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 Ancient Egypt to the Graeco-Roman period. Highlights include King Tut's Golden Mask, the extensive contents of the only tomb left completely untouched and the mummified body of Ramses II.

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: The Great Pyramids of Giza and the Step Pyramid

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 4: Old Cairo Sites, To 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 arriving for dinner. Overnight in Alexandria.

Day 5: Alexandria Sites

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 6: Alexandria to Siwa Oasis

After an early breakfast, we drive via the Mediterranean coastal road to Marsa Matrouh. Enroute, we 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 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 7: Cleopatra's Bath, Mtn of the Dead, 4x4;s 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 go off road in 4x4 vehicles for 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 natural spring 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 8: Old Siwa

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 visit the museum of Siwa known 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 9: To Bahariya Oasis

We have a long drive after an early breakfast. We journey into the dessert arriving in the late afternoon. We will have plenty of stops on the way as we see the changing faces of the Sahara. We will enjoy a picnic lunch along the way. Overnight in Bawiti.

Day 10: Valley of the Mummies, Black and White Deserts by 4x4

Today, we start with a visit at the Museum of the Mummies to see some of the "golden mummies", before driving to the Valley of the Mummies. We journey in 4x4 vehicles as we continue to the spectacular Black Desert by 4x4 as 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 over 20 million years ago.

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 white, pink, orange, and blue hues adding to the already surreal atmosphere. Overnight in Bawiti.

Day 11: Valley of the Whales (UNESCO), To Cairo

This morning, we return to Cairo but first, we stop at the Valley of the Whales, an impressive UNESCO site. Erosion has created a surreal landscape exposing abundant sea life, including many excellent whale fossils. As the climate changed 60 million years ago, food became scare and dinosaurs vanished. In an effort to adapt and survive, these land mammals ventured into the sea for their food, yet still had to breathe air to survive. Over millions of years, they evolved into todays whales, feeding in the sea and breathing above the surface. The fossils show evidence of these evolved mammals once had 4 limbs, but had become small and useless for these massive ocean dwellers. The fossils of these ancient sea creatures date between 40 - 42 millions. We continue driving to the Egyptian capital. Overnight in Cairo.

Day 12: Fly to Abu Simbel

In the early morning we fly to Abu Simbel and spend the day in Abu Simbel to allow enough time to admire this world famous temple dedicated to Ramses II. We have plenty of time to enjoy Abu Simbel. We can relax and enjoy this most impressive site after the early morning rush has subsided. Sitting in front of the 4 massive statues of Ramses II is a truly unforgettable. In the afternoon, we drive to Aswan. 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: To Aswan, Unfinished Obelisk, Philae Temple and Felucca Excursion

This morning we drive to Aswan, one of the prettiest locations along the Nile. We visit the Old Granite Quarries and the unfinished Obelisk and continue on to the High Aswan Dam. 18 times the amount of material 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, 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 onboard our 5-star standard cruise boat in Aswan.

Day 14: Nubian Village, Coptic 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 in Aswan.

Day 15: Start 3 day Nile Boat Cruise; Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples

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 Temple dedicated to Horus. The temple is the second largest and the best preserved in Egypt. 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 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. We return to our boat for lunch. This afternoon is free to relax on board.

Late afternoon, we visit Luxor temple, connected to Karnak by the "Avenue of Sphinxes", 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 visit Luxor in the late afternoon so that we can stay as the temple is lit up giving Luxor Temple even more spectacular and surreal. Overnight onboard in Luxor.

Day 17: The Valley of the Kings, King Tut's Tomb

After breakfast, we cross the Nile to the west bank and explore the Valley of the Kings. 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.

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 also 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. Overnight onboard in Luxor.

Day 18: Fly to 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 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 and tea with herbs. If we are lucky we might be able to interact with the Bedouin people.

Our accommodations are at a beautiful resort on the Red Sea. You may choose to explore Sharm El Sheikh with the group or you also have the opportunity to stay at the resort to snorkel, scuba dive (extra cost) or simply relax by the sea. Overnight in Sharm El Sheikh.

Day 20: St Catherine's Monastery (UNESCO)

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.