7-Day Egypt Discovery: Pyramids to Alexandria

After a hearty breakfast, your expert Egyptologist guide will accompany you in a comfortable private A/C vehicle to begin an unforgettable day. Start your exploration at the Giza Pyramids complex, an enduring testament to ancient engineering, featuring Khufu's Great Pyramid, the enigmatic Sphinx, and the Valley Temple. Next, we journey to Saqqara to witness the groundbreaking Step Pyramid of Djoser, a revolutionary architectural marvel. Conclude your morning with an immersive visit to the spectacular Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), housing an unparalleled collection of artifacts, including the complete Tutankhamun treasures. Enjoy a picturesque local lunch overlooking the pyramids or the Nile before catching an evening domestic flight to Luxor.

• Giza Pyramids Complex — Explore the Great Pyramid, Sphinx, and Valley Temple.
• Saqqara Step Pyramid — Visit the world's first stone pyramid and its surrounding complex.
• Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) — Delve into millennia of Egyptian history with state-of-the-art exhibits.
• Flight to Luxor — Seamless domestic transfer to Egypt's 'open-air museum'.

Following breakfast, your day is dedicated to the East Bank of Luxor, home to some of ancient Egypt's most awe-inspiring religious complexes. Begin with the immense Karnak Temple Complex, a sprawling city of temples, chapels, and pylons dedicated primarily to Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. Marvel at its Hypostyle Hall and the Avenue of Sphinxes. After a delicious lunch at a 5-star hotel allowing for relaxation, as dusk settles, experience the magical Luxor Temple under the stars, its grand pylons and courtyards beautifully illuminated, revealing its majestic beauty and historical significance as a site for royal coronation and rejuvenation.

• Karnak Temple Complex — Wander through one of the largest ancient religious sites in the world.
• Luxor Temple by Night — Witness the illuminated grandeur of this New Kingdom temple, connecting to Karnak.

Enjoy breakfast at your Luxor hotel before embarking on a journey to the West Bank, the ancient 'City of the Dead.' Your first stop is the legendary Valley of the Kings, a secluded burial ground for many New Kingdom pharaohs, including the famous Tutankhamun. Next, marvel at the elegant Temple of Hatshepsut, a stunning terraced mortuary temple carved into the Deir el-Bahari cliffs. Take a break for a satisfying lunch before visiting the towering Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of Amenhotep III, silent sentinels guarding his former mortuary temple. Conclude your day returning to your hotel in Luxor.

• Valley of the Kings — Explore the burial chambers of various New Kingdom pharaohs.
• Temple of Hatshepsut — Admire the unique terraced architecture of the female pharaoh's mortuary temple.
• Colossi of Memnon — See the imposing twin statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III.

After breakfast and checking out, you'll transfer to Luxor Airport for a domestic flight back to Cairo. Upon arrival, your guide will meet you to delve into Cairo's rich history. Your exploration begins at the historic Egyptian Museum, home to an extensive array of ancient artifacts. Relish a local lunch before ascending to the Citadel of Salah El-Din, a medieval Islamic fortification offering panoramic city views and housing the magnificent Alabaster Mosque of Mohamed Ali. Continue to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), renowned for its Royal Mummies Hall, providing a comprehensive overview of Egypt's cultural legacy. Conclude your day with a stroll down Al-Muizz Street, the heart of Islamic Cairo, and a visit to the bustling Khan el-Khalili Bazaar for a taste of traditional Egyptian commerce.

• Flight to Cairo — Return domestic flight from Luxor to Cairo.
• The Egyptian Museum — Discover a vast collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities.
• Salah El-Din Citadel & Mohamed Ali Mosque — Explore this historic fortress and its stunning Ottoman-era mosque.
• National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) — Witness Egypt's heritage from prehistoric times to the present, including the Royal Mummies.
• Al-Muizz Street & Khan el-Khalili Bazaar — Immerse yourself in Islamic Cairo's architecture and vibrant market.

Following breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Alexandria, the 'Pearl of the Mediterranean.' Your day begins underground at the fascinating Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, a unique blend of ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman funerary art. Next, visit Pompey's Pillar, a grand Roman triumphal column dedicated to Emperor Diocletian. After a delightful lunch at a local Alexandrian restaurant, explore the magnificent modern Library of Alexandria, a cultural landmark. Conclude your tour at the formidable Citadel of Qaitbay, perched on the site of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, offering stunning sea views. In the late afternoon, we'll journey back to Cairo for your final overnight stay.

• Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa — Explore a unique Greco-Roman burial site with distinct artistic fusion.
• Pompey's Pillar — View the towering Roman column dedicated to Emperor Diocletian.
• Library of Alexandria — Visit the modern reincarnation of the ancient world's most famous library.
• Citadel of Qaitbay — Discover this historic fortress built on the foundations of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria.

After enjoying your final breakfast in Cairo, your incredible 7-day small group adventure through Egypt concludes. Our representative will assist you with your transfer to Cairo International Airport for your departure, carrying with you memories of a lifetime from this land of pharaohs and ancient wonders.

• Cairo International Airport Departure — Assisted transfer for your flight home.