Join us for a 12-day Adventure in Egypt with a Nile River Cruise
March 27 - April 7, 2021
12-Day Cruise and land tour aboard the Uniworld S.S. Sphinx with Cairo and Luxor Trip begins: March 27, 2021 **Due to COVID-19, this trip has been rescheduled from 2020 to 2021** Contact us for up-to-date pricing For 12 adventure-filled days, experience Egypt and the Nile’s most wondrous sites in style and luxury. Set sail on an eight-day voyage onboard the S.S. Sphinx, the new super ship debuting on the Nile in 2020. Wander amongst the towering ruins of the Temple of Karnak, the world’s largest ancient religious complex, and the entrancing Temple of Luxor. Visit temples dedicated to Hathor, Horus, and other mythological figures, and pay homage to the country’s first female ruler at the Temple of Hatshepsut. Follow in the footsteps of renowned scholars and explorers as you venture forth into the Valley of the Kings, the ancient burial grounds of Egyptian royalty. You will enjoy an exhilarating ride in a felucca, a traditional Nile River sailboat. This captivating itinerary begins and ends in Cairo, where you’ll visit the famous Egyptian Museum and its stupendous and unrivaled collection of pharaonic artifacts, including treasures recovered from the tomb of King Tutankhamun. Journey to Giza to gaze upon the mighty ancient Pyramids and the timeworn, enigmatic Sphinx—iconic images that continue to amaze. An enchanting land of marvels, myths, and wonders old and new, Egypt is an extraordinary destination no culturally curious traveler will want to miss. 
Contact Cindy@alfrescotravel.com or 775-750-7851 to reserve your spot. Hurry, they will not last!
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Day to Day Itinerary
DAY 1: Cairo Arrive at Cairo International Airport. If your cruise/tour package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, a Uniworld representative will be on hand to greet you and escort you to the opulent Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza. DAY 2: Cairo The ancient quarter of Cairo is intense—the colors, the sounds, the density of people—and it’s likely been this way for thousands of years. Your local expert will show you a 12th-century citadel, the beautiful Alabaster Mosque and an unsurpassed collection of priceless artifacts, including mind-boggling treasures once buried with the boy king Tutankhamen. Featured Excursion: Citadel of Salah al-Din, Alabaster Mosque and Egyptian Museum Note: Dressing modestly is recommended as a show of respect for the culture and customs of the Egyptian people. In particular, women should ensure that shoulders are covered and legs are concealed at least to the knee on all shore excursions throughout this itinerary. DAY 3: Cairo, Fly to Luxor (Embark) Cruising the Nile River Prepare to be amazed at the legendary Temple of Karnak, a massive and absolutely astounding site, with gigantic columns, broad avenues lined with stone sphinxes and halls of truly epic proportions. Your local guide is a trained Egyptologist with fascinating insights to share, many not found in any guidebook. Featured Excursion: Temple at KarnakDAY 4: Dendera, Cruising the Nile River, Luxor Like its twin shrine, the Temple of Karnak, the Temple of Luxor stands on the site of ancient Thebes, the once flourishing capital of Egypt’s New Kingdom. It was built over hundreds of years and even in ruins it is still an extraordinary place. You’ll also visit the Temple of Hathor, dedicated to the goddess of love and beauty. Featured Excursions: Temple of Hathor Temple of Luxor DAY 5: Luxor, Cruising the Nile River, Kom Ombo The word “colossal” will take on a whole new meaning after today’s excursion to the gigantic twin statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. And that’s just the beginning—you’ll also visit the temple of one of Egypt’s rare female pharaohs as well as the Valley of the Kings, used as a royal burial place for nearly 500 years and where the mummified remains of Tutankhamen are on display. Featured Excursion: Colossi of Memnon, Hatshepsut Temple and Valley of the Kings DAY 6: Kom Ombo, Cruising the Nile River, Aswan After visiting a temple dedicated to a crocodile god today (don’t miss the display of some of the 300 mummified crocs found in the local area), hop aboard a small boat for a bird-watching excursion along the Nile. Featured Excursions: Kom Ombo Temple Bird watching boat ride and tea with a Nubian family DAY 7: Aswan Today is an epic day, filled with wonders from start to finish. You’ll visit a marvel of modern engineering—the Aswan High Dam—as well as the Unfinished Obelisk and the beautiful Philae Temple complex, which was moved from one island to another back in the 1970s. But wait, there’s more. You’ll also take a ride in a felucca—a traditional Egyptian sailboat—and enjoy afternoon tea at a famous hotel depicted in Agatha Christie’s novel Death on the Nile. Featured Excursions: Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple Boat ride in traditional Nile River felucca and afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan After dinner onboard this evening, you’ll be treated to an enchanting Nubian show featuring traditionally attired performers, live music and dancing. DAY 8: Aswan, Cruising the Nile River, Kom Ombo, Edfu Spend the day at leisure or join us for an optional excursion to see the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel. DAY 9: Esna, Cruising the Nile River, Luxor On today’s excursion, you’ll learn how the Temple of Esna was buried under debris for many centuries and is one of the last great Egyptian temples ever built. Your Egyptologist guide will share all sorts of fascinating insights about this significant cultural site and show you the façade bearing the last known hieroglyphic inscriptions ever recorded in Egypt. Featured Excursion: Temple of Esna Later, savor the Nile’s majestic scenery as the ship cruises to Luxor. DAY 10: Luxor (Disembark), Fly to Cairo After disembarking and flying back to Cairo, you’ll have time to relax before tonight’s featured excursion—a Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids of Giza. Disembark in Luxor and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo. Check in to the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza and enjoy free time in the city before attending a sensational Sound and Light Show at the pyramids of Giza. Featured Excursion: Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids of Giza DAY 11: Cairo It’s a day of Bucket List Moments today as we venture to Ancient Memphis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a number of amazing monuments to see—including the enigmatic Great Sphinx. After seeing the pyramids from afar last evening, you’ll have a thrilling opportunity to view them from an up-close perspective, the only way to fully appreciate their remarkable size and grandeur. Featured Excursion: Ancient Memphis sites, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx and Sakkara visit DAY 12: Depart Cairo Check out of your hotel and transfer to the Cairo International Airport for your flight home, or extend your trip with a memorable optional extension in Jerusalem. |
