Flight to Cairo.

Upon arrival at the airport, assistance with visa formalities is provided. Meet your Egyptologist guide, Transfer and check-in at the hotel. Hotel Mövenpick Media City 5* or similar (local standards) (D)

Discover the Giza Plateau and the site of the pyramids of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure, an iconic symbol of Egypt and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will also admire the Sphinx, standing majestically before the great pyramids. Optional camel ride available ($). Barbecue lunch, followed in the afternoon by a visit to the Saqqara site, the vast necropolis of Memphis and the first capital of Lower Egypt. Continue with visits to the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the Pyramid of Teti, and a mastaba, a type of ancient Egyptian funerary structure. Return at the hotel, welcome cocktail followed by dinner. (B-L-D)

Early morning departure for your flight to Luxor, an ancient city located 700 km south of Cairo. Upon arrival, visit the Temple of Karnak, a UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring a vast complex of ruins, temples, chapels, and pylons. Transfer and embark on your ship for a 4-night cruise. Lunch on board, then in the late afternoon, visit the Temple of Luxor, located in the heart of ancient Thebes and dedicated to the god Amun. Return to the ship and dinner on board. Sonesta Nile Goddess 5* or Nile Plaza 5* or similar (local standards) (B-L-D)

Early in the morning, optional hot air balloon ride over the Theban necropolis ($). Discover the Valley of the Kings, located on the west bank of the Nile, where the tombs of many New Kingdom pharaohs are found, with visits to three of them. Continue to the mortuary temple of Queen-pharaoh Hatshepsut, followed by a visit to two tombs in the Valley of the Queens. Optional visit to the tomb of Nefertari ($). Photo stop to admire the Colossi of Memnon. Return to the ship for lunch, followed by sailing for the remainder of the day, including passage through the lock. (B-L-D)

Visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. Lunch on board, then sail to Kom Ombo. Visit the temples of Sobek and Haroeris, falcon- and crocodile-headed gods. Return to the ship and continue sailing to Aswan. Dinner and overnight on board. (B-L-D)

Visit the Temple of Isis at Philae, an island that was submerged in the 1970s by the reservoir created by the old Aswan Dam, whose temples and monuments were relocated and restored thanks to UNESCO’s intervention. Travel to Abu Simbel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to visit the ancient Egyptian temples carved into the rock and built for Ramses II and his wife Nefertari. Late lunch at a local restaurant, then return to the ship. (B-L-D)

Breakfast on board, followed by a transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, including the Royal Mummies Hall, home to 20 royal mummies. Then visit the Citadel of Saladin, an imposing fortress built in the 12th century, and the Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali Pasha. Lunch and check-in at the hotel for a 2-night stay. Hotel Mövenpick Media City 5* or similar (local standards) (B-L-D)

Visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum, which has opened its doors at the foot of the Giza pyramids. More than 100,000 artifacts are on display, including the treasures of Tutankhamun, highly anticipated by archaeology enthusiasts. Lunch and a stop at Khan el Khalili souk for last-minute shopping. Farewell dinner at the hotel, including one glass of wine per person. (B-L-D)

Transfer to the airport and return flight to Montreal. (B)