Welcome to Cairo, “Mother of the World”! Settle into your hotel as you marvel at the views of the Pyramids. (-/-/-)

Desert Sands and Secrets of the Sphinx

This morning take a close-up look at one of the World’s Seven Wonders and guardian of the great pyramids, the enigmatic Sphinx, and the Great Pyramid of Giza. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet, is the most colossal pyramid ever built, and of course enjoy the visit to the newly discovered the Sun Boats. Afterwards, enjoy free time for lunch on your own in a local restaurant. Drive to Sakkara, a vast desert necropolis built for kings and nobles, and its “Stairway to the Sky,” the oldest of all pyramids. Also admire the special tomb of Mary Roca and the Step Pyramid. A special guided visit to the Natural History Museum of Egypt has been added to replace the Light show that was not operating. (B/-/-)

Ancient Cairo, a Boy King, and the Christ Child

Enjoy a guided visit to the now-famous Tahrir Square and visit the Egyptian Museum*. Peruse King Tutankhamun’s fabulous treasures and many other priceless artifacts of ancient Egypt. Drive to walled city of Old Cairo, with Saladin’s 12th-century citadel, and the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. Drive to “Coptic Cairo” to see the Hanging Church where the Virgin Mary and Jesus sought refuge while in Egypt. Walk to see Cairo’s oldest Jewish synagogue, founded in the 9th century. (B/-/-)

*Note: Upon its opening, the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza will replace Cairo’s Egyptian Museum for this itinerary.

The World’s Greatest Open-Air Museum

Fly 300 miles up the Nile Valley to Luxor to embark on your unforgettable Nile River cruise. We will dock overnight in Luxor. See the stunning monuments of Luxor and Karnak, ancient cities whose combined populations swelled to more than one million. Walk among the pillars of the colossal Temple of Amun Ra and along the Avenue of the Sphinxes for an experience you will treasure for a lifetime. Consider an optional guided excursion to enjoy the sound and light show in Karnak Temple. (B/L/D)

Royal Resting Places of Kings and Queens

Venture to the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens on the west bank of the Nile where generations of pharaohs and nobles were entombed in cliffside crypts. See where 62 royal tombs have thus far been discovered, of which one was virtually intact—the splendid tomb of Tutankhamun discovered in 1922. Visit Deir El-Bahri, Queen Hatshepsut’s monumental rock temple. Stop for pictures at the two Colossi of Memnon guarding the valleys. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board. We will dock overnight in Esna. (B/L/D)

Egyptian Gods of the River and Sky

This morning visit the Temple of Horus with its menacing black stone statue of the falcon god. Enjoy beautiful Kom Ombo for a short walk to its bluff-top twin temples. The right side is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek-Ra, while the left side is dedicated to the falcon god Horus. Enjoy a leisurely sail to Aswan. We will dock overnight in Kom Ombo. On board, take in an exclusive lecture on this ancient civilization by your Egyptologist and in the evening, you’ll enjoy live entertainment. (B/L/D)

Temples from Above and Islands Below

This morning, consider a Guided Optional Excursion with a flight over the huge massive sandstone temples of Abu Simbel (weather permitting). Board a Felucca (traditional wooden sailing boat) and cross the blue waters of the Nile. En route, see the ancient water measurement system, “Nilometer,” on the Nile’s Elephantine Island. Visit Kitchener Island’s lush Botanical Gardens and the splendid Aga Khan Mausoleum on the left bank. We will dock overnight in Aswan. Join an optional excursion to the sound and light show in Philae Temple. (B/L/D)

Work in Progress and the Goddess Isis

Join a Guided Sightseeing Excursion to explore the Granite Quarries that supplied ancient Egypt with its hard stones for the pyramids in Giza. See the famous unfinished obelisk, still remaining in the quarry. Visit the gigantic Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970. Board a motor launch to the island of Agilika between the two dams. Visit the Temple Of Isis, which was dismantled from the submerged island of Philae and reassembled here. Board your flight back to Cairo later today, and consider dining with your some of your fellow guests at the one of the many restaurants conveniently located in the Hilton Hotel to celebrate your Egyptian adventure. (B/-/-)

Amazing Palaces and Marketplace Mazes

Enjoy a special tour of the world’s widest open-air museum to admire palaces and mosques. Browse the maze of shops in the vast labyrinths of the Khan al Khali Souk bazaar and Medieval alleyways. Take in a full panoramic view of Cairo from the Nile River on board a traditional wooden sailing vessel (Felucca). Discover Cairo by night on an orientation tour in the old city. (B/-/-)

Welcome to Jordan! Today you will fly from Cairo to Amman, Jordan and enjoy free time in the capital city before dinner at your hotel in Amman. (B/-/D)

Start the day with a city tour of Amman, which will take you to visit the citadel and Roman Theatre. Enjoy a walk downtown to see the old markets. A motorcoach transfer will take you at Mt. Nebo where you’ll witness the alleged burial site of Moses at Mt. Nebo and St. George Church in Madaba, with its mosaic floor. Continue to Petra for dinner at your hotel. (B/-/D)

Be mesmerized with a visit to the ancient archaeological site of Petra and in the afternoon, depart for the Dead Sea for dinner at your hotel. (B/-/D)

This morning, join a visit to the Jerash Ruins, said to the best-preserved Roman Ruins outside of Italy. Then, transfer back to the Dead Sea to enjoy free time and dinner at your hotel. (B/-/D)

Your 14-day journey ends with breakfast this morning and you will be transferred to the Amman International Airport. (B/-/-)

PLEASE NOTE:

• In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
• Guided Tours, optional excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
• Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.