DAY 3: Cairo, EGYPT
Your first day of exploration in Cairo includes the Egyptian Museum
of Antiquities and its Mummy Room, which houses a priceless treasure
of archaeological finds. Visit the hilltop Citadel, a spectacular
medieval fortress, where you explore the mosque and tomb of the
Ottoman ruler Mohamed Ali. Later, a walking tour of Islamic Cairo
takes you from one of the remaining gates of the city, Bab El Fotouh,
to Khan El Khalili Bazaar for a traditional lunch. ►For Cairo hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 4: Cairo, EGYPT
Explore the relics of ages past at ancient Memphis, Sakkara and the
Great Pyramids of Giza. Also see the famous Sphinx and the Solar
Boat Museum. ►For Cairo hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 5: Cairo, EGYPT / Luxor,
EGYPT
Fly to Luxor and board 'Sun Boat IV,' your home for the next four days of exploration. After lunch, cross the Nile to explore the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, where magnificent tombs were carved into the desert rock. View the fabled Colossi of Memnon and the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, Egypt's first female pharaoh.
MS 'Sun Boat IV'
DAY 6: Luxor, EGYPT / Denderah,
EGYPT / Luxor, EGYPT
Cruise northward to Qena on a scenic route far from the crowds and other cruise ships. Visit the beautiful Ptolemaic Temple of the Goddess Hathor at Denderah, with its dark chambers, underground passages and towering columns inscribed with hieroglyphs. Cruise back to Luxor, where your first stop is the Temple of Karnak, famous for its Great Hypostyle Hall. Afterward, enjoy a tour of the strikingly graceful Luxor Temple. MS 'Sun Boat IV'
DAY 7: Luxor, EGYPT / Esna,
EGYPT / Edfu, EGYPT / Kom Ombo,
EGYPT
Cruise to Edfu to explore the second largest and best preserved
Greco-Roman temple in Egypt, the extraordinary Temple of Horus, the
falcon-headed god. MS 'Sun Boat IV'
DAY 8: Kom Ombo, EGYPT / Aswan,
EGYPT
An afternoon excursion takes you to the majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilika. End the day with a cruise around the Aswan islands in an Egyptian sailboat, or felucca (weather permitting). MS 'Sun Boat IV'
DAY 9: Aswan, EGYPT / Abu Simbel,
EGYPT / Cairo, EGYPT
Explore the two magnificent temples of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari in Abu Simbel. Fly back to Cairo with the rest of the afternoon at leisure. ►For Cairo hotel suggestions, see above.
DAY 10: Cairo, EGYPT / Arrive Home Board your international flight.