Day 11 (FRI) – Jerusalem to Mount Sinai Travel in the footsteps of the Holy family as you travel along the ancient caravan route from Jerusalem to the Sinai desert. Cross the border and check in to your hotel near Mt. Sinai for dinner and rest. Day 12 (SAT) – St. Catherine’s Monastery This morning you can opt to climb Mt. Sinai, where tradition says that Moses received the Ten Commandments. Everyone will experience a visit to fortified St. Catherine's Monastery, built in the 6th century, and one of the oldest working monasteries in the world with the world's oldest continually operating library. Both the Codex Sinaiticus and Syriac Sinaiticus, important early Biblical manuscripts were discovered here. Even Mohammed found refuge here, and the site is sacred to all three monothesitic religions. Remember the story of Moses and the burning bush which tradition places inside the monastery. Continue to Sharm el Sheik for dinner and overnight at your hotel located on the shores of the Red Sea. Day 13 – Route of the Exodus Trace the route of the Exodus along the eastern Sinai coast to Wadi Feiran where the Children of Israel withstood the Amalekites. Travel to Elim where the Children of Israel camped by the oasis of 70 palm trees. Your final stop of the day will be Marah by the Red Sea where the “waters were bitter.” Continue to Cairo for dinner and overnight stay. Day 14 – Egyptian Museum, the Great Pyramids & the Sphinx This morning visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities to view the unique collection of Pharaonic art and the renowned treasures of King Tutankhamen. Visit the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Day 15 (TUE) - Aswan This morning fly to Aswan and transfer to your Nile cruise ship. Enjoy a felucca ride around Kitchener's Island and see the many sites of Aswan. Explore Nubian Village? Dinner and overnight on board. Day 16 – Aswan and Kom Ombo Set sail on a smaller boat across the Nile to visit the temples at Philae including the Temple of Isis, one of the greatest Temples in Egypt occupying a quarter of the island. Next, visit the High Dam, one of the most outstanding architectural achievements of the twentieth century. It was constructed to replace the old Aswan dam built in 1902. The 3600 meter long dam was constructed to protect Egypt from the floods as well as provide irrigation and electricity to its citizens. View the Unfinished Obelisk, made of red granites brought from the quarries of Aswan. Enjoy lunch onboard as you sail to Kom Ombo to visit the Kom Ombo Temple. Built on a hillside, this temple was constructed in the Ptolemaic Roman era for the worship of the gods Haroeris and Sobek. It is noted for the relief engravings on its walls which show ancient surgical tools, bone saws and dentistry tools. Nearby, view the three mummified crocodiles in Hathor's chapel. Day 17 – Edfu & Esna locks Visit the Edfu Temple on the west bank of the Nile. Dating to the Ptolemaic period, the temple was dedicated to the worship of god Horus represented as a falcon. It is one of the most beautiful Egyptian temples, distinguished by its huge splendid structure blending Pharaonic and Greek architecture. Enjoy lunch onboard as you sail through the Esna locks. The ship arrives to Luxor this evening. Dinner and overnight on board Day 18 – Valleys of the Kings & Queens & Esna This morning enjoy sunrise over the Nile River before your visit to the Valley of the Kings. Tombs were constructed here for the kings and powerful nobles of Egypt for nearly 500 years. The valley stands on the west bank of the Nile, across from Thebes (modern Luxor), within the heart of the Theban Necropolis. See the Colossi of Memnon, made of sandstone brought from Gabal El Silselah. Each colossus, including the pedestal and the crown, is about 21m tall and represents King Amenhotep III. See the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of only a handful of female rulers in Ancient Egypt. Her reign was the longest of all the female pharaohs. Ancient Thebes which served as the Egyptian capital during the New Kingdom and time of Moses. Visit the magnificent, Temple of Luxor with its avenue of sphinx statues and mighty monumental columns Continue to the Karnak Temple which was built over 2,000 years and is the largest religious building ever constructed, and see the famed Hypostyle Hall, the Obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Tutomosis III, the temple of Amon, the Granite Scarabeus and the Sacred Lake. Dinner and overnight on board Day 19 - Cairo Fly to Cairo this morning. Time permitting, tour the Old City and see the Citadel of Saladin, built in 1183 A.D., and view the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. In Old Cairo, visit the Abu Serge Church built over the traditional site of the house where the Holy Family lived during their stay in Egypt. Prepare for your return flight home. Day 20 (SUN) - Return to USA Dates of Extension January 9, 16, 30 February 13, 20 March 5 April 2 May 14 June 4 September 3, 17 October 22, 29 November 12, 26 Guests taking an extension may be on a different flight than their group and/or traveling companion. A minimum of 10 travelers are necessary to operate the extension. $138 for tips & taxes are charged separately (subject to change).