Discover, Plan & Go!

Days 1/2 NEW YORK/CAIRO

Board your overnight flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, you are met and escorted to your hotel built around an ancient palace in the heart of Cairo. Your evening is at leisure to enjoy the capital of Egypt, which lies at the center of all routes leading to, and from three continents – Asia, Africa and Europe. CAIRO MARRIOTT HOTEL. (Meals Aloft)

Days 3/4 CAIRO

Spend the morning touring the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, home to the world’s richest collection of Pharaonic treasures, including the famous Mummy Room. Then, visit Egypt’s Islamic treasures including the medieval fortress of Salah El Din and the stunning Alabaster Mosque before shipping in the bustling Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Next day, explore the largest and oldest of Giza’s pyramids, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, also known as Cheops, built between 2589 – 2566 B.C. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Cheops represents a phenomenal effort in the technical accomplishment of pyramid construction. Gaze in awe at the Sphinx, a symbol of strength and wisdom that is over 150 feet long, including 50 foot paws. Speculation over its age and secrets has stirred the hearts of scholars, poets and adventurers throughout the ages. CAIRO MARRIOT HOTEL. (B Daily)

Day 5 CAIRO/ASWAN/NILE CRUISE

This morning, an optional flight and visit to Abu Simbel (at additional cost) is available to discover the massive temples dedicated to Ramses II and his legendary wife, Nefertari. Fly to Aswan, Egypt’s sun-drenched southern city and ancient frontier town. Here, the Nile flows through amber desert and granite rocks, surrounding emerald islands lush with palm groves and tropical plants. A spectacular sunset awaits you as you board your home for the next three nights, an elegant cruise ship that will stylishly deliver you down the longest river in the world, the mighty Nile. For thousands of years, the Nile has made life possible for both people and wildlife, and along its banks little has changed throughout the centuries. M/S TI-YI. (B,D)

Day 6 ASWAN DAM/KOM OMBO/EDFU

Egypt is also filled with modern wonders. Tour the Aswan High Dam constructed to regulate the yearly flood of the Nile and to create a water reservoir to prevent famine during severe droughts. Go by boat to the Temple of Isis at Philae on the island of Agilkia, built during the 3rd-century B.C. Agilkia became its new home when the Aswan High Dam was built in 1971. After lunch, visit Kom Ombo, an unusual double temple built in the third-century dedicated to the crocodile god, Sobek, and the falcon god, Haroeris, built high on a dune overlooking the Nile, where in ancient times, sacred crocodiles would bask in the sun along its banks. M/S TI-YI. (B,L,D)

Day 7 EDFU/LUXOR

Edfu, completed in 57 B.C., awaits you this morning and is a splendid example of late temple architecture in honor of the falcon-headed god Horus. Visit the Roman temple of Khnum at Esna dating back to the reign of Ptolemy VI (180-145 B.C.) containing two large inscriptions in praise of the ram-headed creator god, Khnum. The temple rests in a pit far below the current level of the surrounding town. Continue to Luxor, the ‘world’s greatest open air museum,’ where you will moor for the night. M/S TI-YI. (B,L,D)

Days 8/9 LUXOR/CAIRO/NEW YORK

Investigate the largest religious structure in the world, the Temple complex of Karnak complete with obelisks, pylons, courts, colonnades, halls, reliefs and sanctuaries. Visit the magical beauty of the Luxor Temple, once connected to Karnak by a two mile path lined with sphinxes illuminated by the glow of hundreds of lights. Then depart on your flight to Cairo, where the remainder of your day is at leisure. You may want to partake in adventuresome bargaining at the famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar. The next morning, bid farewell as you board your flight home. CAIRO MARRIOTT HOTEL