Day 1, December 7, 2010 (Tue) NEW YORK- CAIRO

Evening departure from New York - JFK - on Egypt air non-stop 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 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, a full day excursion in Cairo (including lunch). Visit the famous Egyptian Museum where archaeological pieces date as far back as 3000 BC. See the famous treasure of King Tut-ank-amon.  Visit the Alabaster Mosque (also known as the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha), the Coptic district, and the Ancient Citadel - built in 1176.  Time permitting, you will visit jewelry 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, enjoy a full day excursion in Giza (including lunch), visit the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.  You will first drive around the Pyramid of Chephren, the Pyramid of Cheops (also known 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.  Continue to Memphis, the capital of Old Kingdom; Sakkara - 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/LUXOR, and start the CRUISE

Breakfast at the hotel, transfers to Cairo airport, fly to Luxor, and transfer to our cruise ship M/S CARNIVAL. Our ship provides deluxe air-conditioned stateroom cabins, all with panoramic windows. Tonight your tour guide will hold an informational meeting to walk you through the program.

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

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

Free day in Luxor. Optional Excursions package** 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 pass through the locks on the River Nile,  a fun and small scale canal-crossing experience.  Overnight at dock at Esna. Meals on board. (B-L-D)

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

Breakfast as 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.  Meals on board. (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 on board. (B-L-D) 

Day 9, December 15, 2010 (Wed)  ASWAN/CAIRO
- or Optional ABU SIMBEL, and on to CAIRO

After breakfast, your guide will meet you in the lobby of the MS Carnival.  Transfers,  the flight to Cairo, and transfer to Pyramids Park Hotel . (B)
 

Note: Passengers booked on the optional Abu Simbel excursion  will fly to Abu Simbel . Visit the two temples built by Ramses II -  a high-architect before he became Pharaoh. The 100 foot high Great Temple is world famous, and  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 Abu Simbel excursion, fly to Cairo and transfer to Hotel. Optional group farewell dinner.

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)

** All optional excursions mentioned in the itinerary are available at a package rate of $199 per agent; $249 per companion, which includes guided excursions in Luxor, Thebes, Aswan, Kom Ombo, and Edfu.  Click here for complete details of excursions. 

Qualification for Travel Agent Fam Rate

The following forms and qualification is required and MUST  be submitted with payment; bookings will not be processed without all items.