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Egypt
Highlights: Cairo:
“This little world, the great Cairo… the most admirable and the greatest city seen upon earth… the Microcosmus of the greater world…” -
William Lithgow, 1614
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Cairo has been the largest city in Africa for centuries. Modern Cairo encompasses many former cities and their monuments: the pyramids of the Pharaohs, the
Sphinx, early Christian monasteries and churches, Salah Al-Din Citadel, and mosques of the Mamluke Ottoman sultans. Five thousand years of culture are
concentrated here, at the centre of three continents. Cairo has a unique atmosphere: both exciting and relaxing. The city pulses with life while the Nile flows
on toward the sea. “The Mother of the World” is one of the friendliest and safest cities in the world: Egyptian hospitality will ensure that, wherever you come
from, you'll feel quite at home.
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Giza Pyramids
On the west bank of the Nile facing Cairo & on top of Giza plateau rise the three Pyramids and it is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Surrounded by
small Pyramids & hundred of Mastabas & tombs for kings & nobels.
The Ancient Egyptians, It must be noted, built the pyramids to be tombs to preserve the bodies of their dead kings, especially as they believed in resurrection
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The Great Pyramid
The most famous structure in the world was built by king Cheops (IV Dynasty) around 2650 B.C. on an area of 13 feddans. Its height now is 137metres
(original height:146metres).Almost 2.5 million blocks of stone were put into building this pyramid, which measures 230ms square at the base. All this,
however, dwindles when compared to the precision and astounding ability of the ancient Egyptian in building this pyramid. Close to the eastern flank of the
Pyramid of Cheops lie three small pyramids dedicated either to his wives or family members.
The Second Pyramid
Built by Kephren, south-west of his father's pyramid though lower in height: 136m., it still retains, on some of its upper parts, the remains of the limestone
that had once covered it all. The base, it measures 215.5m square. Now it still has remains in the upper part of fine grain limestone.
The Third Pyramid
Built by Mycerinus (Menkaure), south-west of the Great and Second Pyramids. It is much smaller than either one (62 ms). It is distinguished by the fact that
the lower part of its sides still retain granite slab coverings.
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The Sphinx
A legendary statue for it has the body of lion. It is 70ms long and 20m high.
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Memphis and Saqqara Area
It's one of the oldest cities Memphis was the capital on ancient Egypt throughout the old Kingdom. It includes:
1. The Temple for embalming the Sacred Apis Bull, which shows the various steps of embalming.
2. The Alabaster Sphinx that dates back to the old Kingdom.
Saqqara is the oldest Ancient Egyptian cemetery. It lays a desert plateau, south-west of Cairo.
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The Egyptian Museum
One of the world's most famous museums. It houses 250,000 antique pieces including mummies, sarcophagi and the fabulous treasures from Tut Ankh
Amun's tomb.
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Sound and Light Show
In an enchanting atmosphere, with sound, light, and music, the show captivates audiences and makes re-live ancient times, the history of the Pyramids and
the glory of the Pharaohs. The show is presented in six languages: Arabic, English, French, German, Spanish and Italian.
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Cairo shopping centres
Cairo offers a wide selection of shopping, leisure, culture and nightlife.The Khan-El-Khalili Bazaar & Sagha comprising an array of shops dating to the 14th Century AD.
Haraneya is the main centre for hand-made carpets. Kerdasa is famed for its embroidered cotton and silk dresses (galabeyas) as well as other hand-made products.
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HURGHADA
Founded in the early 20th century, Hurghada has gone on to become the foremost tourist resort of the Red Sea coast and an International center for aquatic
sports. An excellent location for windsurfing, sailing, deep-sea fishing, swimming, snorkeling and diving. The unique underwater gardens offshore are some of
the finest in the world-justifiably famous amongst divers.
Make a day-trip to Giftun Island for snorkeling and a fish barbecue; view the sea through a glass-bottomed boat or in a
submarine. You can shop in the
boutiques, relax in the luxury tourist villages, visit the Aquarium or the Roman remains near Gabal Abu Dukhan. Day-trips or safaris to explore the Red Sea
Mountains by camel or jeep are also available.
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ASWAN
Aswan, Egypt's sunniest southern city and ancient frontier town, has a distinctively African atmosphere. Small enough to walk around and graced with the
most beautiful setting on the Nile, the pace of life is slow and relaxing.
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Days can be spent strolling up and down the broad Corniche watching the sailboats etch the sky with their tall masts or sitting in floating restaurants
listening to Nubian music and eating fresh Nile fishes. Here, the Nile is at its most beautiful, flowing through amber desert and granite rocks, round emerald
islands covered in palm groves and tropical plants. Explore the souk, full of the scent and colour of spices, perfumes, scarves and baskets; view the
spectacular sunsets while having tea on the terrace of your hotel. Aswan has been a favourite winter resort since the beginning of the nineteenth century
and it is still a perfect place to leave everything else behind.
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EDFU
Temple of Edfu
Edfu is a longer trip (105km from Aswan) but it houses the best-preserved cult temple in Egypt which is an essential landmark for archaeological enthusiasts.
Dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god, it was built, during the reigns of six Ptolemies. The main building, which includes a great hypostyle hall, was
uncovered by Mariette. There are numerous reliefs, including a depiction of the Feast of the Beautiful Meeting, the annual reunion between Horus & his wife
Hathor & a particularly fine ceiling of the goddess Nut in the New Year Chapel. The temple, which rivals those at Luxor in grandeur, also comprises a
Nilometer, a Court of Offerings & a huge pylon at its entrance.
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LUXOR
“Here are works in whose presence it is a task for the imagination to overtake the eyesight!”
Luxor is the world's greatest out door museum, filled with the awe-inspiring monuments of ancient civilization. As Wesset was the capital of Egypt during the
New Kingdom (1567-1085 BC); as Thebes was described by Homer as “City of The Hundred Gates.” Its Recent name, Al-Oqsor, means “City of The Palaces.” Testaments to a desire for immortality, built for eternity in sandstone and granite, the temples, tombs and palaces, surrounded by souks and luxury hotels.
On the East Bank of the Nile, in the City of the Living, Luxor and Karnak Temples greet the sunrise. |
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The sunset on the West Bank throws shadows through
the City of the Dead: the Tombs of the Nobles, the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut's Temple. Today, you can walk through history; past statues
withed heads of gods and animals, beneath pillars carved with lotus buds and papyrus. Ride in a horse-drawn calèche, sail in a felucca, take a sunset cruise
or see the city from a hot-air balloon.
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ALEXANDRIA “The Pearl of the Mediterranean”
The second largest city in Egypt, Alexandria has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern; its ambience and cultural heritage distance
it from the rest of the country although it is only 225km from Cairo.
Founded by Alexander the Great in 331BC, Alexandria became the capital of
Graeco-Roman Egypt; its status as a beacon of culture is symbolized by “Pharos”,
the legendary lighthouse that was one of the Seven Wonders of the World.
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Now, Alexandria is a year-round resort. In winter, the sun still shines along the white sand coast while yachts race in the
harbour. In summer, sun lovers
seek out the cooling sea breezes. Whether you come for the past or the present, for history, or just on holiday, when you visit Alexandria, you'll see more
than one city. The city centre stretches from Saad Zaghloul Square, to the seafront, where there is a statue of Saad
Pacha. This was formerly the site of the Caesareum, a magnificent temple built by Cleopatra for Marc Anthony and subsequently completed by their enemy
Octavius. Two famous obelisks (one known
as “Cleopatra's Needle”, now on the Embankment in London; the other in New York's Central Park) were once here but all traces of the temple have
disappeared.
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Today, post-colonial architecture, like Hotel Cecil, vies with more modern buildings. The Unknown Soldier Monument is located near Tahrir
Square. Strolling round here you can still see old street nameplates and find the jewellery and antique shops for which the area was known, as well as
modern restaurants and cafés.
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Why travel to Egypt with Compact Travels?
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Most of our
itineraries include the Sound and Light show at the
Pyramids. |
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Private
vehicle throughout and not a coach as is included in most
of the packages offered. |
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Our guides
in Egypt are Egyptologists and not an ordinary guide. So
you can be assured that they have in depth knowledge on
Egypt. |
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Domestic
transfers from CAI-ASW//LXR-CAI by air. |
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Dinner
Cruise on Floating Restaurant with Belly Dancing and Folk
Show. |
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Sound and
Light Show at the Pyramids and Entrance Fees. |
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One of our most popular itinerary is given
below in this article. You can also add-on optional tours such as:
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2 Nights /
3 Days Hurghada |
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2 Nights
/ 3 Days Alexandria |
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Day Trip to
Alexandria |
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2 Nights /
3 Days Sharm El Sheikh |
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7 Nights / 8 Days
Program in Egypt Departure Every Wednesday Only
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Tour Code: EG7N8D (Wed)
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Day 1:
Wednesday: Arrival at Cairo International Airport where our representative will meet, assist and transfer you to your hotel. (D)
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Day 2:
Thursday: Visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, which houses the world's largest collection of artifacts from the Era of the Pharaohs. Later, tour Old
Cairo, where early Judaism and Christianity flourished in Egypt. Visit sites like the Synagogue in Egypt, and the Moallaka Church, the site where the Virgin
Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus took refuge. We spend the afternoon at the Great Pyramids of Giza; Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinos, and the defending
Sphinx, Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids. (B)
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Day 3:
Friday: Early morning transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Aswan, Meet at Aswan Airport and transfer to your Cruise ship for a three nights
Cruise, afternoon enjoy a Felucca sail on the famous river Nile to see the Agha Khan Mausoleum and the Nilometer. (B/L/D)
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Day 4:
Saturday: Morning half day to visit the High Dam, the unfinished Obelisk, noon sail to Kom Ombo village to see the Temple of Sobek, and continue
sailing after the visit to Edfu City and overnight. (B/L/D)
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Day 5:
Sunday: After breakfast, we take a Horse Carriage Ride to visit the Horus Temple at Edfu, and after the visit, we sail to cross the Esna Lock on the Nile
to reach Luxor at night. (B/L/D)
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Day 6:
Monday: Early Morning we cross the Nile to visit the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon,
afternoon Karnak and Luxor Temples before your flight back to Cairo (B)
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Day 7:
Tuesday: Day at leisure to enjoy Cairo on Your Own, afternoon drive to Khan El Khalili Bazaar, and evening farewell dinner on Floating restaurant with
Belly Dancing and Folk Show (Optional), and late evening transfer to Cairo International airport for your flight to Mumbai. (B)
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Day 8:
Wednesday: Arrive in Mumbai.
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Highlights:
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3 Nights in Hotel on BB basis. |
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1 Full day of Sightseeing with English speaking Guide in Private A/C New Vehicle. |
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3 Nights Cruise based on Full Board with English speaking Guide. |
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Meet and assist at the Airport and transfers throughout as mentioned above with A/C New Vehicle. |
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Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids on Thursday. |
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