20-Day Guided Tour of Egypt: Egypt In Depth l
20-Day Guided Tour of Egypt - Full Itinerary
Day 1
20-Day Guided Tour of Egypt - Arrive Cairo where you will be met by our Egypt Tours and Travel tour manager who will meet and assist you. Later you will be transferred to your hotel, the historical and luxurious Marriott Mena House Hotel. Overnight.
Day 2
Meet with your Egypt Tours tour guide. Drive to Memphis at the edge of the Western Desert, the capital of the Ancient Kingdom, and among the cities of greatest importance in the history of Ancient Egypt. Drive to Sakkara, the vast Necropolis of Ancient Memphis, visit the Djoser pyramid. Comprising six mastabas, the pyramid has a unique stepped appearance and dates back to the 27th century B.C. In the afternoon, drive to the Pyramids of Giza. Cheops Pyramid, the largest of the three Pyramids, was built in the 4th dynasty about 2690 BC and is one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Enjoy a camel ride by the Pyramids area if you wish. In front of the Pyramid of Chephren (Khafre), stands the Sphinx 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. Continue your tour to the Solar Boat Museum where a dismantled river barge of King Cheops (Khufu) was found and has been masterfully reassembled. Return to your hotel. In the evening, you will be met and transferred by your Egypt Tours tour manager to the Giza Plateau, to attend the magnificent Sound and Light show. Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 3
Meet with your Egypt Tours tour guide. Drive to Fayoum, Egypt's largest oasis, overlooking Lake Qarun which is a popular spot for hunting and fishing. Visit the remains of the Temple and Pyramid of Amenhat III as well as Qasr Qarun, a well-preserved temple from the Greco-Roman era. Lunch at the historic Oberge El-Fayoum Hotel overlooking the lake. Continue the tour to Maidum. The Pyramid of Maidum 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 converted it into a true pyramid. It is a massive 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, then completed by his son Sneferu. Sneferu was the first 4th Dynasty Pharaoh (2613 - 2494 BC). A little north of the Maidum Pyramid is the remains of the Step Pyramid of Seila which is made of limestone and is thought to be from the 2nd Dynasty. Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4
Meet with your Egypt Tours tour guide. Drive to Dahshur, visit the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid. The builder of these pyramids is thought to have been Sneferu, who is thought to have built the Pyramid of Maidum. His son Cheops continued his constructive tendencies. Transfer back to your hotel. In the evening, you will be met by your Egypt Tours tour manager and transferred to an Egyptian home for a true and authentic Egyptian dinner, get acquainted with the people of Egypt, their way of life. See an Egyptian home, engage in a social discussion about the two cultures, their way of life, and the people. Later, you will be transferred back to your hotel. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5
You will be met by your Egypt Tours tour manager and transferred to Cairo Airport for your early flight to Abu-Simbel. Arrive Abu-Simbel where you will be transferred to visit the Great Temple with its four colossal seated statues of the king by the entrance, it was dedicated to Amun-Ra, the Horakkhti, and Ramses II. Also, visit the Kings Wife Temple. The entire complex was threatened by the waters upon the completion of the Aswan High Dam, it was preserved by International Action organized by "UNESCO". All of the parts of the temple (statues, inscribed slabs, etc.) have been cut, numbered, and moved on a plateau above the former site. Transfer to the Nefertari Hotel in Abu-Simbel. Balance of the day at leisure. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
Early breakfast and a wonderful opportunity to see the sunrise at the Abu-Simbel Temples. Checkout and transfer to Abu-Simbel Airport for your flight to Aswan. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, the historic Old Cataract, or the Movenpick Aswan Hotel for check-in. In the afternoon, start your tour visiting the Botanical Gardens, the Agha Khan Mausoleum by felucca, and the Temple of Isis on Philae Island. Continue your tour visiting the High Dam, the Granite Quarries, and the Unfinished Obelisk. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7
Visit the Nubian Museum which describes the Nubian history from past to present time including some Coptic and Islamic art as well. Continue our tour visiting the Nubian Villages and a special visit to a Nubian home where you will be served tea and have s short social discussion with the locals. Later transfer back to your hotel. In the evening, you will be met and transferred to the Philae Temple by boat to attend the beautiful Sound and Light Show. Later, transfer back to your hotel. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8
You will be met and transferred by car to Luxor visiting en-route the Ptolemaic Temple of Kom-Ombo, dedicated to two gods: the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-headed god Haroeris. Continue to Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus (237 BC) the best-preserved Egyptian temple in existence. From there to Esna, visit the Temple of the god Khnum. Continue to Luxor. Arrive Luxor where you will be met and transferred to the historical Old Winter Palace Hotel. Start your tour with a ferry ride, crossing to the west bank of the Nile, visit the Valley of the Queens that lies hidden in the foothills of the Mountains of Gourma. See the dramatic Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a masterpiece of graceful proportions, then visit the famous Valley of the Kings where the royal tomb of Seti I, King Tut and Ramses are located. Visit these two popular tombs to see the impressive elaborate reliefs, wall paintings depicting events of the past, and marvel at the exquisite colors, that has been excellently preserved for thousands of years. Return to your hotel. In the evening, you will be met and transferred to attend the magnificent Sound and Light Show in Karnak Temple. Later, transfer back to your hotel. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9
Visit the Temple of Karnak with their awesome and giant columns. The ruins of Greece and Rome are dwarfed beside them. Also, visit the Temple of Luxor, started by Amenhotep III and completed by Ramses II. End your tour with a visit to the Luxor Museum. Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 10
Visit the Temple of Dendera whose construction was initiated by the Ptolemies. Dendera is dedicated to Hathor, the cow goddess, known as "The Golden One". Continue your tour visiting the Valley of the Nobles, many of which are vividly painted with naturalistic scenes of agriculture, fishing, fowling, feasting, and junketing. In the afternoon, visit the famous King Tut Tomb and visit the very large Temple of Ramses III, also known as Medinet Habu which depicts the battle reliefs, on the temple exterior. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast
Image Source: Bernard Gagnon
Day 11
Drive to Abidos, visit the Temple of Abidos, a Greco-Roman Temple that lies about 60 miles north of Luxor. The temple was first initiated by Ptolemy III with numerous additions by subsequent Roman Ptolemaic rulers. It houses a famous painting of Queen Cleopatra, and Caesaron, her son from Julius Caesar. The temple is renowned for its horoscope inscriptions. Drive back to Luxor and embark on a 2-hour felucca (sailboat) ride, exploring the East and the West bank of the Nile riding in a sailboat the same way the ancient Egyptians used to do it thousands of years ago. Return to your hotel. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12
Start your tour by visiting the tomb of Nefertari. A fabulous tomb, called the most beautiful Tomb in the Valley of the Queens, has some of the most vibrant colors, built by King Ramses II for his beloved queen. This tomb is most famous for its fine artwork. A breathtaking exhibit, truly a highlight of your trip. In the afternoon, visit the Tomb of Queen "Tausert", wife of King Seth II. That tomb was usurped by King Set Nakht who changed some of its inscriptions and added to its original construction. Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 13
Transfer to Luxor Airport for your flight to Sharm-el-Sheikh. Arrive in Sharm and transfer by car to Saint Catherine. Arrive in St. Catherine and transfer to the Saint Catherine Village and Resort for check-in. Balance of day at leisure. A choice of a 3-hour climb to the summit of Mount Sinai is available if you wish, to see the spectacular sunrise, as well as a view of the Red Sea and the Saudi Arabian border. A popular time to start the climb of the 3,750 steps is at 2:00 A.M. in order to arrive at the summit for sunrise around 5:00 A.M.
**You must be physically fit to make the 3-hour climb to the summit of Mount Sinai
Meals: Breakfast
Day 14
Visit the Sinai Peninsula. Not much has changed in the area since Moses fled the Pharaoh of Egypt and made his way to this craggy moonscape, where he beheld the miracle of the burning bush and heard God tell him to lead the Israelite’s out of bondage. Today, you will enjoy that same journey through the same stark granite mountains, to the site of the burning bush, where Emperor Justinian built the Monastery of St. Catherine during the sixth century. The site sits at the foot of Mount Sinai, where Moses is believed to have received the Ten Commandments. While visiting the compound, you will see the enclosing churches, gardens, and the living quarters of the monks who operate it. Some of your highlights will be the actual bush, a shrub that grows nowhere else in the world; the Chapel of the Burning Bush; and the well where Moses is said to have seen the daughters of Jethro tending sheep. The monastery owns more than 2,000 Byzantine icons, the world's largest and finest collection of these paintings, many of which are displayed in the Church of the Transfiguration. The monastery also has a priceless collection of more than 4,500 manuscripts, including the world's second-oldest Bible. Overnight in St Catherine.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 15
Drive from Saint Catherine to Sharm-el-Sheikh. Upon arrival at Sharm-el-Sheikh, transfer to the Marriott Sharm Hotel. Balance of day at leisure for swimming, snorkeling, diving, or relaxing by your hotel pool or by the hotel private beach. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 16
A day at leisure for swimming, diving, and snorkeling. In the evening you will be met and transferred by car to the Sinai Desert. From the desert road, you will ride camels to meet the Bedouins. Experience the Bedouin hospitality, a dinner will be barbecued and served in front of you at a canyon in a Bedouin tent surrounded by the stars. Traveling and dining in the desert with the Bedouins, will make you relive the adventure of Lawrence of Arabia. Later, transfer back to your Sharm hotel. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 17
Transfer to Sharm Airport for your flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival at Cairo Airport, you will be met by your Egypt Tours tour manager and transferred to your hotel. The Cairo Marriott and Towers Hotel and casino, a room with a Nile view. Morning at leisure. In the evening, you will be met by your Egypt Tours tour manager and transferred for an oriental Cairo dinner cruise, with folkloric music, traditional, and belly dancing show. Later, transfer back to your hotel. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 18
Meet with your Egypt Tours tour guide. Start your tour by visiting the Gayer Anderson Museum (Bayt Al-Kiridlyyah) Two houses, one from the 16th century, the other from the 17th, each comfortable by the standards of their time, have been delightfully joined together, both filled with antique furniture. Continue your tour visiting the Manyal Palace, built-in 1826 and it conceals an Ottoman-Baroque fantasy within; an immense marble basin and marble island in its center. The palace was built by Prince Muhammad Ali. Continue our tour with a visit to Ibn Tulon Mosque, one of the architectural glories of the Muslim world, completed in the year 879 and covers 8.5 acres of land. In the afternoon, visit the Islamic Museum that contains Islamic art from Egypt, Turkey, and Persia dating from the 7th to 19th centuries. Continue the tour with a visit to the Coptic Museum, built on the site of the Roman fortress of Babylon, constructed about 30 BC. Inside you will find some of the richest collections of Coptic Christian art in the world. Later transfer back to your hotel. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Image Source: Berthold Werner
Day 19
Meet with your Egypt Tours tour guide. Start your tour visiting the Egyptian Museum famous for its antiquities from Egypt's Pharaonic period, dating 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, Abu Serga Church, built over the crypt where Jesus, Mary, and Joseph stayed while in Egypt, also visit the Hanging and the oldest Jewish Synagogue of Beni Ezra. Continue your visit to the Alabaster mosque of Mohammad Ali and the Citadel of Salah-El-Din and the medieval Bazaars of Khan-El-Khalili, where you can bargain for your jewelry, copper, and hand-tooled leather items. Return to your hotel. Overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Image Source: A maraqa
Day 20
You will be met by your Egypt Tours tour manager, and transferred to Cairo Airport, where you will be helped with your check-in for your departure flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Also Included: Egypt Tours also includes all taxes, service charges, entrance fees to sights mentioned included as well. All transfers, meeting and assistance and baggage handling are also included.
If any modifications or changes are needed to package, that will be accommodated at an extra cost
Extensions & Optional Tours: Egypt Tours, can add extra days and optional tours to sites that are not included are available upon request.
Egypt In Depth l
Price
$7249
Single Supplement
$1229
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