Port
Safaga, Egypt
Activity Level
Strenuous Activity
Excursion Type
All
Wheelchair Accessible
No
Starting At (prices in USD)
$1000
Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
Duration
2 days/1 night
Meals Included
Meals included
Travel through the Egyptian desert where the dry winds whisper tales of a time when Ramses II strode out in gossamer robes with a retinue of servants caring for his every need. Trace the cryptic hieroglyphics that tell of the journey into the afterlife and walk the shifting sands of dynasties as you travel to Luxor—one of the richest and most powerful cities of the Ancient World. From the Red Sea port of Safaga, you’ll take the scenic road across Egypt's eastern desert before turning south to the site of ancient Thebes, capital city of the New Kingdom. Its glory has captured the imaginations of writers throughout the centuries, for it is here that the Pharaohs of the 18th and 19th dynasties, each seeking to surpass the other, created monuments rivaling any before or since. Visit the 62-acre Temple of Karnak, built over a period of two millennia by generations of Pharaohs. Note the magnificent South Gate built by Ptolemy III, where formal processions passed in the days of the Pharaohs. See the Avenue of the Ram-Headed Sphinxes at the Great Temple of Amun-Ra, and the gigantic columns in Hypostyle Hall that cover an area large enough to contain both St Paul's Church in London and St Peter's in Rome. Check in at your hotel and enjoy lunch at one of the leading hotels in Luxor before venturing out to see the Temple of Luxor. This temple, in its heyday, hosted many celebrations, including the 27-day Festival of Opet. Within the grounds of Luxor Temple is the Mosque of Abu'l Haggag, built in memory of a 13th-century local saint who is still venerated today. Return to your hotel to freshen up before proceeding to the Sound & Light Show at Karnak Temple. The ominous shadows playing off the enormous columns in the grand Hypostyle Hall are sure to form lasting memories. Your dinner tonight will be served at your hotel of accommodation alfresco. Overnight at Hilton Luxor hotel (or similar) after an exciting and memorable day
Day 2 (B, L)
The next morning, cross the Nile River to the Valley of the Kings where, in this sacred place of hidden tombs, you’ll marvel at the sophisticated sculpture, colorful depictions of everyday life and the pantheon of gods and goddesses worshipped by the early Egyptians. Enter a few of the remarkably well-preserved tombs and pause to photograph the towering cliff-side temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon statues. Return to the East Bank and your hotel for lunch, before re-boarding your motor coach for the return drive through the desert to Safaga.
Please note: It is solely each guest's responsibility to obtain (before traveling) any visas, vaccinations or tourist cards that are required for participating in Mid-Cruise Adventures or Overnight Journeys, unless noted otherwise in the description. Please be aware that you may need a visa for any and/or all countries that you will depart from and travel through as part of your Mid-Cruise Adventure or Overnight Journey, and for the country in which you will re-join the ship. Your travel agent can assist you with your visa needs. If you require further assistance, Seabourn's preferred visa service is CIBTvisas. US and Canadian citizens can reach them by phone or email:
US citizens: 866 788 1100 or email customerservice@cibtvisa.com
Canadian citizens: 866 935 8472 or email customerservice@cibtvisas.ca
CIBTvisas phone numbers and email addresses for Dutch, German, Australian, United Kingdom, Belgian, Singapore, Spanish, Swiss and French citizens can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website, in the Cruise Preparation area. Applications and additional information can be downloaded from the CIBTvisas website at <https://cibtvisa.com/Seabourn>. You must advise CIBTvisas of your Mid-Cruise Adventures or Overnight Journeys, as the visa requirements for these vacation enhancements may vary from those required for your cruise.
The tour is non-refundable unless cancelled 45 days prior to the cruise. Waitlisted requests also become non-refundable if confirmed either onboard or within the 45-day period prior to the cruise. Any cancelled requests inside of 45 days prior to the voyage (i.e. bookings cancelled) will be assessed cancellation fees on your shipboard account. Waitlisted requests will be cleared in the order received and are subject to the same cancellation policy; waitlisted requests must be cancelled 45 days prior to the cruise to avoid cancellation costs in the case we are able to accommodate you on the tour.