Travel to Egypt…A country of myths and mysteries that beckons with her wondrous sights and alluring mystique. Awe-inspiring pyramids and Golden-clad tombs buried with astounding treasures. Cruise the mighty Nile River to witness a remarkable biannual event that unfolds deep inside the ancient temple of King Ramses with a comprehensive Egypt sightseeing program led by a certified Egyptologist. Only on these 2 days is the sun able to penetrate the temple’s sanctum sanctorum to illuminate 3 of the 4 statues within, leaving the 4th, the God of Darkness, in the dark.  

Explore where ancient civilization emerged more than 5,000 years ago. Come experience a glittering glimpse into the past on your Egypt vacation with Blair and David from the legendary Sphinx at Giza and the Great Pyramids, the only surviving structures acclaimed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World to the magnificent gilded artifacts of King Tutankhamen and the Mummies Room at the Egyptian  Museum of Antiquities  in Cairo. Come embark on a cruise along the Nile to Luxor and the Valley of the Kings, famed for its tombs and royal burial chambers  and experience firsthand the captivating stories of the ancient world.  It’s no wonder Egypt has become one of the most popular travel destinations in the world!

Cairo

Sphinx

Felucca

 We hosted a trip to Egypt with an optional extension to Jordan in October of 2021.  
​ 
October 20, 2021 - Cairo
We visited the  The Egyptian Museum (the new, Grand Egyptian Museum wasn't open yet due to COVID delays).  While many of the artifacts have been moved to the new Grand Egyptian Museum, there were still over 100,000 items on display including treasures of Tutankhamen’s tomb. 

Then, we drove to Old Cairo to visit Al Moallaka Church also called the Hanging Church.   It is referred to as hanging because it is built above the foundations of a Babylon Fortress which was built on top of a Roman fortress.  Logs of palm trees and layers of stones were used over the ruins to use as a base for the church.  Al Moallaka is one of the oldest Coptic (Egyptian Christians) churches in Cairo.

Then we visited the most iconic and recognizable structures in Egypt.  The pyramids and the Sphynx!   

October 21, 2021 - Cairo 
Today we went to the famous Khan el-Khalili bazaar and souk in the historic center of Cairo.  We practiced our haggling skills which is expected as the first price quoted is inflated and you eventually settle on between a third to one half of the original price. The bazaar was originally a center of trade in the Mamluk era..   The bazaar district has since become one of Cairo's main attractions for tourists and Egyptians alike.​

October 21, 2021- THU I CAIRO I ASWAN I ABU SIMBEL
We flew to Aswan and then on to Abu Simbel.  We settled into our lovely hotel for some R & R  in preparation for our 3 AM departure to witness the Abu Simbel Sun Festival.  This festival is massively popular and there is a short window where you can witness the illumination of the inner sanctum.  It is important to get at the front of the line, hence the 3 AM departure in order to get in.  This event is so popular that you line up single file where guards on either side of you have ropes to prevent people from cutting in.
 
October 22, 2021 – FRI I ABU SIMBEL I ASWAN
We witnessed an event that happens twice a year where the sun’s rays illuminate the inner sanctum of the temple. This remarkable event where the early morning light streams in illuminating the statues of light while leaving the statue of Ptah, the god of darkness in shadow. This outstanding feat took extensive knowledge of astronomy and technology by the ancient Egyptians.  

An interesting aside:  When the Aswan dam was built the temple had to be moved so it would not be flooded.  The alignment was preserved during the relocation in the 1960's though the date of the Sun festival had to be shifted from the 21st to the 22nd to accommodate the temple's new home.

In the afternoon we took the short fight back to Aswan to board our Nile Cruise aboard the Sun Goddess for a 3 night cruise where we enjoyed fine food, wonderful cultural entertainment and laundry service!  We visited the High Dam, the Granite Alexandria Quarries with the Unfinished Obelisk, and the Temple of Isis at Philae.   We sailed to Kom Ombo, to visit the Ptolemaic Temple of Sobek and Haroeris.  We sailed on board a felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailboat and watched the sun set over the horizon.
 
October 23, 2021 – SAT I EDFU I LUXOR
We traveled by horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Horus, the falcon god. Dating from 237 B.C., it is considered the best-preserved temple in Egypt and the second largest after the Temple of Karnak.  Our rides waited patiently for us in a shaded "horse garage". 

We visited the Aswan Dam, the unfinished obelisk in the Granite Alexandria Quarries where it cracked just before completion (I bet there were a few choice Egyptian swear words when that happened!) and The Temple of Isis.

We then sailed to Esna, passing through the Esna Lock, to  continue  towards Luxor. (B,L,D)
 
October 24, 2021 - SUN I LUXOR
We sailed to Edfu to visit the Edfu Temple and then on to Luxor where we saw the Luxor Temple  and overnight in Luxor 

October 25, 2021 – MON I LUXOR I CAIRO
We had the option of a balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings so it was another very early morning but a spectacular adventure!
​
We visited the West Bank Necropolis including the Valley of the Kings, the Funerary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (the only female pharaoh) and the Colossi of Memnon.  Lastly, we visit the Karnak Temple and take a short flight to Cairo.
This evening we enjoyed a Nile River Dinner Cruise with entertainment (belly dancer and whirling dervish) on board the M/S Maxim where we say goodbye to half our group and the rest of us look forward to Jordan.
 
October 26, 2021 - TUE I CAIRO TO USA
About half our group opted for an  EXTENSION TO PETRA, JORDAN  

Petra ranks 1st on Lonely Planet's Ultimate Travel List
​