Ain Sokhna Kreuzfahrten

During the journey to Cairo via the desert road, your guide will provide interesting facts about the sites you will be visiting.

Great Pyramids of Giza

Upon arrival you will be visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza considered to be the most famous of Egypt's attractions and the only monuments left of the ancient wonders. The three main Pyramids at Giza were built as tombs by Cheops, his son Chephren, and Chephren's son Mykiernus to preserve each of the pharaohs' mummified body for eternity. For centuries, these unique structures have intrigued the world while surviving the rise and fall of great dynasties.

Cheops Pyramid

One of the major highlights of this visit will be the entrance of Cheops Pyramid where you have the change to enter inside the Pyramid up to King Cheops burial chamber. Southeast of the great pyramid stands the sphinx carved out of solid rock around 2650 BC. Steeped in legend and superstition, the sphinx was a monument either to the sun god Ra or to Pharaoh Chephren. It has the head of a man and the body of a lion. The monument faces east, probably to greet the rising sun and the return of life each day. It is the oldest and largest of the pyramids in the Giza pyramid complex. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain intact. Egyptologists conclude that the pyramid was built as a tomb for the Fourth Dynasty Egyptian pharaoh Khufu and estimate that it was built in the 26^th century BC during a period of around 27 years.

Lunch and Folkloric Show/Belly Dancer

Enjoy lunch at one of the deluxe hotels at the Pyramids area while watching a belly dancer and folkloric show.

Papyrus Institute

Finally, a visit of a Papyrus Institute where you will receive an explanation about how Papyrus paper was made in old times. Papyrus is a material similar to thick paper that was used in ancient times as a writing surface. It was made from the pith of the papyrus plant. It was first known to have been used in Egypt at least as far back as the First Dynasty as it was abundant across the Nile Delta. It was also used throughout the Mediterranean region and in the Kingdom of Kush. Papyrus was used in the construction of other artifacts such as reed boats, maps, rope, sandals and baskets. A short stop will be made for shopping before driving back to rejoin the ship.

East of Cairo is the location of the Movenpick Resort El Sokhna. Blue skies and white sandy beaches - with turquoise water lapping at your feet. The backdrop is the Red Sea Mountains.

Movenpick Resort El Sokhna, Time at Leisure, Welcome Drink

A drive of 30 minutes from the pier will take you to the resort where you will have approximately 3 hours of free time at leisure. Umbrellas and sunbeds will be available for you to use. A non-alcoholic welcome drink is included. Any other meals/drinks use of facilities are at the guests own expense.

This morning, you will drive for approximately 2 hours towards Cairo, the Capital of Egypt and the biggest city in Africa.

Ibn Tulun Mosque

Upon arrival, you will visit the Ibn Tulun Mosque, considered to be the largest mosque in Egypt in terms of land area since it was built in 876.  The mosque is famous for its courtyards lined with arcades of broad arches and heavy pillars. The mosque is a great chance to learn more about Islamic history and considered one of the most important Islamic sites located in Cairo. It is also one of the oldest mosques in Egypt as well as the whole of Africa surviving in its full original form. Many of its decorations were created from carved stucco and wood.

National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and Royal Mummies Hall

Next, you will be visiting the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization offering a general overview of all different historical periods that encompass Egypt to the present and the interaction of the Egyptian people with their land throughout history. One of the main visits of the museum will be the Royal Mummies Hall, it was designed to look like the inside of a tomb and allows you to experience the magnificence of seeing the mummies of Pharaohs that ruled Egypt thousands of years ago.

Cruise on the Nile with Lunch

Enjoy a relaxing lunch while sailing on the Nile and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The Northern section of the river flows North almost entirely through the Sudanese desert to Egypt, where Cairo is located on its large delta and the river flows in the Mediterranean Sea at Alexandria. Egyptian civilization and Sudanese kingdoms have depended on the river since ancient times. Most of the population and cities of Egypt lie along those parts of the Nile Valley North of Aswan. Nearly all the cultural and historical sites of Ancient Egypt developed, are found along the river banks.

Khan El Khalili Local Market

Visit Khan El Khalili local market built in 1382 in the heart of the Fatimid city. It was considered the major center of trade in old times, today it is still one of the more colorful, open-air bazaars filled with unique and exotic items from spices, perfumes to jewelry and souvenirs. Many craftsmen's workshops continue to operate within the bazaar (usually in the courtyards or upper floors of buildings). There are also several coffeehouses which are generally small and quite traditional serving Arabic coffee. One of the oldest and most famous coffeehouses is El Fishawi's, established in 1773.

Finally, board your coach for the 2 hour return drive back to the ship.

During the 2 ½ journey to Cairo via the desert road, your guide will provide interesting facts about the sites you will be visiting.

Great Pyramids of Giza

Upon arrival you will be visiting the Great Pyramids of Giza considered to be the most famous of Egypt's attractions and the only monuments left of the ancient wonders, the three main Pyramids at Giza were built as tombs by Cheops, his son Chephren, and Chephren's son Mykiernus to preserve each of the pharaohs' mummified body for eternity.

For centuries, these unique structures have intrigued the world while surviving the rise and fall of great dynasties. Southeast of the great pyramid stands the sphinx carved out of solid rock around 2650 BC. Steeped in legend and superstition, the sphinx was a monument either to the sun god Ra or to Pharaoh Chephren. It has the head of a man and the body of a lion. The monument faces east, probably to greet the rising sun and the return of life each day.

Lunch and Grand Egyptian Museum

Enjoy lunch at a deluxe restaurant followed by the visit of the Grand Egyptian Museum also known as the Giza Museum which opened in 2021 and is considered to be one of Egypt's highlights. Nowadays, it is the largest archeological museum in Africa and the Middle East where the most important pieces of Egypt ancient history are on display. It houses artifacts, including the complete Tutankhamun collection. The museum is situated on a plot of land of about 480,000 sq m (5,200,000 sq ft) and is located approximately 2 km (1.2 miles) from the Giza pyramid complex. The construction of the museum was carried out by a joint venture established by the Belgian company BESIX Group and the Egyptian company Orascom Construction. Your GEM visit will include King Tutankhamen's exhibition hall where for the first time the full collection of the king treasure will be displayed in one place and where a lot of pieces are displayed for the first time.

Following the museum visit, commece the 2 ½ journey back to the ship.

Saint-Anthony Monastery

From the pier, you will board your coach and start your tour with a two hour-drive towards Saint-Anthony Monastery. This monastery is a Coptic Orthodox monastery standing in an oasis in the Eastern Egypt. It is one of the oldest monasteries in the world, which was established by the followers of Saint Anthony, who is often considered to be the first monk in the Christian religion.

According to The Bible, at the age of 34 Anthony gave away or donated to charity all of his property and worldly possessions; he ventured into the desert to seek a life of humility, solitude, and spiritual reflection. He made his abode in a small cave where he devoutly practiced an ascetic life. Although Anthony was not the very first monk, he is one of the fathers of modern Christian monasticism, and attracted many followers and disciples.Following the visit of the monastery, lunch will be served then you will visit St Paul Monastery.

Lunch and Monastery of Saint Paul the Anchorite

The Monastery of Saint Paul the Anchorite dates to the fifth century AD. It was founded over the cave where Saint Paul lived for eighty years. Because of repeated attacks by the Bedouins, the monastery was deserted for 119 years, until it was repopulated by a group of monks from the Monastery of Saint Anthony under the patronage of Pope John XVI of Alexandria, who promoted an extensive reconstruction of the monastery.

The modern monastery has three different churches. That of Saint Paul of Anchorite which is built underground, and was originally dug into the cave where the saint lived and where his remains are kept. The two other churches are named after Saint Mercurius and Archangel Michael. The monastery is surrounded by high walls, built during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It also has a tower (keep), an ancient refectory, a mill, and a spring that is believed to have served Paul during his eighty years of seclusion in this area. A second spring, known as the Pool of Mary is named after Mary, the sister of Moses who is believed to have washed her feet there during the Exodus. This monastery also keeps many illustrated manuscripts.

After visiting Saint-Paul Monastery, it will be time to travel for approximately two hours to return to Ain Sokhna port and rejoin the ship..

During the 2 ½  hour journey to Cairo via the desert road, your guide will provide interesting facts about the sites you will be visiting.

The Step Pyramid of Sakkara

Your day will start with the visit of The Step Pyramid of Sakkara overlooks Zoser's mortuary complex.  Dating from 2700 BC, the Step Pyramid is the oldest stone structure in the world, and was designed by Imhotep for King Djoser.  In addition to Djoser's Step Pyramid, there are another 16 pyramids on the site in various states of preservation or decay. Sakkara is also home to an impressive number of mastaba tombs.  Because the necropolis was lost beneath the sands for much of the past two millennia, even the sizable mortuary complex surrounding Djoser's pyramid was not unearthed until 1924.  As a result, many of the mastaba tombs have been superbly-preserved, with both their structures and lavish internal decorations intact. Your visit will include one of the tombs recently discovered.

Lunch and Great Pyramids of Giza

Lunch will be served at a deluxe restaurant followed by the visit of the great Pyramids of Giza. Considered the most famous of Egypt's attractions and the only monuments left of the ancient wonders, the three main Pyramids at Giza were built as tombs by Cheops, his son Chephren, and Chephren's son Mykiernus to preserve each of the pharaohs' mummified body for eternity. For centuries, these unique structures have intrigued the world while surviving the rise and fall of great dynasties. Southeast of the great pyramid stands the sphinx carved out of solid rock around 2650 BC. Steeped in legend and superstition, the sphinx was a monument either to the sun god Ra or to Pharaoh Chephren. It has the head of a man and the body of a lion. The monument faces east, probably to greet the rising sun and the return of life each day.

Finally, a drive of 2 ½ hours will return you to the pier to rejoin the ship.

Explore Cairo and the Pyramids complex of Giza at your leisure during your full-day (11-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Cairo and the Pyramids complex of Giza at your leisure during your full-day (11-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

Explore Ain Sukhna at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

This tour does not visit Cairo/Pyramids/Sphinx. Guests who wish to visit Cairo on private bases, should refer to the tour ASE-J Silver Shore Privato: Cairo by Private Car & Guide

Explore Ain Sukhna at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private car. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned car and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

This tour does not visit Cairo/Pyramids/Sphinx. Guests who wish to visit Cairo on private bases, should refer to the tour ASE-J Silver Shore Privato: Cairo by Private Car & Guide

Explore Ain Sukhna at your leisure during your full-day (8-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

This tour does not visit Cairo/Pyramids/Sphinx. Guests who wish to visit Cairo on private bases, should refer to the tour ASE-K Silver Shore Privato: Cairo by Private Van & Guide

Explore Ain Sukhna at your leisure during your half-day (4-Hour) sightseeing tour via private van. Customise your own itinerary or choose to see an overview of the area's highlights.

Depart the pier with your English-speaking guide in an air-conditioned van and discover the city and surrounding areas at your own pace. Your exclusive tour concludes back at the pier.

This tour does not visit Cairo/Pyramids/Sphinx. Guests who wish to visit Cairo on private bases, should refer to the tour ASE-K Silver Shore Privato: Cairo by Private Van & Guide