Discover Egypt: Ancient Civilizations and Early Christianity

Egypt is woven through the entire Bible — from Joseph sold into slavery, to the plagues and the Exodus, to the infant Christ carried there for safety. This ten-day journey moves from Cairo's ancient wonders and Coptic churches, aboard a 5-star Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, and on to the shores of the Red Sea. You will walk among the oldest Christian monasteries in the world, stand in the Valley of the Kings, and sail the river Moses was drawn from as a child. No destination more directly confronts the sovereignty of God over the empires of this world.

What You'll Encounter

• The Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Valley Temple — monuments that stood before the Exodus

• The Grand Egyptian Museum — the world's largest archaeological museum

• The Temple of Philae, dedicated to Isis — by boat across Aswan's reservoir

• The Nile — three nights aboard a 5-star cruise ship from Aswan to Luxor

• Kom Ombo and the Temple of Horus at Edfu — approached by horse-drawn carriage

• Luxor West Bank — the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple, Colossi of Memnon

• Karnak and Luxor Temples — the greatest religious complex ever built

• The Red Sea Monasteries of St. Paul and St. Simon — among the oldest in the world, founded c. 300 AD

• Old Cairo — the Coptic Museum and the ancient churches of the faithful

The Journey

Day by Day

1. 01

   Arrival in Cairo

   Arrive at Cairo International Airport, where your Veritas representative meets and assists you. Transfer by private vehicle to your hotel for a relaxing evening. This evening, enjoy a two-hour dinner cruise aboard a 5-star floating restaurant on the Nile, with belly dancer and oriental show — the great river carrying you gently beneath the lights of Cairo. Overnight in Cairo.
2. 02

   The Pyramids of Giza & the Grand Egyptian Museum

   After breakfast, your private guide takes you to the Great Pyramids of Giza — the only surviving wonder of the ancient world — along with the Sphinx and the Valley Temple at its feet. The Israelites who labored in Egypt would have known monuments like these. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant, then spend the afternoon at the Grand Egyptian Museum, the world's largest archaeological museum, home to the complete treasures of Tutankhamun and artifacts spanning three thousand years of pharaonic history. Overnight in Cairo.
3. 03

   Flight to Aswan — Nile Cruise Begins

   After breakfast, transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Aswan. Upon arrival, board your 5-star Nile cruise ship and settle in. After lunch on board, visit the Temple of Philae — accessible by boat across the Aswan reservoir, this island sanctuary was dedicated to Isis and Hathor and remained a center of worship long into the early Christian era. Also visit the Unfinished Obelisk, still resting in its ancient quarry — a window into the craft that built a civilization. Overnight aboard the Nile cruise.
4. 04

   Kom Ombo & the Temple of Horus at Edfu

   Sail to Kom Ombo and explore the extraordinary double temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus — divided precisely down the center for two gods, perched dramatically above a bend in the river. Continue sailing to Edfu and visit the Temple of Horus — the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt — arriving by horse-drawn carriage from the riverbank. Enjoy lunch and dinner on board as the ship sails toward Esna. Overnight aboard the Nile cruise.
5. 05

   Luxor — The West Bank

   Arrive in Luxor and cross to the West Bank of the Nile. Enter the Valley of the Kings, where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom — the era of Moses and the Exodus — were buried in tombs cut deep into the limestone. Visit the great Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and stand before the Colossi of Memnon — two massive stone figures that have watched the Nile flood and recede for thirty-three centuries. Enjoy lunch and afternoon tea on board. Overnight aboard the Nile cruise in Luxor.
6. 06

   Karnak, Luxor Temple & Transfer to Hurghada

   Disembark after breakfast and visit the East Bank. Walk through the great hypostyle hall at Karnak — a forest of 134 massive columns and the largest religious complex ever built. Continue to Luxor Temple, standing at the heart of the ancient city. In the afternoon, transfer by road to Hurghada on the Red Sea, approximately 3.5 hours through the Eastern Desert. Overnight in Hurghada.
7. 07

   A Free Day on the Red Sea

   Enjoy a free day in Hurghada, the resort city on the shores of the sea that parted for Moses and his people (Exodus 14). Optional excursions include snorkeling or diving among the vibrant coral reefs, windsurfing, or sailing. Your hotel is on an all-inclusive basis — take the day at your own pace and let the journey breathe. Overnight in Hurghada.
8. 08

   The Red Sea Monasteries & Return to Cairo

   After breakfast, transfer by deluxe coach back to Cairo — approximately 430 km (five hours). En route, stop at the Red Sea Monasteries: the Monastery of St. Paul and the Monastery of St. Simon, two of the oldest monasteries in the world, both founded around 300 AD and still inhabited by Coptic monks today. These ancient communities of prayer have endured seventeen centuries of desert silence. Arrive Cairo and check in to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.
9. 09

   Coptic Cairo & the Old City

   After breakfast, spend a full day in the oldest Christian quarter in Africa. Visit the Coptic Museum — the world's finest collection of early Christian art, from the apostolic age through the Islamic conquest. Explore the ancient churches of Old Cairo, including the Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqah), one of the oldest continuously worshipping congregations on earth. End the day at Khan El Khalili, Cairo's ancient bazaar, open since the fourteenth century. Overnight in Cairo.
10. 10

    Departure

    Enjoy breakfast at your hotel, then transfer to Cairo International Airport for your flight home, carrying with you unforgettable memories of ancient wonders, living faith, and the land that formed God's people.

Program Rates Include

What's Included

• Meet-and-assist service at all airports

• Personalized guest relations assistance throughout your stay

• All airport and hotel transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle

• Ground transfer from Luxor to Hurghada in an air-conditioned vehicle

• Ground transfer from Hurghada to Cairo in an air-conditioned vehicle

• 4 nights accommodation at the 5-star Cairo Marriott Omar Khayyam on half-board basis, standard rooms

• 3 nights aboard a 5-star Nile cruise ship (Aswan to Luxor) on full-board basis

• 2 nights accommodation in Hurghada on all-inclusive basis (including local alcoholic drinks)

• Domestic flights in Egypt as per the itinerary

• Egypt Entry Visa fees

• Private guided tours in Cairo

• Guided sightseeing tours in Aswan and Luxor as per the itinerary

• Guided group tours during the Nile cruise

• Professional English-speaking Egyptologist guide throughout

• All entrance fees to sites listed in the itinerary

• Meals as specified in the itinerary (breakfast, lunch, and dinner where applicable)

• Bottled water during excursions

• Lunches at local restaurants during your time in Cairo

• Luggage handling where needed

• All service charges and applicable taxes

Not Included

• International airfare

• Optional tours and activities not listed in the itinerary

• Personal expenses (telephone, laundry, beverages during meals, etc.)

• Tipping for guides, drivers, and cruise crew (at your discretion)

Accommodation

Hotels of the Package

• Cairo

  Cairo Marriott Omar Khayyam

• Nile (Aswan–Luxor)

  5-Star Nile Cruise Ship

Or similar properties of equivalent standard.