Exploring the History of Ancient Egypt With a Relaxing Resort Escape

Egypt’s capital city Cairo is built on the sands ancient settlers wandered thousands of years ago, around the corner from the foundations of the great Egyptian empires of old. Today, Cairo rises above the desert landscape and looms over the historic Nile River, a source of nourishment and lifeforce for the surrounding sand seas of Egypt. You will land at Cairo International Airport, meet your transfer, and make your way to an accommodation pinned in the heart of the city’s busy center. Here you will spend your evening acclimating to the buoyant Egyptian atmosphere built on years of history.

Cairo is an entry point for history buffs and eager visitors who wish to see one of the world’s greatest ancient wonders and more treasures in the sands. Your guide will greet you in the morning for a day tour of the Great Pyramids, notably the massive tip of Giza that aligns perfectly with the stars. You will also inspect the accessible internal burial chambers of The Cheops Pyramid, unearthing a wealth of insight into Ancient Egypt and admiring the meticulous works of art within. Finally, you will journey to one of Egypt’s most renowned historical symbols, the Great Sphinx.

Your guide will collect you in the morning and take you on a tour of Egypt’s second capital, Alexandria. The port city beats with ancient energy and its modern skyline is fused with antique architecture and Roman influence dating back centuries. Your travels will lead you to the colossal Corinthian column known as Pompey's Pillar before you reach one of the Middle Ages’ greatest feats, the catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa. You may explore the multicultural tombs before you flip through the pages of history within the Great Library of Alexandria.

Cairo boasts sites harking back to times when Roman soldiers patrolled the sands and great pharaohs dictated the flow of life. You will be thrilled to discover the city’s highlights today during a tour of its sacred complexes and imperial fortresses. The Citadel of Saladin is an architectural marvel tracing back to the wars between rulers and Crusaders. The Egyptian Museum hosts thousands of relics and artifacts gathered throughout Egyptian history. Finally, the Khan el-Khalili is a fascinating bazaar where you may test your bartering skills before you enjoy a walking food tour of famous Cairo cuisine and transfer to Luxor.

Formerly the great capital of the New Kingdom known as Thebes, Luxor still preserves its ruling glory in the two sacred temples you will visit on a tour today. The Karnak Temple is the first stop on your heritage tour, and here you will witness the two millenniums of generational history of pharaohs who incentivized its construction in honor of the Egyptian god Amun. Smaller temples dot the complex, obelisks punctuate its surroundings, and pylons ascend over spiritual structures. You will then visit Luxor Temple to admire its long line of Sphinxes.

Egypt’s desert expands in all directions, and this morning you will swoon over the surreal stretching vastness of the country’s sandy solitude from the skies in a hot air balloon. Views of umber valleys speckled with patches of green palm groves along the sparkling waters of the Nile will showcase the magnificence of Egypt’s remoteness. Returning to the ground afterward, your guide will lead you to more highlights around Luxor’s neighboring West Bank, including the great burial chambers of the Valley of the Kings, stunning terraces of Hatshepsut Temple, and the massive stone statues of the Colossi of Memnon.

Today, you will transfer across the sprawling sands to the oasis of Aswan, a palm-fringed city expanding the banks of the Nile River and overlooking collections of prolific little islands that glow in hues of green under the warm sunlight. Your travels will lead you to the Temple of Horus at Edfu en route, where you will discern the Greek construct built paying respect to the pharaonic kingdoms. You will later arrive in Aswan, check into your accommodation, and conclude your day with a visit to the romantic Philae Temple rising from an island on the Nile.

You will have enjoyed an evening felucca, or Egyptian sailboat, the previous night and wake up with the majestic Nile scenes still fresh in your mind. Today, you will discern the difference between river and desert as you venture to the massive rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel. Carved into the limestone banks of the Egyptian desert, these awe-inspiring temples showcase the meticulous craftsmanship of the ancient kingdoms and share the stories of Ancient Egypt through the exhibition of enormous statues, decorated murals, and intricate networks of royal chambers.

The final leg of your Egyptian adventure will be something completely different, a welcomed retreat for travelers wishing to spend a few days wallowing in the blissful climate and sensational seas of Egypt’s coastline. Today, you will transfer to the sparkling resort town of Sharm El Sheikh where you will bask in the brilliant sunshine from the comfort of your seaside patio and swimming pool. You may also spend your afternoon under the shade of palms, reading a book with views of the Straits of Tiran, or swimming in its crystal clear waters.

Wedged between the desert of the Sinai Peninsula and the Red Sea, Sharm El Sheikh affords visitors the opportunity to embrace the majesty of the Egyptian sands and the beauty of the horizon-touching seascape. Around the corner from your accommodation are some of North Africa’s most iconic diving destinations in protected marine national parks boasting colorful and vibrant coral reefs teeming with fish, sharks, and other swimmers. You may strap on snorkeling gear and dive into the sea to spot the curious creatures, scan the underwater wrecks, and wade with the ebb and flow of the swell.

There are flurries of memorable and exciting experiences in and around Sharm El Sheik, and you may spend your final full day exploring the resort town at leisure. From hiking the rocky peaks of Mount Sinai to exploring the rich reservoir of history within the St. Catherine's Monastery, browsing the colorful trinkets and African fashion in the Sharm Old Market, and delving into the region's dramatic religious heritage in the Al-Sahaba Mosque, you will be spoiled for choice this morning when deciding how to spend your day ahead.

You will bask in the warmth of its radian glow as the sun rises over Sharm El Sheikh in the morning. Its golden light will filter through the clouds and shimmer off the crystal waters surrounding your hideaway suite. A beautiful day will entice you to the shoreline where you will dig your toes into the soft sand and skip rocks over the small waves. Every minute will be magical in this sandy resort town and you will savor your final moments in the Egyptian sands before departing Sharm El Sheikh.