlight visit inside one of the Pyramids of Giza and see the guardian Sphinx. (BB)

Day 18 - RETURN TO USA

The tour ends with transfers to Cairo airport. (BB)