Egypt - Land of the Pharaohs

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Day 1: Arrive in Cairo

Met on arrival at Cairo International Airport and transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore on your own before meeting for dinner and our orientation meeting. Overnight in Cairo.

Day 2: Cairo Sightseeing

After breakfast, we visit the world famous Egyptian Museum of Antiquities with exhibits and artifacts ranging from the pre-historic era to the Graeco-Roman period. We have arranged for a private guide to show our group around in order to fully appreciate this incredible collection, including the finds from the boy king, Tutankhamen’s final resting place.

After lunch, we tour Islamic Cairo including the Citadel of Salah el-Din, and the Al - Azhar. We will also have time to visit the Khan-El Khalili Market. Overnight Cairo.

Day 3: Old Cairo Sights, Alexandria

This morning we visit Old Cairo. Our first stop is at the Coptic Museum, to see it’s impressive collection of art ranging from the Graeco-Roman times to Islamic times. We then go to the Hanging Church which is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and is said to have been built between the end of the 3rd and beginning of the 4th centuries.

We see the Church of St. Sergius, one of the oldest churches founded in the 5th century and built over the crypt where the Holy Family took refuge from King Herod. We also visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue dating back to the 9th century and the spring beside it where Moses was found in the reeds. Should time allow we will stop in Souq al-Fustat for a look at the handicraft workshops and shops.

This afternoon we drive to Alexandria to arrive for dinner. Overnight in Alexandria.

Day 4: Alexandria

Our first visit this morning is to Pompey’s Pillar, made of pink granite and towering over the ruins of the Serapeum. A Graeco-Roman temple, the Serapeum was totally destroyed by the Christians in 391 AD. We then head to the Catacombs of Kom es-Shogafa. These tombs were tunneled into the bedrock in the 2nd century A.D. Discovered in 1900 when a donkey fell through a hole and into one of the catacombs, this complex, with it’s vast intricately decorated interior spaces, is so deep in the earth that it was considered an engineering marvel for its time. After exploring the catacombs, we stop for lunch.

We then visit the location of the site of Pharos Lighthouse, which is now the location of Fort Quaitbey. The fort has a small naval museum and some lovely views out over the harbor.

We then head to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a modern library opened in 2002, to have a look at the Impressions of the Alexandria exhibit. Overnight in Alexandria.

Day 5: Alexandria to Siwa

After an early breakfast, we drive via the Mediterranean coastal road to Marsa Matrouh. On the way to Marsa Matrouh visit the sight of the El Alamein war cemetery and the war museum. Marsa Matrouh is fringed with beautiful white sand beaches and sparkling blue-green water. We will stop to have our boxed lunch and stretch our legs before our drive to Siwa.

Approaching Siwa is like an experience right out of a movie. We see the oasis shimmering in the heat and wonder if it is in fact real or a mirage, but as we get closer and see the many date palms, springs and streams, it seems like we have arrived in paradise in the sand dunes. Due to Siwa’s isolated location, it has retained much of its Berber culture and tradition. Overnight in Siwa.

Day 6: Oracle Temple of Amun, Desert Adventure to the Great Sand Sea

Our first visit of the day is to Oracle Temple of Amun (Zeus), where Alexander the Great communed with the deity and was named King. Nearby is the Temple of Umm Ebeida dating from the 30th dynasty. We climb Jebel al-Mawta or Mountain of the Dead which is riddled with rock tombs dating back to Roman and Ptolemaic times. Some of the tombs here still retain some of the paintings used to decorate the tombs. We also pay a visit to Cleopatra’s Bath; a large natural spring.

In the afternoon we join a caravan of 4x4 vehicles on a desert safari adventure accompanied by the most experienced drivers on a most thrilling ride as we race across the dunes. We stop to look at fossils and seashells along the seabed of the Great Sand Sea, take a dip in a lake right in the middle of the desert, watch the sunset over the dunes and enjoy a dinner served under the stars by campfire. Overnight in Siwa.

Day 7: Oasis of Quaral or Bir, El Arashya

After breakfast we will visit the remains of old Siwa (shali). The name was dedicated to the old city by its settlers which was used as a defence from neighboring tribes in the 12th century. We will then visit the museum of Siwa Koown as the Siwian House because it is built in the same style as the old houses in Siwa. The museum displays Bedouin handicrafts such as rugs, pottery, silver handicrafts and clothes. In the afternoon we will go to the Qorayshet area which contains a water spring with a lake and some remains of olive squeezers from the Roman era. Overnight in Siwa.

Day 8: Bahariya, Arag Oasis

We have a long scenic drive after an early breakfast. We journey into the Baharya desert arriving in the late afternoon. We will have plenty of stops on the way as well as a visit to Arag Oasis which has a variety of interesting flora and fauna along with a small lake. We will enjoy a picnic lunch along the way. Overnight in Baharya.

Day 9: Black and White Deserts

Today we explore the spectacular Black and White Deserts by 4x4 vehicles. We stop in the town of Bawiti for a walk through a typical oasis village and see some of the mud-brick houses and then see some of the beautifully lush palm plantations. Just south of Bawiti, the desert floor turns from beige to black. Here, in the vast expanse of the desert are nature’s pyramids, rock mountains of black formed by volcanic eruptions. Gebel Gala Siwa and Gebel az-Zuqaq are two of the mountains in the area and an easy climb will take us to the top of Gebel az-Zuqaq for some spectacular views over the black powder sand covered landscape.

We continue on to witness the surreal beauty of the White Desert at sunset. Amidst blinding white rock formations of strange shapes and sizes, you feel you are walking on the moon’s rocky surface. With the setting sun the white rock takes on pink, orange, and blue hues adding to the already surreal atmosphere. While today’s off-road adventure can be long and dusty, the incredible scenery of both the Black and White Deserts make it all worthwhile. Overnight in Baharya.

Day 10: Baharya Oasis, Valley of the Mummies, Cairo

This morning, we travel by road to Cairo. First stop is at the Antiquities Inspectorate that serves as a museum for a few of the “golden mummies”, in Baharya. We continue to Wadi el Hittan, Valley of the Whales. Overnight in Cairo.

Day 11: Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Sphinx

Today we head out to the Giza Plateau, where we visit the pyramid complexes of the Kings of the Fourth Dynasty (2575-2465 BC) Khufu, (Cheops), Khafre (Chepren) and Menkaure (Mycerinus). We may go into the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the only remaining wonder of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, or possibly one of the smaller pyramids (Khafre or Menkaure), depending on which one is open. We stop to view the Sphinx with its features resembling Khafre and the body of a lion. Before heading back to the hotel we will stop to view the Step Pyramid. Overnight in Cairo.

Day 12: Abu Simbel, Aswan

In the early morning we fly to Abu Simbel. In the afternoon we travel to Aswan, one of the prettiest locations along the Nile in all of Egypt and transfer to our hotel for a relaxing evening. Overnight in Aswan.

Abu Simbel
Temple of Ramses II and the Temple of Hathor are a part of the Nubian Monuments UNESCO World Heritage Site that runs down the Nile to Philae. Constructed in the 13th century BC by Ramses II, the monuments pay tribute to himself, his queen Nefertari and the gods Amun, Ptah and Ra-Harakhty.

The 4 famous 20 m high statues of Ramses II, at the entrance to the Great Temple, are one of the most recognized symbols of Egypt today. When Abu Simbel was threatened by the rising levels of Lake Nasser with the creation of the Aswan High Dam, the entire complex was dismantled and reassembled in the 1960’s, 65 meters higher up on a rocky outcrop.

Day 13: Aswan sights and Felucca excursion

This morning we visit old Old Granite Quarries and the unfinished Obelisk and continue on to the High Aswan Dam. 18 times the amount of material that was used in the Great Pyramid of Cheops was used to build the Aswan High Dam. It is 11,811 feet long, 3215 feet thick at the base and 364 feet tall; an incredible engineering project during the 1960’s. We have time to enjoy the view over the largest man-made reservoirs in the world, Lake Nasser.

We then visit The Temple of Isis. Another great UNESCO and Egyptian Government project, this entire temple complex was also relocated to higher ground when the high waters meant that it would be lost forever.

In the afternoon we have a true Egyptian experience on an afternoon sail on a traditional Felucca. Overnight in Aswan.

Day 14: Aswan and Nubian Villages, to San Simeon Monastery by Camel

Today journey by cruise boat to a Nubian Village where we will have the opportunity to visit with Nubian families in their homes. If it is a school day we will visit the village school. Lunch will be on board the cruise boat.

Later this afternoon, we travel across to the west bank by ferry and then by camel to the monastery of San Simeon; a well preserved 6th century Coptic Christian monastery. Overnight onboard cruise boat in Aswan.

Day 15: Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu-Esna Nile Boat Cruise

Our boat pulls up anchor today to sail to Kom Ombo. The temple at Kom Ombo is made up of two structures, a temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile headed god of fertility and a temple dedicated to Haroeris, the falcon headed sky god. Kom Ombo is unique because the temples are duplicated side by side. There are two entrances, two courts, two halls and two sanctuaries. There is even a small museum here where we can see the mummified remains of the sacred crocodiles!

After lunch we sail on to Edfu and the Temple of Horus. The Temple of Horus is the second largest in Egypt and the best preserved. Begun in 237 BC by Ptolemy III, the temple was completed in 57 BC by Ptolemy XII.

We spend some time exploring the temple and viewing the impressive carvings and hieroglyphics which cover almost every wall. We return to our boat with time to relax before our dinner and Galabeya party (an Egyptian costume party). Overnight onboard cruise boat in Esna.

Day 16: Karnak and Luxor Temples

Today we visit the great temples of Karnak and Luxor, beginning with Karnak. Karnak is the largest temple complex in the world and its impressive size is testament to the power of the Theban Kings during the Middle Kingdom.

The site is a vast collection of temples, obelisks, halls, chapels, pylons and pillars built over a period of 1500 years. We explore the Amun Temple, the Mut Temple and Montu Temple, the immense Great Hypostyle Hall (which contains 134 pillars) and the Great Festival Hall of Tuthmosis III, just to name of few of the sites!

Karnak is an awe inspiring place. It is difficult to express in mere words just how impressive Karnak really is. Connected to Karnak by the “Avenue of Sphinxes” is the Temple of Luxor, dedicated to the god Amen-Re, his wife Mut and son Khonsu. This temple was built at the site of ancient Thebes mainly by Amenhotep III and Ramses II and was one of the main centers for the Festival of Opet and a power base for the “living king”.

We see many of the shrines and chapels that make up Luxor, including a chapel built by Alexander the Great. We return to our boat for lunch. This afternoon is free to relax on board or visit the market in town. This evening we have a performance of Egypt’s light show. Overnight onboard in Luxor.

Day 17: The Valley of the Kings

A sunrise adventure over the Valley of the Kings by hot air balloon gives us a unique perspective on this harsh, yet starkly beautiful land. Afterwards, enjoy breakfast and celebrate the experience of our flight. We then continue on to explore the Valley of the Kings and Nobles.

Today features one of the most well known areas of Egypt, The Valley of the Kings. The Valley’s official name is “The Great and Majestic Necropolis of the Millions of Years of the Pharaoh, Life, Strength, Health in The West of Thebes,” and also Ta-sekhetma’at (the Great Field). The valley contains over 60 tombs of Egypt’s pharaohs and nobles from the New Kingdom (18th, 19th and 20th dynasties).

We spend the morning seeing the three tombs that are open (they rotate which tombs are open between Ramses I, Ramses II, Ramses III, Horemheb, Amenhotep II, Seti I) and of course, the tomb of the boy king, Tutankhamen. (Tomb visits will vary, depending on restoration work). We then visit the Temple of Queen Hatschepsut, the regent of Tuthmosis III. Queen Hatschepsut ruled as pharaoh for 20 years until she died in 1458 BC. We have lunch at a local restaurant on the West Bank and enjoy some Egyptian food. Before going to our hotel, we stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two huge statues guarding what was once the largest temple complex on the West Bank, the funerary temple of Amenhotep III. These 18-meter high statues are all that remain of the site that was eroded away over the centuries by the rise and fall of the Nile.

Return to Luxor for a free evening to relax after a busy day. Overnight in Luxor.

Day 18: Sharm El Sheikh

Have a relaxing morning as you have a free morning to explore Luxor on your own. Wonder the street markets and watch Luxor awake for the day. In the late afternoon we will make our way to the airport to board our flight to Sharm El Sheikh, where we will arrive in the late afternoon for a rest before dinner. Overnight in Sharm El Sheikh.

Day 19: Sharm El Sheikh

After breakfast we will explore Sharm El Sheikh with a city tour starting with Al Mustafa Mosque. This is considered the newest mosque in the city. We will journey to Al Noor district to visit The Church before heading to Naama Bay the most famous area in the city. Stop at the lighthouse where the views will take your breath away.

In the afternoon we will wander around Sharm’s Old Market with free time to explore on your own before we head to the middle of the Sinai desert to where the Bedouin are living to get a taste of a real Bedouin dinner, tea with herbs. In the afternoon we will have free time to explore Sharm’s Old Market before we proceed to the Sinai desert, where the Bedouin live and where we will have a Bedouin dinner. Overnight in Sharm El Sheikh.

Day 20: St Catherine

Today we will explore St Catherine’s Monastery a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Constructed between 527 and 565 it is located at the foot of Mount Moses. A chapel was built on top of the sight where it was thought Moses’ Burning Bush was. The greatest significance is one of the largest and most important collections of illuminated manuscripts in the world. This collection consists of approximately 4500 volumes in Greek, Coptic, Arabic, Armenian, Hebrew, Slavic, Syriac, Georgian and other languages.

We return back to Sharm El Sheikh for a late afternoon rest after a busy day. Overnight in Sharm El Sheikh.