Ancient Egypt and The Nile
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Flight to Cairo
Board your flight to Cairo, Egypt.
Day 2 - Cairo
Arrive in Caro, Egypt. After collecting your luggage and clearing customs, meet your local Travel Director, board a private motor coach and transfer to your centrally located 5-star hotel. After getting settled into your hotel, join your Travel Director for an orientation walk before your welcome dinner.
Day 3 - Cairo
Today, you will join an Egyptologist for a guided tour of the Pyramids of Giza, where you will get to see the only surviving site of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site and get up close to the famous Great Sphinx of Giza, continue your tour inside of the Pyramid of Khufu, from the Grand Gallery to the King's Chamber. Later, visit the famous bazaar, Khan Al-Khalili, where you can barter for unique treasures and souvenirs.
Did You Know?
The Great Sphinx, estimated to be 4,500 years old, was once painted in primary colors, such as red, blue and yellow. You can still see the residual red paint on one of the Sphinx’s ear!
Day 4 - Nile Cruise
This morning fly from Cairo to Luxor. Take a guide tour of the majestic city of Luxor, or Thebes (its ancient name). Visit two of the most famous temples in Egypt, the Luxor Temple and the Karnak Temple, separated from each other by the Avenue of Sphynxes, a 1.8 mile long road lined with sphynxes. Later, embark on a Nile cruise, enjoy dinner and amenities on the boat, including a swimming pool.
Day 5 - Nile Cruise
Today, visit the Valley of the Kings, and tour inside the three tombs, the Temple of Hatsepsut (dedicated to the only woman to rule Egypt for an extended period) and the Colossi of Memnon (two giant stone statues which represent the Pharoah Amenhotep III). Return to your boat, and set sail towards Edfu.
Day 6 - Nile Cruise
Visit the Edfu temple, dedicated to the god Horus. Then, continue your journey towards Kom Ombo, where we'll have a guided visit of its famous temple, dedicated to the gods Sobek and Hareoris. Later, sail up the Nile towards Aswan.
Day 7 - Nile Cruise
Visit one of the most beautiful temples in Egypt, the Philae Temple, dedicated to the Goddess Isis. Later, take a traditional felucca boat down the Nile, taking in its flora and fauna, volcanic islands and its natural beauty. Return back to Aswan for the night.
Did You Know?
The Abu Simbel Temple is actually two individual temples, one temple is dedicated to King Ramses II, and the other temple is dedicated to his wife Queen Nefarta. It was built around 1200 B.C. and is now an UNESCO Heritage Site.
Day 8 - Cairo
This morning, visit Abu Simbel, site of two temples built by the Egyptian king Ramses II. These temples have been moved during the 1960s from their original spot due to rising waters on the Nile, and are now located in Aswan. The four colossal statues of Ramses in front of the main temple are incredible examples of ancient Egyptian art. Later, this afternoon fly back to Cairo.
Day 9 - Cairo
Take a full day trip to Alexandria, which sits along the coast of the Mediterranean. Start your day exploring the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, Roman Cemetery, before heading to the Roman Amphitheater of Alexandria. Later, visit the Bibliotheca Alexandria, the largest library in the world, where you can see the statue of Alexander the Great. You’ll also have the chance to visit St. Mark’s Coptic Church, the oldest church in Africa, before visiting El Nabi Daniel Mosque. Return to Cairo for the night.
Day 10 - Cairo
Today, travel to Memphis, founded around 3,100 BC, it is the city of Menes, the King who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Later, visit Sakkara, the great necropolis of Memphis. Three major discoveries have recently been made at Sakkara, including a prime minister's tomb, a queen's pyramid, and the tomb of the son of a dynasty founding king.
Day 11 - Sharm El-Sheikh
This morning, fly from Cairo to Sharm El-Sheikh, a resort town situated between the desert of the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea. Spend your afternoon relaxing on the beach, and go to bed early, for a middle of the night wake-up to travel to Mt. Sinai, the mountain at which the Ten Commandments were thought to be given to Moses by God. You will hike to the top of the mountain to take in the spectacular sunrise!
Day 12 - Sharm El-Sheikh
Return from Mt. Sinai, and spend the afternoon relaxing on the beach, go for a float in the buoyant waters of the Red Sea, and take a stroll along the many local cafes and shops.
Day 13 - Departure Day
Fly from Sharm El-Sheikh to Cairo for your return flight to the United States.
What’s Included:
Roundtrip Airfare from US - Egypt, and Internal Egypt Flights
Hotel Accommodations (Twin or Triple Rooms)
Teacher Leaders
Full Time Local Program Director
Transportation to Included Activities
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Daily
All Attractions and Activities
Guided Sightseeing by Local Expert Egyptologists
All Tips and Gratuities
24-Hour Support
All Taxes and Fees
Global Citizen Certificate
Pre-Travel Preparation Meetings and Seminars
