DAY 2, Tuesday - 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
Overnight: Cairo

DAY 3, Wednesday - Full Day Cairo
Spend the day at leisure in Cairo, 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 one of the world's largest collections of ancient Egyptian artifacts. After lunch, continue to Khan el-Khalili bazaar to browse vibrant displays of fabrics, handicrafts, and antiques. Conclude the day with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by dinner
Optional: Egyptian Museum & Khan el-Khalili with lunch (AM)
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 4, Thursday - The Pyramids & Sphinx of Giza
After breakfast, visit the Pyramids of Giza, built during the 4th dynasty 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 one huge piece of limestone. Leisure time this afternoon, or join the optional tour to Sakkara Pyramids with lunch. In Sakkara, site of hundreds of tombs, view the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser. Next, visit a carpet school before heading back
Optional: Sakkara Pyramids with Lunch (PM)
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 5, Friday - Flight to Luxor, Temples of Karnak
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival explore the magnificent Temples 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. Next, visit a shop where you can view a brief demonstration of how papyrus paper is made from the papyrus plant. Head to the hotel for overnight
Overnight: Luxor
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 6, Saturday - Dendera Temple, Nile Cruise Embarkation, Luxor Temple
In the morning, take an excursion to Dendera Temple, one of the best preserved temple complexes in Egypt, located on the west bank of the Nile, approximately 40 miles away from Luxor. Explore the Temple of Hathor, dedicated to the wife of god Horus. Marvel at the spectacular ceiling painting in the main hall, displaying stars, planets, and symbols of the Roman zodiac. The colors seen throughout the temple complex are original, and amazingly vibrant. Visit the temple crypt, and climb the staircase up to the roof, learning about Egypt's Ptolemaic period along the way. Free time to explore the temple complex before returning to Luxor. Afterward, 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, before embarking on the Nile cruise. After lunch, visit Luxor Temple to admire the colossal statues of the great pharaoh Ramses II
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 7, Sunday - Full Day Luxor
View the magnificence of the Luxor West Bank on this early morning's optional excursion. 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 famous female ruler. Visit an alabaster workshop, where you can view a demonstration of shaping alabaster the old-fashioned way. Browse the extensive collection of alabaster pieces. Conclude the tour at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep II. Return to the ship for lunch, and continue sailing onward this afternoon
Optional: Excursion to West Bank (AM)
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 8, Monday - Edfu Temples & Kom Ombo
This morning, visit the stunning Temples of Horus in Edfu, considered one of the best preserved of all the Egyptian Temples. It was built during the Ptolemaic times and was completed over a 180-year period. The temple is dedicated to the falcon god Horus, son of Isis and Osiris. Its extravagant design and sheer size is an indication of the country's prosperity at the time. Next, tour the imposing Greco-Roman Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Horus and Sobek, the crocodile god. Admire the fascinating detailed reliefs on the walls. Return to the ship for dinner
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 9, Tuesday - Cruise to Aswan
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. Afterwards, drive back to Aswan. Choose to relax the rest of the evening, or take part in an optional Aswan Felucca Ride. Enjoy a relaxing cruise aboard a felucca, the traditional sailboat of Egypt used along the Nile
Optional: Abu Simbel by Bus (AM)
Optional: Aswan Felucca Ride (PM)
Overnight: Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 10, Wednesday - Disembarkation, Philae Temple
This morning, after disembarking from your cruise ship, explore Philae Temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. Arrive by motorboat and marvel at the Temple's beautiful island location. After lunch at a local restaurant, visit the cotton shop. Transfer to your hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure, or join the optional Nubian Village visit. On this tour, board a motorboat and cruise along the Nile River to a Nubian village. Along the way, admire the sweeping views over the river. Upon arrival, visit a traditional village and gain insight into the culture, history, and lifestyle of one of Africa's oldest civilizations
Optional: Nubian Village Visit (PM)
Overnight: Aswan
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 11, Thursday - Flight to Cairo
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo. Tonight, bid farewell to your Tour Manager during dinner at the hotel
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY 12, Friday - Depart Egypt
Transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast