Cairo Cruise and Red Sea

Arriving in Cairo. You will be welcomed by our local representative, then transferred to the hotel.

We set out to discover the Giza Plateau, one of the most famous historical sites on the planet. This rocky plateau overlooking the Nile Valley is home to the Giza necropolis, a vast funerary complex used notably during the Fourth Dynasty. It contains the three main tombs that represent the largest pyramids in Egypt, one of the 7 wonders of the world. Kheops is the tallest and most voluminous of the three. It evokes the quintessence of Egyptian monumental architecture.

After lunch in a typical restaurant, we then set out to discover the capital of the Old Egyptian Empire, Memphis south of Cairo. The city was founded by King Menes around 3000 BC and placed under the protection of the god Ptah, the patron of Craftsmen.

The day ends with a visit to the stepped pyramid, built around 2700 BC by architect Imhotep for Pharaoh Djoser, founder of the Old Empire.

We have breakfast at the hotel, then departure to discover the Citadel of Saladin, a large fortress, built between 1176 and 1183 on the heights of the current capital of Égypte, Cairo and Giza. It was built by Saladin, founder of the Ayyubid dynasty.

We have lunch in a typical restaurant before heading to the famous National Museum. The latter was founded in 1857 by Auguste Mariette Pacha, a French specialist in ancient Égypte studies.

In the late afternoon, we are transferred to the airport to take our flight to Aswan.

Upon arrival, we join our hotel.

We set off to discover the Aswan High Dam, one of the most important in the world with a water storage capacity of 169 million m3. Built between 1960 and 1970 by Soviet engineers, this hydroelectric dam provides electricity to the entire country.

We embark on a beautiful boat ride around Agilkia Island. Subsequently, we stroll on this piece of land to visit the Temple of Philae, dedicated to Isis. This is the main structure of Philae. Moreover, this final place of worship of the goddess in Égypte impresses tourists with its magnificent columns, the cornice of its portico decorated with solar discs as well as its ceiling decorated with eagles with spread wings.

After visiting the site, return to Aswan for lunch.

"Optional" motorboat ride and discovery of a Nubian village with their customs and way of life.

Early in the morning, an optional car excursion is offered for discovering the temples of Abu Simbel. We can visit the great temple built by Ramesses II, followed by a detour to the small temple of Queen Nefertari, also built by her husband Ramesses II. This second sanctuary is dedicated to the goddess Hathor, goddess of love, music and beauty.

Transfer to the boat for check-in and boarding for our Cruise on the Nile.

We then set off to discover Edfou. We visit, among other things, the Temple of Edfou dedicated to the Falcon-Headed God Horus. At the entrance to the site, we will see two beautiful black granite statues depicting this deity. This sanctuary is the best-preserved one in the country.

Return to the boat and sailing towards Luxor.

After breakfast, morning navigation to reach the Temple of Kom-ombo, a temple from the Ptolemaic period. This religious building is dedicated to both the falcon god Haroeris and the crocodile god Sobek.

We depart on a visit to the Karnak complex, a large ensemble of various structures: temple ruins, chapels, pylons and much more. This site was rebuilt and developed over more than 2,000 years by successive pharaohs.

Subsequently, we head to the temple of Luxor which is dedicated to the god Amun. This building, located in the heart of ancient Thebes, was built largely during the XVIIIth and XIXth dynasties. We will see there a large pylon and a sanctuary representing the residence of Amun Opet. We can cross two large peristyle courts as well as a monumental colonnade connecting these courts.
Return to the boat.

This morning, opportunity to take a hot air balloon flight (optional) above the West Bank of the Nile before having breakfast on board the boat.

We set off to explore the Thebes necropolis: Valley of the Kings which impresses us with its three tombs and 62 burials. We also discover the Valley of the Queens which houses 2 tombs with 75 burials. Then we stop in front of the Colossi of Memnon.

We have lunch in a typical restaurant, then private car transfer to Hurghada.

Free days. (All inclusive except activities)

Let's take advantage of these few days on the shores of the Red Sea to relax on the beach, or why not plan diving sessions. Many activities can be organized on site.

After breakfast, transfer to Hurghada airport, heading to Cairo.

Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel then departure for the Old Cairo and its sumptuous buildings:

• The Coptic Museum which was founded in 1910 by Marcus Simaïka. Its impressive collection of objects, fabrics, manuscripts, icons, artifacts and texts from the Paleochristian period makes it the richest museum in the world for Coptic art.

• The Church of Saint Mary, built during the patriarchate of Isaac. The mosaics that adorn the courtyard of this famous Christian building in Cairo retrace the journey of the Holy Family in Egypt at the time of the massacre of infants in Judea.

• The Mosque of Amr, the first built on the African continent. It has undergone numerous restorations and blends elements from different periods.
  

Lunch in a typical restaurant.

Afterwards, we stroll through the Khan El Khalili Bazaar.

After breakfast, we are transferred to Cairo airport to take the international flight.