Day 1: CAIRO ARRIVAL TRANSFER:
After your long-haul flight from the United States, you will be transferred from Cairo International Airport to your hotel in the heart of Cairo. Take some time to freshen up and rest before an evening on the town.
Optional: Sufi performance in a magnificently restored Ottoman-era mansion in Khan al Khalili

Day 2: PYRAMIDS OF SAQQARA, DAHSHUR, AND GIZA:
There is no better example of Cairo's eclectic mix of ancient and modern than the Pyramids. You will travel chronologically, starting with the oldest, complete, hewn-stone building complex known in history, Saqqara. The Step Pyramid at Saqqara was designed by Imhotep for King Djoser, in approximately 2650BC. The area served as the necropolis to the surrounding region.
Later, you will continue to Dahshur for a closer look at the Red and Bent Pyramids, the next chronological step in pyramid construction. These two pyramids were constructed during the reign of Sneferu, who was father of Cheops (known for his Great Pyramid at Giza). The Red Pyramid is quite interesting as large pieces of the limestone casing are still intact, allowing you to imagine how the pyramids originally looked with their all-white color.
Finally, you will visit the last surviving ancient wonder of the world. You will be guided through the Pyramid and Sphinx complexes, learning the significance of the Giza Pyramids, then and now. (B)

Day 3: EGYPTIAN MUSEUM & MODERN ART MUSEUM:
We start this day of juxtapositions at the unforgettable Egyptian Museum, home to Tutankhamun's treasures and 120,000 other artifacts. Your guided excursion will commence at 09:00 when the doors open and before the thousands of other tourists arrive.
After building upon the more historic knowledge you gleaned on Day 2, you will continue to the Museum of Modern Art for a look at neo-Pharaonic and local post-modern masterpieces. Even an untrained eye will notice the usage of ancient techniques in works that reflect a more contemporary life. This is also a great opportunity to delve into the hidden female world - from the lowest classes to the most affluent - all have been documented on canvas for us to explore. (B)

Day 4: TRANSFER FROM CAIRO TO SIWA:
This morning you will say goodbye to the City Victorious and travel by road along the Mediterranean Sea to the majestic Siwa Oasis. Siwa is very unique, in that it has held onto its Berber and Siwi roots for countless centuries, allowing it to maintain an air of secrecy and tradition that few outsiders can begin to understand. This long drive is made easier by your private transportation and ability to stop for snacks and picture-taking as you wish. Places of interest along the way are Al Alamein Cemetary, final resting place for the Germans, Italians, and members of Commonwealth Nations killed during WWII, and also Marsa Matrouh, a small city with Libyan and Bedouin roots overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. Upon arrival in Siwa, you will be transferred directly to your own, private home. This unique property is a traditional mud-brick abode, outfitted to boutique hotel standards. It features a stunning dining room, full-service kitchen with private chef upon request, and four bedrooms that can accommodate up to ten individuals in total. (B,D)

Day 5: SIWA ANTIQUITIES AND WALKING TOUR:
After Mohammed delivers your warm, freshly-baked bread and you have enjoyed a self-prepared breakfast on your sundeck
overlooking the Shali remains, you will embark on your half-day Antiquity tour. Your guide will take you to the Temple of the Oracle, dedicated to the god Amun. This temple housed one of the world's seven oracles and is said to have strong energy. Pharaohs, Alexander the Great, and other leaders are said to have visited this site over the years. After, you will visit Gebel al Mawta, a hill with tombs dating back to Roman and Ptolemaic times. During WWII, the Siwans hid inside the tombs, taking refuge from the Italian attacks. After enjoying a local lunch and taking some time to rest during the heat of the day, you will embark on a 2 hour walking tour through the gardens and palmeries. You will have the opportunity to watch the sunset from Gebel Dakrar. Upon descending the mountain, we recommend taking a dip at one of the local springs before returning to town via jeep. This evening you will enjoy a traditional home-cooked Siwan meal in our friend's home. Enjoy local delicacies in an authentic environment. (B,L,D)

Day 6: SIWA GREAT SAND SEA JEEP SAFARI:
It does not take much driving by jeep until you reach the famous dunes of the Great Sand Sea. We are hesitant to tell you about all the great places you will go and all of the amazing things you will see, as increased publicity threatens the existence of many areas. What we can tell you is that you will find rare fossils from where the ocean once lay, mummies, and endless dunes.
We will make sure a few sandboards are packed inside the jeep in case you want to take a ride later in the day! Of course, lunch will be prepared for you and you will have the opportunity to relax in one of the beautiful springs before returning to your private accommodation. Depending on the size of your group, we can arrange a spit-roasted lamb dinner on your roof or something a little more simple. (B,L,D)

Day 7: TRANSFER FROM SIWA TO CAIRO:
Your departure time from Siwa is completely up to you - 4am or 10am, no problem. A packed lunch will be included for the day's drive. Return to your Cairo hotel for one final night in the city. (B,L)

Day 8: ISLAMIC & COPTIC CAIRO:
Free day in Cairo to explore on your own.
Optional: Guided tour of Coptic Cairo and end in the Islamic Quarter. it will include Saint Sergius and Bacchus Church, The Hanging Church, Saint Barbara Church, the Synagogue of Ben Ezra, nd Babylon Fortress. Moving further north, you will eventually reach the beginning of the Islamic Quarter. Your first stop will be the Gayer Anderson Museum, the Ibn Tulun Mosque, and the Khan al Khalili market. (B)

Day 9: HIGH DAM AND CAMEL EXCURSION:
Arriving in Aswan, just a 75 minute flight from Cairo, is always an event to remember. Arriving by private car to the Aswan High Dam where you realize the fragility of nature and our reliance on water is … indescribable. After checking into your hotel, you will have the opportunity to just sit back and relax. Later in the day, as the sun begins to set, you will be taken on a one hour camel trek through the West Bank for stunning views of St. Simeon's Monastery, the periwinkle-colored Nubian villages, and the Aga Khan Mausoleum. After dinner, we recommend a wander through the East Bank souqs, where locals and tourists alike mingle in the evening. (B)

Day 10: ABU SIMBEL AND FELUCCA EXCURSION:
This morning you have the Option, you will journey to Abu Simbel by car, home to one of Ramses II's great masterpieces. Known asthe Great Builder, he requested this temple to be built into the face of a mountain, aligned with the rising sun. Standing unscathed for millennia, our modern technology eventually threatened its existence. To combat the effects of the 1960 Aswan High Dam, a team of archaeologists raised the entire mountain 61 meters, trumping the engineering genius of Ramses II.
If do not go to Abu Simbel, this afternoon you will be met by your felucca (traditional sailboat) captain for an afternoon on the River Nile. If you go to Abu Simbel, you will enjoy your felucca excursion prior to departing for Abu Simbel.

In both cases, you will sail between Aswan's islands while feasting on a freshly prepared meal. Feel free to stop at Elephantine Island- a small Nubian village, Kitchener's Island - the botanical garden, or the southern shores where the dunes meet the river for some swimming.

Day 11: EDFU TEMPLE AND LOCAL LUNCH:
After breakfast, you will be transferred 90 minutes to one of our favorite temples - Horus Temple in Edfu. This sacred place is a relatively new discovery as the desert sands enveloped the area over the years. Unlike the other freestanding temples you will visit in Egypt, the roof here is completely intact offering a unique perspective on what these monuments used to look like in their heyday. The visit will be followed by lunch in our friend's home. Please tell us if you prefer chicken, beef, or fish and we guarantee a delicious, freshly-cooked meal in a REAL home, not one designed for tourist groups. Afterwards, you can wander along the river bank and small agricultural area just outside our friend's house, watching the package tourists float by on their giant cruise ships! Another 90 minutes drive and you will be in Luxor, once known as Thebes - the powerhouse of Egypt when it comes to sites and history. (B, L)

Day 12: VALLEY OF THE KINGS AND BICYCLE EXCURSION:
Today starts with a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the West Bank, allowing you to take in the sites from a completely different perspective. After landing near the Colossi of Memnon, you will visit some of the best sites on the West Bank. First, you will visit the Valley of the Kings. This relatively small area of land contains 63 burial chambers hidden within the surrounding mountains. The tombs were built between the 16th and 11th centuries B.C. and contain the famed resting place of King Tutankhamun and his mummy. After, you will visit Hatchepsut's Temple, dedicated to the only female pharaoh ever to rule Egypt. Curiously, the façade takes on a very modern, almost militaristic look.

This afternoon, we will arrange a bicycle ride through the West Bank villages and farming territory. A beautiful, eye-opening experience all of our guests enjoy. This also serves as a nice opportunity to visit some of the temples you saw from the air, like Medinat Habu, the Ramesseum, the Workers Tombs, the Tombs of the Nobles, and the list goes on! (B)

Day 13: KARNAK TEMPLE AND LUXOR MUSEUM:
This morning we will focus on the best two sites on Luxor's East Bank - Karnak Temple and the Luxor Museum.
Karnak is the largest ancient religious site in the world. The precinct of Amun-Re is the only area open to visitors, but features the outstanding majority of ancient relics. Remember, this complex was built upon by over thirty different pharaohs, starting from 1600BC, making it one of the most special sites in Egypt. Luxor Museum is easily done as a self-guided visit, as the exhibits are laid out in a logical format and are accompanied by information explaining their historical relevancy. The museum features a carefully selected display of some of the region's best antiquities. Later this afternoon, you may enjoy shopping at some of the local Fair Trade stores. Here, the majority of the products are hand-made by women who are paid a fair wage for their products. New stores are popping up on both sides of the Nile and becoming increasingly popular. Evening transfer and flight back to Cairo. Overnight at Cairo hotel. (B)