Located near Cairo, the Giza Plateau is home to the only Wonder of the Ancient World still standing: the Great Pyramids of Cheops, Kephren and Mykerinus. Built during the Fourth Dynasty — approximately 4550 B.C. — these structures were pharaonic tombs; while deceptively simple on the outside, they were quite elaborate within, featuring a maze of passages and storage chambers for the pharaohs and their burial treasures. Today there are 93 pyramids in Egypt and these are the most famous. Nearby, the huge Great Sphinx forever faces due east. Quite simply, a must-see destination.
Like all great, life-giving rivers, the Nile sometimes experiences disastrous f looding. Attempts to control it began at least 1,000 years ago. Finally in 1970 the Aswan Dam was built, taming the river and creating Lake Nasser, a manmade reservoir. Tour this engineering feat for the ages.
Abu Simbel
As you sail across the calm waters of Lake Nasser, you see the colossal figures of Rameses II growing larger as you approach. These are the Abu Simbel temples moved here to avoid the rising waters. Disembark for an unforgettable tour of these temples, and enjoy an optional sound and light show in the evening.
x Abu Simbel A Double Temple
Tour one of Egypt’s most unusual temples, dedicated to both the falcon-headed Horus and the crocodile god Sobek. Son of Isis and Osiris, Horus was the sky god; Sobek was a fertility deity thought to have created the world when he first came out of the Nile waters. The temples are very much alike; the ancient builders took great care to honor both gods equally.
EXPLORE MORE P RE & P O S T P AC K AG E S
Israel 4 NIGHTS—$1,699 PER PERSON
Touch 6,000 years of history in Israel’s fascinating capital, Jerusalem. Visit historical, archeological and holy sites including the Temple Mount, Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity. Spend a full day exploring Jerusalem’s Old City including the city wall and gates, and see the Dead Sea Scrolls. Four nights at the Inbal Jerusalem Hotel (or similar), 8 meals including daily breakfasts, three full-day tours, Jerusalem-Cairo flight and hotel/airport transfer are included in this fully escorted pre-cruisetour package.
Jordan 4 NIGHTS—$1,599 PER PERSON
Extend your travels in the Middle East to scenic, historic Jordan. See Roman antiquities at Jerash, Crusader-era castles at Kerak and Shobak, and the lost city of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Enjoy guided tours of Petra, the Dead Sea and Jordan’s capital city, Amman. Two nights at Petra and one night each at the Dead Sea and Amman, 8 meals including daily breakfasts, three full-day tours, Cairo-Amman flight and hotel/airport transfer are included in this fully escorted post-cruisetour package.
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