Ancient Egypt
Nov 16, 2022

This morning, we’ve made special arrangements for you to enjoy a private field talk in an area that is usually off limits to visitors. Directly under the watchful gaze of the Sphinx between his massive paws, we’ll be joined by Dr. Ashraf Mohie El-Din. Drawing upon his professional experience mapping excavations on the Giza Plateau, he is a wonderful speaker that will enrich your first day of exploration.

Then gaze upon the Great Pyramids, ride camels in the desert and have lunch at Andrea, a landmark restaurant since 1958.

Continue to Memphis, site of Egypt’s ancient capital, to see the Colossus of Ramses II and the beautiful Alabaster Sphinx. At nearby Sakkara, you’ll gaze in wonder upon the remarkable Step Pyramid of King Zoser. You’ll also behold the vibrant drawings and inscriptions in the 4,000-year-old Tomb of Mehu, a wealthy merchant – recently opened to select visitors for the first time in 80 years. This evening, you’ll dine along the Nile. (B, L, D)

After a sumptuous breakfast, you’ll begin your exploration of Cairo. From the Citadel, a medieval fortification set on a hill near the heart of the capital, you’ll have extraordinary views of the city. Here you‘ll also admire the impressive Muhammad Ali Mosque, built in the mid 1800’s.

Then continue with a guided walk through the evocative streets of Old Cairo including a tour of one of the city’s oldest churches. If you wish, there will be time to browse in the colorful Khan El Khalili Bazaar where gold, jewelry, spices, rugs, textiles, and lanterns have been sold for centuries.

Our late-day tour of the highly regarded Egyptian Museum of Antiquities is timed to avoid the crowds for a more relaxing and enriching experience; it’s the perfect introduction to the sites you’ll explore in the days to come along the Nile River. (When the new Grand Egyptian Museum opens near the pyramids, we’ll rearrange this visit.)

Back at our luxury hotel, the balance of the evening is yours to dine and enjoy as you wish. In addition to the options available at the Kempinski, our Cairo-based staff will be on hand to offer other suggestions and assistance. (B, L, D)

This morning, you’ll be taken to the airport for your flight to Abu Simbel, one of the world’s most impressive sights of antiquity. Thrill to these 67-foot high figures of the King, carved from solid rock, and hear the dramatic story of how they were moved 200 feet above their original site to protect them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser and the Aswan Dam. This engineering feet to relocate and protect this architectural wonder was so successful and precise that twice a year, on February 22 and October 22, the rays of the rising sun pierce the temple entrance and reach deep into the heart of the temple – just 24 hours later than the original plan! In addition to its oft-photographed statues, the interior hall is decorated with amazing relief carvings that depict a great battle with more than 1,000 stone figures.

We’ll fly on to Aswan where you’ll board the luxurious and intimate, 44-guest Oberoi Philae. Settle in to your ultra-spacious light-filled stateroom and then join your fellow passengers for lunch onboard – either in the inviting restaurant, in the lounge, or al fresco at the poolside dining area.

This afternoon, we’ll visit the Nubian Museum, designed by the award-winning Egyptian architect Mahmoud al-Hakim. The building reflects traditional elements of Nubian architecture and impressive exhibits of temples, tombs and dwelling artifacts from the ancient civilization that thrived here along the Nile River as far back as 2000 BCE. We’ll return to ship to relax and refresh before a fine dinner this evening. (B, L, D)

Unlike the ancient wonders of Cairo and Abu Simbel, the remarkable High Dam at Aswan is an achievement of modern Egypt. Following breakfast, we’ll explore this engineering marvel; completed in 1970 at a cost of about $1 billion, it spans more than 2 miles and towers 300 feet.

This morning’s excursion also includes the Temple of Philae, rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser after the completion of the High Dam. Now situated on a lovely island, the earliest elements of this impressive complex include a small temple built around 370 BCE and dedicated to the Goddess Isis.

Return to ship and enjoy lunch onboard as we chart a course for Kom Ombo. Enjoy a pleasant afternoon of cruising the Nile. Following Afternoon Tea, you’ll step off at our ship’s private pier to explore the Temple of Kom Ombo. Built on a picturesque bend in the Nile, where crocodiles used to sun themselves, this unusual dual-deity temple of the Ptolemaic Period is dedicated to both Haroeris (one of the oldest forms of the falcon-headed God Horus) and, appropriately enough, the fearsome Crocodile God Sobek. Return to ship with time to refresh before dinner. (B, L, D)

After breakfast and a leisurely morning onboard, you’ll join our engaging Egyptologists ashore in Edfu to explore the Temple of Horus, considered by many scholars to be the best-preserved cult temple in all of Egypt. Built in the Ptolemaic era between 237 and 57 BCE, later than many of the other sites along the Nile, it is still a stunning example of traditional Pharaonic architecture and ranks as the second largest temple in Egypt – after the great Karnak Temple. Rich in design, intricate in detail and ingenious in its massive construction, the extraordinary quality of every element here attests to the paramount importance of the falcon-headed Horus.

Back onboard, we’ll enjoy lunch, passage through the Esna Locks and a delightful dinner. (B, L, D)

With the Philae’s privileged private docking facilities along the Nile, we’ll be off ship efficiently and easily this morning – going ashore apart from the cluster of other ships and their passengers.

Our exploration begins in the fabled Valley of Kings, where the pharaohs of the 18th Dynasty abandoned the pyramid tradition in favor of tombs built deep in the mountainside. Each pharaoh also constructed a mortuary temple at the edge of the valley, some distance away from the actual tombs. Sixty-four ancient Egyptian rulers are buried here, but only a handful of the temples remain, including Madinat Habu – the tomb of Ramses III with its impressive exterior walls. The fabled final resting place of King Tutankhamun and the fabulously decorated tomb of Ramses VI are also among the highlights awaiting our exploration here in the Valley.

Equally as fascinating as the pharaohs’ tombs is the ancient Egyptian village of Deir el- Medina. More than 3,000 years ago during the New Kingdom period, this community was home to the thousands of artisans and laborers who constructed the tombs and temples in the Valley of Kings. Exclusively for AAA Members, today’s specially guided tour of Nefertari’s tomb will reveal one of the most lavishly decorated and beautiful tombs in the Valley of the Queens. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, we’ll disembark and bid farewell to The Philae as we go ashore to visit two of Egypt’s most celebrated sites of antiquity, beginning with the great Karnak Temple. With our skilled Egyptologist leading the way, you’ll stand before its massive pillars and admire the grand Hypostyle Hall; encompassing more than 50,000 square feet, this is the largest hall of any temple in the world.

Your sightseeing continues at the nearby Luxor Temple, built in the 14th century BC and connected to the Karnak complex by the newly restored Avenue of Sphinxes. The temple walls of Luxor are embellished with skillful carvings of the Gods of Karnak accompanied by a festival procession of priests, musicians, dancers and sacred cows. With keen insight from our Egyptologist, today’s sightseeing provides depth on the culture and beliefs of ancient Egypt.

This afternoon, we’ll fly back to the capital and be escorted to the new Le Meridien Hotel, conveniently located at the airport and ideal for departure flights the next morning. Check-in to your Club Floor accommodations and then gather with your fellow travelers for a Farewell Dinner. (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you’ll be escorted to the airport for your onward journey, taking with you unforgettable memories! (B)