Ancient Egypt and the Nile River Cruise

Depart for Cairo, Egypt

Your journey begins on an overnight flight.

Arrive in Cairo, Egypt

Guests who booked their flight with YMT Vacations will be met by a friendly representative at the airport, who will help obtain a tourist visa required to enter Egypt and transfer you to the hotel. Meet your fellow guests tonight at an included dinner at the hotel. (D)

Cairo, Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Memphis, and Saqqara

Begin at the Pyramids of Giza, which stand as the ultimate display of the power, wealth, and brilliance of ancient Egypt. The Great Pyramid is the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, its 2.3 million limestone and granite blocks still awe-inspiring after 46 centuries in the desert sun.

Next to the pyramids lies the mysterious Sphinx. The world’s most famous statue was cut from the bedrock of the Giza Plateau in honor of the sun god and Pharaoh Khafre in the 25th century BCE.

Continue to the ancient capital city of Memphis to see ruined temples, ancient statues, and the 30-foot-tall Colossus of Rameses II. Finally, visit Saqqara, Egypt’s largest archaeological site. Here you will discover 11 pyramids (B, L, D)

Cairo & Egyptian Museum

Discover the secrets of the Egyptian Museum, home to the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities and artifacts in the world. The museum is focused on exhibitions with artifacts from the Predynastic Period to the Greco-Roman Era. It holds 120,000 pieces including coffins, golden burial masks, jewelry, and even food for the dead to enjoy in the afterlife. (B, L, D)

Fly to Luxor and Embarkation on the Nile River

After an included flight to Luxor, embark on your Nile cruise. Visit the massive temple complex of Karnak. The centerpiece of the site is the Temple of Amun-Ra, most famous for its vast Hypostyle Hall, a spectacular forest of giant papyrus-shaped columns constructed during the reign of Seti I. Discover the preserved Temple of Luxor. As you enter the temple, you’ll pass six massive statues of Rameses II and a granite obelisk. (B, L, D)

Luxor and Edfu via Esna (Depart at 1:00PM)

At the edge of the desert, just beyond the lush Nile floodplain, lies the Necropolis of Luxor. You will be welcomed to this archaeological goldmine by the Colossi of Memnon, twin statues of pharaoh Amenhotep III.

Continue to the Valley of the Kings, home of 63 magnificent royal tombs including the miraculously undisturbed tomb of King Tut.

The nearby terraced Temple of Hatshepsut is a carved into the limestone cliffs of the Deir el- Bahari. This lavish shrine to Queen Hatshepsut, one of the few women to ever be crowned as pharaoh, represents a highpoint in Egyptian art and architecture. (B, L, D)

Edfu, Kom Ombo & Aswan (Depart at 10:30 AM - Arrive at 5:00 PM in Aswan)

Start your day at Edfu Temple, an incredible hillside monument to the falcon god Horus. It was built in the classic golden era style and stands as the best-preserved temple in the Nile River Valley.

Continue to a beautiful temple complex perched grandly over a picturesque bend in the Nile. Guests are encouraged to wear a traditional loose-fitting robe, called a Galabeya, during this evening’s fun on-board soiree. (B, L, D)

Aswan

Start your day with a visit to the High Dam. The dam created a reservoir that flooded much of the area, which forced ancient sites including Abu Simbel and the Temple of Philae to be relocated.

Continue to the Temple of Philae, which was erected during the reign of Ptolemy II to honor Isis, Osiris, and Horus. Flanked by a duo of courtyards, the stunning Temple of Isis is renowned for its breathtaking and highly detailed carvings.

Take an afternoon ride on a traditional Felucca sailboat to Aswan Botanical Gardens, a lush sanctuary of rare and exotic plants. Watch a Nubian Show on the ship this evening to learn about the fascinating Nubian culture. (B, L, D)

Disembark in Aswan and Fly to Cairo

After checking out of your stateroom, spend the day relaxing aboard the ship or join an optional 1/2 day trip to the Abu Simbel Temples at an additional cost. Take an included flight to Cairo later this afternoon. (B, D)

Cairo

Start your final day in Old Cairo. Visit the thousand-year-old churches of Coptic Cairo, then visit the dazzling National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. Discover civilizations and cultures stretching from prehistory to modern times, with exhibits focused on everything from the small moments of daily life through the preservation of one’s body in the face of death.

End the trip with an included authentic Egyptian farewell lunch. You can join an optional afternoon excursion to the Khan el-Khalili bazaar and souq (for an additional fee), a 14th century shopping destination that is the perfect place to explore and pick up authentic souvenirs.

Depart for Home (B)

Note: Flights from Cairo to USA may be red eye flights, departing in early morning.