Isreal & Egypt

USA DEPARTURE
Make your way to your gateway airport to board your flight to Tel Aviv. Enjoy in-flight meals and services. Overnight Onboard Flight

TEL AVIV – ARRIVAL (-/-/D)
Welcome to Israel! Upon arrival at Ben Gurion International Airport, you will be met by our staff and transferred to your hotel. Dinner and Overnight in Tel Aviv

CAESAREA – MUHRAKA – MEGIDDO – ACRE (B/-/D)
Depart Tel-Aviv and drive along the coastal plain to Caesarea, once the Roman capital of the region. Visit the excavations ofthe ancient city,the Roman theatre, an aqueduct. Continue to Muhraka, the site of confrontation betweenElijah and the prophets of Baal; enjoy the spectacular view of the Jezreel valley and the lower Galilee. Travel to Megiddo, known as the site of Armageddon. Study the impressive history of this extraordinary battlefield as you visit archaeological excavations including the well-preserved water supply system. From there you will head to Acre to visit the remarkable underground Crusader City and crypt. Walk through the Old City recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the local market, and harbor. Overnight on the Shores of the Sea of Galilee

TIBERIAS – CAPERNAUM – BANIAS (B/-/D)
After a short tour of Tiberias, enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Visit the Yigal Allon Center where the "Jesus Boat", an ancient fishing boat from the 1st century, is displayed. Continue to Capernaum to visit the remains of the 2nd-century synagogue. Stop at Tabgha, the site of the Miracle of Fish and Loaves, and visit the Church of Multiplication with its 4th-century mosaic floor. Continue to the Mount of Beatitudes,the place where Jesus delivered the sermon on the mount. Drive to Banias Springs and tour the Golan heights.
Overnight on the Shores of the Sea of Galilee

CANA – NAZARETH – BEIT SHE’AN – JERUSALEM(B/-/D)
Drive to Cana to visit the Wedding Church, where Jesus performed his first miracle turning water into wine. Continue to Nazareth to visit the Church of Annunciation, Joseph’s workshop, and Mary’s well. Proceed to Yardenit, the baptismal site on the Jordan River. Next, you will stop at Beit She’an to visit the newly excavated Roman city and amphitheater. Drive along the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem. Dinner and Overnight in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM (B/-/D)
Drive to the Mount of Olives for a panoramic view of the city. Visit the Church of All Nations, King David’s Tomb and Room of Last Supper on Mt. Zion. Enter the Old City; walk through the Cardo, the ancient roman road; visit the Jewish and Christian quarters; admire the Temple Mount and walk along the Via Dolorosa and oriental Bazaar to visit the Church of Holy Sepulcher. Next, drive to the Garden Tomb and enjoy the beautiful gardens and peaceful ambiance. Dinner and Overnight in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM – BETHLEHEM – JERUSALEM (B/-/D)
Drive to Ein Karem to visit the Church of Visitation. Proceed to Yad Vashem, the Official Israeli Memorial of the Holocaust. From there you will discover the Israel Museum, the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are housed, and the miniature model of Jerusalem as it was during the Second Temple period. Proceed to Bethlehem*, the birthplace of Jesus. Visit Shepherds' Field and walk through the Manger Square to visit the remarkable Church of Nativity. Return to Jerusalem. Dinner and Overnight in Jerusalem *Visit subject to availability

JERUSALEM – QUMRAN – MASADA – DEAD SEA – JERUSALEM(B/-/D)
Drive through the Judean hills to Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Continue your journey along the shores of the Dead Sea to Masada, the last stronghold of the Jews after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D. Ascend Masada by cable car and tour the mountain fortress built by King Herod. Visit the remains of the walls, water cistern and Herod’s Palace; descend by cable car. Continue to the Dead Sea, the lowest point on Earth. Enjoy the opportunity to float in the unsinkable water and cover yourself with the mineral-rich mud, believed to have therapeutic effects. Dinner and Overnight in Jerusalem

Jerusalem – CAIRO(By Flight) (B/-/-)
Today you will be transferred back to Dubai International Airport for your flight to Cairo. Cairo, called Al-Qahirah in Arabic, is not only one of the largest cities in Africa with a population of 17 million but is the political and cultural center of the Arab World. The city’s old quarters retain their ancient charm with many streets known by descriptions given to them by medieval chroniclers. Modern Cairo’s architecture is distinguished by Ottoman and later European influences, particularly in commercial architecture as the city’s population boomed during the 19th century. Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Cairo

CAIRO – LUXOR (EMBARKATION) (B/L/D)
This morning you will be transferred back to Cairo International Airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival in Luxor, you will be escorted to the cruise ship for embarkation. This will be your home for the next four nights. Enjoy lunch on board, and in the afternoon, you will visit the temples of Luxor and Karnak. The Luxor Temple was the center of the most important festival, the Festival of Opet. Built largely by Amenhotep III and Ramses II, it served as a setting for the rituals of the festival, which was held to reconcile the human aspect of the ruler with his divine office. The procession of images of the current royal family began at Karnak and ended at the Luxor Temple. The Karnak Temple was constructed in 1928 BC as a small shrine dedicated to Amun, the god of Thebes. The Temple of Karnak consists of three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples
— all constructed over 1300 years. The three main temples of Mut, Monthu and Amun, are enclosed in enormous brick walls, with the temple of Amun at the center. Karnak is now one of the largest and oldest temple compounds on Earth. Dinner and Overnight Onboard Cruise in Luxor

LUXOR – EDFU (B/L/D)
Optional: Hot Air Ballooning Over the Valley at Sunrise: USD 280 per person based on Min. of 2pax Available: Every Day
Departure Time: Approx. 4 am - *Pick up time may vary depending on the location / pick up point / flight time
Meeting Point: Cruise Lobby
Discover the ancient sights of Luxor from the air. See this spectacular landscape from the unique viewpoint that only hot air ballooning can provide. Glide majestically over the temples and burial grounds of the Pharaohs and allow history to come to life before your eyes.
After breakfast, cross the newly constructed Luxor Bridge to visit the Valley of the Kings, which includes the tombs of the Theban rulers, Seti I and Tutankhamen. The Valley of the Kings in Upper Egypt is home to many pharaonic tombs of the New Kingdom, including those of King Tutankhamun and Ramses the Great. Each king's formal name and title are inscribed in his tomb, adorned with images and statues. Most of the tombs were cut into limestone following a similar pattern: three corridors, an antechamber, and a sunken sarcophagus chamber.
Explore several amazing Royal Tombs. From there you will visit the Valley of the Queens which includes between 75 and 80 tombs. These tombs belong to Queens of the 18th, 19th, and 20th Dynasties. Among these lies the famous tomb of Nefertiti, one of the five wives of Ramses II. Afterwards, tour the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, the only woman Pharaoh to rule ancient Egypt. The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th dynasty was built just north of the Middle Kingdom temple of Mentuhotep Nebhepetre, amid the bay of cliffs known as Deir El-Bahri. In ancient times the temple was known as Djeser-djeseru, meaning the sacred of sacreds. The female pharaoh chose to build her temple in a valley sacred to the Theban Goddess of the west, on a direct axis with the Karnak Temple of Amun on the East Bank. After lunch on board, we will cruise to Edfu via Esna. Ancient Nubia was known as the “Land of Gold” to the pharaohs, and its wealth and lands were incorporated into Egypt around 1500 BC. In the afternoon join your shipmates for afternoon tea. Dinner and Overnight Onboard Cruise in Edfu

LUXOR – EDFU – KOM OMBO – ASWAN (B/L/D)
Enjoy breakfast on board before visiting the Temple of Edfu. This temple is not only the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt, but it is also the second-largest after Karnak. It was believed the temple was built on the site of the great battle between Horus and Seth. Hence, the current temple was but the last in a long series of temples built on this location. We will then sail to Kom Ombo to enjoy lunch and afternoon tea on board the ship. In the afternoon, disembark the ship and head on a short walk to the Temples of Kom Ombo. This magnificent complex consists of two temples: The Temple of Sobek and the Temple of Haroeris. In ancient times, sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank near here. The complex has scanted remains, due first to the changing Nile, then the Copts who once used it as a church, and finally by builders who used the stones for new buildings. As we sail toward Ancient Nubia, participate in an Egyptian Galabeya Party. Overnight Onboard Cruise in Aswan

ASWAN (B/L/D)
Today you will visit the Aswan High Dam (completed in 1971) and the Old Dam (completed in 1902). You will also visit the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, a structure rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser at the time of the High Dam's construction. Just north of the border between Egypt and Sudan lies the Aswan High Dam, a huge rockfill dam capturing the world's longest river, the Nile, in the world's largest artificial reservoir, Lake Nasser. The dam, known as “Sadd El-Aali” in Arabic, was completed in 1970 after 10 years of work. Later, take a short trip on a motorboat to discover the Philae Temple. The boat ride will bring the visitor to a magnificent vista of the island, before landing at what would have been the ancient quay on the south side. The temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis and has many legends connected to it. The most well-known legend tells the story of how Isis found the heart of Osiris here after his murder by his brother Seth. Overnight Onboard Cruise in Aswan

ASWAN – CAIRO (DISEMBARKATION) (B/-/-)
Disembark the cruise after breakfast before being transferred to Aswan Airport for your flight back to Cairo. In Cairo, you will be met and escorted back to the hotel. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure or perhaps take an optional tour. Overnight in Cairo

OPTIONAL
Morning visit to Abu Simbel: Call for pricing based on Min. of 2pax
Available: Every Day
Departure Time: Approx. 7 am - *Pick up time may vary depending on the location / pick up point / flight time
Meeting Point: Cruise Lobby
This morning you will transfer to Aswan Airport to board a flight to Abu Simbel. Upon arrival in Abu Simbel, you will be transferred to the temple site. Visit the Temple of Ramses and the Temple of Queen Nefertari. Not only are the two temples located at Abu Simbel among the most magnificent monuments in the world, but their removal and reconstruction were historic events. Two of the temples, Rameses II (primarily dedicated to Re-Harakhte), and that of his wife Nefertari (dedicated to Hathor) were originally located in Lake Nasser (280 km from Aswan) but had to be relocated due to the risk of sinking. After the tour, you will be transferred back to the airport for a short flight to Aswan.

CAIRO (B/-/-)
Today you will visitthe Pyramids & Sphinx — reckoned by the Greeks to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A single pyramid is built from 2,300,000 blocks, each weighing an average of two and one–half tons. In the face of such immensity, one cannot help butfeelthe wonder and awe that so many writers and artists have sought to convey over the centuries. The Cheops Pyramid is particularly interesting since its interior burial chambers are open for inspection by the public. Not far from the Pyramids lies the Great Sphinx of Giza, dating from the time of Chephren (2620 BC). Hewn from natural yellowish limestone, standing 65 feet high & 187 feet long, this unforgettable statue combines the head of a Pharaoh with a lion’s body. Afterwards, you will return to the hotel, with the rest of the day at leisure or perhaps book one of the following optional tours. Overnight in Cairo

OPTIONAL
Visit the Incredible Egyptian Museum: Call for pricing Available: Every Day Departure Time: Approx. 12 pm - *Pick up time may vary depending on the location / pick up point Meeting Point: Hotel Lobby In the afternoon, you may experience the most important depository of Egyptian antiquities anywhere in the world. The Egyptian Museum boasts 107 halls filled with approximately 160,000 objects covering 5,000 years of Egypt’s past. It features artifacts from the Pharaonic and Graeco-Roman periods, including the celebrated mummies of ancient Egypt’s king and Tut Ankh Amun treasures.

OPTIONAL
Optional: Half Day Citadel, Mosques & Khan Khalili Bazaar: Call for pricing Available: Every Day Departure Time: Approx. 3 pm - *Pick up time may vary depending on the location / pick up point Meeting Point: Hotel Lobby The Citadel, situated on a highly visible spur of the Mokattam Hills of Old Cairo, was the nerve center of Egypt for nearly 700 years. Construction of the grand structure began in 1176 and was completed by Muhammad Ali Pasha, ruler of Egypt in the late 19th century. Mamluk sultans and Turkish governors resided in the Citadel; one of the world's most fascinating monuments of medieval warfare. Facing the Citadel is the Mosque of Sultan Hassan, built between 1356 and 1363 and perhaps the most majestic monument of Arab architecture in Egypt. The Mosque of Al-Rifai was constructed in two phases over the period between 1869 and 1912 when it was finally completed. The tour also includes a visit to Khan El Khalili, known as the Turkish bazaar during the Ottoman period. It was built in 1382 by Emir Djaharks ElKhalili, in the heart of what was then Fatimid City. Until this day, the bazaar remains a center of trade and communion in the city and offers a wide array of antiques, handcrafts of gold, silver and copper, as well as old coffee shops and local restaurants which attract Egyptians and tourists alike.

OR

Optional: Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids: Call for pricing Available: Every Day Departure Time: Approx. 6 pm - *Pick up time may vary depending on the location / pick up point Meeting Point: Hotel Lobby This evening you will return to Giza for a spectacular Sound and Light Show. Nothing compares to seeing the Pyramids and the Sphinx illuminated at night. The visual effects and dramatic commentary make for a truly unforgettable evening. The show will begin with the story of the Sphinx; the vigilant guardian of the City of the Dead for five thousand years. The show depicts the story of the building of the Pyramids of Cheops, Kephren, Mykerinos and relates the history of great and famous figures of ancient Egypt such as Nefertiti, Thutmosis IV, Akhnaten and Tut Ank.

CAIRO – USA (B/-/-)
Today you will be transferred back to Cairo International airport for your onward flight. END OF OUR SERVICES