..:Egypt Special interest Holidays, Special interest Tours Egypt

Day 1: Arrival Cairo
Santa Maria Tours welcomes you to the timeless land of the Pharaohs, a treasure of history and antiquities. On arrival in Cairo Airport, you are met and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Cairo.

Day 2: Cairo
After breakfast, we board our bus for a full sightseeing; our first stop will be at Dahshur to see the beautiful Red and Bent pyramids. Then on to Sakkara, where we will visit the Step-Pyramid of Djoser that was constructed in 2780BC. Our last stop for today will be at Memphis, once the capital of all Egypt. Back to our hotel. Overnight in Cairo. (Breakfast)

Day 3: Cairo/ Luxor
Today we will start our day tour visiting one of the seven wonders of the ancient world, see Giza Pyramids of Kings Cheops, Chephren & Mykerinos and enjoy the magic of the Sphinx, Continue on to the Solar Boat Museum where the remarkably preserved remains of King Cheops are displayed. Proceed to the Egyptian Museum, housing the world's greatest collection of Paranoiac antiquities including the amazing treasures of the boy King Tutankhamen's tomb and the Mummy room. Then continue to Old Cairo visit the Coptic Church of Abu Serga and the Ben Ezra Synagogue. In the late afternoon transfer to Giza train station to board the sleeping train to Luxor. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4: Luxor
Arriving Luxor railway station, where you will be met and assisted by Santa Maria Tours representative, then you will be escorted to your hotel for check in. After we will start to explore Luxor “the city of a hundred gates” because so many of its temples. Visit Karnak Temples that is famous for its 134 massive columns arranged in 16 rows. Then to the lovely Luxor Museum overlooking the River Nile and had a collection of 26 well preserved statues of the New Kingdom also some collections from the tomb of Tutankhamun. Proceed to Luxor Temple located on the East bank of the River Nile, built during the New Kingdom. Back to our hotel. Overnight in Luxor. (Breakfast)

Day 5: Luxor
After breakfast, Cross the West bank of the Nile visit the Colossi of Memnon which are two massive stone statues of Amenhotep III in a seated position. Then visit Deir El Medina that was the village of the workmen who were responsible for the construction of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings during the New Kingdom period. During the Christian era the temple of Hathor was converted into a Church from which the Arabic name Deir el-Medina (“the monastery of the town"). Continue to the Ramesseum, built by Ramesses II as his mortuary temple. Later we visit an important structure from the New Kingdom Medinet Habu Temple ‘’ the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III”. Back to hotel. Overnight in Luxor. (Breakfast)

Day 6: Luxor
After breakfast, board our bus to visit Abydos. The ancient Egyptian god (Lord of the underworld) is believed to be buried there. The paintings of the Gods and Pharaohs on the walls of the Osiris Temple at Abydos are among the most beautifully preserved in Egypt. Then continue to Dandara to visit the Temple of Hathor, goddess of love and joy. With its sacred lake and famous astrological roof, is a delicately beautiful structure. Back to Luxor and overnight. (Breakfast)

Day 7: Luxor
After breakfast, drive to the West bank of the Nile to visit the Valley of Queens, the burial place of the royal wives and the princes who died. Proceed to visit temple of Queen Hatshapsut, It was built by Queen Hatshepsut, daughter of Thutmose I, who ruled Egypt about 20 years during the 18th Dynasty; she was the only pharaonic women who reigned ancient Egypt. Later we visit Fascinating Valley of the kings, there are many kings buried in this valley. Back to hotel and overnight. (Breakfast)

Day 8: Luxor/ Edfu/ Kom Ombo/ Aswan
Bid farewell to this fascinating city, Focusing Aswan, Having a first stop in between, to visit Edfu, exploring Horus temple, the most well-preserved and the only one we know to have been completed, & and a second stop at Kom ombo to discover the temple of Komombo. Which stands on high ground overlooking the River Nile. Arrive Aswan; visit the Nubian Museum which was opened in 1997. This museum displays thousands of antiquities that would have been lost under the waters of Lake Nasser. After check-in our hotel and overnight. (Breakfast)

Day 9: Aswan
Today we visit Aswan High Dam and examine its impact on the ancient landscape. After we take a short boat trip to the Island of Philae and the Temple of Isis, the divine archetype of wife and mother. On our return to Aswan we visit the ancient granite quarries lay beside the Nile and the unfinished obelisk. Back to hotel. Overnight in Aswan (Breakfast)

Day 10: Aswan
Board a private boat to visit the Elephantine Island. The island was considered to be home of the important Egyptian god Khnum. View the Temple of Khnum, It is believed to have been built by Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty. And the Temple of Satet. This temple was repeatedly reconstructed. In the Eighteenth Dynasty under the reigns of both Hatshepsut and Thutmosis III. Our destination this afternoon is The Tombs of Nobles on the opposite river bank, decorated with colorful scenes of the owners' biographies and scenes of everyday life. Evening is free to wander in the Aswan marketplace. (Breakfast)

Day 11: Aswan
Drive to the Temple of Kalabsha, the temple of Kalabsha was relocated after the Aswan High Dam was built, to protect it from rising waters on Lake Nasser. The temple was moved to a site, located just south of the Aswan High Dam. The process of moving the temple took more than two years. The temple of Kalabsha was the largest free-standing temple of Egyptian Nubia (after Abu Simbel) to be moved and erected at a new site. Board a private boat to visit the Nubian Villages that are situated at the bottom of Elephantine Island. You are going to discover the simple and natural life of the very kind and hospitable Nubian people. Back to Hotel. Overnight in Aswan. (Breakfast)

Day 12: Aswan/ Cairo
Early morning drive our bus to Abu Simbel. Upon arrival you will visit the beautiful temple of Abu Simbel built by Ramses II. Lately saved from inundation of the Nile water and will also visit the small Temple of the King’s wife Nefertari. After touring the Temples drive back to Aswan. Afternoon transfer to Aswan train station to board the sleeping train back to Cairo. (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 13: Cairo
Arriving Giza railway station, where you will be met and assisted by Santa Maria Tours representative, then you will be escorted to the hotel for check in. Free day at leisure in Cairo.(Breakfast)
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Day 14: Departure Cairo
Check out, Santa Maria Tours representative will transfer you to Cairo airport for your final departure with memories that will stay alive forever.