Egypt

We depart for Cairo, via Istanbul.

We arrive in Cairo and transfer to our centrally located hotel. The balance of the day is free until our Welcome Dinner this evening.

This morning we travel to Giza where, overlooking the Nile Valley and Cairo, we visit the 3 Great Pyramids—one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the Great Sphinx—a colossal lion with a Pharaoh’s head. Then we drive past small villages to visit the towns of Memphis and Sakkara. The highlight will be the Step Pyramids of King Zoser—the oldest stone building in the world!

This morning we visit the world-famous Egyptian Museum, including the fabulous collection of Pharaonic antiquities, especially the golden treasures of the Tut Ankh Amun Exhibit. The museum houses over 50,000 artifacts that span 7000 years. After our museum visit we fly to Aswan.

We visit Abu Simbel—a site which consists of some of Egypt’s most impressive and unique temples. These are two massive rock-cut temples built by Ramses II. One temple is dedicated to King Ramses II, and the other is dedicated to his beloved wife, Queen Nefertiti. The most notable feature of the temples are the four colossal statues of Ramses II on the exterior.

In Aswan, the Nile parts into many arms divided by immense granite rocks and islands, particularly the island of Elephantine. There is only a small area of fertile land producing what are considered the finest dates in all of Egypt. We visit the Temple of Philae, dedicated to Goddess Isis, and the High Dam. In the afternoon, we board our deluxe riverboat, and then we sail in a felucca to view Kitchener’s Island, the Botanical Garden, and the Aga Khan Mausoleum.

This morning we visit the ancient, yet remarkably intact, Temple of Horus. Horus (the Sun God) is always pictured as a man with a falcon’s head, often with a solar disk. Then we sail past small desert villages where life goes on much as it has for thousands of years. See camels, water buffalo, and donkeys at work on the small farms. We arrive at Kom Ombo to visit the Sobek Temple, dedicated to two gods: Haroeris—a hawk-headed god, and Sobek—the crocodile god. In order not to offend either, a twin shrine was built on a hill overlooking the Nile. Then we sail to Edfu via the locks of Esna.

Luxor is home to some of the richest treasures in the world, including the tomb of Tut Ankh Amun, and other royal tombs including Ramses VI in the Valley of the Kings. At the Temple of Luxor we’ll see the granite statue of Ramses II, and the many halls and pillars that make up this incredible temple. We’ll also visit Hatshepsut’s funerary temple at Dier El Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. After lunch we’ll visit the most impressive of all temples—Karnak, and see the Great Temple of Amon, the Hypostyle Hall, the Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut, the Granite Scara of Amenophis II, Sacred Lake, and many shrines.

We disembark and drive to Hurghada—a beach resort town stretching some 40 km along Egypt’s Red Sea coast. The old town, not far from our hotel, is home to traditional Egyptian coffee shops and souks. We will stay at a deluxe All-Inclusive beach resort.

After all the sightseeing over the past several days, some time at leisure will be most welcome. Today is free to enjoy the facilities and entertainment of our beach resort, or optional activities.

We venture into the desert to experience its natural beauty and Bedouin culture. Those who wish may ride a camel, and meet Bedouin villagers. We finish with a Bedouin dinner.

Another day at leisure to enjoy the facilities of our beach resort, or optional activities.

We transfer to Cairo. Afternoon at leisure.

Our sightseeing of Old Cairo begins with a visit of the Alabaster Mosque and the Great Citadel. Built by Saladin, rising majestically over the city, the mosque offers a panoramic view of Cairo and the Nile. We visit the Church of Abu Serga, Moallaqa Church (Hanging Church) and the Ben Ezra Synagogue—the oldest Jewish synagogue in Egypt, and finish off at the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar—rich in silks and carpets, where craftsmen use age-old traditions in creating their wares. This evening is our Farewell Dinner.

We fly home to Canada, via Istanbul.