CLASSIC EGYPT

Welcome to Cairo! Upon arrival, you will be met by your Travelogues Airport Representative, who will aid and facilitate you through the Visa process (cost included). You will then be escorted through customs, immigration and assisted with baggage claim before being introduced to your driver who will be awaiting your arrival at passenger pick up. Your Airport Representative will be on call throughout your entire stay.

Cairo - Airport (Arrival)

Bustling Cairo, "the city of a thousand minarets" is the largest in the Middle East, groaning under the weight of over 20 million inhabitants. On its west side lies the capital of the Old Kingdom, Memphis, still hinting of ancient days of grandeur and triumph. On its east side lies the beautiful Garden City, with its lush, sprawling gardens and expansive ornamental palaces. Now a modern metropolis, Cairo is an utterly unique place that offers a vast array of monuments and activities appealing to every kind of visitor. From medieval markets to oriental dance shows and from Roman ruins to the mighty Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx, there is never a dull moment in this city!

Transfer in a private vehicle with an English-speaking driver from the Airport to your hotel for overnight.

• Tour: Cairo - Airport Assistance & Visa Service
• Transfer: Cairo - Airport (Arrival)
• Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Cairo West - Deluxe Room

Visit Saqqara, the vast, ancient burial ground which served as the necropolis for the Ancient Egyptian capital, Memphis. Your guide will provide a brief history of the famous step Pyramid of Zoser. You will have free time to explore the area before making your way to Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt. Here you will see artifacts from many of Egypt's great rulers, including the huge fallen statue of Ramses II. Inclusions: Entrance to Step Pyramid. Enjoy lunch at 9 Pyramids Lounge.
After lunch, your private certified Egyptologist will provide a fascinating introduction to each of the three famed pyramids of Giza.
Following the Great Pyramids, you will continue across the plateau for a photo opportunity of the pyramids rising from the sands, with the Cairo skyline in the background. A short drive to the city side of the plateau finds you standing at the feet of the Sphinx, the enigmatic symbol of Egypt for thousands of years.

Entrance to Cheops

Entrance ticket included to explore the inside of the Great Pyramid. Beginning with Cheops, often referred to as either The Great Pyramid or Khufu Pyramid, is one of Egypt's greatest and most mysterious. Although only a limited number of people are allowed inside daily, your private Egyptologist will ensure entrance for you. Cheops is a must for any historical traveler.

• Tour: Saqqara, Memphis, Pyramids of Giza & Sphinx (Lunch Included)
• Tour: Entrance to Cheops
• Accommodation: Hyatt Regency Cairo West - Deluxe Room
• Meals: B, L

Cairo - Grand Egyptian Museum

Experience ancient Egyptian culture and history at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Explore massive collections of artifacts with an informative local guide. See antiquities like the gold mask of Tutankhamun and a giant statue of Amenhotep III and Tiye, the grave mask of Amenemope and a figurine of Khufu.

Cairo - Airport (Depart)

Transfer in a private vehicle with an English-speaking driver from your hotel to Cairo Airport.

Cairo - Luxor (1 hr)

Flight from Cairo to Luxor. The duration is 1 hour.

Luxor - Airport (Arrival)

Welcome to Luxor! Transfer in a private vehicle with an English-speaking driver from the Airport to your accommodation.
Luxor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has frequently been characterized as the "world's greatest open-air museum," the ruins of the temple complexes at Karnak and Luxor stand within the modern city. Across the Nile River lie the monuments, temples, and tombs on the West Bank, which include the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. Archaeologically speaking, Luxor is the most important site in all of Egypt and a rare gem of a city, unlike any other in the world.

• Tour: Cairo - Grand Egyptian Museum
• Transfer: Cairo - Airport (Depart)
• Domestic Flights: Cairo - Luxor (1 hr)
• Transfer: Luxor - Airport (Arrival)
• Accommodation: Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa - Side Nile View
• Meals: B, L

Luxor - East Bank (Lunch Included)

Your private tour takes you through the East Bank of the Nile to visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak, largely the work of Amenhotep III and Ramesses II, whose colossi and obelisk stand at the entrance. Walk along the Avenue of Sphinxes while your guide explains how the massive facade was constructed. Explore the Karnak Open Air Museum that features an amazing array of statuary and reconstructed temple structures. Lunch served at Sofra restaurant.

Luxor - Sunset Felucca Sailing

Take the opportunity and experience a trip in a Felucca the Most Traditional Egyptian Boat powered by the wind. Relax and enjoy the charming atmosphere and the beautiful scenery that will surround you on the Nile River.

• Tour: Luxor - East Bank (Lunch Included)
• Tour: Luxor - Sunset Felucca Sailing
• Accommodation: Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa - Side Nile View
• Meals: B, L

Luxor - West Bank (Lunch Included)

Visit the Valley of the Kings, where you will see the intact royal tombs of the Pharaohs. Then, visit the Valley of the Queens. Stop at the magnificent temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El-Bahri and make your way towards the immense Colossi of Memnon. The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. For the past 3,400 years, they have stood in the Theban Necropolis, across the River Nile from Luxor's modern city. Your last stop will be at the Theban Necropolis, used for ritual burials during pharaonic times. Note: Lunch to be served at Marsam Restaurant.

Luxor - King Tut's Tomb

Visit the famous tomb of King Tutankhamen in conjunction with your West Bank day tour.

Tomb of Ramesses VI

The tomb of Ramesses VI (KV 9) is certainly, for at least one reason, one of the most interesting tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Its decorations represent sort of a treatise on theology, in which the fundamental elements are the sun and its daily journey in the world of darkness. In general, the decorations provide the story of the origins of the heavens, earth, the creation of the sun, light and life itself. The decorative plan for this tomb is one of the most sophisticated and complete in the Valley of the Kings.

Luxor - Hot Air Balloon Ride

Experience the sunrise high above the Valley of the Kings and Queens on a Hot Air Balloon ride. During the flight, you will have the opportunity to witness a panoramic view of the largest open-air museum on the planet that is Luxor. The flight time is approximately 45 minutes and a light breakfast is served. Please be ready to be picked up at 4.30 a.m.

Note: Only mobile phone camera is allowed to be used.

• Tour: Luxor - West Bank (Lunch Included)
• Tour: Luxor - King Tut's Tomb
• Tour: Tomb of Ramesses VI
• Accommodation: Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa - Side Nile View
• Meals: B, L

Edfu Temple (Lunch Included)

The city of Edfu houses the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus, built over a period of two thousand years. The inner walls of the building tell the mysterious story of Horus coming into existence. Horus was born upon his father's death, Osiris, the god of the underworld - killed by his brother, Seth. The much-beloved goddess Isis brought Horus into life from a piece of Osiris' flesh. Horus later battled Seth and won, but lost an eye in the process. Hence, the 'eye of Horus' has important religious symbolism in ancient Egyptian mythology.
The Temple of Edfu was abandoned as a religious monument following Theodosius I's edict, banning non-Christian worship within the Roman Empire. Many of the temple's carved reliefs were destroyed in the process. The blackened ceiling of the hypostyle hall, visible today, is believed to be the result of arson intended to destroy religious imagery considered pagan.
Lunch served at a traditional family Mudhouse.

Kom Ombo

Visit the unique Temple of Kom Ombo. As you walk through the temple complex, take notice of the courts, halls, sanctuaries, and rooms which are duplicated for two sets of gods. The southern half of the temple was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, god of fertility and creator of the world. Meanwhile, the northern part of the temple was dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris, also known as Horus the Elder. A few of the three hundred crocodile mummies discovered in the vicinity are displayed in The Crocodile Museum. Make sure to visit the strange instruments resembling surgical tools, located in the complex's southeast corner!

• Tour: Edfu Temple (Lunch Included)
• Tour: Kom Ombo
• Accommodation: Movenpick Resort Aswan - Junior Suite Nile View
• Meals: B, L

Aswan - Unfinished Obelisk & Philae Temple (Lunch Included)

Head to the Unfinished Obelisk, which was ordered by the longest-reigning female pharaoh, Hatshepsut, ruling the scene for over 22 years. The Obelisk was carved straight out of bedrock but it was quickly abandoned when large latent cracks were discovered on either side. This abandoned monument gives great insight into the stone-cutting techniques and tools used by the skilled ancient Egyptian workers.

Your next stop will be at the fascinating Temple of Philae, moved to the Island of Agilkia after the waters of Lake Nasser flooded its original location. Dedicated to the greatly-revered goddess Isis, the Temple attracted thousands of pilgrims yearly during ancient times. Now encircled by crystal blue waters and adorned with lush foliage, the Temple will draw you in to discover the secrets of a bygone era. Lunch served at Makka Restaurant.

Elephantine Island

This afternoon you will board a motorboat, sailing south until reaching the enchanting Nubian inhabited island of Elephantine. Gain insight into the traditions the Nubians have followed for thousands of years. Take a walk around the island to see impressive Nubian houses and farms. Return to the motorboat.

Visit Safwat Al-Kuch, a Nubian man who has a cafe at the edge of the Nile to enjoy authentic Nubian coffee called Gabbana. Head back to the boat for sunset views to end the day.

• Tour: Aswan - Unfinished Obelisk & Philae Temple (Lunch Included)
• Tour: Elephantine Island
• Accommodation: Movenpick Resort Aswan - Junior Suite Nile View
• Meals: B, L

swan - Airport (Depart)

Transfer in a private vehicle with English speaking driver from your accommodations to the airport.

Aswan - Cairo (1hr , 30 min)

Flight from Aswan to Cairo. Duration is 1 hour, 30 minutes.

Cairo - Airport (Arrival)

Transfer in a private vehicle with an English-speaking driver from the airport to your hotel for overnight.

Coptic Cairo (Lunch Included)

Before Cairo became the modern metropolis that it is today, the Old City was the strategic location of a growing settlement and ancient canal linking the Nile River and the Red Sea. Today, Old Cairo is full of sites showcasing the Christian influence and the later Islam presence. Begin the day with a visit to St. Simon "The Tanner" Monastery. Traditional lunch prepared by a local family served at a coffee shop in Coptic Cairo. Then, we move into Coptic Cairo to visit St. George's Greek Orthodox Church, the Hanging Church, St. Sergius Church, its underground crypt and the Coptic Museum with its treasury collection (time permitting).

Civilization Museum

The first museum of civilization in Egypt, the NMEC is located on the archaeological site of El-Fustat in Old Cairo, overlooking the Ain El-Seera Lake. The National Museum of Egyptian Civilization will showcase Egyptian civilization from prehistoric times to the present day, using a multidisciplinary approach that highlights the country’s heritage.
The Museum’s collections will be displayed in a core permanent exhibition of the principal achievements of Egyptian civilization, with six thematic galleries covering the Dawn of Civilization, The Nile, Writing, State and Society, Material Culture, Beliefs and Thinking, and the Gallery of Royal Mummies.

Enjoy a private tour of Abu Simbel and its two massive rock temples. Although they seem like monuments to Ramesses II and his wife, both temples are dedicated to the gods. The larger temple with four huge statues of Ramesses II seated in front is dedicated to Amun, Ptah, and Re-Harakty. Although significantly smaller than the first, the second temple was built to honor Ramesses II's favorite wife, Nefertari, and is dedicated to the goddess Hathor.

The larger temple is aligned with the sun so that twice a year, the sun shines into its deepest recesses to illuminate a statue of Ramesses and the gods the temple is dedicated to. The Abu Simbel Sun Festival takes place on February 22nd and October 22nd of every year to much fanfare with several thousand people gathering early in the morning to see this testament to the knowledge and skill that the ancient Egyptians possessed.

Islamic Cairo (Lunch Included)

Before Cairo became the modern metropolis that it is today, the Old City was the strategic location of a growing settlement and ancient canal linking the Nile River and the Red Sea. Today, Old Cairo is full of sites showcasing the Christian influence and the later Islam presence. Your private tour highlights include visits to Islamic sites such as the Citadel of Salah El Din, Mohammed Ali Mosque (Alabaster mosque) and El Gawhara Palace. Other sites can be included - time permitting.
Lunch will be provided at Sky Rim Restaurant.

Cairo by Night (Dinner Included)

Begin your evening with a walking tour of Old Cairo City and El Moez Le Din Allah Street, which has an array of historical monuments spread along both sides of the street. Explore the stalls and passageways of the 600-year old Khan Khalili bazaar and enjoy a traditional Egyptian dinner in the famous Naguib Mahfouz Restaurant where quality and taste will fill your senses in this magical haven.

• Tour: Islamic Cairo (Lunch Included)
• Tour: Cairo by Night (Dinner Included)
• Accommodation: Four Seasons First Residence - Superior Room
• Meals: B, L, D

Cairo - Airport (Depart)

Unfortunately, we say goodbye to you today. Transfer in a private vehicle with full assistance to Cairo Airport for your flight home. Keep the memories alive and we hope to see you in Egypt again soon. Stay Travelous!

• Transfer: Cairo - Airport (Depart)
• Meals: B