A JOURNEY OF THE GODS

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17 September 2024 - As Your Tour Manager, Jo Taylor Welcomes You On This Journey

17 September 2024 - Your Accompanying Tour Doctor For This Journey is Dr Michelle Zwi

26 September 2024 - As Your Tour Manager, Margie Colbeck Welcomes You On This Journey

26 September 2024 - Your Accompanying Tour Doctor For This Journey is Dr Victoria Hayes

We touch down in Cairo and are led to The St. Regis Cairo, where views of the Nile River abound.

Cairo is a curated collection of Egypt’s most fascinating treasures. Today, we travel back in time to the Old Kingdom, paying homage to the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx that guards the tomb complex. The oldest of the world’s seven wonders, the three pyramids were built for the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. Inside the Chephren Pyramid, built for Pharaoh Khafre, we are afforded unique insight into the construction of the pyramids. Among other sights in the two known chambers is a rare black granite sarcophagus. A caravan of camels is also available to take us on a ride around the base of the pyramids.

Away from the tourist crowds, and joined by our Egyptologist, an irreplaceable experience then awaits us. We are granted exclusive access to the feet of the Sphinx where the Dream Stela of Thutmose IV lies. Afterwards, visit the Sakkara Step Pyramid and Memphis. Aboard wooden feluccas, we then enjoy close-up views of the Nile, as we toast the beginning of our journey while sailing upon its storied waters. Following our short cruise, we adjourn to a local restaurant for our Welcome Dinner.

The opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum is scheduled to take place during the first half of 2024. An undertaking of truly epic proportions, the billion-dollar complex will feature some of Egypt’s most iconic artefacts, including the Mask of Tutankhamun and the statue of Ramses II. The building of the museum has been a substantial venture, having originally been scheduled to open in 2015. Should its completion not coincide with our journey, our group will instead tour the Egyptian Museum, the Middle East’s oldest archaeological museum.

A collection nearing 120,000 artefacts is on display in the Egyptian Museum, and before doors are open to the public, we take a private tour of the exhibits. Among towering statues and delicate jewels, we uncover treasures found in the tomb of Tutankhamun, as well as a room containing several royal mummies – the most famous of which being that of the prolific builder Pharaoh Ramses II.

We are then escorted to the Cairo Citadel. Home to Egypt’s rulers for some 700 years and 
a monument to medieval warfare, the fortress houses several unique mosques and palaces. Should it be a clear day, we may be able to see the Pyramids of Giza from certain vantage points. Our afternoon in Cairo is spent weaving between stalls at the Khan el-Khalili bazaar, where dried thyme and bowls of hazelnuts decorate brightly coloured shopfronts.

Rising early, we are bound for the port, and our luxuriously appointed Nile River vessel, the Sanctuary Nile Adventurer. We begin our voyage from the capital, enjoying the rare opportunity to cruise this less-frequented section of the river. Perhaps bid farewell to Cairo from your position poolside, as we raise our anchor and prepare to depart. During a cocktail reception, we sample regional wine and beer alongside a lavish dinner. The first leg of our voyage sees us cruising south to the city of Beni Suef, where we dock for the night. Gentle lapping sounds of the Nile offer us a unique lullaby.

We spend the day aboard on our own schedule while cruising further south. You may like to mingle with your fellow travellers in our vessel’s stylish lounge. Should you choose, there may also be time to receive some pampering in the onboard spa. This evening, a gourmet dinner is served and we overnight along the shores of El Minya, its nearby lights dazzling in reflection upon the water.

This morning, we reach neighbouring Beni Hassan. It is here that the richest and best-preserved Middle Kingdom tombs can be found. Carved high into the limestone cliffs of the Nile’s east bank, the tombs were built for the state’s provincial rulers. Four of the 39 tombs are open to visitors. Inside, their walls portray scenes of the rulers and their families, involved in everyday activities from hunting and fishing, to weaving and crop gathering. Depictions of several historical battles can also be seen here. After a day of exploring, we return to our luxury vessel to nourish ourselves with the delicious creations of its award-winning chefs.

The buried city of Tell el-Amarna rests along a stretch of the east bank. A sense of the uncanny pervades this desolate landscape, strewn as it is with the ancient tombs of rulers and nobles. It was here that the one-time pharaoh, Akhenaten, denounced Egypt’s polytheistic system of worship, declaring instead that Aten, the sun disc, be exalted as the one true god. Akhenaten was dubbed ‘the heretic king’ for this stance – as well as for his earlier decision to move the capital from Thebes – and his opponents did their best to erase him from history. Upon his death, the city was destroyed and abandoned. 

Following our survey of Tell el-Amarna, the Nile Adventurer welcomes us back on board. We enjoy lunch on board our vessel as we depart for the city of Sohag.

We begin our day with a buffet breakfast in the Sanctuary Nile Adventurer’s dining room. Afterwards, relax up on deck and take in spectacular views of the Nile’s lush riverbanks, which sprawl before a vast backdrop of desert. This afternoon, take the opportunity to advance your culinary repertoire with an Egyptian cooking lesson aboard our vessel.