Board your overnight flight to Cairo.
Meals: In-flight
Upon arrival in Cairo transfer to your hotel. If you are arriving on the group flight, a local representative will meet you and assist with baggage and customs, then transfer to your hotel by private, air-conditioned motor coach. Get acquainted with fellow alumni travelers during tonight’s welcome orientation and dinner at the hotel.
Meals: In-flight, Dinner
- Inclusions:
- Assistance upon Cairo airport arrival and airport transfer to hotel included with purchased AESU group airfare
- Welcome orientation and dinner
- Look up freetime suggestions for:
Today, encounter the world’s most ancient civilization and the only remaining monuments of the world’s Seven Wonders, dating back to 1350 BC. We drive to the Giza Plateau and visit the Pyramids of Giza and their guardian, the Sphinx. Explore the interior of various tombs and Kephren’s Pyramid. Then enjoy a fun camel or horse-back ride in the desert.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Inclusions:
- Monuments of the world’s Seven Wonders
- Giza Plateau & Pyramids of Giza
- The Sphinx
- Kephren’s Pyramid
- Camel or horse-back ride
We travel to Saqqara today, an ancient burial ground that is filled with tombs lying beneath the heaped mounds. Our local historian explains the significance of the beautiful hieroglyphics lining the walls and helps decipher their stories. Then we visit Step Pyramid, the first freestanding stone building in history and the first pyramid ever built. We continue to Dahsure, the site of trial and error of building Pyramids where we visit the Red Pyramids and Bent Pyramid.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Inclusions:
- Saqqara tombs
- Ancient hieroglyphic stories
- Step Pyramid
- Red Pyramids
- Bent Pyramid
We check out of our hotel after breakfast and transfer to Cairo airport for our Aswan flight.Today we tour Aswan, strategic point at the first cataract rapids of the Nile. Here the river flows through granite rocks and the golden desert while palm trees and fertile farm lands cover its banks. Our first stop will be the amazing Phalie Temple. Later we visit the Unfinished Obelisk which lies in its original location in a granite quarry. It was abandoned when some cracks appeared in the rock during its construction. Had this obelisk been completed, it would have been the largest obelisk ever cut.The best way to explore this enchanting part of the Nile is by cruise ship. After boarding our luxury cruise ship and checking in, we’ll enjoy a buffet lunch. Afterward, join an excursion on the graceful Egyptian sailboats known as “Felucca.” Explore closer to shore while the gentle breeze and currents peacefully carry us along. During the evening, back on our cruise ship, watch the magnificent Egyptian sunset as we glide past ancient pyramids, colorful bazaars and temples that were already ancient by the time Cleopatra took charge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Inclusions:
- Flight from Cairo to Aswan
- Aswan, site of cataract rapids
- Phalie Temple
- Unfinished Obelisk
- Luxury Nile cruise
- Felucca sailing
This morning we sail north to Kom Ombo, the only temple in Egypt dedicated to two gods, Horus and Sobek. This temple was originally built for worshiping Horus, but after the number of crocodiles on the island rapidly increased, the temple was demolished and reconstructed to worship Sobek (crocodile shaped god) for protection from the crocodiles. We continue sailing north to Edfu temple, which is also dedicated to the falcon god Horus. It is one of the most completely preserved temples. The divine marriage of Hathor and Horus is depicted on the walls of this temple where it was celebrated once a year. The walls of the mamisi (house of the divine birth) are decorated with scenes depicting the divine birth of Horus the child. Enjoy a Galabiyah party during dinner, where we dress up in traditional Egyptian robes, as we continue sailing north to Luxor.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Inclusions:
- Kom Ombo Temple
- Edfu temple
- Galabiyah party
Today we cross the Nile to the West Bank. Our first stop will be the Valley of the Kings, where we visit colorful tombs that were carved out of rocky cliffs to safeguard the mummies and their rich furnishings from grave-robbers. Our next stop will be Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple. Wanting to honor her father (god Amun), she asked her architect not to spare any effort in making this the best of its kind. Visit Memnon Colossi on the way back to the East Bank. After lunch, we will visit Karnack temple, a vast open-air museum. It is a group of temples surrounded by one enclosure wall that is dedicated to the god Amon-Ra. Approximately 30 pharaohs contributed to its building. In the evening we’ll visit Luxor Temple. It was completely buried in sand for many centuries, allowing it to be one of the most well-preserved temples. The temple has many beautifully decorated columns, a huge open court, a massive façade, a huge pylon and two seated statues of Ramses II.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Inclusions:
- Valley of the Kings
- Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple
- Memnon Colossi
- Karnack Temple
- Luxor Temple
Today we disembark our Nile Cruise, but retain all the unforgettable memories of scenery, and beautiful temples. Fly from Luxor to Cairo where we will spend our last day. Explore the Egyptian Museum, housing the world’s largest collection of Pharaonic relics. Marvel at the enormous sarcophagi, statues, jewelry and the magnificent golden masterpieces of King Tut. This evening enjoy an authentic Egyptian farewell dinner, one of the many highlights of our tour and a wonderful finale.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Inclusions:
- Flight to Cairo
- Egyptian Museum in Cairo
- King Tut’s Sarcophagus
- Authentic Egyptian farewell dinner
Today we say our good-byes to Egypt. After enjoying our last group breakfast, transfer to Cairo airport to board our flights home.
Meals: Breakfast, In-flight
- Inclusions:
- Transfer hotel to airport included with purchased AESU group airfare