Exotic Egypt

Depart from the US into Cairo. If you are coming from Turkey, you will arrive on the 22nd and transfer to hotel.

Arrive in Cairo. We will be met at the airport and driven to our hotel where we can relax and enjoy our evening on our own. Overnight in Cairo.

This morning we begin our tour of the pyramids—the only remaining wonder of the ancient world. We explore the Pyramids of Giza; enjoy a 1-hour safari riding a camel or in a horse cart in the desert; and see the Sphinx. For those who can handle tight spaces, there is an option to enter the great pyramid ($15). Our next stop the Papyrus Institute where we watch a demonstration of this ancient art and do some shopping. After lunch, we visit the amazing Egyptian Antiquity Museum including King Tut’s exhibit. Overnight in Cairo. (B, L)

We start our day visiting Sakkara—the sight of the oldest pyramids of Egypt and the oldest stone building in the world. It is best known as the location of King Zoser’s step Pyramid. Next, we proceed to the old capital of Memphis. Here we visit the ruins of the Temple of Ptah and the gigantic colossi of king Ramses II. At a local carpet school, we watch the children learning to make rugs from the cocoon of the silkworms and learn about the different kinds of Egyptian carpets. Overnight in Cairo. (B, L)

After breakfast, we take early flights to Aswan and immediately begin our tour for the day by visiting the incredible High Dam built to save Egypt from the wild Nile flood. Next we travel by motor boat for about 10 minutes to visit one of the most beautiful temples in Egypt—the Temple of Philae. We return to Aswan and board our deluxe Nile cruise, our home for the next 3 nights. Overnight onboard. (B, L, D)

We start our cruise sailing north. Our first stop is at Kom Ombo to visit the only double temple in Egypt, which is dedicated to Horus the falcon and Sobek the crocodile. We return to the ship and continue on to Edfu. There we find the most complete temple in Egypt. We end our cruise for the day in Luxor. This evening we can take an optional 2-hour horse cart tour through the city of Luxor ($20). This is a very popular, fun tour! Overnight onboard. (B, L, D)

The truly adventurous will start the day with an optional Hot Air Balloon ride with a view of the Valley of the Kings ($120). The regularl tour starts with a visit to the Valley of the Kings. We visit 3 of the famous tombs of kings (additional cost to visit tomb of Tut Ankh Amen-$15). Next we pass by Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple for a quick photo stop. As we leave the Valley of the Kings, we visit the Colossi of Memnon. We then return to the ship for lunch. This afternoon we have a photo stop at the Luxor Temple and then visit the Karnak Temple which is dedicated to the god Amon, his wife Mut, and their son Khonsu. Tonight, we can enjoy the optional evening spectacular Sound and Light show at the Karnak temple ($30). This unique show narrates the story of the temple and the history of Thebes, including the lives and celebrated achievements of the pharaohs who built the necropolis. Overnight onboard. (B, L, D)

This morning we disembark the cruise ship and take early flights back to Cairo. From there we board our flights either back to the U.S. or to Israel. (B)