Your first stop is the ancient capital of Egypt, Memphis, to view the Alabaster Sphinx and the towering statue of Ramses II. Continue on to view the 14 pyramids of the Sakkara necropolis including one of the world’s oldest stone structures. Lunch at the Mena House features spectacular views of the pyramids. See the Sphinx and the 4,500 year old Cheops Pyramid. The next morning tour the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, home to the world’s richest collection of pharaonic treasures. Visit Egypt’s Islamic treasures including the medieval fortress of Salah El Din and the stunning Alabaster Mosque then shop in the Khan El Khalili Bazaar. LE MERIDIEN PYRAMIDS HOTEL & SPA.

Fly this morning to Luxor and enjoy lunch on board your luxury ship after check in. This afternoon explore the Luxor Temple, site of the ancient festival of Opet. Continue to the extraordinary Karnak Temple, a complex of obelisks, pylons, courts, colonnades, halls, reliefs and sanctuaries once connected to Luxor Temple by a two mile path lined with sphinxes. At 60 acres, it is the largest religious structure in the world; the temple area, dedicated to Amon-Ra, was used for over 2,000 years, longer than any other religious building in history. This evening you have the option to attend a “Sound and Light Show” at the Karnak Temple (at additional cost). M/S II AMARCO OR SIMILAR.

Visit Luxor’s West Bank and explore the ancient city of Thebes. Stand in awe at the necropolis of pharaohs and nobility as you are greeted by the Colossi of Memnon: two giant seated statues of Amenophis III. You will visit three very unique tombs on your tour of the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs of the New Kingdom were interred. Inside you’ll see ancient paintings and carvings in colors that retain much of their original freshness illustrating the life of the owner and his passage to the afterlife. Continue to the Valley of the Queens and Nobles and the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, called Set Neferu, meaning “seat of beauty” by the ancients. Lunch is aboard ship. As the ship sails to Edfu enjoy an afternoon relaxing on the sundeck while watching local life unfold before you. M/S II AMARCO OR SIMILAR.

Take a horse and carriage ride to visit one of the best preserved temples in Egypt, the Horus Temple in Edfu, which honors the falcon-headed god. Inscriptions on its walls have greatly enriched our knowledge of Egyptian civilization, especially in the area of theology and cult practices. Return to the ship and sail to the unique third-century Kom Ombo double temple, dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and to Horus, which features beautiful stone reliefs, murals, and a dramatic view of the Nile. This evening navigate to Aswan. M/S II AMARCO OR SIMILAR.

See one of Egypt’s modern wonders – the Aswan High Dam completed in 1971. Built not only to regulate the yearly flood of the Nile, it also stores water to prevent famine during severe droughts. Gain insight into Egypt’s ancient construction methods at the unfinished Obelisk. Continue by felucca (traditional sailboat) to see the beautiful gardens at Kitchener’s Island and view the mausoleum of the Agha Khan. Visit the island of Agilkia to see the complex at Philae with its third century B.C. Temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. M/S II AMARCO OR SIMILAR.

Upon disembarkation this morning enjoy time at leisure in Aswan or an optional excursion to Abu Simbel, at additional cost. As you approach the site on foot you’ll discover two of the most tremendous monuments of the ancient world at 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, a feat almost as amazing as its original construction. Fly back to Cairo and your stylish home for the night located in the prominent area of Heliopolis. RADISSON BLU HOTEL.

Depart Cairo this morning and bid farewell to Egypt arriving back home eager to share memories and photos with your family and friends.