Splendors of Egypt & the Nile

Sleep Medicine, Dentistry & Effective
Planning for Healthy Aging
4-Nights Cairo & 7-Night Nile River Cruise
on Uniworld S.S. Sphinx
October 31 – November 11, 2020

Uncover Egypt’s ancient secrets with PES for 11 nights on this bucket list adventure! Visit iconic landmarks, temples, and monuments and cruise the Nile in a manner once reserved for pharaohs on the brand-new S.S. Sphinx.

CME/CE Overview

Cruise & Tour Itinerary Highlights:

  • Gaze upon the mighty ancient Pyramids and the mysterious Sphinx
  • Wander amongst the towering ruins of the Temple of Karnak, the world’s largest ancient religious complex, and the Temple of Luxor
  • Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s first female ruler
  • Follow in the footsteps of renowned scholars and explorers at Valley of the Kings, the ancient burial grounds of Egyptian royalty
  • Enjoy an exhilarating ride in a felucca, a traditional Nile River sailboat
  • Visit the Egyptian Museum and its unrivaled collection of artifacts, including treasures recovered from the tomb of King Tutankhamun
  • Join a bird-watching boat ride and enjoy tea with a Nubian family

All-Inclusive River Cruise Package:

  • Daily shore excursions led by English-speaking expert local guides
  • All meals in three gourmet dining venues, including al fresco dining on the upper deck, and daily breakfast during land portion in Cairo, plus a Uniworld Gala Reception on the ship
  • Complimentary house wine, local beer, soft drinks, tea, and coffee during lunch and dinner on board the S.S. Sphinx
  • All gratuities for ship staff, drivers, and shore excursion guides
  • Included transfers to and from the Cairo International Airport
  • Complimentary shipwide Internet and Wi-Fi access
  • $300 per couple shipboard credit
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Brief Itinerary

Date Day Location Included Excursion
Oct 31 Sat Cairo – Four Seasons Hotel Transfer from Cairo International Airport or from optional Amman and Petra Pre-Tour to hotel
Nov 1 Sun Cairo – Four Seasons Hotel Citadel of Salah al-Din, Alabaster Mosque and Egyptian Museum
Nov 2 Mon Fly to Luxor, Embark S.S. Sphinx, Dendera Temple of Karnak
Nov 3 Tue Dendera, Luxor Temple of Hathor & Temple of Luxor
Nov 4 Wed Luxor, Kom Ombo Colossi of Memnon, Hatshepsut Temple and Valley of the Kings
Nov 5 Thu Kom Ombo, Aswan Kom Ombo Temple & Bird watching boat ride and tea with a Nubian family
Nov 6 Fri Aswan Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple & Boat ride in traditional Nile River felucca and afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan
Nov 7 Sat Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu Day at Leisure or Optional Temples of Abu Simbel ($)
Nov 8 Sun Esna, Luxor Temple of Esna
Nov 9 Mon Luxor, Disembark S.S. Sphinx, Fly to Cairo – Four Seasons Hotel Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids of Giza
Nov 10 Tue Cairo – Four Seasons Hotel Ancient Memphis sites, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx and Sakkara visit
Nov 11 Wed Cairo Transfer to Cairo International Airport or join the optional Jerusalem Post-Tour

Optional Pre-Tour Package:

5-Night Jordan and Petra Pre-Tour | October 26 – 31, 2020

Explore ancient ruins and rock-cut masterpieces on this 5-night pre-tour extension in Jordan. Thousands of years of history are yours to uncover as you wind your way through destinations brimming with archaeological wonders, mountainous landscapes, and ancient ruins. This insightful discovery will open your eyes to the magnificence of this not-to-miss country!

More Information

Detailed Itinerary & Included Excursions:

Saturday, October 31, 2020 | Cairo – Four Seasons Hotel

Arrive at Cairo International Airport. If your cruise/tour package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, a Uniworld representative will be on hand to greet you and escort you to the opulent Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza.

The ancient quarter of Cairo is intense—the colors, the sounds, the density of people—and it’s likely been this way for thousands of years. Your local expert will show you a 12th-century citadel, the beautiful Alabaster Mosque and an unsurpassed collection of priceless artifacts, including mind-boggling treasures once buried with the boy king Tutankhamen.

Included Excursion: Citadel of Salah al-Din, Alabaster Mosque, and Egyptian Museum

Your tour of this historic city includes a visit to the Citadel of Salah al-Din, a massive compound containing mosques and museums and offering breathtaking views of Cairo. Founded in the seventh century by Arab conquerors, the Fatimid dynasty rulers made Cairo their capital and named it al-Qahira (“the Victorious”). The great sultan Salah al-Din built his citadel in the 12th century as a government center and bulwark against invading armies of Crusaders. Located high above the eastern end of Cairo on El-Moqattam Hill, the citadel was the home of Egypt’s rulers for more than 700 years and is one of the oldest attractions in the city.

After the Ottoman ruler Muhammad Ali seized power in the 1800s, he restored the walls of the citadel and built numerous palaces, schools, and government buildings inside. His masterpiece was the great Alabaster Mosque, also known as the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, which you’ll have an opportunity to visit. Its two slender minarets were Muhammad Ali’s declaration of independence from Istanbul, as Ottoman law decreed that only a sultan could build a mosque with two minarets. The mosque’s expansive Turkish-style interior is lit by a beautiful array of lamps suspended from the intricately decorated ceiling.

You’ll also visit the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, established in 1900 and by far the most impressive collection of Egyptian antiquities and pharaonic treasures in the world. Located in the heart of Cairo, the museum displays an astonishing number of objects. Ancient Egyptian history began with the founding of the Old Kingdom around 3100 BC and lasted 3,000 years until Alexander the Great conquered the country in 332 BC and ended the rule of the pharaohs. The museum’s galleries are laid out in roughly chronological order as you move clockwise along the ground floor.

Prepare to be amazed at the legendary Temple of Karnak, a massive and absolutely astounding site, with gigantic columns, broad avenues lined with stone sphinxes and halls of truly epic proportions. Your local guide is a trained Egyptologist with fascinating insights to share, many not found in any guidebook.

Included Excursion: Temple of Karnak

After a short flight to Luxor on the east bank of the Nile, you can stroll through the grand avenues of sphinxes and halls of gigantic columns of the magnificent Temple of Karnak. This vast complex, situated about 2 miles (3.5 kilometers) from the Temple of Luxor, was originally established during the Middle Kingdom (1991-1633 BC), and various dynasties over the next 1,300 years continued to expand it. Karnak is a massive and simply astounding site, reflecting the combined achievements of many generations of ancient builders—as many as 80,000 laborers took part in its creation during the 19th Dynasty alone.

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. The largest of these is dedicated to Amun, a great pharaonic god. Enter the main compound, the Precinct of Amun, through the Great Court, and continue on to the dazzling Great Hypostyle Hall—sometimes called the Hall of Columns—an imposing forest of 134 enormous sandstone columns in the form of papyrus stalks.

Later, you’ll board the elegant S.S. Sphinx and set sail for beautiful Dendera. Enjoy a Gala Reception and dinner on board this evening.

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. It was built over hundreds of years and even in ruins, it is still an extraordinary place. You’ll also visit the Temple of Hathor, dedicated to the goddess of love and beauty.

Included Excursion: Temple of Hathor

The impressive Temple of Hathor at Dendera was dedicated to the goddess of love and beauty. The temple dates to Egypt’s Ptolemaic era, when the heirs of Alexander the Great ruled over Egypt and adopted Egyptian culture and religion as their own. 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.

Return to Luxor for some free time before visiting the ancient Temple of Luxor.

Included Excursion: Temple of Luxor

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 on 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.

The temple’s chief architects were Amenhotep III (Egypt’s “Sun King,” also known as Amenophis III) and Ramses II, and it was constructed over hundreds of years, beginning around 1400 BC. It was dedicated to the “father of all life,” the god Amun, sometimes referred to as Amon or Amon-Ra. Ancient Egyptians came to the temple to pay tribute to this god during the Opet Festival, celebrated during the annual flooding of the Nile. Once a year, a great feast was held and the statue of Amun was transported via a small sailboat from the Temple of Karnak to the Temple of Luxor. (Stages of the festival are depicted in friezes along the Temple of Karnak’s grand processional colonnade, the construction of which was started by Amenhotep III and finished by his grandson, Tutankhamen.)

At the rear of the temple is the Sun Court of Amenhotep III, as well as the Bark Shrine that was rebuilt by Alexander the Great (who is depicted bare-chested on the walls). The Luxor Temple complex is at its most stunning at sunset when it is illuminated with the golden glow of the setting sun.

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. And that’s just the beginning—you’ll also visit the temple of one of Egypt’s rare female pharaohs as well as the Valley of the Kings, used as a royal burial place for nearly 500 years and where the mummified remains of Tutankhamen are on display.

Included Excursion: Colossi of Memnon, Hatshepsut Temple, and Valley of the Kings

Get an up-close view of two gigantic statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, better known as the Colossi of Memnon. Sixty feet (18 meters) 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. The figures originally sat in front of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III and are believed to have surpassed even Karnak in size. Unfortunately, the temple itself was slowly dismantled over the centuries to provide building materials for new temples; the twin Colossi continue to stand guard nonetheless, just as they have done for the past 3,400 years.

The Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri is another highlight today. One of Egypt’s rare female pharaohs, Hatshepsut is considered by historians to have been one of the most successful rulers of ancient Egypt. Both the setting and the construction of her temple make it unique among the landmarks of Egypt; 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. Hatshepsut’s successor, Thutmose III, attempted to remove her name from the temple, and many images of the queen were damaged or destroyed during his reign.

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. Much of our understanding of Egyptian mythology has been garnered from these ancient chambers, located about four miles (seven kilometers) inland on the west bank of the Nile. It was here that the bodies of great pharaohs such as Ramses II and Thutmose III were once laid to rest and where the mummified remains of the boy king Tutankhamen are still on display. The idea for establishing this royal burial ground is thought to have originated with Thutmose I, who opted to conceal his tomb far from his mortuary temple in an effort to deter tomb robbers. Subsequent pharaohs did the same, changing a tradition that had endured for close to 2,000 years.

Within the tombs and along the walls of the Valley of the Kings, inscriptions from the Book of the Dead provided instructions on how the pharaohs could safely journey to the next world and avoid the dangers that lay on the way. For the sake of preservation, only a handful of the most interesting tombs are open to visitors at any given time.

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.

After visiting a temple dedicated to a crocodile god today (don’t miss the display of some of the 300 mummified crocs found in the local area), hop aboard a small boat for a bird-watching excursion along the Nile.

Included Excursion: Kom Ombo Temple

The Kom Ombo Temple, unlike most ancient Egyptian temples, is dedicated to two gods—the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus the Elder. Construction began under the reign of Ptolemy VI Philometor (180-145 BC) and continued under later rulers, most notably Ptolemy XIII (47-44 BC), who built the inner and outer hypostyle halls. Several of the 300 crocodile mummies discovered in the vicinity are displayed inside the temple.

Included Excursion: Bird watching boat ride and tea with a Nubian family

After a scenic cruise to Aswan, you’ll take a small boat on 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.

Today is an epic day, filled with wonders from start to finish. You’ll 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. But wait, there’s more. You’ll also take a ride in a felucca—a traditional Egyptian sailboat—and enjoy afternoon tea at a famous hotel depicted in Agatha Christie’s novel Death on the Nile.

Included Excursion: Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple

The Aswan High Dam, completed in the 1970s, is a marvel of modern engineering that boasts some truly epic dimensions—it is 11,800 feet (3,597 meters) long; 3,215 feet (980 meters) wide at its base; and 304 feet (93 meters) high—with a reservoir capacity nearly five times that of the Hoover Dam. You’ll also visit the Unfinished Obelisk, commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut yet never completed due to a flaw discovered in the stone. If completed, it would have been the largest and heaviest obelisk ever attempted, weighing more than two million pounds (907,185 kilograms).

Another highlight today is the beautiful Philae Temple complex, originally situated on the island of Philae. It was painstakingly transferred to the island of Agilika after the construction of the Aswan High Dam to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, a daunting UNESCO-funded endeavor that took 10 years to complete. The three principal monuments on the island all date from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods—the Kiosk of Trajan, the Temple of Hathor and the Temple of Isis.

Included Excursion: Boat ride in traditional Nile River felucca and afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan

Today you will sail serenely down the Nile in a felucca— a small traditional boat with large triangular sails—a wonderful way to experience the river as Egyptians have for a thousand years. Later, relax over afternoon tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel Aswan, a colonial-era gem that counts Winston Churchill and Princess Diana among its former guests. This famous hotel was depicted in Agatha Christie’s acclaimed mystery novel Death on the Nile.

After dinner on board this evening, you’ll be treated to an enchanting Nubian show featuring traditionally attired performers, live music and dancing.

Spend the day at leisure or join us for an optional excursion to see the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel.

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 all sorts of fascinating insights about this significant cultural site and show you the façade bearing the last known hieroglyphic inscriptions ever recorded in Egypt.

Included Excursion: Temple of Esna

The Late Roman Temple of Esna lies on the west bank of the Nile about 34 miles (55 kilometers) south of Luxor. Buried under debris for many centuries, the temple is just a short walk from the ship through the local market. It dates from the Ptolemaic and Roman period (180 BC to AD 251) and is one of the last Egyptian temples ever built. Visitors can see two large inscriptions praising Khnum, the ram-headed god of creation, who fashioned mankind on a potter’s wheel from the clay mud of the Nile. There’s also a hypostyle hall with 24 pillars and a ceiling depicting Egyptian astronomical figures and Roman zodiac signs. On the temple’s western wall, look for images of Horus, the god of victory, and Khnum, dragging a net full of fish. At the foot of this façade are the last known hieroglyphic inscriptions ever recorded in Egypt.

Later, savor the Nile’s majestic scenery as the ship cruises to Luxor.

After disembarking and flying back to Cairo, you’ll have time to relax before tonight’s featured excursion—a Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids of Giza. 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 and enjoy free time in the city before attending a sensational Sound and Light Show at the pyramids of Giza.

 Included Excursion: Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids of Giza

This evening’s Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids is a fantastically creative and colorful introduction to these ancient wonders and the amazing people and culture that built them. Travel back in time as you experience a compelling historical overview, with fascinating insights into ancient Egyptian secrets and legends.

It’s a day of Bucket List Moments today as we venture to Ancient Memphis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a number of amazing monuments to see—including the enigmatic Great Sphinx. After seeing the pyramids from afar last evening, you’ll have a thrilling opportunity to view them from an up-close perspective, the only way to fully appreciate their remarkable size and grandeur.

 Included Excursion: Ancient Memphis sites, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and Sakkara visit

Venture forth to Ancient Memphis, the capital of Egypt’s Old Kingdom and now a vast UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing a number of extraordinary monuments. You’ll see the colossal statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx, as well as the Step Pyramid of King Zoser (or Djoser) in nearby Sakkara, the oldest pyramid in the world and the prototype for all subsequent pyramids. The ancient architect and sage Imhotep initially designed the pyramid as a single story, then later added five more levels and covered the structure with a shell of fine limestone. In front of the pyramid, Imhotep built a stone structure containing a wooden box with two peepholes; peer inside and you’ll see a life-size painted statue of King Zoser. The peepholes were created to allow the king’s ka (life spirit) to communicate with the outside world.

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. Experts believe that the Sphinx (known to the early Arabs as Abu al-Hol, “Father of Terror”) was built in the 26th century BC during Khafre’s reign, perhaps as a portrait of the pharaoh himself. Unfortunately, much of this monument has either eroded or been deliberately destroyed over the years. Some of its facial features are no longer intact, such as the beard and the nose—the latter of which was not shot off by Napoleon’s soldiers, as widely believed, but chiseled away many centuries earlier. A number of excavations in modern times have removed the sand that built up around the Sphinx over the centuries and kept much of it buried. Despite its timeworn condition, the Sphinx still kneels gracefully as it has for thousands of years, looking toward the east with an enigmatic smile.

Today you’ll also visit the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza. Beholding 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.

Check out of your hotel and transfer to the Cairo International Airport for your flight home or extend your trip with a memorable optional extension in Jerusalem.

Note: Ship schedule and order of sightseeing may change throughout the itinerary. Tour to port of destination by motorcoach and substitute visits to other sites may occur during your trip due to the impact of water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors.

Optional Post-Tour Package:

4-Night Jerusalem Post-Tour | November 11 – 15, 2020

Jerusalem is a city rich in history, religion and heritage—all of which you’ll discover on this 5-day post-tour extension that will take you to some of the oldest and holiest sites in the world. From the fascinating Old City to the vibrant downtown, there’s no shortage of ways to uncover this city’s enthralling past and captivating present!

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PES Stateroom Rates:

PES Group Discount of $300 per person! Plus, $300 per couple shipboard credit!

About S.S. Sphinx
Deck Plan
Category Brochure Rate PES Group Rate PES Group Rate
Double Per Person Double Per Person Single Price
French Balcony | Decks 2, 4 | 233 sq. ft.Waitlisted $6,899$4,399 $6,749
Deluxe French Balcony | Deck 4 | 285 sq. ft.Waitlisted $7,399$4,899 $7,499
Suite | Deck 4 | 344 sq. ft.$7,899$5,399 $11,099
Grand Suite | Decks 3, 4 | 463 sq. ft.$8,899$6,399 $13,099
Royal Suite | Decks 3, 4 | 500 sq. ft.Waitlisted $9,399$6,899 $14,099
CME/CE Professional Seminar Fee: $695
Seminar Attendance Fee: $450

Rates include port taxes, gratuities, and $300 per couple shipboard credit.

Double pricing is based on double occupancy or two people per stateroom.

Single pricing is based on one person per stateroom and is capacity-controlled by Uniworld and subject to change.

Cancellation Schedule: Cancellation penalties apply once deposit is paid, so please review policy below.

Reservation Booking Terms and Conditions:

Required Deposit:
Cruise & Land: 10% of total package
Seminar: $200 per person

Final Payment: June 26, 2020

Airfare is not included. PES will book your air arrangements for a $75 ticketing fee, or you may choose to handle your own reservation.

Passports: Passports are required for all guests and must be valid for six months after the end of the cruise.

PES offers optional travel insurance. Travel insurance is strongly suggested and will give you the opportunity to recover monies lost through cancellations. We offer Travel Guard insurance as an option. Premiums vary depending on your age and the cost of your trip. Purchase within 14 days of deposit for additional benefits.

Cancellation Penalties: All cancellations must be made in writing to Global Tracks. Travel Insurance and Airfare are non-refundable once ticketed. Any payment to Global Tracks constitutes your acceptance of the Terms and Conditions set herein, including but not limited to the cancellation terms. All cancellations are subject to a $200 per person administration fee in addition to the below schedule:

From time of deposit to June 26, 2020 $200 per person
From June 27, 2020 to July 31, 2020 20% of the total package
From August 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020 35% of the total package
From September 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020 50% of the total package
After September 30, 2020 100% of the total package
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Splendors of Egypt & the Nile

Sleep Medicine, Dentistry & Effective
Planning for Healthy Aging
4-Nights Cairo & 7-Night Nile River Cruise
on Uniworld S.S. Sphinx
October 31 – November 11, 2020

Uncover Egypt’s ancient secrets with PES for 11 nights on this bucket list adventure! Visit iconic landmarks, temples, and monuments and cruise the Nile in a manner once reserved for pharaohs on the brand-new S.S. Sphinx.

CME/CE Overview

Cruise & Tour Itinerary Highlights:

  • Gaze upon the mighty ancient Pyramids and the mysterious Sphinx
  • Wander amongst the towering ruins of the Temple of Karnak, the world’s largest ancient religious complex, and the Temple of Luxor
  • Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s first female ruler
  • Follow in the footsteps of renowned scholars and explorers at Valley of the Kings, the ancient burial grounds of Egyptian royalty
  • Enjoy an exhilarating ride in a felucca, a traditional Nile River sailboat
  • Visit the Egyptian Museum and its unrivaled collection of artifacts, including treasures recovered from the tomb of King Tutankhamun
  • Join a bird-watching boat ride and enjoy tea with a Nubian family

All-Inclusive River Cruise Package:

  • Daily shore excursions led by English-speaking expert local guides
  • All meals in two gourmet dining venues, including al fresco dining on the upper deck, and daily breakfast during land portion in Cairo, plus a Uniworld Gala Reception on the ship
  • Complimentary house wine, local beer, soft drinks, tea, and coffee during lunch and dinner on board the S.S. Sphinx
  • All gratuities for ship staff, drivers, and shore excursion guides
  • Included transfers to and from the Cairo International Airport
  • Complimentary shipwide Internet and Wi-Fi access
  • $300 per couple shipboard credit
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Registration Form

Brief Itinerary

Date Day Location Included Excursion
Oct 31 Sat Cairo – Four Seasons Hotel Transfer from Cairo International Airport or from optional Amman and Petra Pre-Tour to hotel
Nov 1 Sun Cairo – Four Seasons Hotel Citadel of Salah al-Din, Alabaster Mosque and Egyptian Museum
Nov 2 Mon Fly to Luxor, Embark S.S. Sphinx, Dendera Temple of Karnak
Nov 3 Tue Dendera, Luxor Temple of Hathor & Temple of Luxor
Nov 4 Wed Luxor, Kom Ombo Colossi of Memnon, Hatshepsut Temple and Valley of the Kings
Nov 5 Thu Kom Ombo, Aswan Kom Ombo Temple & Bird watching boat ride and tea with a Nubian family
Nov 6 Fri Aswan Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple & Boat ride in traditional Nile River felucca and afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan
Nov 7 Sat Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu Day at Leisure or Optional Temples of Abu Simbel ($)
Nov 8 Sun Esna, Luxor Temple of Esna
Nov 9 Mon Luxor, Disembark S.S. Sphinx, Fly to Cairo – Four Seasons Hotel Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids of Giza
Nov 10 Tue Cairo – Four Seasons Hotel Ancient Memphis sites, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx and Sakkara visit
Nov 11 Wed Cairo Transfer to Cairo International Airport or join the optional Jerusalem Post-Tour

Optional Pre-Tour Package:

5-Night Jordan and Petra Pre-Tour | October 26 – 31, 2020

Explore ancient ruins and rock-cut masterpieces on this 5-night pre-tour extension in Jordan. Thousands of years of history are yours to uncover as you wind your way through destinations brimming with archaeological wonders, mountainous landscapes, and ancient ruins. This insightful discovery will open your eyes to the magnificence of this not-to-miss country!

More Information

Detailed Itinerary & Included Excursions:

Saturday, October 31, 2020 | Cairo – Four Seasons Hotel

Arrive at Cairo International Airport. If your cruise/tour package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, a Uniworld representative will be on hand to greet you and escort you to the opulent Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza.

The ancient quarter of Cairo is intense—the colors, the sounds, the density of people—and it’s likely been this way for thousands of years. Your local expert will show you a 12th-century citadel, the beautiful Alabaster Mosque and an unsurpassed collection of priceless artifacts, including mind-boggling treasures once buried with the boy king Tutankhamen.

Included Excursion: Citadel of Salah al-Din, Alabaster Mosque, and Egyptian Museum

Your tour of this historic city includes a visit to the Citadel of Salah al-Din, a massive compound containing mosques and museums and offering breathtaking views of Cairo. Founded in the seventh century by Arab conquerors, the Fatimid dynasty rulers made Cairo their capital and named it al-Qahira (“the Victorious”). The great sultan Salah al-Din built his citadel in the 12th century as a government center and bulwark against invading armies of Crusaders. Located high above the eastern end of Cairo on El-Moqattam Hill, the citadel was the home of Egypt’s rulers for more than 700 years and is one of the oldest attractions in the city.

After the Ottoman ruler Muhammad Ali seized power in the 1800s, he restored the walls of the citadel and built numerous palaces, schools, and government buildings inside. His masterpiece was the great Alabaster Mosque, also known as the Mosque of Muhammad Ali, which you’ll have an opportunity to visit. Its two slender minarets were Muhammad Ali’s declaration of independence from Istanbul, as Ottoman law decreed that only a sultan could build a mosque with two minarets. The mosque’s expansive Turkish-style interior is lit by a beautiful array of lamps suspended from the intricately decorated ceiling.

You’ll also visit the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, established in 1900 and by far the most impressive collection of Egyptian antiquities and pharaonic treasures in the world. Located in the heart of Cairo, the museum displays an astonishing number of objects. Ancient Egyptian history began with the founding of the Old Kingdom around 3100 BC and lasted 3,000 years until Alexander the Great conquered the country in 332 BC and ended the rule of the pharaohs. The museum’s galleries are laid out in roughly chronological order as you move clockwise along the ground floor.

Prepare to be amazed at the legendary Temple of Karnak, a massive and absolutely astounding site, with gigantic columns, broad avenues lined with stone sphinxes and halls of truly epic proportions. Your local guide is a trained Egyptologist with fascinating insights to share, many not found in any guidebook.

Included Excursion: Temple of Karnak

After a short flight to Luxor on the east bank of the Nile, you can stroll through the grand avenues of sphinxes and halls of gigantic columns of the magnificent Temple of Karnak. This vast complex, situated about 2 miles (3.5 kilometers) from the Temple of Luxor, was originally established during the Middle Kingdom (1991-1633 BC), and various dynasties over the next 1,300 years continued to expand it. Karnak is a massive and simply astounding site, reflecting the combined achievements of many generations of ancient builders—as many as 80,000 laborers took part in its creation during the 19th Dynasty alone.

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. The largest of these is dedicated to Amun, a great pharaonic god. Enter the main compound, the Precinct of Amun, through the Great Court, and continue on to the dazzling Great Hypostyle Hall—sometimes called the Hall of Columns—an imposing forest of 134 enormous sandstone columns in the form of papyrus stalks.

Later, you’ll board the elegant S.S. Sphinx and set sail for beautiful Dendera. Enjoy a Gala Reception and dinner on board this evening.

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. It was built over hundreds of years and even in ruins, it is still an extraordinary place. You’ll also visit the Temple of Hathor, dedicated to the goddess of love and beauty.

Included Excursion: Temple of Hathor

The impressive Temple of Hathor at Dendera was dedicated to the goddess of love and beauty. The temple dates to Egypt’s Ptolemaic era, when the heirs of Alexander the Great ruled over Egypt and adopted Egyptian culture and religion as their own. 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.

Return to Luxor for some free time before visiting the ancient Temple of Luxor.

Included Excursion: Temple of Luxor

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 on 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.

The temple’s chief architects were Amenhotep III (Egypt’s “Sun King,” also known as Amenophis III) and Ramses II, and it was constructed over hundreds of years, beginning around 1400 BC. It was dedicated to the “father of all life,” the god Amun, sometimes referred to as Amon or Amon-Ra. Ancient Egyptians came to the temple to pay tribute to this god during the Opet Festival, celebrated during the annual flooding of the Nile. Once a year, a great feast was held and the statue of Amun was transported via a small sailboat from the Temple of Karnak to the Temple of Luxor. (Stages of the festival are depicted in friezes along the Temple of Karnak’s grand processional colonnade, the construction of which was started by Amenhotep III and finished by his grandson, Tutankhamen.)

At the rear of the temple is the Sun Court of Amenhotep III, as well as the Bark Shrine that was rebuilt by Alexander the Great (who is depicted bare-chested on the walls). The Luxor Temple complex is at its most stunning at sunset when it is illuminated with the golden glow of the setting sun.

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. And that’s just the beginning—you’ll also visit the temple of one of Egypt’s rare female pharaohs as well as the Valley of the Kings, used as a royal burial place for nearly 500 years and where the mummified remains of Tutankhamen are on display.

Included Excursion: Colossi of Memnon, Hatshepsut Temple, and Valley of the Kings

Get an up-close view of two gigantic statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, better known as the Colossi of Memnon. Sixty feet (18 meters) 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. The figures originally sat in front of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III and are believed to have surpassed even Karnak in size. Unfortunately, the temple itself was slowly dismantled over the centuries to provide building materials for new temples; the twin Colossi continue to stand guard nonetheless, just as they have done for the past 3,400 years.

The Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri is another highlight today. One of Egypt’s rare female pharaohs, Hatshepsut is considered by historians to have been one of the most successful rulers of ancient Egypt. Both the setting and the construction of her temple make it unique among the landmarks of Egypt; 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. Hatshepsut’s successor, Thutmose III, attempted to remove her name from the temple, and many images of the queen were damaged or destroyed during his reign.

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. Much of our understanding of Egyptian mythology has been garnered from these ancient chambers, located about four miles (seven kilometers) inland on the west bank of the Nile. It was here that the bodies of great pharaohs such as Ramses II and Thutmose III were once laid to rest and where the mummified remains of the boy king Tutankhamen are still on display. The idea for establishing this royal burial ground is thought to have originated with Thutmose I, who opted to conceal his tomb far from his mortuary temple in an effort to deter tomb robbers. Subsequent pharaohs did the same, changing a tradition that had endured for close to 2,000 years.

Within the tombs and along the walls of the Valley of the Kings, inscriptions from the Book of the Dead provided instructions on how the pharaohs could safely journey to the next world and avoid the dangers that lay on the way. For the sake of preservation, only a handful of the most interesting tombs are open to visitors at any given time.

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.

After visiting a temple dedicated to a crocodile god today (don’t miss the display of some of the 300 mummified crocs found in the local area), hop aboard a small boat for a bird-watching excursion along the Nile.

Included Excursion: Kom Ombo Temple

The Kom Ombo Temple, unlike most ancient Egyptian temples, is dedicated to two gods—the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus the Elder. Construction began under the reign of Ptolemy VI Philometor (180-145 BC) and continued under later rulers, most notably Ptolemy XIII (47-44 BC), who built the inner and outer hypostyle halls. Several of the 300 crocodile mummies discovered in the vicinity are displayed inside the temple.

Included Excursion: Bird watching boat ride and tea with a Nubian family

After a scenic cruise to Aswan, you’ll take a small boat on 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.

Today is an epic day, filled with wonders from start to finish. You’ll 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. But wait, there’s more. You’ll also take a ride in a felucca—a traditional Egyptian sailboat—and enjoy afternoon tea at a famous hotel depicted in Agatha Christie’s novel Death on the Nile.

Included Excursion: Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple

The Aswan High Dam, completed in the 1970s, is a marvel of modern engineering that boasts some truly epic dimensions—it is 11,800 feet (3,597 meters) long; 3,215 feet (980 meters) wide at its base; and 304 feet (93 meters) high—with a reservoir capacity nearly five times that of the Hoover Dam. You’ll also visit the Unfinished Obelisk, commissioned by Queen Hatshepsut yet never completed due to a flaw discovered in the stone. If completed, it would have been the largest and heaviest obelisk ever attempted, weighing more than two million pounds (907,185 kilograms).

Another highlight today is the beautiful Philae Temple complex, originally situated on the island of Philae. It was painstakingly transferred to the island of Agilika after the construction of the Aswan High Dam to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, a daunting UNESCO-funded endeavor that took 10 years to complete. The three principal monuments on the island all date from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods—the Kiosk of Trajan, the Temple of Hathor and the Temple of Isis.

Included Excursion: Boat ride in traditional Nile River felucca and afternoon tea at the Old Cataract Hotel Aswan

Today you will sail serenely down the Nile in a felucca— a small traditional boat with large triangular sails—a wonderful way to experience the river as Egyptians have for a thousand years. Later, relax over afternoon tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel Aswan, a colonial-era gem that counts Winston Churchill and Princess Diana among its former guests. This famous hotel was depicted in Agatha Christie’s acclaimed mystery novel Death on the Nile.

After dinner on board this evening, you’ll be treated to an enchanting Nubian show featuring traditionally attired performers, live music and dancing.

Spend the day at leisure or join us for an optional excursion to see the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel.

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 all sorts of fascinating insights about this significant cultural site and show you the façade bearing the last known hieroglyphic inscriptions ever recorded in Egypt.

Included Excursion: Temple of Esna

The Late Roman Temple of Esna lies on the west bank of the Nile about 34 miles (55 kilometers) south of Luxor. Buried under debris for many centuries, the temple is just a short walk from the ship through the local market. It dates from the Ptolemaic and Roman period (180 BC to AD 251) and is one of the last Egyptian temples ever built. Visitors can see two large inscriptions praising Khnum, the ram-headed god of creation, who fashioned mankind on a potter’s wheel from the clay mud of the Nile. There’s also a hypostyle hall with 24 pillars and a ceiling depicting Egyptian astronomical figures and Roman zodiac signs. On the temple’s western wall, look for images of Horus, the god of victory, and Khnum, dragging a net full of fish. At the foot of this façade are the last known hieroglyphic inscriptions ever recorded in Egypt.

Later, savor the Nile’s majestic scenery as the ship cruises to Luxor.

After disembarking and flying back to Cairo, you’ll have time to relax before tonight’s featured excursion—a Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids of Giza. 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 and enjoy free time in the city before attending a sensational Sound and Light Show at the pyramids of Giza.

 Included Excursion: Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids of Giza

This evening’s Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids is a fantastically creative and colorful introduction to these ancient wonders and the amazing people and culture that built them. Travel back in time as you experience a compelling historical overview, with fascinating insights into ancient Egyptian secrets and legends.

It’s a day of Bucket List Moments today as we venture to Ancient Memphis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a number of amazing monuments to see—including the enigmatic Great Sphinx. After seeing the pyramids from afar last evening, you’ll have a thrilling opportunity to view them from an up-close perspective, the only way to fully appreciate their remarkable size and grandeur.

 Included Excursion: Ancient Memphis sites, including the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and Sakkara visit

Venture forth to Ancient Memphis, the capital of Egypt’s Old Kingdom and now a vast UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing a number of extraordinary monuments. You’ll see the colossal statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx, as well as the Step Pyramid of King Zoser (or Djoser) in nearby Sakkara, the oldest pyramid in the world and the prototype for all subsequent pyramids. The ancient architect and sage Imhotep initially designed the pyramid as a single story, then later added five more levels and covered the structure with a shell of fine limestone. In front of the pyramid, Imhotep built a stone structure containing a wooden box with two peepholes; peer inside and you’ll see a life-size painted statue of King Zoser. The peepholes were created to allow the king’s ka (life spirit) to communicate with the outside world.

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. Experts believe that the Sphinx (known to the early Arabs as Abu al-Hol, “Father of Terror”) was built in the 26th century BC during Khafre’s reign, perhaps as a portrait of the pharaoh himself. Unfortunately, much of this monument has either eroded or been deliberately destroyed over the years. Some of its facial features are no longer intact, such as the beard and the nose—the latter of which was not shot off by Napoleon’s soldiers, as widely believed, but chiseled away many centuries earlier. A number of excavations in modern times have removed the sand that built up around the Sphinx over the centuries and kept much of it buried. Despite its timeworn condition, the Sphinx still kneels gracefully as it has for thousands of years, looking toward the east with an enigmatic smile.

Today you’ll also visit the only surviving Wonder of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza. Beholding 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.

Check out of your hotel and transfer to the Cairo International Airport for your flight home or extend your trip with a memorable optional extension in Jerusalem.

Note: Ship schedule and order of sightseeing may change throughout the itinerary. Tour to port of destination by motorcoach and substitute visits to other sites may occur during your trip due to the impact of water levels, closures because of public holidays or other uncontrollable factors.

Optional Post-Tour Package:

4-Night Jerusalem Post-Tour | November 11 – 15, 2020

Jerusalem is a city rich in history, religion and heritage—all of which you’ll discover on this 5-day post-tour extension that will take you to some of the oldest and holiest sites in the world. From the fascinating Old City to the vibrant downtown, there’s no shortage of ways to uncover this city’s enthralling past and captivating present!

More Information

PES Stateroom Rates:

PES Group Discount of $300 per person! Plus, $300 per couple shipboard credit!

About S.S. Sphinx
Deck Plan
Category Brochure Rate PES Group Rate PES Group Rate
Double Per Person Double Per Person Single Price
French Balcony | Decks 2, 4 | 233 sq. ft.Waitlisted $6,899$4,399 $6,749
Deluxe French Balcony | Deck 4 | 285 sq. ft.Waitlisted $7,399$4,899 $7,499
Suite | Deck 4 | 344 sq. ft.$7,899$5,399 $11,099
Grand Suite | Decks 3, 4 | 463 sq. ft.$8,899$6,399 $13,099
Royal Suite | Decks 3, 4 | 500 sq. ft.Waitlisted $9,399$6,899 $14,099
CME/CE Professional Seminar Fee: $695
Seminar Attendance Fee: $450

Rates include port taxes, gratuities, and $300 per couple shipboard credit.

Double pricing is based on double occupancy or two people per stateroom.

Single pricing is based on one person per stateroom and is capacity-controlled by Uniworld and subject to change.

Cancellation Schedule: Cancellation penalties apply once deposit is paid, so please review policy below.

Reservation Booking Terms and Conditions:

Required Deposit:
Cruise & Land: 10% of total package
Seminar: $200 per person

Final Payment: June 26, 2020

Airfare is not included. PES will book your air arrangements for a $75 ticketing fee, or you may choose to handle your own reservation.

Passports: Passports are required for all guests and must be valid for six months after the end of the cruise.

PES offers optional travel insurance. Travel insurance is strongly suggested and will give you the opportunity to recover monies lost through cancellations. We offer Travel Guard insurance as an option. Premiums vary depending on your age and the cost of your trip. Purchase within 14 days of deposit for additional benefits.

Cancellation Penalties: All cancellations must be made in writing to Global Tracks. Any payment to Global Tracks constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions set out herein, including but not limited to the Cancellation terms. Total Fare calculation includes river cruise fare, pre-cruise package and extended land programs. Airfare is non-refundable once ticketed.

From time of deposit to June 26, 2020 $200 per person
From June 27, 2020 to July 31, 2020 20% of the total package
From August 1, 2020 to August 31, 2020 35% of the total package
From September 1, 2020 to September 30, 2020 50% of the total package
After September 30, 2020 100% of the total package
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