DAY 2, Saturday - Arrive in Cairo
Welcome to Egypt, one of the world's greatest ancient civilizations. Arrive in Cairo and transfer to your hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by dinner
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Sunday - The Pyramids & Sphinx of Giza
After breakfast, visit the Pyramids of Giza, built during the 3rd and 4th dynasties of the Old Kingdom. These monumental undertakings stand as a marvelous testimony to the almost unbelievable skill and determination of their builders. Get a close-up view of the Great Pyramid, built for the Pharaoh Khufu, as well as the Pyramids of Khafre and Menkaure. Not too far from the Pyramids, see the great Sphinx of Giza, the legendary statue with the head of a human and the body of a lion, amazingly carved out of a huge piece of limestone. Leisure time this afternoon, or join the optional tour to Sakkara with lunch. In Sakkara, site of hundreds of tombs, view the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser. Next, visit a carpet school before heading back to your hotel
Optional: Sakkara Pyramids with lunch (PM)
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Monday - Travel to Alexandria & City Tour
Depart Cairo this morning and head north to the legendary city of Alexandria, a culturally rich seaside metropolis. Arrive and check into your hotel. Afterward, take a panoramic city tour and spend the rest of the day at leisure to get acquainted with this Mediterranean jewel
Overnight: Alexandria
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Tuesday - Explore Alexandria
This morning, discover the city of Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great with a visit to the Roman amphitheater, a marble theater that once seated 800 spectators. Continue to the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, a necropolis hewn into a cliff consisting of three levels, dating from the 2nd century AD. View the Roman triclinium, a banquet hall to honor the dead before heading to the 15th century Citadel of Qaitbay. It was built on the site of the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria by Sultan Qaitbay, to defend the city from the Ottoman attacks. The battlements offer sweeping views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea
Overnight: Alexandria
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6, Wednesday - Return to Cairo, Coptic Cairo
Today, depart Alexandria and return to Cairo. Upon arrival, have lunch at a local restaurant and sample traditional cuisine. Then, head to Coptic Cairo and visit the famed Hanging Church, a place of Orthodox worship constructed in the 3rd century. Next, pause at Abu Serga, known formally as Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church. This place has great significance as it is believed to be the spot where the Holy Family took refuge during their journey in Egypt. Continue towards The Church of St. George, a Greek Orthodox church built atop the north tower of the old Roman fortress of Babylon. Next, visit a shop where you can view a brief demonstration of how papyrus paper is made from papyrus grass. Afterward, check into your hotel and spend the balance of the day at leisure
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 7, Thursday - Flight to Aswan, Philae Temple
Today, fly to Aswan, an ancient frontier town. Upon arrival, take a tour to Philae Temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. Arrive by motorboat and marvel at the Temple's beautiful island location. On the way to the hotel, stop at a local perfume shop. During your visit, you can watch the creation of perfumes. Select a fragrance and choose from a wide selection of glass bottle containers. Afterward, check into your hotel in Aswan. Afternoon at leisure, or join the optional Aswan Felucca Ride and enjoy a relaxing ride aboard a felucca, the traditional sailboat of Egypt used along the Nile
Optional: Aswan Felucca Ride (PM)
Overnight: Aswan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8, Friday - Nile Cruise Embarkation
Spend the morning at leisure, or join the optional to Abu Simbel temples. An early morning bus ride from Aswan transports you back in time to the mighty Temples of Abu Simbel, reclaimed from the floodwaters of the Aswan High Dam and totally reconstructed in the present location. The site is dominated by the looming twin temples of Ramses II and his wife Queen Nefertari. It is one of the most recognizable ancient sites of Egypt. Later, embark on your ship for an unforgettable cruise on the legendary Nile River. After lunch aboard the ship, spend the afternoon at leisure
Optional: Abu Simbel by Bus (AM)
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Saturday - Kom Ombo & Edfu Temples, Cruise to Luxor
This morning, tour the imposing Greco-Roman Temple of Kom Ombo, that is dedicated to Horus, the Sky God, and Sobek, the Crocodile God. Admire the fascinating detailed reliefs on the walls. Later, visit the stunning Temple of Horus in Edfu, considered one of the best preserved of all the Egyptian temples. The temple is dedicated to the falcon god Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris. Its extravagant design and sheer size is an indication of the country's prosperity at the time. This afternoon, the ship sails via Esna to Luxor, known in ancient Egyptian times as the city of Thebes
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Sunday - Temples of Karnak & Luxor
View the magnificence of the Luxor West Bank on this morning's optional tour that includes the Valley of the Kings & Temple of Hatshepsut along with Colossi of Memnon. Begin with a visit to the UNESCO listed Valley of the Kings, the necropolis of Thebes and admire the tombs of ancient Egypt's rulers. Next, head to the Temple of Hatshepsut, a colonnaded structure surrounded by cliffs and learn about the life of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt's longest-reigning female ruler. Visit an alabaster factory, where you can view a demonstration of grinding alabaster the old fashion way. Browse the extensive collection of alabaster pieces. Conclude the tour at the Colossi of Memnon: two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Return to the ship for lunch. In the afternoon, take a sightseeing tour of the East Bank of Luxor. Visit the magnificent Temple of Karnak, dating back over 3,000 years. Walk along the avenue of the Sphinxes and marvel at the Hypostyle Hall with its 134 massive sandstone columns. Afterward, head to Luxor Temple to admire the colossal statues of the great pharaoh Ramses II
Optional: Excursion to West Bank (AM)
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 11, Monday - Disembarkation, Travel to Hurghada
Following disembarkation from your cruise ship, travel to the resort city of Hurghada, on the coast of the Red Sea. Upon arrival, have lunch at your hotel. In the afternoon, spend free time to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Perhaps, visit the local bazaars to shop for souvenirs and practice your bargaining skills. Tonight, dinner is at the hotel
Overnight: Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12, Tuesday - Hurghada City Tour
Spend a leisurely morning. After lunch at the hotel, embark on a city tour. Discover the traditional Old Town and the new, modern city. View the old port, shipyard, Great Mosque, and Church of St. Mary. Visit the Hurghada Grand Aquarium to view Red Sea marine life up-close and gain insight into the ecological environment of the Red Sea. Afterward, return to the hotel in time for dinner
Overnight: Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 13, Wednesday - Flight to Cairo, Citadel
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Cairo. On arrival, visit the impressive Citadel, strategically located on the Mokattam Hills, known for its sweeping views of Cairo. It was constructed by Saladin as a defense against Crusader invasions. Marvel at the stunning alabaster-tiled Mohammed Ali Pasha Mosque, situated at the summit of the Citadel. Later, check into your hotel
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 14, Thursday - Full Day in Cairo
Spend the day at leisure to further explore this fascinating city, or join the optional Egyptian Museum & Khan El Khalili with lunch. Begin with a visit to the Egyptian Museum, a neoclassical style building located in Tahrir Square that houses the world's largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts. Stroll through its galleries to discover ancient treasures and learn about Egypt's rich history After lunch, continue to Khan el Khalili bazaar, Cairo's most famous souk. Here, you will find everything from gold and spices to scarabs and antiques. Tonight at dinner, share memories of your journey through Egypt and bid farewell to your Tour Manager
Optional: Egyptian Museum & Khan El Khalili with lunch (AM)
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 15, Friday - Depart Egypt
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast