Day-by-day itinerary

• Day

  01

  Cairo, Egypt

  City of the Pharoahs

  Upon arrival at the Cairo airport, you are welcomed by your Born Free host who will provide assistance through customs and immigration. Collect your luggage, then you are escorted to your hotel for the evening. Get a good night’s sleep, your adventure begins in the morning!
  
  "Marhabaan" (Hello in Arabic)
• Day

  02

  Cairo

  Treasures of Egypt

  As an introduction to your days in Egypt, see the ancient story unfold at the new Grand Egyptian Museum. Located close to the Pyramids of Giza, the museums scheduled opening is in 2020 and will soon be home to the richest collection of antiquities in the world.
  
  About 100,000 artifacts are being displayed in public for the first time. Some of the most impressive finds include King Tut's clothing and three of his funeral beds, a stone statue of Ramses II, and golden chariots. The museum must be pre-booked.
  
  Continue today’s full day touring with a visit to the recently restored Synagogue of Ben Ezra, the oldest synagogue in Egypt, then on to the center of Christianity in Coptic Cairo. Stroll the narrow streets and alleys of the colorful Khalili Bazaar, where fabrics line the ceilings, delicious smells of local food will tempt your palate and you can see skilled craftsmen working with silver, brass and gold.
  
  Then, you'll visit Islamic Cairo to see the Citadel of Salah El Din and Mohamed Ali Mosque, constructed in 1830.
  
  Tonight, attend the Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids and Sphinx.

  Breakfast / Dinner
• Day

  03

  Cairo

  Pyramids & Sphinx

  This morning head into the Giza Plateau, site of Mycerinus and Chefren as well as the Great Pyramid. It is the only survivor the the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Explore the interior and visit the tombs of the pyramid builders.
  
  If you want to have the full Egypt experience, a traditional camel ride is included today.
  
  This afternoon, your exploring will take you to visit the Solar Boat Museum, the site of Cheops and the Great Sphinx.

  Breakfast
• Day

  04

  East Bank - Karnak and Luxor

  Nile Cruise

  This morning, you will fly from Cairo to Luxor, the spot where ancient Thebes once stood.
  
  Each Nile Cruise boat's itinerary will vary slightly and itinerary maybe done in reverse. Contact Born Free for the exact itinerary on your choice of boats.
  
  Cross the Nile this afternoon to the East Bank to see the Luxor Temple, built by the pharaohs, Amenhotep III and Ramses II.
  
  Your step back into antiquity continues as you explore the avenue of ram-headed Sphinxes. This links the Luxor Temple with Karnak Temple, the center of worship in ancient Egypt. No site makes more an overwhelming impression than this “Temple of all Temples”, as it is referred to by Egyptologists.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  05

  West Bank - Valley Of The Kings & Queens

  Nile Cruise

  Today is for exploring the West Bank and the Valley of the Kings. This is the location of the Temple of Hatshepsut, the only female pharaoh to reign in ancient Egypt. In the Valley of The Queens, view the Colossi of Memnon, which once guarded the temple of Amenhotep III.
  
  The boat set sails in the early afternoon for Esna where you'll visit the Temple of Khnum.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  06

  Edfu - Kom Ombo

  Nile Cruise

  Continue to Edfu which lies 60 miles south of Luxor and is the site of the Edfu Temle, one of the best preserved temples of ancient Egypt.
  
  Sail on to Kom Ombo, which gained importance during the Ptolemic age as protector of the southern border of Egypt, and in the Roman period as a military station.
  
  Visit Edfu’s Temple of Horus, the falcon god. The well-preserved Ptolemaic Temple of Horus is second only to the Temple of Karnak in sheer size. Construction on the site took about 200 years. Well-preserved hieroglyphs have shed light on the practices of the cult of Horus and associated temples. The temple is believed to have been built on the site of the great Horus-Seth battle.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  07

  Aswan

  Nile Cruise

  Early this morning, the boat sails on to Aswan arriving before breakfast. Aswan was Egypt’s premiere resort from 910 to 24 BC!
  
  View the majestic Philae temple devoted to the two goddesses Isis and Hathor. The Temple of Isis (the Goddess of health, marriage and wisdom) was rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated on Philae Island. The Temple of Hathor (love) is one of the best preserved and most beautiful of the Upper Egypt temples.
  
  In the 1960’s, the High Dam was built by the Egyptian government almost destroying some Egypt's most outstanding sites.
  
  If time permits, visit the exotic Nubian Bazaar.

  Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
• Day

  08

  Onward Journey

  Abu Simbel / Cairo

  Rise early and disembark your Nile Cruise for a short flight south to Abu Simbel, the ancient temple in reverence of the mighty Ramses II and his Queen Nefertiti. One of the most awe-inspiriting engineering feats of the modern world.
  
  These two gigantic temples were built into the side of a rock cliff face by the legendary Pharaoh Ramses II. The main entrance features 4 colossi statues.
  
  When the Egyptian government decided to build Aswan Dam, it was projected that Lake Nasser would flood the area burying the statues in the waters.
  
  When the Egyptian government decided to build the Aswan Dam, it was projected that Lake Nasser would flood the area, burying the statues in the waters. UNESCO jumped in to save these treasured monuments, taking on the project in 1968. The complete site was carefully dismantled, raised and rebuilt 70 feet higher, out of the flood danger.
  
  Afterward, you'll return to Cairo by air to connect to your flight onward.
  
  "Salaam" (Peace be with you/Goodbye)

  Breakfast / Lunch