The Best of Egypt 8 Days
Tour Code : CA005
Day 01: Arrival Cairo
Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, representative welcomes you and assists you through the immigration process. Escorted transfer by a modern air-conditioned coach will take you to the hotel through Old Cairo to enjoy the panoramic view of the citadel with the towering mosque of Mohamed Ali pass by Sultan Hassan & El Refaie mosques. Check in the hotel upon arrival & free time to refresh.
Day 02: Full day tour to Alexandria
Early breakfast at the hotel in Cairo then transfer to Alexandria via the desert road –about 225 km– whereby you will start a guided tour to visit the Bombay’s’ pillars, the Catacombs & Montazah Gardens. You will also pass by Alexandrina Bibliotheca & overview Qaite Bay citadel from outside Pompeii Column and Kom el-Shuqafa Catacombs. Thirty meters high and built from Aswan pink granite, the Pompeii Column is thought to have been a present from the people of Alexandria to Emperor Diocletian. The majority of the remains found around the column can be been at the Greco-Roman Museum. At the top of the hill lies the entrance to the Kom al-Shuqafa Catacombs dating from the first and second centuries. They have been discovered by chance at the beginning of 20th, century.
Montazah Gardens; is about 150-hectare park surrounding the palace of Khedive Abbas with its amazing architecture worth of Walt Disney. Visitors enjoy strolling in the gardens or swimming of the nice sandy beaches.
Alexandrina Bibliotheca; the New Library of Alexandria, the New Bibliotheca Alexandrina is dedicated to recapture the spirit of openness and scholarship of the original Bibliotheca Alexandrina. It is much more than a library as it contains 13 different departments.
Besides, the New Library also hosts a number of institutions which is growing, and it is becoming the nerve center of many international and regional networks.
Qaite bay Fort has been guarding the bay for centuries; at the end of the Cornish rises the crenellated walls of the Mameluk fortress built in 1480 on the site of the Alexandria lighthouse.
Day 03: Pyramids, Sphinx, Museum, Khan El Khalili
Early breakfast at the hotel in Cairo then start a guided tour to visit one of the Seven Wonders the great Pyramids of Giza; (Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus) were reckoned by the Greeks to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
A single pyramid is built with 2.300.000 blocks, each weighing an average of two and a half tones. In the face of such immensity, one cannot help but feel the wonder and awe that, so many writers and artists have sought to convey over the centuries. The Cheops Pyramid is more interesting, because its interior burial chambers are open for inspection by the public. Not far from the Pyramids is the Great Sphinx of Giza, which dates from the time of Chephren (2620 BC). Hewn from natural yellowish limestone and standing 65 feet-high and 187 feet-long, this unforgettable statue combines the head of a Pharaoh with a lion's body. A quick visit to papyrus institute or a perfume shop can be arranged after the visit.
Lunch at an Indian restaurant then start afternoon visit to the Egyptian Museum for another tour.
Egyptian Museum; was established by the Egyptian government in 1835. The present museum building was built in 1900, in the new classical style by the French architect Marcel Dourgnon. The museum exhibited collections now exceed 120,000 objects ranges from pre-historic era to the Greco Roman period. It has 107 halls, and the ground floor houses huge statues. The upper floor houses small statues, jewels, Tutankhamen treasures and the mummies. The museum also comprises of a photography section and large library. A hall for the Royal Mummies was opened at the museum, housing eleven kings and queens.
After the visit of the museum a short drive through the downtown will take you to Khan El Khalili bazaars; which is one of the most famous worldwide with its amazing narrow alleyways.
Free time at leisure till departure time to the station to board the sleeping train to Aswan.
Dinner and Overnight in the sleeping train.
Day 04: Train - Aswan- Cruise (Friday)
Breakfast onboard the train and meet & assist upon arriving at Aswan Station and transfer to the Nile cruise. Visit the High Dam, the Temple of Philae Overnight in Aswan.
Day 05: Aswan – Kom Embo – Edfu
Sailing to Kom Ombo ,Visit the Temple shared by two gods Sobek & Haeroris in Kom Ombo Sailing to Edfu. Overnight in Edfu.
Day 06: Edfu – Luxor
After tea and Coffee Before the visit of Edfu temple. Visit of Horus Temple in Edfu. sailing to Luxor via Esna Visit Karnak temple upon arrival & overview Luxor temple from outside as it is like an open museum .Overnight in Luxor.
Day 07: West bank – Sleeping Train
After breakfast Visit West Bank - Valley of the Kings, and Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
After the visit, transfer to Luxor train station to Cairo.Dinner and Overnight in the sleeping train.
Day 08: Cairo
Meet & assist upon arriving at Cairo Station and transfer to Cairo airport for the final departure.
