Cultural Immersion on the Nile

  • Day 1: Cairo
    From Cairo International Airport (10 miles, 35 minutes)

    Begin your Egyptian experience in Cairo, where you'll visit the Pyramid of Giza, the Egyptian Museum, and the bustling Khan El Khalili market. Explore the Islamic architecture, and the historic Coptic Christian district.

  • Day 2: Memphis and Saqqara
    1 hour from Cairo

    Travel to Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt, to see the statue of Ramses II and visit the nearby Saqqara necropolis to see the stepped pyramid and tombs of pharaohs, nobles, and officials.

  • Day 3: Luxor
    From Cairo by plane (1 hour, 20 minutes)

    Arrive in Luxor to visit the ancient temples of Luxor and Karnak, two of the most significant religious sites in Egypt. Continue to the Valley of Kings, where tombs of pharaohs including Tutankhamun lie.

  • Day 4: Luxor and West Bank
    15 minutes from Luxor

    Explore the Theban Necropolis with its many mortuary temples, such as the impressive Ramesseumtemple and the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. Discover the Temple of Medinet Habu and the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III.

  • Day 5: Edfu and Kom Ombo temple
    3 hours from Luxor

    Travel to the Temple of Horus in Edfu, regarded as the best-preserved cult temple in Egypt before visiting the Kom Ombo temple dedicated to the gods Horus and Sobek. The temple has fascinating crocodile mummies to observe.

  • Day 6: Aswan
    1 hour from Kom Ombo temple

    Arrive in Aswan and take a felucca boat tour on the Nile, followed by a visit to the Aswan High Dam and the Philae Temple. Enjoy a serene sunset view from the Elephantine Island.

  • Day 7: Abu Simbel
    5 hours from Aswan by bus

    Travel to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Abu Simbel, two massive rock temples in Nubia which once stood as the center of Nubian culture and sustained a great pharaonic of the ancient past.

  • Day 8: Felucca trip and Nubian village
    10 minutes from Aswan

    Take a felucca ride with the locals to the Nubian Village to learn about their culture with music, dances, and handicrafts. Enjoy a traditional Nubian cuisine while chatting with local families at home.

  • Day 9: Luxor temple by night
    From Aswan by train (3 hours, 15 minutes)

    Return to Luxor and visit the Luxor temple after dark to see it in illuminated glory. Considered a religious center in ancient Egypt, the temple is full of history and rich with engravings and statues.

  • Day 10: Dendera and Abydos temples
    2.5 hours from Luxor

    Travel to the Dendera temple, dedicated to the goddess Hathor, known not only for its historical importance but also for its intricate carvings and frescoes. Then, continue to the temple of Abydos, which is one of the oldest necropolis in Egypt.

  • Day 11: Alexandria
    From Luxor by train (8 hours)

    Travel to Alexandria, the second-largest city in Egypt. See Pompey's Pillar and the Citadel of Qaitbay, and explore the unique monuments of the underwater ruins of Cleopatra's Palace.

  • Day 12: Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa
    20 minutes from Alexandria

    Visit the Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a tomb complex dating back to the 2nd century AD. The site features art, pillars, and a chapel, with ancient Greek influence mixed with Egyptian decorative touches.

  • Day 13: Alexandria National Museum
    10 minutes from Catacombs

    Discover the fascinating history of Alexandria at the National Museum. It contains a large collection of ancient artifacts, manuscripts and coins, showcasing the impressive rich and diverse history of Alexandria

  • Day 14: Alexandria Library and Alexandria Corniche
    20 minutes from the National Museum

    Take a morning tour of the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a library and cultural center, before heading to the Corniche for a stroll on the seaside promenade. Enjoy drinks and seafood at a restaurant with a beautiful sea view

Time and Cost Estimates

  • Piramide of Giza (2-3 hours, $8)
  • Egyptian Museum (2-3 hours, $20)
  • Khan El Khalili market (2-3 hours, $10+)
  • Valley of Kings (4-6 hours, $20+)
  • Edfu temple (1-2 hours, $10)
  • Abu Simbel (3-4 hours, $45)
  • Felucca boat tour (2-3 hours, $15)
  • Aswan High Dam (2-3 hours, $10)
  • Philae Temple (2-3 hours, $10)
  • Alexandria National Museum (2-3 hours, $10)
  • Travel expenses: Total cost for public transportation, taxis, and train will be around $300

  • Total Estimated Costs: $483 per person

Transportation

Transportation includes inter-city travel by plane or train, and taxis or buses within one city. Most sites are accessible by public transportation or driver. In some areas like Luxor, felucca boats can be hired to explore the Nile river. Travel costs shown in amounts and travel time.

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider exploring more ancient temples in Karnak. The Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak is exceptional for its columns’ design and size. For manageable Egypt trips, it's recommended to focus on one or two regions rather than trying to see everything at once. Minimize transportation costs by traveling by bus or train within cities.

Airports

The main airport in Cairo is Cairo International Airport (CAI).It is located around 12 miles northeast of the city center. Alexandria is served by Borg El Arab airport (HBE) which is located about 25 km south-west of the city centre.

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