Ancient Splendors of Egypt and the Nile aboard Uniworld’s S.S. Sphinx a Hosted-Group 12-day Sailing

Arrive at Cairo International Airport. If your tour package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, a Uniworld representative will be on hand to greet you and escort you to the opulent Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza or to the stunning Nile Ritz-Carlton (or similar).

Cairo

​The ancient quarter of Cairo is intense—the colors, the sounds, the density of people—and it’s likely been this way for thousands of years. Your local expert will show you a 12th-century citadel, the beautiful Alabaster Mosque and an unsurpassed collection of priceless artifacts, including mind-boggling treasures once buried with the boy king Tutankhamen.

Note: Dressing modestly is recommended as a show of respect for the culture and customs of the Egyptian people. In particular, women should ensure that shoulders are covered and legs are concealed at least to the knee on all shore excursions throughout this itinerary. It’s very important to follow these guidelines, especially in places where you won’t be guided.

Featured Excursion: Citadel of Salah al-Din, Alabaster Mosque, and Egyptian Museum

Cairo, Fly to Luxor (Embark) Cruising the Nile River, Dendera

​Prepare to be amazed at the legendary Temple of Karnak, a massive and absolutely astounding site, with gigantic columns, broad avenues lined with stone sphinxes and halls of truly epic proportions. This evening, you’ll revel in a Welcome Reception and Dinner onboard.

Note: Flights to Luxor depart early in the morning to take advantage of more favorable weather and traffic conditions, and to optimize tour scheduling.

Featured Excursion: Temple at Karnak

Dendera, Cruising the Nile River, Luxor

​Like its twin shrine, the Temple of Karnak, the Temple of Luxor stands on the site of ancient Thebes, the once flourishing capital of Egypt’s New Kingdom. It was built over hundreds of years and even in ruins, it is still an extraordinary place. You’ll also visit the Temple of Hathor, dedicated to the goddess of love and beauty.

Featured Excursions: Temple of Hathor, Temple of Luxor

Luxor, Cruising the Nile River, Kom Ombo

​The word “colossal” will take on a whole new meaning after today’s excursion to the gigantic twin statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. And that’s just the beginning—you’ll also visit the temple of one of Egypt’s rare female pharaohs as well as the Valley of the Kings, used as a royal burial place for nearly 500 years and where the mummified remains of Tutankhamen are on display.

Featured Excursion: Colossi of Memnon, Hatshepsut Temple, and Valley of the Kings

Kom Ombo, Cruising the Nile River, Aswan

​After visiting a temple dedicated to a crocodile god today (don’t miss the display of some of the 300 mummified crocs found in the local area), hop aboard a small boat for a bird-watching excursion along the Nile.

Featured Excursions: Kom Ombo Temple and bird-watching boat ride

Aswan

Today is an epic day, filled with wonders from start to finish. You’ll visit a marvel of modern engineering—the Aswan High Dam—as well as the Unfinished Obelisk and the beautiful Philae Temple complex, which was moved from one island to another back in the 1970s. But wait, there’s more. You’ll also take a ride in a felucca—a traditional Egyptian sailboat—and enjoy afternoon tea at a famous hotel depicted in Agatha Christie’s novel Death on the Nile.

Featured Excursions: Boat ride in traditional Nile River felucca and afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan, Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, and Temple of Isis, After dinner onboard this evening, you’ll be treated to an enchanting Nubian show featuring traditionally attired performers, live music and dancing.

Aswan, Cruising the Nile River, Edfu

​Spend the day at leisure or join us for an optional excursion to see the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel.

Esna, Cruising the Nile River, Luxor

​On today’s excursion, you’ll learn how the Temple of Esna was buried under debris for many centuries and is one of the last great Egyptian temples ever built. Your Egyptologist guide will share all sorts of fascinating insights about this significant cultural site and show you the façade bearing the last known hieroglyphic inscriptions ever recorded in Egypt.

Featured Excursion: Temple of Khnum, Later, savor the Nile’s majestic scenery as the ship cruises to Luxor.

Luxor (Disembark), Fly to Cairo

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Disembark in Luxor and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo. Then, check in to your luxury hotel where you’ll have time to relax before dinner.

​Note: Flights to Cairo depart early in the morning to take advantage of more favorable weather and traffic conditions, and to optimize tour scheduling.

Cairo

​It’s a day of Bucket List Moments today as we venture to Ancient Memphis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a number of amazing monuments to see—including the enigmatic Great Sphinx. You’ll have a thrilling opportunity to view the pyramids from an up-close perspective, the only way to fully appreciate their remarkable size and grandeur.

Featured Excursion: Ancient Memphis sites, including the Pyramids of Giza with small pyramid entry, the Great Sphinx, and Sakkara visit

Depart Cairo

​Check out of your hotel and transfer to the Cairo International Airport for your flight home, or extend your trip with a memorable optional extension in Jerusalem.

​Note: Optional add-ons to Jordan or Israel available!  Please email tours@everyqueer.com for more info.

This program includes some early morning activities. Flights between Cairo and Luxor may require wake-up calls at 5:00am or earlier. Guided tours typically begin in the morning and may include a motor coach drive