Treasures of Egypt

Begin your evening with a nighttime visit to Luxor Temple. After dusk, the temple is lit up, boasting fascinating plays of light and shadow off the reliefs and colonnades. Explore the inner chambers of the temple, including Amenhotep III’s “birth room” – which depicts scenes of the Pharaoh’s symbolic divine birth. Walk along the Avenue of Sphinxes, a 1 and half mile stretch once connecting Luxor Temple to Karnak Temple and lined with mysterious human-headed sphinxes. Then, delve deeper into the local culture with a visit to the historic Abu al-Haggag Mosque, perched atop the ruins of Luxor Temple. Cap your evening off with a visit to a local café for a taste of mint tea.

Dive into Egyptian culture before your tour even begins. Get your first taste with lunch at a local restaurant, featuring traditional Egyptian cuisine. After, move on to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. This contemporary 5,300,000 square foot space sits in the historic neighborhood of Fustat. The museum first opened in 2017 and is home to a collection of 50,000 artifacts, tracing the Egyptian civilization from prehistoric times to today. On April 3, 2021 the world watched in awe as the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities relocated here the Royal Mummies during the stunning Pharaohs’ Golden Parade. The 22 mummies (18 kings and 4 queens) of Egypt’s most important pharaohs and queens were displayed on the streets of Cairo as they were transported from the Museum in Tahrir Square to their new home in the Museum of Egyptian Civilization. This large collection of royal mummies includes the likes of King Ramses II, the most famous pharaoh of the New Kingdom, and Queen Hatshepsut, who came to rule at a time when women did not become pharaohs. With the expert guidance of a local Egyptologist, enjoy a visit of this impressive museum – a perfect introduction to your exploration of Egypt. This optional tour is operated by a local representative and requires guests to have a pre-night hotel stay in Cairo. The optional is available from January 1, 2024 onwards.

Visit the great sun temples of Abu Simbel, built by Ramses II at the height of his New Kingdom reign. In one of the world's greatest cooperative preservation efforts, these temples were dismantled and moved in 1968 to save them from the flooding of the Aswan Dam. The Temple of Ramses II was constructed so that the sun's rays would illuminate four statues of Egyptian deities within the sanctuary on his birthday and on the anniversary of his coronation, October 20 and February 20. The temple is fronted by four colossal figures of Ramses II seated with the gods and attended by his Queen and daughters. The smaller temple is dedicated to Queen Nefertari, who appears as Hathor, the goddess of love, joy and fertility.

Tour Sakkara, the sweeping necropolis and pyramid field of Memphis, Egypt’s first Capital. This is where pyramid building first began, 47 centuries ago when chief architect Imhotep built the grand step pyramid in honor of King Djoser. In company of an expert Egyptologist, visit this expansive burial complex counting 11 pyramids and the impressive Serapeum, the burial site of the sacred Apis bulls. Your intensive exploration of Sakkara concludes with lunch in a local restaurant, before returning to your hotel mid afternoon.

Uncover Cairo’s spiritual side during a tour of Cairo’s Citadel and its Old Coptic Quarter. Visit Saladin’s imposing Citadel and its Alabaster Mosque, built by Muhammad Ali Pasha in the 19th century. Venture onward to al-Fustat, Cairo’s oldest neighborhood, set within the ancient boundaries of a Babylonian fortress. It’s believed that al-Fustat is where the Holy Family took shelter when they fled to Egypt around the year 4CE. Explore Cairo’s confluence of Faiths where the three Abrahamic religions meet. Marvel at the ancient Coptic churches and take in exterior views of the Ben Ezra Synagogue – currently under restoration – where it is believed baby Moses was found.