The world is indeed indebted to the people of ancient Egypt for achieving the longest living civilisation of the ancient world - 3300 BC to 30 BC. Many of the Egyptians achievements in construction and lifestyle are still available to us over 5000 years later and are a must see for people of all ages. Our journey through this ancient land not only offers visits to the pyramids, sphinx and the world famous Egyptian Museum, but also a look at the achievements of the medieval Islamic period such as the majestic Al Azhar Mosque, Salahuddi's citadel, the city of Cairo and the famous Khana-el-Khalil bazaar. These World Heritage Sites are visited in a combination of land, train and a four-day Nile cruise. Few will fail to see the charm of this spectacular and ancient country; the land where it all began.
Your Itinerary
Day 1:
Arrive Cairo
Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome in Arabic. We are warmly received at Cairo Airport and transferred to our hotel.
Marriott (2 nights)
Day 2:
Cairo/Pyramids
This is a day to go back in time, starting with a visit to the most famous of the Egyptian sphinxes, the Great Sphinx of Giza, followed by the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops). Completed around 2600 BC, this pyramid was 146m (478ft) high and consisted of over 2 million limestone blocks weighing over 2 tons each. We also examine the Chephren and Mycerinus Pyramids as well as the Cheops wooden boat. At over 4500 years old, this boat is the most ancient vessel found in perfect condition anywhere in the world and is one of the most important archaeological finds in Egypt. Next we visit Memphis and the Saqqara Step Pyramid, the world's first great stone structure. Evening, an ideal opportunity to join in our optional viewing of the spectacular Sound and Light Show at the foot of the Great Pyramids
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Day 3:
Cairo/Luxor (Flight)
A short flight gets us to Luxor where we are warmly received and transferred to our luxurious boat, home for the next four nights. The boat will, over the next five days, cruise the Nile and visit various off shore sites mentioned in this itinerary. This afternoon we start with our first of many off shore excursions with a visit to the Karnak and Luxor Temples. The ancient Egyptians knew the Temple of Karnak as Ipet-isut. It is a city of temples built over 2000 years and dedicated to the Theben triad of Amon, Mut and Khonsu. This derelict place is still capable of overshadowing many of the wonders of the modern world. It is the mother of all religious buildings and a place of pilgrimage for nearly 4,000 years. Luxor Temple was connected to Karnak Temple by an avenue of sphinxes in ancient times. Unlike Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple is mainly the work of one pharaoh - Amenhotep III - between 1414 BC and 1397 BC and was added to by Tutankhamun, Horemheb, Ramses II and Alexander the Great. When Amenhotep died, his son Akhenaten took over and rejected all religion other than worship of Aten. He moved the capital away from Thebes (Luxor) so development stopped. When Akhenaten died, the old religions returned, along with the priests so the temple began to expand again.
Overnight: Travcotel Cruise Ship
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Day 4:
Nile Cruise Luxor: Luxor/Esna
We begin our day with a visit to the West Bank of Luxor to explore the Valley of the Kings, a vast City of the Dead where magnificent tombs were carved into the desert rocks, richly decorated, and filled with treasures for the afterlife by generations of pharaohs. We also have the opportunity to visit at least one tomb in the Valley of the Queens. Our visit will also cover the Valley of Queens, Queen Hatchepust Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. This is an exciting venture into the lifestyles of the Pharoah s and that also of the only female pharaoh, Queen Hatchepust.
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Day 5:
Nile Cruise Luxor: Esna/Edfu
Morning we visit the Greco-Roman Temple of Khnum at Esna. The beautifully preserved Great Hypostyle Hall was built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Claudius; it was excavated from the silt that had accumulated through centuries of annual Nile floods and is about 9 meters (29.5 feet) below present-day street level. This will be followed by visiting the well-preserved Greek built Temple of Horus. This temple, built during the reigns of six generations of Ptolemy’s, is not only the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt, but also the second largest after Karnak.
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Day 6:
Nile Cruise Edfu/ Kom Ombo/Aswan
We continue cruising the incredible Nile experiencing both the old and the current. Our next stop is at Kom Ombo where we visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile-god Sobek. It stands at a bend in the Nile where in ancient times sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank. We anchor at the beautiful oasis of Aswan where we visit the famous and monumental Aswan High Dam. We then visit the romantic and majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilka. Our day is not yet over as we visit the granite quarries, which supplied the ancient Egyptians with most of the hard stone used in pyramids and temples, and still holds a huge unfinished obelisk.
Tonight, on board our ship, we have an Egyptian Night : an opportunity of try traditional Egyptian "galabeyyas," and taste Egyptian cuisine and join the entertainment which includes traditional dances, belly dancing, whirling dervishes and lots of fun. We also get the opportunity of meeting the ship’s captain and his staff.
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Day 7:
Aswan/Sleeper Train/Cairo
Morning after disembarking our boat, we take a ride on a felucca, a typical Egyptian sail boat, around Elephantine Island, Lord Kitchener's Botanical Gardens, and a view of the Aga Khan Mausoleum. This is also a day for those who may want to take an optional flight excursion to Abu Simbel to see the temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. Evening we are transferred to the railway station at Aswan for our comfortable overnight train to Cairo.
Sleeper Train
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Day 8:
Cairo
We arrive in the morning and are welcomed at Cairo Railways Station. Our day at Cairo starts with a fascinating tour of 7,000 years of Egyptian history with a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. The Museum houses the world's greatest collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, including 12 rooms filled with golden treasures from the world-famous tomb of the boy-king Tutenkhamun. Next we start with the fascinating part of Islamic Cairo, including the beautiful and graceful Mohamed Ali Mosque and the ancient Citadel, a spectacular medieval fortress perched on a hill above the city. Originally built by Salah El-Din in 1176 to fortify the city against the Crusaders, the Citadel was modified and enlarged over the centuries by subsequent rulers and today is a complex of three mosques and four museums. Our last stop is at the awesome Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, reputed to be the largest bazaar in the Middle East. Originally founded as a watering stop for caravanserai in the 14th century, the bazaar has now grown to vast proportions. As you wander through the labyrinth of narrow streets you will find workshops and stalls selling all manner of things from woodwork, glassware and leather goods to perfumes, fabrics and Pharaonic curiosities. Remember to bargain hard!
Marriott (1 night)
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Day 9:
Depart Cairo
Today we bid farewell to Egypt, best described as a heritage site to the whole world, having gained an educational, historical an enlightening cultural experience never to be forgotte
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Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
prices vary depending on season
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Egypt
History Whiz
Archeology/History
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