Welcome to Cairo, we will be met by our representative who will transfer us to our hotel in Cairo and enjoy some leisure time before dinner and overnight in Cairo. (D)

We transfer to the airport for our flight to the upper Nile Valley to Luxor, known as Thebes in pharaonic times. Visit the Karnak Temple complex, built by generations of pharaohs and covering 60 acres, then follow the partially buried two-mile Avenue of the Ram-headed Sphinxes to Luxor Temple, which was well-preserved by its cover of desert sand until its discovery in 9th century. Embark on the H.S. Radamis II, a deluxe river cruiser, for your four-night cruise up the Nile. Attend the Sound and Light Show this evening back at the Karnak Temple. (B,L,D)

We start our day by crossing to the west shore of the Nile to the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, the famed necropolis where tombs of 64 pharaohs have been found, including that of Tutankhamun, whose treasures were miraculously intact after 3,000 years. You visit the tomb, not normally seen by tourists. See the unique colonnaded temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon before returning to our ship. (B,L,D)

This morning, our ship sails to Edfu for a visit to the nearly intact Temple of Horus, the falcon god, built by Ptolemy III in 0 BC. After lunch, continue cruising up the Nile past small villages, palm trees and farmers working in fields much the same as they did 2,000 years ago – with donkeys and camels. Dock at Kom Ombo to visit the twin temples dedicated to Horus and to Sobek, the Crocodile God. The temples are a classic example of Egyptian symmetry and design in construction. (B,L,D)

Today we are docked in Aswan, location of the largest landfill dam in the world – the High Dam – which was built to control the annual flooding of the Nile and to provide electricity. Visit Philae Temple, relocated from another island to save it from the rising river waters when the dam was built, and see the granite quarry where an ancient obelisk lies cracked and unfinished. Late in the afternoon, visit the International Museum of Nubia which houses statues and monuments from the time of the Pharaohs, plus Coptic and Islamic treasures. (B,L,D)

This morning an optional tour to fly to Abu Simbel, the colossal temple that was carved from solid rock in 1235 BC by the great Rameses II. Beside it stands the Temple of Hathor, built to honor the Pharaoh’s wife, Nefertari. In the 1960’s, the temples were moved piece-by-piece up the hill to preserve them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. This evening we fly back to Cairo for dinner and overnight. (B,D)

After breakfast we start our tour for the visit to the Egyptian Museum to see the largest artifact collection from pharaonic times, including the unparalleled treasures of the tomb of Tutankhamun – the “Boy King.” Your Egyptologist shows you the gold mask, toys, jewelry and throne, all found in the pharaoh’s tomb across the Nile from Luxor. Lunch is out on the town. Then visit the Old City of Cairo, including the Mohammed Ali Mosque in the Citadel. Enjoy a walk through the bazaar of Khan el Khalili, where stalls and shops overflow with jewelry, copper, brass, carpets and spices. Finish your day with a special reception and a presentation by an Egyptian archaeologist. (B,D)

Experience one of the oldest forms of transportation – a camelback ride – to the base of the Giza Pyramids. Examine Cheop’s Great Pyramid, which is 4,500 years old and covers acres at its base. The famous Giza plateau also includes Chephren and Mycerinus Pyramids and the Sphinx, protector of the pharaohs. A visit is included to the fascinating Solar Boat Museum, meant to transport the pharaoh to the afterlife. Next you tour Memphis, once the capital of ancient Egypt, and the necropolis at Saqqara to see Djoser’s Step Pyramid, the oldest freestanding stone structure in the world. (B,D)

It’s time to return home with your life-long memories and treasures from the land of the pharaohs. We arrive home the same day.

• 3-5 Pairs of underwear

• 1 Pair of solid walking shoes (I wore my Keens hiking sandals)

• 2 Loose fitting, wide legged ankle length pants

• 1 Ankle length light weight skirt

• 3 Tunic style wrist length tops that have modest necklines

• 2-3 Light weight scarves

• 1 Scarf pin

• 1 Swimsuit

• 1 Bathing suit cover up

• At least 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes, 1 pair of sandals or beach shoes, and one pair of more formal shoes for cultural events.

Suggested packing list for men:

• Shorts or short skirts as you see fit (covering the knee, if possible)

• 7-10 short-sleeve t-shirts, as long as they cover shoulders and arms.

• At least one or two more formal shirts

• 3-4 long pants, preferably light for warmer weather

• 7-10 pairs of socks

• Swimsuit or bathing suit

• At least 1 pair of comfortable walking shoes, 1 pair of sandals or beach shoes, and one pair of more formal shoes for cultural events.

Toiletries & medicine:

• High SPF sunscreen

• After sun lotion

• Anti-diarrheal medicine

• Sanitizing gel & hand wipes

• Over-the-counter Pain medicine

• Blister plasters

Daypack packing list:

• A water bottle: This is a non-optional item, don’t toss plastic, and staying hydrated is imperative

• Camera: In Egypt there are pictures that beg to be taken, this is one place you might even consider carrying that heavy DSLR

• Sunscreen: Not joking, you need this, even if you “don’t burn”

• Sunglasses: Invest in a good, polarized pair for this trip

• Copies of your documents: You might not want to carry your passport and documents everywhere, but do carry copies

• Small umbrella

• Hat

• Sunglasses