Highlights of Egypt: Cairo & Nile cruise

This morning, meet your Egyptologist and head to Giza plateau. Sightseeing begins with the Giza Plateau, where you marvel at the sight of the three great pyramids of Giza. Afterward, head to the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. Then continue with a visit to Memphis, the capital city founded by the pharaoh Menes, which lies southeast of its cemetery at Saqqara. Statues and architectural fragments have been collected in the sculpture garden, which occupies the southeastern part of the Ptah Temple complex, dedicated to the patron god of Memphis. Here, the massive statue of Ramses II lies under a roof, and the Sphinx from the same period dominates the courtyard.

A full day of touring begins with a visit to the Egyptian Museum. Located in the heart of Cairo, the museum reflects a beautiful contrast between the well-trimmed garden and the facade. Once you enter the museum, you travel through time, starting from the Archaic Pre-Dynastic Period to the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms. The museum houses the world’s most important collection of Egyptian antiquities, dating from 2700 BC to the 6th century AD. There are thousands of statues, jewels and artifacts from nearly every period of ancient Egypt. Admire the amazing treasures of the young king, Tutankhamen, including his famous mask made out of solid gold and in a perfect state of preservation. Twelve rooms are filled with treasures from King Tut’s tomb, discovered in 1922 virtually untouched. In the afternoon, continue to the Citadel, which dominates Cairo from its high vantage point on the Mokattam Hills. The heart of the city for more than 200 years beginning in 1176, the Citadel was erected by Salah El Din, the legendary Saladin who conquered the Crusaders in Palestine. The complex also contains palaces and mosques that were built later. The Citadel’s last great phase was accomplished by Sultan Mohammed Aly, as it was his permanent residence. The tour highlight is the great Mosque of Mohammed Aly, which was built imitating the Blue Mosque of Istanbul, with two high minarets and numerous domes. This evening, tour Khan El Khalili, considered to be Cairo’s largest and oldest bazaar. Built in 1382, it became known as the Turkish Bazaar during the Ottoman period. Today, it is Cairo’s tourist bazaar. Lined with tiny shops selling gold, silver, gems, spices, perfume oils, carpets, leather goods, it is an exotic and rewarding experience, where bargaining is the name of the game.

Today, transfer to the airport and fly to Luxor. On arrival, transfer to the pier and embark on your four-night Nile cruise by lunchtime.  Afternoon sightseeing along the East Bank features the temple of Karnak and Luxor. The immense wealth of Thebes was spent embellishing and building temples in honor of Amun-Ra, who was worshipped as the supreme state god. The most magnificent of these is the Temple of Karnak. The scale of Karnak surpasses every other temple complex in the ancient world. Continue to the Temple of Luxor, which was built over several centuries by Amenhotep III, Tutankhamun, Ramses II, and Alexander the Great. A graceful piece of architecture preceded by an avenue of sphinxes, the Temple contains impressive statuary of Ramses II and the Great Court of Ramses, and the temple of Amun. (MS Iberotel Crown Empress/MS Farah Nile Cruise)

Early this morning, after breakfast, visit three sites on the West Bank of Luxor: the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon. In the Valley of the Kings, 62 pharaohs are entombed. Gorgeously adorned with gold and jewels and surrounded with treasures and replicas of all they would need in the afterlife, the pharaohs were buried in rock-cut tombs. The famous tomb of the boy-king Tutankhamun was discovered here in 1922, with over 5,000 precious items. Continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, which rises out of the desert plain in a series of terraces. Built as a mortuary temple, the partly rock cut, partly free-standing structure is one of the finest monuments of ancient Egypt. The Colossi of Memnon, a massive pair of statues, are all that remain of the temple of the hedonistic Amemhotep III. Rising about 18 meters from the plain, the enthroned, faceless statues of Amenhotep III have kept a lonely vigil on the changing landscape around them, surviving the rising floodwaters of the Nile. After the tour, sail to Esna and overnight on board.

Today, cruise through the luxuriant Nile to Edfu and visit the Temple of Horus. Having escaped destruction from floods, this huge complex is Egypt’s most completely preserved temple. Built between 237 BC and 57 BC, and dedicated to the falcon god Horus, this extraordinary Ptolemaic temple was one of the last ancient attempts at building on a grand scale. Continue sailing to Kom Ombo and visit the Temples of Kom Ombo, an unusual double temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus. Standing on a promontory at a bend in the Nile, the temples have been substantially ruined, but are nevertheless a stunning site. Sail to Aswan and overnight on board.

This morning, begin visiting Aswan at Philae Temple on the island of Agilika. The romantic and majestic aura surrounding the temple complex of Isis has been luring pilgrims for thousands of years. The temple was in danger of being submerged with the construction of the new Aswan dam. Fortunately, the Egyptian government and UNESCO worked together to relocate the entire temple, stone by stone, to the island where it stands today. The High Dam, Egypt’s contemporary example of building on a monumental scale, contains 18 times the amount of material used in the Great Pyramid of Cheops. The water contained by the controversial High Dam has backed up nearly 310 miles, taking it well into the Sudan and creating Lake Nasser, the world’s largest artificial lake. Enjoy sunset today on a traditional felucca ride on the Nile River in Aswan. Enjoy a fantastic sailing experience as you sail around Elephantine Island and visit the famous Botanical Gardens.

Disembark after breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo. On arrival, transfer to your hotel. (Holiday Inn City/InterContinental Citystars)

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.