A warm welcome to Egypt! The rich cultural and artistic heritage of Egypt will become apparent upon your arrival in Cairo. Once you have arrived and have cleared immigration, collected your luggage, and passed through customs, you will be warmly greeted by our Essential Earth Explorations host. A warm welcome to Egypt! The rich cultural and artistic heritage of Egypt will become apparent upon your arrival in Cairo. Once you have arrived and have cleared immigration, collected your luggage, and passed through customs, you will be warmly greeted by our Essential Earth Explorations host.

After breakfast in the hotel, you will meet your Egyptologist for a morning excursion that visits the magnificent Pyramids and the Great Sphinx of Giza to view one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Lunch and afternoon on your own. IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE- Cairo by night food experience. This evening, join your guide for a night-time food experience in the heart of Cairo. Start from the famous Tahrir Square and sample traditional Egyptian dishes while walking in Cairo city center streets. Overnight in Cairo. Meals: B -Evening Food Tour

This morning we will learn about the art of essential oil production with a visit to the Hashem Brothers farm and factory. The company is a family partnership specializing in the field of agribusiness. Hashem Brothers is considered the owner of Egypt’s largest jasmine, geranium and bitter orange plantations, and most of the world’s neroli essential oil output. Additionally, their plantations include significant operations for growing and producing rose and basil essential oils. Lunch at local restaurant – Lunch will be served at Felfela, a local restaurant well known for Egyptian cuisine. This afternoon you will meet your Egyptologist for an afternoon excursion to the iconic Citadel of Saladin and the mosque of Mohamed Ali. This journey will then be followed by a visit of the Hanging Church, St. Serguis Church, and Ben Ezra Synagogue, all of which provide a significant insight into Egyptian history. Dinner on your own this evening. Meals; B, L

This morning you will check out of your hotel to continue your journey onto Luxor – the capitol city of ancient Egypt. Following a 60-minute flight, a buffet breakfast will be served at a deluxe hotel to relax and enjoy before venturing out to see the Karnak Temple, the largest religious building ever constructed in Egypt. Following, we will continue to the Luxor Museum featuring archaeological highlights and antiquities collections. Next up, it is time to check in on board the Farah Nile Cruise! Once boarded and settled into your room, there will be free time for leisure and exploring the boat before a 6 p.m. visit of the Luxor Temple featuring unique design and symbolism. At approximately 7:30 p.m., dinner will be served on board. Overnight onboard the Farah Nile Cruise ship in Luxor. Meals: B, D

After a hearty, early-morning buffet breakfast, experience the Nile by motorboat as you cross to the West Bank. At 7 a.m., begin a morning of site-seeing to the stunning tombs at the Valley of the Kings, followed by a visit to take in the unique architecture of the Queen Hatshepsut temple, and finally a photo stop by the giant Colossi of Memnon, known for its massive stone statues. IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE: BRUNCH WITH A LOCAL WOMAN TO LEARN ABOUT LIFE IN EGYPT At 10:30 a.m., it is time for brunch with an Upper Egypt household wife to learn about authentic Egypt from a local. After brunch, you will head back to the East Bank by motorboat. Lunch will be served on board as you set sail to Edfu, a leisurely day to cruise that is approximately 9 hours. Afternoon sailing will be relaxing and educational, as you pass through the Esna lock. Overnight onboard in Edfu. Meals: B, Brunch, L,D

After a delicious morning breakfast, gather to visit the Edfu temple which honors the falcon god, Horus. Then it is time to set sail to Kom Ombo, home of a unique double temple we will explore this afternoon. Later in the day, the ship will make its way to Aswan for the evening Meals: B,D

After morning breakfast, you will depart to visit the lovely and elegant temple of Philae, dedicated to Isis. Later, enjoy your lunch on board the ship as you continue your journey to your next stop and immersive experience. IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE: visit a Nubian village to experience necklace making and scarf weaving The afternoon brings a scenic Felucca ride, followed by a camel ride, toward the Nubian village. Here, you will visit a Nubian house, and learn about Nubian women's trade skills in the creation of beautiful necklaces and hand-woven scarves. Afterward, return to the ship for dinner on board and overnight in Aswan. Meals: B, L, D

After a morning buffet breakfast, it is time to check out. Take a morning return flight from Aswan to Cairo, approximately 1.5 hours in length. IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE: Once back in Cairo, explore local cuisine with an immersive cooking class in collaboration with the House of Cooking Egypt. During your class, you will learn how to prepare authentic Egyptian dishes to make when you get back home and enjoy eating what you create! A favorite activity after cooking: time for shopping. This afternoon you will enjoy shopping at Khan El Khalili, a local market and El Moez Islamic Street. After shopping, it is time to check in at the Intercontinental City Stars, located - 10 minutes from Cairo airport. Overnight in Cairo at the Intercontinental City Stars Hotel (or similar). Meals: B, L

After your hotel breakfast, head to the Cairo airport for your flight back to the USA. Meals-B