Egypt : Ancient Egypt Tour

Resting on both banks of the River Nile, Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in the Arab world. Cairo has been inhabited for over 6000 years and has served as the capital of numerous Egyptian civilisations. At the heart of the city is Tahrir Square, a busy tourist hub which features the world-renowned Egyptian Museum displaying an array of antiquities including royal mummies and gilded King Tutankhamun artefacts. Nearby, Giza is the site of the iconic pyramids and the Great Sphinx, dating back to the 26th century BC. While these and countless other ancient treasures are undoubtedly the main drawcards, the cosmopolitan Cairo is certainly not lacking in modern attractions. Visitors can get to know the locals at boisterous Baladi bars, enjoy excellent shopping at the Khan al-Khalili Bazaar, watch the sunset from the impressive Cairo Tower, or catch a show at the stately Cairo Opera House.

Giza, while technically a separate administrative district, is part of the sprawling urban city of Cairo. The area is most famous as the location of the Giza Plateau: the site of some of the most impressive ancient monuments in the world. Although there are over a hundred pyramids in Egypt, by far the most famous are the Giza Pyramids. During the Greek and Roman eras, they were marvelled at as the first of the Seven Wonders of the World, and they still exert a powerful fascination, both as an extraordinary technical achievement and as a demonstration of the might, power, and ambition of Egypt's pharaonic rulers. No tour of Egypt would be complete without a visit to this extraordinary site which has inspired the most fantastic legends since ancient times and continues to fascinate and inspire visitors.

Resting on the east bank of the infamous Nile River in southern Egypt, the city of Luxor is renowned for its many well-preserved monuments, so much so that it has been described as the world’s greatest open-air museum. Luxor is often divided into three different areas; the city of Luxor on the east side of the Nile, the town of Karnak further north and Thebes on the west side of the Nile, across from Luxor. Visitors can look forward to a variety of accommodation and an abundance of exciting activities – Luxor knows how to accommodate tourists as it has been doing since ancient times. Don’t miss the Karnak and Luxor Temples, as well as the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens.

Situated along the west bank of the Nile River, the Valley of the Kings is home to the famous tomb of King Tutankhamun, one of the most famous archaeological sites in the world. Also known as Biban el-Moluk, the ‘Gates of the Kings’, the Valley of the Kings is the ancient burial site of many New Kingdom pharaohs and powerful nobleman laid to rest between the sixteenth and eleventh centuries B.C. The valley contains 63 unique tombs and chambers and the entire valley has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visitors can explore this ancient landscape featuring arid lunar terrain, discover the hidden tombs and view the work of the finest artisans of the ancient world, who paid homage to the pharaohs in detailed frescoes and wall reliefs.

Situated on the east bank of the Nile in the south of Egypt, Aswan is an arid, modern and popular city with a relaxing, Northern African atmosphere. The city is home to a number of significant archaeological sites and makes an excellent base for exploring the many world-class attractions of the surrounding area. Visitors can enjoy the beautiful views by way of slow walks along the wide corniche, or while dining on fresh seafood at one of the town’s charming floating restaurants. In the evenings, Nubian dancers, musicians and folklore troupes performing at the Cultural Centre, provide memorable entertainment. City highlights include: a large, lively central market and the Nubian Museum showcasing some of Southern Egypt’s most important historical artefacts.

Located just 40 kilometres north of the Sudanese border in southern Egypt, the laidback town of Abu Simbel is renowned for its ancient temple complex, the temples of Ramses ll. The town serves as a convenient stopover for visitors wanting to spend more than a few hours exploring the temples and surrounding area. These famous 3200-year-old Egyptian temples are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Nubian Monuments stretching from Abu Simbel to Philae. It is also Egypt’s second most visited attraction. The temples are comprised of two structures featuring four massive seated figures representing the pharaoh. Visit on February 22 and October 22 to catch the magnificent solar alignment which illuminates these colossal statues and its 56-metre-long inner chamber that leads to a series of hidden rooms and halls.