Cairo (Port Said)

Explore the landmarks in Cairo and the nearby wonders of the ancient world with an Egyptologist that will enhance your understanding of iconic attractions such as the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx.

Note: this program is limited to 30 guests.

DAY 1

After disembarking the ship in Port Said, you will begin the 3-hour transfer to Cairo, accompanied by an Egyptologist well versed in the study of ancient Egypt. The Egyptologist will possess the rare ability to simply explain even the most complex concepts of the ancient world and answers any questions that you may have. Consequently, you will better understand the landmarks of Cairo and the pyramids that you will see nearby.

You will first visit a medieval Islamic fortress in Cairo known as The Citadel and the adjacent Mosque of Muhammad Ali, which is often called the Alabaster Mosque due to the extensive use of that stone throughout the building. The mosque is the largest such structure in Cairo built during the first half of the 19th century, and it looks impressive even from a distance.

Next, you will visit the unique Al-Muallaqa, one of the oldest and most fascinating Christian places of worship in Egypt. It rises atop an old Roman fortress gatehouse with its nave suspended over the passage – the reason it is nicknamed the Hanging Church.

Then, there is St. Sergis Church, which was built upon an ancient Roman fort. This church has acquired a special religious status among Coptic churches because it is associated with the Holy Family's journey through Egypt.

Continuing on, you will stop at the Ben Ezra Synagogue. Set in a shade garden, the synagogue was built on the site of a 4th-century Christian church and is amongst Egypt’s oldest synagogues. If the venue is closed, St. George Church will be substituted.

Following lunch, you will have the opportunity to browse Khan El-Khalili, an open-air bazaar established in the 14th century. As you meander through the market’s labyrinthine alleyways, you will find everything from handcrafted jewelry to carpets and clothing. You can likely observe artisans at work and perhaps purchase one of their works.

Later in the afternoon, you will transfer to your hotel for check-in and dinner.

As a special treat, you will attend a private lecture with a local specialist such as the head of the High Council of Antiquities or perhaps the former Minister of Tourism and Culture. The exact details of the lecture will be provided closer to the event.

DAY 2

Following an early-morning breakfast at the hotel and check-out, you will drive to the Step Pyramid of Sakkara, which overlooks Djoser’s mortuary complex. Dating from 2700 B.C., the Step Pyramid is the oldest stone structure in the world and was designed by Imhotep for King Djoser. The complex also contains 16 other pyramids in various stages of preservation.

Because the necropolis complex was buried beneath the sands for much of the past two millennia, even the sizable mortuary surrounding Djoser’s pyramid was not unearthed until 1924. As a result, many of the mastaba tombs have been superbly preserved with both their structures and lavish interior decorations intact.

At one of the ancient sites, you will have private access to observe an excavation in progress. While there is no telling what you will see, watching the archaeologists at work will be an extraordinary experience.

You will then travel to the legendary Great Pyramid of Giza, the sole remaining Wonder of the Ancient World. Built as a royal tomb for the pharaoh Khufu, who ruled in the 25th Century BCE, it is largest and oldest of a group of three pyramids. The other two pyramids were constructed to hold the mummified remains of the pharaoh’s son and successor Chephren and Chephren’s son, Mykerinus.

Southeast of the Great Pyramid stands the Sphinx, the monument of a mythical creature with the head of a man and the body of a lion. It was carved out of solid limestone around 2650 B.C .and faces east, probably to greet the rising sun and the return of life each day.

Your tour of the Pyramids area includes an optional inside visit to the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops Pyramid), which is made up of approximately 2.3 million blocks of limestone. You will also have panoramic views and photo opportunities of the three Pyramids and the Sphinx.

Note: There are many uneven steps at the entrance to the pyramid. Once inside, there are pathways where you can stand as well as inclined walkways with steps where you will need to bend down while walking. It is also quite warm inside. Guests must be sure-footed, in fairly good physical shape and not prone to claustrophobia. Narrow walkways going up are shared with guests who are coming down. There are no remains inside the tomb.

After visiting the pyramid, you will enjoy a culinary Egyptian food experience at a nearby restaurant. The set menu will include various Egyptian specialties in small portions so you can try them all. The Egyptologist will explain the dishes and their origins.

Finally, you will visit the Grand Egyptian Museum, the world’s largest archaeological museum. Of all its priceless artifacts, the items from King Tutankhamen’s tomb is the highlight, as the full collection has never been displayed in one place before.

After this enlightening experience, you will drive to the port of Alexandria to re-board the ship. The drive is approximately 3 hours. A comfort stop is not included as there are restrooms on the tour coaches.

Land Program Step by Step

The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Final itineraries with the most up-to-date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

Day 1

NOTE: timings will be adjusted depending on the arrival time of your ship

7:45am Disembark the ship in Port Said

Proceed to the port terminal for security screening

8:00am Depart for the drive to Cairo with an Egyptologist

11:00am Visit the Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque

12:00am Proceed to old Cairo

12:30pm Visit the Hanging church, St Serguis church and Ben Ezra Synagogue

1:30pm Proceed to Khan El Khalili market

2:00pm Lunch at Khan El Khalili market

3:00pm Explore Khan El Khalili market and Muiz Islamic Street

4:30pm Proceed to your hotel

5:00pm Check in at the hotel

6:00pm Evening private lecture with a local specialist

7-9pm A la carte dinner at the hotel

Overnight at the Nile Ritz Carlton or similar hotel

Day 2

7:00am Wake-up call, breakfast and check-out

8:00am Proceed to Sakkara

8:45am Visit Sakkara including the Step Pyramid of Zoser and one tomb

Exclusive visit of one of the excavation sites in the Sakkara area

10:45am Proceed to the Pyramids of Giza

11:30am Visit the Pyramids and the Sphinx

Inside visit of the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops)

1:30pm Proceed for lunch

1:45pm Culinary Egyptian food experience

2:45pm Proceed to the Grand Egyptian Museum

3:15pm Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum

5:30pm Drive to Alexandria on a bus with a restroom

7:30pm Arrive in Alexandria and re-board the ship

Expected Weather

30 degrees C / 100 degrees F

What to Bring

Comfortable, light, loose clothing, good walking shoes, camera, hat and sunscreen

Local Currency

Egyptian Pound, but USD are widely accepted

Electricity

220- 240 V. We recommend bringing your own universal travel adaptor for electric devices as adaptors are not available at the hotel.

Luggage

No restrictions, however, we suggest only a small carry-on bag as this is a short program.

Documents and Visa Requirements

Guests must bring their passport.

Hotel

Nile Ritz Carlton

1113 Nile Corniche, Ismailia, El Nil, Cairo Governorate 11221

Phone: +20 2577 8899

*We will only substitute the hotel in unforeseen situations. If the hotel is substituted, it will be similar and with equal ratings and standards and guests will be notified in advance. If guests are not notified of any changes before departure, then the hotel listed in this program will be used.

Program Includes for guests

•1 night at The Nile Ritz Carlton or similar (Deluxe Nile View Room)

•One breakfast, two lunches and one dinner

•Bottled water, tea, coffee, one soda or one bottle of beer or one glass of local wine with meals with the exception of lunch on Day 1 where alcohol is not permitted to be served.

•Entrance fees at all mentioned sites

•Private lecture on Day 1

•Egyptologist to accompany the group throughout

•Private English-speaking guide from port to port

Program Excludes for guests:

•Any meals or drinks not listed above

•Gratuities to drivers and guides

•Personal expenses

•Hotel incidentals including laundry, room service and mini bar

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include inclines, cobblestones, sand, gravel and natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation.

All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.

Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid-cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.

Discover the ancient wonders in and around Cairo, including the Great Pyramid of Giza and the complete King Tut collection before flying to Luxor, aptly known as the world’s greatest open-air museum, to explore the beauty and mystery of Egypt’s ancient temples and tombs located there.

Special Note: Any guests travelling with Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines should read further below for airline stipulations with regards to bringing this equipment on tour.

NOTE: This program involves extensive walking over uneven ground and is thus not suitable for guests with walking difficulties or for those who require a wheelchair.

DAY 1

Disembark the ship in Port Said, meet your guide and begin the 3-hour drive to Cairo. No stops are scheduled as the tour coaches have restrooms on board.

Your first visit when you arrive in Cairo is the area of the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Sphinx. Renowned as one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the last remaining of the ancient world wonders, the Great Pyramid is comprised of 2.3 million stone blocks, each weighing between 2.5 and 15 tons. Exactly how the ancient Egyptians constructed this architectural wonder remains a mystery.

The Sphinx, with the body of a lion and the face of a man, is also massive and towers 72 feet high and stretches 164 feet long. It faces east, greeting the rising sun each day.

View the exterior of each with ample photo taking opportunities.

After lunch you will visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum which is considered to be the biggest archeological museum in Africa and the Middle East where the most important pieces of Egyptian ancient history are on display. One of the highlights of your visit will be King Tutankhamen exhibition hall where the full collection of the Boy King will be displayed for the first time in one place.

Proceed to your hotel for check in and dinner.

DAY 2

Due to the early wake up call, a breakfast box will be provided this morning before the group departs for the Cairo airport. Board a one-hour flight to Luxor where your first visit will be to the Karnak Temple.

Located about two miles north of the Luxor Temple but connected to it by an impressive avenue of sphinxes, the Karnak Temple was the most important sanctuary of ancient Egypt, and the heart of the cult of the god Amon. Each pharaoh added his own contribution to the temple over the ensuing 2,000 years.

The Ptolemies erected the massive first pylon you will see. Past the second pylon, which is guarded by a pair of huge statues of Ramses II, you will find the great hypo-style hall, the largest hall of any temple in the world. It spans 50,000 square feet and contains 134 enormous columns. You may notice that some of the columns still have traces of the brilliant paint that originally covered them. The third pylon leads to the center court, and past the fourth pylon is the 97-foot-high obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut, carved from a solid piece of pink granite.

As you pass through successive pylons and courts, you will journey back in time until you reach the oldest part of the temple, built by the pharaohs of the middle kingdom around 2000 B.C. At the south end of the temple, you will find the sacred lake where ceremonial boats took part in the worship of Amon.

Next, embark on a Dahabeya boat for a cruise along the Nile including lunch. Disembark on the west bank of the city where you will explore the Valley of the Kings hidden in the foothills of the Gourma Mountains.

More than 60 tombs of pharaohs and noblemen have been excavated in this valley. The kings’ formal names and titles are inscribed in their tombs, along with their images and statues. Between the 18th and 20th dynasties, the kings abandoned the Memphis area and built their tombs in Thebes.

Enjoy a special visit to the longest and one of the most beautiful tombs in the valley known as Seti I Tomb. It is still recognized as an elaborately decorated monument from the times of Seti I and his son, Ramesses II.

The most fascinating aspects of the tomb are the well-crafted decorations that brought antiquity to vivid life

Next you will visit King Tutankhamun's tomb where his mummy still rests, and if time permits, you may be able to have a look into one or two other tombs in the area.

Next, a photo stop will be made at the Colossi of Memnon. This structure was originally built as a mortuary temple in Thebes and guarded by two gigantic statues on the outer gates. All that remains today are the 75-foot-high, 1,000-ton statues of Amenhotep III. Though damaged by nature and ancient tourists, the statues are still impressive, nonetheless.

NOTE: there are a series of steps (up to approximately 20 steps per chamber) to go down into the various tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the ground surrounding the tombs is uneven and dusty. It is also extremely hot here.

The program ends with a flight to Alexandria airport and a one-hour drive to the port of Alexandria where you will rejoin the ship.

Land Program Step by Step:

Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. This program is subject to flight confirmations which are beyond our control. All program details including timings and any flights indicated below are approximate, given here for general reference purposes and subject to change. Final itineraries with the most up to date details will be provided by the Destination Services Team once you board the ship. Please review your final itinerary carefully for any amendments.

Day 1

NOTE: timings will be adjusted depending on the arrival time of your ship

7:45am Disembark the ship in Port Said

Proceed to the port terminal for security screening

8:00am Drive to Cairo. The drive is approximately 3.5 hours

Restrooms are available on the bus. No comfort stop is scheduled

11:30am Visit the Pyramids and the Sphinx

Note: inside visits are not included

1:30pm Proceed to a local restaurant for lunch

1:45pm Lunch

2:45pm Drive to the Grand Egyptian Museum

3:15pm Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum

5:30pm Proceed to your hotel

6:30pm Check in at your hotel

7-9pm Dinner at your hotel

Overnight at the Four Seasons First Residence or similar hotel

Day 2

5:00am Wake up call, breakfast boxes and check out

6:00am Proceed to the Cairo airport

6:45am Arrive at the Cairo airport

8:00am Fly to Luxor (flight details TBA and subject to change)

9:00am Arrive at the Luxor airport

9:30am Proceed to the Karnak temple

10:00am Visit Karnak Temple

11:30am Dahabeya boat cruise on the Nile including lunch

12:45pm Drive to the Valley of the Kings

1:00pm Visit the Valley of the Kings including King Tutankhamen tomb & Seti 1st Tomb

2:30pm Proceed to the Colossi Of Memnon

2:45pm Photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon

2:55pm Drive to Luxor airport

3:45pm Arrive at the Luxor airport and check in

5:00pm Flight to Borg El Arab airport (flight details TBA and subject to change)

6:45pm Arrive Borg El Arab airport

7:15pm Drive to Alexandria port

8:30pm Arrive at Alexandria port and re-embark the ship

Expected Weather:

30 degrees C / 100 degrees F

What to Bring:

Comfortable, light loose clothing, good walking shoes, camera, hat, sunscreen

Local Currency:

Egyptian Pound but USD are widely accepted

Electricity:

220- 240 V - Adaptors are not available therefore we suggest you bring your own travel adaptor should you require it.

Luggage information:

Domestic flights accommodate one piece of checked (23 KG) and one carry on (8 kg) per person. Should

you exceed this allowance you will be required to pay at the check in counter for any excess.

Carriage of Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POC) or CPAP breathing machines on internal flights per airline regulations (subject to change as each airline has their own regulations)

1. Guests must obtain a Doctor’s Certificate mentioning their medical condition and the need to carry this equipment with them on their flights.

2. The certificate should have attached a picture of the equipment with its description/specifications especially with regards to the type of batteries used (lithium/dry or any other type)

3. These documents need to be sent to the Land Program Team via Reservations at RSSC at least one month prior to travel so that our local operator can begin the notification process with the airline(s).

4. Failure to comply with the above regulations may result in a denial of this equipment at the airport for which Regent Seven Seas Cruises nor our local ground operator be responsible for.

Documents and Visa Requirements:

Passports are required to brought with you on this trip

At this time, Visas are not required for US, EU and Canadian citizens however you should check with your local Egyptian Embassy for further or updated information prior to travel

The name on your cruise booking, passport and any visas if required, must all be exactly the same for flight ticket purchase for this program otherwise guests may be denied travel by flight. Please ensure that all documents are identical in spelling to the names provided for your cruise reservation including first, middle and last name. Manifests generated by the cruise line must match your travel documents.

The above information is subject to change and serves as a guide only. We would like to take this opportunity to remind all of our guests that it is the ultimate and sole responsibility of the guest to ensure they meet the entry requirements for each destination.

Hotel addresses:

Four Seasons First Residence, 35 Giza St, Oula, Giza District, Giza Governorate 12612

Phone: 02 35671600

*We will only substitute hotels in unforeseen situations. If similar hotels are substituted, they will be of equal ratings and standards. If you are not notified of any changes before your sailing, then you will be staying at the hotel listed in the program.

Program Includes for guests

•1 night at The Four Seasons First Residence or similar hotel - run of house room

•One breakfast, two lunches and one dinner

•Bottled water, tea, coffee, one soda or one bottle of beer/one glass of local wine with meals

•Entrance fees at all mentioned sites

•Private English-speaking guide from port to port

•Economy class flights from Cairo to Luxor and Luxor to Alexandria

Program Excludes for guests:

•Any meals or drinks not listed above

•Gratuities to drivers and guides

•Personal expenses

•Hotel incidentals including laundry, room service and mini bar

•Excess or overweight luggage on the flight

Please note: Land programs that encompass multiple days ashore customarily include extensive and prolonged activity, while those of shorter durations typically have more moderate activity levels. However, each program varies, and participants should be prepared to negotiate a mixture of surfaces which may include: inclines, cobblestones, sand, and gravel or natural paths. There may also be a need to climb steps or stairs on occasion. Guests who utilize a wheelchair and those with mobility concerns are advised to check with the cruise line in advance to see if any portion of the tour program may not be considered suitable for their individual situation. Weather appropriate clothing; hats; sunglasses; and flat, comfortable walking shoes are generally recommended.

All land programs are capacity controlled and subject to availability. Programs falling under the minimum number of required participants are subject to cancellation. Pricing listed is also subject to change to meet unexpected cost increases for transportation, land arrangements or currency fluctuations.

Once purchased, pricing is guaranteed and not subject to change. Mid cruise overland programs must be purchased no later than 60 days prior to your sail date. Cancellations made within 60 days or less prior to the sail date are subject to 100% cancellation penalty.