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Day 1
On arrival at Alexandria International airport, you will be met by our local representative, who will welcome you and guide you for your coach tour of Alexandria. Alexandria is a second largest city of Egypt, popularly known as 'The Pearl of the Mediterranean'. Visit Pompey's Pillar, constructed in honour of the Emperor Diocletian at the end of 4th century AD; the Catacombs, which are the largest Roman Cemetery consisting of 3 levels cut in the rock, Roman Theatre and Al Montazah Palace. Later, transfer to our hotel. Check in and relax at the hotel. Evening have an Indian dinner in local restaurant. Overnight at hotel Hilton Alexandria Green plaza or similar in Alexandria.
Day 2
Today after breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer by coach to Cairo. Start your tour by exploring Egyptian Museum. Located in Midan Tahrir (Liberation Square), this is inarguably one of the world's great museums. Crammed with more than 120,000 antiquities from every period of Egyptian history. Highlights include a massive statue of Chephren, builder of the second pyramid at Giza, and a room dedicated to Akhenaten, the so-called "heretic king" and husband of Nefertiti. The crowning jewel though is the Royal Mummy Room, which exhibits the bodies of 11 of Egypt's kings and queens, and the Tutankhamun Galleries, with the boyking's stunning, solid gold deathmask taking centre stage. Later, we proceed to the medieval Bazaars of Khan-el- Khalil where you can shop for souvenirs, spices, precious stones and curios. Transfer to our hotel. Check in and relax at the hotel. Evening enjoy an Indian dinner at the restaurant. Overnight at Hotel Grand Pyramids or similar in Cairo.
Day 3
Today after breakfast visit the Great Pyramids, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The Pyramids, built by the ancient Egyptians as tombs to preserve the bodies of their dead kings, lie in Giza, about 10km from downtown Cairo. The Great Pyramid, the only survivor of the "Seven Wonders" of the ancient world was built by Cheops around 2600BC, and originally stood over 145m high. The Second Pyramid, built by Cheops's son Chephren, is only slightly smaller, although it actually looks the largest of the three having been cunningly built on an elevated plateau. The same plateau contains the Sphinx, also thought to have been built by Chephren. The Third Pyramid is distinguished from its larger siblings by the fact that the lower parts of its sides retain their original granite covering. We also visit to Papyrus Institute and see beautiful paintings being made. Rest of the day at leisure. Evening enjoy a cruising dinner. Transfer back to hotel. Overnight at hotel Grand Pyramids or similar in Cairo.
Day 4
Welcome Aboard the "Nile Cruise". After collecting the box breakfast, we checkout of the hotel and drive to airport for our flight to Aswan. On arrival in Aswan, we proceed on a tour of the city of Aswan. Visit the High Dam of Aswan, the pride of Egypt and an ideal spot for a panoramic view of Aswan. This is where Egypt ends and Nubia begins. We then take you to see the Unfinished Obelisk. This Obelisk was never detached from the rock as it developed cracks in several places. Later, we proceed to a Perfumery and see a demonstration of how scented oils are used to make perfumes. Here, you have the opportunity to buy perfumes and other Egyptian artifacts. We now board our legendary Nile Cruise for a great three day journey on the scenic Nile River. The evening is free for you. Overnight on board the Nile Cruise.
Day 5
Today, very early in the morning, we take you to Abu Simbel by coach. Abu Simbel has two magnificent temples, the Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Nefertari. Not only are the two temples at Abu Simbel among the most magnificent monuments in the world but their removal and reconstruction was an historic event in itself. The temples were threatened by submersion in Lake Nasser, due to the construction of the High Dam. During the salvage operation which continued until 1968, the two temples were dismantled and raised over 60 meters up the sandstone cliff where they had been built more than 3,000 years before. The facade of the main temple is 108 feet high and 125 feet wide with four colossal seated statues about 65 feet high wearing the double crown and having the cartouches of Ramesses II. The entrance leads into a Grand Hall which is 57 feet high and 52 feet wide and was cut from the rock. It is supported with 8 pillars with statues of Ramesses II. The head and torso of the statue to the left of the entrance fell during ancient times, probably due to earthquake. The alignment of the temple is such that twice a year the sun's rays reach into the innermost sanctuary to illuminate the statues of Ptah, Amun - Re, Ramesses II and Re- Horakhty. Upon our return we have lunch on board the cruise. In the afternoon, we visit the Temple of Kom Ombo. Overlooking the Nile, this unique temple is in fact the fusion of two temples, set side by side, with each side having its own gateways and chapels. The left side of the temple is dedicated to Haroeris, the falcon headed God. The right part of the temple is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile headed God and God of Fertility. Later, we sail onwards to Edfu. Overnight on board the Nile Cruise.
Day 6
As you enjoy your breakfast, we sail into Edfu. We take you on a shore excursion to visit the Temple of Edfu. Of all the temples of ancient Egypt, the one at Edfu is not only the best preserved, but the second largest after Karnak. The temple had been totally submerged under the desert except for the very top of the pylon entrance. A small amount of stone had been removed from the exposed part, but when excavated it was found to be in a near perfect condition. The temple is dedicated to Horus and was built in the Ptolemaic period. This temple is unusual in that it is on the west bank of the river which was normally dedicated to the afterlife. We return to our Cruise and enjoy a delicious lunch. Enjoy the sights of the Nile River from the deck, as your Nile Cruise sails to Luxor via the Esna Lock. Overnight on board the Nile Cruise.
Day 7
After breakfast, we checkout from the cruise and take you to explore the East Bank of Luxor where we visit the famous Temple of Luxor. Looming above the Nile, the Luxor Temple was once the home of the godly Theban Triad of Amun-Min, Mut, and their son Khonsu. Colossal statues of Ramses guard the entrance to the vast halls, courts and colonnades to the right of the entrance. Transfer and check in to your hotel. In the evening be an audience to one of the most memorable event of your life. Have you ever wondered what life must have been like thousands of year ago? These thoughts of curiosity has inspired artist's to take you there, for a brief period, through the creation of 'Sound and Light Show' at the Temple of Karnak. You get a glimpse back in time to see, feel and imagine how it was when the powerful ancient Egyptians ruled. The artist's have masterfully created a spectacular show that draws you in as part of history. Overnight at hotel Sonesta Luxor or similar in Luxor.
Day 8
After breakfast, we take you to explore the West Bank of Luxor. We proceed deep into the desert to discover the Valley of Kings. This is the place where generations of pharaohs and nobles were buried in great splendor, housed in crypts cut into the cliffs. The treasures of the burial chambers of great Kings and Queens have long been looted by ancient Egyptians and visitors over many centuries. Yet, there is magic in the tombs of the great Kings with their imposing architecture and marvelous paintings. Even after over 5,000 years, the paintings retain their original colours and tell the story of civilization gone by. See the gigantic Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the only woman Pharaoh to have ruled Egypt. On our return, we take a photo-stop at the Colossi of Memnon. These two giant statues are all that remain of the mortuary temple of Amenophis III. Return back to hotel and check out. Later, after dinner, it's time to say goodbye to the new friends and the discovery you made out of Egyptian history spanning over 5000 years. Drive to the airport for our flight to Sharjah. Overnight in flight.
Day 9
Arrive early morning to Sharjah airport. Clear the immigration and meet our local representative. Transfer to Dubai and check in to our hotel apartment. Day is at leisure to explore the city on your own. Overnight at hotel apartment in Dubai.
Day 10
Have a leisurely breakfast today. Day is at leisure to explore the city on your own. Overnight at hotel apartment in Dubai.
Day 11
Today, we check-out of the hotel and drive to the airport for our flight back home.
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