Best of Egypt: Faith, History, and the Nile

DAILY ITINERARY: 

• Depart from the US for an overnight flight to Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.

• Arrival at Sharm El Sheikh Airport, where you'll be greeted by local staff before passing through passport control.

• Visa fees are included, so you'll be taken care of upon arrival.

• Transfer to your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh for check-in, relaxation, and leisure time.

• Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.

• Breakfast at the hotel before a relaxed morning in Sharm El Sheikh. Spend the day enjoying the beach or optional activities such as snorkeling or diving in the crystal-clear waters of the Red Sea.

• Lunch at the hotel before checking out in the evening.

• Transfer from Sharm El Sheikh to St. Catherine’s, nestled in the Sinai Mountains, for an overnight stay. This is a charming town at the base of Mount Sinai, rich in history and religious significance.

• Early morning transfer from the hotel to Mount Sinai. Begin the sunrise hike to the summit. The hike is about 5- hours and offers an unforgettable view of the sunrise over the desert landscape and surrounding mountains.

• After reaching the summit, you'll descend and head to St. Catherine’s Monastery, one of the oldest Christian monasteries in the world, home to a rich collection of religious manuscripts and icons.

• Enjoy breakfast at the Monastery after the visit.

• Transfer from St. Catherine’s to Cairo, the bustling capital of Egypt, and check in to your hotel.

• Dinner at the hotel and overnight stay.

• Breakfast at the hotel to start the day.

• Visit the Pyramids of Giza: Explore the iconic Great Pyramids of Giza, including the Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), the largest of the three, and the Great Sphinx, a colossal limestone statue of a reclining lion with a human head. These are among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

• Grand Egyptian Museum: Continue your journey to the Grand Egyptian Museum, set to house the world’s most extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the treasures of Tutankhamun. Enjoy a guided tour that will introduce you to over 5,000 years of history.

• Lunch in Cairo, followed by time to visit some local souvenir shops.

• Return to your hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.

• After breakfast and check-out, transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Luxor, the heart of ancient Egypt.

• Upon arrival, transfer to your Nile cruise ship.

• Lunch aboard the ship before your afternoon tour.

• Luxor Temple: Visit the Luxor Temple, a grand structure dedicated to the Theban Triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu, beautifully lit up at night and offering a vivid insight into the glory of ancient Egypt.

• Karnak Temple: Explore Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex in the world. This vast site is famous for the Hypostyle Hall, its massive columns, and the Sacred Lake, all dedicated to the god Amun-Ra.

• Dinner aboard the ship and overnight stay.

• Breakfast aboard the ship.

• West Bank of Luxor: Visit the Valley of the Kings, where many pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, were buried. Explore the tombs of these ancient rulers, decorated with vivid murals depicting their journeys to the afterlife.

• Colossi of Memnon: Visit these massive statues, which stand at the entrance of the ancient Temple of Amenhotep III.

• Hatshepsut Temple: Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, a mortuary temple built for one of Egypt’s most successful pharaohs, featuring impressive terraced architecture against a cliff face.

• Return to your cruise for lunch and begin sailing down the Nile.

• Sail to Esna, where the boat will pass through the Esna Lock. Continue sailing to Edfu, where you'll dock for the evening.

• Dinner and overnight aboard the ship.

• Breakfast aboard the ship before heading to Edfu Temple, dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus. The temple is one of the best-preserved in Egypt and an incredible example of Egyptian architecture and decoration.

• Sail to Kom Ombo, where you’ll explore the unique Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-headed god Horus the Elder. The temple's symmetry and views of the Nile are stunning.

• Continue your journey south to Aswan.

• Dinner and overnight aboard the ship.

• Breakfast aboard the ship before a trip to the Philae Temple Complex, dedicated to the goddess Isis. It is located on Agilkia Island and is accessible by a short boat ride. The temple was relocated to its current location after the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

• After the temple visit, take a boat ride to Nubian Village, where you’ll experience the culture and hospitality of the local Nubian people. Wander through the colorful village and learn about their traditions and way of life.

• Lunch in Aswan before returning to the ship.

• Dinner and overnight aboard the ship.

• Breakfast aboard the ship before checking out and transferring to Aswan Airport for your flight back to Cairo.

• Upon arrival, visit the Coptic Cairo area, home to ancient Christian sites, including:
      -Saint George Church: A small, beautiful church with Greek influences.
      -Abu Serga Church: Said to be built on the spot where the Holy Family rested on their flight to Egypt.
      -Hanging Church: A stunning Coptic church built above the gates of an ancient Roman fort.

• Enjoy lunch in Cairo.

• Hotel check-in, followed by dinner and overnight stay.

• Breakfast at the hotel before checking out in the morning.

• Transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight back to the United States, arriving on the same day.

NOTE: The schedule is subject to change due to various factors and the tour guide’s discretion.