Overview
Features
Itinerary
Extension
Overview (Return to top)
The mere mention of the name Egypt evokes images of a rich history and sights that spark the imagination. The power, beauty, and sheer volume of what the ancient Egyptians accomplished speaks eloquently to us today.
We offer you this outstanding opportunity to visit one of the most compelling places on Earth. This 11-day expedition takes travelers behind the scenes and lets you explore some of the greatest monuments of the ancient world, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, the Tombs of the Nobles, the Citadel of Saladin, the Alabaster Mosque, and much more.
Along the way you’ll stay in fine accommodations -- a luxurious Nile cruise ship and superbly located hotels. At the Mena House Oberoi you’ll stay in the historic Palace Wing, and the Cairo Marriott is a former palace. And perhaps more important, you’ll enjoy the camaraderie of a wonderful group of travelers who will make this experience as enriching as it is memorable.
Priced from $3,698 plus air
International Expeditions
For reservations or additional information, contact:
Jan Breitman [jbreitman@alumni.iastate.edu]
Iowa State University Alumni Association
Phone: (515) 294-6526 direct or (877) ISU-ALUM toll-free
Fax: (515) 294-9402
Features (Return to top)
• All scheduled transportation in Egypt by land and boat
• All excursions accompanied by English-speaking Egyptologist guides
• Complete pre-departure information to help you get the most out of your expedition
• Tips to site guides, boat crew, and drivers
• All meals as shown in the itinerary
• All transfers, porterage, and service charges
Itinerary (Return to top)
Day 1
New York/Cairo
Our expedition begins in New York, where we board our overnight flight to Cairo. [Meals aloft.]
Day 2
Cairo
On arrival, transfer to the deluxe Mena House Oberoi Hotel, originally built as a hunting lodge for the Khedive Ismail. You’ll have spectacular views of the pyramids throughout the hotel. [Meals aloft.]
Day 3
Cairo/Pyramids of Giza/The Sphinx/Sakkara/Memphis
After a morning briefing by our Egyptologist, we visit the pyramids, the sole survivors among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We learn how they were built and about their 6,000-year history. We’ll have close-up look at the Sphinx, carved from a single massive sandstone outcrop, and see the Solar Boat, Cheops’ 142-foot funerary boat. Afterward, we drive to Sakkara and see the Step Pyramid, built by the architectural genius Imhotep for the pharaoh Djoser. At nearby Memphis we see the Alabaster Sphinx and the toppled statue of Ramses II. We stay at the Mena House Oberoi. [B, L, D]
Day 4
Cairo/Luxor
This morning we fly from Cairo to Luxor and cross the Nile to Luxor’s West Bank. We visit the temple of Karnak, a tremendous site, built marvel by marvel by generation of pharaohs. We continue to the exquisite Luxor Temple before we check into the Winter Palace. [B, L, D]
Day 5
Luxor
Today wee see the Colossus of Memnon, two giant seated statues of Amenophis III. We continue to the Valley of the Kings, entering some of the well-preserved tombs to see their marvelous paintings and reliefs. Then we visit the Tombs of the Nobles, which have evocative paintings, and the ancient workmen’s village. We then check in to our spacious cabins aboard the M/S Tu-Ya, our home for the next four nights. [B, L, D]
Day 6
Nile Voyage
Nile Voyage aboard the M/S Tu-Ya. [B, L, D]
Day 7
Nile Voyage
This morning, in the riverfront town of Edfu, we explore one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt -- the Temple of Horus. The famous statue of Horus as a falcon stands in the courtyard. Later we sail to Kom Ombo, a temple with beautiful reliefs dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek. We continue our cruise on the Nile, and tonight enjoy a party aboard the M/S Tu-Ya. [B, L, D]
Day 8
Nile Voyage
In Aswan, our day begins with a visit to the unfinished obelisk, where we learn how massive stones were cut and the ancient monuments were built. Next we tour the Aswan High Dam. We visit the lovely Temple of Philae, on an island in the Nile, and then sail in a traditional “felucca” sailboat. After dinner aboard the ship, we enjoy a Nubian folkloric show. Tonight we have our last night about the M/S Tu-Ya. [B, L, D]
Day 9
Aswan/Abu Simbel/Cairo
Early today we fly from Aswan to Abu Simbel, located on Lake Nasser. Built by Ramses II, Abu Simbel rises more than 100 feet high and has four colossal stone figures of the pharaoh. The cliff into which they were carved was flooded when the Aswan Dam was built, so the entire complex was disassembled and rebuilt, piece by piece, on higher ground. This afternoon we fly back to Cairo and check in to the Cairo Marriott, a former palace. Tonight dinner is on our own. [B, L]
Day 10
Cairo/Citadel/Egyptian Museum
This morning we visit the Citadel of Saladin, built high above the city. Here we see the Alabaster Mosque, one of the finest and most famous houses of worship in the world. Lunch is in a fine local restaurant. Then we tour the Egyptian Museum, where thousands of years of Egyptian history are on display, including the treasures of Tutankhamon and the mummies of some of the pharaohs. This evening we enjoy a farewell dinner celebration. We stay at the Cairo Marriott. [B, L, D]
Day 11
Cairo/New York
After breakfast, we depart for the airport and our flights to New York. [B, Meals aloft.]
Extension (Return to top)
Optional Extension to Jordan
Day 10
Cairo/Amman
We take a late afternoon flight to Amman and transfer to our hotel, the Amman Sheraton Hotel. [B, D]
Day 11
King’s Highway/Petra
We tour the lovely city of Amman, then drive along the King’s Highway, stopping at Mt. Nebo, where Moses is said to have died, and Madaba, whose church houses an ancient mosaic map of the Middle East. In the late afternoon we arrive at Petra and stay at the Petra Mövenpick. [B, L, D]
Day 12
Petra
We take a full-day walking tour of Petra. We’ll traverse the mile-long winding “Siq,” then emerge with a classic view of the “Treasury.” Hundreds of Petra’s structures surround you, including soaring temples, royal tombs, a Roman theater, and burial chambers. We overnight at the Petra Mövenpick. [B, L, D]
Day 13
Bethany Beyond the Jordan/The Dead Sea
We travel to the fortress of Kerak, then continue to the Jordan River Valley and Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the site where, according to tradition, Jesus was baptized. We then go the short distance to the Dead Sea. There’s time for a swim in the Dead Sea if you wish. [B, L, D]
Day 14
Amman/Cairo
This morning we depart for the ancient city of Jerash, seeing Hadrian’s Arch, the Theater, the Temple of Artemis, and the 800-yard-long colonnaded main street. We transfer to the airport for our early evening flight to Cairo. On arrival we transfer to the International Cairo City Stars. [B, L]
Day 15
Cairo/New York
After breakfast, we depart for the airport and our flight to New York. [B, Meals aloft.]
Optional Jordan extension priced from $1,698.
Egypt & the Nile
