Egypt
From a Christian Historical Perspective

Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel,
Alexandria, Nile Cruise

Introduction to Biblical Egypt

Day 1: Overnight Flight 
Our life-changing journey begins this evening as we board our overnight flight to Cairo, Egypt - the land of the Pharaohs.

Day 2: Cairo
We will arrive in Cairo in the early evening to be met by our Egyptian host for transfer to the Hotel Sheraton, which is a 5 star hotel along the Nile River in the very heart of Cairo. We will have dinner at the hotel and a get acquainted/orientation meeting as necessary.

Day 3: Alexandria, Aswan
 After a hot buffet breakfast at our hotel we will board an air conditioned bus for a trip to the historical port of biblical Alexandria. On the way up and back we will discuss the times of Joseph and his unique contribution to God’s plan for His people, Israel. After we return to Cairo there will be time for some shopping before we board our fist-class sleeper train for an overnight trip south to Aswan. Dinner is on board.

Day 4: Abu Simbel 
After breakfast on the train we will board an air conditioned bus for a trip to Abu Simbel. Our Egyptologist guide will discuss the relevance of this site from Egyptian history. We will also try to put in perspective the long history of Egypt. Here we will visit the massive temple of Pharaoh Rameses II, perhaps the greatest builder of temples in ancient Egypt (13th Century BC) and a second one of Queen Nafertari.
We will have dinner and spend the night at Hotel Oberoi, a beautiful 5 star hotel on the Upper Nile River.

Day 5: Nile Cruise 
After a hot buffet breakfast we will board ship for our cruise from Aswan to Luxor. After lunch we will visit the Aswan High Dam, one of the largest dams in the world. Behind this forms the huge Lake Aswan, which we will be cruising for the next 3 days. Then we will visit the unfinished obelisk to see how these massive tapering needle-like stone columns were carved out of solid rock. Later in the trip we will see one of these, a gift from the Egyptian ruler Mohammed Ali standing in the Place de la Concorde in Paris. We will enjoy afternoon tea (!) and dinner on board. 

Day 6: Ancient Egypt 
After breakfast we will take a Felluca (modern version of an ancient sail boat) Cruise to view the botanical garden and the Aga Khan Mausoleum. We will have lunch as we sail to Kom Ombo where we will visit a temple dedicated to two gods of Ancient Egypt. Afterwards tea on board ship of course! Dinner on board too. During the night we sail to Edfu.

Day 7: Temple of Luxor 
After breakfast we will visit the Temple of Horus (the hawk head god) at Edfu. This site was initially developed 1000 years before Abraham came to Egypt! As we lunch on board ship we sail to Luxor and visit the famous Temple of Luxor, which was founded in the reign of Amenhotep III, grandson of the pharaoh of the Exodus. Afternoon tea and dinner will be served on board. Overnight on board ship.

Day 8:  Valley of Kings, Karnak 
After breakfast we will disembark our ship. Then we will visit the Valley of the Kings (where many ancient pharaohs were buried) and the famous Temple of Hatshepsut, the princess who perhaps pulled baby Moses out of the Nile River. This temple may have been designed by Moses.  In the afternoon we will visit Karnak and visit the temples of the New Kingdom period. It was during this period that the bondage and Exodus occurred.  In the evening we board our sleeper train to return to Cairo. Dinner will be on board.

Day 9: Great Pyramids, Sphinx 
We will have breakfast on board the train. Then we will visit Memphis, the capitol of ancient Egypt. Then on to the necropolis at Saqqara, which was in use from 3100BC – 540AD, and view the step pyramid of Zoser. This is the earliest form of the pyramid. In the Giza area we will also visit the Sphinx and Great Pyramids. Lunch will be on your own. Later, in the afternoon we will visit the Papyrus Institute to see how the earliest form of paper was made. Dinner and overnight at the Sheraton in Cairo.

Day 10: Egyptian Museum 
After breakfast we will visit the world famous Egyptian Museum, including the tremendously interesting “Mummy Room.” This museum contains the finest display of artifacts from the reigns of all of the pharaohs. Then we will visit the famous Alabaster Mosque to get a feel for the Muslim influence on Egypt. Lunch will be on your own, after which you might want to do some last minute shopping. We will have dinner at a local restaurant (not at the hotel) and then on to the Sound and Light Show at the Giza Pyramids. This is a real treat.

Day 11: Homeward 
After a continental breakfast at the hotel we will go to the Cairo Airport for our flights homeward. 

Price Per Person: from $2090.00
Special small group rates are also available.

Price Includes: Airfare from JFK to Cairo, night train with sleeper berths, all airport, hotel , and cruise transfers, 3 nights deluxe cruise on the Nile with driver, English-speaking tour guide, breakfast & dinner daily, 4 & 5 star hotels, and baggage handling.

Not Included: Transfers in the US, air taxes, and gratuities.

Ask about our add-on trip to the Sinai.