PACING: 4 nights in Cairo, 2 nights in Aswan, and 1 night in Cairo before you return home, for a total of 7 nights in hotels, plus two 3-night deluxe cruises on Lake Nasser and on the Nile River. Very early departure from hotel on Day 6 (approx. 2:30 am) for flight from Cairo. Plus early morning flight on Day 15 for return home from Cairo.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY: Most sightseeing done on air-conditioned coaches with guides. Moderate to heavy walking daily from the ship, at historical sites, and in museums, as well as quite a bit of walking on sloped and uneven natural terrain. Lots of steps at archeological sites and in museums. The two Nile cruise ships do not have elevators. Felucca ride requires climbing in and out of a smaller boat. Expect high temperatures depending upon the departure date and the location. You should be active and in good health to experience this trip. Most sightseeing on your cruises is done in the AM when it is cooler, so there are a few early mornings for sightseeing.

Please refer to Vantage’s wheelchair and handicapped traveller policy.

Please Note: When embarking ship in Abu Simbel for the Lake Nasser cruise there are several long flights of stairs leading to the ship. Any further sightseeing in Abu Simbel, including the optional evening Sound & Light Show, will require climbing up and down the same stairs.

CULTURAL FOCUS: Egypt requires a heavy foreign culture adjustment for many. Travellers will at times encounter dust, pollution, heat, large crowds in Cairo, and visible poverty — all of which are part of the environment and culture of Egypt. The different customs, foods, culture, and history are for many the most rewarding part of the experience. (The food on board the ships is compatible with American tastes.) For those up for it, these differences, as well as the beauty and the antiquity, make Egypt a uniquely rewarding destination. The professional Egyptologist guide will reward participants with an overall excellent experience of Egypt’s rich history and culture.


SPECIAL FACTORS: Temperatures are at their highest along the Nile from April to October. An Egyptian visa is required for this program at an extra cost. Travellers taking the optional extension will also need to purchase a visa for Jordan. Travellers will fly from their home cities to JFK airport in New York, then will depart together on an early evening flight to Cairo. Due to airline schedules and luggage requirements, passengers arriving from several cities will require an overnight in New York at an additional cost before their flight from New York to Cairo.

Optional Jerusalem Pre-Extension: Departing from New York City’s JFK Airport, you’ll arrive in Cairo, Egypt on Day 2. You’ll spend one night at the Le Passage Heliopolis Hotel & Casino before your flight to Tel Aviv, Israel. Transfer by motorcoach to Jerusalem, Israel by way of Tel Aviv, Israel on Day 3. The remaining days will be spent in Jerusalem, with full-day tours on Days 4 and 5 and a day at leisure on Day 6 (with the option to tour Bethlehem). On Day 7, you’ll transfer to the airport in Tel Aviv for your flight to Cairo to join Day 2 of the Base Program.

Optional Jordan Post-Extension: Your flight from Cairo to Amman on Day 15 departs in the early evening. Travellers taking the extension will depart the Cairo hotel in the late morning, and stop for an included lunch in a local restaurant before continuing on to the airport. On Day 19, travellers will motorcoach from Petra to Amman and then fly to Cairo on an evening flight. Vantage has arranged for a cold-plated dinner in the hotel room due to the late evening arrival into Cairo.