On each excursion, your extremely knowledgeable Egyptologist will share extraordinary details that bring ancient Egypt to life. Today, visit the Egyptian Museum, the highly acclaimed Cairo landmark that opened in 1902, which contains priceless collections of Egyptian antiquities, including three complete burials and the fabulous treasures of Tanis. At tonight’s Welcome Reception in the hotel, get better acquainted with your fellow travelers.

Today, witness the pyramid’s evolution from flat, mudbrick prototypes called mastabas to terraced stone tombs and ultimately, Giza’s colossal structures. In Sakkara, visit the Mastaba of Mereruka, King Teti’s Pyramid Tomb and the Step Pyramid of Djoser, considered the first pyramid. Marvel at the Great Pyramid of Giza built for the pharaoh Khufu out of approximately 2.3 million massive blocks, as well as the iconic, mysterious Sphinx nearby.

Today, tour the new Grand Egyptian Museum with a dazzling collection of 100,000 precious relics. Two halls are devoted to King Tutankhamen’s burial treasures, an incomparable trove of 5,000 objects displayed together for the first time since the discovery of his tomb in 1922. After lunch, discover Islamic Cairo. Visit the Mosque of Mohammed Ali inside the medieval Citadel fortress complex, the Mosque-Madrassa of Sultan Hassan and the grand Al-Rifai Mosque. Afterward, see rice-straw paper being made by hand at a cooperative workshop and take in the local scene at the colorful Khan el Khalili bazaar.

Fly to Luxor this morning to explore the glories of ancient Thebes, the capital city of the Middle and New Kingdoms. At the Luxor Museum, admire artifacts from its temples and necropolis. Check in to the Sonesta St. George Hotel Luxor and, after lunch, sail by felucca along the Nile River to the Temple of Luxor. Commissioned by Amenhotep III, this majestic complex was connected to the Temple of Karnak by an avenue of sphinxes.

Explore the spellbinding Valleys of the Kings and Queens, where New Kingdom pharaohs and their families awaited immortality in once hidden tombs. Amazingly, hieroglyphics adorning the walls still spring vibrantly to life. Visit King Tutankhamen’s tomb, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and Amun-her-Khepeshef’s tomb before embarking the ship for your Nile cruise. Later in Luxor, learn about the Chicago House’s preservation work during an exclusive visit. After dinner on board, delight in a belly-dancing performance.

This morning, visit the Temple of Karnak, a sprawling city of temples built over a period of 2,000 years. In this awe-inspiring religious site, feel dwarfed by a veritable forest of 134 gigantic sandstone columns while wandering through the great hall of the Temple of Amun-Ra. After lunch on the ship, take advantage of the onboard amenities during your leisure time this afternoon. Later, watch from the rail as the ship transits the Esna Lock.

Relax at leisure amid the tranquil scenery while cruising to Edfu this morning. At the wonderfully preserved Temple of Horus, see decorative reliefs that have revealed intriguing details about ancient life. After lunch on board, join an Egyptologist for an engaging talk. Disembark in Kom Ombo to explore the unusual double temple complex of crocodile-headed Sobek, god of fertility, and falcon-headed Haroeris, god of the sky. Enjoy tonight’s onboard entertainment featuring a traditional Nubian show.

After docking in Aswan this morning, fly to Abu Simbel to visit the Great Temple of Ramses II carved out of sandstone cliffs. Behold the four mammoth statues of the king flanking the entrance. Equally captivating is the neighboring temple dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Queen Nefertari. Fly back to Aswan and unwind this afternoon during free time. Tonight, gather for a Farewell Reception and Dinner on the ship to commemorate your unforgettable adventure in Egypt.

Your Nile River cruise concludes this morning. Disembark the ship and sail by felucca to the beautiful island temple complex of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Afterward, learn the ancient process of handcrafting papyrus at the Papyrus Institute and continue to the High Dam, an engineering marvel built in the 1960s. Later, fly to Cairo. Relax in your evening room at the InterContinental Citystars Cairo before an early morning departure for your flight home.

Very early this morning, head home.