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2020 Fascinating Egypt Returned Amazed

with Alexandria, Abu Simbul, and 7-night Nile Cruise

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1 Honolulu Departure.

Our adventure into ancient history begins this afternoon with a departure for the east coast where we make a comfortable connection to Africa. The preliminary flight schedule is ready and displayed online at doldworldjourneys.com under the journey's page.

Day 2 Day use rooms in Newark.

We are scheduled to arrive into Newark in the morning and transfer to a nearby hotel where we have our own rooms to freshen up and stretch out. In the early evening, we board our direct flight to Cairo.

Day 3 Arrival in Cairo, Egypt.

Welcome to fascinating Egypt! Upon arrival, we clear customs formalities, are met, and transfer to the Meridien Pyramids, our home for the next three nights. The balance of our day is at leisure to acclimate at our deluxe resort (overlooking the Great Pyramids) prior to exploring the ancient wonders of the world. Cap off our experience with a Welcome Drink.

Day 4 Excursion to the Pyramids.

Get our camera ready for a day full of amazing highlights. We begin at the famous Egyptian Museum, which houses a staggering collection of artifacts covering 4,000 plus years of Egypt's past. The most fabled and fantastic of all is the collection from the tomb of King Tutankhamun, unearthed by Howard Carter in the Valley of Kings in 1922.

After lunch prepare yourself for a breathtaking experience as we marvel at the Great Pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx facing the direction of the rising sun and glorifying the "greatness of Egypt." Stand in awe in front of the oldest and largest of the Giza pyramids. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet and built more than 4,000 years ago, is the largest and oldest Giza Pyramid. It is the sole survivor of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. This evening we return to the Pyramids for an unforgettable Sound & Light Show. (B), (D)

Day 5 Exploring Old Cairo.

Enjoy full day of sightseeing in Old Cairo, a living reminder of the city's historic past. We start with Saladin's 12th-century Citadel, spectacularly dominating Cairo's skyline, and then a visit to the great Mohammed Ali's (not the boxer) Alabaster Mosque, with its highly decorated and ornate interior. Experience the labyrinthine passage of the Khan el Khalili bazaar before visiting the Hanging Church of St. Mary above the old Water Gate. It's one of the oldest churches in Egypt dating back to 3rd century. (B), (D)

Day 6 Via Wadi El Natrun to Alexandria.

A pleasant drive north first takes us to the Coptic Monasteries at Wadi El Natrun (if open). The name refers to the presence of eight different lakes that have abundant resources of natron salt. In ancient times, this was a necessary ingredient for the mummification process. Continue through the fertile Nile Delta to the seaport of Alexandria. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, this Mediterranean port city soon became one of the major centers of commerce and science in the Hellenistic world. Our sightseeing features the famous ruins of the Great Library, the Greco-Roman museum, and the Roman Theater. Our overnight is at the Hilton Corniche overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. (B), (D)

Day 7 Via Memphis and Cairo to Luxor (Embarkation).

This morning visit Pompey’s massive red granite pillar, and an inside look at the intriguingly decorated Catacomb. On our way back to Cairo, visit ancient Memphis, Egypt's first capital built in 3100 B.C. Here we admire the 40-foot statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx. Then on to Sakkara, the burial site of more than twenty pharaohs and hundreds of nobles dating to 2686 B.C. Of interest to us is Sakkara's "stairway to the sky," the first pyramid ever built. Later, transfer to the airport for our flight taking us 300 miles up the Nile Valley to Luxor. Embarkation will be this evening on board our Nile Cruise. (B), (D)

Our deluxe Nile Cruiser will be our "home away from home" for several nights. Cruising the Nile is one of the world's great travel experiences; every hour reveals some new aspect of Egypt. The sunrise warms the mysterious stones of remote temples, the afternoon sun sparkles in the wake of a felucca sailboat. and long-legged ibis stalk the reeds at dusk. Our ship features comfortable airconditioned cabins, sun deck with plunge pool and bar, cocktail lounge, an attractive dining room, and evening entertainment. It's a romantic way to enjoy the ancient treasures of Egypt.(See the ship’s details for more info.)

Day 8 Nile Cruise: Luxor and Karnak.

The glorious morning is ours to relax and enjoy the sundeck. This afternoon look forward to a grand start to exploring in the Nile Valley. Visiting the stunning monuments of Luxor and Karnak, the greatest cities of ancient Egypt that had a combined population of more than one million in their heyday. Explore the mighty Temple of Amun Ra, with its mass of obelisks, pylons, colossi, and courts. Then walk among it's the colossal pillars and along the Avenue of the Sphinxes which once stretched between the Temples. An experience treasured for the rest of our lives. (B), (L), (D)

Day 9 Nile Cruise: Luxor - Edfu.

Today we find more of the world's greatest marvels. We cross the Nile to the West Bank for a visit to the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. Here generations of pharaohs and nobles were buried in great splendor in crypts cut into the cliffs. Sixty-two royal tombs have been uncovered so far, of which one, the tomb of Tutankhamun, was nearly inviolate when discovered in 1922. Next visit Deir el-Bahari, Queen Hatshepsut's monumental rock temple. Then stop for pictures at the two Colossi of Memnon guarding the valleys, before returning to our ship where a Captain’s Welcome Cocktail Party awaits us. Then enjoy as we sail via the Esna Lock to Edfu. (B), (L), (D)

Day 10 Nile Cruise: Edfu - Aswan.

This morning we board a coach to explore the cult Temple of Horus, with its menacing black stone statue of the falcon god. Built in the time of Cleopatra about 2,000 years ago. It is the second largest temple in the world, considered young by Old Egyptian standards, and best preserved in all of Egypt. Have lunch on board as we continue our tranquil cruise along the Nile to Aswan. Tonight, we don traditional Egyptian Galabeya for a fun-filled Egyptian Dinner and Galabeya Party. (B), (L), (D)

Day 11 Nile Cruise: Aswan.

Today enjoy an excursion to the turn-of-the-century Old Dam, to this day the widest dam in the world, and the gigantic Aswan High Dam. Built with the help of the Russians in 1970, this great dam is 2 miles long, 364 feet high, and 3,215 feet thick at its base. We also stop to see the ancient Granite Quarries to see the famous unfinished obelisk. Next board a motor launch to the Island of Agilika, located between the two dams, and visit the Temple of Isis transplanted from the submerged Island of Philae.

For a special treat this afternoon we board a felucca and sail right across the blue waters of the Nile. The felucca is the traditional craft of Egyptians who have sailed in them down the centuries. We sail around Kitchener Island and Mausoleum of Aga Khan. Marvel at the blood-red sunset with the distinctive sails of dozens of felucca silhouettes against the setting sun. (B), (L), (D)

Day 12 Nile Cruise: Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu.

Dock at Kom Ombo for a short walk to is bluff-top temple dedicated to the crocodile and falcon gods. Some time to haggle for bargains in the local market. Then visit huge sandstone temples of Abu Simbel. It is located in the region surrounding Lake Nasser and site of numerous temples, many of which were relocated with the help of the United Nations when the Aswan High Dam was built. Abu Simbel is the most famous temple in Nubia built by Ramses II between 1300 - 1233 B.C. This colossal structure was carved out of solid sandstone rock. Tonight, savor a Nubian Folklore Show to celebrate our amazing Nile Adventure. (B), (L), (D)

Day 13 Cruising: Edfu - Luxor. Excursion to Denderah.

Continue our cruise back to Luxor where we visit Denderah Temple, dedicated to the Goddess Hathor, with its sunken relief of Cleopatra with Caesarian, her son by Julius Caesar. Another well-preserved temple complexes which 40,000 square meters. Back on our ship, the rest of our day at leisure. Perhaps relax on the deck of our ship and watch the sunset over the Nile waters. Later we savor our last dinner on board our ship. (B), (L), (D)

Day 14 Luxor (Disembarkation) and to Cairo.

After breakfast we say "Aloha" to our wonderful ship's staff and transfer to the airport for our return flight to Cairo. The balance of our day is open to further explore or get in any last minute shopping. Tonight, gather for a Farewell Dinner and discuss the highlights of our Fascinating Egypt Adventure. Concorde El Salam Airport Hotel. (B), (D)

Day 15 To the East Coast.

To make it an easier transition home and avoid waking up very early, we take a mid-morning flight which arrives in Newark in the afternoon. There we transfer to our airport hotel for the night. (B)

Day 16 Heading Home.

Vivid memories of a historical once-in-a-lifetime adventure are with us on our morning flight to Honolulu. We arrive home in the evening.