Day 1: Jan 3, 2001, Wed.
Depart from San Francisco, or your home community, for Cairo. (Group flight available)
Day 2: Jan 4, Thu.
Arrive Cairo International airport, where you will be met, and transferred to the Mena House Hotel, at the base of the famous pyramids. (Night: Mena House)
Day 3: Jan 5, Fri.
Leisure morning to catch up on sleep, sit by the pool or stroll. After an early Mena House lunch, the afternoon will be spent visiting one of the most extraordinary sights in the world, the great pyramids of Giza. Covering more than thirteen acres, is the perfect pyramid of Pharaoh Kufu, whose burial chamber, deep inside, we will visit. Then on to see the two other pyramids; Kafre, with its unique Valley Temple and its world famous Sphinx, and Menkaure. We will also visit the Solar Boat Museum, which houses Khufu's amazing cedar boat, unearthed from along side his pyramid. This evening enjoy the beautiful Sound & Light show.
(B.L.D. Night: Mena House)
Day 4: Jan 6, Sat.
Today, we drive along the picturesque Nile Canal, to Dahshur to see the newly opened Red and Bent pyramids of Sneferu, father of Khufu. Then on to Sakkara, site of the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser, forerunner of the great Giza pyramids. After our picnic lunch, we will visit the brilliantly painted mastaba tombs of Meriruka, Ptah-hetep and Ti, portraying lively daily life scenes, and then descend into the pyramid of Unas, whose interior walls record the world's first religious texts. On our return to the hotel, we visit the ruins of Memphis, once the capital of all Egypt.
(B.L.D. Night: Mena House)
Day 5: Jan 7, Sun.
This morning will be spent in the stupendous Egyptian Museum, which houses the world's greatest collection of Pharaonic antiquities, including the amazing treasures from King Tut's tomb. After lunch, we stroll the cobblestone streets of Old Cairo to see ancient Christian and Coptic Churches, and the old Synagogue. Then a short drive to visit the fabulous mosques of Ibn Tulun, Sultan Hassan and the marvelous alabaster mosque of Mohammed Ali built inside of Saladin's Citadel. (B.L.D. Night: Mena House)
Day 6: Jan 8, Mon.
Morning flight to Luxor to begin our stay in the heart of ancient Egypt. After lunch, we visit the beautiful Luxor Temple, with its Ramesses obelisk in front. Once used for pageants to the gods, today it is the setting for yearly presentations of the opera, Aida! Afterwards, we tour the new Luxor Museum to see elegant alabaster statues, painted wall tiles from Nefertiti and Akhenaten's temple, and many other splendidly displayed artifacts from the Luxor area.
(B.L.D. Night: Sonesta Luxor Hotel)
Day 7: Jan 9, Tue.
Today, an all -day excursion across the Nile, to the awesome Valley of the Kings, where sixty-four Pharaohs' tombs, including those of King Tut, Seti and Ramesses, have been opened for viewing. Then, for those who wish, a short hike over the scenic cliffs to Queen Pharaoh Hatshepsut's extraordinary temple. (Others will go by bus, with a brief stop at Seti's Temple.)
After a picnic lunch, a special visit to the unique workers' village of Deir el Medina, to see the gorgeous tombs of the artists, who painted all of the Pharaohs' tombs. Then on to the huge fortress-temple of Ramesses III, Medinet Habu, with its unique scenes of the invading Sea Peoples.
(B.L.D. Night: Sonesta Luxor Hotel)
Day 8: Jan 10, Wed.
This morning, another all day excursion to the West Bank, first to the Valley of the Queens to visit the newly reopened magnificent tomb of Queen Nefertari, considered the most beautiful tomb in the world, and then to see the touching tombs of two young princes, who died as children. Then on to the great Ramesseum, funerary temple of Ramesses II, to view his colossal fallen statue, made famous by Shelley's poem, Ozymandias. After our picnic lunch, we will see the lively painted Tombs of the Nobles, including Mena, Nakht, Rekh-m-re, Ramose and Senefer. We then will view the Colossi of Memnon statues, actually statues of Amenhetep III, once standing in front of his mortuary temple. This evening enjoy the fascinating Karnak Sound & Light show.
(B.L.D. Night: Sonesta Luxor Hotel)
Day 9: Jan 11, Thu.
This morning, we explore the temple complex of Karnak, built by more that 15 pharaohs, spanning 1500 years. Entering along the avenue of the ram-headed sphinxs, we find a vast array of pylons, obelisks, chapels, and a sacred lake. Following lunch, we will take a bus excursion to the Ptolemaic Temple of Dendera, dedicated to the goddess, Hathor. Return to Luxor, after enjoying sunset at the temple.
(B.L.D. Night: Sonesta Luxor Hotel)
Page 3
Day 10: Jan 12, Fri.
This morning we leave Luxor in our roomy motorcoach and drive south to Aswan, through picturesque villages. On the way, we'll visit the rock-cut tombs of El Kab, an early capital of Ancient Egypt, and then drive on to Edfu, the Temple of Horus, the falcon god. Built by Ptolemy III, in 230 B.C.E., it is one of the grandest temples in Egypt. We continue on to the double temple of Kom Ombo, with its twin shrines dedicated to Haroeris and Sobek, the crocodile god. In the afternoon we arrive at Aswan, and check into our hotel. Then time to explore the interesting town of Aswan and its colorful bazaars.
(B.L.D. Night: Oberoi Hotel)
Day 11: Jan 13, Sat.
Aswan, gateway to Nubia, has many fascinating sights!
The morning can be spent lounging at the pool, strolling in Aswan, or exploring the nearby unusual Nobles' tombs, cut high into the sand cliffs above the Nile.
After lunch, a felucca sail to visit Kitchner's tropical island, and Elephantine island, with it's Old Kingdom remains, and, if time, to Sohel and its ancient rock inscriptions.
(B.L.D. Night: Oberoi Hotel)
Day 12: Jan 14, Sun.
After breakfast, we will take a short ferry ride to visit the magnificent island temple of Philae. Then on to the High Dam and granite quarries, to see the unfinished obelisk. In the early afternoon, there will be a special visit to the handsome new Nubian Museum, and then a short desert drive to board our ship for the Nubian Nile cruise.
(B.L.D. Night: Cruise ship)
THE NUBIAN NILE CRUISE
Day 13: Jan 15, Mon.
After breakfast, we sail to the Roman temple, Kalabsha, rescued by UNESCO from the newly formed Lake Nasser. This beautifully situated temple is dedicated to Mandulis, a Nubian solar deity. The charming Kiosk of Qertassi, nearby, with its four slender papyrus columns, will also be visited. Then on to see a rock-cut temple of Ramesses II, Beit el-Wali, with lively battle scenes, and a young Ramesses riding in his chariot. Lunch on board, with the remainder of the day sailing south on beautiful, peaceful Lake Nasser, arriving at Wadi es-Sebua, about 140 km. from Aswan, at sunset.
(B.L.D. Night: Cruise ship)
Day 14: Jan 16, Tue.
We disembark at the rarely visited Wadi es-Subua temples, and walk up the avenue of sphinxs leading to Ramesses II Nubian temple, with its two huge colossi. Partially cut into rock, this unique temple, dedicated to Amon-Ra, also bears the remains of its 10th century conversion into a church. Nearby is the Dakka temple to Thoth, moved from 40 km. downstream. Although begun by a Meriotic king, in 220 B.C.E., material from a much older Middle Kingdom structure was used. Opposite the Dakka temple is the small Maharraka temple, dating from Roman times and dedicated to Serapis and Isis.
After lunch, we continue sailing south to Amada, to visit two temples, and the finely preserved rock-tomb of the Nubian viceroy, Penne, showing traditional themes. The Amada temple is the oldest temple in Nubia, dating from about 1450 B.C.E., built by Thutmosis III and his son, Amenhetep II, and showing colorful painted relieves inside. The other temple at Amada was built by Ramesses II and dedicated to Amen-Ra and Ra-Harakhty. This rock-cut temple has both finely painted areas and damage, caused by its use later as a church.
(B.L.D. Night: Cruise ship)
Day 15: Jan 17, Wed.
After breakfast, we sail around the remains of Kasr Ibrim, once the site of great Middle Kingdom forts, guarding the Nubian entrance to Egypt. Following lunch, we sail on, watching Abu Simbel come into view. At sunset, we moor alongside this fabulous site, to visit the colossal rock-cut temples of Ramesses II and his wife, Queen Nefertari. These had been moved up the cliffs, to save them from Lake Nasser's rising waters. We can stroll off our ship, visiting them again and again, in moonlight, or sunrise. These temples are truly engineering feats, both past and present, awesome to behold!
Gala evening dinner on board.
(B.L.D. Night: Cruise ship)
Day 16: Jan 18, Thu.
Following breakfast, we can again visit the two great Abu Simbel temples, and then transfer to the airport. We fly back to Cairo, where the remainder of the day is at leisure.
(B.L.D. Night: Intercontinental, or Hilton, or Meridien Hotel
Day 17: Jan 19, Fri.
Day at leisure to stroll Cairo's streets, see the Khan Kalili Bazaar or revisit the Museum.
Tonight, we have a Gala Farewell dinner in our hotel.
(B. D. Night: Intercontinental, or Hilton, or Meridien Hotel
Day 18: Jan 20, Sat.
Morning departure to your home community.
(B.)
TOUR INCLUDES: