Guaranteed Weekly Departure

Day 1 Depart USA from New York (JFK) airport for your flight to Cairo, all meals and beverages served on board flight.

Day 2 Arrive Cairo where you will be met by our representative who will help you with your immigration and customs formalities. Later you will be transferred to your hotel. The luxurious Cairo Marriott and Towers Hotel. Overnight.

Day 3 Breakfast, then drive to visit the Pyramid of Maidum which was originally a seven-stepped pyramid. It was enlarged to an eight-stepped pyramid. Eventually the steps were filled in and a smooth outer facing turned it into a true pyramid. It is a huge structure that is surrounded by the debris from the casing that collapsed. The Maidum Pyramid is thought to have been started by Huni, the last ruler of the 3rd Dynasty and then completed by his son Sneferu. Sneferu was the first 4th Dynasty Pharaoh (2613 - 2494 BC). A little north from the Maidum Pyramid is the remains of the Seila Step Pyramid, it is made of limestone and is thought to be from the 2nd Dynasty. From there we drive to Dhashur to visit the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid. The constructor of these pyramids is thought to have been Sneferu. Sneferu is thought as well to have built the Pyramid of Maidum. His son was Cheops who continued his constructive tendencies. Return to your hotel. Overnight. (B)

Day 4 After breakfast drive to Memphis on the edge of the western desert, the capital of the ancient kingdom, and one of the most important cities throughout the history of ancient Egypt. From here we drive to Sakkara, the vast necropolis of ancient Memphis. P.M. Drive to the Pyramids of Giza. Cheop's Pyramid, the largest of the three, was built in the 3rd Dynasty about 2690 BC, and is one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Enjoy a camel ride around the Pyramid Plateau. Then continue our tour to the Sphinx which is carved from a single piece of stone. It is a lion with a pharaoh's head thought to be a portrait of the Pharaoh Chephren. Visit the Solar Boat Museum where you can see and admire boats that were built by the ancient Egyptian and are amazingly in perfect shape. Transfer to your hotel. P.M. You will be met and transferred to attend the magnificent Sound and Light Show at the Giza Plateau. Later transfer back to your hotel for an overnight. (B, L)

Day 5 Breakfast, then you will be met and transferred to Cairo Airport for your flight to Abu-Simbel. Upon arrival at Abu-Simbel Airport, transfer to embark your deluxe cruise the M/S Eugenie. Lunch on board, then visit the Simbel Temples, symbol of the international campaign for the salvage of the Nubian monuments, the Temple of Ramses II and his beloved wife Nefertari. A welcome cocktail will be served in front of the two temples, followed by a candlelight dinner on board the cruise ship overlooking the impressive temples. Overnight. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Enjoy the spectacular temples of Abu-Simbel again. Breakfast while sailing to Kasr Ibrim. Arriving at Kasr Ibrim, sole vestige of the distant past of Nubia found in its original location. During the Pharaonic Period, this hill was dominated by a Citadel and throughout the Medieval Era, the summit of the hill was dominated by a Cathedral of which can still admire some Roman arches. Lunch will be served while sailing to Amada. Visit the Temple of Amada of the XVIIIth Dynasty, built during the reign of Thotmosis III, Amenophis III and Thotmosis IV. The Hemi-Speos of Derr dedicated by Ramses II to the rising sun and the Tomb of Penout, Viceroy of Nubia. A relaxing afternoon sail to Wadi el Seboua. Dinner and overnight on board cruise. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Breakfast and a morning visit to Wadi el Seboua. The Temple of Wadi el Seboua dedicated by Ramses II to the two gods Amon Ra and Ra Harmakis. The Temple of Dakka, dedicated to the god Thot of divine wisdom, lord of time and science, master of literature. Visit the Greco-Roman Temple of Meharakka. Sail to Aswan while dining and overnight on board cruise ship. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Breakfast, then visit the Kalabsha Temple with its pharaonic aspect, remodeled into Greco-Roman style and dedicated to the god Mandoulis. Also visiting the Hemispeos of Beit el Wali, erected by Ramses II in the beginning of his reign and Kiosh of Kertassi, erected to honor the goddess Isis. Disembark your cruise ship in Aswan where you will be met and transferred to your deluxe hotel, the Oberoi Hotel in Aswan. Balance of day at leisure. Overnight. (B, D)

Day 9 Breakfast, then you will be met and transferred to embark your top deluxe cruise ship for a 4 night classical Nile cruise. Later you will visit by "Felucca" the Elephantine Island, the Mausoleum of Agha Khan and the Botanical Gardens. Lunch, dinner and overnight on board ship. (B, L, D)

Day 10 Breakfast, then visit the Unfinished Obelisk and the ancient Granite Quarries, and the High Dam. Lunch, then cruise to Kom-Ombo. Visit the Ptolemaic Temple of Kom-Ombo, which was dedicated to two gods: the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-headed god Haroeris. Sail to Edfu. Dinner and overnight on board. (B, L, D)

Day 11 Breakfast, then visit the Temples of Horus (237 BC), the best preserved Egyptian temple in existence. Lunch. Sail to Esna and visit the Temple of Khnum. Continue to Luxor. Dinner and overnight on board ship. (B, L, D)

Day 12 Breakfast, then cross the Nile to visit the necropolis of Ancient Thebes. Explore the Valleys of the Kings and Queens where tombs of 64 Pharaohs and 57 Queens have been discovered, and enter some of the most important burials. Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Lunch. Afternoon visit the Temple of Karnak, which took over 1500 years to build and is considered the world's largest religious complex. Then visit the Temple of Luxor, which was started by Amenhotep III, and completed by Ramses II. Dinner on board ship. (B, L, D)

Day 13 Breakfast, then disembark your cruise ship, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The Old Winter Palace hotel. Later you will be met by your tour guide and transferred to visit the Tomb of the Nobles, the Seti First Tomb and the King Tut Tomb. Transfer back to your hotel. P.M. You will be met and transferred to attend the magnificent Sound and Light Show at the Karnak Temple. Later transfer back to your hotel for an overnight. (B)

Day 14 Early breakfast and a visit to the newly opened Tomb of Nefertari. A fabulous tomb that consists of 25 chambers and it houses the sons of King Ramses. Later transfer back to your hotel for check-out and later you will be transferred to Luxor Airport for your flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival at Cairo Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The luxurious Mena House Oberoi Hotel for an overnight. (B)

Day 15 Breakfast, then start your tour visiting the Egyptian Museum famous for its antiquities from Egypt's Pharaonic Period, which dates back some 50 centuries and includes the fabulous treasures of King Tut-Ankh-Amon. Afternoon excursion to Old Cairo, visiting the very old Coptic Churches and the oldest Jewish Synagogue of Beni Ezra. Continue your tour visiting the Citadel of Salah-el-Din and the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammad Ali and the Medieval Bazaars of Khan-el-Khalili. Where you can bargain for your jewelry and hand-tolled leather items. Return to your hotel for an overnight. (B)

Day 16 Breakfast, then visit Fayoum, Egypt's largest Oasis, overlooking Lake Qaron which is a popular spot for hunting and fishing. You can visit the remains of the Temple and Pyramid of Amenhat III and Qasr Qarun, a well preserved temple from the Greco-Roman era. P.M. Return back to Cairo. Overnight at your hotel. (B, D)

Day 17 Breakfast, and a day at leisure for last minute shopping or for relaxing by your hotel pool. Overnight at your hotel. (B)

Day 18 Breakfast, then you will be met by our representative and transferred to Cairo Airport, where you will be helped with your check-in and immigration formalities for your flight back home. (B)

Also Included: All transfers within Egypt, personalized sight-seeing as mentioned in itinerary in a private car with a tour guide and driver. Entrance fees to all sights mentioned, and the services of a professional English speaking guide. Service charges imposed by hotels, porterage, cruise port charges, meeting and assistance at airports, hotels and docks are also included.

If airfare from the U.S.A. is not required, please deduct $920 from posted rate.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: For single occupancy in hotels and on board cruise, please add $369.

EXTENSIONS & OPTIONAL TOURS: Extra days and optional tours to sites are available upon request.