Private the Best of Egypt in 6 Nights and 7 Days

Cairo
You will be picked up from your hotel at 8 AM to enjoy a day tour of Cairo. Your first stop will be at Giza Plateau, where one of the remaining wonders of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza, still stands. You visit the Pyramids and enjoy panoramic views from the western plateau, then continue down the valley where the guardian of this Mortuary complex, the mighty Sphinx, stands with great pride. Then you will be brought to Tahrir Square, the heart of down town Cairo. You visit the GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum) in Cairoand acquaint yourself with Egypt’s ancient history, spanning a period of over 50 centuries. The GEM (Grand Egyptian Museum) in Cairo has the world’s largest and richest collection of Egyptian Antiquities, among them the priceless collection of King Tut. Then you will be transferred to Cairo Airport for a short flight to Luxor. Upon arrival you will be taken to your Luxor hotel (Meals included: Breakfast and lunch).

Luxor East Bank
After breakfast your tour starts with an excursion to Karnak on the East Bank of Luxor. Karnak is a complex of temples built in different reigns, starting with the Avenue of Sphinxes, the Hypostyle Hall with its 134 gigantic columns, the Obelisks of Queen Hatshepsut and Tutomosis I, the Temple of Amon adorned with lotus and papyrus designs, the Granite Scarbeus of Amenophis III and the Sacred Lake. Karnak beats every other pharaonic monument: it is simply one of the most beautiful ancient monuments in Egypt. After Karnak you will be brought to Luxor Temple, which is dedicated to the Theben Triad of Amun-Ra, Mut and Khonsu. There you will see the granite statues of Ramses the Great. After visiting the temples you will be taken to your hotel in Luxor, where you can enjoy the rest of the day at leisure (Meals included: Breakfast and lunch).

Luxor West Bank
Today you start your guided tour of the West Bank of Luxor with a visit to the Valley of the Kings with the possibility of visiting the most famous attraction, the Tomb of Tutankhamun (which carries an extra charge). Your Egyptologist will be on hand to recommend and advise you as to which tombs to visit. This ancient necropolis is a must-see for Luxor travelers. Later, you will be taken to the impressive mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the only woman ever to reign over Egypt as pharaoh, and the Colossi of Memnon. With a height of nearly 18 meters, these two statues originally stood in front of the mortuary Temple of Amenophis III, of which only ruins remain. Afterwards you will be transferred to Luxor Airport for a flight back to Cairo, where you check in to a hotel (Meals included: Breakfast and lunch).

Cairo
You can have the day off or you can take an optional tour to the old part of Cairo. Since Egypt was one of the first countries to embrace Christianity, there is Christian heritage to be found in Cairo. You visit the Church of Abu Sergah (Church of St. Sergius and St. Bacchus), the Church of St. Barbara and the Hanging Church. Also, you bring a visit to the old Jewish Ben Ezra Synagogue. Another optional trip is the Sound and Light Show at the Giza Pyramids. You will spend the night in your hotel in Cairo (Meals included: Breakfast).

Alexandria
You will be picked up after breakfast to be driven to Alexandria (approx. 3 hours), the bride of the Mediterranean Sea. Upon arrival in Alexandria your tour starts with a visit of the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqqafa. These tombs were tunneled into the bedrock in the age of the Antonine emperors in the 2nd century AD. They were built for a single wealthy family still practicing the ancient Egyptian religion. These tombs represent the last existing major construction for the sake of the Egyptian religion. Next is a visit to Pompey’s Pillar. This high column of 30 meter was constructed in honour of the Emperor Diocletain at the end of the 4th century. The column was originally a part of the Temple of the Serapis, which once was a magnificent structure but unfortunately destroyed. Then you will have lunch, after which you visit Fort Qaitbey. This fort was built in 1480 by a Mamluk sultan on top of the remains of the ancient Pharos lighthouse, which was destroyed by an earthquake. Material of the old tower was used to build the fort. Then you will pay a visit to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the Alexandrian library. This modern architectural building was inspired by the great ancient library, which was built in the late 3rd century BC. Finally you will drive back to Cairo, where you spend the night in a hotel (Meals included: Breakfast and lunch).

Departure
After breakfast at your hotel you will be transferred to Cairo Airport for your departure flight (Meals included: Breakfast).

- All entrance fees included
- Qualified Egyptologist guide
- Transport by air-conditioned vehicle
- Flight Cairo - Luxor & flight Luxor - Cairo
- Meals as indicated in the above itinerary
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Hotel/port pickup & drop-off

- Beverages
- Any extras not mentioned
- Gratuities (recommended)
- Accomodations