Egypt is the gift of the River Nile, according to the Greek historian Herodotus. The great city of Cairo, the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens, the unearthed secrets of desert sands-all are set on or near the banks of the nurturing Nile. Cruise the great river in luxury, and sail across Lake Nasser to the monumental statues of Rameses II and Nefertari at Abu Simbel. See Egypt in all its glory. Touch the pyramids and the eternal Sphinx, walk through ancient temples, marvel at the treasures of bygone dynasties, and meet the friendly people of today's Egypt on this fabulous 12-day cruisetour.

Day 1 Cairo
Welcome to Egypt, "the gift of the river Nile" as described by the Greek historian Herodotus. We meet you at the airport and transfer you to the superior first class Cairo InterContinental Semiramis (or similar) on the banks of the Nile for a 3-night stay.*

Day 2 Cairo & Giza
This morning we take an excursion to the necropolis at Sakkara to see the world's oldest step pyramid. There, you experience the "ships of the desert" with a brief camel ride. After lunch, continue to the Giza plateau to behold the only Wonder of the Ancient World still standing: the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Kephren and Mykerinus. Nearby, see the Great Sphinx, forever facing due east. Return to your hotel for dinner and an evening at leisure, or attend an optional sound and light show at the pyramids. (B, L, D)

Day 3 Cairo
Today you see some of the sights of Cairo. A city tour takes you to landmarks like the iconic Citadel of Saladin and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali. Lunch is on your own at or near your hotel. This afternoon, tour Cairo's Museum of Egyptian Antiquities to admire its huge collection of artifacts and wander through the hall of mummies. Visit the famous gallery displaying the riches of King Tutankhamen. Dine on your own in Cairo, or take an optional visit to Khan el-Khalili, a colorful outdoor souk (bazaar)-shop or traditional Egyptian goods and have dinner there. (B)

Day 4 Cairo & Luxor
Fly early this morning to Luxor, the city once known as Thebes. Upon arrival, visit the glorious Temples of Karnak and Luxor, where history is brought to life by our expert Egyptologist. Check in for one night at the Luxor Sonesta (or similar) and enjoy some time on your own this evening. (B, L)

Day 5 Luxor
Relax over breakfast, or take an optional early-morning hot air balloon ride over Luxor's temples and monuments. This morning's excursion takes you to the sprawling Dendera Temple complex; walk through the stone entryway to view the columns and hieroglyphics of well-preserved structures such as Hathor Temple. Embark your Nile cruise ship and enjoy a welcome lunch on board. This afternoon we spend some time at the small, beautifully planned Luxor Museum, where you see magnificent antiquities unearthed in the area-including the royal mummies of Ahmose I and Rameses I. Return aboard for dinner and a welcome cocktail. (B, L, D)

Day 6 Luxor
On your final morning in Luxor, visit the Valley of the Kings and the temple of Hatshepsut-one of Egypt's most successful pharaohs and one of her few female rulers-on the Nile's west bank, opposite the city of Luxor. Also see Medinet Habu, the mortuary temple of Rameses III-walk through its monumental peristyle hall decorated with complex hieroglyphics. Return aboard and have lunch as we set sail. Enjoy scenic cruising along the Nile this afternoon. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Edfu, Kom Ombo & Aswan
This morning, visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu, built during the Ptolemaic Dynasty to honor the falcon-headed god. Have lunch on board while sailing toward Kom Ombo. There, you take a guided tour of the unusual double temple dedicated to both Horus and the crocodile god Sobek, a fertility deity thought to have created the world. Return to your ship and continue cruising up the Nile. We arrive at Aswan during dinner, then have a guided walk through the souk and a Nubian party featuring the evocative traditional music of the region. (B, L, D)

Day 8Aswan
After a final breakfast aboard, disembark your Nile ship at Aswan and transfer to Lake Nasser to embark your second ship. Tour the Aswan High Dam, completed in the 1960s, and the Temple of Kalabsha, which honors the androgynous Nubian sky and sun god Mandulis. Then take a scenic ride on a felucca-a traditional Egyptian wooden sailboat-on the Nile, and visit Philae, a small island used as a priestly retreat. Walk through the Temple of Isis, one of the Nubian monuments that comprise a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Return aboard for lunch and sail along the Lake Nasser shoreline. Enjoy dinner and a welcome cocktail. (B, L, D)

Day 9 Wadi el Seboua & Amada
This morning, walk through the "Valley of the Lions"-a striking avenue lined with sphinxes. Then, tour the temple of Dakka, dedicated to the ibis-headed Thoth, and the nearby Greco-Roman temple of Meharakka. Lunch aboard as you cruise across Lake Nasser to Amada. This afternoon, tour the small but interesting Nubian Amada Temple-oldest of the Lake Nasser temples, it houses a collection of brightly painted historical carvings. Return aboard and dine as we arrive in Kasr Ibrim. This evening, attend a Nubian show featuring traditional music, dance and costumes. (B, L, D)

Day 10 Kasr Ibrim & Abu Simbel
This morning, we sail past the iconic Kasr Ibrim Fortress. Learn the story of the last Nubian monument remaining in its original location, and see it from the ship's sun deck. Later, like a mirage shimmering in the noonday sun, Abu Simbel fills the horizon as you slowly approach. These magnificent temples, renowned for their four giant seated figures, were built in the 13th century B.C. by Rameses II and are thought to depict him and his queen, Nefertari. The colossal structures were dismantled and moved to this new location during construction of the Aswan High Dam that created Lake Nasser-a major engineering feat in and of itself. After a guided tour, return aboard for dinner. Tonight, relax on your ship or enjoy an optional sound and light show at Abu Simbel. (B, L, D)

Day 11 Abu Simbel & Cairo
After a leisurely final breakfast aboard, disembark and head to the airport for your flight back to Cairo. Check in to the superior first class CityStars Cairo Hotel (or similar) for 1 night, then enjoy free time. Return to your hotel for dinner and a free evening to relax or explore on your own. (B, L, D)

Day 12 Cairo
After breakfast, we take you to the airport for your flight home.* Or, extend your journey for 4 nights in Jordan. See the lost city of Petra, the Dead Sea and the capital of Amman (see Explore More, below). (B)

The following meals are included:
B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner

*Airport meet & greet transfers included when air is purchased from Viking River Cruises.