12-Nights Pharaohs & Pyramids - Luxury Small Group Journeys from $16,290

Abercrombie & Kent: Pharaohs & Pyramids

Day 1 Cairo, Egypt

Arrive in Cairo, Egypt’s “Mother of All Cities,” an age-oldcrossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, where you are metand privately transferred to your riverside hotel.

Explore the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities (or the GrandEgyptian Museum, upon its opening), home to over 120,000relics, some dating back to 4000 BC. After lunch, return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure. This evening, join yourfellow travelers for a welcome dinner.

Set out for the Giza Plateau on a full-day excursion. Observe the great pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure as well as other historical sites. Enter the Great Pyramid of Cheops — oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World — stepping back in time some 4,000 years. Then, enjoy special private access to the nearby Great Sphinx, seizing the rare opportunity to lay your hands on its massive paws.

Fly south to Luxor, formerly known as Thebes. Upon arrivalvisit the Temple of Karnak, featuring 134 great columns thatonce supported an enormous roof. Board Sanctuary SunBoat III, your luxurious home on the Nile for the next sevennights, in time for lunch. This afternoon, explore the Templeof Luxor, built by Amenhotep III (1405-1367 BC). Thisevening, gather for a complimentary cocktail and canapés,followed by dinner.

Visit the Nile’s West Bank, starting at the fabled Colossiof Memnon, two enormous seated statues of AmenhotepIII. Proceed to the terraced funerary temple of QueenHatshepsut, Egypt’s first female pharaoh, and continue tothe Valley of the Kings, burial ground of the pharaohs. Seethe iconic tomb of Tutankhamun (King Tut), before visitingthe former home of the legendary archaeologist who foundit, Howard Carter, to see the original tools he used for theexcavation. Gain entry to the lesser-visited, well-preserved tomb of Seti I, father of Ramses II. Then, in the Valley of theQueens, explore the tomb of Queen Nefertari, said to be thefinest tomb in Egypt. After lunch back aboard ship, relax onboard or explore the Luxor Museum, browsing its fascinatingcollections.

Rise early this morning for an exhilarating hot air balloonride over the Nile and the temples that line its shores.Afterward, go off the beaten path to one of Luxor’s less-visitedsites, Medinet Habu, built by Ramses III. Return to ‘Sanctuary Sun Boat III’ and partake in a Scenic Sundowneras you cruise toward Esna.

This morning at Esna, explore the Greco-Roman Templeof Khnum with your Egyptologist guide. Its GreatHypostyle Hall was built during the reign of the RomanEmperor Claudius. Then, board your river ship and cruiseto Edfu, where you visit the well-preserved Temple of Horus(the falcon god).

Relax on board as the morning unfolds. This afternoon,learn to prepare local dishes during a Chef’s Table experiencewith an onboard chef as you cruise to Kom Ombo.Disembark for a walking visit to this lovely Greco-Romantemple dedicated to Haroeris (the sun god) and Sobek (thecrocodile god), whom some ancient Egyptians consideredthe creator of the world. View the mummified remains ofseveral crocodile that once basked along the ancient Nileshore, just as their descendants do today. Join the partytonight, dressing up in traditional Egyptian galabeyyas andsavoring a lavish buffet of Egyptian specialties, followed byArabic music and dancing.

Disembark in Aswan to visit the granite quarries thatsupplied stone for many of Egypt’s pyramids and temples.View the 1,200-ton ‘Unfinished Obelisk,’ which exemplifiesthe technique used to create such enormous monoliths.Then, boat to the island of Agilika to view the exquisiteTemple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Ride Likea Local as you sail by felucca (traditional sailing vessel),weather permitting, around Elephantine Island and view thesplendid Aga Khan Mausoleum, which overlooks the river.After lunch, relax on board or explore a local Aswan spicemarket.

Fly to Abu Simbel, site of the magnificent temple of RamsesII, and marvel at the four enormous statues of the pharaohthat grace its façade, each over 60 feet high. Amazingly, thesite was raised up the hillside to avoid floodwaters causedby the Aswan High Dam project. Afterward, enjoy lunch ata local restaurant before boarding your privately charteredaircraft back to Aswan, to return to your ship.

Disembark Sanctuary Sun Boat III and return to Cairo intime for lunch. This afternoon, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.

Discover Coptic Cairo, visiting a church built where theHoly Family stayed and other Christian sites.

Tour Islamic Cairo, including the lively Khan el-KhaliliBazaar.

View the Royal Mummies, and countless other artifacts asyou tour the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.

The remainder of your day is at leisure.

Today, venture just outside the city to Sakkara, the vastnecropolis of ancient Memphis, site of the famous StepPyramid. Built by Zoser I in 2700 BC, it is the world’soldest stone structure. Enjoy a special private opening ofthe 4,400-year-old tomb of Wahtye. Unearthed in 2018, itis considered one of the biggest discoveries of the decade,completely untouched and filled with painted hieroglyphics,sculptures, and inscriptions. Also visit the Mereruka Tomb,one of the most exquisitely decorated tombs of the OldKingdom. Tonight, enjoy a memorable farewell dinner.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart.