To travel to the Land of Egypt is to feel profoundly touched by history. The glory and greatness, mystery and mystique, that was once Egypt beckons alluringly. Come and explore an ancient land shaped by temples, tombs and heiroglyphs as we visit a civilization shaped by the mighty Nile River.

Yet at the same time, Egypt is a modern land in transition, as it seeks to take its place in re-shaping the people and politics of the Middle East, re-asserting its role as the leader of the Arab world. Discover a land with one foot firmly planted in its glorious past, while stepping with the other into an exciting future.

JANUARY 8-20, 2008

This journey is all inclusive at $3990 - RT from MSP, full room and board, all internal transportation, all entries, private Egyptologist as guide, study guide, visa, tips, taxes and trip insurance. (you just buy the bottled water!)

DAY 1- Depart from USA on the first leg of our overnite journey to Egypt.

DAY 2- Arrive in Cairo, proceed through customs and transfer to the hotel. Cairo Sheraton and Towers.

DAY 3- Today’s visits include the Cairo Museum, regarded as one of the most prominent in the world. We continue on to Coptic Cairo, visiting the Coptic Museum (2 Mummy Rooms are included!) , El Muallake and Abu Serga Churches, and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. We then proceed to the Citadel of Mohamed Ali Pasha, Sultan Hassan Mosque, and Kah el Khalili Bazaar.Later we transfer to the Giza Train Station for the overnite sleeper to Luxor.

DAY 4- This morning we transfer to our cruise ship, M/S Tulip, and get settled in. Then we will visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak, dated to the New Kingdom, when Egypt ruled the East over 2500 years ago. This evening, we will enjoy the Sound and Light Show at the Karnak Temple.

DAY 5 - Our visit to the West Bank of the Nile takes us to the Valley of the Kings and Queens, Tombs of the Nobles, The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el- Bahari, and the Ramesseum. We end at the Colossae of Memnon.

DAY 6 - Today offers a change of pace. We will tour the Egyptian countryside by horse-drawn carriage, on our way to the Coptic Christian village of Ngaa el- Syagh. The afternoon is at your leisure as we set sail.

DAY 7 - On our way to Aswan by our cruise ship, we will visit the Ptolemaic Greek sites of Edfu and Kom Ombo- temples that date to the 3rd-1st Centuries BC.

DAY 8- We arrive in Aswan. The felucca, or Nile sailboat, is a main mode of travel as we visit Kitchener and Elephantine Islands, archaeological and botanical parks. In addition, we will tour the Mausoleum of the Aga Khan on the West Bank of the Nile. This afternoon, we will visit the High and Low Dams of Aswan, the granite quarries and unfinished obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Temple of Isis on Philae Island.

DAY 9 - This morning, there is an optional camel ride/tour on the West Bank to the San Simeon Coptic monastery, and visit to the Nubian village and Qubbet el Hawa tombs. This afternoon, we will fly to the mortuary temple of Ramses II and Nefertari at Abu Simbel. .

DAY 10- Fly back to Cairo. Visit Gezira Island with its parks and the el-Borg Tower, affording a 600 ft. high panoramic view of Cairo. Then to Rhoda Island, and the 19th and early 20th Century Manial Palace Complex of Egypt’s royal family.

DAY 11 - We drive along the Nile, south to Memphis, the first capital of Egypt, and the unfinished granite statue of Ramses II. Then proceed to Sakkara, the necropolis of the III and VI Dynasties, visiting the Stepped Pyramid of Zoser and Pyramid and Causeway of Unas. After lunch, we head to the Giza Complex of the IV Dynasty, and the Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinos, as well as the Sphinx. Dinner tonite is on a Nile River cruise ship.

DAY 12- Return Home, flying out in the morning back to the USA.

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