Egyptian Highlights (land tour)

Itinerary

Days 1 & 2: Home / Cairo, Egypt

Those on the group flights will depart JFK today on overnight flights to Cairo, Egypt. All participants are met at the Cairo Airport by our agents, who assist with baggage, customs, and passport control. Transfer to our hotel next to the Giza Pyramids, with the rest of the day free to rest and relax. Overnight at Le Meridien Pyramids for two nights. (D)

Day 3: CAIRO

Today we visit the famous Pyramids at Giza, the ageless Sphinx of Khafra with its valley temple, and the Solar Boat Museum. After lunch, visit the necropolis at Saqqara, site of the Step Pyramid of Djoser and the Pyramid of Teti (with its ancient pyramid texts), plus the Tomb of the Nobleman Mereruka. Last we visit the ancient capital of Memphis to see the beautiful colossus of Ramesses II. We return to our hotel for dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 4: CAIRO / LUXOR

Today will be devoted to exploring the Egyptian Museum, which contains the finest and most extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts in the world, including the Treasures of Tutankhamen and the Royal Mummy Room. After lunch, visit Cairo’s Citadel and the Alabaster Mosque. Depart this evening on a short flight to Luxor. Overnight at the Steigenberger Nile Palace for four nights. (B,L,D)

Day 5: LUXOR

This morning we will explore Karnak, the world’s largest temple complex (built over the course of a thousand years). Among the site’s numerous highlights is the great hypostyle hall with its 134 massive columns. After lunch, we will visit Luxor Temple as well as the small but beautiful Luxor Museum. We return to our hotel for dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 6: LUXOR

Today we will explore the West Bank of the Nile and enter several royal tombs in the famous Valley of the Kings. After lunch we will visit the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahri and the Ramesseum (mortuary temple of Rameses II). On our way back to the hotel we will stop to see the Colossi of Memnon, the statues of Amenhotep III that once guarded his mortuary temple. (B,L,D)

Day 7: LUXOR

Return to the West Bank this morning to visit Medinet Habu (the beautiful mortuary temple of Rameses III, the best preserved of the New Kingdom temples), and the ancient workers’ village at Deir el Medina. After lunch, the afternoon is free to relax, or take a carriage ride and walk through the Luxor bazaar. Dinner is at our hotel tonight. (B,L,D)

Day 8: LUXOR / ASWAN

Drive to Aswan today, stopping en route to visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the best-preserved temple on the Nile, and the Temples of Sobek and Horus at Kom Ombo. Arrive in Aswan in the afternoon and tour the Temple of Isis at Philae and the ancient granite quarry. Overnight at the Movenpick Resort. (B,L,D)

Day 9: ASWAN / ABU SIMBEL / CAIRO

Today starts with a southbound flight to Abu Simbel, where stand the two enormous rock-cut temples of Ramesses II (built to honor himself and his queen, Nefertari). Moved to higher ground when the Aswan High Dam was built, these gigantic temples are a marvel of both ancient and modern engineering. After our visit we will fly to Cairo and check in to a hotel near the airport. The remainder of the day is free until evening, when we will enjoy a farewell dinner at our hotel. Overnight at the Iberotel Cairo. (B,L,D)

Day 10: CAIRO / HOME

Transfer to the airport this morning for flights home. (B)