Sokhna, Egypt - Middle East Cruises

Leaving Sokhna, travel through expanses of desert sands to the metropolis of Cairo on your way to Egypt’s first capital, Memphis, with its ancient cemetery of Sakkara. Here, the world’s first monumental stone building, the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, built almost 5,000 years ago still stands. After visiting the complex, continue to one of the Mastabas (funerary chambers) built nearby. Returning to Cairo, you can relax and enjoy a sumptuous luncheon at a leading five star hotel. In the afternoon, marvel at the Giza Plateau where the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, the Great Pyramids of Giza still stand. A unique view of the three Pyramids from the Western Plateau affords great opportunities for photographs. Having enjoyed the view from this vantage point, your coach will bring you close to the Pyramid of Chephren, where you will have time to explore the site on your own. Continue down the valley to visit the guardian of this mortuary complex, the mysterious Sphinx, watching the passage of time. Final stop at the Papyrus Institute will introduce you to the process of paper making from reeds, an art discovered by the Ancient Egyptians. You will have a short time to purchase local handicrafts and papyrus from a selected bazaar.

This excursion will operate by coach and on foot but does not include a visit to the Cairo Museum. Flash photography is not permitted inside the Mastabas.

This coach transfer will take you to the City Stars Mega Mall where you will have free time to browse the many outlets including over 600 brand named stores, indoor theme park, cinema, specialised bazaars. Test your bartering skills in one of the many gold stores. Luncheon will be on your own to allow maximum flexibility and choice from the many food venues. There is also currency exchanges in the banks and ATM facilities within the complex.

The transfer time to the complex is approximately two hours each way and the amount of walking on this tour is at your own discretion. Please take care to note the pickup time and location.

The ancient Greeks considered the Great Pyramid to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Marvel at the sheer magnitude of the Great Pyramid - estimated to contain 2.5 million tons of stone. After viewing the three pyramids from the Western Plateau, visit the solar boat museum which houses the boat that the great pharaohs would have used for his journey to the afterlife, the museum was build over the boat to house this unique artifact. Enjoy free time to explore the pyramids on your own before travelling down the valley to visit the guardian of this mortuary complex, the inscrutable Sphinx with the body of a lion and face of a man. Luncheon will be served accompanied with a glass of wine, beer or soft drink at a leading Cairo hotel before a short stop at a Papyrus Institute, where the art of paper making from reeds, will be demonstrated for you. Downtown at the banks of the River Nile a luxurious cruise boat awaits to sail you on the same timeless waterway traversed by Pharaohs, Queens and Nobles thousands of years ago. Sit back, relax and enjoy a cruise as you glide past Cairo’s waterfront landmarks. Refreshments of tea with oriental cookies and cakes will be served during the cruise and for your entertainment, a folkloric presentation and belly dancing will take place.

This excursion will operate by coach, boat and on foot. A flight of 20 stairs leads to the dock for the riverboat. This tour does not include a visit to the Cairo Museum.

Your day will begin with a drive through the desert road to Cairo. The road is dotted with 'dwelling places,’ however none are suitably equipped with comfort facilities, so the journey will be non-stop. Step back thousands of years as you view some of the most mysterious structures on earth, the Pyramids of Giza. You’ll be driven to an elevated site that provides a magnificent panoramic view of the three largest pyramids. The mightiest and most massive, the Great Pyramid of Cheops, is the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World. Walk up close to either Chephren or Mycerinus Pyramid to truly appreciate their size and amazing construction. The ravages of nature and man have left the massive Sphinx battered, but unbowed. The lion’s body and head of a man rise from the vast desert sands near the pyramids as an incredible monument to the days of the pharaohs. Sit back and reflect on the morning as you enjoy a glass of wine or beer with a buffet lunch in one of Cairo’s leading hotels. A short stop will be made at a Papyrus Institute, where the art of paper making from reeds, discovered by the Ancient Egyptians, will be demonstrated for you.

This excursion will operate by coach and on foot but does not include a visit to the Cairo Museum.