The 7 Wonders of Egypt (The Civilization on the Sands with Back to Natural) Details

DAY 1: ARRIVE IN CAIRO 

Upon arrival in Cairo you will be met by a representative from our ground operator and your tour guide who will travel with you throughout your journey of Egypt. Transfer to your hotel at Giza. There will be time for rest and relaxation before your welcome dinner in the hotel restaurant this evening. Overnight: 5* hotel   

  DAY 2: Cairo Museum of Egyptian 

This morning step into Egypt’s ancient past at the Cairo Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. Wandering through the dusty halls and corridors of this museum feels like stepping back in time and the protective stares from the eyes carved on the mummy cases sends an unspoken reminder that you are walking amidst treasures from the abyss of time.  

  Day 3: GIZA PLATEAU          

After breakfast explore the Pyramids and the Sphinx. We begin with the Great Pyramid, the supreme emblem of ancient Egypt. No matter how many times you go to Egypt, the Great Pyramid is a magnet, drawing you back once more to gaze in awe and disbelief. Whether this is your first visit or a return, the mystery of the Great Pyramid remains. Who were the enlightened mathematicians who designed its dimensions? The master builders who supervised its construction? The skilled masons who cut and polished its giant stones? Why was it built? When was it built? For what purpose was it built? Its mute presence gives only tiny fragments of ground upon which to build an educated guess of its misty origin. 

Then will take our way to visit Sakkara pyramids where we explore Zosers’s pyramid, the pinnacle of high-wisdom in ancient Egypt. It was here that Imhotep, the influential architect and priest-magician developed the science of pyramid building. He understood the nothingness-of-time and the concept of eternity and built his king a staircase to eternity.back to hotel   Overnight: 5* hotel 

DAY 4: Kharga / DAKHLA OASIS 

  Breakfast, Transfer to Cairo airport to fly to Kharga , arrival kharga and  drive to Visit Hibis Temple  The ancient village of Hibis was the administrative capital of the oases from Persian rule to the time of the Byzantine Empire.

The temple itself l ies in the middle of the village and is surrounded by charming palm tree farms. It is dedicated to  the  Theban  Triad:  Amun-Re,  Mut,  and  Khonsu.  Construction  of  the  temple  was initiated by King BasmatikII of the 26th Dynasty and completed several dynasties later by Ptolemy II).

then move to visit  Bagawat  Coptic Site (ticket), a huge Christian cemetery built during the Byzantine Period between the 4th  to the 6th  centuries A.D. It consists of 263 tombs made out of mud brick. The tombs are decorated in vivid color and depict popular and familiar Biblical tales  (such  as  the  Exodus  story).  Move  on  foot  to  Qasr  Al-Kashef,  a  Pharaonic  and

Coptic Site (ticket). The site was named after Moustafa El-Kashef, the local tax collector, and contains a huge square castle which was used from the Pharaonic Middle Kingdom to the Byzantine Period.Get our lunch then move to Dakhla oasis This is one of the most beautiful Oases in Egypt. It is surrounded by pink cliffs and acres of gardens filled with hot springs, mulberry trees, date palms, figs and citrus fruits. The word oasis conjures images of rest and relaxation - a sanctuary where you can renew yourself. The Dakhla Oasis is just that – an unspoilt refuge from the modern world, a pocket of civilisations set in the dramatic landscapes of the Sahara Desert. Upon arrival you will check into the fabulous Shanda Lodge & Spa – a Nubian/Saharan style desert lodge featuring clusters of buildings with typical domes and arches in warm sunset colours complimented by lush gardens. Shanda Lodge & Spa is the perfect combination of relaxation, adventure, nature, culture, and comfort. Overnight: Shanda Lodge Dakhla Oasis (B,D)

  DAY 5: DAKHLA OASIS (Excursion to Al’Qasr & Camel Ride into the Dune Fields) 

Early morning breakfast then explore the magical mud-brick town of Al’Qasr where you can wander past mud-brick houses, 

El-Qasr  is  a  particularly  unique medieval Islamic village as it is the only one that probably dates back to the Pharaonic Period  –  some houses have stone blocks with Hieroglyphic inscriptions. However, the current village dates to the Ayyubid period. 

The village was designed to withstand any invasion; its twisting alleys are narrow and roofed to impede mounted attackers. You will enjoy the unique architecture of the village, the roofed streets, the ornamentation on the doors of the  houses,  and  Nasr  El-Din  Mosque  and  Mausoleum  with  its  distinctive  minaret, grinding millstone, and kuttab (Quran school).

Drive  to  Qalamun  Islamic  site,  a  village  that  was  built  over  an  ancient  Egyptian Pharaonic Settlement – some suggest that the name was derived from the Arabic word ‗Qalaa‘ which means castle and ‗Amun‘ the famous ancient Egyptian god.

13:00  Lunch on sand dunes overlooking the Qalamun farms.

14:00  Accompany  villagers  to introduce  agriculture  activities  of  oases‘ farmers  –  household animals‘ milk drinking such as camel and goat milk  – rural life and water supply system including the nearby well.

17:00  Enjoy  the  sunset  at  Lake  Mofeid,  a  reservoir  of  agriculture  drainage  water  used  as habitat for different types of fish and a food source for locals. Take photos

Afternoon take an camel ride into the nearby dune fields for an opportunity to relish the silence of the dunes. Amongst these big mountains of sand you will explore the quietest territories of your being. Then enjoy a most magical sunset before heading back to Shanda Lodge. Overnight: Shanda Lodge & Spa, Dakhla Oasis (B, D) 

Day 6: DAKHLA OASIS (Deir Al-Hagar) 

breakfast then explore Deir Al-Hagar,( a sandstone temple ) built by the Roman Emperor Nero in the 

1st  century  AD  and  also  decorated  by  the  Emperors  Vespasian,  Titus  and  Domitian  dedicated to the Theban Triad (Amun, Mut and Khonsu) and Seth, ―Lord of the Oasis.

Move to  Al-Mouzawaka,  a  site  with  almost  300  Roman  tombs  adorned  with  vividly colored mud brick walls. The most famous tombs are those of Petosiris and Petobastis.

Back to Shanda Lodge Hotel to enjoy BBQ Dinner with Bedouin folklore Show. Overnight: Shanda Lodge & Spa, Dakhla Oasis (B, D) 

 DAY 7: Dakhla – Kharga – Luxor                                                                                                  

Breakfast at Shanda Lodge - Transfer to Kharga Oasis We will continue visiting Dakhla Sites Visit Bashandi village, a Roman and Islamic village located 2.5 km from the main road. The name 'Bashandi' was derived from a medieval  Sheikh  called ‗Basha Hendi‘ whose tomb lies in the northern part of the village. Take photos for the local architecture.

Some interesting handicrafts can be purchased at Bashendi such as wooden door locks/latches and Egyptian carpets. The items are sold out by women and children in  the streets and at homes.

 then move to balat  Balat, a village located 25 km from Mut at the south of the main road. It was  established  during    Mameluke  Period  and  has  retained  its  original  state  of preservation for more than 500 years.Then drive to Kharga airport to fly to Luxor via Cairo. Overnight at Luxor Hotel . 

DAY 08 : Luxor    

Breakfast and  Proceed with the visits of the East Bank of the Nile including the Temple of Karnak & the Temple of Luxor and transfer to our 5*  cruise - Embarkation & Lunch on board of the cruise. Dinner & overnight on board of the cruise in Luxor. 

DAY 09 : Private access to Karnak Temple West Bank  / Edfu  

AT 02 AM we will start To experience Karnak Temple in the hours just before sunrise is special and we will arrange a special government permit so that you and your students have the temple to yourselves for two hours. Walk in silence amongst papyrus and lotus columns, broken statues and shrines and then take an unpaved road, off the beaten track,  to an exquisite little temple that houses the sanctuary of the lioness-

  goddess Sekhmet. One by one you enter the dark chamber where a

human-sized black basalt statue of the goddess stands alone and upright

against the back wall. She is known as the "powerful one", th e third eye of the sun god Ra, whose solar eyes symbolise the one who gained enlightenment through the  controlled use of power. Seated cross-legged on the stone floor in front of Sekhmet proceed with pranayama and meditation, Afterwards when the light begins to shimmer in the east walk back to the hypostyle hall of Amen-Ra and unroll your yoga mats amongst the giant lotus pillars and obelisks , return to cruise - Breakfast on board of the cruise. 

 Finished with the visits of the West Bank of the Nile including The Valley of Kings, The Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El-Bahari and the two colossi of Memnon. 

Sail to Esna Lock & the Lunch will be during the sail. Arrive Esna Lock.Sail to Edfu & Dinner on board of the cruise. Overnight on board of the cruise in Edfu. 

 Day 10 : Edfu / Kom-Ombo.  

Breakfast on board of the cruise, Visit the Temple of God Horus son of Osiris one of the most complete architectures in Egypt, Continue Sailing to Kom-Ombo.Lunch on board of the cruise during the sail. 

Arrive Kom-Ombo; visit the Temple of Kom-Ombo, dedicated for Gods Sobek and Haroeris , Continue sailing to Aswan & the Dinner will be during the sail. Arrive Aswan & overnight on board of the cruise. 

Day 11 Aswan                    

Breakfast on board the cruise. Proceed with the visits of Aswan including the Temple of Philae ,and tour by felucca around  Elephantine Island & the Botanical Garden.      

Lunch on board of the cruise. 

Finish the visits of Aswan with the high Dam, Dinner & overnight on board of the cruise in Aswan. 

 Day 12 Aswan / Abu simble / Cairo                                                                       

Breakfast and disembarkation from the cruise, then Fly to Abu simble, we will visit Abu Simbel Temple 

return back to Abu simple airport to fly back to Cairo. Upon arrival in Cairo transfer to Cairo hotel. – check in followed by

evening at own leisure. Overnight: Cairo Airport Hotel (B, D)  

  DAY 13: CAIRO   

After breakfast transfer to Cairo Airport. Depart Cairo to home.