Itinerary
Day
1
SUN I CAIRO
Arrive in the Land of the Pharaohs. Upon completion of immigration and customs formalities at Cairo International Airport, you will be met at the exit by our representative and escorted to your hotel.
Day
2
MON I CAIRO
Visit the Great Pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx. Then, tour the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities to see the world’s largest collection of Pharaonic artifacts and the treasures of Tutankhamen’s tomb. After lunch, proceed to Khan El Khalili bazaar, where you can haggle for Egyptian treasures to take home or dine at cafés along the Nile River. (B,L)
Day
3
TUE I CAIRO
Visit Old Cairo to see Al Moallaka Church (Hanging Church) and Ben Ezra Synagogue. Then, visit the Coptic Museum where you can find the largest collection of Egyptian Christian artifacts in the world. Next, have lunch followed by a visit to Sainte Mary Church in Maadi, the place where the holy family started their trip to Upper Egypt by boat. (B,L)
Day
4
WED I CAIRO I ASWAN I KOM OMBO I EDFU
Transfer from your hotel to Cairo Airport for your morning flight to Aswan. Upon arrival you will be escorted to your Nile cruise ship. You will visit the High Dam, the Granite Alexandria Quarries with the Unfinished Obelisk, and the Temple of Isis at Philae. Sail on board a felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailboat and view Kitchener’s Island Botanical Garden and the Agha Khan Mausoleum. After lunch, sail to Kom Ombo where you will visit the Ptolemaic Temple of Sobek and Haroeries before arriving in Edfu. (B,L,D)
Day
5
THU I EDFU I LUXOR
Travel by horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Horus, the falcon god. Dating from 237 B.C., it is considered the best preserved temple in Egypt and the second largest after the Temple of Karnak. Sail to Esna, passing through the Esna Lock, and continue sailing towards Luxor. (B,L,D)
Day
6
FRI I LUXOR
Visit the West Bank necropolis including the Valley of the Kings, the Funerary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon. Take in the sites at St. Wanas Monastery, the saint who is widely known for helping anyone who asks him to find anything (or anyone) that has been lost. (B,L,D)
Day
7
SAT I LUXOR I CAIRO
After breakfast, visit the Karnak and Luxor temples, a centuries old city of pylons, hypostyle halls, colossal statues, shrines and obelisks. Disembark and transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo you will be met and escorted to your hotel. (B)
Day
8
SUN I CAIRO I ALEXANDRIA
After breakfast, transfer from Cairo to Alexandria where you will visit St. Bishoy Monastery in Wadi El Natroun. The Monastery of Saint Bishoy contains the relics of Bishoy, Paul of Tammah, and relics of other saints. Eyewitnesses recount that the body of Bishoy remains incorrupt. Pope Shenouda III of Alexandria is also entombed there. Next, drive to Alexandria where you enjoy lunch and continue your visit to the Catacombs, the largest Roman cemetery in Alexandria. Discover Pompey’s Pillar, the most prominent remaining Greek Landmark in Alexandria then transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay. (B,L)
Day
9
MON I ALEXANDRIA I CAIRO
After breakfast, visit Alexandria Library and the Monastery of St. Mina who is well known as the Wonders’ Maker. Then drive back to Cairo for an overnight stay. (B)
Day
10
TUE I CAIRO TO USA (OR EXTEND YOUR STAY)
After breakfast, transfer from hotel to Cairo International Airport for final departure. (B)
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