Fri, Feb 28: Depart Indianapolis on your independent flight arrangements to Cairo, Egypt.

Sat, Mar 1: Arrive in Cairo, Egypt. Transfer to the opulent Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza. The rest of day is at your leisure.

Sun, Mar 2: 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; the 12th-century Citadel of Salah al-Din, a massive compound containing mosques and museums with breathtaking views; and an unsurpassed collection of priceless artifacts, including mind-boggling treasures once buried with the boy king Tutankhamen at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. (Meal: Breakfast)

Mon, Mar 3: 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 Gala Reception and dinner onboard this evening. (B,D)

Tue, Mar 4: 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 (its mate stands in the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France). 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. 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, Mar 5: 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, Mar 6: Take a scenic cruise to Aswan to visit the Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to both a crocodile god (don’t miss the display of some of the 300 mummified crocs found in the local area) and falcon god Horus the Elder. 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. Enjoy tea with a Nubian family. (B,L,D)

Fri, Mar 7: 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 back in the 1970s. You’ll also (weather permitting) take a ride in a traditional Egyptian sailboat, and enjoy afternoon tea at a famous hotel depicted in Agatha Christie’s novel Death on the Nile. 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, Mar 8: Cruising the Nile River. Spend the day at leisure or join an optional excursion to see the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel. (B,L,D)

Sun, Mar 9: 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. Your 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, Mar 10: Disembark in Luxor and transfer to the airport for your return flight to Cairo. Check in to the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza. Enjoy free time in the city before attending a sensational Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids of Giza, a fantastically creative and colorful introduction to these ancient wonders and the amazing people and culture that built them. (B)

Tue, Mar 11: Today, venture to ancient Memphis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a number of amazing monuments. You’ll see the colossal statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx, as well as the Step Pyramid of King Zoser. At the Giza Necropolis, the face of ancient Egypt—the Great Sphinx—awaits your visit. With the body of a crouching lion and the head of a man, it is the largest monolith statue 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, Mar 12: Check out of your hotel and transfer to the Cairo International Airport for your flight to Indianapolis. (B)