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. (B)

Thursday:  Cairo

Morning drive to Giza to see the Three Great Pyramids, the oldest surviving structures built by man; enter one of the Pyramids. Visit the astonishing Solar Boat Museum, housing the oldest known ship in the world buried for over 4500 years. 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 to the unique Karnak Bazaar for refreshments and some fantastic buys. After lunch, continue to the world famous Egyptian Museum with objects covering 5,000 years of ancient Egyptian civilization; see Tutankhamun’s treasures and enter the fascinating Mummy Room. Overnight in Cairo.  (B.L)

Friday:  Cairo / Aswan

NILE CRUISE 

Early morning fly from Cairo to the Aswan, Egypt’s southernmost city. An optional tour to Abu Simbel may be arrange.* Upon arrival, transfer to Nile Cruiser 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 Isis.  Join your Captain for a welcome cocktail before dinner, and enjoy a Nubian Show this evening. Overnight in Aswan. (B.L.D)

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-yearperiod. Continue to the Avenue of the Sphinxes and the imposing Temple of Luxor with its grand colonnades, standing alone in the heart of town. (Note: Flight scheduling may necessitate programming this half-day tour on Monday afternoon). Then, transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo for overnight. Evening: Optional Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids (See details on Page 23; please reserve at time of booking).  (B)

Tuesday: En Route

Transfer to Cairo Airport for your departure flight; or extend your journey to Israel, Jordan or Dubai, please inquire.  (B)

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