A mesmerizing country of ancient civilization, Egypt’s culture and mysterious past fascinate generation after generation. Your journey begins in Cairo, Africa’s most populated metro area. See the Sphinx, Valley Temple, and great Giza pyramids, standing since approximately 2,560 BC. Enjoy an included guided visit of the National Egyptian Museum as well as Coptic Cairo and the Saladin Citadel. Follow the Nile Delta to Alexandria and visit the Fort of Qait, the gardens of Montaza Palace, and the new library. Along the Mediterranean coastal road, visit El Alamein, where two decisive battles were fought during WWII. On the way back to Cairo, visit one of the ancient Coptic monasteries and shop for souvenirs at the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. Discover more amazing sites as you visit the fascinating step pyramid of Sakkara and the open-air museum in Memphis, then fly to Luxor and visit the Temple of Amun-Ra in Karnak and the Temple of Luxor. Next, embark your ship for an exciting 4-night Nile River cruise, from which you’ll visit the Valley of Kings, Deir el-Bahri, the Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, the High Dam, and more. Fly to Abu Simbel and visit the famous ancient temples before returning to Cairo for a final overnight and the conclusion of your memorable trip.
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Day 1
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this exciting city. Later, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner this evening. (D)
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Day 2
This morning, drive to the Giza Plateau to visit the three pyramids of Kings Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinos, as well as the Valley Temple with the Sphinx. In the afternoon, visit the National Egyptian Museum and listen to the historic commentary given by your Tour Director as you walk around the exhibit halls. Also admire the treasure of the “Boy King,“ Tutankhamun. Tonight, join the optional evening Nile dinner cruise, which includes belly dancing and a folklore show. (B)
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Day 3
Discover the oldest part of the city, known as Coptic Cairo, originally a Roman fortress town called “Babylon.” Today, some of the Roman walls can still be seen. Next, visit the Citadel of Saladin with its beautiful mosque. Leave Cairo and drive north through the Nile Delta area. Lunch is included en route. More vistas of the Egyptian countryside come alive before reaching Alexandria for three overnights. (B,L,D)
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Day 4
Alexandria, the “Pearl of the Mediterranean,” is the very essence of everything Egyptian—cosmopolitan, cultured, elegant, architecturally contrasting, effervescently alive, and, above all, conscious of its beauty and magnetism. On the included city sightseeing, see the catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar, and the new Alexandria library. Stop by the Fort of Qait, and enjoy a stroll around the gardens of the royal Montaza Palace. Afternoon and evening are at leisure. (B)
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Day 5
Drive along the Mediterranean coastal road for a stop in El Alamein, made famous by the decisive victory of the Allies during WWII. Visit the military museum and cemetery and enjoy the included lunch before heading back to Alexandria. (B,L,D)
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Day 6
Experience completely different scenery today as you travel back to Cairo on the desert road. Stop in Wadi el Natrun, situated in a valley dotted with oases. Visit one of the Coptic monasteries of this area and learn about the Coptic faith. Arrive in Cairo in time for some last-minute shopping at the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. (B,D)
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Day 7
Start the day with the included visit to the ancient Memphis Open-Air Museum. Then, see Sakkara's “stairway to the sky,“ the oldest of all pyramids. Later, time at leisure. (B)
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Day 8
Fly to Luxor. On arrival, enjoy a visit to the colossal Temple of Amun-Ra in Karnak and the Temple of Luxor. Board your cruise ship, the HS Amarante Isis or Osiris. Overnight in Luxor. (B,L,D)
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Day 9
This morning focus on the Valley of Kings, situated on the West Bank of the Nile. Visit Deir el-Bahri, Queen Hatshepsut’s monumental rock temple, and take pictures of the two Colossi of Memnon guarding the valleys. Return to the ship and sail down the Nile toward Edfu. (B,L,D)
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Day 10
Board a horse-drawn carriage for the drive through Edfu to the Temple of Horus. Return on board for lunch, then sail to Kom Ombo. Enjoy a short walk to its bluff-top temple dedicated to the crocodile and falcon gods. Cruise to Aswan. (B,L,D)
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Day 11
Start the day with a visit to the High Dam and the Temple of Philae. Afternoon at leisure. (B,L,D)
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Day 12
Early morning flight to Abu Simbel. Guided visit of the famous temples. Return to Aswan before your flight to Cairo for an overnight. (B)
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Day 13
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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Headsets throughout the tourSightseeing: Visits to Cairo, Giza, Alexandria, El Alamein, Memphis, Sakkara
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Services of a professional Tour Director while touring
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CAIRO Mövenpick Pyramids (F)ALEXANDRIA Sheraton Alexandria (F)CAIRO Concorde El Salaam (F)
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Buffet breakfasts (B); 6 lunches (L); 8 dinners (D)
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NOTE:- December 23 Departure - Christmas week
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Dates & Prices do not include air travel. Participation in this vacation requires purchase of the following flights from Cosmos, not included in pricing: (1) roundtrip air from your U.S. gateway and intra-vacation air segments; or (2) intra-vacation air segments only, starting at $270. Required intra-vacation air segments: Cairo/Luxor; Aswan/Abu Simbel/Aswan; Aswan/Cairo. Air prices were effective September 19, 2012 and their availability is limited. At the time you purchase your tour, air prices may be higher.Prices based on double room occupancy.Single room supplement: $570. Guaranteed shares not available.No triple room reduction.2014 departures are subject to itinerary and price modification. Details will be available in September 2013.
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6770|Cairo, Alexandria & the Mediterranean
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Cairo, Alexandria & the Mediterranean with Nile Cruise & Abu Simbel
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Transportation: Scheduled transatlantic flights and airport transfers in Cairo if Cosmos issues the air tickets. Touring by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach. Cruise in fully air-conditioned outside cabins with private bath, shower, and toilet on the MS Mövenpick Darakum. All port taxes are not included
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A mesmerizing country of ancient civilization, Egypt’s culture and mysterious past fascinate generation after generation. Your journey begins in Cairo, Africa’s most populated metro area. See the Sphinx, Valley Temple, and great Giza pyramids, standing since approximately 2,560 BC. Enjoy an included guided visit of the National Egyptian Museum as well as Coptic Cairo and the Saladin Citadel. Follow the Nile Delta to Alexandria and visit the Fort of Qait, the gardens of Montaza Palace, and the new library. Along the Mediterranean coastal road, visit El Alamein, where two decisive battles were fought during WWII. On the way back to Cairo, visit one of the ancient Coptic monasteries and shop for souvenirs at the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar. Discover more amazing sites as you visit the fascinating step pyramid of Sakkara and the open-air museum in Memphis, then fly to Luxor and visit the Temple of Amun-Ra in Karnak and the Temple of Luxor. Next, embark your ship for an exciting 4-night Nile River cruise, from which you’ll visit the Valley of Kings, Deir el-Bahri, the Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, the High Dam, and more. Fly to Abu Simbel and visit the famous ancient temples before returning to Cairo for a final overnight and the conclusion of your memorable trip.
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