Category SSF - Seven Seas Suite Forward
Seven Seas Suite (Forward)
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This cruise has already sailed
11 Night Egypt the Greek Isles and the Suez Canal Sailing Through Antiquity Cruise and Land Tour from Cairo
Ship: National Geographic Explorer
Cruise Line: Lindblad Expeditions
Sailed: Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024 from Cairo, Egypt
Ended: Sunday, Apr 28, 2024
The itinerary information below reflects the original day-by-day port of call schedule for the Wednesday, Apr 17, 2024
departure of the National Geographic Explorer. If Lindblad Expeditions modified this itinerary for weather or operational reasons after departing
, the modified schedule would not be reflected here.
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Arrive in Cairo, transfer to your hotel (Ritz-Carlton or similar), and enjoy an afternoon at leisure. This evening, gather for a welcome reception and meet your fellow travelers.
Day 2 - Thursday - Apr 18, 2024
Cairo, Egypt
Bus Travel
Giza, Egypt
Bus Travel
Cairo, Egypt
Begin the day with a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum to view astonishing masterpieces from ancient Egypt. See mummies of the pharaohs, beautifully adorned sarcophagi, regal statues, and many of the dazzling jewels found in King Tutankhamun's tomb. Following a lunch of Egyptian specialties, travel to Giza and encounter one of the most enduring symbols of the ancient world, the Pyramids. The complex is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one that remains intact. Learn how and why the Pyramids were built, then view the Sphinx, carved from a rocky outcrop, displaying the head of Pharaoh Chefren and the body of a lion.
Day 3 - Friday - Apr 19, 2024
Cairo, Egypt
Air Travel
Luxor, Egypt
Early this morning, transfer to the airport for our flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, enjoy a relaxing lunch at our hotel (Hilton Luxor Hotel or similar) before setting out to tour the Karnak Temple complex. Many of the more powerful pharaohs added their individual touches to the buildings of this massive complex during their reigns. We'll return to town to visit the magnificent Luxor Temple. As with Karnak, Luxor Temple was created at the hand of the pharaohs, primarily Amenhotep III and Ramses II. This impressive site was built on the banks of the Nile River and the timing of our visit will provide the opportunity to photograph the stones, which appear to glow in the afternoon sunlight. Enjoy dinner at the hotel.
Day 4 - Saturday - Apr 20, 2024
Luxor, Egypt
Bus Travel
Cruise Begins
Safaga, Egypt
Following breakfast, travel to the West Bank of the Nile River to the Valley of the Kings. A sacred site for burials for nearly 500 years, the valley contains at least 63 tombs of pharaohs and powerful nobles, each decorated with elaborate mosaics and paintings depicting Egyptian mythology. Visit one of the most famous archeological sites in the word, the tomb of Tutankhamun. The tomb had remained largely hidden until its discovery in 1922-keeping the treasure trove of antiquities safe from looters. Enjoy a special lunch on the Nile before crossing the desert to Safaga on the Red Sea, where we will embark the National Geographic Explorer.
Day 5 - Sunday - Apr 21, 2024
Hurghada, Egypt
Enjoy Egypt's stunning coastline, exploring the coral reefs, undersea beauty, and white-sand beaches of the Red Sea. Hurghada offers spectacular opportunities to snorkel and dive in crystal waters. Alternatively, travel into the vast Sahara where we will visit a traditional Bedouin village and learn how its inhabitants have made their lives in the desert for centuries. Enjoy lunch before heading back into the city center where we will explore the bustling souk, Big Mosque, and the Corniche.
Day 6 - Monday - Apr 22, 2024
Cruising the Suez Canal, Egypt
Spend the day transiting the Suez Canal. Sail past small villages and massive expanses of desert sand as we learn the history of this amazing paradigm of human engineering. Opened in 1869 after more than a decade of construction, the canal connects the Red Sea to the Mediterranean and today it carries about 12 percent of the world's trade. Spend time on the Bridge and observe the ship's officers as they communicate with the vessels in our convoy to maneuver through the twists and turns of this extraordinary waterway.
Day 7 - Tuesday - Apr 23, 2024
Alexandria, Egypt
Day 8 - Wednesday - Apr 24, 2024
At Sea
Founded by Alexander the Great, Alexandria was considered the intellectual and cultural center of ancient Mediterranean society. Visit the Catacombs of Kom El Shougafa and climb the rocky hill to see Pompey's Pillar, built in memory of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Spend time in the Bibliotheca Alexandria-the cultural complex erected to commemorate the Great Library of Alexandria, one of the most significant libraries of the ancient world. Once back onboard, be out on deck as we sail past the Citadel of Qaitbay. Marking the entrance to the harbor, on the site of the Alexandria Lighthouse, the fortress protected the city against the advancing Ottomans.
Day 9 - Thursday - Apr 25, 2024
Heraklion, Greece
Bus Travel
Knossos, Crete, Greece, Greece
Bus Travel
Heraklion, Greece
Begin the day with a visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum to view an astonishing collection of artifacts spanning 5,500 years of Greek history. The museum houses the stunning frescos from Knossos including those depicting the historically popular sport of bull leaping. Afterwards, choose from two options: Visit the Palace of Knossos, one of Crete's most popular Minoan sites. Built on the grounds of an earlier palace dating to as early as 2000 BC, the present structure is a reconstruction of what the vast palace would have looked like in 1450 BC. Or explore the Greek site of Phaestos, among the greatest of the Cretan Minoan cities. Its wealth is evident in the extent and quality of its ruins, and the city offers a superb hilltop setting with fine views of the countryside. Enjoy a traditional Greek lunch before returning to the ship.
Day 10 - Friday - Apr 26, 2024
Karpathos, Greece, Greece
Kasos, Greece, Greece
Leaving North Africa behind, sail into the Dodecanese Islands, stunning gems of unique beauty tucked away in the turquoise waters of the Aegean Sea. Step back in time to explore traditional fishing villages and the unique natural beauty of the islands of Karpathos and Kasos.
Day 11 - Saturday - Apr 27, 2024
Santorini, Greece
Be on deck early this morning to enjoy the sunrise as we sail into the caldera of Santorini. Watch as the early light paints the surrounding hillsides and whitewashed dwellings in beautiful pink and orange hues. Take the cable car up the steep cliffs to visit the picturesque villages Thera and Oia, and walk along the edge of the caldera to take in the spectacular view. Then head inland away from the hustle to experience the culinary delicacies of the traditional villages and wineries tucked into the hillsides.
Day 12 - Sunday - Apr 28, 2024
Athens (Port of Piraeus), Greece
We sail into Athens this morning. Enjoy breakfast aboard before transferring to the airport for flights home.
