Mena House Golf
Course







Temple of the Goddess
Hathor, who is variously
seen as the patroness of
earthly love, the goddess
of healing, and the great
feminine source of
all nourishment







The Nubian Museum







The fortress of
Salah El Din






The Medieval
atmospheres of
Khan el Khalili
Bazaar, together with
the labyrinth layout of
the streets, gives
visitors a glimpse into
what medieval markets
once were like


World Explorer Journeys: World Explorer Expedition to Egypt & The Upper Nile


No other place on earth reveals the wonders of centuries past as Egypt.  Here, legend meets reality in the blink of an eye.  See the colossal pyramids as they loom high above the shifting desert sands.  Explore massive tombs that reflect ancient scenes of everyday life and the afterlife.  Return each evening to the splendor of palace hotels.  Then board your new luxury cruise ship to glide on Lake Nasser, with access to rarely seen Nubian temples.  Moor at the foot of one of Egypt’s greatest monuments, Abu Simbel, and experience the eternal magic of sunrise in this mythical land.

Days 1 /2 - New York/Cairo
Board your overnight flight to Cairo.  Upon arrival, you are escorted to your grand hotel where the balance of the afternoon is at leisure to relax poolside or play golf on the 18-hole course in the shadow of the pyramids.  MENA HOUSE. (Meals Aloft)

Days 3/4/5 - Cairo
On your first morning visit the most famous al all Egyptian monuments, the Sphinx and Cheops, the largest and oldest of Giza’s pyramids.  Tour the nearby Solar boat Museum with Cheop’s 142-foot long funerary boat.  Return to the Mena House for lunch and lectures by your host lecturer before your welcome cocktail party and dinner.  The next day travel to Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt. See the Alabaster Sphinx and reclining statue of Ramses II.  Continue on to the necropolis of Sakkara where 14 pyramids were built, including one of the world’s oldest, the step pyramid of Zoser.  On your final day in Cairo, explore the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and see the world’s richest collection of pharaonic treasure, including the famous Mummy Room.  In the evening, you’ll be treated to a home-hosted dinner.  Enjoy the fascinating conversation, cuisine and the chance to gain insight into the lives of Cairo’s residents.  MENA HOUSE. (B,D; B,L; B, D)

Days 6/7 - Cairo/Luxor/West Bank
Fly to Luxor and visit its magnificent temple.  After lunch, explore the Temple complex of Karnak, once connected to Luxor Temple by a two mile path lined with sphinxes.  The largest religious structure in the world, it was in use for over 2,000 years.  Your hotel, originally built in 1869 for visiting royalty, is adjacent to Luxor Temple.  The next morning cross the Nile to Luxor’s West Bank to explore the necropolis of pharaohs and nobility.  In the Valley of the Kings, visit three very different tombs of the many in the area.  Inside, the vibrant color of the ancient paintings and carvings illustrate the life of the owner and his passage to the afterlife.  See the work of Dr. Kent Weeks and his study of Tomb 5 in the Valley of the Kings.  Explore the Valley of the Queens and Nobles and the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut.  Tonight, view the Sound and Light show at Karnak Temple.  OLD WINTER PALACE HOTEL PAVILLION. (B,L,D; B,L)

Day 8 - Luxor/Dendera/Abydos
Explore the Temple of Hathor at Dendera, one of the only temples with its roof and ceiling completely intact.  Nearby is the spectacular temple of Seti I at Abydos, renowned for its stone reliefs.  This evening visit the Luxor Museum. OLD WINTER PALACE HOTEL PAVILLION. (B,D)

Days 9/10 - Luxor/Edfu/Kom Ombo/Aswan
Drive through villages of the Nile Valley to Edfu to see the Temple of Horus and Kom Ombo.  Arrive in Aswan in time for afternoon tea on the terrace of the Old Cataract Hotel overlooking the Nile.  Continue to your luxurious hotel set in lovely gardens on Elephantine Island with a Nile view from your balcony.  The next day, visit the Unfinished Obelisk to observe Egypt’s ancient construction methods.  Take a boat to the Temple of Isis at Philae on the island of Agilkia.  Sail across the Nile in a felucca to visit the Botanical Island.  Then sail on to a Nubian village on Elephantine Island, where local residents will share their daily life with you.  ASWAN OBEROI HOTEL. (B,L; B)

Day 11 - Aswan/Lake Nasser Cruise
Tour the Nubian Museum and see the Aswan High Dam.  Board your luxury ship to discover the silent splendor of rarely visited sites accessible from Lake Nasser as you experience refined service and luxurious amenities.  Visit the Pharaonic style Kalabsha Temple, remodeled in the Greco-Roman period, the hemi-speos of Beit El Wali, erected by Ramses II and the kiosk of Kertassi dedicated to the goddess Isis.  LAKE NASSER VESSEL. (B, D)

Days 12/13 - Lake Nasser/Wadi Seboua
Relax poolside or enjoy lectures from your Egyptologist and host professor as you sail to Wadi El Seboua.  The next morning explore the Wadi Seboua temple of Ramses II and the Ptolemaic and Romanera temples of Dakkah and Maharraqah.  After lunch, visit the Amada temple of Thutmose III and Amunhotep II, the temple of Derr and the tomb of Penout.  LAKE NASSER VESSEL. (B,L,D)

Day 14 - Lake Nasser
View from your deck the nearly flooded island of Qasr Ibrim that once housed as many as six temples and a Roman era fort.  Sail on to Abu Simbel and discover the massive temples dedicated to Ramses II and his legendary wife Nefertari.  The temples are over 100-feet high and guarded by colossal stone figures of Ramses II.  The entire monument was cut into 2,000 pieces and moved to its present site when the Aswan High Dam was constructed.  Tonight, see the Sound and Light show followed by dinner on board your vessel moored at the base of the temple.  LAKE NASSER VESSEL. (B,L,D)

Day 15 - Lake Nasser/Cairo
Experience the eternal magic of the changing colors of Abu Simbel as the sun rises in the morning sky.  Disembark and transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo.  Your day is free to enjoy your luxury resort in the heart of Cairo.  This evening enjoy a festive farewell dinner. EL GEZIRAH SHERATON. (B,D)

Days 16/17 - Cairo/New York
Explore Cairo including the 12th century Citadel, the medieval fortress of Salah El Din, the Alabaster Mosque and Ben Ezra Synagogue.  Barter at Khan el Khalili Bazaar and visit a restored traditional home.  Later tonight transfer to the airport for your flights home. (B, L, Meals Aloft)

Optional Post-Extension to Jordan
Fly to Amman and continue to the ancient metropolis of Petra, carved from the red sandstone in the harsh desert cliffs of southern Jordan.  From the second century B.C. to the second century A.D., Petra stood at a nexus of international silk and spice trade routes linking China, India and Southern Arabia with the markets of Greece, Rome, Egypt and Syria.  A Bedouin guided horse will take you past tombs into the lost city to discover soaring temples, elaborate royal tombs, carved Roman theater, burial chamber and more.

Your Expedition Includes:

  • Roundtrip air transportation between New York and Cairo.  Domestic flights within Egypt and Jordan as indicated in the itinerary.
  • Superior accommodations throughout as indicated or similar.
  • 5-Day/4-Night Lake Nasser cruise aboard a deluxe cruise ship.
  • Professional Egyptologist escort with a minimum of 10 travelers.
  • American breakfast in Cairo, all meals while on Lake Nasser Cruise, other meals as specified.
  • Sightseeing in Egypt by private car or motorcoach.
  • Organization escort will accompany the group with a minimum of 15 travelers.
  • All applicable hotel taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
  • All entry fees.

For reservations or more information, please contact:
Classic Escapes Inc. at (800) 627-1244