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Cryptic Sands

12 Days Tour

Cryptic Sands

12 Days Tour

Embark on a remarkable journey through the wonders of Egypt with this exciting itinerary. Upon arrival in Cairo, you’ll be greeted by your private guide and driver, who will ensure a seamless check-in process at your hotel. Take advantage of this opportunity to discuss your personalized itinerary and seek valuable advice from your knowledgeable guide. After some leisure time, get ready to explore the iconic Giza Plateau, where the magnificent Pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx await. Discover the awe-inspiring Grand Egyptian Museum, home to exquisite artifacts from ancient Egypt, including the legendary treasures of Tutankhamun.

In Aswan, experience the colossal Abu Simbel temples, dedicated to the mighty Pharaoh Ramesses II and his wife Queen Nefertari. Enjoy a serene Felucca ride on the Nile, the longest river in the world, and savor the tranquil ambiance while sipping mint tea at a riverside cafe. Explore Elephantine Island and visit the relocated Philae Temple on Agilkia Island. In Luxor, immerse yourself in the captivating Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the awe-inspiring Karnak Temple complex. Conclude your journey in Cairo by discovering the historic sites of Coptic Cairo, including ancient churches and the Ben Ezra Synagogue, and delve into the daily life of ancient Egypt at The Pharaonic Village.

Tutankhamen, the boy king in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo

Itinerary Highlights

Cairo: You will be warmly greeted by your private guide and driver, setting the tone for a personalized and unforgettable journey. Your seamless check-in process at the hotel allows you to relax and prepare for the adventures ahead. Explore the iconic Giza Plateau, home to the majestic Pyramids of Giza and the enigmatic Sphinx, immersing yourself in the mysteries of ancient Egypt. A visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum or the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square will unveil the treasures of the Pharaohs and their captivating history.

In the bustling Islamic part of the city, wander through the historic Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, where you can shop for unique, handcrafted items that reflect centuries-old traditions. Discover the Citadel of Saladin, an ancient fortress with sweeping views over Cairo, shaped by the influence of Muhammed Ali Pasha during the 19th century.

While you are traveling in Egypt, enjoying the Egyptian cuisine is a must. There are ample choices available for every preference. Trying items like the Egyptian Falafel and the delicious Foul (Fava beans) with all of the different ways it gets prepared are musts. You also should not miss the opportunity to enjoy the delicious Kushari which is a dish made of a combination of rice, lentils, pasts, chick peas, and a special sauces and aromatic seasoning. We hope you also find the opportunity to try Mulukhiyah, a dish that were for a period of time, reserved only for the ruler of Egypt. Of course, we cannot forget the heavenly seafood experience that you can savor in many of the cities on your itinerary. You can try both Nile fish and salt sea fish as they will provide a slightly different flavor. Consult with your guide on your food preferences and we really hope you enjoy their recommendations.

Aswan: This city welcomes you with the grandeur of the Abu Simbel temples, dedicated to Pharaoh Ramesses II and his beloved Queen Nefertari, standing as a testament to the might of ancient Egypt. Experience the serenity of the Nile River with a traditional Felucca ride, and relax at the Old Cataract Hotel, a historic landmark once frequented by illustrious personalities like Winston Churchill and Agatha Christie.

Visit Elephantine Island, an ancient capital with its Nilometer, and the relocated Philae Temple complex, a triumph of UNESCO’s efforts to preserve history amidst the Aswan Dam project. Explore the vibrant Nubian Bazaar, where local artisans offer their crafts and keepsakes.

Luxor: Explore the Valley of the Kings, where the intricate tombs of pharaohs reveal the rich history of Egyptian civilization. Admire the stunning Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a testament to the powerful rule of a female pharaoh. Marvel at the grandeur of the Karnak Temple, an awe-inspiring complex dedicated to numerous gods.

Back to Cairo: Step back in time at Coptic Cairo, a tranquil enclave surrounded by ancient walls. Visit the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus, where Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus are believed to have found refuge, and explore the Coptic Museum to delve into the early history of Christianity in Egypt. Discover the significance of the Ben Ezra Synagogue, an important pilgrimage site for North African Jews.

Experience the daily life of ancient Egypt at the Pharaonic Village in Giza. Immerse yourself in a living recreation of history, witnessing actors and actresses performing tasks such as mummification, farming, pottery making, and more, providing a thrilling glimpse into the past.

Throughout this exhilarating itinerary, you’ll find yourself captivated by the majesty and wonders of Egypt, creating memories that will stay with you forever.

Suggested Detailed Itinerary

Day 1/12

Cairo: Upon your arrival at the airport, get ready to be greeted by your private guide and driver. From there, they will whisk you away to your hotel, where a seamless check-in process awaits you. Once settled in, we highly recommend taking advantage of this perfect opportunity to sit down with your knowledgeable guide. This is your chance to go through your itinerary together, seeking valuable advice, discussing any additional excursions that pique your interest, and asking for assistance with any specific needs you may have for your trip. Your guide is here to ensure that your journey is tailored to your preferences and that every moment is unforgettable.

With the rest of the day at your leisure, feel free to unwind and relax. After all, it’s essential to recharge for the exciting adventures ahead. If you’re feeling up to it, you can also explore some optional activities that promise to enrich your experience even further.

Remember, these optional activities are designed to enhance your visit and offer you a deeper understanding of Egypt’s diverse cultural landscape. Feel free to discuss them with your guide and choose the ones that resonate with your interests and preferences.

After a day of settling in and exploring at your own pace, take the time to relax and rejuvenate. Get a good night’s sleep, for tomorrow holds endless possibilities as we embark on an incredible journey through the wonders of Egypt.

Cairo: After breakfast, your private guide and driver will take you to one of the most famous attractions in the world, the Giza Plateau Here you will be greeted by the stunning sight of the great Pyramids of Giza and their eternal companion, the faithful Sphinx. This is where you get will the opportunity to explore these amazing structures that aroused the minds of countless individuals with their numinous presence throughout history.

After you check out from the hotel in the morning, you will visit the Grand Egyptian Museum. This spectacular museum seated a little over a mile (2 kilometers) from the Giza plateau is the home of some of the most exquisite artifacts of ancient Egypt in the world. This new museum was built on a scale that can only matched by the Great Pyramids of Giza.  Set to open later in 2022, the showcases of this spectacular museums will offer the public never-seen-before relics from the Pharaonic times. Here also you will see on display the unique treasures of Tutankhamun.

The museum offers rich sets of multimedia and 3D tools to aid in the immersive historical experience that absorbs its visitors once you enter the space.

If the above museum, scheduled to open in the fall of 2023, not available, you will instead get to visit the Egyptian Museum in the famous Tahrir Square.

In the museum you will be greeted by some 4600 years of artifacts. The antiquities of the Egyptian museum are a rare opportunity to get familiar with the history of the dynasties that ruled Egypt and be even exposed to Roman, Greek, and Persian cultures when they ruled Egypt in past times.

Cairo: In the morning you will be taken to the ancient Islamic parts of this vibrant city. Here you can witness the remarkable narrow streets of the famous Bazaar, Khan El-Khalili. The 1,000-year-old labyrinth which will immerse you in the living history of this bazaar. Here you can shop for the beautiful and unique items made by craftsmen who inherited their skills from generations that go back centuries.

You can then head on to the beautiful and majestic Citadel of Saladin, the famous worrier lord. This castle was the seat of government for almost 700 years. With its commanding position overlooking Cairo, it dominates the skyline of this part of the city. During the 19th century, Muhammed Ali Pasha, the ruler of Egypt, carried out much restoration and construction work to the old citadel culminating into what you we see today.

Once the tour is completed, you will head to the airport to fly to your next destination, Aswan.

Aswan: This is the day when you will experience the colossal view of the famous Abu Simbel temples built by the Pharaoh, Ramesses II (The Great). Dominated by four giant statues of the Ramesses II himself, this rock-cut massive structure is comprised of two temples. It is no wonder that both are the most recognized temples in the world. The temple was carved out of the mountainside and inaugurated during the 13th century BCE. This site venerates the greatest and most powerful pharaoh of the New Kingdom. Ruled by his side was his wife queen Nefertari (not to be confused with queen Nefertiti, the mother of king Tutankhamen) and children.

The façade of the temple was almost totally covered by a gigantic amount of sand when it was discovered by the Swiss orientalist Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1813.

In the evening you may wish to relax over some mint tea offered by one of the cafes along the Nile. Consult with your experienced private guide about some of his recommendations.

Aswan: Welcome to the longest river in the world, The Nile. Experience the amazing traditional Felucca ride on this serene river. As the longest river in the world, it originates from sources deep within the African content. It took many explorers over the centuries to discover them.

In the afternoon, you can enjoy some Egyptian a tea with mint on the terraces of the famous Old Cataract Hotel. Now owned by Sofitel, the hotel was renamed to Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan Hotel. After the renovations that took place between 2008-2011, it is now open offering more beauty and elegance.

Built in 1899 by Thomas Cook, it offered accommodation to many famous European travelers such as Tsar Nicholas II, the prime minister Winston Churchill, president Jimmy Carter, and even the legendary novelist, Agatha Christie. It was in this hotel where she based portions of her famous novel Death on the Nile on.

Aswan: After your breakfast, you will visit the charming Elephantine Island. This was the capital of the ancient Upper Egyptian Nome. It is situated at the northern end of the first cataract of the Nile. Erroneously, for a time, it was considered the source of the Nile. On the easter side of the island a Nilometer can be located. This was used to measure the height of the Nile inundations.

From there you will sail to Agilkia Island to visit the temple complex of Philae. This temple was threatened by the Aswan Dam flooding upstream, thus, it was moved to its current location as part of a wider project by the UNESCO to salvage several temples in the 1960s.

Upon your return to Aswan, you will be taken to visit the famous Nubian Bazaar (the Souq).

Luxor: Your private guide and driver will take you after breakfast to Luxor where you will be visiting an impressive collection of ancient sites.

Once you arrive, you will be free to explore the city and rest. You can also enjoy visiting the Luxor Temple which was constructed some 2,500 years ago. The lights in the temple in the evening adds more charm and mystery to the sensations of this place.

Luxor: Today you will explore the spectacular structures and tombs of the captivating Valley of the Kings or as it is known in Arabic by, Wadi Al-Muluk. In old Egypt, this area was part of the famous cosmopolitan, Thebes. Located 500 miles south of the Mediterranean, this valley contains 62 known tombs that exhibit rich differences in style and size.

On the day a Pharaoh was born, it was customary to start the digging of his tomb in this valley. The pharaoh that lived long had elaborate labyrinth for tombs. On the contrary, those who had shorter reign have less elaborate tombs. To this day, discoveries are still being made in this area.

At some point during your exploration, your guide will direct you to see the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a marvel in colonnaded structures. Though Queen Cleopatra was known for her romantic exploits, Queen Hatshepsut stood apart as one of strongest and most successful rulers of Egypt. She ushered in a cultural renaissance that influenced the arts in Egypt for over a thousand years to come.

While this temple is seated against a backdrop of mountains, it offers a breathtaking widely open amphitheatre.

Luxor: After checking-in to your hotel, you will be whisked away to visit the famous complex structure of ageless temples, the magnificent corridors of the Karnak Temple. It is known to be the most spectacular structure of ancient temples. This compound of edifices houses many gods and was constructed over a period of 200 years.

Your tour will visit the temple site and the Avenue of Sphinx or the King’s Festivities Road, which has been closed for restorations for over seven decades and recently reopened. You will also get the opportunity to visit the Great Temple of Amun-Re and the Hypostyle Hall. The latter is considered one of the greatest marvels of The Karnak temple with its 134 towering sandstone columns with the centre twelve columns standing 69 feet high.

After your visit, you can relax for the rest of the day or shop in the local bazaar.

Cairo: Returning to Cairo in the morning, you will then be transported to the peaceful enclave of Coptic Cairo. This place will feel quieter than the busy city that surrounds it. Surrounded by walls that go back to the third century, it includes both Christian and Jews sites.

There are several ancient churches in this area. One of the oldest ones is the Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus erected in the fourth century. It is believed that when Mary and Joseph escaped with baby Jesus to Egypt that they resided in the cave beneath this church.

Here also, you will get a chance to visit the Coptic Museum to learn about the history of early Christianity in Egypt. In its halls you can examine the ivory carvings. Metalwork, frescoes, manuscripts, artifacts, tools, and other objects used in the daily lives of the early Christians in Egypt.

From there you get to visit another important site, the Ben Ezra Synagogue. Many well tell you that this temple was raised at the same site where baby Moses was found floating in the Nile by the daughter of Pharaoh. For centuries, this was also the site for pilgrimage for many of the North African Jews. You do not want to miss this place.

Cairo: Be ready for an immersive experience into the daily life of ancient Egypt. Today, you will be taken to the absorbing experience of The Pharaonic Village.

Situated in Giza, the village covers some 490,000 square feet of land at Ya’aqoub island. Some 5000 tall trees around it isolate you from the vibrant streets of Cairo. Here, you will witness actors and actresses carrying out the daily tasks of life as it was in ancient Egypt. It will be thrilling to witness activities being conducted in the arts, mummifications, farming, pottery making, fishing, baking, etc. exactly as it was done so many centuries ago. You need to bring a good camera with you to capture scenes that are no longer with us in the 21st century.

Cairo: Your tour will end after breakfast today; however, your private driver will take you to the airport after your check-out from your hotel.

What clients said about this tour

Sarah and James Renault
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We were blown away by our incredible journey through Egypt! Exploring the Pyramids of Giza and getting up close to the Abu Simbel temples was mind-blowing. Our guide brought the sites to life with fascinating stories and made the whole experience so much fun. Sailing on the Nile and chilling on Elephantine Island gave us a taste of pure relaxation. We had a blast discovering ancient Egypt at The Pharaonic Village.
Alia & David Burns
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Wow! Egypt completely stole our hearts on this amazing adventure. The Grand Egyptian Museum left us speechless with its mind-boggling artifacts. The Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple took us back in time, and we felt like true explorers. But let's not forget The Pharaonic Village – we literally felt like we were living in ancient Egypt! Egypt is a total gem, and we can't wait to come back for more.
Mary Danielson
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Our trip to Egypt was an absolute blast! We ticked off our bucket list by standing in front of the mighty Pyramids and Sphinx. Aswan was pure tranquility, and sailing on the Nile was just magical. Luxor blew us away with its vibrant streets and hidden treasures. And let's not forget The Pharaonic Village – we couldn't stop snapping pictures of ourselves in ancient Egyptian attire! Egypt has stolen our hearts, and we'll be back for more adventures.
Maria Acheson
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Egypt, you totally rocked our world! The Abu Simbel temples were like nothing we've ever seen – talk about jaw-dropping! Our guide made history so much fun, and we learned a ton. Coptic Cairo took us on a journey through time, and The Pharaonic Village was an absolute blast – we felt like true pharaohs! Egypt, you've won our hearts, and we'll be spreading the word about this incredible destination.
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What Our Clients Say About Road To Egypt?

After 25 years of providing tour ideas and recommendations, our clients continually send us amazing feedback.

Egypt, you stole my heart! Exploring the vibrant local culture and savoring the diverse culinary delights was an absolute treat.

Benjamin Milne

Unwinding at the renowned Old Cataract Hotel with a cup of mint tea was pure bliss after witnessing the masterfully carved Temples of Abu Simbel.

Olivia Johnson

Embarking on this captivating Egyptian adventure was like stepping into a time machine!

William Turner

Egypt, a land of wonders! From the timeless Great Pyramids of Giza to the fascinating Karnak Temple Complex.

Sonia Thompson

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