Highlights Of Ancient Egypt Short Break

This remarkable weekend begins in the Egyptian capital, arguably the most eclectic city in Africa. Shaped by its ancient and modern past and filled with an unparalleled collection of reminders to its turbulent heritage, Cairo is one of the most enthralling cities on the planet, a fitting beginning to our incredible few days.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+)

In the 12th century an Arab historian wrote, “…all things fear time, but time fears the Pyramids”. Today we have an opportunity to experience for ourselves the iconic presence of the last remaining wonder of the Ancient World, as we drive out this morning to the magnificent Pyramids complex on the Giza Plateau. Sandwiched between the sprawling mass of Cairo and the open plains of the desert, even today the mighty Pyramids can evoke awe and wonder in the newly arrived visitor. The Great Pyramid of Cheops, the largest of the group, originally 145m high and measuring 232m at its base, dominates the plateau. It was built around 2600BC, over a period of some 20 or so years, using only the simplest of implements and without the aid of draught animals or even the wheel! Second in size is the Pyramid of Chephren, whilst the smallest of the trio is that of Mykerinos. Whilst we are here you can opt to venture inside these amazing structures, or visit the magnificent Solar Boat, designed to transport the Pharaoh’s soul to the afterlife (both these visits are optional). The complex also includes the splendid Granite Temple and the enigmatic and mysterious Sphinx, the Father of Terror, a crouching lion with a human head, carved from a single piece of solid rock. From the Pyramids we head for the Egyptian Museum, via a papyrus institute, where you can learn something of the ancient methods of paper making in the Egypt of the Pharaohs. The museum itself is a spectacular repository of some 120,000 items, encompassing all aspects of the world of the Ancient Egyptians, from ornate jewellery and towering granite statues, to mummified remains and, of course, the treasures of Tutankhamen, including his magnificent golden death mask. Returning to the hotel later this afternoon, we then transfer to the airport for an evening flight to Upper Egypt and the sumptuous remains of the ancient city of Thebes.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Situated on the east bank of the Nile, Luxor is a vibrant mix of the traditional and the modern, where the daily bustle sees horse drawn carriages (caleshes), goats and splendidly robed Egyptians sharing the streets with all the trappings of modern life. With an opportunity to take an early morning balloon flight over Luxor (optional), we then spend the morning visiting the stupendous Temple of Amun at Karnak, transferring there by horse drawn calesh. Dating from around 2000 BC, the scale and grandeur of the site is amazing, covering an area the size of 10 European cathedrals. An avenue of silent sphinxes leads up to the entrance, where the Temple Precinct encloses the Festival Temple of Tuthmosis and the Hypostyle Hall, built with 134 towering pillars and carved with scenes from the life of the ancient King worshipping Amun (the principle God of Egypt at the time of the Middle Kingdom). We visit Hatshepsut’s obelisks, explore a myriad of chambers and temples and gaze across the Sacred Lake, whilst in the Court of the Cachette we find an upstanding stele that documents a pact between Ramses II and the Hittite king, one of the first international treaties ever recorded. After our guided tour of the principal sites of the temple we return to our hotel via the bustling bazaar, after which your time is free to explore Luxor at your leisure. You may decide to take a calesh ride through the town’s busy souks and out to the nearby villages, offering a fascinating insight into everyday life in today's rural Egypt. You could also journey across to the west bank and visit both the Workers Tombs, built to house those Workers who built and created the great Royal Tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the fascintaing Habu Temple which was built as a Mortuary Temple to the Great Ramses II.  The aim of the temple was to preserve the Pharaoh's memory and provide a place to worship the divine king.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Rising very early this morning, we cross the Nile to enjoy an adventurous donkey trek passing through an enchanting landscape of irrigated farmland and mud brick villages en route, pausing to view the famous Colossi of Memnon, the last remains of the once mighty temple of Amenhotep III then on to the extraordinary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Egypt’s only female Pharaoh, who usurped the throne from her son, the future Tuthmoses III. The scale of the temple and its magnificent setting are breathtaking, but perhaps even more remarkable are the details - look out for the fine carving of the ‘Expedition to the Land of Punt’. We then take a short taxi ride to the Valley of the Kings’ to explore some of the more important sites made famous in 1922 by the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun by Howard Carter. We visit three tombs with a local guide before journeying back to Luxor. The rest of the afternoon is free, perhaps taking an opportunity to visit the remarkable setting of Luxor Temple, lying besides the banks of the Nile, or enjoying the rich collection of fascinating artefacts in the exquisite Luxor Museum.  This evening there is the opportunity to enjoy a felucca ride to nearby Banana Island, taking in some of the timeless romance of the Nile, before returning back to Luxor for an evening stroll through its atmospheric streets.

Overnight Standard Hotel (H+) Included meals: Breakfast

Included meals: Breakfast