Beyond the Pharaohs: Egypt Past and Present

Evening: Depart on international flights to Cairo, Egypt.

Activity note: In the event that most flights arrive later than the scheduled program start time, orientation will be held the following day.

Afternoon: Check in to your hotel and take some time to relax and settle into your rooms. Later in the afternoon, we will meet for orientation at a hotel meeting room where our Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Indicated times are approximate. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to three miles of walking on uneven and rough terrain. It could take up to 30 minutes of standing at each site in hot conditions under the sun with no shade. The visit to the museum will be approximately 2-3 hours, and includes various steps without railings to the first floor. Please note that the museum does not have air-conditioning so it gets very warm indoors.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Led by our Egyptologist, we will explore the most renowned sites of Egypt: the Great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Start with an exploration of the Valley of Giza, a marvel of architectural prowess. The three largest pyramids in the valley consists of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the Pyramid of Kafhre, and the Pyramid of Menkaura – all tombs dedicated to different Egyptian kings. We will then head to visit the Sphinx of the Giza Plateau, the most famous sphinx in the world. This iconic statue has been guarding the necropolis for centuries, and is believed to depict the face of pharaoh Khafre. Enjoy a wonderful opportunity to see the sites from a panoramic viewpoint, and experience a unique short camel ride.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We will enjoy a visit to the Egyptian Museum, the oldest archeological museum in the Middle East, which houses the largest collection of pharanoic antiquities in the world. The museum displays an extensive collection spanning from the Predynastic Period to the Greco-Roman era. The museum also houses the splendid statues of the great kings Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, whose tombs lie in the pyramids of the Giza plateau. An extensive collection of papyri, sarcophagi and jewelry, among other objects, completes this uniquely expansive museum. After our visit we will return to the hotel where we will enjoy a presentation titled “Egypt and the Nile” by a local professor from Cairo University.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to two miles of walking on uneven and rough terrain. It could take up to 30 minutes standing at each site in hot conditions under the sun with no shade.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will begin our day with a field trip to Dashur, a necropolis of the Old Kingdom. This site houses some of the oldest pyramids of Egypt, which were commissioned in the 4th dynasty by Pharaoh Sneferu around the year 2600 BC. Dashur is am extremely important site because it shows the trials and errors of ancient Egyptians in transitioning from step-sided pyramids to smooth sided pyramids. Among some of the key attractions is the Bent Pyramid, the first attempt at a smooth sided pyramid which was unsuccessful due to architectural miscalculations, and the Red Pyramid, the first successful smooth sided pyramid and the resting place of King Sneferu.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch we will set out to explore Saqqara, the necropolis for the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis. Here we will see the Step Pyramid complex of King Djoser, built more than 4700 years ago and considered the oldest stone structure on Earth. This pyramid was built for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser and was designed and commissioned by his vizier and high priest of the god Ra, Imhotep. Next, we will visit the Pyramid of Teti. Although the original height of this pyramid is believed to have been 172 feet, the preservation above ground is poor and now mostly resembles a small hill. Inside however, we will see some marvelous pyramid texts inscribed around the walls of the burial chamber and inner corridors. These are some of the oldest texts found belonging to the Old Kingdom, around 2300 BC. Although Saqqara is home to many royal burials, this was not a royal necropolis exclusively. Among many of the tombs found in this valley we will find the tomb of Kagemni, chief justice and vizier who served under the reign of Pharaoh Teti. While kings began to be buried in pyramids during the Old Kingdom, Kagemni’s tomb is still in the old “stone bench” shape tomb known as a mastaba. We will conclude our afternoon with a visit to the Imhotep Museum. This museum was opened in 2006 and displays artifacts found in the Saqqara necropolis. Its name is an homage to the ancient Egyptian architect Imhotep, who many archeologists credit with the invention of stone architecture. After our visit, we will return to the hotel where we will enjoy a presentation by a local scholar regarding Islam today.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to one mile of walking. The drive from Cairo to Alexandria is five hours long, and there are basic toilet facilities en route. There are some steps without railings to enter the monastery, and please note that you will be asked to remove your shoes before entering the church.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will check out of the hotel and depart by coach for Alexandria. Enjoy an en-route presentation led by your Egyptian leader focusing on life in Egypt today to give you better insight into your host country. Led by your Egyptologist, explore the important sites of Anba Bishoi located in Wadi El-Natron, 62 miles northwest of Cairo. It is a natural depression in the desert consisting of salt lakes and salt flats laying in the desert. This place was important to the ancient Egyptians since it was from here that they extracted the Natrun salt. It later became more important during the early era of Christianity in Egypt as can be seen by the legacy of monasteries. It is presently the center of many monastery groups dating back to the 4th century CE. One of the most important monasteries today in Wadi El-Natroun is Dier Anba Bishoi, named after the patron St. Bishoi who immigrated to the site and lived in solitude. The monastery was restored several times after it had been destroyed at the hands of the barbers. It has five churches; the main one is the St. Bishoi church which dates back to as early as the 9th century CE. This church today is only used during the summertime. To the east of this church lies another one known as the church of Al-Adra (the virgin), and it is only used during the winter months. Your local guide will explain the reason behind this. The monastery contains the remains of St. Bishoi, Ephraim the Assyrian, and Paul of Tomah.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Alexandria.

Afternoon: Enjoy a brief panoramic discovery of the ancient city of Alexandria. The Eastern Harbor of Alexandria has been a crossroads of culture and continents for 2300 years. This is where the Pharos lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, guided people from all nations safely into port; where Queen Cleopatra first laid eyes on Julius Caesar. Afterward, we will visit the Library of Alexandria. In 2002, Alexandria recaptured the spirit of its richest legacy—the Great Library of Alexandria—by opening the new Bibliotheca Alexandrina. The new library shares the same universal goals as the ancient one built by Alexander the Great. It is a focal point for research, the advancement of knowledge and the open exchange of ideas. Later on, we will transfer by coach to the hotel where you will check in and have some time to relax before dinner.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to one a half miles walking and one hour of standing at each site. The descent into the Alexandrian catacombs have many steps without railings and can be slippery at times. The drive around the city will amount to approximately three hours.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will continue discovering the great historic sites of Alexandria. Beginning underground, we will explore the catacombs of Kom es-Shouqafa built during the age of the Antonine emperors in the second century AD. Commissioned by a single wealthy family still practicing the ancient Egyptian religion during the Greco-Roman age, these tombs represent the last existing construction for the ancient religion. Although the funerary motifs are purely ancient Egyptian, the architects and artists employed for its construction were schooled in the Greco-Roman style. This has resulted in an amazing integrated art, quite unlike anything else in the world. Ascending back to street level, we will enjoy a visit to the Roman Amphitheater of Alexandria. This theatre was built around the fourth century AD and was discovered by accident in 1960 when a construction team set to build a government building hit a solid column when preparing the site for construction. This amphitheater is a traditional Roman design, and includes marble seats for up to 800 spectators. Our morning will end with a visit to the Alexandria National Museum. Inaugurated by President Hosni Mubarak in 2003, this museum contains approximately 1800 artifacts that narrate the history of the city through the ages, including the Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic and Islamic eras. Our Group Leader will give us a short overview of the museum, and we will then have time to explore the galleries on our own.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We will jump forwards in time and enjoy an afternoon field trip to the Citadel of Qaitbay, a fifteenth century defensive fortress built under Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qa’it Bay during the Burji Mamluk period of Egypt. The citadel was greatly damaged during the bombing of Alexandria in 1882 by the British, but had multiple restorations throughout the 20th century to return it to its original glory. After our visit, we will return to the hotel, where we will enjoy a lecture by a local professor on some of the archeological work that is being done to rediscover Antirhodos, an island off the coast of Alexandria which sank during the fourth century as a consequence of earthquakes and a tsunami. The island was home to a Ptolemaic Egyptian royal palace, and is known colloquially as the “Underwater City of Cleopatra”.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to one mile of walking in Cairo. The drive from Cairo to Alexandria is five hours long, and there are basic toilet facilities en route.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will check out of our hotel and transfer by coach to the city of Cairo. During the drive, enjoy the panoramic views of the Nile. Upon our arrival, we will take a guided walking tour of Tahrir Square, the central city square of downtown Cairo, before heading to our new hotel for check in.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Cairo.

Afternoon: Free time to explore Cairo on your own. Your Group Leader can provide suggestions.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to three miles of walking and climbing steps on uneven ground. It could take up to one hour of standing at each site.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will depart by coach towards the historic part of Cairo. Our day will begin with a visit to the Mosque of Ibn Tulun, built in 879 and one of the oldest mosques in all of Africa. This mosque is the only surviving structure of the city of al-Qata’i, which served as the capital of the short-lived Tulunid dynasty from 868-905. We will then head towards El-Moez street, the most important street of Islamic Cairo. Dating to the 10th century, El-Moez was the main street where markets and shops flourished. Today this area is still populated by multiple shops, and has a rich evidence of ancient Islamic architecture. Among one of the most popular places located on El-Moez is Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, originally founded as a center of trade during the Mamluk era. Today, this bazaar is home to many Egyptian artisans and workshops and is one of the most popular shopping districts of Cairo. After a short visit, our Group Leader will give us some time to explore this area on our own and interact with locals.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: After lunch we will head towards the oldest part of the city, known locally as Masr al-Qadima or “Old Cairo”. Part of this area has been a stronghold of Christianity since the Roman period and is known colloquially as “Coptic Cairo”. During our visit here we will enjoy a field trip to Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church (also known as Abu Serga) and the Hanging Church, two of the most famous and oldest Coptic churches in all of Egypt. The former is believed to have been built in the spot where the Holy Family rested at the end of their journey to Egypt, and is where many patriarchs of the Coptic Church have been elected and consecrated. We will then continue onto Ben Ezra Synagogue, established in Coptic Cairo in 1115 in what was previously a Coptic church built in the 8th century. The building was sold to the Jewish community of Egypt in 882 and is named after prominent Jewish religious scholar Abraham Ibn Ezra. Ben Ezra Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in all of Egypt and is the place where the Cairo Geniza – the largest and most important single collection of medieval Jewish manuscripts – was discovered in 1896. After some time to explore the area of your own, we will return by coach to the hotel where we will enjoy a lecture on Egyptian social life by a guest professor.

Dinner: On your own to explore local cuisine.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: This day includes an early morning start. Today’s activities will include up to three miles of walking on uneven ground and rough terrain. It could take up to one hour of standing at each site in hot conditions under the sun with no shade. At Karnak, there are a few steps without railings. The flight from Cairo to Luxor is one hour long.

Breakfast: Boxed breakfast from the hotel.

Morning: We will transfer early by coach to the Cairo Airport for our flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, we will depart to explore the temples of Karnak and Luxor. These temples were the religious centers of the ancient city of Thebes, which is modern-day Luxor. Karnak, also known as “ipet-isut” or “the most sacred of places”, is the largest temple complex ever built by man and represents the combined achievements of thirteen centuries of builders. Among the gods venerated at this site were Amun-Re, his wife Mut, and their son Montu. Luxor Temple, also known as “ipet-resyt” or “the southern sanctuary”, was the center of one of the most important religious festivals in ancient Egypt – the Opet Festival – during which the statues of Amun-Re, Mut and Khonsu were carried from Karnak to Luxor. Some scholars have also proposed that Luxor Temple differs from other temples in the region, as they argue it was centered not on the cult of a deity or deceased pharaoh, but on the cult of the current king on Earth. Academics even argue that Luxor Temple may have been the site where many of the pharaohs of Egypt were crowned kings. After our field trip, we will depart by coach to board the ship for lunch and check-in.

Lunch: On board.

Afternoon: The rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax and settle into your cabin.

Dinner: On board.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to three miles of walking on uneven ground and rough terrain. It could take up to one hour of standing at each site in hot conditions under the sun with no shade. The terrain is hilly and there are many steps without railings in both the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s Temple.

Breakfast: On board.

Morning: Led by our Group Leader we will discover the Valley of the Kings, including the world-famous tomb of King Tut. This area of the west bank had been home to royal burials since 2100 BC, but it was the pharaohs of the New Kingdom period (1550-1069 BC) who began to construct elaborate tombs to reflect their newfound power and prosperity after the reunification of Egypt under Theban rule. The Valley of the Kings is home to 63 magnificent royal tombs, each unique in their own way. Before we depart the Valley of the Kings, we will enjoy a short visit to the famous Colossi of Memnon. These massive twin statues depict Pharaoh Amenhotep III, and stand in what was once the entrance to the Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III. Unfortunately, the temple was destroyed by an earthquake shortly after its construction in 1200 BC, leaving only the famous statues behind. Stories claim that another earthquake in 27 BC damaged the foundation of the northern colossus, causing it to “sing” on various occasions – usually heard by travelers around dawn. Greek scholars and travelers quickly took to calling the statue the “colossus of Memnon” since the mythological hero of Memnon was a king in the region and said to be the son of Eos, the goddess of dawn. After our visit to the valley, we will venture nearby to the iconic Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. A marvel of ancient architecture, this mortuary temple was built by Pharaoh Hatshepsut and dedicated to herself and the god Amun.

Lunch: On board.

Afternoon: Enjoy some free time onboard as we sail to Edfu.

Dinner: On board.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Today’s activities include walking up to two miles on uneven ground and rough terrain. It could take up to two hours of standing at each site in hot conditions under the sun with no shade. There are over 50 steps without railings at historic sites. This day may include rides on horse-drawn carriages, but could be substituted by a bus ride depending on availability.

Breakfast: On board.

Morning: We will begin our day with a visit to Edfu, a prominent Ptolemaic period temple. Dedicated to falcon god Horus, the Temple of Edfu is one of the largest and best preserved temples in all of Egypt. The inscriptions on the walls of the temple have provided meaningful insight to the language and religion of the Hellenistic period of Egypt, as well as some of the construction techniques used by architects at the time. After our visit, we will return to the ship where we will set sail for Kom Ombo.

Lunch: On board.

Afternoon: When we arrive we will depart for Kom Ombo Temple. Built during the Ptolemaic dynasty in the 2nd century BC, this temple is highly unusual because of its symmetrical ‘double’ design. All of the rooms of the temple are duplicated, mirrored among the building’s main axis. The southern half of the building was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, while the northern part of the building was dedicated to falcon god Horus. During initial excavations, over three hundred crocodile mummies were discovered at this site. Returning to the ship we will set sail once again, this time towards Aswan.

Dinner: On board.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Today’s activities include up to two miles of walking on uneven and rough terrain. It could take up to one hour of standing at each site in hot conditions under the sun with no shade. There are 20 steps at the dock to board the felucca ride. The flight from Aswan to Abu Simbel is 45 minutes, the drive returning is approximately three and a half hours. Note: Depending on flight availability, we may instead coach to Abu Simbel and fly back to Aswan. Your Group Leader will inform you of changes.

Breakfast: On board.

Morning: We will begin our day with a unique sailing experience onboard a felucca. Feluccas are wooden sailboats that have been used on the Nile for decades. Its traditional design with no motor makes the craft dependent on wind-power to move, and provides a steady and calm sailing experience. After our relaxing cruise along the Nile, we will transfer via motorcoach to the Aswan airport. Here, we will board a short flight towards Abu Simbel.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: We will depart by coach for our ride through the desert to Abu Simbel. Led you your Group Leader, spend the afternoon exploring this iconic piece of ancient architecture many argue should be the “Eighth Wonder of the World”. Abu Simbel was built in the thirteenth century BC and comprises two massive rock temples, one of Pharaoh Ramesses II primarily dedicated to Re-Harakhte, and another of his wife Nefertari dedicated to Hathor. The site was forgotten until 1813, when Swiss researcher J.L. Burckhardt accidentally found the frieze of the main temple buried in the sand. The temples were a sensation across Europe, and became a must-see for all Victorians visiting Egypt at the time even although it required a long trip up the Nile. After our visit, we will depart by coach for a ride through the desert back to Aswan and to our ship. Enjoy some time to relax in your cabin before dinner.

Dinner: On board.

Evening: At leisure.

Activity note: Today’s activities include walking up to one and a half miles over uneven ground and rough terrain. It could take up to one hour of standing at each site in hot conditions under the sun with no shade. There are approximately 40 steps at historic sites without railings. The flight from Aswan to Cairo is approximately one hour and a half.

Breakfast: Onboard.

Morning: We will disembark and depart by coach for the High Dam of Egypt. Also known as the Aswan Dam, this world famous dam was an engineering miracle when it was built in the 1960s. It contains eighteen times more material used to build the Great Pyramid, and provides electricity and irrigation for the whole of Egypt. The old Aswan Dam, built six kilometers down the river by the British in 1898 provides a wonderful view for visitors, from which you can gaze across Lake Nasser, the huge reservoir created when the dam was built. We will continue our morning with a visit to Philae Temple. “Philae” is a Greek approximation of what is described in hieroglyphic texts as “Pilak”, and refers to the “island of the time of Re”, i.e. the time of creation. However, what we refer to today as Philae is the main temple complex relocated from that ancient island to the island of Agilika in the 1960s as a conservationist move to avoid the site’s loss due to flooding by the High Dam. This temple was the center of the cult of goddess Isis and her connection with Osiris, Horus, and the Kingship, during the Ptolemaic period of Egyptian history. We will then head to the unfinished Obelisk, located in the Northern Quarry. Possibly intended as a companion to the Lateran Obelisk (originally in Karnak, but now in Rome) it would have weighed over 2.3 million pounds and would have been the world’s largest piece of stone ever handled. However, a crack in the stone occurred, which caused it to be abandoned where it lays today. Tools left by its builders have given us much insight into how such work was performed.

Lunch: A box lunch will be provided before the flight.

Afternoon: We will depart by coach to the Aswan airport for the flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, we will transfer to the hotel for check-in.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Breakfast: Boxed breakfast from the hotel.

Morning: Early morning transfer to the Cairo International Airport for return flights. If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!