Cairo,
Pyramid, Memphis, Abu Simbel, Wadi el Seboua, Kalabsha Temple, Unfinished
Obelisk,
Nile Cruise, Temples of Horus tour
( 16 Nights / 17 Days )
DAY 1: Arrive Cairo where you will be met by our representative who will help
you with your immigration and customs formalities. Later you will be transferred
to your hotel. The luxurious Cairo Marriott and Towers Hotel. Overnight.
DAY 2: Breakfast, then drive to visit the Pyramid of Maidum which was originally
a seven-stepped pyramid. It was enlarged to an eight-stepped pyramid. Eventually
the steps were filled in and a smooth outer facing turned it into a true pyramid.
It is a huge structure that is surrounded by the debris from the casing that
collapsed. The Maidum Pyramid is thought to have been started by Huni, the last
ruler of the 3rd Dynasty and then completed by his son Sneferu. Sneferu was the
first 4th Dynasty Pharaoh (2613 - 2494 BC). A little north from the Maidum Pyramid
is the remains of the Seila Step Pyramid, it is made of limestone and is thought
to be from the 2nd Dynasty. From there we drive to Dhashur to visit the Red Pyramid
and the Bent Pyramid. The constructor of these pyramids is thought to have been
Sneferu. Sneferu is thought as well to have built the Pyramid of Maidum. His
son was Cheops who continued his constructive tendencies. Return to your hotel.
Overnight. (B)
DAY 3: After breakfast drive to Memphis on the edge of the western desert, the
capital of the ancient kingdom, and one of the most important cities throughout
the history of ancient Egypt. From here we drive to Sakkara, the vast necropolis
of ancient Memphis. P.M. Drive to the Pyramids of Giza. Cheop's Pyramid, the
largest of the three, was built in the 3rd Dynasty about 2690 BC, and is one
of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Enjoy a camel ride around the Pyramid
Plateau. Then continue our tour to the Sphinx which is carved from a single piece
of stone. It is a lion with a pharaoh's head thought to be a portrait of the
Pharaoh Chephren. Visit the Solar Boat Museum where you can see and admire boats
that were built by the ancient Egyptian and are amazingly in perfect shape. Transfer
to your hotel. P.M. You will be met and transferred to attend the magnificent
Sound and Light Show at the Giza Plateau. Later transfer back to your hotel for
an overnight. (B, L)
DAY 4: Breakfast, then you will be met and transferred to Cairo Airport
for your flight to Abu-Simbel. Upon arrival at Abu-Simbel Airport, transfer
to embark your deluxe cruise the M/S Eugenie. Lunch on board, then visit the
Simbel Temples, symbol of the international campaign for the salvage of the
Nubian monuments, the Temple of Ramses II and his beloved wife Nefertari. A
welcome cocktail will be served in front of the two temples, followed by a candlelight
dinner on board the cruise ship overlooking the impressive temples. Overnight.
(B, L, D)
DAY 5: Enjoy the spectacular temples of Abu-Simbel again. Breakfast while
sailing to Kasr Ibrim. Arriving at Kasr Ibrim, sole vestige of the distant past
of Nubia found in its original location. During the Pharaonic Period, this hill
was dominated by a Citadel and throughout the Medieval Era, the summit of the
hill was dominated by a Cathedral of which can still admire some Roman arches.
Lunch will be served while sailing to Amada. Visit the Temple of Amada of the
XVIIIth Dynasty, built during the reign of Thotmosis III, Amenophis III and
Thotmosis IV. The Hemi-Speos of Derr dedicated by Ramses II to the rising sun
and the Tomb of Penout, Viceroy of Nubia. A relaxing afternoon sail to Wadi
el Seboua. Dinner and overnight on board cruise. (B, L, D)
DAY 6: Breakfast and a morning visit to Wadi el Seboua. The Temple of
Wadi el Seboua dedicated by Ramses II to the two gods Amon Ra and Ra Harmakis.
The Temple of Dakka, dedicated to the god Thot of divine wisdom, lord of time
and science, master of literature. Visit the Greco-Roman Temple of Meharakka.
Sail to Aswan while dining and overnight on board cruise ship. (B, L, D)
DAY 7: Breakfast, then visit the Kalabsha Temple with its pharaonic aspect,
remodeled into Greco-Roman style and dedicated to the god Mandoulis. Also visiting
the Hemispeos of Beit el Wali, erected by Ramses II in the beginning of his
reign and Kiosh of Kertassi, erected to honor the goddess Isis. Disembark your
cruise ship in Aswan where you will be met and transferred to your deluxe hotel,
the Oberoi Hotel in Aswan. Balance of day at leisure. Overnight. (B, D)
DAY 8: Breakfast, then you will be met and transferred to embark your top deluxe
cruise ship for a 4 night classical Nile cruise. Later you will visit by "Felucca" the
Elephantine Island, the Mausoleum of Agha Khan and the Botanical Gardens. Lunch,
dinner and overnight on board ship. (B, L, D)
DAY 9: Breakfast, then visit the Unfinished Obelisk and the ancient Granite
Quarries, and the High Dam. Lunch, then cruise to Kom-Ombo. Visit the Ptolemaic
Temple of Kom-Ombo, which was dedicated to two gods: the crocodile god Sobek
and the falcon-headed god Haroeris. Sail to Edfu. Dinner and overnight on board.
(B, L, D)
DAY 10: Breakfast, then visit the Temples of Horus (237 BC), the best preserved
Egyptian temple in existence. Lunch. Sail to Esna and visit the Temple of Khnum.
Continue to Luxor. Dinner and overnight on board ship. (B, L, D)
DAY 11: Breakfast, then cross the Nile to visit the necropolis of Ancient Thebes.
Explore the Valleys of the Kings and Queens where tombs of 64 Pharaohs and
57 Queens have been discovered, and enter some of the most important burials.
Visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Lunch. Afternoon
visit the Temple of Karnak, which took over 1500 years to build and is considered
the world's largest religious complex. Then visit the Temple of Luxor, which
was started by Amenhotep III, and completed by Ramses II. Dinner on board ship.
(B, L, D)
DAY 12: Breakfast, then disembark your cruise ship, where you will be met and
transferred to your hotel. The Old Winter Palace hotel. Later you will be met
by your tour guide and transferred to visit the Tomb of the Nobles, the Seti
First Tomb and the King Tut Tomb. Transfer back to your hotel. P.M. You will
be met and transferred to attend the magnificent Sound and Light Show at the
Karnak Temple. Later transfer back to your hotel for an overnight. (B)
DAY 13: Early breakfast and a visit to the newly opened Tomb of Nefertari.
A fabulous tomb that consists of 25 chambers and it houses the sons of King
Ramses. Later transfer back to your hotel for check-out and later you will
be transferred to Luxor Airport for your flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival
at Cairo Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The luxurious
Mena House Oberoi Hotel for an overnight. (B)
DAY 14: Breakfast, then start your tour visiting the Egyptian Museum famous
for its antiquities from Egypt's Pharaonic Period, which dates back some 50
centuries and includes the fabulous treasures of King Tut-Ankh-Amon. Afternoon
excursion to Old Cairo, visiting the very old Coptic Churches and the oldest
Jewish Synagogue of Beni Ezra. Continue your tour visiting the Citadel of Salah-el-Din
and the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammad Ali and the Medieval Bazaars of Khan-el-Khalili.
Where you can bargain for your jewelry and hand-tolled leather items. Return
to your hotel for an overnight. (B)
DAY 15: Breakfast, then visit Fayoum, Egypt's largest Oasis, overlooking Lake
Qaron which is a popular spot for hunting and fishing. You can visit the remains
of the Temple and Pyramid of Amenhat III and Qasr Qarun, a well preserved temple
from the Greco-Roman era. P.M. Return back to Cairo. Overnight at your hotel.
(B, D)
DAY 16: Breakfast, and a day at leisure for last minute shopping or for relaxing
by your hotel pool. Overnight at your hotel. (B)
DAY 17: Breakfast, then you will be met by our representative and transferred
to Cairo Airport for fight back to home(B)
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