Nile Rhapsody

Tuesday: En Route

Depart the U.S.A. on your flight to Cairo, Egypt.

Wednesday: Cairo

Arrival Cairo; meeting, assistance and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Thursday:  Cairo

Begin the day with a visit to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. The Museum presents a rich, deep insight into Egyptian culture through the ages; enter the fascinating Mummy Room housing all 22 Mummies. Then continue to Giza to see the Three Great Pyramids, the oldest surviving structures built by man; enter one of the Pyramids. Stand in awe at the magnificent Sphinx carved out of a single piece of stone, guarding the Giza plateau. Try a camel ride before continuing for lunch at a local restaurant. On to the new, spectacular, must-see Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), (subject to museum opening), the largest archaeological museum in the world with objects covering 5000 years of ancient Egyptian civilization. GEM is host to over 100,000 artifacts, including King Tut’s entire treasure collection. Return to Cairo for overnight. (B.L)

Friday: Cairo / Aswan

NILE CRUISE

Early morning flight from Cairo to Aswan, Egypt’s southernmost city. An optional tour to Abu Simbel* may be arranged. Upon arrival, transfer to your Nile Cruise for a 4 Day/3 Night Cruise. After lunch, visit to the Aswan High Dam. View the gigantic, unfinished Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut. Continue by motorboat to the beautiful island of Philae to see the exquisite, gleaming white Temple of Philae. Join your Captain for a welcome cocktail before dinner, and enjoy a Nubian Show this evening. Overnight in Aswan. (B.L.D)

*Optional Tour to Abu Simbel: Fly from Aswan to Abu Simbel where you will be met by your Isram guide. Marvel at the temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, carved into rock over 3,000 years ago. The temples were relocated to save them from flooding – an incredible feat of modern engineering preserving ancient glory.  Return flight to Cairo and transfer to your hotel.

$495 per person. Please reserve at time of booking.

Saturday: Aswan / Kom Ombo / Edfu / Esna

NILE CRUISE

Sail to Kom Ombo, a hill town overlooking the banks of the Nile; visit the Greco-Roman Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Horus, the Sun God and to Sobek, the Crocodile God. Sail to Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus, the best preserved of all large Egyptian temples. Spend the afternoon relaxing as the boat sails along the Nile to Esna for overnight. This evening, a traditional fun-filled Galabeya party. (B.L.D)

Sunday: Esna / Luxor

NILE CRUISE

This morning, the cruise sails to Luxor. Begin the day with a visit to the imposing Valley of the Kings containing the secretive tombs of New Kingdom Pharaohs. Visit the beautifully terraced Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari. Pass the famed Colossi of Memnon, standing nearly 70 feet tall, before returning to your ship. Evening enjoy on board entertainment featuring belly dancing. Overnight in Luxor. (B.L.D)

Monday: Luxor / Cairo

After morning disembarkation, tour the vast Karnak Temple-Complex, by generations of Pharaohs over a 2000-year period. Continue to the Avenue of the Sphinxes and the imposing Temple of Luxor with its grand colonnades, standing alone in the heart of town. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo for overnight. (B)

Please Note: The cruise line reserves the right to alter the sailing schedule.