A mesmerizing country of ancient civilization, Egypt’s culture and mysterious past fascinate generation after generation. Egypt once ruled an empire from Al Qahira – Cairo, the City Victorious. The metropolis is packed with soaring minarets and medieval schools and mosques, some of the greatest architecture of medieval Islam. At the same time, Egypt’s native Christians, the Copts, have carried on their traditions that in many respects – such as the church’s liturgical language and the traditional calendar – link back to the time of the pharaohs. Tap into the history in Cairo’s early churches and in remote desert monasteries. With sand-covered tombs, austere pyramids and towering Pharaonic temples, Egypt brings out the explorer in all of us.
Throughout Egypt, days are commonly warm or hot, and nights are cool. Egypt has only two seasons: a mild winter from November to April and a hot summer from May to October. The only differences between the seasons are variations in daytime temperatures and changes in prevailing winds. In the coastal regions, temperatures range between an average minimum of 14 C in winter and an average maximum of 30 C in summer.
Temperatures vary widely in the inland desert areas, especially in summer, when they may range from 7 C at night to 43 C during the day. During winter, temperatures in the desert fluctuate less dramatically, but they can be as low as 0 C at night and as high as 18 C during the day.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrived in Cairo, Egypt
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to explore this exciting city. Later, meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers at a welcome dinner this evening.
Day 2: Cairo
This morning, drive to the Giza Plateau to visit the three pyramids Kings Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinos, as well as the Valley Temple with the Sphinx. In the afternoon, visit the National Egyptian Museum and listen to the historic commentary given by your Tour Director as you walk around the exhibit halls. Also admire the treasure of the “Boy King,” Tutankhamun. Tonight, join the optional evening Nile dinner cruise, which includes belly dancing and a folklore show.
Day 3: Cairo - Alexandria
Discover the oldest part of the city, known as Coptic Cairo, originally a Roman fortress town called “Babylon.” Today, some of the Roman walls can still be seen. Next, visit the Citadel of Saladin with its beautiful mosque. Leave Cairo and drive north through the Nile Delta area. Lunch is included en route. More vistas of the Egyptian countryside come alive before reaching Alexandria for three overnights.
Day 4: Alexandria
Alexandria, the “Pearl of the Mediterranean,” is the very essence of everything Egyptian-cosmopolitan, cultured, elegant, architecturally contrasting, effervescently alive, and above all, conscious of its beauty and magnetism. On the included city sightseeing, see the catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar, and the new Alexandria library. Stop by the Fort of Quait, and enjoy a stroll around the gardens of the Montaza royal palace. Afternoon and evening are at leisure.
Day 5: Alexandria excursion to El Alamein
Drive along the Mediterranean coastal road for a stop in El Alamein, made famous by the decisive victory of the Allies during WWII. Visit the military museum and cemetery and enjoy the included lunch before heading back to Alexandria.
Day 6: Alexandria - Wadi El Natrun - Cairo
Experience completely different scenery today as you travel back to Cairo on the desert road. Stop in Wadi el Natrun, situated in a valley dotted with oases. Visit one of the Coptic monasteries of this area and learn about the Coptic faith. Arrive in Cairo in time for some last-minute shopping at the Khan-el-Khalili bazaar.
Day 7: Cairo
Start the day with the included visit to the ancient Memphis Open-Air Museum. Then, see Sakkara’s “stairway to the sky,” the oldest of all pyramids. Later, time at leisure.
Day 8: Final departure
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning.
Price catalog
From $990 per pax.
