Unravel ancient mysteries on a cultural and wildlife journey through the shifting sands of Egypt. Marvel at the legendary pyramids of Giza, the birds in the Fayoum Oasis and the incredible undersea world at Ras Mohammad National Park. Cruise down the Nile River aboard the M/S ROYAL LILY, visiting the Aswan High Dam, the Horus on Edfu and the ancient city of Thebes. Experience a sunrise over Mount Sinai and relax each evening in beautiful palace hotels that reflect the majesty of pharaohs, kings and queens. This is a journey for the ages, one that every intrepid traveler will cherish for a lifetime to come.
Degree of Difficulty –
Fly overnight to Cairo, where you are escorted to your hotel. Get to know your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner this evening. Next day, your first stop is Dahshur which has only recently been opened to the public and is not as developed commercially as Giza, still maintaining a certain peace and tranquility to the site. Continue on to the 14 pyramids of the Sakkara necropolis including one of the world’s oldest stone structures and step Pyramid of King Zoser. Lunch at the Panorama Restaurant with its amazing views over the pyramids and then see the Sphinx and the 4,500-year-old Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus. MENA HOUSE.
(Meals Aloft, Dinner; Breakfast, Lunch)
Begin your day at the Grand Egyptian Museum, the largest archaeological museum complex in the world and host to more than 100,000 artifacts. For the first time ever, King Tut’s entire treasure collection of 5,000 items is on display. Then, visit the Citadel, the nerve center of Egypt for almost 700 years, with the impressive Mosque of Sultan Hassan, and Coptic Cairo to see the 4th Century Suspended Church of the Virgin Mary and Ben Ezra, Egypt’s oldest synagogue purported site of Moses’ rescue from the bulls. Wander the labyrinthine streets of the Khan el Khalili Bazaar for some great bargains. MENA HOUSE.
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Savor the delights of one of the most rewarding birding locations in Egypt, the desert oasis of Fayoum, not a true oasis because it depends on Nile water instead of underground springs or wells. Bird life abounds around Lake Qaroun, bordered by semi-nomadic Bedouin settlements and fishing villages. Learn of the history, and shop for pottery, the specialty of the town. MENA HOUSE.
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Fly to Abu Simbel to discover two of the most tremendous monuments of the ancient world at over 100 feet high and guarded by colossal stone figures of Ramses II. The entire monument was cut into 2,000 pieces and moved to its present site when the Aswan High Dam was constructed, a feat almost as amazing as its original construction. Enjoy the enchanting temples at night, during the Sound & Light show. SETI I HOTEL.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Enjoy breakfast as you view the monuments at sunrise by boat, for a most amazing experience as the sun paints them in a golden-red light. Then, fly to Aswan and board your cruise ship in time for lunch. This afternoon, discover the traditions of the Nubian people as you visit one of their villages and interact with a Nubian family, and visit the island of Agilkia to see the complex at Philae with its third century B.C. Temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. M/S SONESTA ST. GEORGE or similar.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Arrive Luxor and visit Luxor’s West Bank to explore the ancient city of Thebes. Stand in awe at the necropolis of pharaohs and nobility as you are greeted by the Colossi of Memnon: two giant seated statues of Amenophis III. Visit three unique tombs on your tour of the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs of the New Kingdom were interred. Continue to the Valley of the Queens and Nobles and the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Lunch is aboard ship. This afternoon, explore the Luxor Temple, and the extraordinary Karnak Temple, a complex of obelisks, pylons, courts, colonnades, halls, reliefs and sanctuaries once connected to Luxor Temple by a two-mile path lined with sphinxes. M/S SONESTA ST. GEORGE or similar.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Disembark the vessel and fly to Sharm el-Sheikh, one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Arabic world. The bright azure sea, warm sun, and the clean white sandy beaches come together to create a paradise. Activities include swimming, beach and pool massages, snorkeling and scuba diving. Enjoy a glass-bottom boat trip on the Red Sea. Explore Ras Mohammed National Park with its amazing variety of sea fauna and birdlife set at the southernmost tip of the Sinai looking out over some of the most gloriously rich coral reefs in the world. With palm trees, warm year-round weather and a stunning beach in Sharm el Sheikh, your accommodations will be at one of South Sinai’s premiere hotels. ROYAL SAVOY HOTEL.
(Breakfast, Dinner Daily)
A three-hour drive takes you through stunning desert scenery to St. Catherine’s Monastery where you check into your hotel and enjoy a leisurely day. Your home for the night is right in front of the Monastery and in the true heart of the Sinai. WADI EL RAHA HOTEL.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Rise around 1:00 am for what is sure to be your most memorable day. You will be driven a short distance from the monastery to the beginning of the trail that leads to the top of Mt. Sinai. For those interested, camels may be rented at a nearby stable for the ascent. After breakfast, visit St. Catherine’s Monastery at the foot of Mount Sinai built between 527 and 565 by Byzantine Emperor Justinian. Its spectacular natural setting has sheltered priceless works of art over the past 1,400 years. Early in the afternoon, drive back to Sharm El Sheikh and connect with your flight to Cairo. Enjoy a farewell dinner. LE MERIDIEN AIRPORT HOTEL. Next day, fly back home after an amazing adventure.
(Breakfast, Dinner; Breakfast, Meals Aloft)
Cross by ferry to Aqaba and continue your journey through time. Dive or snorkel at the Red Sea, and explore Aqaba’s historic sites that document over 5,500 years of human habitation. Continue to the ancient metropolis of Petra and discover soaring temples, elaborate tombs, a Roman theater and one of the most elegant remains of antiquity, Al Khazneh. Visit Madaba to see the oldest map of the Holy Land and Kerak crusader castle, and witness Mt. Nebo, the alleged burial site of Moses. Explore Jerash, the ‘Pompeii of the East’ and its pristine architectural wonders. End your journey sojourning on the shores of the Dead Sea, the lowest point on land in the world!
Prices vary by season and package. Please inquire by phone at (800) 627-1244 or email info@classicescapes.com for more information and a pricing estimate.
YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES:
- Flights between Cairo/Abu Simbel/Aswan and Luxor/Sharm el Sheik/Cairo.
- Superior accommodations throughout as indicated or similar.
- 4-Days/3-Nights Nile Cruise aboard the M/S SONESTA ST. GEORGE or similar.
- Professional Egyptologist with a minimum of 10 travelers and nature specialist guide.
- Welcome and Farewell Dinners; breakfast daily; lunch on tour days and all meals on Nile Cruise; breakfast/dinner in Sharm El Sheik.
- Sightseeing by private car or motor coach.
- All applicable hotel taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
- Complimentary baggage tags and water bottle.
- Complimentary emergency evacuation insurance.
There are basically two seasons in Egypt: a relatively cool season that lasts November-March (by far the better touring season) and a hot season April-October. The Red Sea coast has fewer extremes and is nice year-round. In the spring (especially late March to early April), sand and dust storms called khamsin blow in and can reduce visibility (sometimes even in Cairo) to less than 100 feet.
