Mysteries of Egypt

DAY 1 FRIDAY  – Welcome

Welcome to Egypt! we will meet you at the arrival’s hall of Cairo International airport, helping you the passport process and luggage collection before taking you to your luxury air-conditioned vehicle, that will transport to through the busy, streets of Cairo to your hotel. Check in and rest of the day free. If you arrive in time, you can take one of our options tours. Overnight

DAY 2 SATURDAY – Mysterious Land of Pyramids

Breakfast in the Hotel and then with the company of your English-speaking Egyptologist, travel back thousands of years as you visit the most amazing of all sites in Egypt the stunning Pyramids. Here you will visit not only the famous Pyramids of Giza but also the Step Pyramid of Djoser in Sakkara but also one of the biggest Necropolis in Egypt. This tour will show you the very first Pyramid ever constructed, how the ancient Egyptians, through incredible feats of engineering, finally constructed the world’s only remaining Seventh Wonder. During our visit we will Also take a look at an interesting collection of objects in the open-air museum of Memphis, once the ancient capital of Lower Egypt, its necropolis provides a wonderful insight to how the ancient Egyptians lived. Return to the hotel and overnight

DAY 3 SUNDAY – Pearl of the Mediterranean

start early morning by taking the desert road from Cairo to Alexandria. Known as the “Pearl of The Mediterranean “ this city that takes its name from Alexander The Great,  an urban center that ranked second only to ancient Rome. Home to  one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Pharos, the 440-foot-high lighthouse that guided ships safely into the Great Harbour for nearly two millennia. Here the most beguiling of all Alexandrians, Cleopatra held court in front of Julius Cesear and Mark Anthony .  The centre of  an amazing mish mash of civilizations from the Greeks , Roman, Egyptians, Jewish , French , Italians and English all of which have left their mark on this city. First a  panoramic tour from The Montazah Palace through the centre stopping to visit the Roman  Catacombs  and Column of Pompeyo before arriving to the Corniche and the Library of Alexandria.  We will visit the inside  of the Library to  learn about  the history behind  this amazing structure , finally we will head back to the sea to have lunch before returning to the capital Cairo. overnight

DAY 4 MONDAY – “the most Select of Places”

Breakfast in the hotel  and at the appointed time transfer to the airport to take the flight to Luxor . Arrival and accompanied by your Egyptologist discover Karnak a vast array of temples, chapels, pylons and other religious sites including a sacred lake. Here over thirty pharaohs contributed to the construction of the buildings, allowing the area to become the most complex and diverse archeological site in Egypt.  Wonder at the Hypostyle Hall where you will see 134 massive columns over 10 meters tall with a diameter of over three meters arranged in a grid of 16 rows. Wander among the huge statues sculpted in the likes of pharaohs and Gods. Continue to Luxor Temple, here Alexander the Great claimed he was crowned King of Egypt. Visit the chapels built by Amenhotep III of the 18th Dynasty, and Alexander the Great as well as other parts of the temple built by Tutankhamun and Ramesses II. Transfer to the cruise ship for lunch and  afternoon free to relax, take time on the top deck  terrace and enjoy the magnificent views of this amazing river  or take a wander to  the local bazaar and  try out a local shisha in one of the many colorful bars in the centre of Luxor. Dinner and  Overnight

DAY 5 TUESDAY –  Theban Necropolis

Breakfast on board , early morning possibility of taking  an optional tour in a Hot Air Balloon  to ride over the temples at dawn.. Transfer over to the necropolis of Thebes which Howard Carter made famous with his incredible discovery of Tutankhamon’s Tomb.  Here with your Egyptologist, you will discover the secrets of the Valley of the Kings. Over 60 burial tombs of pharaohs, marvel at the colour of the hieroglyphics preserved from the sun in these underground chambers, where they retain their stunning colours and reveal the stories of the late rulers of Egypt.  Carry on to Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple, this magnificent temple is totally unique in Egypt its colonnaded terraces, with long ramps and surrounded by steep cliffs make it a fitting tribute to Egypt’s only female pharaoh.Finally stop off at the Colossi of Memnon the 18-metre high, 700-ton stone statues are the ancient guardians of the necropolis lunch on board. Afternoon free on board as the cruises sails up river towards Esna Lock so take a seat on the sundeck and watch the Nile float by, over 80 % of the population lives by the banks of this river of life, it provides the lush backdrop to the desert, food water and life for many. Dinner and overnight on board

DAY 6 WEDNESDAY – Battlegrounds and Myths

Breakfast on board and after a short horse carriage ride you will arrive at Horus Temple in Edfu, here accompanied by your Egyptologist, one of the best-preserved shrines in Egypt.  Here the inscriptions on the walls provide valuable insight into language, myth and religion during the Hellenistic period in Egypt, with important scenes of the Sacred Drama which tells of the battle between Gods Horus and Seth.Lunch on board as you continue sailing down the Nile towards Kom Ombo. Late afternoon arrival to these twin temples, unique in design as all courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms were duplicated for two sets of gods Haroeris and Sobek. You can visit the collection of mummfied crocodiles dedicated to the latter god in the specialized museum and see the Nilometer which allowed the ancient Egyptians measure the water levels of the Nile.  Dinner and overnight on board

DAY 7 THURSDAY – Victorious Pharoah Ramesses II

Early morning start ( 3 am )  with pic nic breakfast will allow you to visit the amazing temples of Abu Simbel on the banks of Lake Nasser. Discover with your Egyptologist the story of Ramesses II and his wife Nefertari, visit these stunning temples saved by the UNESCO from the rising waters of the lake, with their impressive 30-metre-high statues that celebrate the victory of the battle of Kadesh On your way back to Aswan stop off at the High Dam Aswan, before taking a tour round the Granite quarry where you will discover the ingenious method used by the ancient Egyptians to cut the stone for the obelisks. Lunch on board. In the afternoon, a gentle sail around the Nile Cataracts and the Elephantine Island on an old-fashioned Felucca. Dinner and overnight

DAY 8 FRIDAY – Sky Goddess

Breakfast on board and after checking out of the cruise. With your Egyptologist, you will visit the Island of Philae where monuments of various eras, extending from the Pharaohs to the Caesars, occupy nearly the whole area. Here on the supposed burial place of the God Osiris, the Temple of Isis rises from its island base. A religious center for Egyptians and Nubians alike. Isis’s magical power was greater than that of all gods, she protected Egypt from its enemies, governed the skies and the natural world. Transfer to the airport and afternoon flight back to Cairo. arrival and transfer to Hotel.

DAY 9 SATURDAY – Treasures Galore

Breakfast in the hotel before leaving to visit Egyptian Museum , famous for its extensive collection of Egyptian artefacts , here you will be able to see the famous treasures of Tutankhamon as well as understand the development of Egyptian culture and art through the ages. Continue with a tour of Citadel of Saladin, a medieval fortification built in the 12th century that served as the seat of government and residency of the rulers of Egypt for over 700 years . Here you will see the stunning Alabaster Mosque and admire the incredible views of the sprawling city of Cairo. Continue on through the Al Muizz street, this 10th century roadway leads you through one of the world’s oldest Islamic cities, with its famous mosques, madrasas, hammams and fountains and is considered the Jewel of Islamic medieval Arquitecture in the world by the UNESCO. After a relaxing drink in one of the many famous cafes in the Bazar of Khan El Khalili, we continue on to see the Coptic Quarter of Cairo , known for housing the Holy Family during their exile from Israel. Here we will see the famous Hanging Church and the churches of St George and Abu Serga one of the oldest churches in Egypt.  Finally we will visit the Synagogue of Ben Ezra on the banks of the Nile that according to local folklore, was built where baby Moses was found. Return to the Hotel and overnight.

DAY 10 SUNDAY – Farewell

Breakfast in the hotel and at the appointed time transfer to the airport to take the international flight back to destination.

Accommodation

3 nights accommodation in 5-star  Hotel in Cairo on BB basis

4-night accommodation in 5-star   cruise from Luxor to Aswan on FB basis

2 nights accommodation in a 5 star hotel in Cairo on BB basis

Guide

Private English-speaking Egyptologist

Meals

9  breakfasts

4 lunches

4 dinners

Flights

Flights from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo

Transport

All transfers in Deluxe Air-conditioned vehicles

Visits

Visits with Egyptologist: Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, Temple of the Valley, Saqqara, Memphis, Alexandria with lunch, Temples of Karnak & Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Temples of Kom Ombo & Edfu, Temples of Abu Simbel, High Dam, Granite quarry and Unfinished Obelisk, Temple of Philae and Felucca Ride. Egyptian Museum, Citadel, Alabaster Mosque, Coptic Quarter and Bazaar

Entrance in the interior of a Pyramid

Entrance to special tombs in Valley of the KIngs

Drinks with meals

Personal expenses

Entry visa to Egypt

Tipping for guides and representatives

Visits not specified as included

Travel Insurance

International Flights

Prices starting from : Per person in double room 1600 USD + 55 usd tips for cruise
Prices starting from : Per person in single room 2080 USD + 55 usd tips for cruise