Jewels of the Nile, Temples Tombs and Pyramids of the Pharohs

Temples, Tombs and Pyramids of the Pharaohs

Jewels on the Nile

• Hear echoes of ancient Pharaohnic footsteps as we travel through 5000 years of Egyptian history

• Behold the Giza Pyramids, wonder of the ancient world, and gaze upon the Great Sphinx

• Learn about ancient Egyptian life and afterlife in the Valleys of the Kings and Queens

• Ride a camel to the Byzantine desert ruins of the St. Simon Cloister

• Take the 1st class overnight sleeper train to the upper Nile and awaken for breakfast in the Nubian desert

• Be awed by the gigantic columns at Karnak and later the elegance of Luxor at sunset

• Taste traditional Egyptian Molokhiyya, Torly, and Kebabs and sip the hearty Ahwa

• Trace women's roles from Nefretiti to the New Kingdom she-Pharaoh Hatshepsut and the Cleopatras

Optional extension to Jordan

featuring Petra, Amman, Mt. Nebo, Dead Sea

• Cruise leisurely down the blue Nile flanked by fertile green shores and endless ocher desert

• Bargain for Gallabas, spices, and hibiscus tea, and smoke a Sheesha (water pipe) in the exotic Kahn al Kahili Bazaar in Cairo

• Let the rising sun guide you past the four monolithic seated figures of Pharaoh Ramses II and inside the temples at Abu Simbel

• Admire Cairo architecture from the Age of Saladin to the Ottoman Empire and go below ground for Byzantine Coptic and Jewish legacy

• See the fabulous treasures of Egyptian Antiquity at the new Grand Egyptian Museum

• Study the blending of Nubian, Coptic, and Islamic cultures at the excellent Nubia Museum in Aswan

We invite you to join us on this exciting travel adventure through Egypt featuring a 5 day luxury Nile cruise as we retrace history and discover

legendary treasures of ancient Egypt.

February 12

USA/Cairo | D

Board your overnight international flight and begin the journey to discover the wonders of Ancient Egypt. Flight not included in the price. We will make recommendations for the best flight and our a liated ticketing agent can assist you with the booking, or you can book with your preferred carrier or online.

February 13

Welcome to Cairo! | B, D

Arrive Cairo. Your transfer agent will meet you with a sign saying “MEXIMAYAN” before you pass through customs and will give you your Visa. Once through customs the agent will assist you and transfer you to our hotel in Giza, perfectly located near the majestic pyramids, for check in and time to rest. This evening we will gather for a Welcome Dinner.

Overnight Hyatt Regency Cairo West, Giza

Giza and Sakkara | B, L

We leave early for Sakkara to view Egypt’s oldest pyramid, the step pyramid of King Zoser, dated to 3000 BC, and enter the tomb inside. We will see the bent pyramid and the red pyramid and then drive back to Giza with lunch enroute. This afternoon, we explore the Giza pyramid complex. Walking around the perimeter of the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) we appreciate its magnitude and ponder the enigma of how it was constructed. Then we slowly walk to the lower temples and Sphinx, to allow much time for exploration and photos. This evening let’s enjoy sunset refreshments on a roof top patio overlooking the Sphinx and pyramids or tonight may be a perfect time to attend the optional Sound And Light Show that spectacularly highlights the pyramids as it tells the history of Egypt.

Overnight Hyatt Regency Cairo West, Giza

Egyptian Museum and Cairo | B, L

Today as we tour the comprehensive and stunning collection of artifacts at the famous Egyptian Museum of Antiquity in Cairo, our Egyptologist guide will help us further understand and appreciate the millennia of Ancient Egypt. After lunch we will visit the extensive Kahn el Khalili Bazaar, a maze of Tent Makers market, the carpet bazaar, mosques, and minarets. We will shop for spices and perfumes on Al Muizz li Din Allah Street. Let's stop for a co ee at Fishawl's, Cairo's oldest co ee house. Will we be tempted to try the pungent smoke from a sheesha (water pipe) with our Ahwa (co ee)? Dinner on own.

Overnight Hyatt Regency Cairo West, Giza

Old Cairo/ Luxor | B, L, D

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Today will enjoy the OLD Cairo, which is the Coptic and Jewish center dating to the 5th century. We literally go underground to visit the Basilica of St. George. We will see the Coptic Museum, the Hanging Church and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. After lunch we’ll appreciate Islamic Cairo which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Our walking tour will introduce us to the essence of Fatimid Cairo, dating to the 10th century; we will visit Al Azhar Mosque, venerated as the spiritual center of Egypt for over one thousand years. We will have dinner before heading to the airport for our flight to Luxor.

Overnight Jolie Ville Hotel and Spa, Kings Island, Luxor

February 17

Giza/ Luxor | B,L

We begin our day’s adventure driving amid lush, green fields of sugar cane, beans, and wheat, we arrive at Abydos, ancient cult center of the god Osiris (Lord of the Underworld). We will see the Temple of Osiris and Temple of Seti I. Abydos is one the oldest necropolises in Egypt, dating to 2900 to 2575 BC. Within the Seti I Temple, we will study very fine reliefs, regarded among the most remarkable in Egypt. We will find the Kings List, a chronology list of 34 Pharaohs beginning with Menes, the traditional founder of Egypt. We continue on to Dandarah, the Greco-Roman Temple of of Hathor, goddess of pleasure and love. We still see original coloring on the ceiling as we study many beautiful reliefs including one depicting Cleopatra among deities Hathor, goddess of pleasure and love. We still see original coloring on the ceiling as we study many beautiful reliefs including one depicting Cleopatra among deities. Overnight Luxor.

Overnight Jolie Ville Hotel and Spa, Kings Island, Luxor

February 18

Luxor/ Board Nile Cruise Ship | B,

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Day 1 of our Nile cruise

A journey on the Nile River surely is the ultimate dream of every passionate traveler. Thomas Cook o ered the 1st Nile cruise as interest in Egyptology grew in 1869. Now many luxurious ships ply the blue waters of the upper Nile. Serene shoreline panoramas of lush plantations, villages, and always the Sahara Desert backdrop accompany the traveler.

We tour the East Bank of the Nile with our Egyptologist guide before boarding the MS Esplanade for our 5 day Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan.

Our East Bank tour begins with the Karnak Temples. The immense site was dedicated to the god Amun Re, along with his wife Mut and son Khonsa, from around the 1600 B.C and additions to the site continued for 1300 years with more than 30 pharaohs providing embellishments in order to appease the gods. The site, in its entirety, measures around one mile by two miles and within that space lie around 25 di erent temples. Along with the temples there are chapels, shrines, obelisks, sanctuaries friezes and colossal statues. The Hypostyle Hall, which is considered one of the ancient Egyptian’s chief architectural and engineering feats, features 134 immense pillars rising to more than 75 feet. The Temple of Amun is truly spectacular; its size alone dwarfs all of Europe’s finest basilicas and entrance through the Avenue of Sphinxes makes for a dramatic experience. Luxor Temple, on the banks of the Nile River, is one of the many impressive ancient Egyptian buildings that can be seen in the area that was once known as Thebes, the ancient capital of Egypt. Pharaoh Amenhotep III built the Luxor Temple on the banks of the Nile during his reign in 1390-1353 B.C and it was dedicated to the Egyptian god Amun-Re and his wife Mut. Alexander the Great rebuilt the sanctuary and chapel at the rear of the temple. To the right of the open court is a chapel that was built by Tuthmosis III and Queen Hatshepsut.

Overnight at Luxor aboard the Nile Cruise ship M/S Esplanade

February 19

Cruise- Luxor/ Kom Obo| B,L ,D

Day 2 of our Nile cruise

Today we visit West Bank. Late lunch aboard and afternoon cruise to Edfu via Esna.

Sure to be a highlight of the trip, our exciting exploration of the West Bank features the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. The Valley of the Kings is a royal burial ground for pharaohs from the 18th, 19th, 20th dynasties. More than 62 rock-cut tombs, created between the 16th and 11 centuries B.C. to house the deceased pharaohs of the New Kingdom.

The Valley comprises two distinct arms- The West Valley and the East Valley. The majority of the tombs are located in the latter arm. Although almost all of them were looted in antiquity, the murals and hieroglyphs that cover the walls of the royal tombs provide an invaluable insight into the funerary rituals and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians.

The Valley of the Queens is the place where wives of Pharaohs were buried in ancient times as well as princes, princesses and various members of the nobility.

Tomb of queen Nefertari’s, Ramses II favorite wife is an exquisite jewel. The tomb is said to be one of the most beautiful in Egypt. The level of the detail is amazing and the color are more vibrant that what you can see any tomb in Egypt. Additionally we will see the Colossi Of Memnon, Deir El-Medina (Valley Of The Artisans), Temple Of Seti I, and the Howard Carter House and the Replica Tomb Of King Tut.

Overnight at Edfu aboard the Nile Cruise ship M/S Esplanade

February 20

Cruise- Edfu/ Kom Obo / Aswan | B,L,D

Day 3 of our Nile cruise

today we our private Egyptologist guide takes us on a mysterious journey to a land of secrets beginning with visiting one of the most one of the most well preserved temples in Egypt, the Temple of Horus in Edfu. We have lunch aboard the ship and enjoy the sun deck as we watch the unique landscape of the great Nile, where lush cultivated fields give way to vast endless desert as we sail to the city of KomOmbo. This afternoon, we explore the Temple of KomOmbo, where the two gods Sobek & Haroeris were worshipped. Dinner will be served on board as we sail on to Aswan.

Late evening arrive to Aswan and overnight.

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Day 4 of our Nile cruise

This morning we tour the high dam which was erected by the Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser in 1960 AD to protect Egypt from the Nile floods. We’ll see expansive Lake Nasser and learn about the national economic impact of this project. and see the Unfinished Obelisk, still in the quarry. After lunch we sail a traditional felucca around Kitchemer’s Island and Agha Khan and visit the temple of Philae which was erected during the Greco-Roman period and was dedicated to goddess Isis (mother of god Horus). Finally we visit the marvelous Unfinished Obelisk made of red granite and still in the quarry and was dedicated to god Amun Ra

Overnight at Aswan aboard the Nile Cruise ship M/S Esplanade

Nile Cruise/ Aswan | B, L, D

Day 5 of our Nile cruise

Disembark this morning after breakfast and explore the Nubian Museum which gives excellent insights into the turbulent ethnic, religious, and cultural heritage of the upper Nile region and the interesting Fatimid cemetery here dates back to the 9th century. But Aswan itself is a young boomtown with a colorful, lively and inviting market, where you can bargain for spices and textiles. This afternoon, we visit a Nubian village, then ride a camel to the desert Monastery

Overnight Moevenpick Aswan hotel

Aswan/ Abu Simbel | B, D

This morning is free for personal exploration. Later we experience the sense of endless Nubian Desert on our 3 hour drive to Abu Simbel. You may want to have an early lunch (on own) before we head out or pick up something to go. Our afternoon tour of Abu Simbel starting begins after the day trip tourists depart. Here on the western shore of Lake Nasser we will see the grand Temple of Ramses II and a smaller Temple of Tahor honoring his wife, Nefretari. In an amazing UNESCO project, both temples were moved up 200 feet so they would not be submerged behind the High Dam. Later afternoon will be free for photos and exploration in the small town, and then let us rejoin for dinner.

Overnight Seti Abu Simbel Hotel

Abu Simbel/ Aswan/ Cairo | B, L

The rising sun will guide us back to the grand Temple of Ramses II as the first rays illuminate the statues of Ramesses the Great and his beautiful Queen Nefertari, providing stunning photo opportunities. After the return drive to Aswan, we to catch

Aswan/ Cairo | B

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We bid goodbye to Egypt as we board our international flight back to the US, or extend our adventure as we fly to Amman to begin our exciting Jordan discovery.

Discover Jordan

Petra by Night

Jewels of the Nile Optional Post-Tour February 25- March 3, 2023

A cultural and history discovery experience featuring Amman, Petra, the Dead Sea, Jerash, and Mt. Nebo

February 25

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Upon arriving to Queen Alia International Airport, we will be met by our local team to assist us through immigration. Then transfer to our hotel in Amman for overnight.

February 26

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Todaywe tour of the old city of Amman exploring the Citadel and the Roman Theater, two of the most stunning archaeological sites in the city.We continue overland to Jerash, the Greco-Roman city [ancient Gerasa], and close second to Petra on the list of favorite destinations in Jordan. Boasting an unbroken chain of human occupation dating back more than 6,500 years and hidden for centuries in sand before being excavated and restored over the past 70 years, Jerash is a fine example of the grand, formal and provincial Roman towns found throughout the Middle East. One can walk beneath four imposing gates or down the "Street of Columns" north from the “Oval

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March 1

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Todaywe tour the many sites of Petra. Petra was carved into the rose-red Sharah Mountains by the Nabateans and lost to Civilization until re-discovered by the Swiss Burkhardt. Around 11,000 BC, Stone Age man was already exploiting the abundant natural resources of the Petra region, particularly wild goats and by 7000 BC some of the world’s earliest farmers were living in a walled village at Beidha, cultivating cereals and collecting nuts and fruits. But Petra really came to prominence in the 7C BC when the Edomite’s settled on Umm al-Biyara and other mountain strongholds and built a town at Tawilan above ’Ain Musa, in the hills to the north. Subject to Assyria, Babylonia, and then Persia, Edom in the 3C BC became the nucleus of an Arab state, the Nabateans kingdom and its capital at Petra. Originally from North Arabia, the Nabateans are first mentioned by the 1C BC historian Diodorus, who relates that in 312 BC Antigonus, the One-Eyed sent his general Athenaeus against ‘the land of the Arabs who are called Nabateans’, at that time a nomadic people who raised cattle and sheep and could survive for long periods in the desert, where they created a network of secret underground reservoirs.

Athenaeus attacked a certain strong, though un-walled rock, perhaps the great massif of Umm al-Biyara at Petra, where the Nabateans had left their valuables, elders, women and children while celebrating a festival, killed some of the Arabs there and made o with vast quantities of frankincense, myrrh and silver.

Some 150 years later the Nabateans had settled and Petra was the capital of an organized state, walk through the Siq, a narrow and winding fissure between the cli s, to reach the Treasury, the Roman Theater, the Courts, Qasr BintPharaoun, Temple of the Winged Lion and other monuments.

Overnight at Petra.

March 2

This morning we explore nearby Little Petra on a short tour, before driving on to Amman with a latelunch stop enroute.Then on to Queen Alia International Airport for 8:25 pm departure to Cairo

Overnight at airport hotel Cairo. Or return to Cairo for overnight.

March 3

Depart Amman or Cairo for the US.