Welcome to Enchanting Journeys

Africa. the continent where human beings first came into existence, Customs, traditions & ancient rites tie Africans to generations & ancestors past and to the collective memory of myriad people. There are time-honored ceremonies, music that dates back to the days of Africa's golden empires & masks that tell stories of spirit worlds never lost. In many rural areas, it can feel as though the modern world might never have happened and there is nowhere like it on the planet for wildlife, wild lands & rich traditions that endure. Welcome to Old Africa & prepare to fall in love.

And Middle East is a grand epic, a cradle of civilisations & a beautiful, complicated land that is home to some of the planet's most hospitable people. History Writ Large – it is a story written on the stones that litter the region, from the flagstones of old Roman roads to the building blocks of ancient Egypt & the delicately carved Tombs & Temples from Petra to Persepolis. This is where humankind first built cities & learned to write and it was from here that Judaism, Christianity & Islam all arose. Wherever you find yourself, the past is always the ‘present’ because here, perhaps more than anywhere else on earth, history is the heart & soul of the land.

Welcome to   mystical   Egypt - with its mighty Nile & magnificent monuments, the beguiling desert & lush delta, with its long past & welcoming, story-loving people. With sand-covered Tombs, austere Pyramids & towering Pharaonic Temples, Egypt brings out the ‘student’ in all guests as they explore the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, where Tutankhamun’s Tomb was unearthed & see the glittering finds in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. And you never know - your donkey might stumble across yet another find, for that is the way many previous discoveries were made.

Arrive in the ‘eternal’ city of Cairo set on the Nile River. Romantically known as the City of a Thousand Minarets, the Egyptian capital is a place of extremes, filled with ancient landmarks, snarling traffic, ornate mosques, & glittering modern skyscrapers.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Cairo International Airport, subsequent to Immigration & Customs, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative (holding a placard with your Name), who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in and provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next few days.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Balance of the day free to relax or for optional activities (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make the arrangements).

Monumental History| Artistic Treasures| Living Life

Cairo has been the largest city in Africa & the Middle East ever since the Mongols wasted imperial Baghdad in 1258.

Filled with sights, sounds & smells, many visitors find Cairo's frenetic energy overwhelming; but for those with a sense of humor & a certain amount of patience, it harbors a treasure trove of experiences that cannot be replicated anywhere else. Cairo’s treasures abound, from ancient wonders such as the world’s oldest Pyramid to the earliest Coptic Christian monuments in the Old Town, to bustling Islamic Cairo.

From above, the distorted roar of the Muezzins' call echoes out from duelling minarets. Below, car horns bellow tuneless symphonies amid avenues of faded 19^th century grandeur while donkey carts rattle down dusty lanes lined with colossal Fatimid & Mamluk monuments.

As Egypt has been a prize for conquerors from Alexander the Great to Rommel, so Cairo has been a fulcrum of power in the Arab world from the Crusades unto the present day. Although a relatively modern capital (by Egyptian standards, at least), the city's history is linked to that of Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt's Old Kingdom, dating back more than 2,000 years.

Cairo itself was founded in 969 AD to serve as the new capital of the Fatimid dynasty, eventually incorporating the older capitals of Fustat, al-Askar, & al-Qatta'i. During the 12^th century, the Fatimid dynasty fell to Saladin, the first Sultan of Egypt.

Over the following centuries, Cairo's rulership passed from the Sultans to the Mamluks, followed by the Ottomans, the French & the British. Following a period of massive expansion in the first half of the 19^th century, Cairo's residents revolted against the British in 1952 & successfully regained the city's independence.

Cairo is a vast city whose boundaries are difficult to define. More than 22 million people call the chaotic, exotic, smelly, dusty & also beautiful city, home. Many of its neighborhoods (including satellite Nasr City with its shiny shopping malls & embassy enclave Maadi) are technically outside the city limits.

The main tourist neighborhoods include Downtown, Islamic Cairo & Coptic Cairo, while affluent Heliopolis & the island of Zamalek are both known for their restaurants, nightlife & upmarket hotels.

At the heart of the chaotic Downtown designed in the mid-19^th century by a team of European architects, is the modern political landmark like Tahrir Square & the vast Egyptian Museum, a trove of antiquities including royal Mummies & gilded King Tutankhamun artifacts. Nearby, Giza is the site of the iconic Pyramids & Great Sphinx, dating to the 26^th century BC. In Gezira Island’s leafy Zamalek district, 187 metre Cairo Tower affords panoramic city views.

Dating back to the 6^th century BC, the oldest neighborhood is Coptic Cairo, the site of the Roman settlement of Babylon, famous for its historic Christian monuments. Coptic Churches, huge medieval Gates & Bazaars selling everything from motorbike parts to perfumes.

Perhaps the most interesting section is medieval (Islamic) Cairo, a warren of streets just bustling with life. Islamic Cairo represents the part of the city built by its Fatimid founders. It is a labyrinthine maze of Mosques, Souks & breathtakingly beautiful Islamic monuments, all of which echo to the sound of countless Muezzins calling the faithful to prayer. The Ulema of its 1000year old Al-Azhar Mosque (for centuries the foremost centre of Islamic intellectual life) remains the ultimate religious authority for millions of Sunni Muslims, from Jakarta to Birmingham.

Wherever Arabic is spoken, Cairo's cultural magnetism is felt. Your nerves will jangle, your snot will run black from the smog & touts will hound you at every turn. Every strand of Egyptian society knits & unravels in this febrile megalopolis, acknowledged as Umm Dunya or "Mother of the World" by medieval Arabs, & as Great Cairo by 19^th century Europeans.

Overnight.     

Morning, meet the Tour-guide at 08.00 am & proceed for a 8 hour excursion to marvel at the Pyramids.

You will drive to Giza Plateau, site of the Pyramids and the Great Sphinx, whose grandeur remains unsurpassed more than 4,000 years after they were erected.

The great Pyramids of Giza are some of the most famous manmade objects in the world, and they have been famous since ancient times. In fact, the great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the only "Wonder of the Ancient World" that still survives. Although most people associate Egypt with the Pyramids of Giza, there are known to be at least 118 ancient Pyramids in Egypt, including at least 8 more at Giza (2 belonging to Kings & 6 to Queens), the majority of these spread out along the desert between the Giza Plateau & the semi-oasis of Al-Fayoum. For example, the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Sakkara is extremely important as the first Pyramid built in Egypt, though it is not a true, smooth sided one. More are being discovered every few years or so.

There are also a number of Pyramids in & around Dashur that are important because they show the evolution, including the failures and the first success of the builders, as they tried to build the first true, smooth sided Pyramid. Other later versions are less spectacular, sometimes made of mudbrick & therefore not as well preserved today, but still important, because they are the first to be decorated with inscriptions & various scenes. For example, the ruined Pyramids of Unas at Sakkara was the first one that we know of to be inscribed with the 128 magical spells of the Pyramid text.

You have some free time to explore inside one of the Pyramids independently (optional - additional cost & the Tour-guide is not permitted inside). You can also enjoy a camel ride here (optional - additional cost) & absorb the sweeping views over central Cairo. 

After spending time walking around different Pyramids, each with their own history, you will proceed to the next stop. 

Memphis, was the capital of the ancient kingdom. Much of Memphis' splendor has been destroyed, but the Alabaster Sphinx built in the 18^th Dynasty still remains, as does the Step Pyramid of Zoser, the world's oldest free standing stone structure.

If time (& Tour-guide) permits, you might want to take the opportunity for an Optional (direct payment) visit to the Solar Boat Museum, home to the reconstructed funeral barge of Khufu, the Pharaoh for whom the largest Giza pyramid was built. Gaze in awe at the wooden boat, and learn how its remnants were discovered & reassembled by archaeologists.


Return to the hotel.

Balance of the day free to relax or for optional activities (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make the arrangements).

Overnight.  B    

In time, you will be transferred to the Cairo Airport for your short flight to Luxor.

Arrive at Luxor often called the world’s greatest open-air Museum, one of Egypt's great attractions, filled with awe inspiring monuments of ancient civilization as well as some of the best preserved.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? – Luxor International Airport, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next few days.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel.

Immediately, proceed straight from the Airport for a 4 hour tour of Luxor.

Luxor is a city on the east bank of the Nile River in southern Egypt. It is on the site of ancient Thebes, the Pharaohs’ capital at the height of their power, during the 11^th - 16^th centuries B.C.

Visitors have been coming here since the Greco-Roman times. Today, you can walk through history: past statues with the heads of gods & animals, beneath carved lotus buds & papyrus.(Optional : on direct payment - ride in a horse-drawn caleche or sail in a felucca or take a sunset cruise or see the city from a hot-air balloon). Thebes’ wealth & power, legendary in antiquity, began to lure Western travellers from the end of the 18^th century.

Nothing in the world compares to the scale & grandeur of the monuments that have survived from ancient Thebes. Testaments to a desire for immortality, built for eternity in sandstone & granite, the temples, tombs & palaces still stand, surrounded by souks & luxury hotels.

Scattered across the landscape is an embarrassment of riches. Today's city surrounds 2 huge, surviving ancient monuments.

On the east bank of the Nile, in the City of the Living, the graceful Luxor Temple & Karnak Temple, a mile north greets the sunrise. The setting is breathtakingly beautiful, the Nile flowing between the modern city & west-bank necropolis, backed by the enigmatic Theban escarpment.

The sunset on the west bank throws shadows through the City of the Dead where in the Valley of the Kings, Howard Carter discovered the almost untouched Tomb of King Tutankhamun, Tombs of the Nobles & hundreds of other, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut & Ramses Temple in the 1920's. But he was a minor King in the scheme of things & had it not been for centuries of looting, the larger more impressive Tombs would have yielded riches unsurpassed to the impressive haul found in King Tut's burial ground.

Proceed to explore the incredible Temple of Karnak, the construction & development of which spanned the Middle Kingdom to Ptolemaic times. Situated next to the small Karnak village along the Corniche on the East Bank, a short walk from Luxor Temple, the Temple complex had many function. It was an important intellectual center, a spectacular complex of Temples, Chapels, Pylons, Obelisks & Sanctuaries covering more than 900 acres - enough space for 10 Cathedrals.

Every Pharaoh of note built, destroyed, enlarged, embellished or restored part of the complex to express his devotion to Amun (the God was often represented as a human with ram horns) & the Temple grew from the contributions of nearly 30 Pharaohs, making this magnificent structure the largest ancient religious site in the world.

The most accessible part of Karnak is the Precinct of Amun, which seems like an endless succession of massive pylons (Temple gateways), monumental statues & grand hypostyle walls.

The approach, connected with the temple of Luxor, lined with ram-headed sphinxes, leads to the First Pylon which, at 43 metre high & 130 metre wide is the largest in Egypt, even though it was never finished. In the forecourt, you will find Seti II’s shrine, which housed the sacred boats of the Triad & in the south corner, the superb Temple of Ramses III (20^th Dynasty).

Walk through the 13^th century BC Great Hypostyle Hall, an amazing forest” of more than 140 tall papyrus pillars expertly aligned over an area of 50,000 square feet, built by Seti I & his son Ramses II. Beyond the Hall lies a rather larger & more confusing section of the Temple, built during the 18^th Dynasty (1550-1295 BC). In the courtyards beyond the Third & Fourth Pylons, are the finely carved obelisks of Tuthmosis II & farther on, of the female pharaoh, Queen Hatshepsut (1473-58 BC). The tip of her fallen obelisk lies on the way to the Sacred Lake.

Past the Sixth Pylon stand 2 elegant pillars carved with lotus & papyrus flowers, symbolic of Upper & Lower Egypt and the granite Sanctuary of Amun, built by Philip Arrhidaeus, the half-brother of Alexander the Great. This is where Amun’s effigy was kept & where, as the images on the walls show, daily offerings were made in his honor.

Beyond lies a large Central Court & the Jubilee Temple of Tuthmosis, where the king’s vitality & authority were symbolically renewed during the jubilee. Interestingly, this huge Temple complex was only allowed to be entered by the powerful priesthood; lay Egyptians were excluded & used intermediary deities, whose shrines they built against the Temple’s enclosure wall. One such series of Chapels, known as the Chapels of the Hearing Ear, lies at the back of the Jubilee Temple.

Between the Third & Fourth Pylons, the Temple spreads southwards along the side of the Sacred Lake. In 1903, in the Cachette Court in front of the lake, some 17,000 bronze & 800 stone Statues were uncovered. The finest of them are now in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Walk to the West Bank to see the Valley of the Kings & Queens where you will see the Necropolis of Thebes, the burial grounds of the great Pharaohs of the New Kingdom. This is where the Pharaoh's were buried & hoped to meet their Gods in the afterlife.

Visit the Valley of the Queens which lies at the southern end of the necropolis. This is where the queens and their children were interred. See one of the most characteristic of Egyptian temples, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt's first female pharaoh at El-Deir El Bahari situated in a dramatic setting with a limestone backdrop.

Continue on to the Colossi of Memnon, two large statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III.

The 4 hour tour concludes & you will be transferred to the hotel.

Balance of the evening free to explore independently or perhaps try one of the optional activities (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make the arrangements).

Overnight.  B    

Early morning, you will be transferred to the Luxor Airport for the short flight to Aswan.  

Arrive in Aswan, Egypt’s most southern city that has always been the country's main gate to the rest of Africa.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? – Aswan Daraw International Airport, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in & also provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next few days.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

The picturesque Aswan located in the ancient Nubian lands, seems to close the doors on the Middle East and to open those on Africa. No ivory or precious woods can be found on its narrow streets today but the 3^rd largest city in Egypt is full of the scent of spices straight from the south.

In addition to rich history & stunning scenery, the city of Aswan offers opportunities to experience true African culture in the surrounding Nubian villages. The Nubian people, recognisable from their shiny black skin, possess a dignity & easy grace.

Sudanese people are present in fairly large numbers in Aswan enjoying life at a slow pace. The bustling Souk adopts the colours of typical Sudanese markets smelling of incense & herbs and one can see Sudanese women vendors, wearing their traditional long, brightly coloured veils wrapped around the bodies, walking around.

Sitting in the shadow of more popular Luxor (due to its more famous sites), Aswan is unique in its own right, illustrating traces of wonderful Nubian culture & history, along with contemporary modern structures such as the Aswan high Dam which mixes with the old Pharaonic history such as Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk & more.

There are plenty of things to see, but it is not a place to hurry. Aswan is a very special city which combines the beauty of the Nile Valley & the mysteries of ancient Egyptian Temples. Colourful Nubian villages run down to the water & their colourful houses stand out against the backdrop of the West Bank’s desert escarpment.

On the northern end of the First Cataract, marking ancient Egypt's southern frontier, Aswan has always been of great strategic importance. In ancient times, it was a garrison town for the military campaigns against Nubia; its quarries provided the granite used for so many sculptures & Obelisks.

The Nile is wide, languorous & beautiful here, flowing gently down from Lake Nasser around dramatic black-granite boulders & palm-studded islands. The large island of Seheyl & the village of Gharb Seheyl, situated just north of the old Aswan Dam, have various laid-back guesthouses & offer an opportunity to swim in the river.

Shortly thereafter, meet the Tour-guide in the Lobby who will accompany you on a 6 hour sightseeing of the area.

Proceed to Aswan High Dam to learn more about this architectural, technological & engineering modern marvel. Egypt's accomplishment & a contemporary example of building on a monumental scale, the High Dam took 11 years to build. It has a towering height of 111m, a base width of 980m & measures 12,562 feet across.

The Dam led to the creation of Lake Nasser & it now generates electricity for most of Egypt & is also a prime source of drinking water. Consisting of 12 generators each rated at 175 megawatts, it generates a whopping 2.1 gigawatts. The Project is commemorated by a lotus-shaped monument at the western end of the Dam.

Frequent flooding of the Nile sometimes led to the destruction of whole crops & widespread drought. Over the years the Aswan Dam has protected Egypt from several drought periods between 1972 to 1973 & 1983 to 1987 that would have been utterly devastating.

The Aswan Dam has also proved to be culturally beneficial as over 22 monuments & archaeological excavations were spared the threat of being flooded

Continuing on, walk to the Pier to board a motorboat or a Felucca for a short ride to the captivating island of Agilika located in the low dam reservoir downstream of Lake Nasser & Aswan Dam, to see one of the most amazing places here - the Philae Temple, one of the last strongholds of ancient Egyptian religion & dedicated to goddess Isis. It is believed to have been built during the reign of Nectanebo I in between 362-389 BC.

However, the aforementioned location is not the original position of the Temple. During the construction & even before, the area was constantly susceptible to flooding. The Government in conjunction with UNESCO decided to dismantle the Temple, stone by stone & meticulously reassembled it on Agilika Island. One of the things that separate the Philae Temple is the unparalleled archaeological & architectural wealth most of it in near-mint condition.

There are other principal structures situated at the south end on the smaller islands, with the other ruins mostly sharing a more Roman influence.

Continue your explorations with a visit to the granite quarries, site of the famed Unfinished Obelisk.

The ancient Egyptian Obelisk’s were of significant importance as they stood in front of Temples generally in pairs as an indication to the Grand entrances. Mostly constructed of red granite which was hewn from the granite rock at points along the River Nile then, sailed to their destination points as far as Cairo & Alexandria.

This massive stone column nicknamed the Unfinished Obelisk was cut out from the bedrock, but was abandoned after a flaw in the stone was discovered. Had it been finished, the Obelisk would have weighed 1168 tons & stood nearly 42m high.  It is assumed that this was the intended mate for the so-called Lateran Obelisk in Rome, which originally stood before the Temple of Tuthmosis III at Karnak & is still credited as being the largest Obelisk in the world.

From chisel marks & discarded tools, Archeologists have been able to deduce the extraordinary skill with which Egyptian masons worked on the native granite & the Pharaonic quarrying techniques, such as soaking wooden wedges to split fissures & using quartz sand slurry as an abrasive. 

There are more Obelisks worldwide now that left Egypt, having been bought by various Governments & shipped overseas to be placed in prominent positions in major cities such as Rome (11 in Italy in total), Paris, London (4 in the UK), Istanbul, Israel, Poland & New York City along with many still in place at Temples & locations in Egypt (8 in total left in Egypt as of now).

Walk through the quarries past some ancient pictographs of dolphins & ostriches, painted by quarry workers centuries back.

Hop on to the boat or Felucca & move to another island, also significant in Awan’s history – the Elephantine Island with wonderful gardens & some significant artifacts.

Elephantine Island's southern end comprises the site of ancient Abu. Its name meant both 'elephant' & 'ivory' in ancient Egyptian, a reminder of the important role the island once played in the ivory trade. The island's Nubian villages of Siou & Koti make a surprising counterpoint to the bustle of the city across the water.

At the beginning of the 1st dynasty (about 3000 BC) a fortress was built on the island to establish Egypt’s southern frontier. Abu soon became an important Customs point & Trading Centre. It remained strategically significant throughout the Pharaonic period as a departure point for the military & commercial expeditions into Nubia & the south. During the 6^th dynasty (2345–2181 BC) Abu gained its strength as a political & economic centre and, despite occasional ups & downs, the island retained its importance until the Graeco-Roman period.

As well as being a thriving settlement, Elephantine Island was the main cult centre of the ram-headed god Khnum (at first the god of the inundation & from the 18^th Dynasty worshipped as the creator of humankind on his potter’s wheel), Satet (Khnum’s wife & guardian of the southern frontier) & their daughter Anket.

Each year the rushing of the waters of the flood were first heard here on Elephantine Island. Over time religious complexes took over more & more of the Island, so residential areas moved either further north on the Island or to the east bank.

The Temple town of Abu received its coup de grace in the 4^th century AD, when Christianity was established as the imperial Roman religion. From then on, worship of the ancient gods was gradually abandoned & defensive fortifications were moved to the east bank, today’s city of Aswan.

A north - south path crosses the middle of the island and links the 2 Nubian villages Siou & Koti. There is also a charming Nubian Museum in one of the colourful villages.

Wander among the colourful houses of the Nubian villages.

Hop on the boat again & sail to the adjacent Kitchener's Island is also known as the Island of Plants (Geziret an-Nabatat).

Kitchener’s Island, to the west of Elephantine Island, was given to Lord Horatio Kitchener in the 1890s when he was commander of the Egyptian army. Indulging his passion for beautiful palms & plants.

Presented with the Island in gratitude for his military exploits in Sudan, Consul-General Kitchener indulged his passion for exotic flora, importing shrubs & seeds from as far afield as India & Malaysia & parts of Africa. Kitchener turned the entire island into the stunning Aswan Botanical Gardens, importing plants from the Far East, India

Covering 6.8 hectares, the Gardens are filled with birds as well as hundreds of species of flora. While it may have lost some of its former glory, its majestic trees are still a stunning sight, particularly just before sunset when the light is softer & the scent of sandalwood floats on the breeze. Today this Island-wide Botanical Garden is a lovely place to spend a quiet with lots of birdlife.

And now time to go back to the hotel.

Come back to the hotel by evening.

Evening, if conditions permit, you can sail around the Aswan islands in a felucca (sailboat) (Optional - direct payment).

Overnight.  B 

Early morning, you will be transferred to the Aswan Daraw Airport for your flight back to Cairo.

Arrive in Cairo.

After you exit in the Arrival Hall at Terminal? - Cairo International Airport, you will be welcomed by The Journeys representative (holding a placard with your Name), who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to the hotel, help you settle in & provide you with some useful tips for exploring the area as well as discuss the program for the next few days.

If, for any reason you are unable to make contact with our representative within 30 minutes of waiting, please call the local Emergency telephone # listed on your Contact List. Please follow the advice given by our 24 / 7 Duty Officer.  Please do not exit the Airport & make your own way to the hotel.

Reach the hotel & Check-in.

*Check-in time is 02.00 pm. For earlier arrivals in the morning, we will request the hotel for a complimentary early Check-in but cannot be guaranteed unless reserved & paid for ‘immediate occupancy’.

Shortly after, you will meet the Tour-guide & embark on a 6 hour sightseeing tour of the city.

Nicknamed "the city of a thousand minarets" due to Cairo being home to a considerable number of remarkable historical Mosques which are all accessible to tourists every day except Friday.

You will visit the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities. It has 120,000 items, with a representative amount on display, the remainder in storerooms. The Museum's Royal Mummy Room, containing 27 royal Mummies from pharaonic times,   was closed in 1981 & was reopened, with a slightly curtailed display of the New Kingdom kings & queens, in 1985. Today, there are about 9 Mummies on display including the most recently discovered Mummy of Queen Hatsheput.

Enjoy Lunch in a renowned local restaurant.

Then, walk to discover Cairo's Islamic heritage, with visits to the medieval Citadel of Salah el-Din, containing within its walls the Ottoman-style alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. The “City of a Thousand Minarets”, is not considered by Muslims to be as holy a city as Mecca, Medina or Jerusalem.  Its streets & alleyways do however conceal treasures of Islamic art, many of which, although crumbling, offer a dazzling sight to anyone who knows how and where to look.

A walking tour of Islamic Cairo takes you from one of the remaining gates of the city to Khan el-Khalili Bazaar for a few hours of browsing & bargaining among its bustling stalls. The 2 monumental gateways Bab el-Futuh (Gate of Conquests) & Bab el-Nasr (Gate of Victory) mark the northern edge of Fatimid Cairo. Between the two lie the remains of the fortified wall which once encircled the city & which still gives the impression of invulnerability. Beside the Gate of Victory stands the El-Hakim Mosque, built during the first years following 1,000 AD. A place of worship for a mainly Indian Shiite sect, it was extensively restored with concrete & marble in 1980 losing much of its restrained beauty in the process.

The Khan - el - Khalili Bazaar is the domain of shopkeepers and tourists. Jewellery, items made from copper, marquetry boxes, imitations of pharaonic objects, semi-precious stones, rugs, blown-glass dishes &d other souvenirs are bought & sold in the shops grouped by trades along the narrow streets. It is a place to meander, bargain and lose one’s way…but not miss out on a cup of tea or karkade at the bazaar’s famous Cafe Fishawy.

You would also visit the most famous Coptic Christian Church, as well as possibly the first built in Basilican style - the Hanging (The Suspended) Church derives its name from its location above a gatehouse of the Roman fortress in the Old or Coptic Cairo area. with its nave suspended above the passage. It was probably built during the patriarchate of Isaac (690-92), though an earlier Church building may have existed elsewhere dating as earlier as the 3^rd or 4^th century.  The Church is approached by 29 steps; early travelers to Cairo dubbed it "the Staircase Church." The entrance from the street is through iron gates under a pointed stone arch. The 19^th century facade with twin bell towers is then seen beyond a narrow courtyard decorated with modern art biblical designs.

Maybe the oldest existing Synagogue in Cairo, is the Ben Ezra Synagogue or El-Geniza. The Synagogue is located right behind the Hanging Church & was originally a Church, which the Coptic Christians of Cairo had to sell to the Jews in 882 AD in order to pay the annual taxes imposed by the Muslim rulers of the time. The Church was purchased by Abraham Ben Ezra, who came from Jerusalem during the reign of Ahmed Ibn Tulun, for 20,000 dinars & converted.  The Synagogue was a place of pilgrimage for North African Jews & the site of major festival celebrations.  Numerous restorations & renovations were made over the centuries, and the present building dates from 1892. It is a faithful reconstruction of the original, which had collapsed. During the reconstruction, a medieval Geniza (a hiding place for sacred books & worn-out Torah scrolls) was discovered, revealing thousands of original documents from the Middle Ages. Today Ben Ezra Synagogue is a historical monument & the most-visited Jewish site in Cairo. Be prepared to pass through security in order to enter the synagogue.

Return to the hotel.

Balance of the day free to relax or for optional activities (we would be happy to offer suggestions & make the arrangements).

Overnight.  B L    

Alas, like all good things, the wonderful experience comes to an end. Time to say good-bye to mystical Egypt & go home. But, we sure hope that you may want to discover a little bit more of this enchanting country on your next visit.

Check-out of the hotel by 11:00 am (if the departure time is later in the evening, we will request the hotel to allow the usage of the facilities & to leave the luggage at the Bell Desk). 

Your nerves will jangle, your snot will run black from the smog & touts will hound you at every turn, but it is a small price to pay to tap into the energy of the place Egyptians call Umm Ad Dunya - the Mother of the World. Blow your nose, crack a joke & look through the dirt to see the city's true colours. If you love Cairo, it will definitely love you back & welcome you back.

“Travel is like knowledge. The more you see the more you know you have not seen” - Mark Hertsgaard

In time, you will be met by a Journeys Rep, who will ensure your comfort & transfer you to Terminal? - Cairo International Airport for your onward journey.  B

  ***      End of Services      ***