12 Day Egypt Cairo and Nile cruise , white desert with Dendera

► Day 1- Arrival in Cairo:
Marsa Alam Tours representative will meet & assist you at Cairo  International Airport, Transfer to hotel by private air-conditioned vehicle
Depends on your arrival. If you have an early flight to Cairo you can contact us to make a tour suggestion 
Overnight in the Hotel-Free evening
Meals:No meals
 ► Day 2- Giza Pyramids and Cairo Museum:
You will be picked up from your hotel in Cairo  by our tour guide to enjoy a great excursion to The  Pyramids of Giza ( Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinus)Then proceed to visit the Great Sphinx, which dates back to the time of chephren. and visit   the Valley Temple  .
 Visit the Papyrus Institute
See how the ancient Egyptians made the first Paper in history by using the Papyrus Plant, if you like to buy real papyrus Gifts this will be the most suitable place.
Lunch will be served during the Pyramids at a local restaurant in Giza
Then visit the Egyptian Museum
 ►The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Tahir
It exhibits a rare collection of over 250,000 genuine artifacts that date as far back as 5000 years, including an exclusive exhibit dedicated to the Tutankhamen - A collection of treasures, gold, and jewelry that were buried in his tomb for over 3,500 years before they were discovered in 1920 when his tomb was excavated.
If you wish to visit the mummies royal hall. You need to ask the tour guide to take the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and you pay for this. It will cost 50 $
The New Grand museum is not open yet. It will be open soon maybe end of 2023
 Overnight in the Hotel Cairo  
Optional trip to the sound and the light show at Giza Pyramids and costs 40 $ Per person
 Meals: Breakfast+lunch
 ► Day 3 Cairo Fayoum:

At 07:00 Am pick up from  your hotel in Cairo for transfer to Al Fayoum to start your amazing adventure 

From: Tunis village in Fayoum, Egypt.
To: Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley), Egypt.
Driving distance: 69.2 km.
Duration: 1 hour 37 mins
Wadi Al Hitan ’ is a Protected area and a Natural Heritage Site added in 2005 by UNESCO as a world heritage site, WADI EL-HITAN is also known for scientists in the Zeuglodon Valley, have been discovered in 1936, it is located 35 KM west of the Wadi El-Ryan, right deep into the desert western desert, is It is an area of fossils; considered as an open museum, dates back to 45 million years and contains petrified primitive whales skeletons, shark teeth, shells and roots of Mangroves preserved in soft rocks. Everywhere you go here you find petrified seashells and corals, Visit the  Fossil & Climate Change Museum 
 
 The museum hosts a variety of whale fossils, and skeletons that are displayed outdoors, as for the museum it has a variety of fossils, skeletons, fossilized mangroves, and ancient seashells exhibited indoors in glass boxes
At 12:00 Enjoy your lunch
Drive to The Magic lake and Gebel Al-Mudawara
►   The Magic lake:
One of the most beautiful lakes in Egypt, overlooking sand dunes, is the Magic lake. Around the lake gives you the chance to witness one of the most eye-catching sunsets you will ever see.
Magic Lake is a beautiful lake located in Wadi El Rayan in Fayoum. It was named the Magic lake as it changes its colors several times a day depending on the time of year and the amount of sunlight it receives.
It is an amazingly beautiful place surrounded by desert. People spend their time hiking & sand-boarding beside Magic Lake or even swimming in the lake itself.
The lake contains minerals that are said to help treat patients with rheumatism.
It’s simply a magical place for a magical trip.
►   Gebel Al Mudawara:
Seven Kilometres south of the waterfall, Along the left eastern side of the road, Is a picturesque Area known as  Al Mudawara, The Lookout, There are three  Mountain along the lakeshore, it is  a favorite Picnic Area
►   Wadi El Rayan:
Wadi El Rayan is a depression 42 Meters below sea level and covers 673 K.m.In 1966 this depression became a water reservoir when it was connected with Qarun Lake by underground Pipe
then transfer to Bahariya to overnight in camp there 

►   Day 4- white desert- Cairo 
You will arrive at Baharyia Oasis then you meet your Safari guide and you will take your 4x4 Jeep and Start your adventure.

Drive to  the black desert  This name stems from the fact that there is a layer of black powder covering its mountains, highlands, and sand. This powder covers the summits of some mountains 

12:00 The Lunch will be served here in El Haize oasis which is located 37 k.m from Bawiti , Some people refer to this oasis as a separate oasis, during the roman time area was very Prosperous, many of the current families were originally from Libya., Before lunch, you can immerse yourself in a hot water spring which will almost instantly reduce stress. The heat naturally coaxes tense muscles to loosen up which in turn promotes feelings of calm, wellbeing, and tranquility.

At 13:00 On the way back, you will visit  Crystal Mountain ,  Crystal Mountain , locally known as Gebel al-Izzaz. It's more of a crystal hill, seen on the right, which is often called the Jewel of the desert is formed by the quartzite crystals and looks amazing in the sun's rays. A few decades ago, that natural feature has been found by accident.

14:30 Then drive to the  valley of Agabat
14:00  Arrive at the Valley of Agabat is deep within the  white desert  . You have to be there to feel the out-worldly beauty of the place. Millions of years ago, the place used to be under the sea. Over the years, unique rock formations of limestone, chalk (and maybe sand) developed.  

Then you will adventure the desert by discovering the Wadi el Agabat by Jeep 4x4 and Enjoy sandboarding -

15: 30  explore the  white desert    National Park, the most well-known desert destination in Egypt.

There are hundreds of images here each one is reminiscent of an animal- Chicken-  A sphinx, Camels, tents, Mushrooms

The chicken-shaped rock

17:30 back to Baharyia  oasis
19:00  Soak in the heat at   Bir Sigam , a hot spring that can help to relax.  Located at 7 km east of Bahariya on the  Cairo  road, the spring is the best hot spring in temperature,


 ►  Day 5 Nile Cruise between Aswan and Luxor 
transfer to Cairo airport for a flight to Aswan 
the itineraries for the first day will be as follows: Embarkation& Lunch on board the Nile Cruise, proceed
Visits of Aswan including the Temple of Philae and a tour by Felucca around Elephantine, the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk

►  Phiala temple
Built to honor the goddess Isis, this was the last temple built in the classical Egyptian style. Construction began around 690 BC, and it was one of the last outposts where the goddess was worshipped.

 ► The high Dam
Aswan High Dam is a rock-fill dam located at the northern border between Egypt and Sudan. The dam is fed by the River Nile and the reservoir forms Lake Nasser. Construction for the project began in 1960 and was completed in 1968. It was officially inaugurated in 1971.

 ►  The Unfinished Obelisk  
Aswan was the source of ancient Egypt’s finest granite, used to make statues and embellish temples, pyramids, and obelisks. The large unfinished obelisk in the Northern Quarries has provided valuable insight into how these monuments were created, although the full construction process is still not entirely clear. Three sides of the shaft, nearly 42m long, were completed except for the inscriptions. At 1168 tonnes, the completed obelisk would have been the single heaviest piece of stone the Egyptians ever fashioned. 

12:00 lunch on board the Cruise
 ► Optional trip to the Nubian village (60 dollars per person )
The Nubian village is one of Aswan's attractions. It's worth visiting and spending  2 hours. The place is very authentic and genuine, Colorful and artistic, the Nubian Village will surprise you in every corner! While walking in the village, you will straight away feel the soul of this place!
Dinner &overnight on board the Cruise

Breakfast & Lunch onboard the cruise.

Early Visit to Abu Simbel from Aswan

►  Abu Simbel temples

The two temples of Ramses the second and the Queen Nefertari were carved out of the Mountain on the west bank of the Nile between 1274 and 1244 B.c, The Great Temple was dedicated to Ramses the second, Ra-Harakhty, Amun Ra and Ptah, with 4 Colossal statues, The second temple was dedicated to The Queen Nefertari and Goddess Hathor, the two temples were dismantled stone by stone and rebuilt on higher ground, The preservation of the two temples of Abu Simbel must Rank as the greatest Achievement of the Unesco

13:00 sail to Kom ombo

►   Visit The temple of Kom Ombo

The temple and the associated settlement site located 40 K.m north of Aswan, the temple was dedicated to the deities Sobek and Horus  and date mainly to the Ptolemaic and Roman periods (332 B.b -395 A.c)
Sail to Edfu-Overnight in Edfu 
Dinner & overnight on board the Cruise
Galabyia Party

Breakfast on the board on the Nile cruise, Breakfast on the Nile Cruise, Visit the Edfu

►  Edfu temple   :

Upper Egyptian site dominated by a large well -Preserved temple, dedicated to the hawk-God Horus, The Construction of Ptolemaic temple of Horus, which was founded on the site of a much earlier temple, dated to the period between the reigns of Ptolemy the Third(246 B.c), The descriptions on the walls include the Myth of contending of Horus and Seth(Probably performed annually as a religious Drama.
Sail to Luxor through Esna lock
Visit Luxor temple
►  Luxor Temple:
Largely built by the New Kingdom Pharaoh Amenhotep the Third and Completed by King Tutankhamon and the Great King Ramses the second, The First pylon was raised by Ramses the second and Decorated  with His Military Battle of Kadesh
Dinner &overnight on board the Cruise

Breakfast on the board on the Nile cruise, Breakfast on the Nile Cruise, Visit the west bank of Luxor and Karnak

►  The  Valley of the Kings   :
Once  called the great Place of the Truth, this valley Called now the valley of the Kings, It is a Majestic domain of the Pharaohs who once lay in great stone Sarcophagi, awaiting immortality, The isolated valley behind Deir el Bahri is dominated by the Pyramid-Shaped Mountain Peak

►  The colossi of Memnon:
Massive  pair statues Know as the  Colossi of Memnon, Rising about 18 M from the plain, They are the remains of what once the largest  complex on the west bank, Built by Amenhotep the Third

►  The Queen Hatshepsut temple :
Rising out of the desert Plain, in a series of terraces, The temple of Hatshepsut Mergs with sheer limestone Cliffs of the eastern face of the Theban Mountain as if Nature herself had built this Extraordinary monument.

  Overnight o board the Cruise in Luxor
► Optional Hot air balloon in Luxor (80 dollars per person )
Egypt Hot Air Balloon Trip In Luxor. The Hotair Balloon Trip is an amazing way to see the world’s largest open-air museum. Early pickup from your hotel will take you to the ballon over Luxor in the morning, a light breakfast and tea will be included.

►  Karnak temple    
Karnak is more than A temple, is a spectacular Complex of Sanctuaries, Kiosks, Pylons and Obelisks, All dedicated to the Theban gods and to the Greater Glory of Egypt`s Pharaohs, Karnak was the Most Important place for the worship of the Theban Triad(Amun, Mut, and Khonso) 
overnight in Luxor 
►  Day 9 Dendera and Abydos

Pick up time from Luxor hotel at 07:00 am, Drive 1 hour to visit the temple of the Goddes Hathor, The Goddes of love, Music Arrive at Dendera at 08: 00, You will be accompanied by Egyptologist tour guide, He will explain the history of the temple 

07:00 Am

Pick up from Hotel in Luxor and Depart to Dendera

An Early pick up from your hotel in Luxor and Drive to Dendera temple, The Distance is 60 K.m and it takes 1 Hour driving, We will take Luxor -Qena Agricultural road, Get Great Experience about  life in Egyptian upper Egypt villages

08:00 Am Visit Dendera temple

Arrival to Qena, Qena is a very beautiful City and Cross the Nile to the west bank to Visit Dendera temple

Dendera temple

The Temple of Hathor was largely constructed during the Late Ptolemaic period, specifically during the reign of Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra VII. Later additions were made during the Roman period. Although built by a dynasty of rulers who were not native Egyptians themselves, the design of this temple has been found to be in accordance to that of other classical Egyptian temples, with the exception of the front of the hypostyle hall, which, according to an inscription above the entrance, was constructed by the Emperor Tiberius.

Apart from these, there are also scenes in the temple complex portraying the Ptolemaic rulers. For example, carved onto the external face of one of the temple walls is a huge relief of Cleopatra VII and her son by Julius Caesar and co-ruler, Ptolemy XV (better known as Caesarion). The two Ptolemaic rulers are shown dressed in Egyptian garb, and offering sacrifices.

Hathor was also regarded as a goddess of healing, and this is evident in the presence of a sanatorium in the temple complex. Here, pilgrims would come to be cured by the goddess. Sacred water (which was made holy by having it poured onto statues inscribed with sacred texts) was used for bathing, unguents were dispensed by the priests of Hathor, and sleeping quarters were provided for those hoping that the goddess would appear in their dreams, and so aid them. 

Transfer to Luxor airport for a short flight to cairo
overnight in Cairo 

►   Day 10- Cairo Alexandria:

Drive to  Alexandria  (220 km/ 3 hours driving) to your hotel in central  Alexandria  facing the Corniche, Afterwards see some of the Graeco-Roman sites in  Alexandria  including

1-  The Catacombs Kom el Shoqafa  :

The Catacombs Kom el Shoqafa  are hewn from the rock on the southern slopes of a hill, in the Carmous district. Thought to date from the 2nd century AD, they offer an admirable example of the characteristic  Alexandria n fusion of Egyptian and Greco-Roman styles. Discovered in 1900 (thanks to a donkey falling into them)

2-  Pompey pillar  :

A massive 30m column looms over the debris of the glorious ancient settlement of Rhakotis, the original township from which  Alexandria grew. Known as Pompey’s Pillar, for centuries the column, hewn from red Aswan granite, has been one of the city’s prime sights: a single, tapered shaft, 2.7m at its base and capped by a fine Corinthian capital. The column rises out of the sparse ruins of the Temple of Serapeum, a magnificent structure that stood here in ancient times.

3-  The Roman Amphitheatre Kom el Dikka  :

Kom Al Dikka was a well-off residential area in Graeco-Roman times, with lovely villas, bathhouses, and a theatre. The area was known at the time as the Park of Pan, a pleasure garden where citizens of  Alexandria could indulge in various lazy pursuits. Although the ruins aren't terribly impressive in scale, they remain a superbly preserved ode to the days of the centurion and include the 13 white-marble terraces of the only Roman amphitheater found in Egypt.

4- Lunch in one of  Alexandria  Egyptian restaurants/Fish Market or Tikka with a Great view of the Citadel and the Fishing Port.

After breakfast visit one of the most important archaeological sites in the city

1- Bibliotheca Alexandrina:

A re-imagining of Alexandria's ancient Great Library, this gorgeously designed cultural center contains a host of museums, as well as one of the modern world's most ambitious libraries. Its architecture — a giant sun disk — presides over the waterfront Corniche, while inside, a huge reading room can hold eight million volumes. Built in 2002 as a memorial to one of the largest and most important libraries in antiquity, the Royal Library of Alexandria. The old library was burnt down and with the fire, many of its books were destroyed. The modern library may not be as important and rich as the previous one, yet it’s still a large library and a major cultural center including three museums, four art galleries, a planetary and a laboratory where they rescue and fix old manuscripts. They also have a good section of children’s books which can be fun to explore if you’re on holiday with your kids.

 the dazzling building, opened in 2002 by UNESCO This massive construction houses three museums ( Antiquities museum, Sadat museum, Manuscript museum). In the afternoon visit

2- The Fort Qaitbey :
Fort Qaitbey was built by Mamluke Sultan Qaitbey in an effort to fortify this important Egyptian port from attack. Historically one of the most important defensive strongholds in Egypt and along the Mediterranean Sea coast, the Fort of Qaitbey was an essential chess piece in the security of Alexandria. The fort sits at the entrance of the harbor on Pharos Island, where it replaced the famous Lighthouse of Alexandria, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Despite being finally annihilated in a devastating earthquake, remnants of the red brick used in the construction of the lighthouse still remain–a nostalgic reminder of how magnificent it would have looked in its prime time. Nonetheless, the fort is still a sight to feast your eyes on. We recommend strolling to Fort Qaitbey along the Corniche, giving you unforgettable views of the Mediterranean sea.

Leaving Alexandria   Drive back to Cairo

 ►Day 11 International departure
Transfer to Cairo international airport