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DAY 1 – WED – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Cairo.
DAY 2 – THU – ARRIVE CAIRO
Welcome to Egypt! On arrival in Cairo you are met and transferred to your hotel. Hotel: Marriott.
DAY 3 – FRI – CAIRO – ST CATHERINE
Head east this morning. After driving through the tunnel under the Suez Canal, look out for the huge cargo ships as they negotiate this famous waterway. Continuing south, cross the Sinai Peninsula to St. Catherine’s village, in the shadow of Mt Sinai. Later there is time to relax before dinner. You are also invited for tea with the local Bedouins. Hotel: New Morgen Land Hotel. (BB,D)
DAY 4 – SAT – ST CATHERINE – GULF OF SUEZ
There is an optional three hour ascent of Mt Sinai to watch the sun rise from the summit, as well as see the cave where Moses hid after coming face to face with God. Later, enjoy a guided visit of St. Catherine’s Monastery (if open) by one of the local priests, before driving to the Gulf of Suez. Settle in and relax at your seaside resort. Hotel: Palmera Ain Sukhna. (BB,D)
DAY 5 – SUN – GULF OF SUEZ – ALEXANDRIA
Drive through the desert to Alexandria, host to Alexander the Great (332 BC), Cleopatra, Napoleon and Montgomery. Hotel: Helnan Palestine. (BB,D)
DAY 6 – MON – ALEXANDRIA SIGHTSEEING
Commence your full day city tour at the National Museum, followed by a visit to the white marble Roman Amphitheatre, the only one of its kind in Egypt. Now on to the Roman Catacombs, structured in three levels to a depth of 35 meters - look out for the depictions of Egyptian gods with virile Roman bodies! After a visit to Montazah Gardens, your final stop is the 15C Quayet- Bey Fortress at the tip of the peninsula. Tonight, dinner is at a local restaurant. (BB,HD)
DAY 7 – TUE – ALEXANDRIA – CAIRO
Drive into the ‘Western Desert’ this morning to El- Alamein, site of Montgomery's famous victory over Rommel's Afrika Korps. Time here to pay your respects at the War Cemeteries and visit the Military Museum. En route to Cairo make a stop at the Coptic Monasteries at Wadi El Natrun (if open). Hotel: Marriott. (BB)
DAY 8 – WED – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING
Visit the Citadel of Salah El Din, with its panoramic view of the city and then visit Mohammed Ali’s great alabaster mosque. Continue to the famous Egyptian Museum to see the amazing treasure recovered from the tomb of Tutankhamun. Later, drive to the Pyramids for the magical Sound & Light Show which literally illuminates the ancient history of Giza! (BB)
DAY 9 – THU – CAIRO – CRUISING
Fly to Luxor, on the banks of the Nile, to tour the Temple complex of Karnak with its avenues of sphinxes and halls of gigantic columns. After boarding your cruise boat set sail for Dendara. (BB,L,D)
DAY 10 – FRI – CRUISING – LUXOR
Visit the well preserved Temple of Hathor in Dendara, containing a rare depiction of Cleopatra and her son Caesarian, whose father was Julius Caesar. The cruise returns to Luxor around midday. Afternoon at leisure. In the cool of the early evening, enjoy a horse & carriage ride to visit the ancient Temple of Luxor. (BB,L,D)
DAY 11 – SAT – CRUISING – EDFU
Travel by air-conditioned coach to the West Bank of the Nile to see the Colossi of Memnon, and visit both the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings, where many illustrious Pharoahs were buried. Return to your cruise boat where you sail via the Esna Lock to Edfu, where there is free time on arrival. Don your galabeas (traditional Egyptian attire), for a fun-filled Egyptian Dinner and Galabea Party. (BB,L,HD)
DAY 12 – SUN – CRUISING – ASWAN
Visit the well-preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu, dedicated to the Falcon God. After exploring this fascinating site, the cruise continues to Aswan. (BB,L,D)
DAY 13 – MON – CRUISING – ASWAN
A full day of sightseeing includes a visit to the Aswan High Dam and Granite Quarries to see the enormous unfinished obelisk. Travel by motorboat to the Temple of Isis, rising from the waters of the Nile on the Island of Philae. Later, return to Aswan to sail in a traditional Nile felucca around Aswan’s Botanical Gardens. (BB,L,D)
DAY 14 – TUE – CRUISING – KOM OMBO
Spend the morning at leisure in Aswan. Join the optional excursion by air to the temples of Abu Simbel, carved out of the rock by Rameses II (see page 22). In the afternoon, sail to Kom Ombo to visit the Temple dedicated to the Crocodile God, Sobek. (BB,L,D)
DAY 15 – WED – CRUISING – LUXOR
In the evening arrive back in Luxor where there is time for last minute shopping and sightseeing. (BB,L,D).
DAY 16 – THU – LUXOR – CAIRO
Disembark and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo. The evening is at leisure. Perhaps enjoy an optional dinner and entertainment. Hotel: Marriott. (BB)
DAY 17 – FRI – CAIRO SIGHTSEEING
Drive to Memphis, the famous capital of the ancient world. Admire the colossal statue of Rameses II and the great alabaster sphinx. Continue to Sakkara to see the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest pyramid in the world, dating back from 2700 BC. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Giza where you see the enigmatic Sphinx and the magnificent Pyramids with a highlight visit inside one of these extraordinary creations! (BB)
DAY 18 – SAT – RETURN TO USA
The tour ends with transfers to Cairo airport. (BB)