Egypt

Egypt, a country linking northeast Africa with the Middle East, dates to the time of the pharaohs. Millennia-old monuments sit along the fertile Nile River Valley, including Giza's colossal Pyramids and Great Sphinx as well as Luxor's hieroglyph-lined Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings tombs. The capital, Cairo, is home to Ottoman landmarks like Muhammad Ali Mosque and the Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities

My Trip

• 2024-December 18 to 27 (10 days): I travelled to Egypt from Doha with family and friends and visited all major attractions along the Nile River from Abu Simbel in south till Alexandria in north.

Day Plans

• 1: 2024-Dec-18 Wednesday: Flight from Doha to Cairo to Aswan

• 2: 2024-Dec-19 Thursday: Road Trip to Abu Simbel, Aswan sights

  • Abu Simbel Temples: A magnificent rock temple complex built by Ramses II, known for its colossal statues and alignment with the sun. A UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • Nubian Museum: Showcasing the rich culture and history of Nubia.
  • Aswan Souq: A lively market selling local crafts and spices.

• 3: 2024-Dec-20 Friday: Aswan sights, Road Trip to Luxor

  • Philae Temple: A temple dedicated to the goddess Isis, relocated to Agilkia Island to save it from rising waters of the Aswan High Dam.
  • Unfinished Obelisk: Demonstrates ancient Egyptian stone quarrying techniques and the ambitions of the pharaohs. A giant obelisk left incomplete in ancient times.
  • Edfu Temple: One of the most striking and complete of ancient Egyptian temples and is dedicated to the worship of the god Horus.
  • Kom Ombo Temple: Dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, the Kom Ombo Temple is uniquely designed as a dual temple for two gods. -A unique double temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus.
• 4: 2024-Dec-21 Saturday: Luxor sights
  • Karnak Temple: The largest temple complex in Egypt, dedicated to Theban gods.
  • Luxor Temple: A temple built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II, with sphinxes.
  • Valley of the Kings: The burial site of pharaohs, including Tutankhamun.
  • Temple of Hatshepsut: Mortuary temple honoring Egypt's first female pharaoh.
  • Medinet Habu: A well-preserved mortuary temple complex of Ramses III
  • Colossi of Memnon: The Colossi of Memnon are two massive stone statues of the Pharaoh Amenhotep III, which stand at the front of the ruined Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III, the largest temple in the Theban Necropolis.
• 5: 2024-Dec-22 Sunday: Luxor hot air balloon ride , Flight to Cairo, Nile cruise dinner
  • Hot Air Balloon: A thrilling way to view the temples and landscapes of Luxor, capturing the grandeur of Egypt’s history from above.
  • Nile river dinner cruise: A glittering 2-hour dinner cruise along the iconic Nile River with delicious food and live entertainment - an after-dinner folklore show featuring sequinned belly dancers and spinning ‘tanoura’ artistes performing to foot-tapping folklore music.
• 6: 2024-Dec-23 Monday: Cairo pyramids tour
  • Giza Pyramids: The most famous pyramids, including the Great Pyramid and Sphinx.
  • Saqqara: Site of the Step Pyramid, Egypt’s first stone pyramid.
  • Memphis Museum: An open-air museum featuring statues, including Ramses II.
  • Carpet School
• 7: 2024-Dec-24 Tuesday: Road Trip to Alexandria
  • Bibliotheca Alexandrina: Represents Alexandria’s legacy as a center of learning, blending ancient and modern knowledge.
  • Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa: Roman-era burial chambers.
  • Pompey’s Pillar: A Roman triumphal column.
  • Ancient Roman Amphitheater: Ruins of a Roman theater in Alexandria.
  • Qaitbay Citadel: Constructed in the 15th century to defend against Ottoman invasions, preserving the spirit of the lost Wonder of the World.
  • St. Mark's Coptic Orthodox Cathedral: The oldest church in Africa.
• 8: 2024-Dec-25 Wednesday: Cairo museum and other sights
  • NMEC Museum: A modern museum housing artifacts, including royal mummies.
  • Cairo Citadel and Mosque: Built by Salah ad-Din in the 12th century, it was a center of power and showcases Ottoman architectural influence in Egypt.
  • Hanging Church: A key site for Coptic Christians, it is one of the oldest churches in Egypt, symbolizing the enduring Christian presence in Cairo. Built above a gatehouse of Babylon Fortress.
  • Ben Ezra Synagogue: A historic Jewish synagogue, believed to be where Moses was found.
  • Khan El Khalili Market: One of the oldest bazaars, selling spices and souvenirs.
• 9: 2024-Dec-26 Thursday: Egyptian Museum / Cairo shopping
  • The Egyptian Museum (EMC): The oldest archaeological museum in the Middle East, housing over 170,000 artefacts. It has the largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities in the world.
• 10: 2024-Dec-27 Friday: Free day, Night flight to Doha