Day 1, Sunday: Arrive Cairo        

Arrive Cairo airport. Transfer to the Nile Hilton (Nile view room). At leisure.

Day 2, Monday: Cairo

Morning, visit the three impressive great pyramids at Giza, the oldest and one of the only surviving Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Enter a passageway into the second pyramid, visit the solar funerary boat museum, and legendary statue of the sphinx. Also take a delightful calache ride, and watch a demo in making papyrus parchment. Lunch at Le Meridien hotel in Giza. Afternoon, visit the ancient capital of Memphis and step pyramids of Saqqara, the oldest ancient Egyptian cemetery. Also visit a carpet weaving center on return.

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Day 3, Tuesday: Cairo   

This morning, experience Coptic (Christian) Cairo. Visit the Hanging Church, built on the remains of a Roman fortress, and Church of St. Sergius, where the Holy Family stayed in exile. Also visit the impressive St. George Greek Orthodox Church, and simple yet significant Ben Ezra Synagogue. Enjoy lunch at Le Pacha 1901 floating restaurant. Then, explore ancient treasures at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities (including Mummies room).

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Day 4, Wednesday: Cairo

Visit the 12C Citadel of Saladin, and grand alabaster mosque of Mohammed Ali. Also visit the Sultan Hassan and El Refai mosques, masterpieces of Mamluk architecture. Then, enjoy an authentic Egyptian lunch at a city restaurant, with free time to explore colorful wares at Khan El Khaleli bazaar.

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Day 5, Thursday: Cairo – Alexandria

Early morning drive to Alexandria, the second largest city, with a Mediterranean flair, and center of knowledge in the ancient world. Stay at the Metropole hotel, overlooking the Mediterranean. Visit the Greco-Roman museum, which displays a fascinating record of a civilization in the process of change from 3C BC to 7C AD. This afternoon, visit the mosque of Mursi Abul Abbas, built in an Andalusian style with four domes and a towering minaret, Fort of Quait Bay at the sea front, and charming Montazah Palace gardens.

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Day 6, Friday: Alexandria - Cairo

Morning, visit Pompey’s pillar, catacombs, a Roman amphitheater, and Bibliotheca Alexandria, a modern marvel library. Then, see a splendid display of recently discovered relics and artifacts at the National Alexandria Museum. Late afternoon, drive to Cairo. Stay at the Nile Hilton.

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Day 7, Saturday: Cairo – Luxor – On Board Cruise Ship (Luxor)

Morning flight to Luxor. Board first class cruise ship Neptune/Presidential Nile at Luxor. Afternoon, take a ship’s tour to appreciate the temples of Karnak, with massive pylons and pillared columns. Also explore the impressive Luxor temple dedicated to god Amon Ra, famous for its huge columns that end in the form of a papyrus plant. Overnight on board at Luxor.

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Day 8, Sunday:  On Board Cruise Ship (Esna – Edfu)

Ship’s tour of West bank sites: cross the Nile River and discover a maze of antiquity. Visit the Colossi of Memnon, Valley of Kings, with tombs carved in rock-faces, and Queen Hatshesput’s temple, a magnificent three-tier temple dedicated to the only woman to rule Egypt in Pharaonic times. This afternoon, set sail for Esna (for a brief visit of the temple) and Edfu. Overnight on board at Edfu.

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Day 9, Monday: On Board Cruise Ship (Edfu – Aswan)

Visit Horus Temple at Edfu. Then, sail to Kom Ombo, a magnificent Ptolemaic temple, famous for its twin entrances, halls and sanctuaries. Late afternoon, we sail further south to Aswan, arriving by evening at this pretty town of modern and ancient contrasts. Enjoy a pleasant evening on board ship at Aswan.

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Day 10, Tuesday: On Board Cruise Ship (Aswan)              

This morning, take a ship’s tour to visit the Aswan Dam, unfinished obelisk, and Lake Nasser area. Late afternoon, enjoy a pleasant boat ride to visit the magnificent island Temple of Philae, dismantled and rebuilt on Agilika Island; a beautiful setting, with artistic shrines, sanctuaries and pylons. Overnight on board ship at Aswan.

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Day 11, Wednesday: Disembark Cruise Ship (Aswan) – Cairo – Sharm El Sheik

Disembark your luxury cruise ship after breakfast. Take a morning flight to Cairo. Afternoon flight to Sharm El Sheik. Transfer to Hilton Sharm Waterfalls Resort/Hilton Sharm Dreams Resort (sea view room).

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Day 12, Thursday: Sharm El Sheik

A full day at leisure to enjoy your resort and surroundings. Here, the simplicity of sun, sea and sand combine well with your luxury five-star hotel, water sports, shopping and entertainment.

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Day 13, Friday:  Sharm El Sheik

Another day at leisure to snorkel, swim, relax, and refresh yourself.

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Day 14, Saturday: Sharm El Sheik – Cairo

Morning at leisure. Early afternoon flight to Cairo. Transfer to the Nile Hilton. This evening, to conclude this program, attend a spectacular and befitting sound and light show at the Giza Pyramids.

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Day 15, Sunday: Depart Cairo

Morning transfer to Cairo airport for international departure.

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