Detailed Itinerary
EGYPT: Sacred Echoes
15 Days / 14 Nights

Day 01 – Arrival Cairo

• Arrival at Cairo International Airport
• Transfer to the selected hotel and check-in
• Dinner and overnight at hotel in Cairo

Day 02 – Memphis – Saqqara – Dahshur

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Memphis — the ancient capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom, a major political and religious center founded around 3100 BC, associated with the creator god Ptah. Visit Meet Raheena, museum, and other highlights.
• Continue to Saqqara — the vast necropolis of Memphis, home to the Step Pyramid of Djoser (c. 2670–2650 BC), the world’s first pyramid, designed by Imhotep as a stepped structure marking the birth of large-scale stone architecture. (Optional: entrance to Zoser Pyramid, Unas Pyramid, Mastaba of Ti, Imhotep Museum at extra cost)
• Lunch at a first-class restaurant in the area
• Drive to Dahshur — site of early pyramid experiments by Pharaoh Sneferu, including the Bent Pyramid (unique angle change due to structural issues) and the Red Pyramid (first successful true smooth-sided pyramid, named for its reddish limestone core). Entrance to one or both.
• Return to hotel
• Dinner and overnight at hotel in Cairo

Day 03 – Giza Pyramids – Sphinx – Grand Egyptian Museum

• Breakfast at hotel
• Full-day tour to the Great Pyramids of Giza — iconic tombs of pharaohs Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure (c. 2580–2500 BC), among the last surviving Wonders of the Ancient World, and the mysterious Great Sphinx — a massive limestone guardian with a human head and lion’s body, symbolizing royal power. Entrance inside the Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu).
• Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum — the world’s largest museum dedicated to ancient Egypt, showcasing over 100,000 artifacts, including magnificent treasures from Tutankhamun’s tomb.
• Dinner and overnight at hotel in Cairo

Day 04 – National Museum of Egyptian Civilization – Coptic Cairo – Khan El Khalili

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) — Egypt’s first museum covering the full sweep of civilization from prehistoric to modern times, featuring royal mummies and thematic galleries on daily life, beliefs, and culture.
• Continue to Old (Coptic) Cairo — historic Christian quarter:
  • Hanging Church (Al-Muallaqa) — ancient Coptic church “hanging” over a Roman fortress gate, famous for its icons and woodwork.
  • St. Sergius Church (Abu Serga) — one of Cairo’s oldest churches, built over the traditional site where the Holy Family rested during their flight into Egypt.
  • Ben Ezra Synagogue — oldest synagogue in Cairo (9th century), with historic ties to Jewish heritage in Egypt.
• Visit Monastery of St. Simeon – Al-Kharraz at Moqattam Mountain — a modern cave church known for its dramatic location and spiritual significance.
• Stroll through the famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar — vibrant historic market since the 14th century, full of spices, crafts, and local life.
• Dinner and overnight at hotel in Cairo

Day 05 – Wadi Natrun Monasteries – Alexandria

• Breakfast at hotel
• Departure to Wadi Natrun — desert valley famous as the cradle of Christian monasticism since the 4th century, home to early Desert Fathers. Visit:
  • Monastery of Saint Bishoy (Deir Anba Bishoi) — ancient Coptic monastery with the saint’s incorrupt body and multiple churches.
  • Monastery of the Syrians (Deir El Sourian) — founded in the 6th century, known for its library of ancient manuscripts.
  • Monastery of Saint Macarius (Deir Abu Makar) — established by St. Macarius the Great, a key figure in early monasticism.
  • Monastery of the Romans (Deir Al Baramous) — one of the oldest, linked to two Roman saints.
• Continue drive to Alexandria — historic Mediterranean city founded by Alexander the Great, once home to the famous library.
• Check-in at Paradise Inn Maamora Hotel (or similar)
• Dinner and overnight in Alexandria

Day 06 – Alexandria Highlights

• Breakfast at hotel
• Tour to visit:
  • Bibliotheca Alexandrina — modern revival of the ancient Great Library, a cultural center with vast collections.
  • Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa — underground Roman-era tombs blending Egyptian, Greek, and Roman styles.
  • Pompey’s Pillar — massive Roman column from the 3rd century AD.
• Lunch at a fish restaurant
• View Citadel of Qaitbay from outside — 15th-century fortress on the site of the ancient Pharos Lighthouse.
• Visit the National Museum of Alexandria — displays artifacts from the city’s Greco-Roman and Pharaonic past.
• Visit the ruins of the Serapeum — temple complex dedicated to Serapis.
• Return to hotel
• Dinner and overnight in Alexandria

Day 07 – Alexandria Churches – Flight to Aswan

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit Coptic Cathedral of St. Mark — seat of the Coptic Orthodox Pope, dedicated to Egypt’s patron saint.
• Visit Cathedral of St. Catherine — historic church in Alexandria.
• Lunch on the way to Cairo
• Transfer to Cairo Airport for flight to Aswan
• Arrival Aswan → transfer to selected hotel
• Dinner and overnight at hotel in Aswan

Day 08 – Aswan – St. Simon Church – Nile Cruise

• Breakfast at hotel
• Visit St. Simon Monastery (by camel) — rock-hewn Coptic monastery on the west bank, known for its cave church and desert setting.
• Transfer to the selected Nile cruise
• Lunch on board
• Tour to Philae Temple — beautiful island temple dedicated to Isis, relocated to save it from flooding; and the High Dam — modern engineering marvel controlling the Nile.
• Dinner and overnight on board cruise

Day 09 – Nile Cruise – Kom Ombo

• Breakfast on board
• Sail around islands with view of Aga Khan Mausoleum — elegant 20th-century tomb overlooking the Nile.
• Lunch on board
• Sail to Kom Ombo
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple — unique double temple dedicated to Sobek (crocodile god) and Horus.
• Sail to Edfu
• Dinner and overnight on board cruise

Day 10 – Edfu – Luxor

• Breakfast on board
• Visit Horus Temple at Edfu — one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, dedicated to falcon-god Horus.
• Sail to Luxor via Esna Lock
• Lunch during sailing
• Visit Karnak Temple — vast complex, one of the largest religious sites in the world, center of worship for Amun.
• Visit Luxor Temple — beautiful Nile-side temple linked to Karnak by a sphinx avenue.
• Dinner and overnight on board Nile cruise

Day 11 – West Bank Luxor – Disembark

• Breakfast on board
• Disembark from cruise
• Tour to West Bank of Luxor:
  • Valley of the Kings — royal burial site with painted tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs.
  • Hatshepsut Temple (Deir El Bahari) — stunning terraced mortuary temple of female pharaoh Hatshepsut.
  • Colossi of Memnon — massive statues guarding the entrance to Amenhotep III’s temple.
• Transfer to selected hotel in Luxor
• Dinner and overnight at hotel in Luxor

Day 12 – Luxor West Bank (Extended)

• Breakfast at hotel
• Optional: Hot air balloon trip (for those who wish)
• Visit Medinet Habu — well-preserved mortuary temple of Ramses III with detailed battle reliefs.
• Visit Hatshepsut Temple (Deir El Bahari) — (additional emphasis on this architectural masterpiece).
• Visit Valley of the Nobles — tombs of high officials, including Tomb of Sennefer and Tomb of Rekhmire with vivid paintings.
• Visit Ramesseum — mortuary temple of Ramses II, famous for its fallen colossus.
• Dinner and overnight at hotel in Luxor

Day 13 – Amarna – Tuna el-Gebel – Minya

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Amarna (Minya) — short-lived capital built by Akhenaten to worship the Aten (sun disk), with unique art style. Visit Palace, Royal Tomb, South Tombs.
• Drive to Tuna el-Gebel — necropolis with tombs and Greco-Roman remains.
• Lunch at first-class restaurant
• Check-in at Horus Hotel Minya
• Dinner and overnight at Horus Hotel Minya

Day 14 – Beni Hassan – Cairo

• Breakfast at hotel
• Drive to Beni Hassan — Middle Kingdom rock-cut tombs famous for colorful wall paintings depicting daily life.
• Continue drive to Cairo
• Lunch at first-class restaurant
• Dinner and overnight at hotel in Cairo

Day 15 – Departure

• Breakfast at hotel
• Transfer to Cairo International Airport for your flight back home
• Assistance with airport departure formalities
• Farewell

Inclusions:

• Nights in Cairo hotel on bed and breakfast basis
• Nights in Alexandria hotel on bed and breakfast basis
• Nights on Nile cruise on full board basis
• Nights in Luxor hotel on bed and breakfast basis
• Night in Aswan hotel
• Night in Menya hotel
• All tours as specified in the attached program
• All transfers throughout
• All tours and transfers on private basis with English speaking guide/escort and including entrance fees for the mentioned visited places
• One tour leader free of charge (except flight ticket) on half twin

Exclusions:

• Egyptian entry visa per person USD 25.00 (subject to any official increase)
• Domestic flight ticket Cairo/Aswan per person (average USD 190.00, subject to any increase/decrease according to the booked class)
• Any other meals not indicated above
• Any personal expenses such as drinks, laundry, phone calls, etc.
• Any optional tours
• Tips