Cairo, Luxor and Alexandria
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Highlights:
Explore three cosmopolitan centers as you get an idea of the history of Egypt from Pharaonic times through the Greek and Roman periods all the way to the modern state of Egypt.
​Enjoy all the main sights of Egypt plus spend time in Alexandria, a delightful city on the coast, not as well visited as Cairo and the Valley of the Kings, but just as intriguing.
Explore three cosmopolitan centers as you get an idea of the history of Egypt from Pharaonic times through the Greek and Roman periods all the way to the modern state of Egypt.
​Enjoy all the main sights of Egypt plus spend time in Alexandria, a delightful city on the coast, not as well visited as Cairo and the Valley of the Kings, but just as intriguing.
SKU:
Explore: CAIRO, LUXOR AND ALEXANDRIA
Customizable Itinerary - 9 Days (from $2,928 per person)
Day 1: Depart USA
This evening you depart on an overnight flight to Cairo which, in 1614, William Lithgow described as ‘this little world, the great Cairo…the most admirable and the greatest city seen upon the earth…the microcosmos of the greater world…”
Day 2: Welcome to Cairo
Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel. As you drive to the hotel you will start to be immersed in the culture of Cairo which has been the largest city in Africa for centuries. Enjoy the views of the Nile and the Pyramids in the distance as you have dinner at the hotel
Dinner
Day 3: Tutankhamun and Islamic Cairo
After breakfast your private Egyptologist will introduce you to Cairo during the time of the Pharaohs and Salah Al-Din (Saladin) the defender against the crusades. Your first stop may be the Egyptian Museum. We say maybe because for several years the city has committed to opening a much larger Museum called the Grand Museum of Cairo which will be close to the Pyramids and offer the entice display of the treasures of Tutankhamun. It was promised in 2017, 2018, and 2019 but is still not open to the public. Who knows in 2020? Today you will still be amazed as you view the Golden death mask of Tutankhamun. After lunch at a local restaurant you will see the Islamic side of Cairo with a visit to the Mohammed Mosque and the Citadel of Salah Al-Din which provides a panoramic c view of Cairo from the Moqattam Hills. This evening you enjoy dinner as you cruise the Nile and view the sights of Cairo after dark
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Luxor and the Valleys of the Kings and Queens
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for the short flight to Luxor which was originally called Thebes. The Arabs, impressed with its beautiful palaces re-named it Luxor or City of Palaces. It is divided by the Nile. To the east, where the life-giving sun rises, is the city of the living. To the west where the sun bids farewell in the evening is the city of the dead. Upon arrival you will be met by your Egyptologist and taken to your iconic hotel located on the banks of the Nile. It was at this hotel that Agatha Christie write “Death on the Nile’ featuring Hercule Poirot and where, in 1927, Howard Carter a guest of the hotel, announced the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun. After lunch overlooking the garden you tour the west side of the Nile starting with the Colossi of Memnon, two statues, 60 feet high, the only remains of the temple honoring Amenhotep III. You will then visit the Tombs of the Valley of the Kings and Queens carved into the rock to (unsuccessfully) guard against grave robbers. The tombs include those of Nefertari, wife of Ramses II.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Treasures of the East Bank and Coptic Cairo
In the morning, your Egyptologist will take you to the East Bank of the Nile to explore the Temple of Luxor built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II followed by an extensive visit to the Temple pf Karnak world famous for its history and architecture. You will then be taken to the airport for the flight back to Cairo where you are met and taken to old Cairo to visit the Coptic church of St. Sergius where Jesus and his family stayed after fleeing from Jerusalem. You will also visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue which is the oldest in Egypt.
Breakfast and Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Memphis and the Pyramids of Giza
Today you will visit the most iconic sights of Egypt. Your day begins with a visit to Memphis. One of the oldest cities on earthy, Memphis was the capital of ancient Egypt during the old Kingdom (2705-2155 BC). You then visit Saqqara which was the royal burial ground during the Old Kingdom. Your last visit will allow you to stand face to face with the Sphinx and stand in awe of the Pyramids. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, King Cheops’ pyramid was built in 2650 BC and, as Amelia Edwards said in 1877, “it is impossible to get tired of the Pyramids”. As if to prove this point you return to the pyramids for dinner and an amazing sound and light show.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Cairo/Wady el-Natron/Alexandria
After breakfast, your guide will meet you and take you to the car where you also meet your driver. You will head north through the Nile Delta with your final destination being Alexandria on the coast of the Mediterranean. First you will stop at Wady el-Natron the main base for the Coptic Christian Church in Egypt. Once a much larger community, it was decimated by plague centuries ago and never really recovered. There are still four monasteries in existence surrounded by fortified walls. Many Coptic monks live the lives of hermits actually digging their own caves in which to live. After stopping for lunch you arrive in Alexandria, Egypt’s second largest city.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: The Greco-Roman City
Alexandria has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; its ambiance and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331BC, Alexandria became the capital of Greco Roman Egypt, its status as a beacon of culture symbolized by its famous library and the setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Anthony. Today you will visit Pompey’s pillar, the catacombs of al-Shgafa and the modern incarnation of the Library of Alexandria, once again a centre of culture. Your guide will lead you to an excellent restaurant near your hotel and located on the Corniche overlooking the Mediterranean
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Return to USA
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport where you fly to Cairo to connect with your flight to the USA arriving back the same afternoon.
Breakfast
This evening you depart on an overnight flight to Cairo which, in 1614, William Lithgow described as ‘this little world, the great Cairo…the most admirable and the greatest city seen upon the earth…the microcosmos of the greater world…”
Day 2: Welcome to Cairo
Upon arrival you will be met and escorted to your hotel. As you drive to the hotel you will start to be immersed in the culture of Cairo which has been the largest city in Africa for centuries. Enjoy the views of the Nile and the Pyramids in the distance as you have dinner at the hotel
Dinner
Day 3: Tutankhamun and Islamic Cairo
After breakfast your private Egyptologist will introduce you to Cairo during the time of the Pharaohs and Salah Al-Din (Saladin) the defender against the crusades. Your first stop may be the Egyptian Museum. We say maybe because for several years the city has committed to opening a much larger Museum called the Grand Museum of Cairo which will be close to the Pyramids and offer the entice display of the treasures of Tutankhamun. It was promised in 2017, 2018, and 2019 but is still not open to the public. Who knows in 2020? Today you will still be amazed as you view the Golden death mask of Tutankhamun. After lunch at a local restaurant you will see the Islamic side of Cairo with a visit to the Mohammed Mosque and the Citadel of Salah Al-Din which provides a panoramic c view of Cairo from the Moqattam Hills. This evening you enjoy dinner as you cruise the Nile and view the sights of Cairo after dark
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Luxor and the Valleys of the Kings and Queens
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport for the short flight to Luxor which was originally called Thebes. The Arabs, impressed with its beautiful palaces re-named it Luxor or City of Palaces. It is divided by the Nile. To the east, where the life-giving sun rises, is the city of the living. To the west where the sun bids farewell in the evening is the city of the dead. Upon arrival you will be met by your Egyptologist and taken to your iconic hotel located on the banks of the Nile. It was at this hotel that Agatha Christie write “Death on the Nile’ featuring Hercule Poirot and where, in 1927, Howard Carter a guest of the hotel, announced the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun. After lunch overlooking the garden you tour the west side of the Nile starting with the Colossi of Memnon, two statues, 60 feet high, the only remains of the temple honoring Amenhotep III. You will then visit the Tombs of the Valley of the Kings and Queens carved into the rock to (unsuccessfully) guard against grave robbers. The tombs include those of Nefertari, wife of Ramses II.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Treasures of the East Bank and Coptic Cairo
In the morning, your Egyptologist will take you to the East Bank of the Nile to explore the Temple of Luxor built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II followed by an extensive visit to the Temple pf Karnak world famous for its history and architecture. You will then be taken to the airport for the flight back to Cairo where you are met and taken to old Cairo to visit the Coptic church of St. Sergius where Jesus and his family stayed after fleeing from Jerusalem. You will also visit the Ben Ezra Synagogue which is the oldest in Egypt.
Breakfast and Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Memphis and the Pyramids of Giza
Today you will visit the most iconic sights of Egypt. Your day begins with a visit to Memphis. One of the oldest cities on earthy, Memphis was the capital of ancient Egypt during the old Kingdom (2705-2155 BC). You then visit Saqqara which was the royal burial ground during the Old Kingdom. Your last visit will allow you to stand face to face with the Sphinx and stand in awe of the Pyramids. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, King Cheops’ pyramid was built in 2650 BC and, as Amelia Edwards said in 1877, “it is impossible to get tired of the Pyramids”. As if to prove this point you return to the pyramids for dinner and an amazing sound and light show.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Cairo/Wady el-Natron/Alexandria
After breakfast, your guide will meet you and take you to the car where you also meet your driver. You will head north through the Nile Delta with your final destination being Alexandria on the coast of the Mediterranean. First you will stop at Wady el-Natron the main base for the Coptic Christian Church in Egypt. Once a much larger community, it was decimated by plague centuries ago and never really recovered. There are still four monasteries in existence surrounded by fortified walls. Many Coptic monks live the lives of hermits actually digging their own caves in which to live. After stopping for lunch you arrive in Alexandria, Egypt’s second largest city.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 8: The Greco-Roman City
Alexandria has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; its ambiance and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country. Founded by Alexander the Great in 331BC, Alexandria became the capital of Greco Roman Egypt, its status as a beacon of culture symbolized by its famous library and the setting for the stormy relationship between Cleopatra and Mark Anthony. Today you will visit Pompey’s pillar, the catacombs of al-Shgafa and the modern incarnation of the Library of Alexandria, once again a centre of culture. Your guide will lead you to an excellent restaurant near your hotel and located on the Corniche overlooking the Mediterranean
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 9: Return to USA
After breakfast you are transferred to the airport where you fly to Cairo to connect with your flight to the USA arriving back the same afternoon.
Breakfast
