Egypt: Exclusive Access

Day notes

The day begins with a welcome briefing from your Egyptologist guide before departing for Giza and the Pyramids and Sphinx!

The oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramid of Giza, remains largely intact, making it easier for visitors to imagine life as it was centuries ago during a period known as BC and during the era of the great Egyptian dynasties. It is believed that the pyramid took more than 20 years to build by dragging and lifting enormous stones into place. It is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza complex, comprised of the three pyramids and the Sphinx.

No trip to Egypt would be complete without a ride on a “ship of the desert,” and so you will have an opportunity to mount your camel for an unforgettable ride across the sands of Giza.

Lunch will be at 9 Pyramids Lounge before continuing to the Sphinx. The Great Sphinx of Giza is the largest monolith statue in the world, and it features a human head and a lion’s body. Your visit to the Sphinx will bring the first of your journey's Insider Access visits as you enter into the area between the paws of the Great Sphinx, typically off-limits to the public.

Day notes

Today, explore the treasures of Cairo.

Begin at the Cairo Museum, the centrally located museum on the edge of Tahrir Square in Cairo.  Originally opened in 1902, the museum is in its final days before the New Cairo is opened in 2022.  It was built to house the antiquities of Ancient Egypt and still contains the greatest collection of Ancient Egyptian archeology and history in the world.

Lunch will be provided today in a Cairo restaurant. 

This afternoon, stroll through the Old Islamic Quarter.  Arriving at one of the Old Cairo gates, Bab El Fotouh, start this fun walk through the old Islamic quarter, exploring the narrow streets, bustling roadside shops, and "wekalas" – trading places that are still actively trading all sorts of wares.  Walk down Al Moez Street until you reach Khan El Khalili Bazar. Take some time to explore the colorful and exciting bazaar, originally a water stop for caravans in the 14th -century; El Khaili is reputed to be the largest bazaar in the Middle East.

Day notes

Depart this morning for nearby Sakkara and one of your journeys' most exciting "Exclusive Access" events — a visit to the Bubasteion Necropolis, prominently featured in the 2020 Netflix documentary, "Secrets of the Saqqara Tomb." 

Here, you can channel Indiana Jones at an active archaeological site as you are lowered via a basket down to Egypt’s ancient underworld and into a tomb just recently discovered in 2020! Accompanied by an archaeologist from the Netflix documentary and carrying torches to light your way, discover coffins still containing mummies from over 4,000 years ago! Your archaeologist guide will explain who the tomb might belong to, their history, and the process of unearthing the human mummies and their highly revered cats, as well as other excavated artifacts. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be cherished forever!

Move to the nearby Necropolis of Memphis, and the Step Pyramid of Zoser, the first limestone structure ever built. Explore its 4350 years old colored tombs taking the opportunity to go inside and see the ancient hieroglyphics engraved on its walls thousands of years ago. Then, proceed to visit the off-beaten track tombs of Mhu, the Butchers & the Brothers.

Situated south of the Nile Delta, Memphis served as the capital of Aneb-Hetch in ancient Egypt. Memphis enjoyed significant status throughout ancient Mediterranean history and was a thriving metropolis by Egypt’s third dynasty. Once an important religious center, Memphis was left in ruin after the Muslim conquest of Egypt in 640 AD.  Today, you can explore the various ruins scattered around the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Memphis archaeological zone includes royal palaces, an extensive necropolis, and the great temple of Ptah. 

Lunch will be served in a nearby restaurant before returning to Cairo.

Day notes

Your final day in Cairo begins at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. The impressive Museum is located in Fustat, the first Egyptian capital after the Arab Islamic conquest. It was a logical choice for the museum site, as the area is located at the crossroads of Egyptian history. The museum partially opened in 2017 and continues to add exhibits and collections, ultimately displaying a collection of 50.000 artifacts, presenting Egyptian Civilization from prehistoric times to the present day. The Royal Mummies of the Pharos will be transferred there.

Lunch will be at a restaurant in Cairo.

Visit Coptic Cairo this afternoon.  This historic section of the city houses the remains of the old Fortress of Babylon, built at the time of the Romans in Egypt to protect the country from invading enemies. The fortress walls enclose the Church of St. Sergius, built on a crypt considered to be one of the resting places of the Holy Family during their flight to Egypt 2000 years ago, and the Beautiful Hanging Church.

Finally, visit the Synagogue of Ben Ezra remains from the time of the once-thriving Jewish community in Egypt under the leadership of Rabbi Ben Ezra. Inside the “Geniza Documents" were discovered, which provide a detailed account of Jewish history in Egypt’s past. 

Return to your hotel mid-afternoon and have the evening at leisure.

Day notes

Further West Bank explorations today brings to light two of Ancient Egypt's great women, Queen Nefertari and Hatshepsut.  

Cross the Nile to the Valley of the Queens to the recently reopened Tomb of Nefertari, considered one of the most beautiful and best-preserved tombs of all the pharaohs and queens.   In order to preserve the condition of the tomb, only a limited number of guests are allowed to visit.

Continue to the imposing and impressive Temple of Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut was one of the only female pharaohs and certainly the most renowned and respected. Take time to explore the extraordinary monument built to honor the great queen pharaoh before boarding a traditional felucca to sail the Nile while enjoying a picnic-style lunch.

Return to the hotel mid-afternoon for some time to rest and relax.

Late this evening, visit the great Temple of Luxor. The temple, predominantly built by Ramses II, is considered one of Egypt's great monuments and is nothing short of awe-inspiring. 

Dinner will be on you own this evening. 

Day notes

After breakfast,  your day of exploration begins at the stunning Philae Temple, wholly reclaimed from the waters after the building of the Aswan Dam.  The temple, nothing short of spectacular, is dedicated to Isis, the Egyptian goddess of love.

From the temple, continue by motorboat to the Southern Cataract between the granite stone formations to discover and explore the colorful Nubian Village and learn about the ancient Nubians culture that once thrived in the region.

If you like, you will also have the opportunity to swim in the Nile River (!) from a sandy beach along its banks.  Lunch today will be served in an authentic Nubian home.

Return to the hotel and have the afternoon to enjoy the hotel pool and stunning scenery of the Nile surrounding you!

Day notes

Transfer to the Aswan airport this morning for the short flight to Abu Simbel.  

Located just 40 kilometers north of the Sudanese border in southern Egypt, Abu Simbel is renowned for its ancient temple complex. These famous 3200-year-old Egyptian temples are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nubian Monuments stretching from Abu Simbel to Philae.

The temples are comprised of two structures, the Temples of Ramses ll and Nefertari, feature four massive seated figures representing the pharaoh and his queen. Visiting on February 22 and October 22  provides the opportunity to catch the magnificent solar alignment, which illuminates these colossal statues, and the tombs 56-meter-long inner chamber that leads to a series of hidden rooms and halls.  Abu Simbel is one of Egypt's greatest monuments and a sight not soon forgotten!

Take some time to shop in the nearby stalls before having a picnic lunch near the banks of Lake Nassar.  Return to the Abu Simbel airport for the return flight to Aswan and have the remainder of the day at leisure.

Day notes

Today is an all-out adventure!

Begin at Wadi Rayan, where you meet your 4x4 driver to set out through the incredible desert valley of Wadi Rayan, where beautiful waterfalls and tree-lined pools break the arid landscape.

Later this morning, arrive at the Valley of the Whales, where you will explore the fantastic oasis and fossils on a 4X4 safari.  You will also have time for some fun dune 4x4 dune bashing before taking to the dunes on a sandboard!  Enjoy some real fun and adventure sliding down the slopes of desert sand.

Lunch prepared by the locals for you in an oasis village.

The day continues to The Magic Lake, an obscure beautiful lake located in Wadi El Hitan. It is called 'The Magic Lake' because of its almost mystical properties as it changes colors several times each day depending on the time of day and the amount of sunlight it receives. A stunning desert setting, The Magic Lake offers the opportunity to go swimming or just take in the beautiful scenery. Either way, it is the perfect place to end this magical day.

Return to the Lazib Inn and enjoy an evening taking in the stunning starfield above.