12 Days Cairo, Sharm El Sheikh & Nile Cruise Itinerary

The Great Pyramid

The iconic Great Pyramid of Giza is an everlasting living wonder of creativity and grandeur which was completed around 2570 BC to become the final resting place of Pharaoh Khufu (2609 BC - 2584 BC). This pyramid stands as a miraculous pillar of marvel that has a height of 146 meters (481 feet) tall and was originally covered in smooth limestone casing stones that were taken across history. It is constructed with an estimated 2.3 million stone blocks that weigh a total of 6 million tons and is known for its precise alignment across the four cardinal points of the Compass, and highly advanced internal passages known as the king’s chamber, the grand hall, the queen’s chamber, and many more hidden rooms.

The Great Sphinx

The Celestial Sphinx is a mythical creature created by angelic figures that protect the celestial Giza Complex which is famous for having the body of a lion and the head of Pharaoh Khafre. It is the largest monolithic statue in existence which measures about a Width of 19 meters (62 ft), a Length of 73 meters (240 ft), and a Height of 20 meters (66 ft). It was carved out of a single piece of limestone which is known for its enigmatic expression that inspired travelers from all over the world across history.

The Valley Temple

The Valley Temple is a magnificent construction created to provide the elixir of immortality to all the golden members of the 4th dynasty. The Valley Temple is considered one of the best-preserved examples of ancient Egyptian temple architecture. This heavenly mortuary temple was the center for the Opening of the Mouth ceremony which is known as the mummification process. The temple was constructed using large limestone blocks and features intricate architectural details, including massive granite pillars plus a number of statues.

Lunch Time

You will have your lunch at a local restaurant then head with your tour guide to:

The Grand Egyptian Museum

The Grand Egyptian Museum is a golden establishment that was inaugurated around 2022 to explore the epic history, meaningful art, and rich culture that was cultivated around 7000 years. Within this magnificent wonder are about 100,000 artifacts displayed in the most incredible manner which makes it the biggest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilization.

Overnight

In the evening, you will catch a flight to Sharm El-Sheikh where you will spend the overnight in your 5* hotel.

Karnak Temple

The Karnak Temples Complex is a golden angelic creation of ancient Egyptian art dedicated to the worship of the 18th dynasty of the Theban triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. It is the biggest open-air museum on earth and one of the largest religious complexes in the world that was created between 1970 BC and 30 BC. It comprises a vast array of temples, chapels, pylons, an epic hypostyle hall, and other structures found on an area of 100 hectares (274 acres) dedicated to various deities, with construction spanning over a period of more than 2,000 years filled with intricate reliefs and well-preserved hieroglyphs which shed light on the ancient Egyptian religious beliefs, artistic achievements, mythical treasures, and architectural prowess.

Lunch Time

You will have your lunch at a local restaurant then head with your tour guide to:

Luxor Temple by Night

The Luxor Temple is a mythical royal wonder that reflects the power and devotion of the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (1550 - 1070 BC) and the significance of religious practices in ancient Egyptian society. The temple was fully completed around 1400 BC plus was enlarged by a number of great rulers who are Amenhotep III, Tutankhamun, Ramesses II, and Alexander the Great. The temple was the main center of the rejuvenation of kingship, the crowning of pharaohs, and holding the religious Opet festival across the miraculous Avenue of the Sphinxes.

Overnight

Afterward, board your Nile cruise ship and enjoy your overnight onboard.

Valley of the Kings

The magnificent Valley of the Kings is an underground maze of royal tombs that showcases the history of some of the most famous rulers in the history of ancient Egyptian civilization. All of the 63 tombs belong to the kings of the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties of the New Kingdom period ( 1550 - 1070 BC). The Valley can be entered through a magical gate leading to the belly of a hidden hill that resembles a ben-ben. The elaborately decorated tombs were constructed with intricate designs and colorful wall paintings that depict religious rituals, scenes from the afterlife, and the pharaoh's journey to immortality.

Hatshepsut Temple

Hatshepsut Temple is a mesmerizing marvel of divine beauty and miraculous artistic architecture that sheds light on the golden heritage of Queen Hatshepsut (1507–1458 BC). The temple is by far the most breathtaking archaeological attraction found in all of Egypt built in the 15th century BCE and is famous for its unique architectural design. The temple is carved into the cliffs of the Theban mountains which blends harmoniously with the natural landscape of Thebes. It consists of three terraces connected by ramps, adorned with colonnades, statues of Amun, and detailed reliefs & scenes depicting the birth, life, coronation, and achievements of Hatshepsut.

Colossi of Memnon

The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues located near the modern city of Luxor. These statues depict Pharaoh Amenhotep III (1386 - 1349 BC) that were created in 1350 BC while being seated on his throne. The statues are approximately 18 meters (60 feet) tall and weigh 720 tons each which are made of quartzite sandstone. They became famous in the Hellenistic period for producing a mysterious sound at dawn which became known as the vocal phenomenon which was linked to the statue of Memnon "singing" in honor of the rising sun.

Edfu Temple

The blessed Edfu Temple is a mythical work of art that stands as a symbol of triumph and protective bliss. It is entirely dedicated to Horus the the falcon-headed sky god Horus of protection and victory. It is considered one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt and is the second-largest temple after Karnak which was created in the place where he defeated his evil uncle Set. The construction of the Edfu Temple began in the Ptolemaic period around 237 BCE and was completed during the Roman period around 57 BCE. It features many detailed reliefs, great inscriptions, and statues depicting epic scenes from ancient Egyptian religious rituals, mythical stories, and historical events.

Kom Ombo Temple

The extraordinary Kom Ombo Temple is a living creation of majesty and magnificence found on the bank of the Nile River. It was created between 180 BC and 47 BC; to glorify two different gods: Sobek, the crocodile god source of the Nile River, and Haroeris “Horus the Elder”. The temple is unique in its symmetrical design, with two identical temple structures and duplicate sets of rooms and chambers. Across the colossal reliefs, scenes, and carvings on the temple walls depict surgical instruments, medical treatments, and many astronomical facts from that time period.

Abu Simbel Temples

The golden UNESCO World Heritage site Abu Simbel is the heavenly embodiment of glory and greatness which was completed in 1264 BC to shed light on the miraculous heritage of Ramasess the Great (1303–1213 BC) which was known as Ozymandias. Across all the walls of the temple are scenes from his victory at the Battle of Kadesh in 1274 AD. The facade of the temple features four colossal seated statues of Ramses II, each reaching a height of about 20 meters (65 feet). The entrance leads to a series of vast halls and chambers adorned with detailed reliefs that depict military campaigns, religious scenes, and Ramses II's association with various deities of Ra-Horakhty, Amun, and Ptah. The second temple is totally dedicated to his beautiful queen wife Nefertari the beloved of Hathor.

Aswan High Dam

The marvelous Aswan High Dam is an epic modern engineering marvel made in the 60s that controls the waters of the Nile River to save it in the artificial Lake Nasser and produces hydroelectricity.

The Unfinished Obelisk

The Unfinished Obelisk is an enormous sleeping wonder that takes the shape of a great obelisk that remains partially attached to its bedrock in a quarry in Aswan. It is believed to have been commissioned during the reign of Queen Hatshepsut (1479-1458 BCE) and intended to be the largest obelisk ever erected around 42 meters (137 feet) tall and 1,200 tons in weight. The unfinished obelisk provides valuable information about the techniques used in the meticulous craftsmanship involved in obelisk production.

Lunch Time

You will have your lunch at a local restaurant then head with your tour guide to:

Philae Temple

Philae Temple is the heart of the tale of tales that stood the test of time and touched the heart of every single traveler who witnessed it come to life. It was established within the Potlamic period around 280 BC to become the center of worship for the goddess Isis the patron of motherhood, healing, and sacrifice. The temple showcases a fusion of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman architectural styles. It consists of various structures, including the main temple, shrines, courts, and colonnades. The walls of the temple are adorned with intricate reliefs depicting mythological scenes, religious rituals, and historical events.

Overnight

You catch a flight back to Cairo then have your dinner will be in Cairo where you will spend the overnight.

The Egyptian Museum

The Primal Egyptian Museum is one of the world's most renowned museums of ancient Egyptian antiquities. It houses a vast collection of artifacts spanning over 5,000 years of Egyptian history. The museum showcases an impressive array of pharaonic treasures that shed light on the greatness of the ancient Egyptian civilization.

The Hanging Church

Saint Virgin Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church, is an architectural beauty with spiritual significance connected to the holy family. It is one of Cairo's oldest and most famous churches which dates back to the 3rd century, it is located in the Coptic Cairo district. The Hanging church is renowned for its great carvings, decorations, stunning wooden screens, religious icons, and intricate artwork.

Lunch Time

You will have your lunch at a local restaurant then head with your tour guide to:

Al Muizz Street

Al-Muizz Street or Al-Muizz li-Din Allah al-Fatimi is a golden heavenly maze of architectural treasures that stretches for one kilometer that came to be in 970 AD during the Fatimid ages which are lined with beautifully preserved medieval architecture, including mosques, cafes, madrasas, mausoleums, and caravanserais.

Khan El Khalili Bazaar

The vibrant Khan El-Khalili Bazaar is the place to enjoy shopping and witness some of the greatest works of Islamic mamluk art.  It is one of the largest and most famous markets in the Middle East, dating between 1382 and 1389 AD. The market is a vibrant hub of activity, with narrow winding streets filled with shops and stalls selling a wide range of goods, including spices, textiles, souvenirs, jewelry, and traditional crafts.

Overnight

You will head back to your hotel to spend the overnight.