| Day |
Schedules and Accommodations |
1-2
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Depart USA / Arrive Cairo, Egypt
Fly from one of many U.S. gateway cities to Cairo.
On Day 2, you’ll arrive in Cairo in the afternoon. A Vantage representative will meet you at the airport and assist you with your bags to your hotel. You’ll meet your Program Manager here. This evening, get better acquainted with your fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception.
Cairo Marriott  |
3
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Cairo, Egypt
This morning, a discussion on “Ancient Egypt” will set the stage for your explorations.
This afternoon, visit the renowned Egyptian Museum, whose collections cover all aspects of ancient Egyptian civilization.
Tonight, you’ll dine “At Home in Cairo” with a local family and learn about daily life in Cairo.
Cairo Marriott (B,D) |
4
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Cairo / Giza / Optional Sakkara Tour / Optional Sound-and-Light Show at the Pyramids
The monuments you’ll discover today have become synonymous with ancient Egypt. First, marvel at the Great Pyramids of
Giza. Then stand under the watchful gaze of the Sphinx. Afterwards, perhaps you'll
continue your explorations of ancient Egyptian mysteries on an optional tour with lunch — a visit to the temples
and step-pyramid complex of Sakkara. Or explore Cairo on your own. This evening, after dinner on your own, don’t miss our optional excursion to the sound-and-light show at
the Great Pyramids. Or spend the evening at your leisure.
Cairo Marriott (B) |
5
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Cairo / Optional Alexandria Tour
Join a full-day optional tour of Alexandria, Egypt’s second-largest city. During your tour, which includes lunch, you’ll see
Qaitbay Castle, and visit the Alexandria Library and the National
Museum. Or enjoy a full day at leisure in Cairo.
Cairo Marriott (B) |
6
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Cairo / Optional Spiritual Cairo Tour
Enjoy the morning at leisure in Cairo, or perhaps join our optional Spiritual Cairo tour and explore some of the early religious monuments of the city. You'll visit the El Muallaqa,
dating to the late fourth and early fifth century. This basilica was
named for its location on top of the south gate of the Fortress of
Babylon. Muallaqa means
"suspended or hanging." Destroyed in a ninth-century earthquake, the
church became the center of the Coptic (or Christian) Church of Egypt
from the time it was rebuilt in the eleventh century until the 14th
century. Make a stop at the Ben Ezra Synagogue, built sometime between
the sixth and ninth centuries AD. The temple contains a Jewish Heritage
Library, containing documents found here in 1896 that describe the
economic and social conditions of Jews under Arab rule as well as
descriptions of relations between various Jewish sects.
You'll also explore what may be the largest traditional shopping bazaar in the world, the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar. In
the tiny alleyways, there are hundreds of shops where you can watch
gold and coppersmiths, brass makers, and fortunetellers at work. Look
also for leather goods and woodwork inlaid with camel bone and
mother-of-pearl. Bargaining, Arab-style, is the norm here, and
practiced as a national pastime.
Then visit The Citadel (the Fortress of Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi),
built in 1183 and overlooking the city from the Muqattam Hills. The
structure, with its domes and minarets, looks over a number of
important buildings, including the Alabaster Mosque. Its domed
interior, used by Moslems for daily prayers, is a spectacular sight of
twinkling lights and beautiful mosaics.
In the afternoon, we'll all get together for an included lunch at a local restaurant. At this afternoon's, "Home away from Home" talk, an American woman who has lived in Cairo for 15 years will discuss life in Egypt.
Cairo Marriott (B,L) |
7
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Cairo / Luxor
Fly to Luxor early this morning to board your Nile river ship,
the M/S River Anuket. The ship will be your floating hotel during your
cruise. Learn to decipher ancient and contemporary Egyptian symbols at a
fascinating “Hiero-glyphics and Arabic Language” discussion. This
afternoon, visit the iconic Luxor Temple.
ms River Anuket (B,L,D) |
8
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Luxor / Quena
Cross the river to the West Bank this morning for an included tour of
the Necropolis of Thebes. You’ll also visit the Valleys of the Kings and
Queens and view the imposing Colossus at Memnon.Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Dinner.
ms River Anuket (B,L,D) |
9
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Quena / Optional Dendera Temple Tour / Luxor
This morning, you can visit the Dendera Temple complex, constructed to honor the goddess Hathor, on an optional
tour. Or make your own discoveries in Quena. Afterwards, return to the
ship and cruise this beautiful stretch of the Nile to Luxor.
ms River Anuket (B,L,D) |
10
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Luxor / Optional Luxor Balloon Ride / Esna
Early risers can soar over the ancient world on an optional hot-air
balloon ride over Luxor or simply spend a relaxing morning aboard your ship.
After breakfast, visit the mighty Temple of Karnak, Luxor's most famous site.
After your tour of the Karnak complex, visit a local animal hospital, which provides free medical care for the working animals of local farmers.
This afternoon as we sail to Esna, find out about life along this ancient waterway during a “Living by the Nile & Life in Modern Egypt” discussion. We enter the Esna locks during late afternoon and continue thence to Edfu.
This evening, enjoy a festive "Black & White" themed evening. Be sure to have something black or white to wear.
ms River Anuket (B,L,D) |
11
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Esna / Edfu / Kom Ombo
Having arrived in the Nubian region of Egypt, this morning you’ll set
out for Edfu’s Temple of Horus, the second-largest temple in Egypt.
Return to the ship for lunch and sail for Kom Ombo, arriving after lunch.
Enjoy an open question-and-answer session with your Program Manager.
Arriving late afternoon, discover Kom Ombo, where you’ll explore Egypt’s only temple dedicated
to two gods. After dinner, don traditional Egyptian garb during a
festive galabeya party.
ms River Anuket (B,L,D) |
12
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Kom Ombo / Aswan
Explore the Aswan High Dam, which today regulates the flow of the Nile, and
the Old Dam, built by the British at the turn of the 20th century (but which proved to be inadequate for the mighty river).
You’ll also visit the historic Temple of Philae, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then learn the centuries-old
technique of creating paper from papyrus during a visit to the Papyrus
Institute.
This afternoon, on an included excursion, cruise the Nile aboard a
traditional felucca sailboat, past Nubian villages and temple ruins.
Debarking your felucca, visit a local spice market and discover the seasonings that give Egyptian cuisine its zest.
This evening after dinner, celebrate the Nubian heritage at an onboard show.
ms River Anuket (B,L,D) |
13
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Aswan / Optional Abu Simbel Tour
Today, you may explore Aswan on your own. Or join our optional excursion to the magnificent
rock temples at Abu Simbel. When the building of the High Dam
threatened to submerge the temples, UNESCO stepped in to painstakingly
rebuild them at another location. On board this evening, celebrate your
cruise through the land of the pharaohs with a Farewell Dinner.
ms River Anuket (B,L,D) |
14
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Aswan / Cairo
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back
to Cairo. After checking into your hotel, you’re at leisure until this
evening.
This evening, join your companions and Program Director to toast your discoveries with a Farewell Reception at your hotel.
Cairo Marriott (B) |
15
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Fly Cairo / USA
Transfer to the airport for your flight back to the States. Or begin your optional 6-night post-trip extension in Jordan.
(B) |
Please note: Days 7-13 include daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Cruise itinerary subject to change.
This
itinerary requires a good deal of walking on terrain that is uneven and
sloped. You should be active and in good health to visit Egypt.
The
December 8 departure features an Aswan to Aswan cruise due to the
annual closure of the Esna lock for maintenance. Due to this closure,
you will travel by motorcoach between Esna & Luxor, rather than by
ship. You will still enjoy all the same included tours &
sightseeing.
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