People ask is A&K the same company as Abercrombie and Kent? The answer is yes. Geoffrey Kent founded Abercrombie and Kent in Africa in 1962. The Kent family introduced luxury African Safari travel then over the years then expanded to all seven continents. A&K now offers luxury Expedition Cruising, Private Jet Travel Around the World, outstanding African expeditions to the last Continent of Antarctica. Pavlus Travel is a leader in providing the lowest prices for all A & K travel Worldwide travel be it a Tanzania Safari or any of their luxury European tours.
Day 1 - Arrive Cairo, Egypt
Arrive in Cairo, Egypt’s “Mother of All Cities,” an age-old
crossroads of Asia, Africa, and Europe, where you are met
and privately transferred to your riverside hotel.
Day 2 - Cairo
Explore the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities (or the Grand
Egyptian Museum, upon its opening), home to over 120,000
relics, some dating back to 4000 BC. After lunch, return to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure. This evening, join your
fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.
Day 3 - Cairo
Set out for the Giza Plateau on a full-day excursion. Observe
the great pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure as well
as other historical sites. Enter the Great Pyramid of Cheops
— oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World —
stepping back in time some 4,000 years. Ride Like a Local on
a camel, and then enjoy special private access to the nearby
Great Sphinx, seizing the rare opportunity to lay your hands
on its massive paws. Dine tonight in a local Cairo restaurant.
Day 4 - Luxor
Fly south to Luxor, formerly known as Thebes. Upon arrival
visit the Temple of Karnak, featuring 134 great columns that
once supported an enormous roof. Board ‘Sanctuary Sun
Boat III,’ your luxurious home on the Nile for the next seven
nights, in time for lunch. This afternoon, explore the Temple
of Luxor, built by Amenhotep III (1405-1367 BC). This
evening, gather for a complimentary cocktail and canapés,
followed by dinner.
Day 5 - Cruising the Nile
Rise early this morning for an exhilarating hot air balloon
ride over the Nile and the temples that line its shores.
Proceed to the West Bank, starting at the fabled Colossi
of Memnon, two enormous seated statues of Amenhotep
III. Then, in the Valley of the Queens, explore the tomb of
Queen Nefertari, said to be the finest tomb in Egypt. The day’s explorations also include Deir el-Medina, an excavated
village of craftsmen and artisans, founded by Amenhotep
I, who contributed to the creation of tombs in the nearby
valleys of the Kings and Queens. Return to ‘Sanctuary Sun
Boat III’ for lunch and sail to Esna.
Day 6 - Cruising the Nile
This morning at Esna, explore the Greco-Roman Temple of
Khnum with your Egyptologist guide. Its Great Hypostyle
Hall was built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius. Then, cruise upstream to Edfu, where you visit
the well-preserved Temple of Horus (the falcon god). This
afternoon, learn to prepare local dishes during a Chef ’s Table
experience with an onboard chef. Join the party tonight
and dress up in traditional Egyptian galabeyyas. Sit down
to a lavish buffet of Egyptian specialties, followed by Arabic
music and dancing.
Day 7 - Cruising the Nile
Disembark in Aswan to visit the granite quarries that
supplied stone for many of Egypt’s pyramids and temples. View the 1,200-ton ‘Unfinished Obelisk,’ which exemplifies
the technique used to create such enormous monoliths.
Then, boat to the island of Agilika to view the exquisite
Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis. Later this
afternoon, sail by felucca (traditional sailing vessel), weather
permitting, around Elephantine Island and view the splendid
Aga Khan Mausoleum, which overlooks the river.
Day 8 - Abu Simbel
Fly to Abu Simbel, site of the magnificent temple of Ramses
II, and marvel at the four enormous statues of the pharaoh
that grace its façade, each over 60 feet high. Amazingly, the
site was raised up the hillside to avoid floodwaters caused by
the Aswan High Dam project. Then, enjoy lunch at a local
restaurant before boarding your privately chartered aircraft
back to Aswan, to return to your ship.
Day 9 - Cruising the Nile
Relax on board or explore a local Aswan spice market this
morning. Have lunch while you cruise to Kom Ombo.
Disembark for a walking visit to this lovely Greco-Roman
temple dedicated to Haroeris (the sun god) and Sobek (the crocodile god), whom some ancient Egyptians considered
the creator of the world. View the mummified remains of
several crocodiles that once basked along the ancient Nile
shore, just as their descendants do today. Partake in a Scenic
Sundowner as you cruise toward Esna.
Day 10 - Cruising the Nile
Return to the west bank of the Nile this morning. Begin at
the terraced funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s
first female pharaoh. Continue on to the famous Valley of
the Kings. Enter the iconic tomb of Tutankhamun (King
Tut) before visiting the former home of the legendary
archaeologist who unearthed it, Howard Carter, to see the
original tools he used for the excavation. Gain entry to
the lesser-visited, well-preserved tomb of Seti I, father of
Ramses II. Go off the beaten path to one of Luxor’s lesserknown
sites, the New Kingdom necropolis Dra Abu Naga.
After lunch and afternoon tea aboard ship, visit the Luxor
Museum, browsing its fascinating collections. Your final
dinner on board is a gala affair.
Day 11 - Luxor/Cairo
Disembark ‘Sanctuary Sun Boat III’ and return to Cairo in
time for lunch. This afternoon, enjoy one of these Design Your Day activities.
Discover Coptic Cairo, visiting a church built where the
Holy Family stayed and other Christian sites.
Tour Islamic Cairo, including the lively Khan el-Khalili
Bazaar and Sultan Hassan mosque.
Sail on a Felucca, experiencing Cairo from a
different perspective.
The remainder of your day is at leisure.
Day 12 - Cairo
Today, venture just outside the city to Sakkara, the vast
necropolis of ancient Memphis, site of the famous Step
Pyramid. Built by Zoser I in 2700 BC, it is the world’s
oldest stone structure. Enjoy a special private opening of
the 4,400-year-old tomb of Wahtye. Unearthed in 2018, it
is considered one of the biggest discoveries of the decade,
completely untouched and filled with painted hieroglyphics,
sculptures, and inscriptions. Also visit the Mereruka Tomb,
one of the most exquisitely decorated tombs of the Old
Kingdom. Tonight, enjoy a memorable farewell dinner.
Day 13 - Depart Cairo
After breakfast, transfer to the airport and depart.