15 DAYS DEEP-DIVING INTO EGYPT’S TIMELESS PAST

Transfer: Airport to hotel

The drive from Cairo International Airport to your hotel will be approx. 1hr 15min (44km).

Citadel of Qaitbay

Our trip starts at Alexandria, the former capital of ancient Egypt. After settling down into your hotel, we visit Citadel of Qaitbay located at the tip of the Corniche. It was built on the site of Alexandria’s Pharos lighthouse, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, and was a critical defense line against huge naval threats.

Highlights of Alexandria

Today, we head to the Modern Library of Alexandria, this stunning building provides a wealth of knowledge through over eight million books. We proceed to Alexandria National Museum, which flaunts rare artefacts from ancient regional dynasties, empires and the Islamic Period, most notably being those uncovered during underwater excavations at Akoubir.

The majestic Catacombs of Kom al-Shoqafa wraps up our time in Alexandria. These catacombs make up the largest-known Roman burial site in Egypt and are amongst the most impressive of Alexandria’s ancient remains.

Transfer: Alexandria to Cairo

The distance between Alexandria and Cairo is approx. 2.5hrs (211km).

The Egyptian Wonders

Begin the day at the Giza Plateau, home to the iconic Great Pyramid – the last surviving Wonder of the Ancient World. On your private tour, explore this monumental feat of engineering alongside the other pyramids that complete the legendary Giza complex.

Continuing along the trails of the UNESCO-listed Ancient Memphis, we stray away from the crowds to Dahshur, with its Bent Pyramid and Red Pyramid, some of the earliest and most well-preserved pyramids. Then continue to Saqqara, the necropolis for the ancient city of Memphis, with the unique Pyramids of Dahshur.

Secrets of Fayoum Oasis

Rise early today as we venture into Fayoum Oasis. We drive the distance between Cairo and Fayoum Oasis, approx. 2.15hrs (112km) before dropping by Izbat Tunis, a charming hillside village with a beautiful backdrop of a saltwater lake and the Western Desert. Our next stop features the Valley of the Whales, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famed for its documented evidence of whale fossils from 40 million years ago.

After lunch, we wander around the picturesque Wadi El-Rayan waterfall, surrounded by serene lakes, and finally head to the Medium Pyramid. This unassuming pyramid marks a vital transition from step to smooth sided pyramids.

Uncover the New Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM)

We dive straight into the heart of Egypt as we explore the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) which provides a gateway into the Pharaonic Civilisation. Amongst 100,000 other artefacts, it boasts King Tut’s iconic golden funerary mask, along with the complete Tutankhamun collection.

Transfer: Cairo to Luxor

The drive from your hotel to Cairo International Airport will be approx. 1hr15min (44km). After taking a flight from Cairo to Luxor, the drive from Luxor International Airport to your hotel will be approx. 20min.

Vibrance of the Temple of Dendera

Today, we head off-the-beaten track to the magnificent Temple of Dendera. The distance between Luxor and the Temple of Dendera is approx 1.5hrs (63km). This excellently preserved Temple is the only temple in Egypt that has retained its original colours.

We venture along the River Nile onboard a luxury cruise ship. Formerly a site of the Ancient Thebes, the great temple complexes and necropolis in Luxor form the world’s greatest open-air museum earning the distinguished UNESCO World Heritage Site Status.

Nile Cruise Day 1: East Bank Luxor

Discover the iconic sights at the East Bank of Luxor, Karnak Temple Complex with its towering pillars, temples and chapels before continuing to Luxor Museum which exhibits pharaonic art masterpieces collected from the ancient Thebes. We conclude with a sunset visit of Luxor Temple, watching as the temple dedicated to the God Amun becomes illuminated with night lights.

Nile Cruise Day 2: West Bank Luxor

As the new day beckons, board a private motorboat into the West Bank of Luxor. Explore the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens, including insider’s access to two VIP tombs not usually visited by tourists. Marvel at the unimaginably beautiful colours and pay respect to the resting place where the former mummy of a king can still be found. We then head to Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple, set amidst the rugged structure of the valley.

Nile Cruise Day 3: Temples of the Nile

Our voyage continues towards Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus, built during the reign of King Ptolemy, it is renowned for its remarkably preserved hieroglyphs and grand architecture of ancient rituals and myths. We then move forward to Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and falcon god Horus, featuring a dual design with mirrored halves, each containing its own sanctuaries and chambers.

Nile Cruise Day 4: Sites of Aswan

Docking in Aswan, we will explore a controversial engineering miracle of the 1960s, the High Dam plays a pivotal role in bringing significant benefits. However, the displacement of many local Nubians’ homes and its effect on the environment sparked much debate.

We proceed to explore The Temple of Philae which was meticulously moved to higher grounds on Agilkia Island due to the flooding caused by the High Dam. Its original location on Philae island also features other key sites such as the Temple of Isis.

Nile Cruise Day 5: Serenity on Elephantine Island

Our voyage ends today as we continue to the Unfinished Obelisk, another fascinating ancient mystery built from a single piece of granite that could have been one of Egypt’s largest obelisks. We head onward to Elephantine Island, the oldest inhabited part of Aswan. Here we indulge in a stunning sunset ride on a traditional Felucca, stopping by the tranquil Botanical Gardens on Kitchener Island.

Timeless Magnificence of Abu Simbel

We dedicate the day to explore the famous Nubian Monuments of Southern Egypt, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.

This morning, we will fly to Abu Simbel to marvel at the colossal Temple of Ramses II and the adjacent Temple of Queen Nefertari set on the stunning setting by Lake Nasser, before flying back to Cairo.

Diving into Old Cairo

We uncover a different side of Cairo, as we delve into the sites of Old Cairo. The Egyptian Museum brings the world’s most comprehensive collection of Pharaonic antiquities from various eras. In the afternoon, we enjoy a traditional lunch in Islamic Cairo before strolling the streets donned with rich Islamic culture and monuments. Ending the day, we bask in the vibrant energy of Khan El Khalili Bazaar, a marketplace that brings together Egyptians and tourists alike with its myriad of stalls.

Egypt through the Ages

The The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization wraps up Egypt’s rich history and culture as it brings us through its ancient days to the present  including one of their highlights, the royal mummies. We then tease a surprising side of Egypt in Coptic Cairo. This site showcases Egypt’s Christian heritage, including the unique Hanging Church built into the walls of the water gate, and Abu Serga where the Holy Family took refuge after fleeing Israel.

Transfer: Hotel to Airport

The drive will be approx 45min (23km) to Cairo International Airport.

We bid farewell to Egypt’s beauty today as we catch our flight to head back home.