14 Day Meditation Journey as you travel side by side through Ancient Egypt (4 Stars)

Day 1:

Welcome to Cairo, Egypt
We will be met at Cairo International Airport and transferred to our hotel at the foot of the Pyramids, Mercure Cairo Le Sphinx
The drive to the hotel takes around an hour

Day 2:
Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx & Perfumery &Papyrus Institute
Today we will explore the Giza Plateau, your chance to personally stand where the Ancient Egyptians stood thousands of years ago, next to the Great Pyramid of Cheops, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the only one that still exists. Later, an experience not to miss is venturing down into the burial chamber of Menkaure (Third Pyramid).
We continue our adventure with a camel ride through the Sahara for those who are interested
We finish our visit to the plateau with the Guardian Angel of the area, the monolithic and iconic Sphinx.
The day is not over yet, This afternoon we will visit a local perfume and essence factory to learn about Chakra Healing Oils that date back to the time of the Pharaoh’s and all their healing benefits.
Here at the perfumery you can also purchase the base oil of your favourite fragrance.
and we will visit the government regulated Papyrus Institute. We will now experience how the ancients recorded their history on the first paper ever produced.
See the processes and efforts it took to make this ancient form of paper. Also, enjoy the beautiful illustrative Egyptian art and stories painted depicting Egyptian lifestyle and culture.

A tradition Egyptian lunch will be served at a local restaurant
Back to the hotel

Day 3:
Saqqara, Dahshur & Carpet School
Visit the Step Pyramid, the world’s oldest major stone structure. It was built in the 3rd Dynasty (around 2700 BC) for King Zoser.
We then visit the Red Pyramid and Bent Pyramid of King Snefru at Dahshur.
Dahshur is a famous royal necropolis in Egypt that holds many famous Pyramids.
Saqqara is world famous for its traditional carpet making schools so we will visit one while in the area.

For those who might like to have their very own cartouche made we will visit a jewellery shop that can custom make one for you and have it ready

A tradition Egyptian lunch will be served at a local restaurant
Back to the hotel

Day 4:
Egyptian Museum & Egyptian Cotton & Flight to Aswan
Stepping into the energy of the city that never sleeps downtown Cairo and Tahrir Square, scene of the 2011 revolution and location of the Egyptian Museum.
The current Egyptian Museum was built before the discovery of the treasures of King Tutankhamen and his famous solid gold funerary mask so it is overflowing with ancient artefacts and would take many, many visits to see in its entirety so we highlight the best of the best.
This afternoon we will visit Egyptian Cotton is famous worldwide for its high quality, whether you prefer luxurious bed sheets or delicately embroidered clothing you will be able to purchase some at very reasonable prices at a local factory

A tradition Egyptian lunch will be served at a local restaurant
Back to the hotel

Tonight we will fly south to Aswan, (internal flights included).
Transfer to our Hotel, Movenpick Aswan located on the Nile River.

Day 5:
Philae Temple & Aswan
Today we take a relaxing motor boat ride to Agilkia Island to visit the awesome Philae Temple, one of the most visited Temples in Nubia which was saved from a watery grave by UNESCO after the construction of the Aswan Dam.
Philae Temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis, the wife of Osiris and mother of Horus.
Dinner tonight will be a special local experience.
After dinner we will wander through Aswan Market before going back to our hotel.

Day 6:
Abu Simbel / Embark Nile Cruise
An early start today, so we can explore Abu Simbel. Great Temple of Ramses II, carved in the mountain on the west bank of the Nile between 1274 and 1244 BC and dedicated to the gods Ra-Horakhty, Amun and Ptah. This temple is aligned in such a way that, twice a year the first rays of the rising sun penetrate the temple, through the vestibule and into the sanctuary, where they illuminate the figures of the gods except Ptah. The Temple of Hathor is dedicated to Queen Nefertari, Ramses beloved wife. Return to Aswan to join our luxurious Nile River Cruise Boat Sonesta Star Goddess

Day 7:
Nile Cruise/Komombo/Edfu
After an early morning sailing and breakfast on-board we visit Komombo, the dual temple of Horus & Sobek. Here at Komombo we ask you to ponder your dualities, the good and the bad, the old and the new, the past and the present, the highs and the lows, the strengths and the weaknesses, the successes and lessons.
We return to our Cruise Boat and enjoy an afternoon sailing towards Edfu; The Temple of Edfu is the second largest temple in Egypt. It is also known as the Temple of Horus (the falcon-headed ) and it is the most beautiful and well-preserved of all the Egypt

Day 8:
Luxor Temple by Night
If we are all up for it, we will do sunrise on the Nile, a memory that will last a lifetime.
After lots of sites over the last few days we relax and enjoy the Nile, have a massage on board or enjoy a swim in the pool on the Sun-Deck.
Tonight we will visit the magnificent Luxor Temple.
Luxor Temple is a great temple complex in modern Luxor dedicated to Amun, a creator god often fused with the sun-god Ra into Amun-Ra. Luxor Temple is huge in scale, it once housed a village within its walls. Later additions include a shrine to Alexander the Great, a Roman sanctuary, and an Islamic shrine to a 13th-century holy man.
Wonderful photo opportunities at a causeway, lined by sphinxes that once led all the way to Karnak Temples. This road known as the or Avenue of Sphinxes.
Return to the boat for dinner & Belly Dance Show in the lounge.

Day 9
Hot Air Balloon, Karnak Temples & Jewellery
Optional Hot Air Balloon USD100, float high above the Nile & Valley of the Kings.
Breakfast on board then we sadly have to check out from cruise. Trust us you will be sad!

Karnak Temple at the East bank of the River Nile, the temple complex is huge, covering an area of 1 ½ x 3 km dedicated to the Pharaoh Amun and was also the centre of his worship for his wife Mut and their son Khons. There are over 25 temples and chapels in the complex.
The Karnak complex includes several of the finest examples of ancient Egyptian design and architecture. Among them is the Hypostyle Hall, considered one of the world’s great architectural achievements.
It is filled with 134 enormous pillars, the highest 70 feet tall, and each about 45 feet around.

Dinner tonight is another very special experience.
Overnight in Luxor Sonesta St George, again positioned on the edge of the Nile River.

Day 10
West Bank of Luxor
Enjoy a visit to the Valley of the Kings. Climb down into the spectacularly decorated tombs of the Pharaohs.
After that, we visit the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. The name Deir el-Bahri means ‘Northern Monastery’, indicating that the site was once used by Christian monks. Prior to the coming of Christianity, however, the site was a complex of mortuary temples and tombs built by the ancient Egyptians. Hatshepsut is arguably one of the most formidable women in ancient Egypt.
Hatshepsut was the first female ruler of ancient Egypt to reign as a male with the full authority of pharaoh.

Day 11
Dendara
The Temple of Hathor is located in Dendara is a magnificent sight with its main building virtually intact, with twisting stairways carved with hieroglyphs.
In the evening, free time at leisure.

Day 12
Flight to Cairo
Return to Cairo

Day 13
Cairo City Tour and Shopping
After breakfast, we start our day in Old Coptic Cairo (Hanging Church, Church of Abu Serga & Ben Ezra Synagogue), and then we visit Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque inside the Citadel of Salah El Din. Continue driving to the area of Islamic Cairo, where we will be able to explore Khan El Khalili, Cairo’s old bazaar.

Day 14
Departure Day
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel our representative will transfer you to the airport and assist you at the airport through final departure formalities.