Egypt Special Tour Package ( CAIRO-ALEXANDRIA )

FULL DAY CAIRO TOUR THE PYRAMIDS OF GIZA Pyramids of Choeps, Chepren and Mycerious. The great pyramids are the only ones surviving of the seven wonders of the ancient world. They areEgypt’s most visited monuments and among the worlds greatest tourist attractions. The Ancient Egyptians built the pyramids as tombs to preserve the bodies of their dead kings, especially that they believed in resurrection and immortality, The Pyramids of Giza lie at the western edge of Greater Cairo, about 10 kms from downtown, and comprise: The Great Pyramid The most famous structure in the world and the only surviving of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was built by King Khufu (Cheops) of the IV Dynasty around 2650 BC. lts height now is 137 m (original height: 146 m). Almost 2.5 million blocks of stone were put into building this pyramid. All this, however, dwindles when compared to the precision and astounding ability of the ancient Egyptian in building this pyramid. Close to the eastern flank of the Pyramid of Khufu lie three small pyramids dedicated either to his wives or family members. The Second Pyramid Built by Khafre (Chephren), south-west of his father’s (Khufu’s) pyramid though lower in height: 136 m. It still retains, on some of its upper parts, the remains of the limestone that had once covered it all. At the base, it measures 215.5 m square. lts interior is simple, with two entrances on the north side. The visitor can also still see the remains of Khafre’s mortuary temple, the Temple of the Valley, and rising causeway. These temples witnessed the religious rites during the embalming of the body. The Third Pyramid Built by Menkaure (Mycerinus), south-west of the Great and Second Pyramids. It is much smaller than either one (62 m high). It is distinguished by the fact that the lower part of its sides still retain their granite slab coverings. • THE SPHINX On the way to the Temple of the Valley, lies the large statue of the Sphinx. The Sphinx is carved from a single piece of stone. One of most famous monuments in the world, it is indeed a legendary statue for it has the body of lion and the face of a man. lt is 70 m long and 20 m high. The face of the Sphinx closely resembles that of King Kephren. THE PERFUMERY Since time immemorial the Egyptians have been extracting essential oils for essences. Here you have a chance to experience the aromas like, ‘The secrets of the desert,’ ‘The lotus’ and all popular international designer perfumes and colognes. THE PAPYRUS The papyrus was first made in ancient Egypt- learn how to manufacture this paper using papyrus reeds. And you have an opportunity to buy some hand painted papyrus. Lunch at local restaurant. Memphis Memphis, the oldest capital of Egypt, was built by King Menes, and lies 24 kms south-west of Cairo. The colossal statue of Ramses II is exhibited in the museum. This is the most beautiful representation of Ramses II. It is made of fine-grained limestone, 13 meters long, and weighs 120 tons. Also in Memphis is the Temple for Embalming the Sacred Apies Bull Saqqara. Saqqara is the oldest Ancient Egyptian cemetery. It lies on a desert plateau, south-west of Cairo. Above rises the Step-Pyramid and mortuary compound, built by the engineer lmhotep for King Zoser. It is composed of six receding mastabas on top of each other. The Pyramid measures 123.5 by 107 m at the base and about 59 m in height. South of the Step-Pyramid, lies the Pyramid of Unas, last of the V Dynasty pharaohs. It is noted for its tomb chamber whose walls are inscribed with the “Pyramid Texts”, and whose ceiling is decorated with stars. Near to the Pyramid of Unas lies the Persian Shaft, a tomb of XXVI (Persian) Dynasty, 25 m deep. Saqqara also houses the Serapeum (Temple of Serapis). Only the lower corridors remain, measuring several hundred meters in length. Close to the Serapeum lies the Greek Philosophers Circle, which contains statues of Plato, Heraklites, Pythagoras and Pindar. The Mastabas of Ptah-Hotep, Kagemni, Ti, and Mereruka lie south-west of the Step-Pyramid and contain numerous mural paintings and inscriptions portraying daily farming and hunting activities, wildlife scenery, medical practices, and religious and funerary rites. THE CARPET SCHOOL A visit will be made to learn the intricate art of carpet making at a school specially run for orphan children . Return to the hotel for dinner for overnight

CAIRO-ALEXANDRIA-CAIRO Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Alexandria by road (2.5 hrs approx) Highlights of the day: • THE CATACOMBS OF KOM EL SHOUKAFA. Kom El Shoukafa is an underground wonder world of ornate carvings and paintings and a mixture of Roman and Egyptian designs. It is the largest Roman Funerary complex in Egypt. And dates from the second century A.D. This warren of tombs, on three levels, also contains the Triclinium, where relatives used to sit on stone benches to feast the dead, and a central tomb with reliefs of bearded serpents. Inside are 2nd century A.D. statues of Sobek and Anubis wearing roman armor. • CITADEL OF FORT QAITBEY This citadel is the further most edifices on the harbors arm. The fort is on the original site of the Pharos, Alexandria’s ancient lighthouse, built in 279 BC to a height of 12 meters and topped with the statue of Poseidon. Although Pharos was restored at various times it had finally crumbled by the time the original fort was built here, in the 1480’s. This magnificent structure houses Fort Qait Beys naval museum. • THE ROMAN THEATER. Discovered in 1964, after 30 years of excavation, this well preserved ancient Roman Theatre with the marble seats, galleries and sections of mosaic flooring, was probably a roofed theatre used for musical performances and based on the inscriptions carved on the seats, wrestling contests. The theatre had a capacity of 700 to 800 seats and in Ptolemaic times it was park of Pan, a pleasure garden surrounded by Roman villas and baths. Return to Cairo. Evening at leisure.

FULL DAY CAIRO TOUR Breakfast at the hotel. Proceed to the full day tour for the day HIGHLIGHTS OF THE DAY • EGYPTIAN MUSEUM Called the museum of the Egyptian antiquities, it is one of the greatest museums you will ever see, housing an unrivalled collection of antiquities reaching back 5000 years. COPTIC CAIRO THE HANGING CHURCH (AL MUALLAQA) The hanging church was built in the 4th century over southern gate of the fortress of Babylon .Dedicated to Virgin Mary, its treasures includes a 14 th century wall painting of the Nativity. CHURCH OF ST.SERGIUS (ABU SERGA) A 5th century basilica built over crypt where the Holy Family is believed to have stayed during their flight into Egypt. CHURCH OF ST.MERCURIUS (ABU SEFEIN) It boasts a unique collection of Coptic art including 175 icons that depict scenes from the old and new testaments, wall paintings, etching and stained glass. GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH OF MARI GIRGIS Built on one of the towers of Babylon Fortress, this basilica is round in structure with domed roof. Lunch at local restaurant. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. Pharaonic Village Take a step back in time; about three thousand years back, to be exact. Just a few miles from the center of Cairo is a time machine waiting to take you on a fantastic journey to the days of the Pharaohs, a time brought to life by an incredible group of actors and actresses, faithful and exact reproductions of buildings, clothing, and lifestyles At the pharaonick Village, visitors sail on comfortable motorized barges down a network of canals and view incredibly accurate tableaux of the recreation of ancient Egyptian life. Over a hundred actors and actresses perform all the daily activities and arts of the ancient Egyptians, including agriculture, pottery, sculpture, weaving, and much more. Everyone that would have existed in an ancient Egyptian city is here in the modern recreation, from pharaohs to fishermen, from potters to priests. Because of this attention to detail, the pharaonick Village is more than education and entertainment; it is a vital resource in the preservation of our knowledge of the ancient world. In the evening there is Nile cruise Dinner, which lasts for 2 hours, sailing on the Nile with Folkloric Shows and Belly Dancers. At the end of this cruise you will be driven back to your hotel

Departure Your final day starts with breakfast at the hotel followed by check-out. You will then be transferred to the airport for your final departure. – End of Program –