Egyptology Fam (Platinum) from $999

10 days Egypt Deluxe Nile Cruise & Tour
December 7 -16, 2010
INCLUDES ROUND TRIP AIR FROM New York: JFK

Departure Date :

PLATINUM TOUR ITINERARY*
Abbreviations:  B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner

Day 1, December 7, 2010 (Tue) New York- CAIRO

Evening departure from New York JFK airport on Egypt air non-stop flight to Cairo, Egypt.  In-flight meals served on board.

Day 2, December 8, 2010 (Wed)  CAIRO

Arrive in Cairo.  After customs and immigration, our representatives will meet and greet you, assist with your luggage and transfer you to the deluxe Pyramids Park Hotel in Cairo.  

Day 3, December 9, 2010 (Thur) CAIRO

After a buffet breakfast at your hotel, we will go on a full day excursion in Cairo (including lunch), visiting the famous Egyptian Museum where archaeological pieces dating as far back as 3000 BC are in exhibit; where you will see the famous treasure of King Tut-ank-amon.  You will also visit the Alabaster Mosque (also known as the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha), the Coptic district, and the Ancient Citadel which was built in 1176.  Time permitting you will visit jewelery and ornament wholesalers. Return to the hotel.  Dinner on your own.  (B-L)

Day 4, December 10, 2010 (Fri) CAIRO -Giza-

After a buffet breakfast at your hotel, we will go on a full day excursion in Giza (including lunch), visiting the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.  You will first drive around the Pyramid of Chephren, the Pyramid of Cheops (also knowns as the Great Pyramid or Khufu), and the Pyramid of Mykerinos.  You will have time to walk around the Cheops, and take pictures.  Then visit the Sphinx, the huge one-piece sandstone man-headed lion-bodied statue.  We will then continue to Memphis, the capital of Old Kingdom; and then Sakkara, to visit the Step Pyramid, the first monumental stone structure in Ancient Egypt.  Return to the hotel.  Dinner on your own.  (B-L) 

Day 5, December 11, 2010 (Sat) CAIRO and start the CRUISE

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be transferred directly to our cruise shipM/S CARNIVAL. M/S Carnival provides deluxe air-conditioned stateroom cabins all with panoramic windows. Tonight your tour guide will hold an information meeting to walk you through the program.    

You will spend the night aboard the ship docked in Luxor.  Dinner at hotel in Luxor. (B-D)

Day 6, December 12, 2010 (Sun)  CRUISE: LUXOR to ESNA

Free day in Luxor, with optional visits** to Luxor and Karnak Temples and to Thebes and Valley of Kings and Valley of the Queens and Collossi of Memnon.  Later return to the boat to wind down. We will start sailing to Esna this afternoonn.  In Esna you will pass through the locks on the River Nile, for many a fun and small scale canal-crossing experience.  Tonight we will dock in Esna for overnight. Lunch and dinner aboard MS Carnival.  (B-L-D)

Day 7 , December 13, 2010(Mon)  CRUISE: ESNA to EDFU to KOM OMBO

As you are having breakfast aboard the boat, you will sail up the Nile to Edfu.  Upon arrival in Edfu, if you purchased our Optional Excursions package** you will first go on a horse-drawn-carriage ride in Edfu, and then you will have guided visits to Edfu Temple. We will continue our cruise up the Nile to Kom Ombo, and if you purchased our Optional Excursions package** guided visits in Komombo are included.  Lunch and dinner are aboard the boat. (B-L-D) 

Day 8, December 14, 2010 (Tue)  CRUISE: KOM OMBO to ASWAN

As you are having breakfast aboard the boat, you will sail up the Nile to Aswan, for many one of the prettiest towns on the Nile. Upon arrival in Aswan, you can stay and relax on the boat, or if you purchased our Optional Excursions package** you will have a full day excursion which includes a Felucca Sailing on the Nile River and later visits Temple of Philae, the High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk site. Lunch and dinner are aboard the boat. (B-L-D) 

Day 9, December 15, 2010 (Wed)  ASWAN -Optional ABU SIMBEL *$249- (visits) -then fly to- CAIRO

Arrive in Aswan. After breakfast, your guide will meet you in the lobby of the MS Carnival to transfer you to Aswan Airport for flight to Cairo. Today you might choose to enjoy an optional excursion to the most impressive Abu Simbel including flights before returning to Cairo.

Note: Passengers who booked the optional Abu Simbel excursion ($249) will fly to Abu Simbel - to visit the two temples built by Ramses II as a high-architect before he became Pharaoh. The 100 foot high Great Temple is world famous, which features 4 statues of Ramses II and his wife Queen Nefertari, each 65 foot high. Next to the Great Temple is the temple dedicated to Queen Nefertari. Both temples were originally carved in a mountain. In 1965 they were moved 600 feet and raised 65 feet, thanks to an international project to save them from the flooding caused by the construction of the High Dam. Upon completion of the optional excursion, you will fly to Cairo and trasfer to the Pyramids Park Hotel.(B-L-D)

Day 10, December 16, 2010 (Thurs) CAIRO -New York, JFK

After breakfast at the hotel transfer to Cairo airport for your flight back to the USA.  Arrival in U.S. same evening. (B)

* This is a sample itinerary.  Depending on River and Weather conditions there may be slight changes in the order of Port-of-Calls during cruising.. 

** All optional excursions mentioned in the itinerary are available at a package rate of $199 per person which includes guided excursions in Luxor, Thebes, Aswan, Kom Ombo, and Edfu.  Click here for complete details of excursions.

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