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Itinerary for Beyond the Pyramids	Email this page    Print    Back

Beyond the Pyramids is specially designed for discerning travelers—and has it all! On Gold Plan, we introduce the spectacular Fairmont Nile City, the newest and most-talked-about hotel in Cairo, combined with a stay at the legendary Old Winter Palace in Luxor with its magical, luxurious and historical ambiance. If your choice is the Silver Plan, you’ll enjoy a delightful stay at the Cairo Conrad Hotel with superb Executive Nile View Rooms, combined with accommodations in Luxor at the beautiful Sonesta St. George Hotel in Royal Club Nile View rooms. Both plans feature the chic Mövenpick Hotel in Aswan with ample time to visit the sights and wonders of this extraordinary city. Relax and savor the tranquility of the Nile River as you sail aboard the luxurious Sonesta St. George in Deluxe Cabins. This elegant cruise program, limited to 14 passengers, takes you to sites not normally visited on most Egypt programs and allows you a more leisurely pace on your journey “Beyond the Pyramids.”

Day 1: Sunday: En Route

Depart on your flight to Cairo.

Day 2: Monday: Cairo

Arrive in Cairo; meeting and transfer to your hotel. Remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 3: Tuesday: Cairo

Your Egyptologist-Guide introduces you today to the world-famous Egyptian Museum with its extensive collection of artifacts spanning 5000 years of ancient Egyptian civilization; view Tutankhamun’s treasures and the Royal Mummy Room. Pass by Tahrir (Liberation) Square, focal point and symbol of the Egyptian quest for democracy on your way to Giza for lunch.  On to the Three Great Pyramids, the oldest surviving structures of the “Seven Wonders of the Ancient World”; enter one of the Pyramids. Visit the Solar Boat Museum; see the oldest known ship in the world, buried for over 4500 years. Stand in awe at the magnificent Sphinx carved out of a single piece of stone. Try a camel ride before continuing to the unique Karnak store.

Day 4: Wednesday: Cairo

Drive to Old Cairo. Visit the restored Ben Ezra Synagogue, the oldest in Egypt. Continue to St. Sergius Church, where legend says the Holy Family rested at the end of their journey into Egypt. On to the Ibn Tulun Mosque, with its massive minaret and panoramic rooftop view. Continue to the Gayer Anderson Museum—created from two 16th and 17th century homes, furnished with Englishman Gayer Anderson’s collection of Arabesque furniture, paintings, porcelain and bronze objects. End the day with a visit to the Khan el-Khahili Bazaar.

Day 5: Thursday: Cairo / Abu Simbel / Aswan

Early morning flight to Abu Simbel, flanked by four giant stone statues of Ramses II. The temple was reclaimed from the dam and reconstructed in its present and unforgettable location. Continue by flight to Aswan; transfer to your hotel on the Nile. Continue to the Nubian Museum, depicting the history and culture of the Nubian people. Tonight, witness the magnificent sunset; see the sails of dozens of feluccas silhouetted against the setting sun. Overnight in Aswan

Day 6: Friday: Nile Cruise - Aswan

Transfer to your 4 Day/3 Night Nile Cruise. After lunch, motorboat to the island of Philae; see the exquisite Temple of Isis. On to the Aswan High Dam and the granite quarries where stone was cut for the ancient monuments and the dam. Sail on a typical Egyptian “felucca”  (sailboat) and experience how the ancient Egyptians glided on the Nile 5000 years ago. Pass by Elephantine Island, Lord Kitchener’s Botanical Garden and the dramatic Aga Khan Mausoleum. Stop for tea at a Nubian Village before returning to your ship for overnight.

Day 7: Saturday: Nile Cruise - Kom Ombo / Edfu / Luxor

Sail to Kom Ombo, a hill town overlooking the banks of the Nile; visit the Greco-Roman Temple dedicated to Horus, the Sun God and to Sobek, the Crocodile God. Sail to Edfu; travel by horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Horus, the best preserved of all large Egyptian temples. The boat sails to Luxor for overnight.

Day 8: Sunday: Nile Cruise - Luxor

Tour the extraordinary Valley of the Kings containing the secretive tombs of New Kingdom Pharaohs. Visit the beautifully terraced funerary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari. Then, to the Colossi of Memnon, standing nearly 70 feet tall. Afternoon at leisure.

Day 9: Monday: Luxor

After disembarkation, visit the Avenue of the Sphinx and the imposing Temple of Luxor with its grand colonnades. Continue to the vast Karnak Temple-Complex, built by generations of Pharaohs. Then, transfer to your hotel in Luxor. Rest of the day at leisure. Evening: Sound & Light Show at the Temple of Karnak.

Day 10: Tuesday: Luxor

Drive to Qena; visit Denderah, dedicated to Hathor, goddess of life and fertility. Continue to Abydos, site of impressive tombs of the pre-dynastic rulers of ancient Egypt. Return to Luxor.

Day 11: Wednesday: Cairo

Return flight to Cairo; transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Optional tour to Memphis and Sakkara.

Day 12: Thursday: En Route

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight.

Breakfast

Lunch

Dinner

Special Dinner

Western Dinner

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