Mystical Egypt

Welcome to Egypt! Cairo, named Al-Qahirah in Arabic, is not only one of Africas largest cities (population of 17 million) but a  bustling political and cultural center of the Arab world. The citys old quarters retain their ancient charm with many streets still  relevant to descriptions given to them by medieval chroniclers. Modern Cairos architecture is distinguished by Ottoman and later  European influences, particularly in commercial architecture as the citys population boomed during the 19th century. Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in.  


Overnight in Cairo

This morning you will be transferred back to Cairo International Airport for a flight to Luxor. Upon arrival in Luxor, you will be escorted to the cruise ship for boarding. This will be your home for the next four nights. Enjoy lunch on board. In the afternoon you will visit the Luxor and Karnak Temples. Luxor Temple was the center of the most important festival; the Opet Festival. Built primarily by Amenhotep III and Ramses II, the temple served as a setting for the rituals of the festival, held to reconcile the human aspect of the ruler with his divine office. The procession of images of the royal family began at Karnak and ended at the Luxor Temple. Karnak Temple was erected in 1928 BC as a small shrine dedicated to Amun, the god of Thebes. The Temple of Karnak consists of three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples — all constructed over 1300 years. The three main temples of Mut, Monthu, and Amun are enclosed by enormous brick walls, with the temple of Amun in the center. Karnak is the largest temple in Egypt and one of the oldest temple compounds on earth.



Dinner and overnight on board in Luxor

After breakfast, you will cross the freshly constructed Luxor Bridge to visit the Valley of the Kings. This includes the tombs of the Theban rulers, Seti I and Tutankhamen. The Valley of the Kings is home to many pharaonic tombs of the New Kingdom, including those of King Tutankhamun and Ramses the Great. Each king's formal name and the title are inscribed in his tomb, adorned with images and statues. Most of the tombs were cut into limestone following a similar pattern: three corridors, an antechamber, and a sunken sarcophagus chamber. Explore several incredible Royal Tombs. From there you will visit the Valley of the Queens which includes 75 to 80 tombs. These tombs belong to Queens of the 18th, 19th, and 20th Dynasties. Among these lies the famous tomb of Nefertiti, one of the five wives of Ramses II. From there you will tour The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, the only woman Pharaoh to rule ancient Egypt. The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th dynasty was built just north of the Middle Kingdom temple of Mentuhotep Nebhepetre, amid the bay of cliffs known as Deir El-Bahri. In ancient times the temple was called Djeser-djeseru, meaning the sacred of sacred. The female pharaoh chose to build her temple in a valley sacred to the Theban Goddess of the west, on a direct axis with Karnak Temple of Amun on the East Bank. After lunch on board, you will sail to Edfu via Esna. Ancient Nubia was known to the pharaohs as the “Land of Gold,” and its wealth and lands were eventually incorporated into Egypt around 1500 BC. You may join your shipmates for afternoon tea.




Overnight on board

Enjoy breakfast on board before you visit the Temple of Edfu. This temple is not only the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt but also the second largest after Karnak. It was believed that the temple was built on the site of the great battle between Horus and Seth. Hence, the current temple was but the last in a long series of temples built on this location. You will then sail to Kom Ombo and have lunch and afternoon tea onboard the ship. In the afternoon you may disembark the ship and enjoy a short walk to the Temples of Kom Ombo. This temple complex consists of two temples: The Temple of Sobek and the Temple of Haroeris. In ancient times, sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank nearby. The Temple has scant remains, due first to the changing Nile, then the Copts who used it as a church, and finally by builders who used the stones for new buildings. As we sail toward Ancient Nubia you may participate in an Egyptian Galabeya Party.




Overnight on board in Aswan

After breakfast, you will visit the Aswan High Dam (completed in 1971); the Old Dam (completed in 1902). You will also visit the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, a structure rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser at the time of the High Dam's construction. The High Dam, just north of the border between Egypt and Sudan lies the Aswan High Dam, a huge rock-filled dam that captures the world's longest river, the Nile, in the world's largest artificial reservoir, Lake Nasser. The dam, known as “Sadd El-Aali” in Arabic, was completed in 1970 after 10 years of work. Later you may enjoy a short trip on a motorboat to discover the Philae Temple. The boat ride will bring the visitor to a magnificent vista of the island, before landing at what would have been the ancient quay on the south side. The temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis and has many legends connected to it. The most well-known legend tells the story of how Isis found the heart of Osiris here after he was murdered by his brother Seth.




Overnight on board

Disembark the cruise after breakfast. From there you will be transferred to Aswan Airport for your flight back to Cairo. There, you will be met and escorted back to the hotel. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure or perhaps take an optional tour.




Overnight in Cairo

Today you will visit the Pyramids and Sphinx — reckoned by the Greeks to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World.  A single pyramid is built from 2,300,000 blocks, each weighing approximately two and one-half tons. In the face of such immensity, one cannot help but feel the awe and wonder which so many writers and artists have sought to convey over the centuries. The Cheops Pyramid is particularly interesting since its interior burial chambers are open for inspection by the public. Not far from the Pyramids is the Great Sphinx of Giza, dating to the time of Chephren (2620 BC). Sculpted from natural yellowish limestone and standing 65 feet high & 187 feet long, this unforgettable statue combines the head of a Pharaoh with a lions body. Afterwards, you will return to the hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure.  Explore the city or perhaps book one of the following optional tours.




Overnight in Cairo

Today you will be transferred back to Cairo International Airport for your onward flight.