NEW YORK / CAIRO, EGYPT
Wednesday, March 5
Depart New York on an overnight
flight to Cairo.
CAIRO
Thursday, March 6
Arrive in Cairo in the late afternoon and
transfer to the elegant Grand Hyatt Hotel, centrally located
near the Nile River. Gather for introductory remarks by our
lecturers, Professor Susan Ackerman and Curator Karen
Manchester, followed by a reception.
CAIRO
Friday, March 7
A morning lecture will provide an
introduction to ancient Egypt. Drive to Memphis, once the
glorious capital of the Old Kingdom, and explore the openair
museum. In Sakkara see the necropolis, site of the remarkable
Step Pyramid of King Zoser dating from the 27th century
B.C.E., which inspired subsequent pyramid designs in
ancient Egypt. After lunch, see the necropolis of Dahshur
where we can observe the change from “step” pyramid to “true”
pyramid. Return to Cairo for a welcome dinner.
CAIRO
Saturday, March 8
Spend the morning exploring the Great
Pyramids — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World, the Sphinx (above right), the Valley Temple of Chephren and the
Solar Boat Museum. Following lunch at the nearby Mena
House, return to Cairo to tour the Egyptian Museum of
Antiquities, with its great collection including fabulous
relics from Tutankhamun’s tomb. Dine at Abou El Seed,
one of Cairo’s finest restaurants.
CAIRO
Sunday, March 9
Our morning visits focus on Cairo’s
Coptic heritage, as we stroll the narrow streets of the old
city. Enjoy lunch near the medieval fortress of the Citadel
and then see the Alabaster and Sultan Hassan Mosques.
This afternoon you may wish to shop at the fascinating
Khan el Khalili Bazaar. The evening is at leisure.
CAIRO / LUXOR, EGYPT
Monday, March 10
Fly by privately chartered plane this
morning to St. Catherine’s Monastery. Continue to Luxor,
arriving at the Nile Adventurer in time for lunch. Luxor was
the religious capital of the ancient Egyptian empire. This
afternoon we visit Karnak Temple (left), remarkable for its sheer
grandeur and exceptional state of preservation. View the
collections at the outstanding Luxor Museum, and experience
the Luxor Temple during a twilight tour. Return to the
ship for dinner.
LUXOR / ESNA, EGYPT
Tuesday, March 11
This morning is devoted to the West
Bank of Luxor, site of the vast necropolis of ancient Thebes.
In the Valley of the Kings, where tombs of the pharaohs
were cut deep into the mountainside, those of Ramses IV and Tutankhamun are the best known. View the famed
Colossi of Memnon, monumental statues of Amenhotep III,
and the temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el–Bahari.
Reboard the Nile Adventurer in the late morning and sail to
Esna. Attend a lecture during a relaxed afternoon cruise.
EDFU / KOM OMBO, EGYPT
Wednesday, March 12
Step ashore at Edfu for a morning
visit to the Temple of Horus, an outstanding example of
Egyptian architecture, its superbly preserved reliefs retain
many of their original colors. Return to the ship for lunch.
In the afternoon discover Kom Ombo Temple, a picturesque
Ptolemaic temple decorated with a series of beautiful reliefs
and offering splendid views of the Nile.
ASWAN, EGYPT
Thursday, March 13
Arrive in Aswan this morning where
visits include the High Dam of Aswan, the Temple of Philae
and the granite quarries that provided stone used for the
pyramids and the temples at Luxor. In the afternoon enjoy
a sail aboard a felucca, the traditional sailing vessels of the
Nile, passing the lovely Kitchener Botanical Gardens. Then
visit the award-winning Nubian Museum. Dinner on board.
ASWAN / ABU SIMBEL, EGYPT
AQABA / PETRA, JORDAN
Friday, March 14
Following an early breakfast, disembark
the Nile Adventurer and transfer to the airport
for the
private flight to Abu Simbel. The monumental temples of
Ramses II (right)
and his favorite wife, Queen Nefertari, are architectural treasures and one of the
greatest achievements
of historic preservation. Completed before 1235 B.C.E.
and fronted by colossal statues, the temples were constructed
to show Egyptian might to enemies approaching from the
south. Fly to Aqaba, Jordan’s port on the Red Sea, then
drive to Petra and the Mövenpick Resort for dinner and a
two-night stay.
 PETRA
Saturday, March 15
Once the pre-Roman capital of the
Nabataeans, Petra (left) is astounding for its sheer size and grandeur.
Rise early this morning and enter the majestic siq, a narrow
winding gorge accessible only on foot. Visits in Petra include
the Treasury and Royal Tombs. Following lunch, you may
wish to see local artifacts at the Nabataean Museum, explore
the Monastery and Theater or climb to the High Place of
Sacrifice for panoramic views. Dinner is at the hotel.
PETRA / MADABA /
DEAD SEA, JORDAN
Sunday, March 16
Drive along the Desert Highway to
Madaba and view the exquisite 3rd- to 7th-century mosaics (below),
including a fragment depicting an ancient map of Palestine.
After lunch see Mount Nebo, where Moses viewed the
Promised Land. Conclude at the Dead Sea and the
Mövenpick Resort. There will be time to experience the
waters of the Dead Sea before dinner at the hotel.
JERASH / DEAD SEA
Monday, March 17
Our morning visit to Jerash will introduce
one of the best-preserved cities of ancient Rome, complete
with temples, churches, two theaters, a forum and baths.
Return to the hotel for lunch. The afternoon is at leisure
to enjoy the amenities of the hotel prior to our farewell
dinner. Late this evening, transfer to the Amman Airport.
AMMAN, JORDAN / NEW YORK
Tuesday, March 18
Depart on early morning flights to
New York.
Photo Credits: Sphinx/Erin Sorensen; Temple of Ramses II/Galen Frysinger; Petra and Madaba Mosaic/Lauree Feldman
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