Travel to Egypt: Egypt Explorer Land

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Egypt Explorer Land

			DAYS: 16 GRADE: I define PRICE: From $2595 per person (Includes Local Air) HIGHLIGHTS: Cairo; The Pyramids Sphinx Egyptian Museum Citadel. Luxor; Karnak Temple Valley of Kings Valley of Queens Deir el Bahri Colossi of Memnon Edfu Temple Kom Ombo Temple. Aswan; Philae Temple desert camel ride breakfast with Nubian family Abu Simbel excursion by air Desert Oasis Expedition; El Kharga El Dakla El Farafra The White Desert El Baharayya ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels/Lodges MEALS: As noted  [B-Breakfast, L-Lunch,   D-Dinner] Prices, Departure Dates and Included Services Send to a Friend Print this Itinerary

The canvas of Egyptian history is vast. Almost fifty continuous centuries of empire, inspiration and tragedy have refined Egyptian culture. So pervasive the effect of this civilization on all that came after, that many of the underpinning concepts of modern times are, in fact, Ancient Egyptian. Along this extraordinary evolutionary path, monotheism was devised by Akhenaton and, to justify her becoming Pharaoh, Queen Hatchepsut claimed her mother mated with Amun Ra and the first instance of immaculate conception entered the history books. Even our own Gregorian calendar is Pharaonic in origin. Our adventure starts in the modern heart of Egypt, at Cairo. Present day Cairo and Egypt have a very much vital, vibrant culture, and are a strong presence in our contemporary world. As we explore ancient sites from tombs to temples, we'll find that modern Egypt also holds much to discover and to learn from. The sites, sounds and smells of today mingle with the nation's deep and mysterious past to remind us that Egypt, the Cradle of Civilization, continues to evolve and to enrich the lives of those who are fortunate enough to land upon its ancient shores.

DAY 1 :  CAIRO: MEET & HOTEL TRANSFER

Today we arrive in Cairo, capital of Egypt and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth.  On arrival we are met and transferred to our hotel. Overnight at the Cairo Marriott Hotel. [B]

DAY 2 :  CAIRO: FULL DAY TOUR: PYRAMIDS, MUSEUM

Following breakfast, we depart for the Egyptian Museum. Our local guide will escort us through a collection documenting more than 4000 years of Egyptian history and daily life, including the famed Mummy Room. Afterwards, we lunch at a local restaurant serving traditional Egyptian and Middle Eastern cuisine, before embarking on our journey to the Pyramids of Giza. Of the 80 pyramid complexes in Egypt, the Pyramids of Giza are the largest and most renowned. The Great Pyramid, built by King Khufu 4500 years ago is the last surviving wonder of the ancient world.  We also visit the adjacent Solar Boat Museum and the enigmatic Sphinx. Next on the agenda is a visit to the Ramses Wissa Wassef School of Art located in Harrania, close to the Pyramids. This little known school is a philanthropic organization that locates prodigy children in rural Egypt to offer them free education and board to develop their artistic talents. The painting, carving, weaving, and carpet making of some of these children is phenominal. Overnight at the Cairo Marriott Hotel. [BL]

DAY 3 :  O/N TRAIN: 1/2 DAY TOUR; CITADEL, KHAN EL KHALILI
This morning we stow our packed bags in the hotel store room before we depart to explore Medieval Cairo. Our first stop is the imposing Citadel, located at the heart of Old Cairo (Fustat). Built by the fabled hero Salah El Din, this mighty fortress has dominated the city's skyline for eight centuries and encompasses the magnificent Mosque of Mohamed Ali. Following free time to buy our own lunch, we plunge into Khan al-Khalili, the city's main - and Africa's largest - market. The narrow, almost biblical alleyways are lined with silk and spice merchants, silver stalls, food, craftwork, painters, alabaster emporiums and shops of enticing merchandise. Returning to the hotel to collect our stored bags, we transfer to the railway station to catch the Overnight Train to Aswan. Cabins are all A/C twin berth with lockable doors, a fold down top bunk and a fold down table. All sheets, blankets and pillows are supplied and all beds are made up by one of the car stewards before you turn in. Evening meals are similar to (hot) aircraft meals and are served in each cabin. Various beverages are also available with your meal, and there is a bar car available for drinks and snacks during the journey. Overnight Sleeper Train. [BD]

DAY 4 :  ASWAN: ARRIVAL 1/2 DAY TOUR: PHILAE TEMPLE

On arrival mid-morning in Aswan, we transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the morning is at leisure to explore and purchase our own lunch before departing in the early afternoon for Philae Temple. Driving past the High Dam and Low Dam en route, we take the 15-minute boat ride on Lake Nasser to Philae Temple, perhaps the most memorable approach to any of Egypt's monuments. With the construction of the Aswan High Dam, Philae was destined to disappear forever beneath the waters of the soon-to-be-created Lake Nasser. Fortunately, Philae was saved in 1977 when UNESCO built a coffer dam around the temple and pumped out the water. The temple was carefully dismantled; every block assigned a number and its position noted. A nearby island called Agilkai was modified to resemble Philae Island and the temple was reassembled in exact replica. In 1980 Philae once again opened to the public. Today, Philae is one of the highlights of any visit to Aswan, and its lake location allows for some great photography. We return to Aswan late afternoon. Evening free. Overnight at Movenpick Hotel or similar. [B]

DAY 5 :  ASWAN: CAMEL RIDE, NOBLES TOMBS, ST. SIMEON'S

This morning we embark early on a motor boat crossing to the West Bank. On arrival, we meet the families who own the camels we will use for today's excursion. We take tea and breakfast with them, then mount up for the ride to the 12^th Dynasty Nobles' Tombs. Following our exploration of the tombs, we remount and set off into the desert to visit the Coptic St. Simeon's Monastery (circa 6^th c). Our last (and shortest) camel ride is to the Mausoleum of the Aga Khan, where we say a fond farewell to the camels, walk down to the river bank and re-board our boat. En route back across the Nile, we stop at Kitchener's Island, named after the British Field Marshal Lord Kitchener of WWI fame ("Your country Needs You"...) and view the botanical gardens he created on the island, during his unsuccessful attempt to push up the Nile by paddle steamer to relieve General Chinese Gordon, who was besieged at Khartoum by the Maghdi. Overnight at Movenpick Hotel or similar. [B]

DAY 6 :  ASWAN: EXCURSION TO ABU SIMBEL

This morning we fly to Ramses II's mighty temples at Abu Simbel. About to be drowned under Lake Nasser in the 1960s by the construction of the Aswan High Dam, Abu Simbel was cut into blocks and reassembled on the side of a totally man-made hill, 200 feet above the original location. This massive effort, instigated by UNESCO, is as phenomenal an achievement as the original construction. We visit the Great Temple dedicated to Ramses II, and the smaller Temple of Hathor built in honor of Ramses' favorite wife, Queen Nefartari. Following our visit, we return to the airport for the flight back to Aswan. The remainder of the day is at leisure to wander the souk (market), take a felucca sail around the Nile's first cataract, or swim in the hotel pool. Overnight at Movenpick Hotel or similar. [B]

DAY 7 :  LUXOR: DRIVE LUXOR VIA KOM OMBO & EDFU

Today we drive the 210 km / 130 miles between Aswan and Luxur along the East Bank of the Nile through fertile fields and local villages. Our first stop is Ptolemaic Kom Ombo, a unique construction of twin temples side by side, each architecturally mirroring the other. One is dedicated to Horus (& his brother Haroeris, the sky-god and god of healing), the other to Sobek, the crocodile-god of the Nile. An interesting frieze illustrates a large array of surgical instruments from the Ptolemaic period and details the medical techniques of child birthing at about the time Octavian defeated Cleopatra and Marcus Antoious (Marc Anthony) at the battle of Actium, and thereafter became Ceasar Augustus, and sole ruler in Rome. Near the entrance is a room containing stuffed and embalmed crocodiles, some more than twenty feet long and some over two thousand years old. Continuing our journey, we stop at the Temple of Horus at Edfu. Begun in 237 BCE by Ptolemy III, the temple was finished 200 years later by Ptolemy XII (Cleopatra's father). Edfu is in excellent condition and is, in effect, a Greek copy of an architectural style already ancient in Ptolemy's day.  We arrive in Luxor in the late afternoon and check into our hotel. Overnight at Old Winter Palace Hotel or similar. [B]

DAY 8 :  LUXOR: VALLEY OF KINGS & QUEENS, HATCHEPSUTS

As the sun rises in the east, the East Bank of the Nile is associated with life and boasts an array of temples, gardens, palaces and towns. The sun sets in the west, so the West Bank is associated with death and is home to countless mortuary temples and tombs. Starting early, we cross to the West Bank to visit the land of the dead. Pausing first at the Colossi of Memnon, two monumental statues that once guarded the now lost funerary temple of Amenophis III, we continue to the magnificent royal tombs of The Valley of the Kings, each wall decorated with texts from the Book of the Dead. Here, we visit a number of tombs, including that of Tut Ankh Amun (King Tut). Our next destination is the terraced temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Dier al-Bahri, destroyed by her successor Tuthmosis III and painstakingly reconstructed by Polish archeologists late last century. We then drive to the Valley of the Queens and view the Tombs of the Princes and, if open to the public, the last resting place of Nefartari, the famously beautiful wife of Ramses II. Discovered in 1906 and restored by J. Paul Getty, Nefartari's final resting place is perhaps the world's most stunning ancient tomb; it is difficult not to be moved by such a visit. Mid-afternoon, we return to the hotel and the remainder of the day is at leisure. In the evening we include a visit to Karnak Temple's Sound and Light Show by calesh (horse drawn carriage). Overnight at the Old Winter Palace or similar. [B]

DAY 9 :  LUXOR: KARNAK TEMPLE TOUR. PM AT LEISURE

This morning we again board caleshes and embark on a guided tour of Karnak Temple. Karnak is a truly phenomenal place with its monuments built, quite literally, on the scale of the gods. Added to through many dynasties by zealous pharaohs competing to out-do each other in architectural gifts to their deities, Karnak developed into the world's most dominant religious and political city, and remained so for a thousand years. It was to destroy the entrenched power base of the priests of Amun that Akhenaton moved the court away from Thebes, taking it north to El Armarna the new capital city he had built (near present day El Minya), and changed the religion from 'Amun' to 'Aten'. In so doing, Akhenaton invented monotheism and became Atens' only pope. Thus, Akhenaton set in motion a course of events that included much political turmoil, led to his and his wife's murders, the temporary end of monotheism, and the restoration of the priests of Amun at Karnak. This was achieved by the establishment of a puppet royal king, Tut Ankh Amun (King Tut), and his quick murder by Ay, high priest of Amun at Karnak, who then took over as pharoah. As a result, Tut Ankh Amun was given a very low key burial, which in turn led to the only royal tomb that has ever been discovered intact in modern times. After our tour, we return to the hotel by calesh. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the bazaar or perhaps return to the West Bank where there is still a wealth of additional sites to visit including Medinet Habu, the Ramaseum, and the Nobles' Tombs. Taxis, bicycles, horses, donkeys, and camels are all available for hire for transportation. Your guide is on hand to advise and to assist. Overnight at Old Winter Palace or similar. [B]

DAY 10 :  KHARGA: DRIVE KHARGA. HIBIS, AL-BAGAWAT

Departing Luxor after breakfast, we drive 230 km / 175 miles into the Western Desert to the oasis town of El Kharga (or el Wahad which means the one or first). Taking a picnic lunch en route, we reach Kharga in the early afternoon. As we approach town, we stop at the Temple of Hibis, one of the few Persian monuments in Egypt. We also visit the Coptic Christian Necropolis of al-Bagawat.  Afterwards, we continue on to our hotel and enjoy free time to wash up and relax.  Later in the afternoon, we proceed to the old market of El Kharga. Kharga used to be the second to last stop on The Forty Days' Road, the infamous slave-trade route between the tropical south (Sudan) and coastal north (Mediterranean). Today, El Kharga is the biggest New Valley oasis town with over 60,000 inhabitants. Overnight at Pioneer Hotel or similar. [BLD]

DAY 11 :  DAKHLA: KHARGA MUSEUM. DRIVE KHARGA

Leaving early, we first visit Kharga Museum, then continue north to El Dakhla Oasis stopping for a picnic lunch en route. Dakhla is a collection of fourteen settlements dominated in the north by a wall of rose-colored rock. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty. In the capital, Mut, we visit the Museum of the Inheritance based in a traditional house with an intricate wooden combination lock of ancient design, but still very much in use. Afterwards, we visit Al-Kasr, about 20 miles from Mut, originally a Roman settlement which later became the medieval capital of Dakhla. On the way to Dakhla, we visit the old town of Bashandi with its labyrinth of mud-walled alleys narrowly separating houses with elaborately carved wooden lintels; there is also an Ayyubid Mosque. Overnight at Solimar Mut Hotel or similar. [BLD]

DAY 12 :  FARAFRA: DRIVE FARAFRA. EL HAGGAR, EL QALAMOUN

This morning we depart Dakhla and drive to our third oasis town of Farafra. En route, we visit Deir El Haggar, literally, the monastery of bricks, which was restored by the Royal Ontario Museum in 1962. El Haggar is an Egyptian temple built during the Roman period, with imitation cartouches of Roman Emperors. We also visit the desert village of Qalamoun not far from Mut. Passing the strange phenomenon of several small lakes surrounded by scorching desert, the hilltop village comes into view surrounded in golden sand dunes; perhaps the closest one gets to the traditional romantic image of a desert oasis town, much of its old quarter is inhabited and well-kept. Stopping for a picnic lunch en route, we arrive in Farafra in the late afternoon. The name Farafra is derived from the ancient Egyptian name of Ta Wert, which means Land of the Cow which, in a desert, is something equally as remarkable as a lake, and so noteworthy. In preparation for tomorrow's desert bivouac adventure, this evening we prepare our overnight bag to ensure we have what we minimally need to sleep in the desert tomorrow. Overnight at the Badawya Hotel Farafra or similar. [BLD]

DAY 13 :  WHITE DESERT: DESERT BIVOUAC ADVENTURE

This morning we drive out of town to meet our pre-arranged 4X4 vehicles. Having packed our overnight bags last night (change of clothes, sleeping bag and mat, flashlight, batteries, camera, sunscreen, bathing suit, etc.), we leave our main baggage in the bus and load up our 4x4 vehicles with our overnight gear and sleeping bags (must bring your own sleeping bag). We leave the bus and drive off-road into the phenomenal White Desert, a region of blinding yellow sand and fantastical white and weathered limestone formations, more reminiscent of a surrealist moonscape than of a traditional desert. Our camp assistants set up our bivouac and cook a traditional evening meal, which we eat before bedding down under the stars. Overnight desert bivouac. [BLD]

DAY 14 :  CAIRO: HOT SPRINGS, DRIVE CAIRO VIA BAHARIYYA

After a traditional nomadic breakfast, we break camp and visit one of Farafra's many hot springs to bathe and relax. (So this is why I packed your bathing suit....). Our all day 350 mile drive from Farafra to Cairo crosses the Great Western (Libyan) Desert in a curving northward arc - the only road for hundreds of miles. It is an experience one does not forget. From Farafra we drive the sand encroached road to Bahariyya Oasis, where we stop briefly for lunch. The oasis is also known amongst local Bedouins for informal music and poetry recitals. The road from Bahariyya to Cairo is macadamized, and we make better time. Evening arrival and overnight Cairo Marriott Hotel. [BL]

DAY 15 :   CAIRO: FREE DAY IN CAIRO
Today is at leisure in Cairo; your guide is on hand to advise and assist. You may wish to revisit the Pyramids or the Egyptian Museum or perhaps visit Saqqara & Memphis. The Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara is perhaps the most well known funerary monument at Memphis. Built for King Djoser in the 3^rd Dynasty by architectural genius Imhotep, the first to build stone tombs in honor of a king's majesty, Memphis became one of the largest and most important cities in the ancient world. Overnight at Cairo Marriott Hotel. [B]

DAY 16 :  FLY: TRANSFER TO AIRPORT. SERVICES END

After breakfast, we transfer to the airport for our flight home. [B]

Questions? Ask Our Program Directors.

. C o n t a c t Nilu Jenks 1(800)345-4453 C o n t a c t Adrian Chalker 1(800)345-4453