AMA Secrets of Egypt & The Nile

Day by day

1. 

   Day 1

   ARRIVE IN CAIRO

   Arrive in Cairo, where you will be met by an AmaWaterways representative who will help you with your luggage and thecustoms and immigration process. With your baggage and customs taken care of and a new stamp in your passport, youwill now be driven to your hotel.

2. 

   Day 2

   CAIRO

   A full day of captivating attractions await, beginning with the exquisite new Grand Egyptian Museum, the world’s largestarchaeological museum with its 100,000 artifacts on display, many never seen by the general public until the opening in2025. With 12 main galleries, the museum is home to some of the greatest masterpieces ever crafted, including the uniquecollection of Pharaonic art including ancient mummies and the complete and priceless treasures of Tutankhamen, the BoyKing. Afterwards, enjoy a delicious lunch featuring local and international cuisine. Then, visit the Mosque of Muhammad –also known as the Alabaster Mosque – which majestically sits on the summit of the Citadel of Saladin's courtyard. From thearcaded courtyard, enjoy the breathtaking view across the city to the Pyramids of Giza. Inside the Mosque, marvel at anornate interior and a splendid array of lamps suspended from the intricately decorated ceiling. Afterward, join an eveningWelcome Reception hosted by your Cruise Manager.

   MealsB, L, WR

3. 

   Day 3

   CAIRO

   Discover the monuments at the UNESCO-designated ancient capital of Memphis. Visit the huge statue of Ramses II, theAlabaster Sphinx and the necropolis of Sakkara – site of the famous step pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest pyramid onearth. Next, enjoy a lovely lunch at the famous Mena House, a historic palatial hotel, based in the shadow of the greatPyramids of Giza. Afterwards, you’ll explore the Great Sphinx and the iconic Giza complex, which consists of three largepyramids built between 2,589 BC and 2,504 BC. Enjoy the evening at your leisure.

   MealsBreakfast, Lunch

4. 

   Day 4

   CAIRO - LUXOR - EMBARKATION

   This morning, visit Coptic Cairo, a neighborhood know for its historic churches and monestaries. Then take an earlyafternoon flight south to Luxor —formerly known as Thebes, the capital city of the New Kingdom of Upper Egypt. Luxor, aUNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to two astonishing temples — Karnak and Luxor. Be welcomed your luxurious rivercruise ship to begin your Nile River Valley cruise. Relax and settle in and before dinner, meet your crew and celebrate witha Captain’s Welcome Cocktail.

   MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

5. 

   Day 5

   LUXOR - EDFU

   Begin the day with a visit to the Valley of Queens, home to the mummified remains of more than 30 queens andprincesses. Next, visit the tombs of ancient Egypt in the Valley of the Kings — one of the most famous archeological sitesin the world. The spectacular rock-cut tombs located on the west bank of Luxor include that of the enigmatic KingTutankhamun, whose mummified remains are still here on display. This site also includes Seti 1’s Tomb, where you’ll enjoyrare access. Afterwards, go to Deir el-Bahri to see the Temple of Hatshepsut, one of Egypt’s most successful pharaohs andthe country’s first female ruler. Your day’s adventure concludes with an up-close view of the Colossi of Memnon — twogigantic statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Once back on board your ship, relax on the Upper Deck and take in theamazing scenery or join the chef at an informal cooking class.

   Note: As of spring 2024, Queen Nefertari’s Tomb has been temporarily closed with no official reopening date. Untilreopening, the equally impressive Seti 1 tomb will be visited as an alternative.

   MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

6. 

   Day 6

   EDFU

   The city of Edfu is best known for one of Egypt’s most remarkably preserved temples, dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god. Built in 230 BC, it is the second-largest temple in Egypt and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with walls that display compelling details about the religion and language of the country’s Greco-Roman period. After visiting Edfu, relax on board and take in the Nile River’s timeless landscapes as the ship continues onward to Aswan.

   MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

7. 

   Day 7

   ASWAN

   Enjoy free time in Aswan or go on an optional excursion to Abu Simbel (must be prebooked). If you purchased the optionalexcursion, enjoy an early morning flight over Lake Nasser to the more than 3,000-year-old Abu Simbel, a UNESCO WorldHeritage Site dedicated to Ramses II, one of the most active of pharaohs, along with the smaller temple dedicated to hischief wife Queen Nefertari. The front of the main temple has four gargantuan statues of Ramses II on his throne, eachmeasuring nearly 70 feet high and discovered half buried in sand in 1813. Later in the afternoon, take a peaceful ride in afelucca, a traditional Egyptian sailboat, around beautiful Elephantine Island, which locals say is the home to legendaryEgyptian god Khnumo. Cap the day off with an optional late afternoon tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel, a 19th-centuryVictorian Palace crafted in rose granite. Delight in an authentic “high tea” experience and revel in the stunning viewsoverlooking the Nile and Elephantine Island. After dinner tonight, continue to experience Egyptian magic with a traditionalfolkloric-style belly dance on board your ship.

   *Guests can reserve the optional tour to Abu Simbel at time of booking your Nile adventure*Abu Simbel: $510.00 per person (highly recommended to book early)*High Tea: $75.00 per person (highly recommended to book early)

   MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

8. 

   Day 8

   ASWAN - ESNA

   Board a motorboat and cruise to the UNESCO-designated Philae Temple complex, boasting some of the most stunninglyrestored and preserved hieroglyphs in Egypt. It was constructed between 380 BC and 362 BC and dedicated to thegoddess Isis, the wife of Osiris and mother of Horus. Next head to a colorful Nubian village on Hisa Island. Meet the warmand friendly Nubian people who will welcome you to their village. During the afternoon, cruise to the Great Temple of KomOmbo, where its soaring columns dramatically rise above the Nile River. Unique in Egypt, this temple is dedicated to twogods — the crocodile god, Sobek, sitting on the right; and the falcon-headed Haroeris, “The Good Doctor.” After visitingKom Ombo, relax on board and take in the Nile River’s timeless landscapes as the ship continues onward to Luxor. In theevening, join your crew outside in a celebration of local customs with the chance to don a Galabeya, traditional Egyptianattire, and toast to the rich culture and history of the Nile River Valley.

   MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

9. 

   Day 9

   ESNA - LUXOR

   Spend a morning of scenic cruising along the glistening Nile River. Relax on the Sun Deck as you cruise from Esna back toLuxor. First, explore the Temple of Karnak, the largest religious complex in Egypt and one of the largest in the world,covering about 200 acres in a vast network of columns, hieroglyphics, obelisks, sphinxes and colossi — even a lake is onthe grounds. The Hypostyle Hall is a great architectural marvel and filled with its roof blocks, supported by colossal 134columns standing at 70 feet high, with 12 larger columns standing at 80 feet high lining the central aisle. This hall is still thelargest room of any religious building in the world. After visiting the temple, journey to a museum and discover the art ofpapyrus making. Learn how the ancient Egyptians used this special plant that flourished in the Egyptian Delta and NileRiver Valley. Made from the aquatic papyrus plant, also known as paper plant, this unique writing material served manypurposes in ancient times from sails, cloth, food and especially paper for important documents and texts. Afterwards, youwill visit the Temple of Luxor, constructed over hundreds of years by Amenhotep III, Ramses II, Tutankhamun and otherpharaohs. You then have the option of heading back to the ship to relax or visiting the colorful Luxor Market, where you canfind eye-catching piles of spices, jewelry and clothing as well as irresistible smells of incense and perfumes.

   MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

10. 

    Day 10

    LUXOR - QENA - LUXOR

    Set sail to Qena to explore its ancient Egyptian heritage. You’ll go to Dendara to visit the best-preserved temple in Egypt,the Temple of Hathor – the Goddess of Love, to whom the powers of joy, feminine love and motherhood were attributed.The temple was built by Ptolemy and a group of Romans who worshipped her; so don’t miss the back of the temple wherethere is a relief depicting Cleopatra with Caesarion, her son by Julius Caesar, the Roman Emperor who brought us themonths of July and August. Following your visit here, sail back to Luxor.

    MealsBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner

11. 

    Day 11

    LUXOR - CAIRO - DISEMBARKATION

    Disembark the ship in Luxor and fly back to Cairo where you will be taken to the Abdeen Presidential Palace, consideredone of the most luxurious palaces in the world. The palace consists of multiple museums, including the Silver Museum; theArms Museum; the Royal Family Museum; a Presidential Gifts Museum and a Historical Documents Museum, which is arelatively new addition. It is also one of the official residences and places of work for the President of Egypt. Afterwards, betreated to a special lunch at the palace.

    MealsBreakfast, Lunch

12. 

    Day 12

    CAIRO - DEPARTURE

    Bid farewell to Cairo and prepare for your flight home.

    MealsBreakfast

Tour Information

Nile Rive Cruise

Cairo (Post Cruise)

No Port Charges but Mandatory Intra Air (Cairo to Luxor)

Pre-Cruise Options

Add 4 Nights Jordan Pre-Cruise

Add 3 Nights Dubai Pre-Cruise or Post-Cruise

Add 2 Nights Alexandria, 1 Night Cairo Post-Cruise

SPECIAL OFFERS

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