Post-Tour Nile River Cruise Extension
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dates: 05/24 -to- 06/02

 

Nile Cruise Extension Starting at $3,198*
Tips Included

 

Day 11 – Jerusalem to Mount Sinai
Travel in the footsteps of the Holy family as you travel along the ancient caravan route from Jerusalem to the Sinai desert. Cross the border and check into your hotel at Sharm el Sheikh for dinner and rest.

 

Day 12 – St. Catherine’s Monastery
This morning, you can opt to climb Mount Sinai, where tradition says that Moses received the Ten Commandments. Everyone will experience a visit to the fortified St. Catherine’s Monastery, built in the 6th century, and one of the oldest working monasteries in the world with the world’s oldest continually operating library. Both the Codex Sinaiticus and Syriac Sinaiticus, important early Biblical manuscripts, were discovered here. Even Muhammad found refuge at the monastery, and the site is sacred to all three monotheistic religions. Remember the story of Moses and the burning bush that tradition places inside the monastery. Continue to Sharm el Sheikh for dinner and overnight at your hotel on the shores of the Red Sea.

 

Day 13 – Free Day in Sharm el Sheikh
Enjoy a free day to relax in your resort by the beach in Sharm el Sheikh.

 

Day 14 – Luxor
This morning, fly to Luxor and transfer to your Nile cruise ship. Ancient Thebes served as the Egyptian capital during the New Kingdom and the time of Moses. Visit the magnificent Temple of Luxor with its avenue of sphinx statues and mighty monumental columns. Continue to the Karnak Temple, which took over 2,000 years to build and is the largest religious building ever constructed, and see the famed Hypostyle Hall, the Obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Tuthmosis III, the temple of Amon, the Granite Scarabeus and the Sacred Lake. Dinner and overnight on board.

 

Day 15 – Valley of the Kings and Queens
This morning, enjoy the sunrise over the Nile River before your visit to the Valley of the Kings. Tombs were constructed here for the kings and powerful nobles of Egypt for nearly 500 years. The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, across from Thebes (modern Luxor), within the heart of the Theban Necropolis. See the Colossi of Memnon, made of sandstone brought from Gabal El Silselah. Each colossus, including the pedestal and the crown, is about 21 meters tall and represents King Amenhotep III. See the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of only a handful of female rulers in Ancient Egypt. Her reign was the longest of all the female pharaohs. Enjoy lunch onboard as you sail through the Esna locks. The ship arrives in Edfu this evening. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 16 – EdfuVisit the Edfu Temple on the west bank of the Nile. Dating to the Ptolemaic period, the temple was dedicated to the worship of the god Horus, represented as a falcon. It is one of the most beautiful Egyptian temples, distinguished by its huge splendid structure blending Pharaonic and Greek architecture. Enjoy scenic cruising to Kom Ombo and visit the Kom Ombo Temple. Built on a hillside, this temple was constructed in the Ptolemaic Roman era for the worship of the gods Haroeris and Sobek. It is noted for the relief engravings on its walls which show ancient surgical tools, bone saws and dentistry tools. Nearby, view the three mummified crocodiles in Hathor’s chapel. Dinner and overnight on board.

 

Day 17 – Aswan
Cruise to Aswan, where you will sail on a smaller boat across the Nile to visit the temples at Philae, including the Temple of Isis, one of the greatest Temples in Egypt, occupying a quarter of the island. Next, visit the High Dam, one of the most outstanding architectural achievements of the twentieth century. It was constructed to replace the old Aswan dam built in 1902. The 3600-meter-long dam was constructed to protect Egypt from the floods as well as provide irrigation and electricity to its citizens. View the Unfinished Obelisk made of red granite brought from the quarries of Aswan. Lunch and dinner onboard.

 

Day 18 – Egyptian Museum, the Great Pyramids & the Sphinx
Depart Aswan by plane and head to Cairo. Visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities to view the unique collection of Pharaonic art and the renowned treasures of King Tutankhamun. Continue to the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.

 

Day 19 – Cairo
Tour the Old City and see the Citadel of Saladin, built in 1183 AD, and view the Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali. In Old Cairo, visit the Abu Serge Church built over the traditional site of the house where the Holy Family lived during their stay in Egypt. Enjoy some time to rest as your prepare for your return flight home.

 

Day 20 – Return to the USA