Thu, Feb 4: Depart Indianapolis on your overnight flight to Cairo, Egypt.

Fri, Feb 5: Arrive in Cairo, Egypt. Transfer to the opulent Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza or stunning Nile Ritz-Carlton (or similar).  

Sat, Feb 6: Relax this morning at the hotel or explore the area at your leisure. Step back in time at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, where an expert-guided visit reveals the evolution of Egypt from prehistoric times to today, highlighted by the Hall of Mummies featuring legendary rulers such as Hatshepsut and Thutmose the Great. Gather for a welcome dinner tonight with fellow travelers. (Meal: Breakfast,Dinner)

Sun, Feb 7: The ancient quarter of Cairo is a kaleidoscope of colors, sights, sounds and sensations—and it’s been this way for thousands of years. Capture the city’s true essence on a narrated tour as your local expert shows you the beautiful Alabaster Mosque, and the 12th-century Citadel of Salah al-Din, a massive compound containing mosques and museums with breathtaking views of the city. End the day with a guided visit to a long-awaited cultural institution—the Grand Egyptian Museum. Home to artifacts from across the millennia of Egyptian history, including the complete King Tutankhamun collection, the “GEM” is the largest archaeological museum in the world. (B)

Mon, Feb 8: After a short flight to Luxor on the east bank of the Nile, stroll through the grand avenues of sphinxes and halls of gigantic columns of the magnificent Temple of Karnak. Buried under sand for a thousand years, the UNESCO designated Karnak complex is composed of three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples. Later, board the elegant S.S. Sphinx and set sail for beautiful Dendera. Enjoy a Welcome Reception with a folkloric dance performance and dinner onboard this evening. (B,L,D)

Tue, Feb 9: Like its twin shrine, the Temple of Karnak, the Temple of Luxor stands on the site of ancient Thebes, the once flourishing capital of Egypt’s New Kingdom. Enter the temple through the great pylon, a ceremonial gateway, where two enormous statues of Ramses II still stand, along with a pink granite obelisk. Continue to an enormous interior courtyard, where the Abu Haggag Mosque once stood atop the ruins of the temple. You can still see a ghostly remnant of the mosque on the east side of the courtyard, high above the columns, its arched doorway opening into thin air. Also visit the Temple of Hathor, dedicated to the goddess of love and beauty. Built between 125 BC and AD 65, it is one of the best-preserved temples in all of Egypt and features a rare bas-relief of Cleopatra with Caesarion, the son she bore to Julius Caesar. (B,L,D)

Wed, Feb 10: The word “colossal” will take on a whole new meaning after today’s excursion to the gigantic twin statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. Sixty feet tall and gazing eastward toward the rising sun, the statues depict Amenhotep seated on his throne. Carved next to his legs are his mother and his wife, with side panels depicting the god of the Nile, Hapi. Visit the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri. Built into the face of steep cliffs at the basin, the temple is made of limestone instead of sandstone, unlike any other funerary temples of the New Kingdom period. You’ll also visit one of the most famous archeological sites in the world—the remote and barren Valley of the Kings, used for royal burials for nearly 500 years and where the mummified remains of Tutankhamen are on display. Return to the ship and set sail for Kom Ombo. Tonight, don your galabeya (traditional Egyptian attire, samples of which will be available for purchase onboard if you’d like to participate but didn’t bring your own) for a festive onboard party featuring traditional Egyptian music. (B,L,D)

Thu, Feb 11: Today visit the Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to both the crocodile god Sobek (don’t miss the display of some of the 300 mummified crocs found in the local area) and falcon god Horus the Elder. Afterwards (weather permitting) take a ride in a traditional Egyptian sailboat and enjoy afternoon tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel Aswan, depicted in Agatha Christie’s novel Death on the Nile. (B,L,D)

Fri, Feb 12: Today is an epic day, filled with wonders from start to finish. Visit a marvel of modern engineering, the Aswan High Dam, as well as the Unfinished Obelisk, and the beautiful Philae Temple complex, which was moved from one island to another in the 1970s. Then, hop aboard a small boat for a bird-watching excursion along the Nile. Keep an eye out for different species of herons, kingfishers, vultures, sunbirds, and other wildlife that thrive in the marsh grass along the riverbanks. After dinner onboard this evening, you’ll be treated to an enchanting Nubian show featuring traditionally attired performers, live music, and dancing. (B,L,D)

Sat, Feb 13: Discover the awe-inspiring Temples of Abu Simbel—masterpieces built by Ramses II in 1244 B.C. and famously relocated by UNESCO—on a short flight from Aswan, where guided insight and free time allow you to marvel at one of Egypt’s most iconic ancient wonders. Return to the ship and continue cruising the Nile River. (B,L,D)

Sun, Feb 14: On today’s excursion, you’ll learn how the Temple of Esna was buried under debris for many centuries and is one of the last great Egyptian temples ever built. An Egyptologist guide will share fascinating insights about this significant cultural site and show you the facade bearing the last known hieroglyphic inscriptions ever recorded in Egypt. Later, savor the Nile’s majestic scenery as the ship cruises to Luxor. (B,L,D)

Mon, Feb 15: Disembark in Luxor and transfer to the airport for a return flight to Cairo. After checking into your hotel in Cairo, cap off the day with A Night at the Bazaar—experience the vibrant Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, Cairo’s legendary medieval marketplace, where winding alleys brimming with textiles, spices, and lanterns come alive on a guided visit with relaxing Egyptian tea at a local café. (B) 

Tue, Feb 16: Cross a few remaining sites off your bucket list today and have a thrilling opportunity to view the pyramids from an up-close perspective! Venture to the Giza Necropolis, where the Great Sphinx awaits your visit. With the body of a crouching lion and the head of a man, it still kneels gracefully as it has for thousands of years. See the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the oldest pyramid in the world. You will also visit the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza. Seeing these legendary structures up close lets you appreciate their stone masonry and awe-inspiring architectural precision. Until as recently as the 19th century, the oldest and largest of the three pyramids, Khufu, was the tallest building in the world; when it was completed around the 26th century BC, it stood about 50 stories high. (B)

Wed, Feb 17: Check out of your hotel and transfer to the Cairo International Airport for a return flight to Indianapolis.