EGYPT – WELCOME TO THE NILE VALLEY !

Day 01 : Arrive Cairo
Welcome to Cairo ! Upon arrival you are met & assisted by our friendly local representative, who will than transfer you to the hotel. Relax for some time. Later proceed for a spectacular Sound & Light Show at Giza - Pyramids. After the sun sets on the bustling city of Cairo, the famous pyramids on the Giza plateau come to life in a magical sound and light setting. A not to be missed experience, the show narrates Ancient Egypt in an enchanting atmosphere and the history of these mysteriously built gigantic structures.
Overnight in Cairo..

Day 02 : Cairo
Early breakfast at the Hotel and then your private tour guide will escort you to have the most amazing experience, which includes a visit to one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Giza Pyramids complex has stood there for the last 4000 years which makes it one of the oldest attractions in the world. The complex includes three main pyramids, six little pyramids, the great sphinx, and the house of immortality the Valley temple. The three primary pyramids on the Giza plateau were built over the span of three generations by the rulers Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure (Greek : Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus). The Great Pyramids of Khufu or the Cheops Pyramid is the largest, most impressive & interesting pyramid because its interior burial chambers are open for inspection by the public. Not far from the Pyramids is the Great Sphinx of Giza, which dates from the time of Chephren (2620 BC). Hewn from natural yellowish limestone and standing 65 feet-high and 187 feet-long, this unforgettable statue combines the head of a Pharaoh with a lion's body. A quick visit to papyrus institute or a perfume shop can be arranged after the visit. Later visit the Egyptian Museum - With over 120,000 artefacts, the museum houses an unbelievable exhibit depicting ancient Egypt's glorious reign. Mummies, sarcophagi, pottery, jewellery and of course King Tutankhamen's treasures (including the solid gold mask), its all there.  After the visit of the museum a short drive through the downtown will take you to Khan El Khalili bazaars; which is one of the most famous worldwide with its amazing narrow alleyways. When your shopping's done, don’t miss out on a traditional cup of tea at the famous Fishawi's cafe.
Overnight stay in Cairo.

Day 03 : Cairo – Flight to Aswan – Nile Cruise
After breakfast, transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Aswan - the southern gate of Egypt. Meet & assist upon arrival at Aswan airport. Start a guided tour to visit the Old Dam and the High Dam, which provides irrigation and electricity to the whole Egypt and then a motor boat ride, will take you to the beautiful Temple of Philae on Isis Island, which was erected during the Greco-Roman period and was dedicated to goddess Isis. Also visit The Unfinished Obelisk, which was made out of red granite and was dedicated to god Amun Ra. After finishing your tour, you will be taken to board your Nile Cruise & Check in. Lunch will be served onboard the cruise. Later, enjoy like a local around the Aswan Islands sailing in a traditional Felucca around the Elephantine & Botanical Islands viewing the Agha Khan mausoleum. Return back on board the cruise.
Overnight onboard the Nile cruise.

Day 04 : Abu Simble- Nile cruise – Kom Embo – Edfu
Early morning & with a breakfast box you are all set for an optional excursion by coach to the great Temples of Abu Simbel flanked by four giant stone statues of Ramses II. Discover Abu Simbel, the commanding twin temples of Ramses II and his wife, Queen Nefertari. The Temple of Ramsses II was dedicated to the four universal gods Ptah, Re-Her-Akhtey, Amun-Re, and to Ramsses II himself. The great Abu Simbel temple is also called The Sun Temple of Ramsses II. Return back to the cruise. Cruise to Kom Ombo. Disembark at Kom Ombo - hill of gold, to visit the Ptolemaic temple dedicated to Haroeris (the Sky God) and Sobek (the Crocodile God). Back on board. Cruise to Edfu. Overnight onboard the Nile cruise.

Day 05 : Edfu – Esna - Luxor
Enjoy delicious breakfast on the cruise. Transfer by Kalesh or horse drawn carriage to the Temple of Horus. Visit the Temple of Horus, built as homage to the falcon-headed God Horus, erected during the reign of six different Ptolemies. It is the second-largest temple in Egypt, only after Karnak. Return back to the Nile Cruise and sail to Esna / Luxor. Arrive in Luxor on the east bank of the Nile & visit the Temple of Karnak. This is a cult temple that was once dedicated to three major deities (Amun, his wife Mut, and their son Khunso). It is the largest religious building to be ever built by a man and its three temples inside cover more than 200 acres which makes it a truly impressive construction.
Overnight onboard the Nile cruise.

Day 06 : Luxor - Disembark Cruise – Flight to Cairo
This morning, explore the west bank of the Nile River. Continue to the Valley of the Kings, burial ground of the pharaohs and an UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a period of 500 years beginning in the 16th century BC, tombs were built along this valley for pharaohs and nobles, including that of “the boy king,” Tutankhamun. Also visit the architecturally stunning Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt’s first female pharaoh and regarded today as one of its most successful. On the way back to the river Nile, you will pass by the famed Colossi of Memnon, known in Ancient Greek times for their haunting voices at dawn. Drive back to the Nile cruise to collect your luggage and then proceed to Luxor airport for your flight to Cairo. Upon Cairo arrival, you will be transferred to your Hotel.
Overnight in Cairo.

Day 07: Cairo – Alexandria – Cairo
After an early breakfast at the hotel, proceed on a full day guided visit to Alexandria known as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean". Visit the Pompeii Column and Kom el-Shuqafa Catacombs - Thirty meters high and built from Aswan pink granite, the Pompeii Column is thought to have been a present from the people of Alexandria to Emperor Diocletian. At the top of the hill lies the entrance to the Kom al-Shuqafa Catacombs dating from the first and second centuries. Then you visit Montazah Gardens - it is about 150-hectare park surrounding the palace of Khedive Abbas with its amazing architecture worth of Walt Disney. Continue to Alexandrina Bibliotheca; the New Library of Alexandria. It is dedicated to recapture the spirit of openness and scholarship of the original Bibliotheca Alexandrina. Dedicated to be the center of excellence, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina aims to be the world’s window on Egypt and vice-versa, a leading institution of digital age and a learning center. Later we proceed to see the Qaitbay Fort from outside, which has been guarding the bay for centuries. Built on the site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the longest surviving Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the 15th-century Citadel of Qaitbay is a postcard-pretty sea fort. Finally we drive back to Cairo.
Overnight in Cairo.

Day 08 – Fly back home !
After breakfast check out of the hotel and transfer to the airport for your flight back home. Return home with unforgettable memories of your tour that you would cherish for lifetime !

Both Egyptian men and women wore make-up. The eye-paint was usually green (made from copper) or black (made from lead). Some researchers believe that a reason that everyone wore makeup in ancient Egypt was that they thought it helped protect them from the gods Ra and Horus. As well as offering protection from the sun, the Egyptians believed make-up had magical healing powers, too!