Cairo and the TREASURES ON THE RED SEA Egypt and Jordan - Sculpted by Mother Nature, Enhanced by Humankind (port-to-port cruise)

Cairo

Welcome to your five-star hotel for dinner and the night.

Cairo

Join us for an excursion following the footsteps of the Pharaohs (lunch included). We'll begin in Saqqara, a huge area that served as the burial ground for Egypt's ancient capital, Memphis. The main monuments, such as the Step Pyramid, are located in Zoser's funerary complex. In the afternoon, we'll visit the world-famous Giza pyramid complex and the Great Sphinx, who watches faithfully over the ancient structures. Abou al-Hôl, literally the "Father of Terror" in Arabic, was called Sphinx by the Greeks because he resembled the mythical winged monster, who, according to legend, guarded the Greek city of Thebes, asking a riddle to travelers seeking entry into the city, and killing those who were unable to answer. We'll then visit the Egyptian Museum, the oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East, which covers over 5,000 years of history in the area and includes the largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities in the world.

We'll return to our hotel for dinner and the night.

Cairo - HURGHADA

After breakfast, the morning activities will be based on the flight schedule. You'll be transferred(1) to the airport for your flight(1) to Hurghada, where you'll then be transferred to our ship. We'll introduce our crew at a welcome cocktail before dinner on board. The rest of the evening is yours to do as you please.

HURGHADA

Once a small fishing village, Hurghada is now a vast beach resort stretching along the pristine Red Sea coast. Optional excursion: Climb aboard a semi-submarine and enjoy the underwater beauty without getting wet!

We'll spend the afternoon cruising. Take advantage of the warm weather on the Sun Deck as we pass alongside the Sinai Peninsula, a sacred area for many religions. The land takes its name from Mount Sinai, assumed to be where God delivered the Ten Commandments to Moses. At dusk, the earth takes on burnt-red tones and becomes a feast of colors.

With this stunning scenery as a backdrop, enjoy a tasting of local pastries and refreshing hibiscus tea.

Later, take part in our onboard lecture.

AQABA

Join us for a full-day optional excursion in the Wadi Rum desert (lunch included). We'll set out in Jeeps to cross the magnificent desert, also known as the Valley of the Moon.  Its vibrant red earth and stunning rock formations make it one of Jordan's most extraordinary sites. Follow the footsteps of T.E. Lawrence and fall in love with the area as he did. Geologists think that Wadi Rum was formed from a strong push from underground, which caused a large fissure in the surface. As a result, the rock formations provide some of the best photo ops found on the planet. Some wind-brushed mountain peaks reach over 6,000 feet. Deep canyons and sand dunes add to the mystique. Large caravans of merchants and wares traveling between the various territories once crossed this desert. Today, a few hundred Bedouins still call the area home. Their hospitality is second to none, and they have adopted a humanistic and green approach to tourism in their homeland.

Later, take part in our onboard lecture.

AQABA

Join us for an optional, full-day excursion to Petra (lunch included; approx. 4 hours round trip travel time). Petra is unquestionably one of the greatest marvels ever sculpted by Mother Nature and enhanced by humankind and is considered one of Jordan's national treasures. Carved into the pink and red stone by the Nabataeans—an Arab people living in Jordan over 2,000 years ago—Petra, meaning "rock" in Greek, was strategically located at the junction of the silk and spice trade routes. To enter the city, we will follow the "siq," a narrow gorge approximately a half-mile in length, delimited by sharp cliffs on either side—ending at Al Khazneh, also known as "The Treasury." This tomb of a Nabataean has an impressive Hellenistic facade carved directly into the pink stone at the beginning of the 1st century. It is a masterpiece of refinement and symmetry which, on its own, makes a visit to Petra worthwhile. You will also discover the Roman-style Nabataean theater carved into the rock over 2,000 years ago. After we return to the ship, we'll begin to cruise once again. Later, take part in our onboard lecture.

SHARM EL SHEIKH

We'll spend the morning cruising. Enjoy this time catching some rays on the Sun Deck or join us for a lecture in the lounge.

Optional excursion proposed: Sharm El-Sheikh and the Seafloor in Naama Bay. A glass-bottom boat tour will introduce you to the colorful riches found within the Red Sea. You'll then explore Sharm El-Sheikh and its traditional souk.

We'll enjoy a performance of Egyptian dancing and music.

HURGHADA

We'll spend the morning cruising on the Red Sea. Join us for a lecture in the lounge.

Once we arrive in Hurghada, we'll set out on an optional tour of the city and its antique museum.(3) The major sites we'll visit are the mosque and the Coptic Church. We'll then head to the souk. Souks are the busy, lively markets where the locals go about their everyday lives. The stands overflow with foods, spices, and handicrafts. Then visiting the antique museum to view several works of art from egyptien history including the relics from Tutankhamon's tomb.

Tonight is our festive gala evening.

HURGHADA

We'll leave for a full-day optional excursion to Thebes, the ancient capital of the Pharaohs. You'll discover the Valley of the Kings and the Karnak Temple Complex (lunch included–driving time is approximately 9 hours round trip). The Valley of the Kings is one of ancient Egypt's top tourist destinations. Located on the west bank of the River Nile, the isolated valley is dominated by a great pyramid-shaped mountain. The area has been the site of royal burials for almost 4,000 years. More than 63 tombs include Seti I(5) and II; Ramesses III, IV, VII, and IX; Siptah; Tausert-Setnakht; and Merenptah. You'll be able to visit three with your entry ticket. The final resting place for these great pharaohs remains one of the most impressive sites to visit in the world. Farther along, dominating the eastern bank, sits the 59-foot high (18 m) Colossi of Memnon—faceless effigies seated on thrones at the entrance to the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. We'll also visit the Karnak Temple Complex. At the heart of this site stands the colossal Precinct of Amun-Re, enclosing a sacred lake that priests used in purification ceremonies before performing rituals in the temple.

HURGHADA

Enjoy breakfast on board this morning before disembarking at 9:00 a.m. End of our services.