Civilization in the Deserts of Africa: Egypt Tour 7N/8D

Day 1: ALEXANDRIA

Departure from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport to Alexandria Airport with Pegasus Airlines at 23:55. Arrival in Alexandria at 00:55 local time. After completing passport and visa procedures, we will proceed to our vehicle. We will then transfer to our hotel in Alexandria for check-in and overnight stay.

Day 2: CAIRO

After breakfast at the hotel, our first stop will be the Abu Abbas al-Mursi Mosque, where we will visit the tomb of the great scholar Abu Abbas al-Mursi and the nearby tomb of Imam al-Busiri, the author of "Qasida al-Burda." Next, we will explore the Qaitbay Citadel, one of the most important historical fortresses in the Mediterranean. Afterward, we will visit the modern Alexandria Library, built on the site of the ancient Library of Alexandria. Following a brief photo break, we will stop at the Alexandria Bazaar for some free time. After performing the noon prayer in Alexandria, we will head to the city of Tanta, where we will visit the tomb of the esteemed Islamic scholar Ahmad al-Badawi. Finally, we will travel to Cairo, check in to our hotel, and rest for the night.

Day 3: CAIRO

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the Giza archaeological site, home to the Great Pyramids, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Our guide will explain the history of these mysterious structures, after which we will have some free time to explore the pyramids up close. Next, we will head to a panoramic viewpoint, where you can capture all three pyramids—Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure—in a single frame. Afterward, we will visit and photograph the Great Sphinx, one of the world's largest statues. Then, we will stop at an essential oil workshop, one of the largest fragrance production centers in ancient times, where we will learn about the process of making essential oils. Following that, we will visit a papyrus workshop to see how the world’s first paper was made. Our next destination will be the Egyptian Museum, where we will explore the most important treasures of ancient Egypt, including the famous treasures of Tutankhamun. After the museum visit, we will enjoy a dinner cruise on the Nile River, which will last two hours. Following dinner, we will return to the hotel for rest.

Day 4: CAIRO

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit Islamic Cairo, specifically the Fustat area. We will start with the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As, the first mosque built in Africa, and visit the Hanging Church, which holds great significance for Coptic Christians. Next, we will visit the Ibn Tulun Mosque and the tomb of Imam al-Shafi’i, one of the four great imams of Islamic jurisprudence, where we will perform the noon prayer. Following this, we will explore the historic Muizz Street, home to Fatimid and Mamluk architectural masterpieces. Our tour will continue with visits to the famous Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, the mosque containing the tomb of Imam Husayn, and Al-Azhar Mosque and Madrasah, after which we will have some free time. In the evening, we will return to the hotel for overnight accommodation.

Day 5: CAIRO/LUXOR

After breakfast at the hotel, our first visit will be to the Citadel of Saladin and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, followed by the Mosque of Sultan Hassan and the Mosque of Imam al-Rifa’i. We will also visit the tomb of Sayyida Nafisa, a respected figure in Islamic tradition. The afternoon will be free for shopping at the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, with free time until three hours before the flight. We will then transfer to the airport for our flight (Note: the itinerary may change based on flight schedules, as domestic flights are booked once final group numbers are confirmed).

Day 6: LUXOR

After breakfast, we will head to the Valley of the Kings, where we will visit the tombs of the pharaohs and the mortuary temples they built. Notably, we will see the magnificent Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Afterward, we will move on to Luxor city center to visit the Mosque and Tomb of Abu al-Hajjaj, a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. Following some free time at the bazaar, we will return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 7: HURGHADA

After breakfast and check-out at the hotel, we will depart for our first stop, the world-renowned Karnak Temple, one of the largest and most important archaeological sites in history. After visiting this monumental temple, we will drive to Hurghada. Upon arrival, we will check in to our hotel and enjoy free time to relax by the Red Sea. (Optional ATV and buggy safaris are available, and our guide will assist with arrangements.) The overnight stay at the hotel will include an open-buffet dinner.

Day 8: HURGHADA

After breakfast at the hotel, we will check out by 12:00. Our city tour will include a visit to the El Mina Mosque. Afterward, we will board a semi-submarine (Sea Scope) to discover the hidden underwater treasures of the Red Sea. Following the boat tour, we will have free time for shopping at the bazaar. Later in the evening, we will visit the Marina area before transferring to Hurghada Airport for our late-night flight to Istanbul with Pegasus Airlines at 01:50.

Day 2: CAIRO

After breakfast at the hotel, our first stop will be the Abu Abbas al-Mursi Mosque, where we will visit the tomb of the great scholar Abu Abbas al-Mursi and the nearby tomb of Imam al-Busiri, the author of "Qasida al-Burda." Next, we will explore the Qaitbay Citadel, one of the most important historical fortresses in the Mediterranean. Afterward, we will visit the modern Alexandria Library, built on the site of the ancient Library of Alexandria. Following a brief photo break, we will stop at the Alexandria Bazaar for some free time. After performing the noon prayer in Alexandria, we will head to the city of Tanta, where we will visit the tomb of the esteemed Islamic scholar Ahmad al-Badawi. Finally, we will travel to Cairo, check in to our hotel, and rest for the night.

Day 3: CAIRO

After breakfast at the hotel, we will head to the archaeological site in Giza, home to the Pyramids, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Our guide will explain the history behind the construction of these mysterious structures. Then, we will have free time to explore the pyramids up close. Afterward, we will move to a panoramic viewpoint where you can take a single photograph of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure, and the smaller surrounding pyramids. Following this delightful stop, we will visit and photograph the Great Sphinx, one of the largest statues in the world. Next, we will visit a perfume workshop in Cairo, one of the largest fragrance production centers in the ancient world, where we will learn about the art of perfume making. After that, we will proceed to a papyrus workshop to discover how the world’s first paper was made. Following this visit, we will explore the Egyptian Museum, home to the most important treasures of ancient Egypt. During our museum tour, we will have the chance to see the famous treasures of Tutankhamun. After completing our museum visit, we will enjoy a dinner cruise on the Nile River, which will last two hours. After dinner, we will return to the hotel to rest for the night.

Day 4: CAIRO

After breakfast at the hotel, we will visit Islamic Cairo, specifically the Fustat area. We will start with the Mosque of Amr ibn al-As, the first mosque built in Africa, and visit the Hanging Church, which holds great significance for Coptic Christians. Next, we will visit the Ibn Tulun Mosque and the tomb of Imam al-Shafi’i, one of the four great imams of Islamic jurisprudence, where we will perform the noon prayer. Following this, we will explore the historic Muizz Street, home to Fatimid and Mamluk architectural masterpieces. Our tour will continue with visits to the famous Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, the mosque containing the tomb of Imam Husayn, and Al-Azhar Mosque and Madrasah, after which we will have some free time. In the evening, we will return to the hotel for overnight accommodation.

Day 5: CAIRO/LUXOR

After breakfast at the hotel, our first visit will be to the Citadel of Saladin and the Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha, followed by the Mosque of Sultan Hassan and the Mosque of Imam al-Rifa’i. We will also visit the tomb of Sayyida Nafisa, a respected figure in Islamic tradition. The afternoon will be free for shopping at the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, with free time until three hours before the flight. We will then transfer to the airport for our flight (Note: the itinerary may change based on flight schedules, as domestic flights are booked once final group numbers are confirmed).

Day 6: LUXOR

After breakfast, we will head to the Valley of the Kings, where we will visit the tombs of the pharaohs and the mortuary temples they built. Notably, we will see the magnificent Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Afterward, we will move on to Luxor city center to visit the Mosque and Tomb of Abu al-Hajjaj, a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. Following some free time at the bazaar, we will return to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Day 7: HURGHADA

After breakfast and check-out at the hotel, we will depart for our first stop, the world-renowned Karnak Temple, one of the largest and most important archaeological sites in history. After visiting this monumental temple, we will drive to Hurghada. Upon arrival, we will check in to our hotel and enjoy free time to relax by the Red Sea. (Optional ATV and buggy safaris are available, and our guide will assist with arrangements.) The overnight stay at the hotel will include an open-buffet dinner.

Day 8: HURGHADA

After breakfast at the hotel, we will check out by 12:00. Our city tour will include a visit to the El Mina Mosque. Afterward, we will board a semi-submarine (Sea Scope) to discover the hidden underwater treasures of the Red Sea. Following the boat tour, we will have free time for shopping at the bazaar. Later in the evening, we will visit the Marina area before transferring to Hurghada Airport for our late-night flight to Istanbul with Pegasus Airlines at 01:50.