CLASSIC EGYPT TOUR

CLASSIC EGYPT TOUR (12 DAYS) + JORDAN EXTENSION (5 & 6 days)

Day 1:      Arrival Cairo

Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport,  local ACTC representative will welcome you and assist through the immigration process. Transfer  to your hotel in Cairo where rest of the day is free. Overnight at the hotel in Cairo

Day 2:  Cairo-  Three Pyramids of Giza, Papyrus, Perfumes Shops and Egyptian Museum

After Breakfast, embark on aa full day guided tour to visit one of the Seven Wonders The Pyramids of Giza; (Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus) were reckoned by the Greeks to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A single pyramid is built with 2.300.000 blocks, each weighing an average of two and a half tones. In the face of such immensity, one cannot help but feel the wonder and awe that, so many writers and artists have sought to convey over the centuries. The Cheops Pyramid is more interesting, because its interior burial chambers are open for inspection by the public. Not far from the Pyramids is the Great Sphinx of Giza, which dates from the time of Chephren (2620 BC). Hewn from natural yellowish limestone and standing 65 feet-high and 187 feet-long, this unforgettable statue combines the head of a Pharaoh with a lion’s body. A quick visit to papyrus institute or a perfume shop can be arranged after the visit.

This afternoon visit Egyptian Museum for another unforgettable tour. Egyptian Museum was established by the Egyptian government in 1835. The present museum building was built in 1900, in the new classical style by the French architect Marcel Dourgnon. The museum exhibited collections now exceed 120,000 objects ranges from pre-historic era to the Greco Roman period. It has 107 halls, and the ground floor houses huge statues. The upper floor houses small statues, jewels.

Day 3: Old Cairo , Cairo Citadel, Al Azhar & Khan El Khalili

After breakfast tour through Cairo of different centuries

Coptic Cairo is a part of Old Cairo, Egypt, that is believed to be visited by the holy family (Virgin Mary, child Jesus, and Saint Joseph). The area is rich with numerous historic constructions including Babylon Fortress, Coptic Museum, Hanging Church , St. Barbara Church, Abu Serga Church some of these structures dating back to the 6th century BC.

Also visit Ben Ezra Synagogue.  Through manycenturies, the Synagogue received extensive restorations and renovations. The current building dates back to 1892 after the original had collapsed. It is built in the shape of a basilica (rectangle), consisting of 2 floors; the 1st dedicated to the men while the 2nd is dedicated to the women. The entrance is situated on the north side.

Citadel of Salah El Din acted as the backdrop to some of the most significant events in Egyptian history from the time it was built to the end of the Muhammad Ali Dynasty, which was in power from the early nineteenth century until the 1952 revolution, when the modern Egyptian republic was born. Many monuments were added to the Citadel over the centuries, providing visitors today with an array of places to visit, such as the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, which dominates the Citadel. Other places to visit include the mosque of the Mamluk sultan al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun (built in 718 AH / 1318 AD), the Ottoman-era Sulayman Pasha al-Khadim Mosque (built 935 AH / c.1528 AD), as well as a number of museums such as the Police Museum, Al-Jawhara Palace Museum, the Royal Vehicle Museum, and the Military Museum.

After lunch (on own) visit Al Azhar Mosque first to be built in the Fatimid city of Cairo, and is the oldest and biggest Islamic university in the Islamic world, attracting students from a multiplicity of nations, the present standing structure does not date back in its entirely to the original Fatimid Mosque, the rectangular surface area of which occupied only 70m X 85m.  Today the building occupies over double that area.

Khan El Khalili, the market dates back to the 14th century when Emir Dajaharks Al-Khalili built a large market complex on the site of the Za’afran Tomb, which had been the burial place of the Fatimid rulers of Egypt. This construction was part of the process of rebuilding started under Sultan Barquq (ruled 1382-1399) to help the city recover from the ravages of the Black Death throughout the 13th and 14th centuries, here you can buy fresh spices, fabrics, gold, perfumes and carpets

Time free to enjoy an oriental drink at one of its oldest café  before returning back to the Hotel.

Day 4:  CAIRO – FREE DAY or take optional tours.

Optional Tours:

 1. Dahshur, Sakkara and Memphis  Excursion Including Lunch.

2. Alexandria Excursion including Lunch

After breakfast explore Dahshur. The bent pyramid of Sneferu is the southern one and was built first. During the construction, the architect made a huge mistake, and didn’t realize it until the pyramid reached 48 Meter high, which led them to complete the pyramid with an inclination instead of being a smooth service. The south bent pyramid of dahshur was made of limestone, and has an entrance on the southern face, but on 1951, scientists discovered another entrance on the western side. The surrounding area of the pyramid hosts other pharaonic structures like the small temple of one shrine and small subsidiary pyramid that was discovered in 1947.

Next visit Sakkara, the largest archaeological site in the country, Nobles were laid to rest here over a period of around 3500 years, particularly when nearby Memphis was the capital city and the enormous burial ground is littered with other smaller pyramids, tombs and funerary complexes

ALEXANDRIA TOUR: Start your day excursion to Alexandria by private car accompanied by an English-speaking Egyptologist. Visit National Museum, and The Catacombs. The national museum located in a restored palace, it contains about 1,800 artifacts pieces of antiquities that narrate the history of Alexandria throughout ages, Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic and Islamic eras and some modern pieces, Mummies are shown in a special underground chamber (basement). And some of the items found during the archaeological underwater excavations in Alexandria now in the same floor with the Greco roman artifacts. Stop for lunch, and then explore the well-preserved ruins of the Roman amphitheater, which in Ptolemaic times was part of a vast pleasure garden known as the Park of Pan. Built between the II and IV Centuries A.D., it is the only known Roman Theater remaining in Egypt. A modest in size and most of the part of the structure is in ruined condition but still it is an excellent ancient structure of Roman period of Egypt. The theatre also consists of numerous galleries erected crudely. These galleries contain rooms for more spectators along with arrangement of 700-800 marble seats around the stage. The Roman Amphitheatre was discovered in the excavations doing for the site of Paneion or “Park of Pan” in Kom el-Dikkah also known by the name of Hill of Rubble. In the layers of the above the roman street two other archaeological sites were found. These were a Muslim Cemetery and slums. Continue to the Alexandria Library. Alexandria ancient library was the most famous in all antiquity, attracting scholars from all over the ancient world it was here that Euclid discovered geometry, and Eratosthenes measured the earth circumference. The modern Alexandria Library or the Bibliotheca Alexandrina as once called in Ancient Egypt is located on a magnificent site in the Eastern Harbor, facing the sea on the north, and Alexandria University Complex on its southern side. It is very close to the location of the Ancient Library in the Brucheion (the Ancient Royal Quarter), as verified by the 1993 archeological survey. The Bibliotheca Alexandrina was inaugurated in 2003 near the site of the old library. The building consists of 11 levels with a total levels area of 85,405 m2. The librarys main reading area which can accommodate 2000 users occupies 7 levels with a total area of 13,625 m2.The Library has 2 main museums (the manuscript museum and the Antiquities museum) and a Science center of the shape of a sphere and called the Planetarium..See the Fort of Qaitbay from the outside. In 1480, the Sultan Qaitbay built the fort on the site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, return to Cairo

DAY 5: Cairo – Luxor – West Bank

After an early breakfast, transfer to the airport for flight to Luxor.  Meeting assistance upon arrival and begin tour of Luxor visiting the most famous tombs in Luxor, venture in to the Valley of the Queens to visit Queen Nefertari’s tomb. It’s known for the precision of its vivid drawings, and some visitors have called it “the most beautiful in Egypt”. Onward to Deir al Bahiri to see the memorial Temple of Queen Hatshepsut a woman who declared herself pharaoh. To support her authority to reign she had herself depicted as a man in temple art. The temple structure itself is oriented to identify the pharaonic Hatshepsut with the sun god.

Next visit the Valley of the Kings and Medinat Habu Ramses III’s memorial temple. A selection of tombs in the Valley of the Kings is open at any one time. Our goal is to visit three tombs with astronomical significance, those of Seti I, Ramses IV, and Ramses VI. We’ll head to Medinat Habu to see Ramses III’s lavish illustrations telling of his military prowess, and look at murals on the compound’s walls detailing the annual festival calendar. HOTEL

Day 6:  Luxor  – East Bank- Nile Cruise

After breakfast tour visiting Luxor temple in the East Bank. Aspecial manifestation of the God was worshiped here, Luxor Temple was called the Southern Opet or “Place of Seclusion” and it God Amenmope Amun of the opet. Off into the Theban desert to. Late afternoon we explore Karnak Temple, a massive complex dedicated to the chief Egyptian god, Amun-Re. Karnak’s building elements and setting have astronomical references tying them to ancient Egyptian cosmology.

After the tour board your Nile Cruise

Day 7:  Luxor – Edfu

Breakfast on board of your cruise and sail to Edfu. Lunch & Dinner on board of your cruise

Day 8:  Edfu – Kom Ombo

After breakfast, visit the temple of Horus at Edfu. It’s one of the best-preserved monuments in Egypt and a highly significant part of an annual pilgrimage and festival celebrating the sacred marriage of the gods Hathor and Horus. Scenes of the New Year Festival and distinctive reliefs in its chapels are the temple’s drawing cards.

Next sail to Kom Ombo, visit the Temple of Kom Ombo is memorable as a symmetrical “double temple” housing the worship of two gods, Horus the Elder (Haoeris) and Sobek, the crocodile god. Kom Ombo has a striking relief of the Pharaoh in a reed boat. The wall relief that raises the most discussion is one that appears to depict surgical instruments Visit Edfu Temple, sail to Kom Ombo.

Continue sailing to Aswan,. Meals and overnight on board of the cruise

Day 9:  Aswan

After Breakfast, visit beautiful temple complex of Philae, is one of the most picturesque in all of Egypt. It sits on Aglika Island just south of the old Aswan Dam and board a water taxi to the island to get to the ruins. The temple was moved to its current location following the construction of the High Dam, which threatened to submerge it permanently. The careful reconstruction at the current site carefully completed, painstakingly preserving the original appearance and layout of the complex and even landscaping the island to match its former location. Overnight on board of the cruise

Day 10: ASWAN

Disembarkation after breakfast

Afternoon, embark on a Felucca ride around the islands of Aswan. Enjoy the magnificent scenery and the fresh breeze while witnessing Kitchener’s Botanical Garden where you will see different beautiful types of subtropical, exotic, and rare plants which were imported from all over the world. Elephantine island  is the largest island of Aswan area , Elephantine is Greek for elephant as It is believed that the island received its name because it was a major ivory trading center. There are different monuments which were excavated in the island like the ruins of a temple dedicated to the ram god Khnum “God of water”. Elephantine was considered as cult center for God Khnum.

Day 11: Aswan – Abu Simbel

Collect breakfast box, and travel on an unforgotten tour of Abu Simbel.  The two enormous rock temples of Abu Simbel were built in the 13^th century BCE during the regin of the 19^th Dynasty Pharaoh Ramseses II known as Ramesses the Great, and his Queen Nefertari. Their construction including the caving of the massive rock –out statues of the royals, took twenty years.

Return back to Aswan after the tour where rest of the day is free.

Day 12:  Aswan/ Cairo- Depart

Breakfast at Hotel and time free until transfer to airport, for your flight back to your home via Cairo

OR extend your stay to visit Alexandria, Hurghada, Jordan &/or Israel.

JORDAN EXTENSIONS:

OPTION A- 6 Days/ 5 Nights Amman & Jordan

DAY 1- ARRIVE AMMAN

Arrive in Amman today, Meeting assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel of your choice.

DAY 2: ALJOUN & JERASH EXCURSION

After breakfast, visit Ajloun castle. Continue to Decapolis city of Jerash founded in 300 BC and a unique tour of the ancient Greco-Roman city, taking in Hadrian’s Triumphal Arch, the Hippodrome, the Forum, and strolling through the impressive colonnaded streets, the churches, and the Amphitheaters. Proceed for the scenic mountains of Ajlun to visit Qala’at Ar-Rabad: the Castle of Ajlun which is a fine example of Islamic architecture. Return to Amman.

DAY 3: CITY TOUR & DESERT CASTLES

After breakfast, embark on a city tour of Amman visiting  the Citadel, descending to the downtown visiting the Amphitheater and colonnaded street followed by a short walk to discover the “Souk”.  Continue on to the King Abdallah the First Mosque, and a drive through modern Amman.  You will be driven to Desert Castles of Kharaneh (The Caravan Sarai) and the lodge of merchants, the Baths of Amra: with the beautiful frescos, Al Azraq (the Roman defense fortress). Your next stop is at the Al-Mushatta palace, the largest of the castles with impressive carvings.  Return to Amman in the evening.

DAY 4: MADABA – NEBO- KERAK & PETRA

Leave Amman after Breakfast & tour the St. George’s Church in Madaba, home to the famous mosaic map of the Holy Land before moving on to Mt. Nebo prophet Moses last site at Holy Land and burial place.  Continue via the famous Kings’ Highway to Kerak for a tour of the famous Crusader castle of Reginald of Châtillon. Arrive in Petra and check in at your Hotel.

DAY 5: PETRA TOUR

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in the Red Rose City of Petra.  First established during the 6th C. BC by Nabataen Arabs, Petra became a trading center for the caravans during what was the Ptolemaic era in Egypt.  Hailed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, it is a magical experience to enter this hidden city through a long narrow Siq. The natural beauty is breathtaking, and then to find beautifully carved buildings made by human hands is a memorable experience – the magnificent Treasury, temples, tombs, houses and the amphitheater.

DAY 6: PETRA/AMMAN/DEPART

Return back to Amman and connect with your onward flight.

OPTION B- 5 Days/ 4 Nights Amman & Jordan

DAY 1- ARRIVE AMMAN

Arrive in Amman today, Meeting assistance on arrival and transfer to Hotel of your choice.

DAY 2: CITY TOUR & JERASH

After breakfast, embark on a city tour of Amman visiting the Citadel, descending to the downtown visiting the Amphitheater and colonnaded street followed by a short walk to discover the “Souk”.  Continue on to the King Abdallah the First Mosque, and a drive through modern Amman. Continue to Decapolis city of Jerash founded in 300 BC and a unique tour of the ancient Greco-Roman city, taking in Hadrian’s Triumphal Arch, the Hippodrome, the Forum, and strolling through the impressive colonnaded streets, the churches, and the Amphitheaters. Proceed for the scenic mountains of Ajlun to visit Qala’at Ar-Rabad: the Castle of Ajlun which is a fine example of Islamic architecture. Return to Amman.

DAY 3: MADABA – NEBO- KERAK & PETRA

Leave Amman after Breakfast & tour the St. George’s Church in Madaba, home to the famous mosaic map of the Holy Land before moving on to Mt. Nebo prophet Moses last site at Holy Land and burial place.  Continue via the famous Kings’ Highway to Kerak for a tour of the famous Crusader castle of Reginald of Châtillon. Arrive in Petra and check in at your Hotel.

DAY 4: PETRA TOUR

Enjoy a full day of sightseeing in the Red Rose City of Petra.  First established during the 6th C. BC by Nabataen Arabs, Petra became a trading center for the caravans during what was the Ptolemaic era in Egypt.  Hailed as one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, it is a magical experience to enter this hidden city through a long narrow Siq. The natural beauty is

breathtaking, and then to find beautifully carved buildings made by human hands is a memorable experience – the magnificent Treasury, temples, tombs, houses and the amphitheater.

DAY 5: PETRA/AMMAN/DEPART

Return back to Amman and connect with your onward flight.