Egypt and Lebanon Discovery

Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival, Cairo

  Welcome to Egypt, a country dating to the time of the pharaohs! Upon your arrival at Cairo Airport, our airport representative will greet you in the tunnel, facilitate the visa process, escort you through customs and immigration, and introduce you to your private driver. It will take about one hour to transfer you from the airport to your hotel. Check-in and enjoy some time at leisure.

  • Cairo

• Day 2: Cairo

  Your tour in Egypt begins with the world-famous Pyramids of Giza. Spend the morning exploring this area. You can walk around the main pyramids, take photos with the pyramids in the background, and hear the mysterious stories about these pharaohs from your private tour guide. Don't miss the Great Sphinx lying on the east side of the complex.

  Tour the Egyptian Museum in the afternoon. It houses an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities on display.

  Optional: If you want some evening entertainment, the Pyramids Sound and Light Show can be a good choice.

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  • Cairo

• Day 3: Cairo - Luxor, Nile Cruise

  You will take a one-hour flight to Luxor this morning. Upon arrival, you'll be met and transferred to your Nile Cruise for embarkation.

  In addition to pyramids, the ancient temples in Egypt are must-see. This afternoon, You will visit two of them, the Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. The avenue of Sphinxes, the huge columns, the toppled obelisks, and the statues seating in front of the temple are all amazing.

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  • Nile River Cruise

• Day 4: Luxor - Edfu, Nile Cruise

  Today, you'll enjoy a shore excursion to the west bank of the Nile. Since there are many tombs scattered on the west bank of Luxor, the Egyptians believed that it was the place of death. You'll visit the Valley of the Kings, the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, and the remains of the Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III - Colossi of Memnon. Then, sail to Edfu.

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  • Nile River Cruise

• Day 5: Edfu - Aswan, Nile Cruise

  This morning, disembark and pay a visit to the Temple of Edfu. As one of the best-preserved shrines in Egypt, it is a good example that can give you a chance to learn better about the ancient Egyptian temple.

  Continue sailing to Kom Ombo. There you will explore a unique double temple, the Temple of Kom Ombo. Its "double" means that there were two courts, two halls, two sanctuaries, and two rooms, respectively dedicated to the Horus-the-Elder and the Sobek. After that, the ship will sail to Aswan.

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  • Nile River Cruise

• Day 6: Aswan, Nile Cruise

  Today, you will take a leisure exploration around Aswan. First, head to the High Dam. It was an engineering miracle when it was built in the 1960s and now provides a wonderful view for you. The next one is the Unfinished Obelisk, which would be the largest ancient obelisk if it finished. Finally, visit the Temple of Philae, located on Agilkia Island about 550 meters from its original home on Philae Island. As you are wandering around the temple, your tour guide will explain why it was moved.

  Return to the ship for lunch and then take a felucca sailing on the Nile to enjoy the surrounding landscapes and the stunning sunset.

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  • Nile River Cruise

• Day 7: Aswan - Cairo - Beirut

  After breakfast on the board, check out and disembark from the ship. Your private driver will wait for you and then escort you to the airport. Say goodbye to Egypt and board your flight to Beirut, Lebanon (with a stopover at Cairo). Upon arrival, be greeted by your private driver and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

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  • Beirut

• Day 8: Beirut - Baalbek - Anjar - Ksara - Beirut

  Lebanon, whose earliest evidence of civilization can date back more than seven thousand years, has a rich history and extensive ruins. Today, you will take an excursion to Baalbek and Anjar, with a stopover at Ksara.

  Baalbek, located about 85 km northeast of Beirut, is an ancient Phoenician city. Here you will explore the Baalbek temple complex including two of the largest and grandest Roman temple ruins. While in the city of Anjar, the archaeological site will show you the history of the Umayyad. After a break in the souk, visit its ruined temples as well as the walls and colonnades of the Umayyad palace. Along the way back to Beirut, enjoy a winery tour at Ksara, one of the oldest wine estates in Lebanon. You will have a chance to see the thousands of bottles stored in the caves-turned-cellars, learn about the winemaking process, and taste some delicious wines made here.

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  • Beirut

• Day 9: Beirut - Jeita - Byblos - Harissa - Beirut

  On the second day in Lebanon, you will take a full-day tour to Jeita, Byblos, and Harissa.

  First, travel about 20 km north to Jeita, famous for Jeita Grotto. Hip on a boat sailing on the subterranean lake to explore the lower caverns, and then walk along the upper caverns to enjoy this natural wonder closely. Afterward, continue your tour to Byblos, one of the oldest cities in the world. The Byblos Castle built by the Crusaders and medieval Roman port is two destinations that don't to be missed. Finally, pay a visit to Harissa for the Statue of the Virgin Mary. With 8.5-meter-high and 5-meter-diameter, this huge statue is one of the most important shrines in the world honoring Mary, Mother of Jesus. Before leaving, you will also have a chance to overlook the Bay of Jounieh.

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  • Beirut

• Day 10: Beirut - Tyre - Sidon - Maghdouche - Beirut

  Today is a full-day exploration of Tyre, Sidon, and Maghdouche.

  After driving about an hour from Beirut, you will reach Tyre. This city is one of the earliest Phoenician metropolises, remaining a number of ancient sites, such as Roman streets and hippodrome. Enjoy a walking tour of this breathtaking city to imagine how prosperous it was. Continuing your trip to the city of Sidon. Here you can see the ruins of the Sidon Sea Castle and the Castle of Saint-Louis (known as the Land Castle) built by the Crusaders, as well as the impressive Great Mosque. Later, proceed to Maghdouche and visit the Old Cave and the Al-Saydeh Ancient Church here.

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  • Beirut

• Day 11: Beirut, Departure

  It's time to say goodbye. After breakfast, your private driver will transfer you to the airport for your homebound flight.

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