River Cruise Itinerary

Take an extraordinary journey on this escorted tour of Egypt, beginning and ending in Cairo, followed by a 4-night stay in Jordan. Begin with a 3-night stay in Cairo—called the “Mother of the World”—to explore the legendary sites you’ve dreamed of seeing. Stand before the Sphinx and the Great Pyramid of Giza and Sakkara’s tombs of the kings.. Survey King Tutankahmun’s treasures at the Egyptian Museum (note: upon its opening , the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza will replace Cairo’s Egyptian Museum in this itinerary.). In Old Cairo, visit the Alabaster Mosque, situated on the summit of the Citadel. Visit Abu Serga Church built on the spot where the Holy Family stopped and rested towards the end of their journey to Egypt. Also see the 4th century Church of the Virgin Mary (called the Hanging Church), built on the remains of an old Roman Babylon fortress. These and more exciting discoveries are to be found as you see Egypt’s incredible monuments to pharaohs and gods of Egyptian history.Fly to Luxor to embark on your Nile River cruise. You’ll visit the monument of Karnak with its ancient, Avenue of the Sphinxes and the Temple of Amun-Ra as well as Luxor Temple. Visit the valley of Kings and Valley of Queens, where the pristine tomb of King Tutankahmun was found with undisturbed riches and splendour. This incredible cruise on the Nile River takes you to amazing ancient sites, including the Temple of Edfu, twin temples at Kom Ombo, devoted to the crocodile god Sobek-Ra and the falcon god Horus. Ponder the magnitude of the task of building the pyramids with a visit to the granite quarries—where an unfinished obelisk still remains. Visit the Temple of Isis, then take a return flight to Cairo to explore the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and its Hall of Mummies before a felucca ride on the Nile and the chance to browse the bustling maze of the endless bazaar in Cairo’s medieval alleys. Your adventure continues with four nights in Jordan, with a flight from Cairo to Amman. Spend one night each in Amman and Petra, and two nights at the Dead Sea. Enjoy superior accommodations, transportation, and guided sightseeing with expert Local Guides to see the red city of Petra, Roman ruins of Amman, the ruins of Jerash, and the Dead Sea.

1. Day 1
   CAIRO, EGYPT

   Fri, Dec 01, 2023

   Welcome to Cairo, “Mother of the World”
2. Day 2
   CAIRO

   Sat, Dec 02, 2023

   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 Noble tombs.Afterwards, enjoy free time for lunch in a local restaurant.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 Roca and the Step Pyramid of King Zoser.(B)
3. Day 3
   CAIRO

   Sun, Dec 03, 2023

   Ancient Cairo, a Boy King, and the Christ ChildCLASSIC 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 Abu Serga Church, not only the oldest church in Egypt but built on the spot where the Holy Family stopped and rested towards the end of their journey to Egypt. Proceed to visit the hanging church, which dates back to the fourth century, built on the remains of an old Roman Babylon fortress. Walk to see Cairo’s oldest Jewish synagogue, founded in the 9th century.*Note:Upon its opening, the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza will replace Cairo’s Egyptian Museum for this itinerary.(B)
4. Day 4
   CAIRO–LUXOR (EMBARKATION)

   Mon, Dec 04, 2023

   The World’s Greatest Open-Air MuseumFly 300 miles up the Nile Valley to Luxor to embark on your Nile River cruise.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. This evening enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN LUXOR(B,L,D)
5. Day 5
   LUXOR–EDFU

   Tue, Dec 05, 2023

   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.DISCOVERY This evening enjoy live entertainment on board.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN EDFU(B,L,D)
6. Day 6
   EDFU–KOM OMBO–ASWAN

   Wed, Dec 06, 2023

   Egyptian Gods of the River and Sky CLASSIC This morning visit Edfu Temple, also known as the Temple of Horus with its menacing black stone statue of the falcon god. Enjoy a leisurely sail to Kom Ombo.DISCOVERY Join an exclusive lecture on this ancient civilization by your Egyptologist.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.Tonight features an Egyptian dinner and a galabeya party onboard.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ASWAN (B,L,D)
7. Day 7
   ASWAN

   Thu, Dec 07, 2023

   Temples from Above and Islands BelowThis morning, consider flying to Abu Simbel to join a Guided Optional Excursion of the huge massive sandstone temples (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.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ASWAN(B,L,D)
8. Day 8
   ASWAN (DISEMBARKATION)–CAIRO

   Fri, Dec 08, 2023

   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)
9. Day 9
   CAIRO

   Sat, Dec 09, 2023

   Amazing Civilization and Marketplace MazesCLASSIC Start the day with a guided tour of the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. No visit would be complete without time to experience the Royal Mummies’ Hall, considered the crown jewel of the museumCLASSIC Take in a full panoramic view of Cairo from the Nile River—on board a traditional wooden sailing vessel (Felucca). Then enjoy a typical Egyptian light lunch (Coshair or Falafel) with yummy ice cream in downtown Cairo.CLASSIC Browse the maze of shops in the vast labyrinths of the Khan al Khali Souk bazaar and Medieval alleyways. (B)
10. Day 10
    CAIRO–AMMAN, JORDAN

    Sun, Dec 10, 2023

    Welcome in JordanFlight to Amman, Jordan and enjoy free time in the capital city of Jordan before dinner at your hotel in Amman.(B,D)
11. Day 11
    AMMAN–PETRA

    Mon, Dec 11, 2023

    CLASSIC Start the day with a city tour of Amman, which will take you to visit the citadel and Roman Theatre. Enjoy a walk at downtown, and see the old markets.A motorcoach transfer will take you at Mt. Nebo CLASSIC Visit the alleged burial site of Moses at Mt. Nebo and St. George Church in Madaba, with its mosaic floor.Continue to Petra for dinner at your hotel.(B,D)
12. Day 12
    PETRA–DEAD SEA

    Tue, Dec 12, 2023

    CLASSIC Enjoy a visit to the archaeological site of Petra. In the afternoon, depart for the Dead Sea for dinner at your hotel.(B,D)
13. Day 13
    DEAD SEA. EXCURSION TO JERASH RUINS

    Wed, Dec 13, 2023

    CLASSIC This morning, join a visit to Jerash Ruins.Transfer back to Dead Sea to enjoy free time and dinner at your hotel.(B,D)
14. Day 14
    DEAD SEA–AMMAN

    Thu, Dec 14, 2023

    Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.Morning transfer to Amman airport in time for homebound flights.(B)

Inclusions

• In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
• Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
• Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.

Price is per person based on double room occupancy. Gratuities to Local Guides & drivers are included.

Call for single accommodation details and prices. Triple rooms are not available.

Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available.

Health and Safety Protocols for Avalon Waterways

Ship Information

Cabins

Life on Board

Questions & Answers