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Pathways of the Pharaohs
DAY 1 : Cairo
Welcome to Egypt, “the gift of the river Nile” as described by the Greek historian Herodotus. We meet you at the airport and transfer you to the deluxe Grand Hyatt Hotel on the banks of the Nile for a 2-night stay. Later, your Tour Director—an expert on the study of ancient Egypt who will be your guide throughout your journey—joins you for dinner at the hotel.
DAY 2 : Cairo
This morning we take an excursion to the Giza plateau. There, you behold the only Wonder of the Ancient World still standing: the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Kephren and Mykerinus. After a short camel ride, visit the Solar Boat Museum and, nearby, the Great Sphinx forever facing due east. After lunch, continue to the necropolis at Sakkara to see the world’s oldest step pyramid. Return to your hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure.
DAY 3 : Cairo & Luxor
Fly early this morning to Luxor, a city filled with antiquities that was once known as Thebes. Upon arrival, visit the glorious Temple of Karnak, where its history is brought to life by our expert Egyptologist. Then embark your ship, Royal Lotus, to start one of the highlights on your tour, a memorable 3-night cruise on the Nile. This afternoon, you will have a guided tour of the Temple of Luxor, followed by a horse-drawn carriage ride through the colorful souks en route back to your ship.
DAY 4 : Luxor
Early this morning, soar over temples and magnificent monuments on an unforgettable hot air balloon ride. Back on the ground, visit the Valley of the Kings and enter ancient tombs such as the famous tomb of Tutankhamun before setting sail. Lunch and dinner are served aboard; enjoy the Nile scenery as you cruise, passing through the locks at Esna along the way.
DAY 5 : Edfu & Kom Ombo
This morning, visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu, built during the Ptolemaic Dynasty to honor the falcon-headed god. Buried under desert sands until the 1860s, it is considered the best-preserved ancient Egyptian temple; its hieroglyphics have told archaeologists much about how the various structures were used. Have lunch on board while sailing toward Kom Ombo. There, you take a guided tour of the unusual double temple dedicated to both Horus and the crocodile god Sobek, a fertility deity thought to have created the world. Return to your ship and continue cruising up the Nile.
DAY 6 : Aswan
After a final breakfast aboard, disembark Royal Lotus at Aswan. Take a ride on a felucca—a traditional Egyptian wooden sailboat—to view charming islands and beautiful Nile scenery. Then visit Philae, a small island used as a priestly retreat. Walk through the Temple of Isis, one of the Nubian monuments that comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site. View the Aswan High Dam, completed in the 1960s, then continue to lake Nasser to visit the Temple of Kalabsha—raised by Emperor Augustus in Roman times to honor the androgynous Nubian sky and sun god Mandulis. Later embark the deluxe Prince Abbas. Enjoy lunch and dinner aboard as you sail toward Wadi el Seboua.
DAY 7 : Wadi el Seboua & Amada
This morning, walk through the “Valley of the Lions”—a striking avenue lined with sphinxes. Then, tour the temple of Dakka, dedicated to the ibis-headed Thoth, and the nearby Greco-Roman temple of Meharakka. Enjoy lunch aboard as you cruise across Lake Nasser to Amada. This afternoon, tour the small but interesting Nubian Amada Temple—oldest of the lake Nasser temples, it houses a collection of brightly painted historical carvings.
DAY 8 : Kasr Ibrim & Abu Simbel
This morning, set sail for Kasr Ibrim, the last Nubian monument remaining in its original location. Learn the story of the iconic Kasr Ibrim fortress, and see it from the ship’s sun deck. Later, like a mirage shimmering in the afternoon sun, Abu Simbel fills the horizon as you slowly approach. These magnificent temples, renowned for their four giant seated figures, were built in the 13th century B.C. by Rameses II and are thought to depict him and his queen, Nefertari. The colossal structures were dismantled and moved to this new location during the construction of the Aswan High Dam that created Lake Nasser—a major engineering feat in and of itself. After a guided tour, return aboard for dinner. Tonight, enjoy the dramatic Abu Simbel sound and light show.
DAY 9 : Alexandria
Disembark Prince Abbas and head to the airport for your flight to Cairo via Aswan. Board a luxury motorcoach for the ride to Alexandria. The second largest city in Egypt, this “Pearl of the Mediterranean” was founded by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C. Check in to your hotel for dinner and one night in Alexandria.
DAY 10 : Alexandria & Cairo
This morning, proceed to the Alexandria Library, a huge, modern library, museum and conference center built to commemorate the legendary Library of Alexandria destroyed by fire long ago. After your visit, tour several monuments in Alexandria such as the Roman amphitheater and the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa. Lunch in an Alexandria restaurant before taking a first-class train back to Cairo to check in to the deluxe Grand Hyatt for two nights. This evening, we have a special treat planned: enjoy dinner and conversation in the home of an egyptian family before retiring to your hotel.
DAY 11 : Cairo
After breakfast, tour Cairo’s museum of Egyptian Antiquities to admire its huge collection of golden relics and statuary and wander through the hall of mummies. Visit the famous gallery displaying the riches of King Tutankhamun, buried with him in 1324 b.C. and discovered by Howard Carter in 1922 A.D. The spectacular exhibit, which includes furniture, statues, masks, jewelry and more, will leave you speechless. Continue to the iconic Citadel of Saladin and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, built at its summit by the founder of modern Egypt to honor his eldest son. Return to your hotel for a farewell dinner and a free evening.
DAY 12 : Cairo
After breakfast at your hotel, we take you to the airport for your flight home.
Or, extend your journey for 3 nights in Jordan. See Amman, the lost city of Petra and the Dead Sea.
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