Pharaohs & Pyramids (2010)
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Itinerary
- Days 1-2: USA or Canada/Cairo, Egypt
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Fly to Cairo, the heart of Egyptian contemporary culture and the gateway to the land's ancient wonders. On arrival, transfer to your luxurious hotel.
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence - Day 3: Cairo
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Travel to the Giza Plateau, site of the pyramids of Mycerinus, Chefren and the Great Pyramid of Cheops — the only survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Here the Great Sphinx — measuring 190 feet in length and 65 feet high — still stands as centurion over these magnificent royal tombs. This monumental landmark was carved out of a single piece of rock in the shape of a lion with a pharaoh's head. Continue to the Solar Boat Museum to view the 141-foot-long funerary boat of Cheops, hailed as the single most important archaeological find in Egypt since the tomb of Tutankhamun. Enjoy lunch at the Mena House Oberoi, located in the shadows of the pyramids.
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence B L D - Day 4: Cairo
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Walk among ancient treasures with your local expert on a private tour of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities before it opens to the public. Admire the world's greatest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including the golden treasures of Tutankhamun's tomb and the Mummy Room, where more than 20 pharaohs lie in state. Continue to the ancient capital of Memphis and the world-famous Step Pyramid of Zoser, the oldest known Egyptian pyramid.
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First Residence B L - Day 5: Cairo/Abu Simbel/Aswan
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View one of Egypt's most recognized landmarks today, the temples of Ramses II. Remarkably, the complex was moved to a higher elevation when floodwaters from Lake Nasser and the High Dam project threatened the temples' preservation. Board 'Sun Boat III' and later sail around the Aswan islands in a felucca (a traditional sail boat) if conditions permit.
MS 'Sun Boat III' B L D - Day 6: Aswan
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Visit the Aswan High Dam, a contemporary counterpart to Egypt's monumental constructions of the past. Then, proceed to the granite quarries, which supplied the ancient Egyptians with most of the hard stone used in pyramids and temples, and see the famed Unfinished Obelisk. Enjoy a short motorboat ride to the romantic, majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilika. Ancient Nubia was known to the pharaohs as the "Land of Gold," and its wealth and lands were eventually incorporated into Egypt around 1500 BC. Explore the remnants of Nubian culture with a visit to the Nubian Museum. Later, journey to the Aswan Spice Market to sharpen your bargaining skills or simply take in the colorful scene. Your chef will accompany you and together you will choose some ingredients for one of his special recipes.
MS 'Sun Boat III' B L D - Day 7: Aswan/Kom Ombo/Edfu /Esna
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Sail to Kom Ombo for a visit to the site of the lovely Greco-Roman temple, dedicated to Haroeris (the sun god) and Sobek (the crocodile god). The temple, built in the third century BC, stands at a bend in the Nile where, in ancient times, sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank. From here, return to your luxury yacht and sail for Edfu. Enjoy an Egyptian cooking lesson onboard. Early this evening, you visit the beautifully preserved Temple of Horus in Edfu.
MS 'Sun Boat III' B L D - Day 8: Esna/Luxor
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Take a short walk through Esna's bustling streets to visit the Temple of Khnum at Esna, famous for its beautifully preserved Hypostyle Hall, built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius. The early afternoon is at leisure to sit back and enjoy the breathtaking scenery from 'Sun Boat III' as you cruise towards Luxor. Later this afternoon, discover the complex Temple of Karnak, built by generations of pharaohs over a thousand-year period.
MS 'Sun Boat III' B L D - Day 9: Luxor
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Today, visit the Valley of the Kings, where magnificent tombs were carved into the desert rocks and filled with treasures for the afterlife by generations of pharaohs. The highlight of your trip is an exclusive visit to the breathtaking tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens, closed to the public. This is an elaborately decorated tomb with vivid colors and spectacular scenes covering the walls. Nefertari was the favorite queen of Ramses II and one of the most beautiful women in ancient Egypt. Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt's first female pharaoh.
Design Your Day - Luxor: View an exhibition of artifacts in the Luxor Museum. Though smaller in scale than the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, this museum contains treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamun and a collection of well-preserved New Kingdom statues. Alternately, attend the Sound and Light show at Karnak — a fascinating portrayal of the history of ancient Thebes and the lives of the pharaohs.
MS 'Sun Boat III' B L D - Day 10: Luxor/Abydos/Denderah
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Cruise northward to Nagaa Hammadi on a scenic route away from the crowds and other cruise ships. Along the way, your Egyptologist shares numerous insights about life in modern Egypt. Visit Abydos, the center of a holy city dedicated to Osiris, Lord of the Netherworld. The construction of its uniquely designed temple was started by Seti I and finished by his son, Ramses II. It contains seven sanctuaries dedicated to seven various deities. The temple is most notable for its ancient chronological list of the kings of Egypt from the first dynasty until Seti I.
MS 'Sun Boat III' B L D - Day 11: Denderah/Luxor
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Visit the beautiful Ptolemaic temple of the goddess Hathor at Denderah. Well-preserved, this temple complex has a massive stone roof, dark chambers, underground passages and towering columns inscribed with hieroglyphics. In Luxor, view the graceful Temple of Luxor, dedicated to the god Amun and built by Amenhotep III, Tutankhamun, Horemhab and Ramses II during their respective reigns.
MS 'Sun Boat III' B L D - Day 12: Luxor/Cairo
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Today, return to the Egyptian capital for a tour of Coptic and Old Cairo. Explore the remains of the fortress of Babylon, first built by the Persians around the sixth century BC; the Church of St. Sergius, where the holy family is reported to have stayed, and the Hanging Church, which was the seat of the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate for centuries. Finish your sightseeing at Egypt's oldest synagogue, Ben Ezra. Inside this temple, the Cairo Geniza documents were found, a treasure hailed as an unparalleled source of information about the life of the Jews in Egypt's past. You may also choose to browse a workshop which trains impoverished women in traditional crafts. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a special farewell dinner hosted by an Egyptian family in their private home. This event provides a perfect opportunity to toast your journey and share experiences.
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza B D - Day 13: Cairo
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Begin the day with a visit to the hilltop Citadel of Salah el-Din, a spectacular medieval fortress dating from the 12th century. Later, a walking tour of Islamic Cairo takes you from one of the remaining gates of the city to Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, down streets where life has hardly changed for centuries. At the conclusion of your sightseeing, return to your hotel where the balance of the day is at leisure. Dine in your choice of restaurants carefully selected by A&K.
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza B L D - Day 14: Cairo/USA or Canada
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Board your international departure flight.
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