Itinerary Details
Abercrombie & Kent: Pharaohs & Pyramids
Day 1 Cairo, Egypt
Arrive in Cairo, Egypt’s “Mother of All Cities,” an age-old
crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, where you are met
and privately transferred to your riverside hotel.
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo At Nile Plaza
Meals:
Day 2 CairoExplore the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, home to over 120,000
relics, some dating back to 4000 BC including the treasures from King Tut's tomb. After lunch, accompany your A&K Egyptologist for the unveiling of 12 never-before-seen main galleries at the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, part of a soft opening that showcases 15,000 artifacts spanning Egypt's history. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity puts you up close with items, from the stone tools and pottery of the earliest human settlements along the Nile to the artifacts of the Graeco-Roman era, that reflect the evolution of one of the world's most remarkable civilizations.
This evening, join your
fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo At Nile Plaza
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 CairoSet 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.
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo At Nile Plaza
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 LuxorFly south to Luxor, formerly known as Thebes. Upon arrival
visit the Temple of Karnak, featuring 134 great columns that
once supported an enormous roof. Board Sanctuary Sun
Boat III, your luxurious home on the Nile for the next seven
nights, in time for lunch. This afternoon, explore the Temple
of Luxor, built by Amenhotep III (1405-1367 BC). This
evening, gather for a complimentary cocktail and canapés,
followed by dinner.
Sanctuary Sun Boat Iii
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 Cruising the NileVisit the Nile’s West Bank, starting at the fabled Colossi
of Memnon, two enormous seated statues of Amenhotep
III. Proceed to the terraced funerary temple of Queen
Hatshepsut, Egypt’s first female pharaoh, and continue to
the Valley of the Kings, burial ground of the pharaohs. See
the iconic tomb of Tutankhamun (King Tut), before visiting
the former home of the legendary archaeologist who found
it, Howard Carter, to see the original tools he used for the
excavation. Gain entry to the lesser-visited, well-preserved tomb of Seti I, father of Ramses II. Then, in the Valley of the
Queens, explore the tomb of Queen Nefertari, said to be the
finest tomb in Egypt. After lunch back aboard ship, relax on
board or explore the Luxor Museum, browsing its fascinating
collections.
Sanctuary Sun Boat Iii
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 Cruising the NileRise early this morning for an exhilarating hot air balloon
ride over the Nile and the temples that line its shores.
Afterward, go off the beaten path to one of Luxor’s less-visited
sites, Medinet Habu, built by Ramses III. Return to ‘Sanctuary Sun Boat III’ and partake in a Scenic Sundowner
as you cruise toward Esna.
Sanctuary Sun Boat Iii
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 Cruising the NileThis morning at Esna, explore the Greco-Roman Temple
of Khnum with your Egyptologist guide. Its Great
Hypostyle Hall was built during the reign of the Roman
Emperor Claudius. Then, board your river ship and cruise
to Edfu, where you visit the well-preserved Temple of Horus
(the falcon god).
Sanctuary Sun Boat Iii
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8 Cruising the NileRelax on board as the morning unfolds. This afternoon,
learn to prepare local dishes during a Chef’s Table experience
with an onboard chef as you cruise to Kom Ombo.
Disembark for a walking visit to this lovely Greco-Roman
temple dedicated to Haroeris (the sun god) and Sobek (the
crocodile god), whom some ancient Egyptians considered
the creator of the world. View the mummified remains of
several crocodile that once basked along the ancient Nile
shore, just as their descendants do today. Join the party
tonight, dressing up in traditional Egyptian galabeyyas and
savoring a lavish buffet of Egyptian specialties, followed by
Arabic music and dancing.
Sanctuary Sun Boat Iii
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 Cruising the NileDisembark in Aswan to visit the granite quarries that
supplied stone for many of Egypt’s pyramids and temples.
View the 1,200-ton ‘Unfinished Obelisk,’ which exemplifies
the technique used to create such enormous monoliths.
Then, boat to the island of Agilika to view the exquisite
Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Ride Like
a Local as you sail by felucca (traditional sailing vessel),
weather permitting, around Elephantine Island and view the
splendid Aga Khan Mausoleum, which overlooks the river.
After lunch, relax on board or explore a local Aswan spice
market.
Sanctuary Sun Boat Iii
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 Abu SimbelFly to Abu Simbel, site of the magnificent temple of Ramses
II, and marvel at the four enormous statues of the pharaoh
that grace its façade, each over 60 feet high. Amazingly, the
site was raised up the hillside to avoid floodwaters caused
by the Aswan High Dam project. Afterward, enjoy lunch at
a local restaurant before boarding your privately chartered
aircraft back to Aswan, to return to your ship.
Sanctuary Sun Boat Iii
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 Aswan/CairoDisembark Sanctuary Sun Boat III and return to Cairo in
time for lunch. This afternoon, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.
Discover Coptic Cairo, visiting a church built where the
Holy Family stayed and other Christian sites.
Tour Islamic Cairo, including the lively Khan el-Khalili
Bazaar.
View the Royal Mummies, and countless other artifacts as
you tour the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization.
The remainder of your day is at leisure.
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo At Nile Plaza
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 12 CairoToday, venture just outside the city to Sakkara, the vast
necropolis of ancient Memphis, site of the famous Step
Pyramid. Built by Zoser I in 2700 BC, it is the world’s
oldest stone structure. Enjoy a special private opening of
the 4,400-year-old tomb of Wahtye. Unearthed in 2018, it
is 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 Old
Kingdom. Tonight, enjoy a memorable farewell dinner.
Four Seasons Hotel Cairo At Nile Plaza
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 CairoAfter breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart.
Meals: Breakfast
