SECRETS OF EGYPT | Cairo - Luxor - Aswan 15 days

SECRETS OF EGYPT | Cairo - Luxor - Aswan 15 days

Location

Day 01: Arrival at Luxor airport, meet and assist then transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a night visit to the stunning monuments of Luxor Temple. Return back to the hotel for overnight.

“The Temple of Luxor, is among the most beautiful Temples in Egypt. It was known in the New Kingdom period as Ipt-Rsyt, which means the southern shrine. This was to differentiate between this Temple and Karnak Temple, which was the northern house of Amon Ra. Amenhotep III built Luxor Temple. The architect and overseer of the works of construction was the genius Amenhotep, son of Habu. The Temple run close and parallel to the river Nile from north to south. It was constructed on the site of a small Temple of Amon, built by kings of the 12th dynasty. At the time of Amenhotep III the Temple was only 190m in length and 55m in width. Basically, Luxor Temple was consecrated to Amon Ra in his fertility aspect."

Day 02: Early Morning, Focus on west bank of the Nile to visit the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Stop for pictures at the two Clossi of Memnon guarding the valley. Transfer back to your hotel for freshen-up. At the afternoon, Board horse-drawn carriages for a drive through Luxor city with an Egyptian traditional lunch and opportunity to enjoy the sun set on the Nile river side. Transfer to the rail station to take the train to Cairo. Dinner & Overnight on board of the train. (Train could be Sleeping train or 1st class seating one)

“The Valley of the Kings, was the royal cemetery for 62 Pharaohs and is located on the west bank at Luxor. The only entrance to this place was a long narrow winding path. This was a secret place where sentries were placed at the entrance of the Valley as well as along the top of the hills in the hopes of discouraging tomb robbers, who had in the past plundered all royal tombs, including the treasures of the Pyramids. Some thefts were probably carefully planned, but others were spurring of the moment, as when an earlier tomb was accidentally discovered while cutting a new one and workmen took advantage of the opportunity."

“Hatshepsut, was one of the most interesting female figures and most capable Pharohs of Egyptian history (1490-1468 BC), so our visit to her 3,500 year old mortual temple in the Valley of Kings (Thebes West) was in many respects a quite special experience.

Day 03: Breakfast on board, Arrival at Giza rail station, then visiting one of the most unusual pyramids in Egypt built by Snefru (2613-2589 BC), first Pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty, who would take monument-building to a new level; The Bent Pyramid was probably the first planned from the outset to be a true pyramid, with smooth sides. This represents a glorious period in the evolution of the pyramids also sometimes called the Rhomboidal, False, or Blunt Pyramid. The ancient Egyptians called it "Snefru Shines - South (pyramid)". As, as well as one of the best preserved (much of its casing remains), it has attracted considerable attention over the centuries, Drive to the Pyramids of Giza. Cheops Pyramid, the largest of the three, was built in the 4th dynasty about 2690 BC. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world .In front of the pyramid of Chephren, there stands the Sphinx a lion with a Pharaoh’s head thought to be a portrait of the pharaoh Chephren. Continue our tour to Memphis at the edge of the western desert, the capital of the ancient kingdom, and one of the most important monuments throughout the history of ancient Egypt, from here we drive to Sakkara the vast necropolis of ancient Memphis. Visit the Step Pyramid of Zoser (3rd dynasty, 2668 BC – 2649 BC) Memphis and Sakkara. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

”Memphis, was the ancient capital of Aneb-Hetch, the first nome of Lower Egypt. Its ruins are located near the town of Helwan, south of Cairo. According to legend related by Manetho, the city was founded by the pharaoh Menes around 3000 BC. Capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom, it remained an important city throughout ancient Mediterranean history.[1][2][3] It occupied a strategic position at the mouth of the Nile delta, and was home to feverish activity. Its principal port, Peru-refer, harboured a high density of workshops, factories, and warehouses that distributed food and merchandise throughout the ancient kingdom. During its golden age, Memphis thrived as a regional centre for commerce, trade, and religion."

“Pyramid of Zosar, was the first king of the Third Dynasty. The serdab, on the northern face of the pyramid, contained his statue; this was the place of his "ka," which could see the offerings made to him. The original statue, now in the Cairo Museum, is thought to have recorded his exact features. This pyramid and the buildings comprising the funerary complex were designed by Imhotep, the first architect whose name is recorded. They were also the first major constructions in stone. Prior to this, sun-dried brick had been the usual building material. It is also the first tomb of monumental size. It was begun as a large mastaba, oriented to the points of the compass, but was enlarged twice to a final height of about 200 feet."

“Pyramids of Giza, There are no more famous ancient sites within Egypt or for that matter elsewhere in the world, than the Great Pyramids at Giza. They are, without question, the icon most associated with the Egypt. They have been both the main destination for tourists and a source of imaginative thought to the world for over three thousand years." 

Day 04: Early Morning drive to Alexandria. Visit the New Bibliotheque of Alexandria, Greco-Roman Museum. Then continue to the Pompey’s huge red granite pillar and the intriguingly decorated Catacombs. Then proceed to Montazah Palace gardens. Drive back to Cairo for dinner and overnight.

“Bibliotheque of Alexandria, Library of Alexandria was the largest and most significant great library of the ancient world. It flourished under the patronage of the Ptolemaic dynasty and functioned as a major center of scholarship from its construction in the 3rd century BC until the Roman conquest of Egypt in 30 BC"

“The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa,The Catacombs (meaning underground tunnels) lie in the district of Karmouz to the east of Alexandria. The area was called Kom El-Shouqafa or a pile of shards. The cemetery dates back to the 1st century A.D and was used until the 4th century A.D. It was discovered in 1900 when by pure chance, a donkey drawn cart fell into a pit, which led to the discovery. The Catacombs in Alexandria are so called because the design was very similar to the Christian Catacombs in Rome."

“Montazah Palace,The extensive Montaza Palace grounds first had the Salamlek Palace, built in 1892 by Khedive Abbas II, the last Muhammad Ali Dynasty ruler to hold the Khedive title over the Khedivate of Egypt and Sudan. It was used as a hunting lodge and residence for his companion. The larger Al-Haramlik Palace and royal gardens were added to the Montaza Palace grounds, being built by King Fuad I in 1932, as a summer palace. It is in a mixture of Turkish and Florentine styles, with has two towers, one rising distinctively high above with elaborated Italian Renaissance design details."

“Pompey’s huge red granite pillar, Sawary column is one of the most famous monuments in Alexandria. It was built on top of the hill of Sedra Gate between the current Muslim cemetery area known as the column tombs and the Koum al-Shakafa archaeological hill. It is about 27 meters long and is made of red granite stone. Held in honor of the Emperor Diocletian in the third century AD. It is the last surviving remnant of the Serapium temple erected by Postumus. It is considered the highest monument in the world. The date of the creation of this column is not specifically determined but dates back to the Roman era, and it is said that this column was dedicated to Christianity after its victory in Alexandria Ali Miram in the battle of T-shirt"

Day 05: Early morning departure to Bahariya oasis. Set in a depression covering over 2000 sq. Km. Bahariya oasis is surrounded by black hills made up of ferruginous quartzite and dolorite. Most of the villages and cultivated land can be viewed from the top of the 50-Meter high Jabal Al Miysrah, together with the massive dunes, which threaten to engulf some of the older settlements. Dinner & Overnight at hotel. 

Day 06: Continue with our visit to Bahariya oasis. Bawiti is the largest Village in the oasis, its picturesque hillside quarter overlooks lush palm groves irrigated by the Ain al – Bishmo, a natural spring hewn from the rock in Roman times, which gushes water at 30oC. Baharyia oasis is famous for its mineral and sulfur springs, including Bier Matter and Bier Al Ghaba. Drive from Baharyia to white desert, a unique landscape of surreal wind – eroded rock formations, which are particularly magical at sunrise or sunset. Time to photograph the rock formations, then proceed to Dakhla with short visit to the most isolated of the new valley oasis it is renowned for its strong traditions and piety .As in other oasis many of Farafra’s houses are painted blue (to ward off the Evil Eye) but here some are also decorated with landscapes, birds and animals. Dinner & Overnight at hotel

Day 07: Visiting the handwork of local artist, Badr. A combination House, Museum and Studio exhibiting his paintings and Ceramics is situated in a garden full of sculptures made from objects found in the surrounding desert. Continue to Dakhla oasis. Visit to Al Qasr, about 35 Km from Mut, was originally a Roman settlement, which later became the medieval capital of Dakhla oasis. The old town is a labyrinth of Mut – walled alleys narrowly separating houses with elaborately carved wooden lintels; there is also an Ayyubid mosque , (El Mezawaka cemeteries) Dinner & Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Dakhla oasis is a collection of fourteen different settlements, dominated on its northern horizon by a wall of rose – colored rock. Fertile cultivated areas growing rice; peanuts and fruits are dotted between sand dunes along the roads from Farafra oasis and Kharga oasis in this area of outstanding natural beauty. The capital Mut ، named after the ancient goddess of the Theban Triad, houses the museum of the inheritance ،a traditional house, with an intricate wooden combination lock. Rooms, with sculpted clay figures, are arranged to show different aspects of Dakhlan culture and family life. At nearby Balaat village, a trading post with ancient Nubian, archeologists are still uncovering dozens of 6th dynasty mastabas. Proceed to Kharga oasis. Kharga used to be the last but one stop on the Forty days road, the infamous slave - trade route between North Africa and the tropical south. Today, it is the biggest New Valley oasis and it is modern city houses 70.000 people, including 1.000 Nubians who moved here after the creation of Lake Nasser. Visit to Hibis temple, built on the site of an 18th Dynasty settlement of Saites, Persians and Ptolemies. One of the few Persian monuments in Egypt, the 6th century B.C temple is well – preserved with painted vultures and huge relief of Darius greeting Egyptian Gods on the outer walls. Ten kilometers away, the necropolis of al- Bagawat contains 263 muds – brick chapels with Coptic murals, including the Chapel of Peace with images of Adam and Eve and the Ark on its dome. And the Chapel of the Exodus with frescoes of Pharaonic troops pursuing the Jews, led by Moses out of Egypt. Dinner & Overnight in Kharga oasis.

Day 09: Drive to Luxor, Visiting Karnak temple in the afternoon.Transfer to the rail station to get the train to Aswan, arrive Aswan, Transfer to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

“The Temple of Karnak, is the largest Temple in the World! The complex contains a group of Temples such as the Great Temple of Amon Ra, the Temple of Khonso, the Ipt Temple, the Temple of Ptah, the Temple of Montho and the Temple of the God Osiris. A 20m high, mud brick enclosure wall, surrounded all of these buildings"

Day 10: Enjoy an excursion to Abu Simbel temple by Bus, return back to Aswan visiting Old Dam and the gigantic Aswan High Dam en route. Check-in on board of motor boat on Nasser Lake to start our motor boat excursion, visiting Kalabsha and Phiale temples.

Day 11 – Day 14: On board of Motor boat.

Day 14: Return back to Luxor by bus, visiting Kom Ombo and Edfu temples. Proceed to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 15: Transfer to Luxor airport for final departure.