Full itinerary for Non-Diving Egypt portion of the trip with the liveaboard. You can book any portion, all, none.
Thursday – October 3
Cairo
Welcome to Egypt!
Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.
Friday – October 4
Cairo
This morning meet with your Egyptologist-guide for a full day of sightseeing.
Visit the Giza Plateau where there are three Pyramids, the greatest being that of Cheops. It took 100,000 workers more than 20 years to construct. Entrance into one of the pyramids will be included. Southeast of the Great Pyramids is the Sphinx, carved out of solid natural rock in about 2650 BC, a magnificent monument with the head of the Pharaoh and the body of a lion. Entrance into one (1) pyramid will be included.
Continue to visit the first Pyramid ever built, the Step Pyramid of Zoser, in the Sakkara Complex. When Memphis was the capital of Egypt, during the Old Kingdom period, Sakkara was its necropolis. Spread over seven kilometers of desert, Sakkara is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world.
Your final visit today will be to Memphis, where you will see the remains in Memphis, the first capital of United Upper and Lower Egypt.
Saturday – October 5
Cairo/Alexandria/Cairo
Today you venture off to Alexandria. Built under the reign of Alexander the Great, Alexandria is the playground for Egypt’s elite with a spirit that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern. While here you will visit ancient Greek and Roman ruins, museums and the recently completed and highly acclaimed Alexandria Library, a modern interpretation of the ancient Bibliotheca Alexandrina, poised to become as famous an architectural monument as Sydney’s famed Opera House. Alexandria was the setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Antony and was an important center of learning in the ancient world, renowned for its great library. Its lighthouse was a symbol of knowledge and one of the seven wonders of the ancient world.
Return to Cairo.
Sunday – October 6
Cairo
Your Egyptologist-guide takes you out for a day of sightseeing.
Visit the masterpieces of ancient art in the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. The museum is home to the vast findings of King Tutankhamun’s tomb and other important pieces of Egypt’s history.
After lunch visit Old Cairo including the citadel of Salah El Din built by the famous Arab Sultan, Salah El Din (Saladin), in the 12th century and the Mohammed Ali Mosque situated inside the citadel known for its alabaster wall. You will have some time to shop at the Khan El Khalili Bazaar, known for its narrow alleys and hundreds of shops selling all types of Egyptian handicrafts, silver and gold jewelry, cottons, copperware and perfumes.
Monday – October 7
Cairo/Aswan
This morning a short flight will bring you to Aswan to board your Nile Cruise or you may select the optional pre cruise three-hour Abu Simbel excursion to visit the great Temples of Ramses II and his wife beloved wife Nefertari. The colossal statues were originally carved into the side of a natural cliff that had to be rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser.
After your excursion and upon your return to Aswan you will embark your Nile cruise. After checking in and lunch, visit Aswan’s High Dam.
Then sail in a small boat to the Philae Temple, situated on the island of Agilika. Like Abu Simbel, the temple was relocated in order to protect it from the rising water of the High Dam, built in 1960. The main sanctuary on the island is dedicated to the Goddess Isis and her son Horus. Ancient Egyptians believed that Isis was the Goddess of Magic, and when she wept, the Nile flooded.
The day ends with a felucca (sail boat) sail around Kitchener Island with its beautiful gardens and to view the mausoleum of the Agha Khan.
ACCOMMODATIONS: LIVING STONE 5-STAR DELUXE NILE CRUISE SHIP
Tuesday – October 8
Aswan/Kom Ombo/Edfu/Esna/Luxor
Early morning set sail for the city of Kom Ombo, known as “Ombos” in ancient times. Its location on the Nile, gave it strategic importance to control the routes from Nubia to the Nile Valley. The city became prosperous when the temple in the Ptolemaic era was built, divided into two symmetrical halves. The left side is dedicated to the falcon-headed god, “Heroeris,” and the right side to the crocodile god, “Sobek”. Reliefs of Ptolemaic Pharaohs are found in the porch area. The remainder of the temple consists of a crypt, chapels, Roman wells where sacred crocodiles may have been kept, and the remains of a birth house. On the walls of the temple, you will see the first recorded representation of medical instruments. Sail onto Edfu, midway between Aswan and Luxor.
Visit the magnificently preserved temple of Edfu. The sandstone temple of Horus the Sun God was built under the Ptolemies and completed by the mid first century, BC. In the colonnaded court, we will see the surviving statue of a pair of falcons representing Horus. A series of smaller chambers leads to the Sanctuary of the God, which is lit by three openings in the ceiling. Ceremonies, celebrations, and war scenes are shown on the walls of the temple.
Later today, sail to Esna, pass the lock, and arrive in Luxor, ancient Thebes.
This evening enjoy an Egyptian Galabeya Party. Be sure to have your Egyptian Costume ready.
Wednesday – October 9
Luxor
As the sun rises cross over to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings. The Valley of the Kings houses 63 tombs belonging to the Pharaohs of the New Kingdom, including the famous tomb of King Tutankhamen. Many of the tombs, carved out of the bedrock, retain their original bright colors and fine relief’s and scenes, thought to guarantee the safe passage of the Ka to the after life. Afterwards continue on to Deir El Bahri to visit the mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, considered one of the finest buildings in Egypt.
This afternoon explore the East Bank of the Nile including the Temple of Luxor. Here, the Avenue of Sphinxes, famous for its artistic degree of uniformity, leads to the entrance of the temple where a seated colossus of Ramses II and a towering Obelisk sit. Continue to the Karnak Temple, one of the most impressive monuments of ancient art and architecture in the world. The carvings, which adorn all of the walls, depict the history and conquests of many of Egypt’s Pharaohs.
This evening you may join an optional excursion to the Karnak Temple for a spectacular Sound and Light Show.
Thursday – October 10
Luxor/Hurghada
Disembark the cruise this morning and drive to Hurghada where you will embark your one-week live aboard dive boat.
Thursday – October 17
Hurghada/Cairo
EV transfers to Hurghada Airport for flight to Cairo
Upon arrival, group will be met and transferred to their hotel for overnight.
Friday – October 18 - Departure
Transfer to airport for departure flight.
Pricing
Egypt (non-diving) + Nile Cruise = $2605 pp (includes transfer costs)
Nile Cruise = $1490 pp (includes transfer costs)
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