LAND OF THE PHARAOHS - CAIRO OVERNIGHT
Code: ALYL01
Indulge your senses with some of ancient history's most renowned relics during this scenic and memorable tour of Cairo. Your adventure will begin with a journey to the Great Pyramids of Giza and the massive, enigmatic Sphinx, followed by an evening laser show at the Pyramids area.
After an overnight stay, a visit will be made to the Step Pyramid of Sakkara, the world's oldest stone structure and the ruins of the ancient city of Memphis, followed by an afternoon visit of the Egyptian museum of Antiquities before ending your trip with the visit of the Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, the most popular Islamic mosque in Egypt.
Thursday Nov 08 , 2012 - Alexandria / Cairo
Departing the vessel in the Port of Alexandria, you will depart for the 3-hour drive to Cairo. Upon arrival, a buffet lunch will be served at a deluxe hotel in the Pyramids area.
After Lunch a visit will be made to the Great Pyramids of Giza. During your visit to the Pyramids and Sphinx, you will marvel at the sheer size of these monumental structures and the magnitude of the labor required in their construction. Renowned as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Pyramid of Cheops is comprised of 2.3-million stone blocks, each weighing 2.5 tons. Exactly how the ancient Egyptians were able to construct these architectural wonders remains a mystery to this day. The inscrutable Sphinx, with the body of a lion and the face of a man, was carved from a single block of stone. This massive, 72-foot-high, 164-foot-long feline structure faces east, greeting the rising sun each day. Your tour of the Pyramids area also includes outside visits to the Cheops and Chephren Pyramids , and panoramic views and photo opportunities of the three Pyramids, Sphinx and granite temple.
Following your visit, a short stop at a local Papyrus store will give guests the opportunity to purchase some souvenirs and witness the making of papyrus' then you will be transferred to the Mena House Hotel for check-in. The Mena House Oberoi is one of the most unique hotels in Cairo, with its own rich and colorful history. Surrounded by 40 acres of verdant green gardens, this palatial hotel is located in the shadows of the Great Pyramids of Giza. Mena House Oberoi has played host to kings and emperors, Heads of State and celebrities.
In the early-evening, you will depart again to the Pyramids area to attend the fabulous laser show presented in front of the Sphinx for an hour. It is a magnificent show that brings creatively to life. The history is narrated by the Sphinx, telling you the most ancient secrets of the world and the history of Egyptian great kings, legends and secrets of the ancient history. After the show you will return to your hotel for a late dinner.
Overnight in Cairo.
Friday Nov 09, 2012 - Cairo / Port Said
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, you will check-out and depart for the 1-hour drive to Sakkara. The Step Pyramid of Sakkara overlooks Zoser's mortuary complex. Dating from 2700 BC, the Step Pyramid is the oldest stone structure in the world, and was designed by Imhotep for King Djoser. In addition to Djoser's Step Pyramid, there are another 16 pyramids on the site in various states of preservation or decay. Sakkara is also home to an impressive number of mastaba tombs. Because the necropolis was lost beneath the sands for much of the past two millennia, even the sizable mortuary complex surrounding Djoser's pyramid was not unearthed until 1924. As a result, many of the mastaba tombs have been superbly-preserved, with both their structures and lavish internal decorations intact.
Your tour continues on with a visit to Memphis. Founded around 3100 BC, Memphis was the legendary city of Menes, the King who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Early on, Memphis was more likely a fortress from which Menes controlled the land and water routes between Upper Egypt and the Delta. Upon arrival, you will explore what is left of the original white-walled city. Originally, the city had many fine temples, palaces and gardens. Today, however, other than the scattered ruins, most of the city is gone or lies beneath cultivated fields, Nile silt and local villages. The most important attraction in the Memphis area is the huge statues of King Ramses.
Enjoy a buffet lunch in a deluxe restaurant before visiting the Egyptian museum of Antiquities . During your visit, you will view the fabulous treasures of the young King Tutankhamen, whose Luxor tomb escaped the ravages of grave robbers, and was subsequently discovered and excavated in 1922 .
End your marvelous day by visiting the Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque, the most popular Islamic mosque in Egypt. It is also referred to as the Alabaster Mosque due to the extensive use of that stone on some of the exterior walls and other surfaces. The mosque, the largest such structure built during the first half of the 19th century, is more impressive at a distance than close up. Though its artistic merit is questionable, the mosque is an unparalleled contribution to the Cairo skyline. Situated on the summit of the Citadel high atop the Citadel grounds, its great dome and towering minarets are the first features that catch your eye at the fortress.
After your last visit re-board the coach to be transferred to your awaiting vessel in Port Said.
Overland Program Step by Step:
Please note: The order of sites visited may vary to avoid congestion. The timings indicated are only approximate, and are given here for general reference purposes.
Thursday Nov 8 , 2012 - Day 1
10.00am Your vessel arrives alongside in Alexandria, Egypt.
10.30am to 11.00am Disembarkation at Alex port.
11.00am to 2.00pm Drive to Cairo City.
Approximately 3 hours drive. Restrooms are available on the buses. No stop is scheduled.
2.00pm to 3:00pm Buffet lunch will be served at Deluxe hotel at the Pyramids area.
3:00pm to 4:45pm Visit the Pyramids of Giza and Sphinx.
Visit Consist of three stops, one at between the 1st & 2nd Pyramids, 2nd stop at the panorama area overlooking the Three Pyramids and the final stop at the Sphinx area
4:45pm to 5:00pm Proceed for shopping stop
5:00pm to 5:30pm Shopping stop - 15 min at Papyrus institute and 15 min to buy Egyptian souvenirs
5:30pm to 5:45pm
5:45 pm
7:00pm to 7:30pm
7:30pm to 8:30pm Proceed to the Mena House hotel.
Check in.
Proceed to the Pyramids area.
English Laser show in front of the Pyramids
8:30pm to 8:45pm Back to your hotel
8:45pm to 11:00pm Buffet Dinner will be served
Overnight in Cairo
Friday Nov 9 , 2012 - Day 2
7:00am to 8:00am Wake up call, Buffet Breakfast at the hotel & check out
8.00am to 9:00am Depart Hotel for Sakkara.
9:00am to 10:30am Visit Sakkara area
The visit consist of the Step Pyramid of Zoser and one tomb
10:30am to 10:45am Proceed to Memphis
10:45am to 11:15am Visit Memphis
Visit consist of viewing King Ramses Colossi
11:15am to 12:00N Proceed for lunch.
12:00N to 1:00pm Buffet lunch served at deluxe restaurant
1:00pm to 1:15pm
1:15pm to 3:00pm
3:00pm to 3:30pm Proceed to the Egyptian museum
Visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities
Proceed to the Citadel & Mohamed Ali Mosque
3:30pm to 4:30pm Visit the Citadel and Mohamed Ali Mosque
The visit include the entrance into the mosque , guests are required not to wear shorts to enter the mosque , guests will have to take off their shoes and ladies will cover their arms and hair
4:30pm to 7:30pm
Drive to Port Said to Join the ship .
Approximately 3 hours drive. Restrooms are available on the buses. No stop is scheduled
Expected Weather 22 C
What to Bring Comfortable clothes , shoes and sunglasses
Currency Egyptian Pound
Electricity 220 - 240 V
Luggage Carry on is suggested for one night stay
Language & Religion Arabic Language - Majority is Moslems
Accommodation The Mena House Hotel
Tipping Drivers & Guide expect tipping but still on your own discretion
Meals included in your program One breakfast , two lunches and one dinner
Documents & Visa Requirements No visa required for US , EU & Canadian Citizens