ITINERARY
1 March: Depart New York JFK at 6:30 p.m. on EgyptAir Flight 986 for overnight flight to Cairo.
12 March: Arrive Cairo at 12:00 noon. Upon arrival, a Delta Tours representative will meet us at airport and assist us through airport customs and formalities. Direct transfer by coach to our 4-star Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel (+20 2 377 3388). After lunch, time for a shower and a nap after the long flight. Delta Tours will then provide us with a Felucca ride on the Nile in the late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel.
13 March: After breakfast, we will be joined by our Egyptologist guide who will be with us for the entire tour, continuing on to the Giza Plateau with the three Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, Mycrenos and the Sphinx. After lunch, transfer to Memphis and Sakkara, the first capital of ancient Egypt and the step Pyramid built by king Zoser in 2700 B.C. After the Pyramid, we will continue to Memphis and view the reclining Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx . Transfer back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel.
14 March: After breakfast, coach transfer to the Citadel of Saladin and the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. We will then proceed to Old Cairo to visit the Hanging Church and Synagogue (Ben Ezra Temple). After lunch at typical restaurant in the area, we will visit the Egyptian Museum accompanied by our guide where we can see over 250,000 art works dating back 5000 years. The most important display contains the Fabulous Treasures of Tut Ank Amon, especially the solid Golden Mask. Return for dinner and overnight in Le Meridien Pyramids Hotel.
15 March: Depart Cairo at 5:00 am on EgyptAir Flight 133, arrive Aswan at 6:25 am. Upon arrival, we will stop for a short visit to the world famous High Dam. It was built in 1960 and provides electricity and irrigation for the whole of Egypt. We will then continue on to our 5-Star Deluxe Nile Cruise Ship, the MS Carnival for embarkation and breakfast. We will then visit Philae Temple dedicated to the Goddess Isis. Our excursion concludes with a visit to the Granite Quarries and the unfinished Obelisk. After lunch (on board), free time to explore our cruise ship. Dinner and overnight on cruise ship.
16 March: After breakfast, arrive Komombo, tour to visit Komombo Temple, a double temple dedicated to two Gods, the crocodile God, Sebek, and Horus, The Solar God of War. Return to cruise ship for lunch and sail to Edfu. Tour to visit Edfu Temple, dedicated to God Horus. Sail to Luxor via Esna Lock. Dinner and overnight on cruise ship.
17 March: After breakfast, tour of the East bank of the Nile to visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak which were linked together in antiquity by an avenue bordered by ram-headed Sphinxes. Return to our cruise ship for lunch. Afternoon free to enjoy the offerings of the cruise ship. Evening Galabia Party (bring your own if you bought one in Morocco, or plan to buy one either on board or at one of the shops–it will make for a great Halloween Costume after the tour) and oriental dinner. Overnight on cruise ship.
18 March: Disembarkation from the Nile Cruise after breakfast. Tour of the West Bank of the Nile, to visit The Valley of the Kings, which was a complex of burial chambers for the Pharaohs from Tutmose I. Continue on to visit the Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon. Lunch in local restaurant before checking into Le Meridien Hotel in Luxor (+20 95 2366 999). Afternoon free for some last minute shopping. Dinner and overnight in Le Meridien Hotel, Luxor.
19 March: Early morning transfer to the airport. Depart Luxor at 6:40 a.m. on EgyptAir Flight 132, arrive Cairo at 7:45. Depart Cairo at 10:00 a.m. on EgyptAir Flight 985, arrive New York JFK at 3:15.
Laurence Barker
Maureen Nowotny
Ginger Pierson
Julio M. Rincon & Zulma C. Ostler
Dale & Patsy Meyers
Linda Nelson & Lisa Schweers
Roxie Mezzetti & Lola Davis
Sara Lewis & Careylin Dryden
Ben & Gail Plummer
Linda Meyer & Stephanie Elliott
Beverly Baucum & La Rue Atterbury