Ancient Egyptian Treasures And Breathtaking Red Sea – 11 Days

Tour Experts Egypt’s representative will meet and assist you at Cairo International Airport to escort you to your hotel in Cairo. At the hotel, you will get your welcome drink while our representative is finishing the check-in process and then review your holiday itinerary with you to schedule and confirm your pick-up times for each tour.

Overnight in Cairo.

Egypt is most famous for its pyramids (the only remaining wonder of the seven wonders). And with Tour Experts Egypt you will have the chance to visit the Giza Plateau in the el-Giza district, to admire the three Giza pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus and marvel at these massive ancient burial tombs, built around 2,500 BC. Once you’ve taken in the ancient wonder, you will feel nothing but wonder seeing the huge building which was built by small tools and human power and listening from your guide to many stories about the times when the pyramids were built.

Afterward, you will head to the nearby plateau where you can capture the towering pyramids rising up from the golden sands with the city skyline as a backdrop and enjoy your adventure on a camel in the Sahara desert around the pyramids. Next, gaze up at the colossal Sphinx, the enigmatic statue of a human-headed lion that guards the pyramids, where your guide will explain the folklore around this massive lion with the head of a king as you take a closer look.

Next, visit Sakkara, is one section of the great necropolis of Memphis and the home of Egypt’s oldest pyramid that was constructed in around 2,650 BC, and is recorded as the oldest major stone structure in Egypt. Admire this incredible, stepped structure as you learn how it was built by the architect Imhotep for the Pharaoh Djoser, and enjoy time to explore at leisure. Three major discoveries have recently been made at Sakkara, including a prime minister’s tomb, a queen’s pyramid, and the tomb of the son of a dynasty founding king.

Then, continue to Memphis, Egypt’s ancient capital and administrative center during the Old Kingdom until around 2,200 BC, and is the legendary city of Menes, the King who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Early on, Memphis was more like a fortress from which Menes controlled the land and water routes between Upper Egypt and the Delta. Having probably originated in Upper Egypt, from Memphis he could control the conquered people of Lower Egypt. View the UNESCO-listed sculptures and ruins in its outdoor museum, and behold the star turn: a spectacularly large, fallen statue of Ramses II. Lastly, your guide will transfer you back to your hotel.

Overnight in Cairo.

Visit the Egyptian Museum, the world’s largest repository of more than 165,000 age-old Egyptian artifacts. Knowing where to start can be daunting, so let your guide introduce you to the highlights, including the star attraction: the treasures of Tutankhamun.

View the Tutankhamun exhibits, an array of antiquities (his spectacular, solid gold death mask, six gilded coffins, chariot, golden throne and funerary treasures) from the reign of the boy Pharaoh and famed ruler, and learn about his short and troubled reign.

Explore masterpieces of the ancient Egyptian civilization as your guide recounts their history, and view age-old mummies of Egypt’s Kings, the ancient mummified animals, and the pyramids’ builder’s statues. The museum also houses near-countless other treasures including tombs, funerary paintings, jewelry and mummies from the prehistoric Egyptian period through to the Roman era. In addition to other prize exhibits, such as Pharaonic sarcophagi and everyday objects.

If you wish, visit the Royal Mummies Room (cost included), another museum showpiece. Enter this climate-controlled room to view the mummies of Egyptian rulers such as Ramses II, builder of the Luxor’s Karnak Temple. After introducing you to the main attractions, your guide will give you free time to explore further, at your leisure.

Next, see the citadel of Saladin (dating back to 12th century) that was built by the Sultan to protect Cairo against potential crusades and remained the residence of the ruler of Egypt till the middle of the 19th century. Inside the citadel you will see the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Aly (19th century) representing the Ottoman style of architecture and widely recognized as the most important mosques in Cairo, the Mosque of Ibn Qalaoun (14th century) representing the Mameluk style of architecture, and the panorama area for a wonderful view of Islamic Cairo.

Your next step, you will explore Coptic Cairo, also called Old Cairo, where you can see some world-famous churches. Scholars believe that the holy family stayed for a long time inside this area and Prophet Moses was found in this place. Admire the Roman Fortress of Babylon (1st century A.D.), the Hanging Church of Virgin Mary (3rd century A.D.), the Church of Abu Serga (4th century) with the Holy Family Crypt (where the holy family took shelter when they escaped from Palestine), the Jewish Synagogue of Ben Ezra (9th century).

Tour Experts Egypt’s representative will escort you to Cairo International Airport where you will catch your flight to Aswan.

Overnight in Aswan.

This private tour showcases three of Aswan’s most popular sites. You will get an up-close look at the dam that divides the Nile from Lake Nasser, marvel at the sheer size of the Unfinished Obelisk, and revel in the natural beauty of Philae Temple’s island home.

Head to the High Dam of Aswan from your city hotel or cruise ship and discover the incredible wonders of this engineering miracle. Built in the 1960s, this impressive structure allows travelers to look out over Lake Nasser towards the Kalabsha temple and take in unique views of the huge power plant further to the north.

From there, make your way to the Unfinished Obelisk, located in the granite quarries. Learn how these reserves served as the main supply for ancient temples and colossi. Your Egyptologist will help you uncover the history of this place and explain how the massive obelisk was carved and then abandoned when a crack was discovered.

Finally, make your way to the Philae Temple. Learn how this great temple was moved after the High Dam caused rivers to rise dangerously close to the ancient relic. Your guide will take you on a short motorboat ride and an informative walking tour of the temple, which was dedicated to the goddess Isis.

Overnight in Aswan.

See two of Egypt’s greatest ancient spectacles on this private Abu Simbel day trip by minibus from Aswan. With a private Egyptologist guide, drive to western Lake Nasser, and behold the colossal, rock statues of Ramses II of the two iconic lakeside temples. Learn their history, and go inside to see their towering statues, pillars, and murals. If time allows before your return to Aswan, check out the visitor center that charts how both the temples were relocated here, piece by piece, in 1968 to save them from flooding.

As you travel, listen as your private guide shares interesting facts about Abu Simbel’s two temples: the Grand Temple of Ramses II and the smaller Temple of Hathor, both built in the 13th century BC, and now set on the banks of Lake Nasser. Hear about the UNESCO project that saw them both relocated here in 1968, a move prompted by the building of the Aswan High Dam.

After roughly three hours, arrive at the lakeside and take in the jaw-dropping temples, both fronted by vast rock relief figures of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari. Take snaps and then enjoy free time to explore the interiors. Due to the high number of visitors, guides are not permitted to accompany you. However, your guide will talk you through the interiors before you enter, so you can fully understand the treasures inside.

Step inside the Great Temple, and ogle the painted battle scenes and gigantic sculptures of Ramses that line the halls. Then, go inside the Temple of Hathor to see the murals and pillars engraved with images of the goddess Hathor and Nefertari, Ramses II’s favored wife.

Afterward, and if time permits, call at the nearby visitor center that documents the temples’ relocation. Learn how these giant structures were dismantled and then reassembled piece by piece: an incredible feat of engineering that has protected them from flooding.

Finally, drive back to Aswan where your trip ends.

Overnight in Aswan.

Private transfer from Aswan to Luxor in a modern air-conditioned vehicle.

Take a Valley of the Kings tour and explore the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut on this private trip from Luxor, with your very own Egyptologist guide. Head for the West Bank and discover the hieroglyph-coated chambers of the Valley of the Kings, the mountain-cut tombs of 62 of ancient Egypt’s rulers, as you learn about the pharaohs once buried here. Then, visit the stunning Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and stop to see the towering Colossi of Memnon as your guide reveals captivating facts about these age-old monuments.

Depart your Luxor hotel and journey to the west bank of the Nile River. As you travel, listen as your guide tells tales about the Valley of the Kings, the mountain-cut royal necropolis of the capital of Thebes that once stood on the site of Luxor. Soak up views of the rugged mountains and, on arrival, enjoy a brief stop at the valley’s visitor center.

Then, explore the inner rock-cut chambers and tunnels. Guides are not permitted to accompany you inside the tombs, but your guide will describe what to look for before you enter. Walk through colorful, hieroglyph-covered corridors and see painted chambers that once contained the remains of ancient Egypt’s rulers. If you wish, pay an additional cost direct to enter the tomb of King Tutankhamun.

Next, drive to the Temple of Hatshepsut, a vision of geometrical colonnades hewn into a cliffside. Learn about the temple’s history and life of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s first female ruler. Stroll around the courtyards and terraces, and admire the statues and hieroglyphics that adorn them.

Then, stop for photos at the Colossi of Memnon: two towering statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, that once stood at his now long-gone funerary temple. Hear the stories and legends that surround the statues, and inspect the Roman-era graffiti engraved in the stone. Finally, your guide will drive you back to the hotel.

Overnight in Luxor.

Visit the age-old Temples of Karnak and Luxor Temple on the Nile’s East Bank on this private tour from Luxor. With your own Egyptologist guide, travel by minivan to Karnak, an awesome collection of temples and halls dating back over 3,000 years. Ogle the giant columns of the Hypostyle Hall, walk the Avenue of the Sphinxes, and see other highlights as you learn their history. Then, head for Luxor Temple to admire its columns, courts and statues; and discover how it was embellished by Tutankhamun and Alexander the Great.

Depart your central Luxor hotel or Luxor river port by minivan and drive to the Temples of Karnak on the Nile’s East Bank.

As you travel, hear how Luxor stands on the 4,000-year-old site of Thebes, Egypt’s ancient royal capital, and how Karnak is the largest of its temple complexes. Discover how this vast collection of buildings was developed by more than 30 pharaohs, including Amenhotep IV and Ramses II.

On arrival, walk along the Avenue of the Sphinxes to the gateway, and then explore inside with your Egyptologist guide. Hear how the huge pylons at the entrance were constructed, and marvel at the courtyards and sanctuaries beyond. The deeper you go into the complex, the further back you step, with the oldest ruins dating back more than 3,000 years.

Gaze in awe at the showpiece Hypostyle Hall crowded with 134 massive columns that tower above you like an ancient forest. Crane your neck upwards and learn about the ingenious methods used to raise them by the long-ago Egyptians. See the sacred lake where pharaonic offerings were purified, and then enjoy free time to stroll around the site at leisure.

Continue to Luxor Temple, an ancient temple in the center of Luxor laid parallel to the Nile. Hear how it was built in around 1,400 BC, and added to by Tutankhamun, Ramses II and even Alexander the Great.

Admire the two colossal statues of Ramses at the entrance, and the granite gateway obelisk whose original counterpart now stands in Paris’ Place de la Concorde. Then, head inside to gawk at the richly carved inner sanctuaries, papyrus columns, and courts. Peep inside the atmospheric anterooms, including the chapel dedicated to Alexander the Great, who rebuilt the room in his name.

When the time comes, finish your tour with a drop-off at the hotel.

Overnight in Luxor.

Private transfer from Luxor to Hurghada in a modern air-conditioned vehicle.

Free Day.

Overnight in Hurghada.

Free Day.

Overnight in Hurghada.

After the breakfast at Hurghada hotel, Tour Experts Egypt’s representative will transfer you to Hurghada International Airport to catch your international flight back to Cairo.

Overnight in Cairo.

After the breakfast at Cairo hotel, Tour Experts Egypt’s representative will transfer you to Cairo International Airport to catch your international flight back to home.