Day 1 | Cairo

Upon landing, we will proceed from the airport to Cairo's sprawling Suwan Square, home to over 10 million residents today. Our first stop in the Egyptian capital will be at the burial site of the third President of Egypt, Anwar Sadat. He signed the peace agreement with Israel and was assassinated in 1981 following the peace accords. After paying respects, we will move on to another significant site in Egypt's modern history: the burial site of the Unknown Soldier, dedicated to an Egyptian soldier who lost his life in one of the battles during Egypt's struggle for independence. We will learn about the wars between Israel and Egypt, including the 1948 War, the Second Sinai War, and the Egyptian victory of 1973 that led to the signing of peace agreements with Egypt. Following a panoramic tour of modern Cairo, we will check into our hotel for the night and later head out for dinner in the city.

Day 2 | Cairo - Memphis Archaeological Site - Saqqara

This morning, we will leave Cairo and embark on a journey to explore one of Egypt's impressive archaeological sites: Memphis. As we arrive, we will discover the archaeological site, marveling at the remnants of the grand entrance gate that once welcomed visitors to the city. We will then proceed to the ancient city of Saqqara, where we will explore the burial site of Djoser, featuring the famous Step Pyramid – the world's first stone monument. Additionally, we will visit the tombs of noble Egyptians adorned with magnificent wall paintings, narrating the daily life of ancient Egypt. After a panoramic tour of modern Cairo, we will return to our hotel for an overnight stay and enjoy an evening meal in the city.

Day 3 | Cairo - Great Pyramid of Giza - Old City of Cairo - Luxor

This morning is dedicated to exploring one of Egypt's most iconic attractions: the Great Pyramid of Giza. Standing as the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the pyramid was built as the final resting place for Pharaoh Khufu. We will also encounter the Sphinx, a famous symbol of Egypt, featuring a statue with a lion's body and a human head. Following our visit to the pyramids, we will tour the Old City of Cairo, exploring landmarks such as the Abu Tolon Mosque, one of the world's largest mosques, and learning about its preservation of Fatimid architecture. We will continue our exploration of magnificent mosques in the city and stroll through its bustling markets before heading to the airport for an internal flight to Luxor. There, we will spend the night.

Day 4 | Luxor - Abydos and the Temple of Seti I - Dendera - Beginning of the Nile Cruise

This morning, we will leave the hotel and take a stroll to the unique Temple of Abydos, dedicated to the ancient Egyptian god Osiris and constructed during the reign of Seti I. The temple showcases remarkable artistic and architectural achievements, providing insights into the lifestyle of that era. We will then proceed to the Temple of Ramses II, one of the five temples remaining on their original sites, built to commemorate Ramses II's victory in the Battle of Kadesh in northern Syria. Our next stop will be the Temple of Hathor in the village of Dendera, an awe-inspiring structure from the Greco-Roman period dedicated to the goddess Hathor. After our tours in the Luxor area, we will return to the ship that will host us for a four-night cruise along the Nile.

Day 5 | Karnak Temples - Edfu (Cruise)

This morning, we will dedicate our time to exploring one of the most impressive temple complexes from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods: the Karnak Temples. This vast complex, considered one of the largest temple precincts in the world, showcases colossal columns, courtyards, and various temples that highlight the fascinating interplay between the Ptolemaic and Pharaonic cultures. After the temple tour, we will continue our cruise southward, stopping not far from the next day's site: the Temple of Edfu. Here, we will spend the night on the ship.

Day 6 | Temple of Edfu - Kom Ombo "Crocodile Temple" - Aswan (Cruise)

This morning, we will disembark from the ship to visit the Temple of Edfu, one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt dedicated to the falcon god Horus. The temple's well-preserved state allows us to gain insights into the rituals and religious practices of ancient Egypt. After returning to the ship for lunch, we will continue our cruise to explore the Kom Ombo Temple, also known as the "Crocodile Temple." This unique temple is dedicated to two gods: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon god. We will marvel at the intricately carved reliefs that depict various scenes related to these deities. Later in the day, we will arrive in Aswan, where we will spend the night on the ship.

Day 7 | Aswan - Abu Simbel Temples - Philae Temple - Elephantine Island (Cruise)

Today involves an extensive journey as we rise early and take a flight to the Abu Simbel region. Here, we will explore the impressive Abu Simbel Temples, carved into the rock and featuring four colossal statues of Ramses II. The temples were relocated due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam and are now an iconic testament to ancient Egyptian engineering. Following our tour of Abu Simbel, we will visit the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis and also relocated to its current location on Agilkia Island. Finally, we will embark on a boat trip to Elephantine Island, a small island in the Nile River near Aswan, where we will learn about the ancient Jewish settlement and its significance in the Jewish culture of the Second Temple period. In the evening, we will return to our ship for a final night on the Nile.

Day 8 I Aswan - Cairo - Archaeological Museum - Khan El Khalili Market - Farewell Dinner

This morning, we will leave Aswan and take a flight to Cairo. Upon our return to the capital city of Egypt, we will visit the new Cairo Archaeological Museum, which serves as a fascinating summary of the journey we undertook across the country. The museum showcases remarkable findings from archaeological excavations in Egypt, gaining international acclaim for the new discoveries from the tomb of King Tutankhamun. During our museum tour, we will delve deep into the art, culture, and ancient history of Egypt through artifacts, sculptures, jewelry, and other items on display. After exploring the museum, we will continue with a panoramic tour of Cairo, and we won't miss the opportunity to visit the famous Khan El Khalili Market – a vibrant and colorful market in the heart of ancient Cairo. Here, we'll stroll among various stalls offering a variety of products from all over Egypt, explore coffee shops and restaurants, and enjoy the enchanting and lively atmosphere of the market. After our market tours, we will return to the hotel to prepare for our final evening meal in beautiful Cairo.

Day 9 I Cairo - Coptic Church - Ibn Ezra Synagogue 

On our last day in Cairo, we will dedicate our time to a final tour, exploring the influences of the three major monotheistic religions that have significantly shaped the captivating cosmopolitanism of the Egyptian capital throughout history. Our visit will commence with the Coptic Church, one of the oldest churches in the city, serving as a religious and Christian focal point in the Middle East to this day. We will tour the church, learn about the history of local Christianity, and appreciate the splendid religious art that surrounds the church. We will then embark on an emotional visit to the Ibn Ezra Synagogue, where we will hear and learn about the fascinating story of the genizah (storage area for sacred Jewish texts) within the synagogue. We will discover the fate of ancient Jewish documents and delve into the long history of Egyptian Jewry.