8 Day Egypt History and Culture 
For the Discriminating Traveler

Edfu was a flourishing city in Ancient Times. On arrival you will then travel via horse drawn carriage to the Temple of Horus, which is considered to be one of the most beautiful and preserved Temples in Egypt. The origins of the Temple probably date back to the Second Intermediate Period, but the actual Temple only dates back to Ptolemaic times. Then we set sail for Esna and the locks. And at the locks, as we wait our turn to go through, the locals will row out to the Nile boats and attempt to sell you a Galabia, knowing that tonight there is a “Galabia party” on board your boat. During the party, some games are conducted that are run by the tour guides. To buy a Galabia will cost you around 50 LE (Egyptian Pounds).

Cross the Nile this morning to visit the world renowned Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, followed by a visit to the Colossi of Memnon. The Valley of the Kings was the royal cemetery for 62  Pharaohs, and is located on the west bank at Luxor. The only entrance to this place was a long narrow winding path. This was a secret place, where sentries were placed at the entrance of the Valley, as well as along the top of the hills, in the hopes of discouraging tomb robbers, who had in the past plundered all royal tombs, including the treasures of the Pyramids!  The Valley of the Queens is an isolated cemetery, at the southern part of the vast necropolis of Thebes, on the west bank of Luxor. It contains about 70 tombs, mainly belonging to Queens, Princesses, Princes and Nobles, who lived during the 19th and 20th Dynasties. The Temple of Deir El-Bahri is one of the most characteristic temples in the whole of Egypt, due to its design and decorations. It was built of limestone, not sandstone like most of the other funerary temples of the New Kingdom period. It is thought that Senimut, the genius architect who built this Temple, was inspired in his design by the plan of the neighboring mortuary Temple of the 12th Dynasty King, Neb-Hept-Re. The Temple was built for the great Queen Hatshepsut (18th Dynasty), to commemorate her achievements and to serve as a funerary Temple for her, as well as a sanctuary of the God, Amon Ra. The Colossi of Memnon are two, gigantic figures of Amenhotep III that were originally situated in front of his Mortuary temple, which was destroyed for unknown reasons! The two colossi are made of sandstone, which during ancient times was brought from Gabal El Silselah.

DAY 06: Saturday - This morning we will visit the largest temple complex in all of Egypt, Karnak Temple. The complex contains a group of Temples such as the Great Temple of Amon Ra, The Temple of Khonso, The Ipt Temple, The Temple of Ptah, the Temple of Montho and the Temple of the God Osiris. We will then continue to Luxor Temple. Luxor Temple, or The Temple of Luxor, is among the most beautiful Temples in Egypt. It was known in the New Kingdom period as Ipt-Rsyt, which means the southern shrine. This was to differentiate between this Temple and Karnak Temple, which was the northern House of Amon_Ra.After disembarkation, you will be transferred to Luxor Airport for your flight to Cairo. Upon arrival at Cairo Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo. (B)

DAY 07: Sunday - Visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, which houses the world's largest collection of artifacts from the era of the pharaohs including some belonging to King Tut. Tour Old Cairo, where early Judaism and Christianity flourished in Egypt. Visit sites like the Ben Ezra Synagogue, and the Moallaka Church where the Virgin Mary, Joseph, and the baby Jesus took refuge. Spend the afternoon at the Great Pyramids of Giza built for Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinos, and the defending Sphinx. End the day at the bazaar of Khan El Khalili. Optional Sound and Light Show available this evening. Overnight in Cairo. (B/L)

DAY 08: Monday - You will be transferred to Cairo Airport for your return flight. (B)

Options

Sound and Light Show in Luxor $40. 
Sound and Light Show in Cairo $40. 

(Other optional tours may be available. Please ask your Sales Agent.)

Hotels

Cairo, Egypt

The Sofitel Le Sphinx

The Sofitel Le Sphinx is located in a magnificent park at the foot of the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, 35 km from Cairo international airport. This 5 star hotel, offering 274 luxury rooms and suites, is the perfect base for a range of cultural and tourist activities, not to mention shopping. For sports and recreation, tennis, horse riding, golf, the casino, a gym with free use of the steam bath, sauna and Jacuzzi are all available close to the hotel. Two meeting rooms with audiovisual equipment.

GUEST ROOMS -- There are 274 rooms all featuring: Audible smoke alarms, Dead bolt in rooms, 220/240 V AC, Air conditioning system, Safe deposit box in room, Mini bar, Phone, Satellite / Cable color TV, Juda (view port), RJ 11 Plug, Smoke alarm in room, Bath tub, Hair dryer in bathroom, Make up / Magnifying mirror.

Aswan to Luxor 

m/s King of Thebes 

Each ship in our fleet offers you an uncompromising level of amenities and service from the finest cuisine on the Nile to some of the most beautiful accommodations in the industry.  Ship-wide access, pools, over 146 cabins, beautifully appointed spacious suites, nightly entertainment, a friendly efficient staff, and scenery unlike anything you can imagine - are some of the delights that await you on each ship.

Prices quoted do include fuel surcharges, but do not include airport fees or airline taxes.