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Egypt

Beyond the Pharaohs: Egypt Past and Present

Program No. 12778RJ
Immerse yourself in the wonders of Egypt, exploring iconic pyramids, fascinating museums, vibrant bazaars and cultural treasures on this expert-led Nile study cruise.

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Protecting the Environment

We offset a portion of the emissions created by your travel. Learn more

Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone? 800-454-5768
Select your type of room
Price will update based on selection
Prices displayed below are based on per person,doubleoccupancy.
DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Feb 4 - Feb 17, 2024
Starting at
4,599
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Feb 9 - Feb 22, 2024
Starting at
4,599
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Feb 11 - Feb 24, 2024
Starting at
4,599
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Feb 18 - Mar 2, 2024
Starting at
4,599
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Feb 23 - Mar 7, 2024
Starting at
4,599
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Mar 1 - Mar 14, 2024
Starting at
4,599
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Mar 8 - Mar 21, 2024
Starting at
4,599
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Mar 10 - Mar 23, 2024
Starting at
4,599
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Mar 15 - Mar 28, 2024
Starting at
4,599
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Mar 22 - Apr 4, 2024
Starting at
4,599
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Mar 29 - Apr 11, 2024
Starting at
4,599
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Apr 12 - Apr 25, 2024
Starting at
4,599
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Apr 14 - Apr 27, 2024
Starting at
4,599
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Apr 19 - May 2, 2024
Starting at
4,599
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

May 3 - May 16, 2024
Starting at
4,599
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Sep 20 - Oct 3, 2024
Starting at
4,599
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Sep 27 - Oct 10, 2024
Starting at
4,599
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Oct 4 - Oct 17, 2024
Starting at
4,699
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Filling Fast!
Oct 6 - Oct 19, 2024
Starting at
4,699
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Oct 11 - Oct 24, 2024
Starting at
4,699
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Nov 1 - Nov 14, 2024
Starting at
4,699
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Nov 3 - Nov 16, 2024
Starting at
4,699
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Nov 8 - Nov 21, 2024
Starting at
4,699
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Nov 10 - Nov 23, 2024
Starting at
4,699
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Dec 1 - Dec 14, 2024
Starting at
4,699
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Dec 6 - Dec 19, 2024
Starting at
4,699
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

DATES & starting prices
PRICES
Feb 4 - Feb 17, 2024
Starting at
5,299
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Filling Fast!
Feb 9 - Feb 22, 2024
Starting at
5,299
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Filling Fast!
Feb 11 - Feb 24, 2024
Starting at
5,299
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Feb 18 - Mar 2, 2024
Starting at
5,299
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Feb 23 - Mar 7, 2024
Starting at
5,299
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Filling Fast!
Mar 1 - Mar 14, 2024
Starting at
5,299
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Filling Fast!
Mar 8 - Mar 21, 2024
Starting at
5,299
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Filling Fast!
Mar 10 - Mar 23, 2024
Starting at
5,299
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Filling Fast!
Mar 15 - Mar 28, 2024
Starting at
5,299
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Filling Fast!
Mar 22 - Apr 4, 2024
Starting at
5,299
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Filling Fast!
Mar 29 - Apr 11, 2024
Starting at
5,299
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Apr 12 - Apr 25, 2024
Starting at
5,299
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Filling Fast!
Apr 14 - Apr 27, 2024
Starting at
5,299
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Apr 19 - May 2, 2024
Starting at
5,299
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Filling Fast!
May 3 - May 16, 2024
Starting at
5,299
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Filling Fast!
Sep 20 - Oct 3, 2024
Starting at
5,299
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Sep 27 - Oct 10, 2024
Starting at
5,299
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Oct 4 - Oct 17, 2024
Starting at
5,399
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Oct 6 - Oct 19, 2024
Starting at
5,399
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Oct 11 - Oct 24, 2024
Starting at
5,399
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Nov 1 - Nov 14, 2024
Starting at
5,399
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Nov 3 - Nov 16, 2024
Starting at
5,399
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Nov 8 - Nov 21, 2024
Starting at
5,399
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Filling Fast!
Nov 10 - Nov 23, 2024
Starting at
5,399
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Dec 1 - Dec 14, 2024
Starting at
5,399
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

Dec 6 - Dec 19, 2024
Starting at
5,399
Special Offer

We are pleased to offer this program with air included! Participation includes flights to and from the JFK airport. Road Scholar can assist with additional arrangements from your preferred airport, just ask for Custom Arrangements.

At a Glance

How were the pyramids built? How were the temples of Abu Simbel saved? And why does King Tut, the “boy king,” still capture the public imagination? Journeying overland and on the Nile, Egyptologists reveal the mystery behind Egypt’s storied history and the country’s place in the modern world.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to three miles per day over uneven terrain in hot conditions with little to no shade. Days are long and can include various hours standing. Stairs on this program are often uneven and without railings. This program includes two domestic flights within Egypt.
Small Group
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you’ll…

  • Learn from Egyptologists who lead expeditions to Saqqara, Dahshur, the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx.
  • Venture to the Valley of Kings, King Tut's tomb and Colossi of Memnon.
  • Delve deeper into ancient Egypt during a study cruise on the Nile.

General Notes

Ship varies by departure date.
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
The Nile Cruise
by Jenny Jobbins
Weaving classic travelers' accounts with essays and 150 color photographs, this compact book beautifully illuminates the history and allure of the towns, temples and tombs of the Nile from Abydos to Abu Simbel.
Egypt Map
by Nelles
The coverage of easy-fold map -- with insets of Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Giza, the Nile River Valley, Cairo and other sites -- includes Petra, Jerusalem and most of Israel.
The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt
by Toby Wilkinson
Toby Wilkinson, a world rewound Egyptologist, tells the story of Egypt’s great civilization, from its birth as the first nation-state to its absorption into the Roman Empire. Drawing upon forty years of archaeological research, award-winning scholar Toby Wilkinson takes readers inside Egypt’s history once ruled by divine kings who led with all-too-recognizable human emotions.
Egypt, A Short History
by Robert L. Tignor
Princeton historian Tignor distills five decades of study and travel for this vivid account of the sweep and tumult of Egyptian history from the settlement of the Nile to the present.
When Woman Ruled the World, 6 Queens of Egypt
by Kara Cooney
Celebrated Egyptologist Kara Conney’s narrative explores the lives of six remarkable female pharaohs, from Hatshepsut to Cleopatra, and shines a light on female power, exploring the connections between Woman’s roles as public figures then, and now.
The Cheapest Nights
by Yusuf Idris
Yusuf Idris writes short stories that give readers a glimpse into the social and cultural disparities of everyday Egyptian life.
The Nile: A Journey Downriver through Egypt’s Past and Present
by Toby Wilkinson
Wilkinson takes readers on both a historical and contemporary journey down the Nile, highlighting the small details that intertwine river landmarks with and Egypt’s ancient civilization.
The Yacoubain Building
by Alaa al-Aswany
The Yacoubain Building by Alaa al-Aswany (translated into 23 languages) was the best-selling Arabic novel for 2002 and 2003 and was voted Best Novel for 2003 by listeners to Egypt’s Middle East Broadcasting Service. Set in the time of the first Gulf War in 1900 Alaa al-Aswany writes the story of Egyptian society in downtown Cairo. Characters are housed in the now downtown Cairo landmark the Yacoubain Building where Alaa al-Aswany brings complex Egyptian society alive.
The Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Egypt
by Bill Manley
Ingenious color maps, site plans, photographs and accompanying essays trace Egyptian civilization from the founding of Memphis through the sacking of Thebes and invasion by Alexander the Great in 332 BC in this authoritative, remarkably concise history.
Down the Nile, Alone in a Fisherman's Skiff
by Rosemary Mahoney
Mahoney weaves the tale of her quest to row the Nile with deft portraits of the people she meets in this marvelously engaging chronicle.
Eyewitness Guide Egypt
by Eyewitness Guides
A visually rich guide to the history, culture and monuments of Egypt.
A History of Egypt, From Earliest Times to the Present
by Jason Thompson
From the birth of Egyptian civilization though the Pharaohs, Ptolemaic, Roman and Coptic Egypt, the advent of Islam, the Mamluks, Ottoman empire, British occupation, Nassar, Sadat, Murabak and beyond, this succinct book traces the arc of Egyptian history and culture in just under 400 pages.





Important registration tip:
If you want to attend the live lecture, please do not wait until the last minute to enroll.
If you enroll after a lecture is complete, we’ll send you a recording of the event.