Shore Excursions Group
Private Memphis, Sakkara, Cairo
Private Memphis, Sakkara, Cairo
Depart the pier to begin your private cruise excursion with an approximately three-hour drive through the flat Egyptian desert landscape towards Africa’s largest city, Cairo. Upon arriving at the outskirts of Cairo, you will continue on to the area of Sakkara, located south of Cairo. Sakkara is one part of the great necropolis of Memphis, which was the capital of the Old Kingdom. It was thought that the section was for the kings of the 1st and 2nd Dynasty only, but excavations have revealed the tombs of a prime minister, the son of one of the Dynasty’s kings and a queen’s pyramid. Sakkara is probably best known as the location of King Djoser’s Pyramid, better known as the Step Pyramid. It is the oldest known of the nearly 100 pyramids that have been discovered in Egypt. It was designed by the architect Imhotep, whose design was both unique and revolutionary.
From Sakkara, your excursion will proceed to the old capital of Memphis. You will see the ruins of the Temple of Ptah and see the fallen colossal statue of King Ramses II and the Alabaster Sphinx of King Amenhopis II during your orientation drive. Then, drive to Cairo where lunch will be served in a local hotel.
After lunch, your tour continues with a drive to the Giza Plateau, to discover the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza. It is here that three pharaohs–Cheops, his son Chephren and grandson Mycerinus–erected magnificent tombs to protect their mummified bodies for the afterlife. You will then drive to the high western plateau, for panoramic views and photo opportunities of the valley and pyramids below.
Next stop on your private excursion is the guardian of the mortuary complex, the mystical Sphinx. With the head of a man and the body of a lion, the mysterious Sphinx stretches out to a length of 240 feet of carved natural stone, dating back to 2650 B.C. Your last stop on the tour will be at the Papyrus Institute to see demonstrations on how the ancient Egyptians made paper out of reeds from the Nile. A short time will be set aside for souvenir shopping in the adjacent bazaar. Then you will rejoin your transportation for the three-hour drive back to Alexandria.
| Day 1 |
Welcome to Alexandria, Virginia!
Alexandria is an unique and historic place that keeps pace with the modern world. The City is part of a large metropolitan area surrounding the nation's Capital, yet it has retained its period character. About one-quarter of the town's 15 square miles has been designated as a national or local historic district. Thousands of buildings in these districts are monuments to the past while being actively used by citizens for homes, businesses and museums. Alexandria was home to those who made American history-George Washington, George Mason, and Robert E. Lee-and many other men and women who contributed their skills, emotions and character to build what we know today as the strongest democracy in the world. Today Alexandria is "The Fun Side of the Potomac." Designated as one of America's Top 25 Arts Destinations by American Style Magazine, Alexandria is home to the famed Torpedo Factory Art Center and more than 50 fine art and antique galleries throughout the town. We have more than 300 specialty shops and 200 restaurants offering American and international cuisine. Reasonably priced accommodations at more than 25 comfortable hotels make Alexandria the prime location for a cultural getaway. Our 120,000 residents share a quality of life that is not found in many urban centers. In fact, Ladies Home Journal has ranked Alexandria as one of the "Top Ten Best Cities for Women in the United States," based on quality of life criteria. We are located just 10 minutes from Washington, DC and Reagan National Airport, and we are accessible by Metro, making visits to all the attractions in the Greater Washington area easy. |
| Travel Dates | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
05/03/22 - 05/15/27 |
Starting At $165 |
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Tour requires walking for roughly 1 1/2 miles over 3 1/2 hours. Guests will need to walk on uneven surfaces including cobblestone, gravel, and in some cases sand.
