Egypt

Arrive in Cairo and transfer to our hotel in Giza.

Journey to Saqqara, the Necropolis of Memphis renowned for its roughly 5,000-year-old step pyramid and mastabas (tombs), which reveal the architectural origins of the pyramid. Hear from the Egyptian archaeologist who discovered the Wahtye Tomb and enter the four-shaft chamber to pore over the hieroglyphics in an exclusive tour. After lunch, travel to nearby Dahshur with its early-era Red and Bent Pyamids that provide insight into the trial-and-error process of pyramid building. Enjoy a welcome reception and dinner this evening.

Visit the awe-inspiring monuments of Giza - the quintessential symbols of ancient Egypt. Explore the massive pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Menkaure, and be treated to special access at the foot of the enigmatic Sphinx. After lunch, take some time to rest at the Mena House before gathering together again for dinner at an Egyptian home.

Travel into the heart of Cairo to tour Cairo’s culturally diverse landmarks, including the Cairo Citadel and Coptic Cairo. Return to Giza to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). Over 20 years in the making, this impressive postmodern project will be the world’s largest archaeological museum. Return to our hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Hop on a chartered flight from Cairo to Luxor, where we begin our exploration of the Nile Valley with a guided tour of the East Bank of Luxor. Board our luxurious riverboat and enjoy lunch on board, followed by an afternoon of leisure. Depart for a special sunset excursion to the Temple of Luxor. Its graceful cluster columns, designed to look like papyrus, were built by Amenhotep III and later embellished by Ramesses II, Tutankhamun and Alexander the Great.

Today we explore the West Bank of the Nile, starting with the Valley of the Queens, including a special visit to the tomb of Queen Nefertari. Next, visit Deir el-Bahri, whose highlight is the magnificent mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, the queen who declared herself king and whose mummy was discovered in 2007. Wander through the Valley of the Kings, with its stunningly painted royal tombs—including those of Tutankhamun, Ramesses III, Ramesses V & VI, and Seti I, where we hear from a local archaeologist. Return to our boat for a late lunch, then enjoy some free time or make an optional visit to a local souk in the afternoon. Dinner is served onboard.

Return to the West Bank of Luxor to visit its most beautiful tombs—those of the nobles—set in the limestone cliffs that stretch far into the valleys of the western desert. Proceed to the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu, with its impressive wall reliefs, before stopping to admire the Colossi of Memnon, two massive sandstone statues of Pharaoh Amehnotep III. Begin our sail to Esna while lunch is served onboard. Enjoy dinner followed by a movie night featuring the 1978 film, Death on the Nile.

Disembark this morning at Esna to admire the Greco-Roman Temple of Khnum, with its great hypostyle hall. Following lunch on board, tour the Temple of Horus at Edfu. Built during the Ptolemaic Kingdom between 237 and 57 BCE, it is one of the best-preserved shrines in Egypt. Tonight, join the ship crew for a festive cultural party including a meal of local Egyptian specialties, music and dancing.

Devote the entire day to exploring Aswan, beginning with the High Dam. Continue to the Temple of Isis, which was carefully moved to higher ground before the rising waters of Lake Nasser submerged its original location on Philae Island. Take a motorboat to Agilkia Island, where we attempt to decipher the well-preserved hieroglyphics at this temple. Then visit a granite quarry to learn how obelisks were carved. Later today, board a felucca, a traditional Nile sailing vessel, to navigate around Kitchener’s and Elephantine Islands and view the stately Mausoleum of Aga Khan. Enjoy a belly dancing and whirling dervish performance before dinner.

Begin our cruise back downriver to Luxor this morning, stopping first in Kom Ombo for a visit to the Temple of Sobek and Horus. Built by the Ptolemaic rulers who governed Egypt after its conquest by Alexander the Great, the temple is unique as it honors two gods. After touring, enjoy an Egyptian cooking demonstration onboard and an afternoon at leisure while we sail back to Luxor, where we dock this evening.

Indulge in a relaxing morning on board, delighting in scenic views of life along the banks of the Nile. Back in Luxor, head to Luxor Museum to deepen our understanding of the temple complexes and burial sites of Upper Egypt. Later, stroll around the temple precincts of Karnak, admiring Ramesses II’s magnificent Hypostyle hall with its 134 columns, soaring obelisks and the enormous temple dedicated to Amun, the god of the air. Take a break with a cocktail at the historic and luxurious Winter Palace Hotel, then toast the conclusion of our Nile cruise during the captain’s farewell dinner.

Board an early morning charter flight to Abu Simbel, one of the greatest temple precincts in ancient Egypt. Built by Ramesses II, the temples are famous for the colossal statues of the pharaoh and his favorite wife, Nefertari. As waters from the dam in Aswan rose toward the temples in the 1960s, an international team, in an extraordinary feat of engineering, raised the site 200 feet and relocated the statues about 600 feet from the water’s edge. After lunch at a local restaurant, fly to Cairo and settle into our hotel. Dinner this evening is on our own.

Enjoy a special early-morning entry to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, considered “home” to our Egyptologists, with its more than 100,000 relics and artifacts, including the extraordinary gold treasures of Tutankhamun retrieved from his tomb by English archaeologist Howard Carter in 1923. After an early lunch, experience the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, designed to reflect the various cultural aspects of Egypt’s rich history. Visit the Royal Mummies’ Hall, considered the crown jewel of the museum. Toast our experience at a farewell reception and dinner this evening.

Transfer to the airport for flights home.