The Ultimate Egypt – Interpreter Foundation Tour

Friday / November 19

Depart the USA for overnight flights into Cairo.

Saturday / November 20

Arrive in Cairo where we are met at the airport and transferred to our hotel for the next 2 nights.

Sunday / November 21

This morning we begin our tour of the pyramids—the only remaining survivor of the ‘Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.’ We explore the Pyramids of Giza; enjoy a 1-hour safari riding a camel or in a horse cart in the desert; and see the Sphinx. For those who can handle tight spaces, there is an option to enter the great pyramid ($30). That afternoon we tour the Papyrus Institute where we watch a demonstration of this ancient art and do some shopping. Our last stop will be a visit to the Sultan Hassan Mosque and the Al-Rifa’i Mosque. (B, L)

Monday / November 22

We start our day with early flights to Luxor. Our touring begins with visiting the Valley of the Kings. We visit 3 of the famous tombs of kings. For an additional fee ($30), those that wish can also enter the tomb of Tutankhamun. Next, we explore Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple. As we depart the Valley of the Kings, we visit the Colossi of Memnon. We then board our deluxe Nile cruise ship, our home for the next 4 nights. This evening we can take an optional 2-hour horse cart tour through the city of Luxor ($25). This is a popular, fun tour! (B, L, D)

Tuesday / November 23

At dawn we have the option of a Hot Air Balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings ($150). After breakfast we visit the Karnak Temple which is dedicated to the god Amon, his wife Mut, and their son Khonsu. Next, we visit the Luxor Temple and then head back to our ship in time for lunch and to sail south. We will have an afternoon lecture from Daniel on board. In the evening we enjoy crossing the lock of Esna. (B, L, D)

Wednesday / November 24

Our first stop is Edfu. There we find the most complete temple in Egypt. We return to the ship and sail to Kom Ombo to visit the only double temple in Egypt. This temple is dedicated to Horus the falcon and Sobek the crocodile. We will have an afternoon lecture from Daniel on board. Tonight, we arrive in Aswan. (B, L, D)

Thursday / November 25

This morning we take an early morning bus ride to Abu Simbel to visit the temple of King Ramses II. We return to the ship in the afternoon in time for lunch. We enjoy another lecture before dinner. (B, L, D)

Friday / November 26

Today we disembark the cruise ship and immediately begin our tour for the day by visiting the incredible High Dam built to save Egypt from the Nile flood. Next, we travel by motorboat for about 10 minutes to visit one of the most beautiful temples in Egypt—the Temple of Philae. Around noon we take return flights back to Cairo and check into our hotel for the next 2 nights. Tonight, we have the option of attending the Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids of Giza ($40). (B)

Saturday / November 27

We begin the day with a visit to the amazing Egyptian Antiquity Museum including King Tut’s exhibit. After a stop for lunch we continue our tour to Old Cairo (Coptic Cairo). The real highlight is a visit to the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus where local legend says the Virgin Mary, baby Jesus and family sheltered during King Herod’s massacre of male babies. Further into the quarter, we come to the Ben Ezra Synagogue which is said to be built near the spot where the baby Moses was found in the reeds. (B, L)

Sunday / November 28

We start our day visiting Sakkara—the site of the oldest pyramids of Egypt and the oldest stone building in the world. It is best known as the location of King Zoser’s Step Pyramid. Next, we proceed to the old capital of Memphis. Here we visit the ruins of the Temple of Ptah and the gigantic Colossus of King Ramses II. At a local carpet school, we watch the children learning to make rugs from the cocoon of silkworms and learn about the different kinds of Egyptian carpets. We have dinner on our own before going to the airport for our late-night flights home. (B, L)

Monday / November 29

Arrive  home.