PVT830 – Egypt Historical Highlights

The Step Pyramid of Zoser, the world’s oldest major stone structure. It was built in the 3rd Dynasty for King Djoser. After that transfer to Memphis which was founded by King Menes, and was the capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom, it was considered to be a center of rule and culture for over 3000 years the first capital of ancient Egypt, and you will visit the Statue of Ramses II and the alabaster Sphinx of Memphis, Then, move on to visit the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid at Dahshur, Dahshur is a famous royal necropolis in Egypt holds many famous Pyramids includes the Red and Bent Pyramids of king snefru. The site is about 40 km from Cairo, you will have your lunch during the tour at a local restaurant, before continue to explore the most ancient monuments in the world “Giza Plateau”  the Pyramids of King Khufu “Cheops” Pyramid, King Khafre “Chephren” and King Mankura “Mykerinus”.
Then you will continue on to visit the Great Sphinx which dates back to the time of King Khafre ”Chephren” the tour also includes a visit to the Valley Temple, which belongs to the Pyramid of King Khafre “Chephren”.The temple served two functions: First, it was used for the purification of the mummy of the king before its burial. Second, it was used for the Mummification process of the king.

After that, you will head to Cairo airport to catch your flight to Aswan and check-in your hotel.

Overnight: Aswan.

Visits: Memphis, Sakkara, Dahshur and Giza Plateau.

After your breakfast at the hotel in Aswan our representative will pick you up to continue your holiday in Egypt by exploring some of the top Aswan tourist attractions. The High Dam, a symbol of the modern world constructed between 1960 & 1970, it was designed as a cooperation project with Moscow based Hydro project Institute in order to create better control over Nile flooding, generating Hydroelectricity, and increased the water storage for irrigation. The High Dam was the source of the possible destruction of the great Abu Simbel temple and the Philae temple.

After that you will visit The Unfinished Obelisk, which stands high as a symbol of greatness. The Unfinished Obelisk was constructed for Queen Hatshepsut (1508-1458 BC) to stand at the entrance of Karnak temple. It was known as “Tekhenu” which means “to pierce the sky” and showcases how obelisks were shaped, it would have reached the total height of 42 m and weighed 1200 tons but unfortunately, the obelisk was cracked during construction and was forced to remain at the same location till now. You will have your lunch meal during the tour before visiting Philae Temple.

Philae Temple is the mythological wonder of ancient Egypt emerged where all the great tales were told such as the” Myth of Osiris” where the husband of Isis “Osiris” is killed by his brother Set out of hatred then Osiris is resurrected to be the ruler of the underworld afterward Set is defeated by Hours the falcon sky God the son of Isis and Osiris and launching an age of prosperity & justice. The temple was relocated in the 60s on the island of Agilkia as a part of a rescue mission led by UNESCO in order to save it from being submerged. Afterward, our representative will transfer you to your hotel.

Overnight: Aswan

Visits: Nubian City, High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and Philae.

In the early morning, you will have your breakfast boxes then check-out from the hotel and join your private tour guide to drive to the southwest of Aswan for about 300 km to explore Abu Simbel Temple this landmark has stood on the southern border since its creation by Ramses II (1279-1213 BCE) to be the “Temple of Ramesses, beloved by Amun”. Abu Simbel consists of two temples, the main bigger temple is for King Ramses II, where the sun festival takes place on 22 of February and October of each year when the sun shines on the faces of the four seated statues of Ramses II, Ptah “Creator God”, Amun, and Ra “Sun God”, the second smaller temple is dedicated to his beloved wife Queen Nefertari. The temple was the main focus of the most challenging archeological rescue operation in history led by UNESCO in the mid-60s.
At the end of your day tour, you will be transferred to Aswan to have your lunch meal and board your train to Luxor where you will check-in your hotel.
Overnight: Luxor
Visits: Abu Simbel Temple

After your breakfast at the hotel our representative will pick you up to explore Luxor East Bank attractions Karnak Temple, which was known as Ipet-isu “The Most Selected of Places” it was constructed more than 4000 years ago. It is one of the largest religious and worship construction ever built by mankind and it was the worship center of the entire ancient Egyptian civilization for more than 1500 years to countless deities like the great Osiris, Montu, Ptah and Isis but the complex was dedicated mainly to the Theban triad that consisted of God Amun with his wife the Goddess of Justice Mut and his son the moon god Khnsou. You will then enjoy your lunch meal during your tour at a local restaurant in Luxor, then you will be transferred to your hotel to relax and refresh yourself.
Then, at night our representative will pick you up to enjoy Luxor Temple at Night. It was constructed in the 1400 BCE during the reign of King Amenhotep III where it was known as “Ipetresyet” which means “the southern sanctuary”, dedicated to the God Amun.
After you finish your visit, our representative will transfer you back to your hotel.
Overnight: Luxor
Visits: Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple

After you breakfast and checking-out from the hotel, you will continue your trip in Luxor by exploring the rest of Luxor highlights, Hatshepsut Temple Djoser-Djeseru “Holy of Holies” is a beautiful example of the imagination of Ancient Egypt civilization, it is a beautiful structure of one of the most successful female rulers in the history of ancient Egypt Queen Hatshepsut. The temple was built in 1479 BC of Egypt’s new kingdom and took 15 years to complete, the design of the temple is based on the style of Classical Architecture of the new kingdom and within the temple lies some of the most captivating artifacts of Ancient Egypt.

Afterwards, you will head to the Valley of the Kings, the last resting destination of ancient Egypt’s Kings and Queens. It is a holy passage to the heavens designed of genuine beauty and bliss, it was the burial spot to the Egyptian kings and queens of the new kingdom (1570-1070 BC), it contains 63 tombs filled with countless treasures, artifacts and the remains of Kings such as Rameses (I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, IX, X), Amenhotep I, Hatshepsut, and Tutankhamen which is the most visited with Ramses the great.
Valley of the Kings became known as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979. 

You will have your lunch during your tour before visiting Colossi of Memnon, they are two blocks of quartzite sandstone standing at the height of 18 m. weighing 720 tons each and have the shape of King Amenhotep III(1386-1350). The colossi were heavily damaged by a large earthquake in 27 BC and were rebuilt in 199 AD.
After you finish your visit, our representative will transfer you back to your hotel.

Overnight: Luxor
Visits: Hatshepsut Temple, Valley of The Kings and Colossi of Memnon.

After your breakfast and check-out from your hotel in Luxor, our representative will transfer you to Luxor airport for your flight to Cairo. Upon your arrival in Cairo you will be transferred to your hotel and continue your day visiting The Egyptian Museum.
The museum has a collection of 5000 years of art which is considered the largest most precious collection of ancient Egyptian art in the world.Over 250,000 artifacts are displayed, including Tutankhamen’s collection of treasure, gold and jewelry which was enclosed in his tomb for over 3,500 years before it was discovered in the 1920s when his tomb was discovered.

After that you will have a break to enjoy your lunch before visiting The Hanging Church “The holy Church of the Virgin Mary”, it’s the heart of the Coptic culture in Cairo, it is one of the most important & renowned Coptic sites in Egypt which served as the residence for the Coptic patriarch for countless years. It was constructed on the southern wall of a Roman fortress called Babylon in the 5th century AD. The church is 30 ft tall and towers over Cairo plus the construction and the interior of the hanging church are truly mesmerizing, merging elements from the 7th to the 13th-century artistic design.

Then you will move to visit Amr Ibn Al Aas Mosque, the most important Islamic attraction in Egypt & Africa, it was built in 641 AD and remains an active house of worship and one of Egypt’s most significant & prominent Islamic landmarks. It was reconstructed various times throughout the 7th centuries which made it a living example of the Islamic architecture progress over the centuries.

Afterwards, you will head to Ben Ezra Synagogue. It’s the last of its kind in Egypt dating back to the 19th century, it used to be a church before being transformed into a synagogue in 882 AD. The synagogue remains in a very intact condition containing amazing Jewish designs and decorations, the place used to be the capital of Jewish worship for various years until the 1950s.

Continue to The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization
The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) is a magical gate leading to the immortal heritage that will shine brightly through the incredible artifacts and monuments that dates to more than 4000 years revealing the tangible and intangible culture and history of Egypt’s endless heritage.

Now it is a time to explore Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the oldest market in Cairo was constructed in 970 AD and remains an active bazaar till today It has vintage cafes and shops that reflect the beauty of ancient Islamic times, with captivating Islamic architecture and arts. After you finish your visit our representative will transfer you back to your hotel in Cairo.
Overnight: Cairo

Visits: Egyptian Museum, The Hanging Church, Amr Ibn Al Aas Mosque, Ben Ezra Synagogue, The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and Khan El Khalili Bazaar.

After your breakfast, our representative will pick you up for a day tour to Alexandria city to explore the pearl of the Mediterranean Sea. you will visit Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
The mysterious house of the dead which is considered to be the unique archaeological spot in all of Egypt as it acts as an artistic piece symbolizing the fusion of the artistic elements of the Hellenistic and Roman culture with the ancient Egyptians design. It was constructed as a necropolis in the 2nd century AD and holds a number of Greek and Roman artifacts and decoration between its three-level stories which made it earn the title of one of the seven wonders of the Middle Ages.

Then you will move on to visit Pompey’s Pillar, It’s a symbol of roman might & wonder as it is the largest monoliths column ever built outside of Rome, it stands at height of 28 m. tall and 2.7 m. wide and is made entirely of pure red granite and on its western upper side lies Greek inscription dedicated to Emperor Diocletian. It was named Pompey’s pillar as in the Middle Ages the Crusaders believed that the remains of the great Roman general Pompey was located in a pot at the very top of the pillar.
You will have your lunch meal during your tour at a local restaurant Alexandria, 

Afterwards, you will move to visit Qaitbay Citadel, is an important Islamic landmark that holds the immortal illuminating spirit of the Alexandria Lighthouse, it was built in 1477 by sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf Al-Din Qa’it Bay on the same site which held the epic lighthouse of Alexandria using the salvaged stones from the wrecked lighthouse which was the third-longest surviving ancient wonder until it’s destruction by series of earthquakes between 956 AD and 1323 AD.

Then continue to explore Alexandria Library, a great house of knowledge which acts as a commemoration of the ancient Alexandria library, it’s one of the finest and most advanced libraries in the world, It contains the world’s sixth-largest Francophone library on earth. It is a trilingual library containing books in Arabic, English, and French plus it holds the largest depository of French books in North Africa and the Middle East, majestic art galleries plus some of the rarest collection of books in the world.
After you finish your visits our representative will start to transfer you back to your hotel in Cairo.

Overnight: Cairo

Visits: Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar, Qaitbay Citadel and Alexandria Library.

After your breakfast, our representative will pick you up to transfer you to Cairo International Airport for your final departure.