Egypt & the Nile: 16 Days Escorted Tour The famed Nile has witnessed the rise of Pharaohs and the fall of many great kingdoms. Today, it flows alongside ancient temples and virtually teems with life along its ever-fertile banks. Cruise this mighty river as you meet the people, learn the history, and discover the realities behind the fascinating relics and colorful legends of Egypt. Your Egyptologist tour manager opens the door of adventure and knowledge. Inclusions Highlights Features Itinerary Dates Inclusions On-tour flights: Cairo/Luxor, Aswan/Abu Simbel/Cairo 3 nights in pyramid view rooms at Cairo's Mena House Oberoi Hotel 2 nights at the Helnan Palestine Hotel in Alexandria 2 nights at the Conrad Cairo 1 night at Concorde El Salam Hotel Cairo 6 night Nile River cruise aboard the deluxe Oberoi Philae Cruiser 14 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 11 dinners (bottled water included) Highlights Sightsee at the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx and Solar Boat Museum Visit seldom-seen Dahshur's Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid Explore the Egyptian Museum, including the Mummy Room Visit the magnificent Karnak and Luxor temples King Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings Take a flight excursion to experience amazing Abu Simbel Visit the Mediterranean seaport of Alexandria Explore Dendera, Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples See Aswan and the Aswan High Dam Cruise up the Nile from Luxor to Aswan Enjoy the company of an experienced Egyptologist tour manager Special Features Enjoy a presentation by an Egyptian archaeologist, have lunch in the Khan El Khalili Bazaar Dec. 18,2007 & Dec. 16, 2008 departures includes travel during Christmas in Cairo

Itinerary

Days 1 & 2 - Departure day/Arrive Cairo
Make your way from the USA to Cairo. For the next three nights, your room overlooks the timeless Giza Pyramids at the MENA HOUSE OBEROI HOTEL.

Day 3 - Giza Pyramids and the Sphinx
Ride camelback to the Giza plateau, where the amazing pyramids rise from the desert floor. In constructing the pyramids, consider the task of transporting and laying the three million two-ton blocks so perfectly in place. See the Solar Boat, found buried next to the Great Pyramid and believed to provide passage for the Pharaoh in the afterlife, and the mysterious Sphinx, to ponder the puzzle of its origin. This afternoon, travel to Memphis, ancient capital of Egypt. Sightseeing includes the mastaba (tomb) of Mereruka and Djoser's Step Pyramid, the oldest freestanding stone structure in the world. This evening enjoy a presentation by an Egyptian archaeologist. MENA HOUSE OBEROI HOTEL

Day 4 - Dahshur Pyramids/Pyramids Sound & Light
Today enjoy seldom-seen pyramid treasures of Egypt. The Red Pyramid is often overlooked, but is just as impressive as its Giza counterparts. It is thought to be the "training ground" for the Giza Pyramids, being older in origin. Another is the Bent Pyramid, called "the shining pyramid" because it still possesses some of its smooth outer casing. This evening, attend the Sound & Light Show overlooking the Sphinx and Giza Pyramids. MENA HOUSE OBEROI HOTEL

Day 5 & 6 - Alexandria
Set out across the desert to the Mediterranean seaport of Alexandria, founded in 331 BC by Alexander the Great. Visit the Alexandria National Museum of Antiquities and see Montazah Palace, the former summer residence of the royal family of Egypt. Tour the catacombs, dating from Roman times and filled with pharaonic art. Visit the Bibliotheca Alexandria, a modern reconstruction of one of the most celebrated centers of learning in human history. Sunday afternoon is free. HELNAN PALESTINE HOTEL

Day 7 - Egyptian Museum/Cairo
Return to Cairo and visit the Egyptian Museum. Guided by your Egyptologist, explore the enormous collection of over 100,000 artifacts, including the treasures of Tutankhamun's tomb, mummies ranging from the 18th to the 20th Dynasties, and wonderfully mysterious statues from ancient royal palaces. CONRAD CAIRO

Day 8 - Khan El Khalili Bazaar/Old Cairo
Walk the streets of Old Cairo this morning to see the Mohammed Ali Mosque, the Ben Ezra Synagogue, and one of the old Coptic churches. Then enjoy a memorable shopping experience at the notorious bazaar of Khan El Khalili. Luncheon is included in the bazaar. CONRAD CAIRO

Day 9 - Luxor/Embark Nile Cruise
Fly south up the Nile Valley to Luxor, known in ancient times as Thebes, and step aboard a luxurious cruiser for a journey along the timeless Nile. Observe everyday life on the banks of the river as you sail the fine OBEROI PHILAE.

Day 10 - Dendera
Explore the Temple of Dendera, dedicated to the Egyptian god Hathor, to see hieroglyphics chronicling the reigns of several pharaohs. In the inner temple is a copy of the famous Dendera Zodiac. This afternoon your ship sails back to Luxor. OBEROI PHILAE

Day 11 - Karnak and Luxor Temple
This morning tour the massive Karnak Temple complex at Luxor. Pass through a series of three small temples and step into the architectural masterpiece of the Hypostyle Hall, once considered the ultimate house of worship. Then visit the smaller Temple of Luxor, built by Amenhotep III and Rameses II, buried under desert sand for centuries and therefore now well preserved. There is free time to wonder the markets of Luxor. OBEROI PHILAE

Day 12 - Valley of the Kings/Valley of the Queens
Enter the secluded Valleys of the Kings and Queens on the west bank of the Nile, across from Luxor. The valley is home to 64 pharaohs' tombs plus those of queens and nobles. Visit the tomb of King Tutankhamun, discovered early last century and the only pharaonic tomb to remain unlooted over the millennia. See the colonnaded temple of Egypt's only female pharaoh, Queen Hatshepsut, and the famed Colossi of Memnon. OBEROI PHILAE

Day 13 - Edfu/Kom Ombo
At Edfu visit the remarkably intact Temple of Horus, the falcon god. Later your ship calls at the Temple of Kom Ombo, consisting of two shrines - one for Sobek the crocodile god and the other for Horus the Elder, the god of war. Kom Ombo is beautiful at sunset when the light makes the stone especially colorful. OBEROI PHILAE

Day 14 - Aswan
In Aswan see one of the world's greatest engineering feats, the Aswan High Dam. It created Lake Nasser, at over 500 miles long one of the world's largest man-made lakes. Visit Philae Temple, which was moved to its current island to rescue it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. It features two pylons displaying all the ancient deities of Isis and Osiris. OBEROI PHILAE

Day 15 - Abu Simbel/Cairo
Disembark the ship and fly over Lake Nasser to magnificent Abu Simbel, a stunning Nubian temple site built to honor Rameses II and his wife, Nefertari. Originally carved into the stone cliffs in 1250 BC, the temple was also relocated due to the High Dam construction. Twice a year, the sun is able to penetrate to the innermost sanctuary, to the statues of Rameses II and Amon Ra, the sun god. Your return flight to Cairo arrives late this afternoon and the farewell dinner is at the CONCORDE EL SALAM HOTEL CAIRO .

Day 16 - Return home
Depart Cairo for your return home. Saida, as-salam alaikoom!

Travel Dates & Rates

* Guaranteed to operate
** Ask agent about our waiting list

• Booking Code: NLE

• Land/cruise only rates are per person based on double occupancy.
• On tour flights Cairo/Luxor and Aswan/Abu Simbel/Cairo are included in Land/cruise rates.
• International airfare is not included. Please inquire about our competitive rates at the time of booking.
• Pre/post nights are available upon request. Reservation deposit is $500 per person. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
• Note: Visa is required and is the responsibility of the traveler to secure.
• Dec. 18,2007 & Dec. 16, 2008 departures includes travel during Christmas in Cairo.

Prices subject to change without notice until time of deposit. All dollar values not denoted as US or CA are in US Dollars.