Historical Tour of Egypt

When you fly into Cairo, you’ll immediately be hit by the heat. In the summer, the city can get as hot as 96 degrees, and the sun makes it feel even hotter. Make sure to buy an umbrella or something to wrap your head to keep you out of the sun before your journey begins tomorrow.

It’ll be a busy day today! Your first stop is the Grand Egyptian Museum. It holds an amazing collection of Egyptian artifacts, most of them dating back to the time of the pharaohs. The museum’s highlight is the collection of New Kingdom royal mummies and treasures that were found in Tutankhamun’s tomb.

Now, you’ll head to Khan Al-Khalili, an open-air bazaar dating back to the 14th century. It’s filled with unique items from the area, including spices, perfumes, and jewelry. Use this time as an opportunity to mingle with the locals!

Today you’ll make your way to Coptic Cairo, which contains five original churches, the first mosque built in Egypt, and the oldest synagogue. You’ll tour these churches and learn about how Christianity came to Egypt. One of the churches, Saints Sergius and Bacchus Church, is believed to have been built on the spot where Mary, Joseph, and the infant Jesus rested after fleeing to Egypt.

After, it’s your opportunity to volunteer! You’ll work with underprivileged children at Alwan Wa Awtar, an art center in Cairo. Expressing yourself with art is important, and it’s an opportunity that many of these children haven’t had before. Paint with them, help them learn a musical instrument, or teach them some English words!

Hop in the van and take a day trip over to Giza to see the famous pyramids. Make sure to have your camera ready! You’ll ride a camel around the pyramid complex, the best way to see the sites. This complex includes the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and you’ll also get to see the Great Sphinx, one of the most iconic structures in Egypt.

Once you get back to Cairo, you’ll hop on a plane to Luxor, your next destination.

It’s your first day in Luxor! Before you leave, eat some Ful Medames, a traditional Egyptian breakfast featuring fava beans. Your first stop is Luxor Temple. Most pharaohs played a part in building the temple over the years, including Tutankhamun, Hatshepsut, Ramses II, and Amenhotep III. A tour guide will tell you about the temple’s rich history and who was responsible for what parts.

Next, you’ll visit the Temple of Hatshepsut. The temple is dedicated to the longest-ruling female ruler of ancient Egypt, Queen Hatshepsut. It’s been carefully restored over time and contains beautiful statues and sphinxes.

Your first stop is the Temple of Karnak’s enormous building complex. Most pharaohs added to and changed the buildings during their reign. Karnak was the house of gods and revered by all, and was the New Kingdom’s most sacred site.

Your last stop is the Valley of the Kings. The valley is the burial ground for many of Ancient Egypt’s most famous rulers. There are 63 tombs on site, and you’ll be able to tour some of them! You’ll receive an additional ticket to tour Tutankhamun’s tomb, too!

It may be time to head back home, but you’ll always have your experiences here. Plus, you can learn more about the history of Egypt or move on to the history of other countries. Maybe you can visit those places in the future, too!