The Nile In Depth

• Round trip economy class airfare New York-Cairo-New York
• 4 nights deluxe hotel accommodation in Cairo, in double occupancy rooms with private facilities & buffet breakfast daily
• Guided tour to the Cairo Museum of Antiquities, the Citadel & the Bazaar
• Guided tour to the Pyramids & Sphinx of Giza, Memphis & Sakkara
• 8 day/7 night cruise of the Nile on board the 5-star deluxe "MS Jasmin" Accommodations in airconditioned, outside cabins with private facilities & all meals on board
• All shore excursions while on the Nile cruise
• Economy class airfare (Cairo-Luxor / Luxor-Cairo) within Egypt
• All transfers as per itinerary by private car, with escort & baggage handling
• Sightseeing in air-conditioned vehicles with English-speaking, professional Egyptologists
• Hotel service charges and taxes
• Entrance fees to sites included in the sightseeing tours
• Host service in Cairo
• Meals as per itinerary: B = breakfast (11), L = lunch (7), D = dinner (7)
• FreeGate travel bag & document portfolio

Itinerary

Day 1, Sat: USA-CAIRO  
Depart USA via overnight transatlantic flight to Cairo with meals on board.

Day 2, Mon: CAIRO
Meet your host upon arrival at the Cairo airport, who will assist you with Custom formalities and escort you to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Day 3, Tue: CAIRO: MUSEUM OF ANTIQUITIES - CITADEL - MOSQUES (B)
Today you will experience the fabulous Cairo Museum of Antiquities. Regarded as one of the most prominent in the world, the museum offers remarkable insights into Egypt's 5000 year history. Among the priceless antiquities is King Tutankhamun's treasures. Continue to the 12th century fortress of Salah El Din and the Mohammed Ali Mosque overlooking the city, the Sultan Hasan Mosque, and the colorful Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Return to the hotel.

Day 4, Wed: CAIRO - PYRAMIDS - SPHINX - MEMPHIS - SAKKARA (B)
This morning you will be escorted by your private Egyptologist to the enigmatic Sphinx and the great Pyramids of Giza. Marvel at the great pyramid of Cheops, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Then continue to Memphis, the capital of ancient Egypt, to see the alabaster Sphinx and the mammoth statue of Ramses II. Then, to the necropolis of Sakkara, to see the famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser and the Wall of Cobras. Return to the hotel.

Day 5, Thu: CAIRO - LUXOR - KARNAK & LUXOR TEMPLES (B, L, D)
Morning transfer to the airport for the short flight to Luxor, to board your selected Nile cruise ship. After lunch on board, proceed with the visits of the East bank, including the Temple of Karnak & the Temple of Luxor. Transfer back to the cruise. Tonight enjoy the Captain's welcome cocktail party followed by dinner. Overnight on board the cruise in Luxor.

Day 6 Fri: LUXOR - ESNA (B,L,D)
Breakfast. Morning free at leisure. Lunch on board the cruise ship, and sail to Esna. Dinner & overnight on board the cruise in Esna.

Day 7 Sat: LUXOR – EDFU – KOM OMBO ( B,L,D)
In the morning the ship will sail to Edfu. Visit the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the god Horus, the falcon god, Lord of the Sky, built in 237 BC. Lunch on board during sail to Kom-Ombo. Dinner & overnight on board the cruise in Kom-Ombo.

Day 8 Sun: KOM OMBO – ASWAN (B,L,D)
Breakfast on board, sail to Aswan. Lunch on board the cruise ship. Afternoon tour by Felucca around Elephantine Island, the Botanical garden and view the Agha Khan. Dinner & overnight on board cruise ship in Aswan.

Day 9 Mon: ASWAN (B,L,D)
Proceed with the visits of Aswan includes the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Philae. Lunch on board the cruise. Dinner & overnight on board the cruise ship in Aswan.

Day 10 Tue: ASWAN – KOM OMBO - EDFU (B,L,D)
Breakast on board, while the ship sails to Komombo. Lunch. Visit the Temple of Kom-Ombo, with its beautiful murals and exceptional view of the Nile. Sail on to Edfu. Dinner & overnight on board the cruise ship in Edfu.

Day 11 Wed: EDFU, ESNA, LUXOR (B,L,D)
Breakfast on Board. Lunch on board during sailing to Esna, Cross Esna Lock. Sail to Luxor. Dinner & overnight on board the cruise ship in Luxor.

Day 12 Thu : LUXOR - WEST BANK - DISEMBARKATION - CAIRO (B )
After breakfast this morning, disemberk& cross the Nile to Thebes, on Luxor's powerful West Bank. The local sightseeing highlights the Valley of the Kings, where some 64 of Egypt's Pharaohs rest, the Valley of the Queens, the Temple of Queen Hutshepsut at El Deir El Bahari, Ramses III's funerary Temple and the twin Colossi of Memnon. In the afternoon you will be transferred to the airport for the flight to Cairo. Transfer upon arrival to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure in this exciting city.

Day 13, Thu: CAIRO-USA (B)   
Transfer to the airport for your departing flight.

Accommodations	HOTEL / CRUISE SHIP
CAIRO	Cairo Sheraton, Mena House or similar
NILE CRUISE	M/S Jasmin - Outside cabins with two lower beds

Departure Dates & Prices

* NOTE: New Years Eve gala dinner $145 is mandatory - NOT included in the prices above

Rates are per person in US Dollars, double occupancy, and include airline fuel surcharges. Airfare from New York is included; departures from most USA gateways are available - please inquire. Air taxes & security fees (approx. $145-200) are additional.

BRING-YOUR-OWN-AIR: If you buy your own TRANSATLANTIC air tickets, please deduct from above prices
(NOTE: Egypt domestic airfare is still included in our prices)