Explore the Landmarks of Cairo and Luxor from Sharm El-Sheikh in 2 Days
Highlights
Sharm el Sheikh, Cairo, Giza, Luxor
Locations Covered
Sharm el Sheikh, Cairo, Giza, Luxor
religious, historical, museums
Private Tour
2 Days
Easy
English
Description
Join us on tour and explore the historical sites of the cities of Cairo and Luxor. Visit the Giza Pyramids, the Hanging Church, Colossi of Memnon, and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Marvel at the beautifully preserved temple of Karnak, said to be the largest religious structure ever constructed, and witness the royal burials at the Valley of the Kings in Luxor.
Itinerary
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Day 1- Explore the Famous Sites of Cairo
- Meet your guide at your hotel in Sharm El-Sheikh and transfer to the airport to board your flight for Cairo.
- Head to Giza Plateau to visit one of the seven wonders of the ancient world- The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) and 3 small pyramids. You will continue to explore the rest of the Giza plateau, including the sight of Khafre’s (kaphren) pyramid - Khufu's son (the second-largest pyramid on the Giza site), the remains of the funeral temple, the pyramid of Mankawra (Mykerinus) and 3 small pyramids.
- Proceed to visit the Great Sphinx, the head of a pharaoh with a lion's body, which dates from the time of Chephren.
- Visit the Valley Temple, which belongs to the pyramids of Chephren. This temple definitely served two functions: First, it was used for the purification of the mummy of the king before its burial. Second, it was used for making the Mummification process of the king. After visiting the pyramids, you'll continue across the plateau for a photo of the three pyramids rising from the sands, with the Cairo skyline in the background. Have your lunch at a local restaurant.
- Explore the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, commonly known as the Egyptian Museum, in Cairo, Egypt. It is home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities dating back about 5,000 years of art. It is considered the world's most extensive and most valuable collection of Egyptian art. More than 250,000 original artifacts are presented, with a representative amount on display, the rest are in stores, and the Egyptian Museum is filled with thousands of pharaonic artifacts, including the golden treasures of King Tutankhamun. Fascinating objects such as jewels, headdresses, alabaster vases, and toys from ancient Egypt are all on display. Many priceless statues and other artifacts kept in his tomb for more than 3,500 years before their discovery in 1922, when the tomb was excavated, can also be seen in the Egyptian Museum. It is one of the first stops on most people's itineraries when travelling to Egypt. This distinctive museum houses a vast store of priceless objects from earlier times to the Greco-Roman period and is worth seeing. After this, you will be served a warm, delightful lunch meal at a high-quality restaurant.
- Go to Old Cairo to visit the Hanging Church, built in the 3rd and beginning of the 4th century in the Basilica style. Also, see the Abu Sirga Church and Ben Ezra Synagogue, which date back to the beginning of the 15th century AD. It was built in the Basilica style above the cave where the Holy Family took refuge.
- See the Amr Ibn El-Aas mosque, the first mosque built in Egypt.
- Arrive at Cairo airport to board your flight to Luxor. Check-in at a hotel on reaching Luxor.
Overnight in Luxor.
(Meals: Breakfast, lunch) -
Day 2- Visit the Famous Sites of Luxor
- Visit Valley of the Kings on the West bank. It was created and used from approximately 1539 BC to 1075 BC. It contains some 60 tombs, starting with Thutmose I and ending with Ramses X or XI. The site's official name was- The Great and Majestic Necropolis of the Millions of Years of the Pharaoh, Life, Strength, Health in The West of Thebes, or the Great Field. The most famous tomb is KV62, the Tomb of King Tutankhamun. Howard Carter made the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in 1922. Tutankhamun’s tomb was the first royal tomb to be discovered that was still largely intact.
- Continue the tour to visit the Hatshepsut temple at El Deir El Bahary. This impressive temple was dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut, the only female pharaoh. It rises out of the desert in a series of terraces and merges with the sheer limestone cliffs surrounding it.
- Proceed to the two colossal statues of Amenhotep III. Colossi of Memnon are the two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. For 3,400 years, they have sat in the Theban necropolis across the River Nile from the city of Luxor. The original function of the Colossi was to stand guard at the entrance to Amenhotep’s memorial or mortuary temple.
- Head to the East bank and explore the Karnak Temple, the largest place of worship ever built. In ancient Egypt, the power of the god Amun of Thebes gradually increased during the early New Kingdom, and after the short persecution led by Akhenaten, it rose to its apex. In the reign of Ramesses III, more than two-thirds of the property owned by the temples belonged to Amun, evidenced by the stupendous buildings at Karnak. Although badly ruined, no site in Egypt is more impressive than Karnak. It is the largest temple complex ever built by man and represents the combined achievement of many generations of ancient builders. The Temple of Karnak is three main temples, smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples located about three kilometres north of Luxor, Egypt, situated on 100 ha (247 acres) of land. Karnak is actually the site's modern name. Its ancient name was Ipet-isut, meaning "The Most Select (or Sacred) of Places."
- Move to Luxor Temple. Amunhotep III built it in the 18th Dynasty in the New Kingdom, and Ramesses II completed it during the 19th Dynasty. King Ramses II was the most famous king in the 19th Dynasty. He ruled Egypt for about 67 years. It was dedicated to the great god Amun-Ra, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu, representing the Theban triad. Enjoy visiting the Obelisk of Ramses II in front of the 1st Pylon. It was called "Ipet resyt", the Southern Opet or the Place of the Seclusion of Amun-Re. It was directly connected to the temple of Karnak- the main cult center of Amun-Re or Amun-Min, the sky god or the ithyphallic fertility god. Since its inception, the temple of Luxor has always been a sacred site. After Egypt's pagan period, a Christian church and monastery were located here, and after that, a mosque (13th-century Mosque of Abu el-Haggag) was built that continues to be used today.
- Transfer to Luxor domestic airport to reach Sharm El Sheikh and then head back to the hotel.
What's Included
What's Excluded
Know Before You Go
What To Bring
Meeting Point
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.
Price
Triple Room | |
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11 to 15 | /person |
7 to 10 | /person |
4 to 6 | /person |
2 to 3 | /person |
1 to 1 | /person |
Twin Room | |
1 to 4 | /person |
Single Room | |
1 to 4 | /person |
Child | |
1 to 4 | /person |
Child | |
This is a private tour |