John Smith
Aug. 1, 2024, 2:25 a.m.This 16-day Egypt itinerary was absolutely fantastic! The ancient sites in Cairo took my breath away, and standing in awe at Abu Simbel was an experience I'll never forget. Exploring the Valley of the Kings in Luxor was both humbling and fascinating. The Siwa Oasis and the white desert provided a serene contrast to the historical sites. Perfect tour for history lovers and adventurers alike!
1) Day 1- Arrival to Cairo
Marsa Alam tours representative will meet & assist you at Cairo International Airport, Transfer to hotel by private air-conditioned vehicle. Free evening
Overnight in the Hotel
2) Day 2- Giza Pyramids, Egyptian Museum
You will be picked up from your hotel in Cairo by our tour guide to enjoy a great excursion to The Pyramids of Giza ( Cheops , Chephren , and Mykerinus . Then proceed to visit the Great Sphinx, which dates back to the time of and visit the Valley Temple . Lunch will be served during the Pyramids at the local restaurant in Giza. Then visit the Egyptian Museum The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Tahir It exhibits a rare collection of over 250,000 genuine artifacts that date as far back as 5000 years, including an exclusive exhibit dedicated to the Tutankhamen - A collection of treasures, gold, and jewelry that were buried in his tomb for over 3,500 years before they were discovered in 1920 when his tomb was excavated. If you wish to visit the mummies royal hall. You need to ask the tour guide to take the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and you pay for this. It will cost 200 Egyptian Pounds The New Grand museum is not open yet. It will be open soon maybe end of 2023. Overnight in the Hotel Cairo
Optional trip to the sound and the light show at Giza Pyramids and costs 40 $ Per person.
3) Day 3- Memphis-Sakkara -Dahshur
We will pick you up from your hotel by Marsa Alam tours guide to enjoy Cairo Day Tour to Memphis Sakkara and Dahshur Pyramids. You will start with the Step Pyramid at Sakkara, which is considered the world's oldest major stone structure. It was built in the 3rd Dynasty for King Djoser. Then Proceed to have your lunch at a local restaurant. After that transfer to Memphis which was founded by King Menes, and was the capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom, it was considered to be a center of rule and culture for over 3000 years, and see the Statue of Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx of Memphis. Then drive to Dahshur, Two of the later pyramids constructed here have been completely destroyed by time, and the elements and several others, such as the Black Pyramid (12th Dynasty, 1929-1885 BC), are badly damaged, but Dahshur also boasts two of Egypt’s best-preserved early pyramids. Both built during the reign of King Sneferu (2613-2589 BC), the founder of the 4th Dynasty, the Bent Pyramid, and the Red Pyramid at Dahshur is massive evidence of the architectural development that lead to the construction of the Great Pyramid and it companions at Giza. Then drive to your hotel.
Optional Tours & Extra tickets The burial Chamber of king Cheops 25 $ Per person The solar boat museum (10 $) Entrance fees to the tomb of Meresankh III ( 10 $ per person) Entrance fees to the Serapeum ( 15 $ per person) Entrance fees to the burial chamber of the Step Pyramid (10 $ per person) Entrance fees to the tomb of Ptah Hotep ( 10$ per person)
Entrance fees to the tomb of Mereruka (10 $ per person))
4) Day 4-Siwa Oasis
Pick-up time from your hotel in Cairo or Giza at 07:00 am. Enjoy the sunset at Fatnas Lake Fatnas is a Small island in Birket Siwa, you can reach it by walk or by bike, It is a wonderful place to sit and enjoy the sunset, You will get a spectacular view of the lake with Gebel Bayda and Hamra forming the backdrop to the west, A walk in the Garden show a variety of trees including Banana, dates, and olive.
Dinner will be served in a restaurant in Siwa, Overnight in Ghaliet Ecolodge Ghaliet is a unique SPA Ecolodge just located nearby Amoun Temple and Alexander the greatest oracle in Siwa Oasis. It has been built by nature and designed among palm trees. you can feel the history and the great ancient stories of Alexander the great while you are in Ghaliet. Enjoy nature, organic design, organic food, and different health programs. The ecolodge includes 12 cozy rooms; each room has its special personality and feeling. You can enjoy staying in the upper rooms with the transparent glass ceiling opening and you feel like you are sleeping in heaven. Also, you can experience the unique outdoor privacy in the lower rooms with their private backyard.
Have an amazing night in Siwa
5) Day 5- Discover Siwa
Breakfast at the hotel. Pick up at 07:00 am from the hotel. You will visit today's Siwa attractions, we will start with Alexander the Great Temple is also known as the Temple of the Oracle. It is believed that Alexander the Great wished to consult the Siwan oracle to seek confirmation that he was the son of Zeus. The Greek god of gods, when he and his entourage arrived at Siwa oasis after a long trip through the desert.
Then drive to the salty lake. The salty water takes you above the water and makes you float., You don't need to be a good swimmer. Take care when you go swimming and don't let the water reach your eyes. as it is really painful. Choose the crystal lake and they are many of them. But keep looking for the purest one, when you see the bottom. Take a bottle of Mineral water to shower with after swimming in the lake, The salt lakes have similar hyper-salinity properties to those of Jordan’s Dead Sea. This also means that the lakes hold great healing properties, much stronger than regular seawater. In all cases, You will make for a wonderful swim!
At 11:00 Then proceed to (Cleopatra's bath )The spring of the sun. It has been mentioned by travelers to Siwa, The legend maintains that Cleopatra swam here.
Then Proceed to the temple of Umm Ubaydah or Amun temple, Just 200 m further from the Temple of the Oracle, the temple was erected by the pharaoh Nectanebo of the 30th Dynasty, This structure is almost completely destroyed, owing to its dynamiting in 1896 by an Ottoman governor eager to acquire building material. An inscribed wall represents all that remains to be seen. Based on earlier drawings by pioneer explorers, however, scholars have deduced that the temple was erected by the pharaoh Nectanebo of the 30th Dynasty.
12:00(Taste the Siwan lunch) in a Siwan restaurant at Abdo restaurant.
Then you will adventure the desert by discovering the Great Sand Sea. by Jeep 4x4 and Enjoy sandboarding -The best sand dunes for sand boarding in Egypt is here in the Great Sand Sea near Siwa Oasis.
Visit the hot and Cold spring Bir Waheed Later, we enjoy some traditional Bedouin Tea by sunset& Overnight in desert Camp and Enjoy Bbq Dinner.
If you need to Sleep in a Hotel instead of the camp, This is also available. we have nice Ecolodges in Siwa.
6) Day 6- Siwa- Marsa Matrouh- Cairo
Breakfast at the Camp at 07:00 then drive back to Siwa oasis , visit Shali Fortress: The Shali Fortress was built on a hill inside a Protective wall originally breached by a single gate, the maze of mud-brick buildings that Comprises the Fortress served the people of the oasis for nearly 8 centuries. The inhabitants had to live in the narrow quarters, sharing their animals, which were herded into the fortress each evening. The huge chunks of salt so prevalent in Siwa oasis were used in the construction of the fortress, as they helped to strengthen the wall, Rain has unfortunately proved to be more destructive to the fortress than any human invaders. the fortress was built in the 13th century and served as the center of Siwan life for over 800 years. The fortress’ mosque is still in use today, with many of the homes restored, and some even turned into local guesthouses.
Then proceed to the Mountain of the Dead: It is a conical mountain a little over a kilometer to the north of Shali. Tombs from the twenty-sixth Dynasty, Ptolemaic, and the Roman periods are cut into the side of the mountain, There are four tombs worth seeing at Gebel Al – Mawta. Si Amun Tomb is the most beautiful in Siwa oasis . Si Amun appears to have been a wealthy Egyptian, Perhaps of Greek origin, but a follower of the ancient Egyptians belief, The tomb contains an Image from the Egyptian pantheon, including an Exquisite painting of the goddess nut standing beside a sycamore tree.
Then drive to Cairo , passing by Marsa Matrouh for lunch passing. Discover Marsa Matrouh, Egypt’s Mediterranean shore. With sandy white beaches and crystal clear waters, many believe that Cleopatra herself bathed in the tranquil waters of Marsa Matrouh.
Lunch will be served in Marsa Matrouh in Magdy restaurant -Seafood restaurant
Then Drive back to Cairo. Arrival in Cairo at 20:00
7) Day 7- Trip to old Cairo
Discover old Cairo Pick Up time from your hotel in Cairo or Giza at 08:00 am with your Egyptologist tour guide,Enjoy a fantastic orientation tour of Cairo on an 8-hour excursion that takes in the major monuments of Old Cairo and the maze of streets and stalls of the historic Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Following a hotel pick-up from Cairo or Giza, you will drive up to the Saladin Citadel, constructed by Salah al-Din on the Moqattam Hills in 1183 AD as a defense against Crusader armies. Known for its fresh air and sweeping views of Cairo, it is now a preserved historic site of mosques and museums, including the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha Designed by the Turkish architect Yousif Boushnaq, who came to Cairo especially from Istanbul to build the great building, the mosque's alabaster structure stands in beautiful contrast to the sandstone city. Lunch will be served in Local restaurant in Old Cairo Then, visit Old Cairo to see major attractions such as the Hanging Church, the Ben Ezra Synagogue, the Church of St. Barbara, and the Church of Abu Serga, one of the oldest Coptic churches in Cairo Continue to the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, one of the oldest bazaars in the Middle East. Discover a maze of alleys that have been at the center of Cairo’s trading activities since the 14th century.
You will take a short flight to Aswan- overnight in Aswan
8) Day 8- Amazing 4 Days Nile cruise
Our representative will pick you up from the hotel in Cairo the itinerary for the first day will be as follows:Transfer to Cairo airport for a short flight to Aswan to board your Nile cruise Y. You will meet your tour guide in Aswan and you will be transferred to embark Nile Cruise before lunch Visits of Aswan including the Temple of Philae and tour by Felucca around Elephantine, the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk. Phiala temple: Built to honor the goddess Isis, this was the last temple built in the classical Egyptian style. Construction began around 690 BC, and it was one of the last outposts where the goddess was worshipped. The High dam: Aswan High Dam is a rock-fill dam located at the northern border between Egypt and Sudan. The dam is fed by the River Nile and the reservoir forms Lake Nasser. Construction for the project began in 1960 and was completed in 1968. It was officially inaugurated in 1971. The Unfinished Obelisk : Aswan was the source of ancient Egypt’s finest granite, used to make statues and embellish temples, pyramids, and obelisks. The large unfinished obelisk in the Northern Quarries has provided valuable insight into how these monuments were created, although the full construction process is still not entirely clear. Three sides of the shaft, nearly 42m long, were completed except for the inscriptions. At 1168 tonnes, the completed obelisk would have been the single heaviest piece of stone the Egyptians ever fashioned. 12:00 lunch on board of the Cruise at 16:00 sailing trip with Felucca around Elphinatine island and Visit Lord Kitchener island- Options tour to the Nubian village: The Nubian village is one of Aswan's attractions. It's worth visiting and spending 2 hours. The place is very authentic and genuine, Colorful and artistic, the Nubian Village will surprise you in every corner! While walking in the village, you will straight away feel the soul of this place! Dinner &overnight on board the Cruise Overnight on board the Cruise
Meals: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner
9) Day 9- Abu simble trip from Aswan
Early visit to Abu Simbel from Aswan Abu Simbel temples: The two temples of Ramses the second and the Queen Nefertari were carved out of the Mountain on the west bank of the Nile between 1274 and 1244 B.c, The Great Temple was dedicated to Ramses the second, Ra-Harakhty, Amun Ra, and Ptah, with 4 Colossal statues, The second temple was dedicated to The Queen Nefertari and Goddess Hathor, the two temples were dismantled stone by stone and rebuilt on higher ground, The preservation of the two temples of Abu Simbel must Rank as the greatest Achievement of the Unesco. lunch on the Nile cruise 13:00 Sail to Kom Ombo The temple of Kom Ombo: The temple and the associated settlement site located 40 K.m north of Aswan, the temple was dedicated to the deities Sobek and Horus and date mainly to the Ptolemaic and Roman period(332 B.b -395 A.c) Sail to Edfu-Overnight in Edfu overnight on board the Cruise
Meals: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner
10) Day 10- Edfu and Luxor temple
Breakfast on the Nile Cruise, Visit the Edfu around 08:00 by horse carriage Edfu temple : Upper Egyptian site dominated by a large well -Preserved temple, dedicated to the hawk-God Horus, The Construction of Ptolemaic temple of Horus, which was founded on the site of a much earlier temple, dated to the period between the reigns of Ptolemy the Third(246 B.c), The descriptions on the walls include the Myth of contending of Horus and Seth(Probably performed annually as a religious Drama Lunch on the Cruise At 10:30 Sail to Luxor through Esna lock Arrive Luxor at 18:00 Visit Luxor temple. Luxor Temple: Largely built by the New Kingdom Pharaoh Amenhotep the Third and Completed by King Tutankhamon and the Great King Ramses the second, The First pylon was raised by Ramses the second and Decorated with His Military Battle of Kadesh Karnak : Karnak is more than A temple, is a spectacular Complex of Sanctuaries, Kiosks, Pylons, and Obelisks, All dedicated to the Theban gods and to the Greater Glory of Egypt`s Pharaohs, Karnak was the Most Important place for the worship of the Theban Triad(Amun, Mut, and Khonso)
Meals: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner
11) Day 11-The valley of the kings
Optional trip to the balloon ride 85 $ Breakfast on the board on the Nile cruise, Breakfast on the Nile Cruise, Visit the west bank of Luxor and Karnak The Valley of the Kings : Once called the great Place of the Truth, this valley is Called now the valley of the Kings, It is a Majestic domain of the Pharaohs who once lay in great stone Sarcophagi, awaiting immortality, The isolated valley behind Deir el Bahri is dominated by the Pyramid-Shaped Mountain Peak The colossi of Memnon: Massive pair statues Known as the Colossi of Memnon, Rising about 18 M from the plain, They are the remains of what was once the largest complex on the west bank, Built by Amenhotep the Third The Queen Hatshepsut temple : Rising out of the desert Plain, in a series of terraces, The temple of Hatshepsut Mergs with sheer limestone Cliffs of the eastern face of the Theban Mountain as if Nature herself had built this Extraordinary monument. Dendera Temple: The Temple of Hathor was primarily constructed during the Late Ptolemaic period, specifically during the reign of Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra VII. Later additions were made during the Roman period. Although built by a dynasty of rulers who were not native Egyptians themselves, the design of this temple has been found to be in accordance to that of other classical Egyptian temples, with the exception of the front of the hypostyle hall, which, according to an inscription above the entrance, was constructed by the Emperor Tiberius. Apart from these, there are also scenes in the temple complex portraying the Ptolemaic rulers. For example, carved onto the external face of one of the temple walls is a huge relief of Cleopatra VII and her son by Julius Caesar and co-ruler, Ptolemy XV (better known as Caesarion). The two Ptolemaic rulers are shown dressed in Egyptian garb and offering sacrifices. Hathor was also regarded as a goddess of healing, and this is evident in the presence of a sanatorium in the temple complex. Here, pilgrims would come to be cured by the goddess. Sacred water (which was made holy by having it poured onto statues inscribed with sacred texts) was used for bathing, unguents were dispensed by the priests of Hathor, and sleeping quarters were provided for those hoping that the goddess would appear in their dreams, and so aid them Transfer to Marsa Alam Overnight in Marsa Alam resort Disembarkation after Breakfast. Transfer to Marsa Alam . Overnight in Marsa Alam Hotel
Meals: Breakfast-Lunch
12) Day 12- Marsa Alam- Resort
Enjoy the sun and relaxing at the resort in Marsa Alam .The hotel is very very nice. The food is tasty and there is a lot. The hotel is very clean and the staff is very smiling and helpful.
13) Day 13- Marsa Alam- Resort
Relax at the resort Check out- and transfer to Marsa Alam airport, then take a short flight to Cairo
Overnight in hotel in Cairo
14) Day 14- Trip to the white desert and Baharyia oasis
At 06:00 am pick up time from your hotel in Giza or in Cairo , drive to Bahariya Oasis , which is located about 350 km east of Cairo This journey takes about 4 hours, in Past when people from Bahariya wished to go to the Nile valley, they often waited until a caravan was passing through, They traveled between the Nile and the oasis in three days( How lucky we are today!!!!! There will be 2 Coffee Breaks during the trip. You will see to the righthand side the railways that transport the iron ore deposits to the Steel mill at Helwan, So it is of no use for tourists- Baharyia oasis is the main source of Iron ore of Egypt. The Iron ore comes from the middle Eocene limestone and is located 4 places called Managim.
At 10:00 You will arrive at Baharyia oasis then you meet your Safari guide and you will take your 4x4 Jeep and Start your adventure.
Drive to the black desert This name stems from the fact that there is a layer of black powder covering its mountains, highlands, and sand. This powder covers the summits of some mountains.
12:00 The Lunch will be served here in El Haize oasis which is located 37 k.m from Bawiti , some people refer to this oasis as a separate oasis, during the roman time area was very Prosperous, many of the current families were originally from Libya., Before lunch, you can immerse yourself in a hot water spring which will almost instantly reduce stress. The heat naturally coaxes tense muscles to loosen up which in turn promotes feelings of calm, wellbeing, and tranquility.
There is a museum here called the (water museum ) which is built to show the people the importance of the underground water for the people of the desert and the instruments which were used by the Egyptians to raise the water for irrigation. 13:00 Then drive to the valley of Agabat
14:00 Arrive at the Valley of Agabat is deep within the white desert ,you have to be there to feel the out-worldly beauty of the place. Millions of years ago, the place used to be under the sea. Over the years, unique rock formations of limestone, chalk (and maybe sand) developed.
Then you will adventure the desert by discovering the Wadi el Agabat by Jeep 4x4 and Enjoy sandboarding. 16: 30 explore the white desert , National Park, the most well-known desert destination in Egypt.
There are hundreds of images here each one is reminiscent of an animal- Chicken- A sphinx, Camels, tents, Mushrooms.
The chicken-shaped rock.
17:30 Make tents and Enjoy the sunset. 18:30 As the sky turns pink then the deepest fiery orange, the rock-shapes fade, and silence are all around. Sitting around a small fire and enjoying the simplest meal of chicken, rice, and vegetables, you will feel like nothing has ever tasted so good. Bedouin staff will arrange dinner and desert camping.
Note: at night temperatures can drop suddenly in the White Desert a proper jacket would be necessary to spend the night comfortably.
15) Day 15- White desert - Bahariya oasis
At 06:00 am Enjoy sunrise.
At 07:00 Am you'll enjoy breakfast in the desert, before driving to Bahariya Oasis.
At 09:00 On the way back, you will visit Crystal Mountain , locally known as Gebel al-Izzaz. It's more of a crystal hill, seen on the right, which is often called the Jewel of the desert is formed by the quartzite crystals and looks amazing in the sun's rays. A few decades ago, that natural feature has been found by accident.
11:00 Drive to Bahariya Oasis , Soak in the heat at Bir Sigam , a hot spring that can help to relax. Located at 7 km east of Bahariya on the Cairo road, the spring is the best hot spring in temperature. In The summertime will stop at Bir Madi( which is a cold spring) If you want to add Lunch (15 $ Extra per person) We have 2 Extra options for you to discover more about the oasis 1-First option If you wish to discover more about the history of Bahariya oasis we do recommend doing an extra trip to the museum of the golden mummies, Bawiti tombs, and Alexander the Great temple
You will visit the tombs of Bannentiu and Djed-Ankh-Amun-Iuf (Zed-Amun) The tombs at Qasr Selim (26th Dynasty)In 1938 the Egyptian archaeologist Ahmed Fakhry (1905-1973) discovered four tombs at the ridge of Qarat Qasr Selim. Visit Bawiti , Bawiti is the Capital of Bahariya Oasis , Then Visit the Museum of the golden mummies and the temple of Ain El Muftella, Bahariya Oasis , You will have lunch in Bahariya Oasis before driving to Cairo .
This will cost 35 $ per person Extra. 2- Second option You can book Extra 3 Hours Bahariya oasis tour. You will discover Bahariya Oasis , The palm, and olives fields, Gebel Maghrafa. where the biggest Diansour( (Stromer's Tidal Giant) was ever discovered in 1914 at the base of Gebel Dist. Lake al-Marun which is the biggest salt lake in Bahariya Oasis , enjoy the sunset from The summit of the English Mountain(Gebel Al Ingleez). The view from the top offers a panorama of the northern part of the oasis. Transfer from white desert to Cairo
Overnight in Cairo Hotel.
16) Day 16-International departure
Free day in Cairo
Check out - transfer to Cairo airport for final departure.