Jay Weber Explorer's Egypt

View the Explorer's Egypt Brochure

Thursday, Sept 4 -Day 1 • U.S. / Cairo
Our expedition begins when we board our overnight flight to Cairo. (Meals Aloft)

Friday, Sept 5 - 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 from the grounds of the hotel. (Meals Aloft)

Saturday, Sept 6 - Day 3 • Cairo / Pyramids of Giza / The Sphinx / Sakkara / Memphis
After a morning briefing by our Egyptologist, we visit the Pyramids, the sole survivor among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We learn how they were built and about their 6,000-year history. We have a close-up look at the Sphinx, carved from a single massive sandstone outcrop, and see the Solar Boat, Cheops’ 142-foot funerary boat. Afterwards, 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. This evening we have a special dinner in an Egyptian home. This is a wonderful opportunity to visit with a family and learn about life in Cairo. We stay at the Mena House Oberoi. (B,L,D)

Sunday, Sept 7 - Day 4 • Cairo / Luxor
This morning we fly from Cairo to Luxor, and visit the Temple of Karnak, a tremendous site, built marvel by marvel by generations of pharaohs. We continue to the exquisite Luxor Temple. We stay at the Sonesta Luxor Hotel overlooking the Nile. (B,L,D)

Monday, Sept 8 - Day 5 • Luxor / Nile Voyage
This morning we cross the Nile to Luxor’s West Bank. Here we 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 into our spacious cabins aboard the M/S Ti-Yi our home for the next four nights. This evening we enjoy the Sound & Light Show at the Temple of Karnak. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, Sept 9 - Day 6 • Nile Voyage
We relax and enjoy the countryside as we travel up the Nile. We spend the night aboard the M/S Ti-Yi. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, Sept 10 - 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 trip on the Nile, and tonight enjoy a party aboard the M/S Ti-Yi. (B,L,D)

Thursday, Sept 11 - 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 Ti-Yi, we enjoy a Nubian folkloric show. Tonight we have our last night aboard the M/S Ti-Yi. (B,L,D)

Friday, Sept 12 - 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 to be 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 into the Cairo Marriott, a former palace. Tonight, dinner is on our own. (B,L)

Saturday, Sept 13 - 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)

Sunday, Sept 14 - Day 11 • Cairo / U.S.
After breakfast, we depart for the airport and our flight to the U.S. (B, Meals Aloft) B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner Please Note: Itinerary may vary to take full advantage of unfolding natural and cultural events or because of changes in air schedules, weather and other local conditions.