Grand Egypt Adventure
Grand Tour of Egypt - 13 days / 12 nights
This suggested tour highlights the very best of Egypt's incredible antiquities. The perfect trip to do before or after a Red Sea trip or on its own. Please note that the itinerary can be customized for your travel desires and budget.
Itinerary:
Day 01 Arrive in the evening. Overnight at Le Meridien Cairo Airport
Day 02 Fly from Cairo to Luxor for 2 nights at Sofitel Winter Palace. Karnak & Luxor Temples w/sound and light show
Day 03 Valley of the Kings and Queens & Hatshepsut Temple
Some of the most spectacular sites in all of Egypt can be found on the West Bank of the Nile, near Luxor. Meet with your private guide and driver to spend a half day exploring the West Bank of the Nile, home to the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. Start with a visit to the Valley of the Kings to explore the famous Tomb of Tutankhamun along with two other interesting tombs. King Tut became Pharaoh at the tender age of nine or ten, and the discovery of his nearly intact tomb in 1922 fascinated the world. For a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the kings and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom (the Eighteenth to the Twentieth Dynasties of Ancient Egypt). Explore the recently renovated mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the second historically confirmed female Pharaoh. She is generally regarded by Egyptologists as one of the most successful Pharaohs, reigning longer than any other woman of an indigenous Egyptian dynasty, and remembered as the first great woman in history of whom we are informed. Next head to the nearby Valley of the Queens, where the wives of Pharaohs were buried during the 18th through 20th Dynasties. End the visit to the West Bank with a visit to the Colossi of Memnon, the only remaining monuments of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III.
Day 04 Drive to Esna to join one of Nour el Nil boats for a 6 night Nile Cruise - like Meroe
Days 05-08 Itinerary as per Nour el Nil Nour El Nil | Luxury Nile Egypt Boat Tours
Day 09 Disembark in Aswan. Check into the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan for overnight. Fly to Abu Simbel
The two Temples of Abu Simbel are unique in style and considered to be the masterpieces of ancient Egypt. With your private guide, explore the glory and grandeur of the new Kingdom – a marvel of ancient architecture but also modern innovation. The entire structure was moved from its original home in Aswan 180 miles away by road to its current location on an artificial hill made from a domed structure, high above the Aswan High Dam reservoir to preserve it from being submerged during the creation of Lake Nasser during the flooding of the dam. The relocation project was a joint effort between the Egyptian government and UNESCO, protecting the Temples of Abu Simbel and downriver Philae under the larger UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Nubian Monuments”, and was one of the greatest challenges of archaeological engineering in history. The Temple of Ramesses II was dedicated to the four universal gods Ptah, Re-Her-Akhtey, Amun-Re, and to Ramesses II himself. The Temple of Queen Nefertari is also Called Temple of Hathor who was the wife of the Sun God so in a symbolic way, the two Temples, that of Ramsses II and that of Nefertari, bring Ramesses II, Nefertari, Hathor and the Sun God together as one. Approximate duration of the visit to the temples is an hour and a half. Afternoon exploring the Market in Aswan or just relaxing.
Day 10 Morning tour to Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple
The impressive Aswan High Dam was a marvel of engineering when it was constructed. Originally conceived to Egypt’s irrigation of farmland to mitigate against drought and famine in low-water years, and flooding in high-water years. Visit the dam with your private guide and spend a half day learning about Aswan. The dam displaced over 100,000 Nubians in Sudan and Egypt alike and was part of a major relocation project for archaeological sites under the UNESCO Nubia Campaign, including the Abu Simbel temples and Philae. Other sites were eventually flooded by Lake Nasser, the world’s largest artificial lake that was created by the Aswan High Dam. Then head to Philae and the Temple of Isis on Agilikia Island. Stop at the stone quarries to see the unfinished obelisk, the largest known ancient obelisk and a very good practical demonstration of the methods used by ancient craftsmen to create impressive moments. Marks from workers’ tools are still clearly visible on the bedrock.
Fly back and onto Cairo for 3 nights at Marriott Mena House Giza,
Evening dinner tour - For a unique private dinner experience board an oriental felucca boat and immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Cairo as you cruise down the mighty River Nile. After being transferred to the pier, board your boat for the evening and enjoy an unforgettable night on the Nile. Your personal waiter serves you a 3-course dinner as you take in the glistening skyline of Cairo at night. The imposing hotels, bridges and the river itself provide an enchanting setting for tonight’s experience. Indulge in the delicious cuisine, enjoy the onboard entertainment and expose your senses to Cairo’s undeniable charms. After arriving back at the dock, you will be transferred back to your accommodation.
Day 11 Touring - Explore a City of Contrasts
Delve into the historical background of Egypt on a private tour with your Egyptologist guide. You will first visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, also known as the Egyptian Museum, which is a veritable treasure-trove of Ancient Egypt’s artifacts, with an extensive collection of more than 120,000 items split between its exhibits and storerooms. You will also head to the National Museum of Civilization. With a view of Ain El-Seera Lake the NEMC was built on the archaeological site of El-Fustat, the first capital of Egypt. The museum showcases Egyptian civilization from prehistoric times to present day, using a multidisciplinary approach that highlights the country's history. With a mix of permanent and temporary exhibits your visit will help add to your knowledge and understanding of Egypt's ancient and modern civilizations. Today you will also explore the Royal Mummy Hall, where some of the world’s most powerful people are now resting, excavated from their tombs in the Valleys of the Kings and Queens. Relax and enjoy a buffet lunch at a local restaurant, including a choice of a small bottle of water, soft drink, tea or coffee.
As the day draws to a close, Cairo’s Khan Khalili Bazaar becomes a vibrant scene: a maze of shops lined with souvenirs and antiques, restaurants and coffee shops, workshops, mosques, and food vendors. The sights and sounds intermingle in an enchanting display over wafting aromas of freshly baked bread and roasting meats. Stroll down Al Moaz Street with your private guide, and marvel at the largest concentration of medieval architectural treasures from the Islamic world. End the evening with a memorable dinner at the Egyptian restaurant Naguib Mafouz, located in the heart of the bazaar. The restaurant is one of Cairo’s top-rated dining establishments. After dinner, return to your hotel by private vehicle.
Day 12 Touring – Old Cairo - Strolling the Magical Streets
Cairo and the surrounding area around the Nile have been inhabited for millennia, and the heart of old Cairo is still home to a host of ancient ruins telling the story the Persians and the early emergence of Christianity. With your private guide and driver, head to the remains of the Babylon Fortress, originally constructed by the Persians around the 6th-century BC. These ruins are the city of Cairo’s oldest original structure – while the pyramids are older, they are in nearby Giza. Within the confines of the Fortress of Babylon are a number of important Coptic Christian Churches, including the Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus Church, also known as Abu Serga, constructed on the spot where the Holy Family is reported to have rested at during the end of their journey into Egypt. The neighborhood is also home to a number of historic sites important to both Judaism and Islam. Among others, today you will visit the Hanging Church, one of the oldest churches in Egypt. Its nave is suspended over a passage and the church was the seat of the Coptic Pope for centuries after it was relocated from Alexandria following the Muslim conquest of Egypt. See the Church of Saint Barbara, a long-lasting example of ancient Coptic architecture commemorating a 4th-century local saint. End the day with a visit to the Coptic Museum which houses the largest collection of Egyptian Christian artifacts in the world and important examples of Coptic art. Giza late afternoon staying for sound and light show.
Day 13 Onward travels or linger for some beach/water play time on the Red Sea or more adventure in Jordan!
