Discover the ancient wonders in and around Cairo, including the Great Pyramid of Giza, the complete King Tut collection, the medieval Citadel fortress and a bazaar dating to the 14th century.

NOTE: This program involves extensive walking over uneven ground and is thus not suitable for guests with walking difficulties or for those who require a wheelchair.

Day 1

Disembark the ship in Alexandria, meet your guide and begin the three-hour drive to Cairo. No comfort stop is scheduled as there are restrooms on the tour coaches.

Your first visit in Cairo will be to the Grand Egyptian Museum, the world’s largest archaeological museum. Of all its priceless artifacts, the items from King Tutankhamen’s tomb is the highlight, as the full collection has never been displayed in one place before.

Following lunch at a nearby restaurant, you will then travel to the legendary Great Pyramid of Giza, the sole remaining Wonder of the Ancient World. Built as a royal tomb for Cheops, it is largest of a group of three pyramids, the other two pyramids constructed to hold the mummified remains of the pharaoh’s son and successor Chephren and Chephren’s son, Mykerinus.

Southeast of the Great Pyramid stands the Sphinx, the monument of a mythical creature with the head of a man and the body of a lion. It was carved out of solid limestone around 2650 BC and faces east, probably to greet the rising sun and the return of life each day.

Your tour of the Pyramids area also includes outside visits to the Cheops and Chephren Pyramids, and panoramic views and photo opportunities of the three Pyramids and the Sphinx.

Note: interior visits are not included however ample time is allotted for photos.

Transfer to your hotel for check-in and dinner.

Day 2

Following an early-morning breakfast at the hotel and check out, you will drive to the Step Pyramid of Sakkara, which overlooks Djoser’s mortuary complex. Dating from 2700 BC, the Step Pyramid is the oldest stone structure in the world and was designed by Imhotep for King Djoser. The complex also contains 16 other pyramids in various stages of preservation.

Because the necropolis complex was buried beneath the sands for much of the past two millennia, even the sizable mortuary surrounding Djoser’s pyramid was not unearthed until 1924. As a result, many of the mastaba tombs have been superbly preserved with both their structures and lavish interior decorations intact.

Next, visit a medieval Islamic fortress known simply as The Citadel and the adjacent Mosque of Muhammad Ali, which is often called the Alabaster Mosque due to the extensive use of that stone throughout the building. The mosque is the largest such structure built in Cairo during the first half of the 19th century and looks impressive even from a distance.

Also visit the unique Hanging Church. Known also as Al-Muallaqa Church, it is one of the oldest and most interesting Christian places of worship in Egypt. The building rises atop one of the old Roman fortress gatehouses, with its nave suspended over the passage, hence the name “Hanging Church”.

Next to it is St. Sergis Church which was built upon an ancient Roman fort. This church has acquired a special religious status among Coptic churches because it is associated with the Holy Family's journey through Egypt.

Continue to the Ben Ezra Synagogue. Set in a shade garden, the synagogue was built on the site of a 4th-Century Christian church and is amongst Egypt’s oldest synagogues.

Note: Ben Ezra Synagogue has been closed since August 2022 for restoration, should it not be open by the time this program operates, a visit will be made instead to St George Church.

Lunch will be served in local restaurant and then later in the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to browse Khan El-Khalili, an open-air bazaar established in the 14th Century. As you meander through the market’s labyrinthine alleyways, you will find everything from handcrafted jewelry to carpets and clothing. Enjoy exploring the fascinating maze of alleyways and workshops, where you can observe artisans at work and perhaps pick up a souvenir or two.

After this enlightening experience, you will drive to Port Said to re-board the ship. The drive is approximately 3 hours. A comfort stop is not included as there are restrooms on the tour coaches.

Land Program Step by Step

The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Final itineraries with the most up-to-date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

Day 1

7:45am Disembark the ship in Alexandria

Proceed to the port terminal for security screening

8:00am Depart for the drive to Cairo. The drive is approximately 3 hours

Restrooms are available on the bus. No comfort stop is scheduled

11:00pm Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum

1:00pm Proceed for lunch

1:15pm Lunch at deluxe restaurant

2:15pm Proceed to the Pyramids of Giza

2:30am Visit the Pyramids and the Sphinx

Note: inside visits are not included

4:30pm Proceed to your hotel

5:00pm Check in

Free time at leisure

7-9pm Dinner served at your hotel

Overnight in Cairo

Day 2

7:00am Wake up call, breakfast and check out

8:00am Proceed to Sakkara

8:45am Visit Sakkara including the Step Pyramid of Zoser and one tomb

10:15pm Proceed to the Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque

11:00am Visit the Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque.

12:00am Proceed to old Cairo

12:30pm Visit the Hanging church, St Serguis church and Ben Ezra Synagogue

1:30pm Proceed to Khan El Khalili Local market

2:00pm Lunch at Khan El Khalili

3:00pm Explore Khan El Khalili market and Muiz Islamic Street

4:30pm Drive to Alexandria. The drive is approximately 3 hours.

Restrooms are available on the bus. No comfort stop is scheduled.

7:30pm Arrive Port Said

Expected weather

38 degrees C / 100 degrees F

What to bring

Comfortable, light and loose clothing, good walking shoes, camera, hat and sunscreen

Currency

Egyptian Pound but USD are widely accepted

Electricity

220- 240 volts

We recommend bringing a universal travel adaptor for electric devices as adaptors are not available at

the hotel

Luggage

No restrictions however a small carry on is recommended for this short program

Accommodations

Four Seasons First Residence - Cairo

35 Charles de Gaulle, Oula, Giza District, Giza Governorate 12612

*We will only source different hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are required, they will be of equal ratings and standards and you will be notified of the change. If you are not notified of any changes before your departure, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in this program.

Documentation

Passports are required to brought with you on this trip. At this time, visas are not required for US, EU and Canadian citizens, however you should check with your local Egyptian Embassy for further or updated information prior to travel.

Program Includes:

•1 night at the Four Seasons First Residence or similar hotel (Deluxe room)

•One breakfast, two lunches and one dinner

•Bottled water, tea, coffee, one soda or one bottle of beer/one glass of local wine with meals

•Entrance fees, guides and touring as per the itinerary

*We will only substitute the hotel in unforeseen situations. If the hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes before departure, then the hotel listed in this program will be used.

Not Included:

•Any meals and drinks not listed above

•Gratuities

•Personal expenses and hotel incidentals including laundry, mini bar and room service

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.

Please note: All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.

Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid-cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.

Price: $999 per guest based on double occupancy.

Land program promotions are per person for guests 1 and 2 for one pre- or post-cruise program only, subject to terms.

Explore the landmarks in Cairo and the nearby wonders of the ancient world with an Egyptologist that will enhance your understanding of iconic attractions such as the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx.

Note: this program is limited to 30 guests.

DAY 1

After disembarking the ship in Alexandria, you will begin the 3-hour transfer to Cairo, accompanied by an Egyptologist well versed in the study of ancient Egypt. The Egyptologist will possess the rare ability to simply explain even the most complex concepts of the ancient world and answers any questions that you may have. Consequently, you will better understand the landmarks of Cairo and the pyramids that you will see nearby.

You will first visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, the world’s largest archaeological museum. Of all its priceless artifacts, the items from King Tutankhamen’s tomb is the highlight, as the full collection has never been displayed in one place before.

For lunch you will enjoy a culinary Egyptian food experience at a nearby restaurant. The set menu will include various Egyptian specialties in small portions so you can try them all. The Egyptologist will explain the dishes and their origins.

You will then travel to the legendary Great Pyramid of Giza, the sole remaining Wonder of the Ancient World. Built as a royal tomb for the pharaoh Khufu, who ruled in the 25th Century BCE, it is largest and oldest of a group of three pyramids. The other two pyramids were constructed to hold the mummified remains of the pharaoh’s son and successor Chephren and Chephren’s son, Mykerinus.

Southeast of the Great Pyramid stands the Sphinx, the monument of a mythical creature with the head of a man and the body of a lion. It was carved out of solid limestone around 2650 B.C .and faces east, probably to greet the rising sun and the return of life each day.

Your tour of the Pyramids area includes an optional inside visit to the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops Pyramid), which is made up of approximately 2.3 million blocks of limestone. You will also have panoramic views and photo opportunities of the three Pyramids and the Sphinx.

Note: There are many uneven steps at the entrance to the pyramid. Once inside, there are pathways where you can stand as well as inclined walkways with steps where you will need to bend down while walking. It is also quite warm inside. Guests must be sure-footed, in fairly good physical shape and not prone to claustrophobia. Narrow walkways going up are shared with guests who are coming down. There are no remains inside the tomb.

Later in the afternoon, you will transfer to your hotel for check-in and dinner.

As a special treat, you will attend a private lecture with a local specialist such as the head of the High Council of Antiquities or perhaps the former Minister of Tourism and Culture. The exact details of the lecture will be provided closer to the event.

DAY 2

Following an early-morning breakfast at the hotel and check-out, you will drive to the Step Pyramid of Sakkara, which overlooks Djoser’s mortuary complex. Dating from 2700 B.C., the Step Pyramid is the oldest stone structure in the world and was designed by Imhotep for King Djoser. The complex also contains 16 other pyramids in various stages of preservation.

Because the necropolis complex was buried beneath the sands for much of the past two millennia, even the sizable mortuary surrounding Djoser’s pyramid was not unearthed until 1924. As a result, many of the mastaba tombs have been superbly preserved with both their structures and lavish interior decorations intact.

At one of the ancient sites, you will have private access to observe an excavation in progress. While there is no telling what you will see, watching the archaeologists at work will be an extraordinary experience.

Next, visit a medieval Islamic fortress in Cairo known as The Citadel and the adjacent Mosque of Muhammad Ali, which is often called the Alabaster Mosque due to the extensive use of that stone throughout the building. The mosque is the largest such structure in Cairo built during the first half of the 19th century, and it looks impressive even from a distance.

Next, you will visit the unique Al-Muallaqa, one of the oldest and most fascinating Christian places of worship in Egypt. It rises atop an old Roman fortress gatehouse with its nave suspended over the passage – the reason it is nicknamed the Hanging Church.

Then, there is St. Sergis Church, which was built upon an ancient Roman fort. This church has acquired a special religious status among Coptic churches because it is associated with the Holy Family's journey through Egypt.

Continuing on, you will stop at the Ben Ezra Synagogue. Set in a shade garden, the synagogue was built on the site of a 4th-century Christian church and is amongst Egypt’s oldest synagogues. If the venue is closed, St. George Church will be substituted.

Following lunch, you will have the opportunity to browse Khan El-Khalili, an open-air bazaar established in the 14th century. As you meander through the market’s labyrinthine alleyways, you will find everything from handcrafted jewelry to carpets and clothing. You can likely observe artisans at work and perhaps purchase one of their works.

After this truly enlightening experience, you will drive to Port Said to re-board the ship. The drive is approximately 3 hours. A comfort stop is not included as there are restrooms on the tour coaches.

Land Program Step by Step

The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Final itineraries with the most up-to-date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

Day 1

7:45am Disembark the ship in Alexandria

Proceed to the port terminal for security screening

8:00am Depart for the drive to Cairo. The drive is approximately 3 hours.

Restrooms are available on the bus. No comfort stop is scheduled

11:00pm Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum

1:00pm Proceed for lunch

1:15pm Lunch at deluxe restaurant, Egyptian food tasting experience

2:15pm Proceed to the Pyramids of Giza

2:30am Visit the Pyramids and the Sphinx

Entrance of Cheops Pyramid

4:30pm Proceed to your hotel

5:00pm Check in at the Nile Ritz Carlton

6:00pm Lecture with famous lecturer in private room

7-9pm Dinner served at your hotel, a la carte at Vivo restaurant

Overnight at the Nile Ritz Carlton or similar hotel

Day 2

7:00am Wake up call, breakfast and check out

8:00am Proceed to Sakkara

8:45am Visit Sakkara including the Step Pyramid of Zoser and one tomb

Exclusive visit of one of the excavation sites in Sakkara area

10:15pm Proceed to the Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque

11:00am Visit the Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque.

12:00am Proceed to old Cairo

12:30pm Visit the Hanging church, St Serguis church and Ben Ezra Synagogue

1:30pm Proceed to Khan El Khalili Local market

2:00pm Lunch at Khan El Khalili

3:00pm Explore Khan El Khalili market and Muiz Islamic Street

4:30pm Drive to Alexandria. The drive is approximately 3 hours.

Restrooms are available on the bus. No comfort stop is scheduled.

7:30pm Arrive at Port Said and re-board the ship

Expected Weather

30 degrees C / 100 degrees F

What to Bring

Comfortable, light, loose clothing, good walking shoes, camera, hat and sunscreen

Local Currency

Egyptian Pound, but USD are widely accepted

Electricity

220- 240 V. We recommend bringing your own universal travel adaptor for electric devices as adaptors are not available at the hotel.

Luggage

No restrictions, however, we suggest only a small carry-on bag as this is a short program.

Documents and Visa Requirements

Guests must bring their passport.

Hotel

Nile Ritz Carlton

1113 Nile Corniche, Ismailia, El Nil, Cairo Governorate 11221

Phone: +20 2577 8899

*We will only substitute the hotel in unforeseen situations. If the hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes before departure, then the hotel listed in this program will be used.

Program Includes for guests

•1 night at The Nile Ritz Carlton or similar (Deluxe Nile View Room)

•One breakfast, two lunches and one dinner

•Bottled water, tea, coffee, one soda or one bottle of beer or one glass of local wine with meals with the exception of lunch on Day 1 where alcohol is not permitted to be served.

•Entrance fees at all mentioned sites

•Private lecture on Day 1

•Egyptologist to accompany the group throughout

•Private English-speaking guide from port to port

Program Excludes for guests:

•Any meals or drinks not listed above

•Gratuities to drivers and guides

•Personal expenses

•Hotel incidentals including laundry, room service and mini bar

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.

All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.

Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid-cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.

Price: $1,399 per guest based on double occupancy.

Land program promotions are per person for guests 1 and 2 for one pre- or post-cruise program only, subject to terms.