Day 1 Arrival in Cairo
“ Salaam” and welcome to Egypt! Upon arrival we are warmly received and taken to our hotel. Relax, unwind and prepare for the unforgettable cultural adventure through time. Check in time starts from 1400 hrs.
Overnight: Safir Hotel Dokki (4 nights)

Day 2 Cairo
The capital city and the face of Egypt, Cairo is a city of dichotomies. Sitting in the midst of the Sahara, Cairo emerges as an unusual oasis in the desert. Offering a substantial helping of both, the old and the new, gives this metropolitan city an interesting skyline. Touring through the city we come across several mosques, madrasas and fountains, making the historic Cairo on the among Egypt’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites (1979). Today, we will satisfy our travel desires with a visit to the famous, ever so ancient and ever so present, pyramids. We drive into the dessert, towards the old town of Giza, located on the banks of the River Nile. We approach a plateau were we immediately find the Giza Necropolis, a complex of ancient monuments. Standing at a height of 20 metres, our first encounter of ancient Egypt is with a statue of a reclining lion with a human head. The Great Sphinx of Giza is the oldest monumental sculpture and is commonly believed to have been built in the 3rd millennium BC. We continue our exploration of the necropolis and the many other monuments. The Great Pyramid of Giza sits under the never ending desert sky. It is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in Giza and is the only remaining monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Our first day of sightseeing also includes Egyptian Museum. Inside, we walk through the many show rooms and view the most extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities in the world including remains of many famous Pharaohs and the tomb King Tutankhamen. (B)

Day 3 Cairo
With a full day of exploration, we start our day early with a short drive south of Cairo to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Memphis (1979). This city has seen many great Dynasties come and gone and has served as the capital and administration centre of Lower Egypt. Sources say the city has existed since the unification of Egypt some 5100 years ago. Today, we will visit the city of Memphis and tour Sakkara the necropolis for its Pharaohs. Excavated only in the last 100 years, Sakkara is still a very important site for archaeologists as many tombs have yet to be discovered. Sitting on the west bank of the Nile is Dahshur, home to the oldest pyramids. Here, we witness the transitions early Egyptians made, as the oldest of the pyramids is built without steps. At an angle of 53 degrees, it is evident why there was a transition to building steps to the peak. (B)

Day 4 Cairo
Today, we move through Cairo experiencing the chaos and commotion that so rightfully describes the city. Cairo has more to offer than the pyramids in its vicinity; the beautiful mosques tell stories from old civilizations and leave us in a state of awe. On the agenda today, we visit the Sultan Hassan Mosque. An epitome of Mamluk architecture, this 14th C mosque one of the largest in the Islamic world. As we walk through the mosque, we see the large domes, recessed porches, fountains and courtyards and experience the overwhelming majestic beauty a massive structure can offer. Set right next to a busy bazaar is the 17thC Beit el Suhaymi. A well preserved masterpiece, the Beit El Suhaymi is an example of a private home of the wealthy. Designed with climatic considerations, its shaded courtyards, balconies, thick walls, cool marble floors, kept citizens of this 30 chamber home cool under Cairo’s scorching sun. We continue our tour of Cairo with a visit to the Mosque of Sultan Hassan. A strikingly beautiful structure, with an interior that includes carefully carved marble and wood that has been carved, gilded and painted along with domes and arches. We also visit the Old Gates of Cairo. One of many fortified entrances to the gated city of Cairo, the gates not only served as a safety precaution but also for management and administration. We head back to the hotel and have a free evening to enjoy our last night in Cairo. (B)

Day 5 Cairo / Abu Simbel
Sitting on a morning flight to Abu Simbel, we wave goodbye to Cairo from our plane window. Some 850km south of Cairo, is the archaeological site of Abu Simbel, situated on the west bank of Lake Nasser. We break for lunch on a cruise on the lake, admiring the view from the water. In the afternoon, we make our way to the twin temples, Abu Simbel’s main attractions. Carved out of the mountainside, the imposing structures are lasting monuments Pharaoh Ramesses II and his Queen Nefertari from the 13th C BC. The complex was relocated from its original site in the 1960s to avoid submerging into the lake. The Abu Simbel temples are part of UNESCO World Heritage Site’s (1979) series of Nubian Monuments In the evening we enjoy a sound and light show in Abu Simbel. Tonight, we step on the boat once again with our hungry stomachs and bags for a delicious dinner on the lake and good night’s rest in the cabins!
Overnight: On Board M/S Nubian Sea (3 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 6 Abu Simbel / Amada / Wadi El Seboua
Waking up on Lake Nasser, we have a morning cruise to Qasr Ibrim. This Egyptian fortress was once on a cliff top standing at the edge of the Nile, in a region known as Lower Nubia. Today it is a tiny unusual island on Lake Nasser, created by the construction of the Aswan High Sam. It is the only archaeological site that has survived the flooded area. We hop back aboard our boat and enjoy a delicious lunch as we sail to Amada. The Temple of Amada is considered the oldest Egyptian temple in Nubia. It was constructed by the 18th-dynasty Pharaoh Thutmose III and dedicated to the god Amun. As we walk towards the temple, its exterior does not offer too much in detailed carvings and architectural amazement, however, do not be fooled, the temple’s interior makes up for it with walls and columns that are decorated with finely cut, vibrantly colored scenes of the pharaohs making offerings to the gods. In the evening we begin our departure for Wadi es-Sebua. (B, L, D)

Day 7 Wadi es-Sebua / Aswan
Cruising along Lake Nasser we star our day with a morning visit to the temples of Wadi es-Sebua and Dakka. Like many other monuments of Lower Nubia, the temples were both dismantled and relocated when the threat of flooding arose during the construction of the Aswan Damn. The temple of Wadi es-Sebua was originally built in the 14th C BC and then restored in the 13th C BC. At its entrance, are a line of monuments, known as the Avenue of Sphinx, that corridor the pathway to its doors. The temple of Dakka was dedicated to Thoth, the god of wisdom, and is considered a Greco-Roman temple. Initially, the temple consisted of a small one-room shrine, however over time, specifically during the Roman period, the temple was enlarged and was transformed into a temple fortress. Like many other monuments in that region, both the temples of Wadi es-Sebua and Dakka were converted into Christian Churches, resulting in covering the walls with plastic to hide the Egyptian reliefs. At night, we stare into the sky and enjoy our last night on the boat. (B, L, D)

Day 8 Aswan
Surrounded by many other significant temples, today we begin our day with a visit to the Kalabsha Temple. Located on a granite headland that can be seen from the top of the Aswan Damn, the Kalasha temple was originally located some 50km south of Aswan. Historical accounts date the temple back to 30 BC, however inscription in the walls of its interior indicate the temple may have built much before that. Just a few steps away, we visit the Beit El Wali, a 13th C BC rock cut temple dedicated to Ramesses II and the gods of Amun and Anukis. After checking into to our hotel, we make our way to the beautiful temple complex of Philae. This 3rd C BC temple,\ is dedicated to the goddess Isis and is one of the last fortresses of ancient Egyptian religion and hieroglyphic usage. Today the complex sits some 500 metres away from its original location. The construction of the High Dam in 1960 resulted into the total submerge of the island. Egypt made an international appeal through UNESCO to salvage the monument. Finally a project was approved to dismantle the temple and re-erect it at the near-by island of Agilka Meanwhile the shape of the island was re-formed by adding more stones in imitation of
the original island.
Overnight: Basma Hotel Aswan (1 night) (B)

Day 9 Aswan/Luxor
We begin our day with an early morning flight to Luxor. The city of Luxor has been known as an open air museum. The number and preservation of monuments in the Luxor area are unparalleled. In fact, the city has a great history of tourism, going as far back as to the ancient times of the late Dynasties of the Greek and Roman periods. Once a thriving centre of religion, political supremacy and wisdom, Luxor, originally known as Thebes and was renowned for its high social status. It is for that reason that many of the sites in Luxor from the period of the Middle & New Kingdoms are among UNESCO World Heritage Sites (1979). Today, we visit Karnack, a complex with a vast conglomeration of ruined temples, chapels, pylons and other buildings. The temple of Karnack is famous for the 134 massive columns that are arranged in 16 rows. The architraves on top of these columns weigh an estimated 70 tons. The temples of Luxor and Karnak are separated by three kilometres with the sacred lake between them. Since inception, the Temple of Luxor has been a sacred site. Founded in 1400BC, the temple has been converted through the ages from a Christian Church and Monastery to a Muslim Mosque in the 13th C AD. For thousands of years, the temple was buried beneath the streets and houses of the town. Eventually the mosque of Sufi Shaykh Yusuf Abu al-Hajjaj was built over it. This mosque was preserved when the temple was uncovered and forms an integral part of the site today.
Overnight: Sofitel Karnak Hotel (2 nights) (B)

Day 10 Luxor
The West Bank at Luxor is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. The area is often known as the Valley of Kings and is home to about 500 years of ancient tombs that were constructed for kings, powerful nobles and their families. West Bank is where archaeologists discovered King Tutankhamun’s tomb. Our tour of Luxor also includes a visit to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of the most successful Pharaohs, reigning longer than any other woman of an Egyptian dynasty. Built into a cliff in the valley basin of Deir el-Bahri, the temple sits atop of a series of colonnaded terraces, reached by long ramps that once were graced with gardens. Tonight, take an evening to relax and unwind or explore Luxor on your own! (B)

Day 11 Luxor / Sharm El Sheikh
The stories of Luxor are not done! We continue our tour of the city with a visit to the Valley of the Queens. The site is filled with over 70 tombs of the queens from the 18th, 19th and 20th Dynasties. We continue on to the ancient Egyptian village of Deir el-Madin. Home to the artisans who built and decorated the tombs of the Pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings, the craftsmen of this region passed down their skills and trades from father to son over many generations. The square grid design of their village shows great skill and a modern view on urban design. Today we also visit the Mediet Habu, also known as the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III. Aside from architectural and artistic importance, the temple is best known for the inscriptions reliefs depicting the advent and defeat of the Sea Peoples. Later, we take an evening flight to Sharm El Sheikh where we are transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Sheraton Sharm Hotel (3 nights) (B)

Day 12 Sharm El Sheikh / St. Catherine
After 11 days of great site seeing, we have a full day to relax and unwind. Take the time to enjoy the hotel, or venture out to the sea to watch the blue water or try some water sports. We take a night ride to St. Catherine. (B)

Day 13 St. Catherine / Sharm El Sheikh
We arrive at St. Catherin early in the morning and immediately begin our ascend up Mount Sinai. We reach the top of the mountain to catch the breathtaking morning sunrise against the multicoloured sky. Mount Sinai is the highest point in Egypt and is known to be the place where Moses received the Ten Commandments. With the panoramic view in our minds, we descend down the mountain and enjoy a breakfast at a local restaurant. Today we visit the Monastery of St. Catherine. This UNESCO World Heritage Site (2002) lies in the Sinai Peninsula and is one of the oldest working Christian Monasteries in the world. The monastery has been one of the world’s great centres of religious pilgrimage for over fifteen centuries. Within its imposing walls rests a citadel like no other, incredibly rich in important religious and historical structures. Among its treasures includes a library of ancient manuscripts second only to the Vatican's itself, and a 6th century church reputed to lie directly on the site of the Burning Bush. In the afternoon, we make our way back to Sharm El Sheikh. (B)

Day 14 Sharm El Sheikh / Cairo
After four days in the Sharm El Sheikh region, we wave goodbye on our morning flight to back to Cairo. After checking into our hotel, we embark on a half day tour of the Egyptian capital. Set against Cairo’s bright blue sky, stands a mosque built with only the finest of well-fired red brick. The Mosque of Ibn Tulun is one of the few mosques that have survived in almost its original form. Its domes, archways, courtyards, fountains, minarets and terrace overlooking the town, offering a peaceful and serene environment for our imaginations to travel back to the 9th C AD. Today, we also visit the Gayer Anderson Museum. Adjacent to the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, the museum is within the historic 17th C home, offering one of the finest examples of domestic architecture in Cairo. It consists of two houses built using the outer wall of the Mosque of Ibn Tulun as support. The unique location of the museum offers more than just an experience of viewing historical artefacts, it allows visitors to feel apart of the history.
Overnight: Safir Hotel Dokki (1 night) (B)

Day 15 Cairo / Bahariya Oasis
Today we will be travelling some 300 kilometres south of Cairo to Bahariya Oasis. Known historically as the Northern Oasis, the town of Bahariya Oasis is rather unique and the people of the town have clung to their traditional beliefs and customs quite strongly. Its inhabitants are a mixture of the original oasis dwellers, the Bedouin tribes from Libya and the north coast, and other people from the Nile Valley. Our drive from Cairo will begin in the flat and dry desserts but change as we approach the oasis where trees and greenery begin line the roads of the town. Our tour of the area begins in the afternoon and includes the Oasis, Hot Springs and the English Mountain. We also visit a local museum that houses the recently excavated Golden Mummies.
Overnight: Qasr El Bawiti Hotel (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 16 Black & White Desert
Starting our day bright and early, we explore the surrounding area of Bahariya Oasis. Today, we visit the Black & White Desert and the Crystal Mountain. A region of volcano-shaped mountains with large quantities of small black stones, the Black Desert lies across the orange-brown ground, giving it a spotted look. The White Desert, in contrary, has massive formations and against the pale yellow sand, stands out dramatically. The unusual rock formations were the result of sandstorms and have given this area an arctic snowy look. We also visit Crystal Mountain, a sub-volcanic vault in between Bahariya Oasis and Farafra Oasis. Right at the very edge of White Desert, Crystal Mountain has a small natural arch in the rock and its glittering calcite crystal walls make it a perfect place to pose for pictures. (B, D)

Day 17 Bahareya / Fayoum
We start our day with a drive to, Fayome Oasis. En route, we stop in a large depression at Wadi El Rayyan. Once an arid dry land, the area has became a hydrological project and as result two artifical lakes were created. A protected area by the government Wadi El Rayyan is now a park that sees various types of migrating aquatic birds in the winter. We also visit the famous waterfalls and the UNESCO World Heritage Site’s (2005) Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley). Also known as Zeuglodon Valley, the valley produced considerable evidence of submerged basin of water some 40-50 millions years ago. Today, the area is occupied by a number of excavated sites, that revealed whale fossils from the earliest types. We continue our drive to Fayome Oasis.
Overnight: Auberge El Fayoum (1 night) (B, D)

Day 18 Fayoum / Cairo
We have an early start to our day and complete our tour of Fayoum. Today, we visit some of the oldest archeologically ruins in the area. Karanis, also known as “Lord’s town”, is home to the remains from the Greco-Roman times. The architectural, material and papyrological records preserved by the excavators provide us with more than a glimpse of life from 2500 years ago. Situated on the edge of the Western Desert, above the lush green fields at Meidum, is a tower shaped structure some sixty-five meters high. The Pyramid at Meidum is said to have been built with steps and then later turned into a true pyramid. We take a break and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon we make our way back to Cairo.
Overnight: Safir Hotel Dokki (1 night) (B)

Day 19 Depart Cairo
We say ‘Ma'a Salama’ (Goodbye) and Shukrun to Egypt (Thank you) for sharing her many stories of civilizations past as we are transferred to the airport for our flight home. Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)