The Egyptian Museum is the first thing we visited on landing Cairo. Apart from all the antiques of Pharaohs, we saw the first Mummy of the trip. This is a must visit place to get an idea about the history of Egypt.
Total Duration - 3-4 hours
Day 2 started with the most awaited part of the trip to the Pyramids of Giza.Words and pictures can never describe the feeling of looking at the Pyramids for the first time.
We booked a car to reach Giza Pyramids from Cairo. We also bought tickets so that we can go inside the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Duration- 3-4 hours
After an amazing tour of Pyramid (inside and out) we went to Khan el-Khalili market.
Duration - 1-2 hours
Around 7 P.M. we boarded our pre-booked sleeper train to Aswan. The sleeper train to Aswan is mostly for tourists hence has to be pre-booked.
After the overnight train journey from Cairo, we reached Aswan. In Aswan we visited high dam, unfinished obelisk and then boarded our Nile Cruise.(The Nile cruise departs either in morning or afternoon. Since we planned to visit Abu Simbel next day early morning, we chose the cruise which departed on day 4 afternoon.)
Duration- 2-3 hours
Later in evening we went for Felucca ride around Elephantine Island and Agha Khan- Masoleum .
Duration- 2 hours
Next day early morning at around 5 we started our journey to Abu Simbel by car. It takes almost 3 hours to reach Abu Simbel from Aswan.On the way to Abu Simbel we also enjoyed some sunrise moment in Sahara Desert.
Abu Simbel is the place to see the temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari. The reconstructed temples are majestic and a must visit in Egypt.
Duration - 2 hours
After the morning visit to Abu Simbel temples, we came back to our cruise and started our journey on Nile towards Kom Ombo in afternoon
Day 4 evening we reached Kom Ombo to visit the Kom Ombo temple and crocodile museum. The Kom Ombo temple is a double temple. Our guide taught us how to read the calender that were used by the ancient Egyptians.
Duration- 2 hours
Back to cruise, we started sailing towards Edfu
Day 5 morning we reached Edfu. The Edfu temple was built for Horus. Like Kom Ombo, Edfu temple is also an amazing structure. The walls of the temples has hieroglyph representing the ancient Egyptian medical practices, their battles and day to day rituals.
Duration - 2 hours
Same day evening the cruise reached Luxor. Since we had time so we went out to visit the Luxor Temple. The lights around the temple magnified the beauty of this place.
Duration - 2 hours
Next day early morning at 4, we went for parachute ride over Nile and the valley of kings.The aerial view of Luxor city is definitely one of the best way to start the day.
Duration - 2-3 hours
Back to cruise parachute ride we went to the Valley of the Kings This place has an interesting history behind it. It was built by the kings to preserve their bodies in a place which looked like pyramid but with less access.
Duration - 3-4 hours
After valley of the Kings, we went for our next stop Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
Duration - 2-3 hours
Finally, the last destination in Luxor the Karnak Temple. Karnak Temple is quite huge compared to other temples.
Duration - 3-4 hours
We again boarded the sleeper train from Luxor to Cairo at night.
Next morning at Cairo, we visited citadel of Saladin and mosque of Muhammad Ali.
Duration - 3-4 hours
Evening we went back to Pyramids one last time for the pre-booked light and sound show. The history of ancient Egypt is magically shown in different colors.
Duration - 2-3 hours
On the 8th day of our trip we again started in morning towards Alexandria, the second largest city of Egypt. The drive to Alexandria from Cairo is about 3 hours by car.
The places to see in Alexandria are the Fort of QaitBay overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, Mosque of Abu Abbas and Montazah Gardens. It takes almost 3 hours to enjoy this place. After having authentic Egyptian food in Alexandria we came back to Cairo at night.
Duration - 8-9 hours
