Arrive in Cairo, where you are met by your A&Krepresentative and transferred to your historic hotel ideallysituated near the last remaining Ancient Wonder of theWorld ''' the Great Pyramid of Giza.Hotel: Marriott Mena House Hotel  

This morning, join your expert A&K Egyptologist for anexploration of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities (or the Grand Egyptian Museum, upon its opening) to view its huge collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Tonight, gather withyour fellow guests for a welcome dinner.Hotel: Marriott Mena House Hotel  
Meals:   Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Today, roam the Giza Plateau, site of the pyramids ofMycerinus and Chephren as well as the Great Pyramid,built in the Fourth Dynasty (approximately 2690 BC). Revelin the opportunity to enter the interior of one of theselegendary structures, and marvel at the massive stones usedto construct them. Ride a camel across the sands of Giza, andthen view the Great Sphinx backdropped by the pyramids, asetting that has captured the imaginations of adventurers forcenturies.Hotel: Marriott Mena House Hotel  
Meals:   Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Fly to Luxor, site of the ancient city of Thebes. Begin yourfull day of exploring by visiting the striking Temple ofLuxor. View the three large statues of Ramses II along thefront of the temple pylons, the Courtyard of Ramses II andthe Colonnade of Amenhotep III, with its 50-foot-highcolumns. Walk in their shadows, as visitors have done sinceantiquity, and ponder the astonishing feats of engineeringit took to create them. Then, step aboard '''Sanctuary SunBoat IV,''' an elegant river cruiser renowned for the warmthand attentiveness of its service staff. Enjoy lunch on boardbefore disembarking to explore the west bank of the Nileriver and the Necropolis of Thebes, and view the Colossi ofMemnon. Continue to the architecturally stunning Templeof Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt'''s first female pharaoh andregarded today as one of its most successful. Carry on tothe Valley of the Kings, burial ground of the pharaohs anda UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a period of 500 yearsbeginning in the 16th century BC, tombs were built alongthis valley for pharaohs and nobles, including that of '''theboy king,''' Tutankhamun. Enter the tomb of Tutankhamun ''' found in 1922 by British archaeologist and EgyptologistHoward Carter ''' to discover the secrets of this storiedchamber. Next, descend into the beautifully decorated tombof Seti I, the father of Ramses II, one of the best-preservedtombs in the valley.Hotel: ���Sanctuary Sun Boat IV���  
Meals:   Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Journey once more to the east bank of the Nile, this timevisiting the Temple of Karnak, where generations ofpharaohs wished to record their names. Walk through theGreat Hypostyle Hall, strolling among its expertly aligned columns, which soar 80 feet high. This afternoon, cruise toEsna and visit the Temple of Khnum to marvel at its superbart and hieroglyphics.Hotel: ���Sanctuary Sun Boat IV���  
Meals:   Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Today, view the Temple of Horus, falcon-headed god of thesky. Built in 230 BC by Ptolemy III, this amazingly well-preservedand colorful structure reveals what temple worshipin ancient Egypt was like. Back on board, learn to preparelocal dishes during a Chef '''s Table experience: a cookinglesson with an onboard chef. Later this afternoon, enjoy a refreshing Scenic Sundowner as you cruise to Kom Ombo.Disembark at Kom Ombo (hill of gold) to visit the Greco-Roman temple dedicated to Haroeris (the sun god) andSobek (the crocodile god), whom some ancient Egyptiansconsidered the creator of the world. View the mummifiedremains of several crocodiles that once basked along theancient Nile shore, just as their descendants do today.Hotel: ���Sanctuary Sun Boat IV���  
Meals:   Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Cruise to Aswan and proceed to the ancient granite quarriesand site of the Unfinished Obelisk. Illustrating the skillsof Egypt'''s stonemasons, this monolith is taller than anyother ancient Egyptian obelisk. Board a motorized boat topicturesque Philae Temple on the island of Agilika. A sacredcomplex dedicated to the goddess Isis, it reflects a fusion ofthree great civilizations: Egyptian, Greek and Roman. Later,Ride Like a Local around the Aswan Islands in a felucca(traditional sailboat).Hotel: ���Sanctuary Sun Boat IV���  
Meals:   Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

Today, bid farewell to '''Sanctuary Sun Boat IV,''' disembarkingto fly to Abu Simbel and discover the commanding twintemples of Ramses II and his wife, Queen Nefertari. The former'''s fa''ade is dominated by four 70-foot-tall statuesof the pharaoh. Perhaps even more impressive, this entiresite was disassembled and moved here to save it from thefloodwaters caused by the construction of the Aswan HighDam. Return to Cairo for an evening at leisure.Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza  
Meals:   Breakfast

Drive to Sakkara, site of hundreds of tombs and 14 pyramids,including the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser. After lunch,enjoy one of these Design Your Day''activities:Discover Coptic Cairo, visiting a church built where theHoly Family stayed, as well as St. Barbara and the Churchof the Virgin Mary.Tour Islamic Cairo, including a walk in El-Moaz Street,and the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. View the Royal Mummies, and countless other artifacts,as you tour the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.This evening, gather with your fellow guests to reflect onyour journey through Egypt and along the Nile at a farewelldinner.Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza  
Meals:   Breakfast   Lunch   Dinner

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart.
Meals:   Breakfast