DAY 1:
Upon arrival, transfer to the 5-star Hotel Marriott, built around a 19th century palace on an island in the Nile River, and our home for the next three nights.

DAY 2:
This morning we visit the Pyramids at the Giza Plateau. The Great Pyramid is one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The pyramid complex was the necropolis for the Old Kingdom royal families, and is dominated by the three magnificent pyramids. The Great Pyramid was built for Khufu (Cheops) in 2528 B.C. His son Khafre (Chephren) created the second pyramid and the Great Sphinx and the valley temple next to it. The third and smallest of the pyramids was built for Khafre's son Menkaure (Mycerinus) and was once covered with costly pink Aswan granite. We continue on to the Solar Boart Museum that houses the 141-foot cedar boat meant to convey King Khufu to paradise. This magnificent boat was discovered in 1954 in a rock-cut pit on the South side of the Great Pyramid. Gather this evening for our welcome dinner party in one of Cairo's fine restaurants. (B/L/D)

DAY 4:
This morning will visit Ben Ezra Synagogue dating from the 10th century, Mohamed Ali Mosque and Abu Serga Church in Old Cairo. We will also spend some time in the stupendous Egyptian Museum, housing the world's greatest collection of Pharaonic antiquities including the amazing treasures from King Tutankhamen's tomb. After lunch at the renowned Khan Khalili restaurant, run by the Oberoi chain and named for the famous Nobel Prize-winning writer who used to dine here almost every day, we will walk through the famous Khan el-Khalili souk, or bazaar, largely unchanged since the 14th century. In the late afternoon, we board our first class train for our dinner and overnight journey to Luxor in private sleeper compartments. (B/L/D)

DAY 5:
Upon arrival into Luxor, transfer to our hotel to freshen up and have breakfast. The celebrated Egyptian city of Thebes, modern Luxor, was described by Homer as "the city of a hundred gates" because so many of its temples had the monumental entrances favored by contemporary Greek architecture. Late morning visit two very special sites: Abydos and The Temple of Dendera. Abydos, one of ancient Egypt's most sacred ancient cities, was the cult center of Egypt's most beloved hero and the central figure of the Osiris legend, and the lovely wall reliefs in the temples tell of this popular tale. There are many temples to Hathor, the cow-goddess who presided over love, music, dance and enjoyment, but the temple in Denderah is the best preserved. The building is richly decorated with 18 Hathor-headed columns supporting the roof of the hypostyle hall and a series of reliefs linking the traditions of Hathor with her husband, Horus. (B/L/D)

DAY 6:
Morning you will be transferred to your Nile Cruise Ship, your floating hotel for the next 5 days. Begin today on Luxor's west bank, the royal necropolis of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile. Guarding the approach to the necropolis are two massive statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. Continue to one of the smallest in the necropolis, the Tomb of Tutankhamun, undoubtedly the most famous of the Egyptian tombs because of the extraordinary discoveries made here in the early 20th century. Deir El Medina was the village home of the workmen who were responsible for the construction and embellishment of the royal tombs from the New Kingdom. The master masons, artists and sculptors who worked on the crypts were born, trained, lived, died, and buried here. Within two of their tombs, we gaze upon dazzling paintings that speak of the status of the individuals. And finally, see the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the female pharaoh, certainly the most beautiful architecture within the Valley of the Kings. Overnight in Luxor. (B/L/D)

DAY 7:
Today's morning tour includes spectacular Karnak and the Temple of Amon. Arguably the most remarkable religious complex ever built, it contains 250 acres of temples, chapels, obelisks, columns and statues built over a period of 2000 years and incorporating the finest aspects of Egyptian art and architecture. Lunch on board while sailing to Edfu. (B/L/D)

DAY 8:
A "caleche" ride will take you through the town to the Temple of Horus, the Falcon God. The Temple of Horus is the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt and the second largest after Karnak. Built from sandstone blocks, the huge Ptolemaic temple has a massive entrance pylon covered with traditional scenes of the king smiting his enemies before Horus. Lunch on board while sailing to Kom Ombo. (B/L/D)