See some of Egypt’s greatest monuments today on a full-day excursion. You’ll visit the famed Giza Plateau, where you can ponder the magnificence of the Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerionos Pyramids and look into the soul of the Sphinx. After an included lunch, transfer to Sakkara to explore the Step Pyramid followed by a visit to a carpet school. The evening is at leisure.

Day at leisure or optional full day tour of Alexandria including lunch.

Your morning is at leisure or join an optional morning tour of the old town, where you’ll visit the Coptic Museum, the Hanging Church, and see the Crypt in St. Sergius Church. In the afternoon, you’ll visit the Egyptian Antiquities Museum, with its gallery of the golden treasures of King Tutankhamun. Remarkably, the tomb and treasures of this king, who ruled for only nine years during the 14th century BC, were discovered as recently as 1922 by English archaeologist Howard Carter. Visit to Mamlouk bazaar and enjoy a tour of the Egyptian Antiquities Museum this afternoon. This evening enjoy a home hosted dinner.

You’ll fly early this morning from Cairo via Aswan to Abu Simbel to tour the magnificent temples built by Ramses II. Through an international effort, these massive structures were moved to the top of the cliffs, saving them from the waters rising behind the Aswan Dam. In the afternoon, you’ll board the deluxe 5-star ms Omar El Khayam — beginning your 3-night cruise to explore hidden ruins and timeless landscapes along the shores of Lake Nasser — an opportunity offered by very few other travel companies! Later, enjoy free time on board.

After an early morning tour of the Temples of Kalabshah, you’ll disembark the ms Omar El Khayam. En route to your hotel in the pleasant old city of Aswan, you’ll visit the High Dam. Cultural Connection: Next, you’ll visit the Papyrus Institute to learn how ancient Egyptians used this versatile plant. In the afternoon, embark for a felucca cruise on the Nile, disembarking on Kitchener’s Island to stroll the Botanical Gardens. The evening is at leisure.

Cultural Connection: Today you’ll walk back in time with a visit to a Nubian village, stop by a local school, and visit Kyphi Oriental Perfume Gallery. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, followed by a panoramic city tour of Aswan and a visit to the Nubian Museum. This fascinating museum displays thousands of antiquities that would have been buried under Lake Nasser, but were salvaged during the building of the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s. The museum also recreates scenes of Nubian life through the use of life-size figures. After your tour, enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening.

This morning we’ll tour Philae Temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. Midday, you’ll transfer to the Deluxe ms Crown Jubilee. Cultural Connection: After lunch on board, attend a lecture about current-day Egypt. Then, spend a final night in Aswan aboard ship.

Sail early down the Nile to Kom Ombo for a guided tour of Sobek Temple, dedicated to the crocodile god. Set dramatically on a hill overlooking a bend in the river, Kom Ombo is the only Egyptian temple dedicated to two gods — the aforementioned Sobek, and Haroeris, the great winged solar disk. Next, you’ll cruise to Edfu to visit Horus Temple — dedicated to the Falcon god. This temple is the second-largest and best-preserved temple in Egypt, and you’ll be duly impressed by the fine statue of Horus guarding the entry, the walls covered in hieroglyphs, the large sunny courtyard, Chapel of the New Year, and the paintings on the ceiling depicting a solar barque sailing through the 12 hours of the day. Arrive at Luxor in late evening.

For early risers, you may choose an optional morning hot air balloon ride. This morning Cairo reveals itself to you on a city tour that includes the Citadel, and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Cultural Connection:You’ll also browse the fascinating Old Bazaars of Khan el Khalili. Disembark ship and fly to Cairo for your last night in Egypt. You’ll have the afternoon free, perhaps for some last minute souvenir shopping. Tonight, toast your journey’s end at a Farewell Dinner.

Please Note: This program requires a lot of walking. Also, the natural Egyptian environment has been preserved, so you will be walking on uneven and sometimes sloped terrain. Also, there are a lot of stairs leading to and from the ms Omar El Khayam when embarking your Lake Nasser cruise in Abu Simbel.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The above day-by-day itineraries are preliminary and therefore subject to change. If any major changes occur in advance of your departure, you will be notified in writing by Vantage Deluxe World Travel. If changes occur while on board ship or on tour, you will be notified by your Vantage Program Manager.