EGYPT JOURNAL 

Day 0 - Start From Home

🗓️Date: 17th October 2025 (Friday)

• 11:50 PM: Start from home to NSCBI International airport (CCU)

Day 1 - Kolkata to Cairo via Abu Dhabi. Khan El Khalili Market and Check in at Giza Hotel

🗓️ Date: 18th October 2025 (Saturday)

• ✈️Journey and Flight Details 

  • 12:40 AM: Reached  NSCBI Airport, Kolkata, India - (CCU)

  • 4:00 AM: Flight Departed

    • Flight Details: (CCU-AUH)

      • Flight number: Etihad EY 221 (Kolkata -> Abu Dhabi)

      • Food: Breakfast in flight-  Puri, Vegetables, Strawberry Yoghurt, Fruit Salad, Black Tea.

  • 7:30 AM (Abu Dhabi Time): Reached Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi, UAE (AUH) for layover.

  • 10:45 AM: Departed Abu Dhabi (20mins late)

    • Flight Details (AUH- CAI)

      • Flight number: Etihad EY713 (Abu Dhabi- Cairo)

      • Food: Lunch in flight- Chicken Biryani, Salad, Desert, Coke

  • 1:15 PM (Cairo Time): Reached Cairo

  • Immigration crossed and baggage collection

    • Immigration Issue:

      • Immigration was done conditionally with stamping -" Register within 7 days". (Probably for Indians travelling solo/not in group)

      • Returned back to immigration counter after baggage pickup for resolution with local authorities.

      • Resolved at airport by paying $15 each for registration and date stamping. 

  • 2:45 PM: Exit from Airport. (Car sent by FTS Travels. Driver- Muhammed)

  • Coffee break at local cafe adjoining a fuel station on the way to Khan El Khalili

• 3:45 PM: Visit Khan El Khalili

• 🗼Visit Khan El Khalili, Walkthrough the lanes, Al Muizz Street ,visit the Al Azhar and Al Hussein mosque. and break at El Fishawi Cafe.

  • ⏳Belongs to Islamic period. Established by Djaharkas El-Khalili (1382 AD)

  • 📍Location- Old Cairo City, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

  • 📝Notes-

    • 🔍What to see at Khan El Khalili:

      • The lanes, streets, market, mosques and buildings of the market.

      • Walk on Al Muizz Street- one of the oldest streets in the world.

      • The two famous mosques - Al Azhar and Al Hussain Mosque is also located here.

      • Egypt's oldest cafe- El Fishawi Cafe is also here.

    • 📝Notes on Khan El Khalili

      • Built like a fort structure from outside and was the main commercial hub in Islamic Cairo

      • Part of UNESCO world heritage.

    • 📝Notes on Al Muizz Street:

      • Established in 10th century AD and is one of the oldest streets in the world.

    • 📝Notes on El Fishawi Cafe:

      • 200 years old and the oldest cafe in Egypt. Visited by eminent of Egypt.

      • Famous for their mint tea , coffee and juice and the colorful decor with mirrors all over the place.

• 7:15 PM: Drive from Khan El Khalili to Giza and Check-in at hotel. 

• 🏨Giza Stay Details: 

  • The View Pyramids Hotel, Near the Great Pyramids.

• 🍛Dinner:

  • Dinner at - Local Egyptian Eatery - "Koshary Hikaya"

  • Food- Koshary, Chickcen Shawarma, Rice-Chicken Salat.

  • 📝Note on Koshary-

    • Koshary/ Koshari/ Kushari is the national dish of Egypt.

    • It is a vegan dish and consists of- Rice, lentils, macaroni pasta, sometimes vermicelli, chickpeas topped with deep fried onion and served with a spicy tomato sauce and a vinegar garlic mix.

Day 2 - Egyptian Museum, The Great Pyramids, Sphinx, Light & Sound Show at Sphinx

🗓️ Date: 19th October 2025 (Sunday)

• 🍽️8:00 AM- Breakfast

  • Food- Ham Cheese Sandwich and Egyptian local breakfast

  • Egyptian local Breakfast:

    • Egyptian breads, Falafel, (Fried dumplings of beans paste), Fava beans (Like baked beans), Tahini Dip (Like Lebanese Baba ghanoush), Handmade coffee.

• Start from hotel to Egyptian Museum at Tahrir Square.

• 10:30 AM: Reached Egyptian Museum 

• 🗼Egyptian Museum

  • ⏳Belongs to Islamic period. Established by Djaharkas El-Khalili (1382 AD)

  • 📍Location- Tahrir Square, Downtown Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt

  • 📝Notes -

    • Built in 1902, it is the oldest museum in the middle east and contains original artefacts of the Egyptian civilization spanning over more than 5000 years.

    • 📝Highlights of artefacts

      • Description of mummification process

      • Original statues of Ramsis II, Sphinx of Hapshetsut, Large collection of Papyrus, statues of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure.

      • The famous mask of Tutankhamon and the treasures found from his tomb.

      • 💡Fun fact on the Tutankhamon Mask and the Treasures

        • The famous funerary mask of Tutankhamon along with the treasures were found in the valley of Kings in 1925 by Howard Carter. 

        • It is considered as the most important discovery since the mask and treasures were discovered almost intact.

        • The artefacts, since then, are in display at the Egyptian museum , Cairo. 

        • The government later decided to transfer everything to the newly built majestic "Grand Egyptian Museum" in Giza. 

        • The day we visited i.e. 19th October was the last day (since 1925) when the treasures of King Tut will be displayed in Egyptian museum. The very next day onwards the gallery would be closed forever , marking an end of an era and a historic moment in itself.

      • The funerary golden mask of King Psusennes I.

      • Mummies of Thuya and Yuya.

      • Large number of Sarcophagi and coffins

      • Replica of the Roseta Stone- the granite stone inscribed with three versions of a decree issued during the Ptolemaic dynasty
        The top and middle texts are in Ancient Egyptian using hieroglyphic and Demotic scripts, respectively, while the bottom is in Ancient Greek. The decree has only minor differences across the three versions, making the Rosetta Stone key to deciphering the Egyptian scripts.
        This is the only replica artefact in the museum. The original is at the British museum, London.

      • 📝Notes on Mummification Process

        • Why Egyptians believed in mummification?  - Ancient Egyptians believed in afterlife and hence wanted to preserve the body for afterlife.

        • The process  took around 70 days and was done mosltly for the Pharaohs, Royals or the rich.

        • The steps:

          • Washing body with Nile water.

          • Removal of the brain through nostrils. Brains were discarded.

          • Removal of organs- Lungs, liver, stomach, intestines from a cut made on left side of abdomen.

          • Cleansing the internal body with wine and spices.

          • Drying- covering body and cavity in salt for 35-40 days

          • Stuffing with linens

          • Placement in coffin.

  • 3:45PM : Exit museum and start for the Great Pyramids of Giza

• • 4:30 PM: Reached the Great Gate of the Pyramids Complex.

  • 🗼The Great Pyramid of Giza and the Giza Necropolis

    • ⏳Period- Belongs to Old Kingdom. Built by Pharaoh Khufu -> Khafre and -> Menkaure (2600 BC, 2500BC and 2510 BC)

    • 📍Location- Giza Necropolis, Giza Plateau, Giza Governorate, Egypt.

    • 📝Notes-

      • Tickets can be purchased from the counters or through agents before. Hop on -Hop off buses are available from the gates to each of the monuments.

      • Separate tickets for going inside pyramids are available. We went inside the Menkaure's pyramid which costed $25 for two persons.
        Took around 30-35 minutes for a round trip. (Not recommended for persons with claustrophobia or back/neck pains)

      • 📝Notes on the Pyramid Complex and the 3 Pyramids

        • The pyramid complex in Giza is also known as the Giza necropolis is the most important and popular site in Egypt.

        • Built during the old kingdom ~ 5000 years ago.

        • 💡Trivia: The Great Pyramid of Giza is the Oldest wonder of all the wonders(even considering the wonders of the ancient world) and the only surviving wonder of the ancient world and is having an honorary status.

        • The 3 great pyramids 

          • 1) Khufu's Pyramid- 

            • The largest among the 3 having approx. height 138 meters

            • Built during 2550 – 2528 BC

          • 2)Khafre's Pyramid -

            • The second largest pyramid built by Khafre, the son of Khufu.

            • Approx. height- 136 meters

            • Built during 2520 – 2494 BC

          • 3)Menkaure's Pyramid

            • The smallest of the three pyramids, built by Menkaure, the son of Khafre.

            • Approx. height - 65 meters

            • Built during 2490 – 2472 BC

        • The other Pyramids:

          • Apart from the 3 great pyramids, there are 9-10 small pyramids belonging to the queens.

        • The Great Sphinx

          • Located in front of the Khafre's pyramid, it is one of the most iconic monuments of Egypt.

          • The statue , carved out of a single limestone rock, has a body of a lion and face of human. (Mostly claimed as Khafre's face)

• 🍽️5:45 PM: Lunch at local restaurant

  • Food- Buffet lunch- Salad, Rice, Pasta, Barbecue Chicken, Meat, Fish, Koshary.

• Papyrus museum/shop explore and bought one papyrus painting.

• 7:00 PM : Light and sound from gallery facing the great Sphinx. Show timings -7:30PM to 8:30PM

• 9:00 PM : Reached hotel- No dinner. 

Day 3 - Visit to Old Cairo City- Citadel and Coptic Cairo. Flight to Aswan for Nile Cruise Boarding

🗓️ Date: 20th October 2025 (Monday)

• 8:00 AM :  Wake up and Breakfast

• 🍽️Breakfast- Egyptian Breakfast- Breads, Falafel, Meat Salami, Cheese, Basil Leaves

• 9:30 AM : Board car for Citadel

• 10:30 AM: Reach Citadel- Also known as Saladin Citadel.

• 🗼Cairo Citadel and Muhammed Ali Mosque:

  • ⏳Period- The Citadel Belongs to Islamic Period. (Built in 1176 AD) Built by Salah al-Din al-Ayubi (Saladin) .
    The Muhammed Ali mosque was built in Modern Period in 1857

  • 📍Location- Mokattam Hill, Old Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt.

  • 📝Notes -

    • • Built by Salah al-Din al-Ayubi (Saladin) to fortify Cairo against Crusader attacks.

      • The citadel complex was the seat of the Islamic Egyptian rulers and residence for more than 700 years.

      • The key attraction in the citadel complex is the Muhammed Ali mosque (It was built much later in Modern Egypt era in 19th century- around 1857)

      • The mosque is mostly built with alabaster and hence is often called as the Alabaster Mosque. The architecture is inspired from the famous blue mosque in Istanbul, Turkey.

      • The terrace of the citadel offers the best panormaic view of Cairo city. Even the great pyramids of Giza were visible since the day was very clear.

• 11:30 AM: Reached Coptic Cairo

• 🗼Coptic Cairo

  • ⏳The Fortress of Babyon belongs to Greek-Roman period  (around 30 BC the work started and continued through ages), while the Churches were built in Coptic Period (3rd Century AD)

  • 📍Location- Coptic Cairo, Old Cairo, Cairo Governorate, Egypt.

  • 📝Notes 

    • Main attractions- Fort of Babylon, The Hanging Church, Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus,  St. George's shrine, Ben Ezra Synagogue, Greek orthodox church and Coptic museum. (Due to time constraints, we could visit only the fort, hanging church and Abu Serga and St. George's shrine)

    • 📝Notes on Coptic Cairo

      • Coptic Cairo refers to the old Christian quarter of Cairo. It is located in old Cairo city.

      • One of the earliest centers of Christianity in the world.

      • The site was actually called "Fortress of Babylon" during the Roman era. and the churches in this area were built on top of the fortress structures.

      • The fortress is still visible though.

    • 📝Notes on The hanging Church

      • It is built on top of the southern gate of the fort. Hence the name hanging church.

      • Probably the most popular church in Coptic Cairo , beautifully decorated and is very much active till date.

    • 📝Notes on The Church of St. Sergius and Bacchus

      • Also known as Abu Serga. It is one of the most sacred and important churches in Coptic Cairo.

      • The church is built on the spot where the Holy Family (Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus) rested at the end of their journey into Egypt.

      • The cave where the Holy family stayed , the well from where they drank water are still there and preserved.

• 🍽️Lunch at a buffet restaurant

  • Buffet Lunch at Amar Coffee shop and restaurant in Al Hayat complex.

• 3:30 PM: Reached Cairo Airport Terminal 1 for flight to Aswan

  • ✈️Flight Details-  EgyptAir MS 284 Cairo to Aswan . Journey time- 1.5 hours. 16:55 to 18:15

• 6:30PM : Reached Aswan Airport and boarded car at around 7:15PM. Guide name- Omran.

• 8:00PM: Halt for forex. Forex from local forex dealer in Aswan on the Corniche road.

• 8:30PM: Checked in to Cruise at Aswan. Cruise name "King Tut III". Room 216. Ground Floor, Beside Reception and Lobby.

• 🍽️9:00PM : Dinner- Buffet dinner at Cruise restaurant- Rice, Fish soup, Salad, Fish, Chicken fry, Meat curry.

• Stay on Cruise.

• 🗼The River Nile 

  • The longest river in the world with length 6650 Kms and flows through 11 countries and finally meets the Mediterranean Sea in Egypt.

  • The entire Egyptian civilization grew along the Nile since ages and still serves as the lifeline of Egypt and other African countries and hence they say that “Egypt is the gift of the Nile”

  • The annual floods in Nile is said to have helped in human sustenance as well as accessing and building the famous temples and monuments of Egypt including the great pyramids.

  • The Nile Cruise between Aswan and Luxor gives an extensive experience of the civilization that grew along the bank of Nile.

Day 4 - Abu Simbel, Philae Temple and Kom Ombo Temple (From Nile Cruise)

🗓️ Date: 21st October 2025 (Tuesday)

• 3:30AM : Get up and get ready for car. Breakfast packed by Cruise.

• 5:30AM: Car arrived at Corniche road, infront of Cruise.

• 🚙Drive  from Aswan Corniche to Abu Simbel vis Aswan-Abu Simbel road. The road passes through Sahara Desert with minimal inhabitations.

  • Distance ~ 300KMs, Time- Around 3.5 hours with a small break on the way. 

  • ☀️Sunrise on the vast Sahara desert is a unique experience.

  • ☕Tea Break at a small cafe on the way.

• 9:00 AM: Reached Abu Simbel Temple complex

• 🗼Abu Simbel Temples:

  • • ⏳Belongs to New Kingdom - Pharaoh Ramses-II (1264 BC)

    • 📍Location- Abu Simbel, Aswan Governorate. Around 300 kms south of Aswan near Sudan border on the bank of Lake Nasser.

    • 📝Notes on Abu Simbel Temple 

      • One of the most important and iconic sites of Egypt. 

      • There are two temples in the complex- one belongs to Pharaoh Ramses II and the other for his wife Queen Nefertari.

      • The temple facade features four gigantic seated statue of Ramses II.

      • 📜Historical Importance:

        • Built by Pharaoh Ramses II  around 1264 BC to honour RamsesII and his favourite Queen Nefertari and also to show his strength to neighbouring Nubia (Sudan)

        • The inner most chamber contains four seated statues of Gods- 1)Ptah- the God of death and darkness 2)Amun Rah- The King of the Gods 3) Ramses-II himself [Pharaohs were considered God]  4)Ra-Horakhty- the Sun God.

        • On Feb 22nd and Oct 22nd every year sun rays directly fall on the statues and illuminates them except the statue of Ptah who is God of darkness. This event is an engineering wonder and lot of visitors visit the Abu Simbel temples on the two dates.

        • Locals and guides say that these dates are allegedly the king's birthday and coronation day, respectively.

        • The small temple or the temple of Neferteri contains 6 statue- 4 of  Ramses II and 2 of Queen Neferteri.

    • 📝Notes on Lake Nasser and submerging of temples

      • A man made lake in southern Egypt and northern Sudan. Approx. 5000 sq. Kms in area. In Sudan the same is called Lake Nubia.

      • The lake was created due to the Aswan high dam project for controlling the Nile floods, to preserve water for agriculture and generate hydroelectricity.

      • Originally the Abu Simbel temple was not located in the place where it is now. The lake formation resulted in submerging of the area including the original Abu Simbel Temple. An UNESCO led project was launched thereafter in 1960 to rescue the temples like Abu Simbel and Philae and relocate them to a higher place. moving stone by stone.

      • The project became a legend in itself and still serves as a model for preservation of monuments.

• 🚙10:30 AM : Drive back to Aswan towards Phiale Temple and High Dam

• 12:45 PM: Reached Philae Temple Ferry Place via the Aswan high Dam.

• 🗼Philae Temple

  • ⏳Belongs to the Ptolemaic period (300 BC to 30BC) with later additions during Roman Era up to 3rd century AD.

  • 📍Location- Agilika Island, Aswan, Aswan Governorate..

  • 📝Notes-

    • The original temple was in Philae island which has been submerged in Lake Nasser due to the Aswan high dam project.

    • The temple was relocated to Agilika Island similar to the Abu Simbel temples.

    • Now there is a ferry service to go and visit the island.

• 2:30 PM: Returned back to Cruise. Ready to sail towards Kom Ombo temple.

• 🍽️ Lunch at Cruise- Buffet lunch.

• 6:30 PM:  Cruise sailed to Kom Ombo and disembarkment for temple visit.

• 🗼Kom Ombo Temple:

  • ⏳Belongs to the Ptolemaic period (construction started around 180BC  and continued upto 47BC with some additions in Roman period)

  • 📍Location- Kom Ombo, Aswan, Aswan Governorate. (50Kms north of Aswan towards Luxor. East Bank of Nile)

  • 📝Notes-

    • The temple is dedicated to two Gods and hence is a twin temple with symmetric halves.

    • The two Gods once worshipped are- 1)Sobek- The Crocodile God- God of Nile and Fertility. and 2) Horus- The falcon headed God- God of sky and protection.

    • Lot of inscriptions showing surgical instruments which indicates surgery and medication details in ancient Egypt.

• 🗼Crocodile Museum, Kom Ombo:

  • ⏳Opened in 2012 by Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities.

  • 📍Location- Kom Ombo, Aswan, Aswan Governorate. (50Kms north of Aswan towards Luxor. East Bank of Nile)

  • 📝Notes-

    • The museum is to showcase the sacred role crocodiles played in ancient Egyptian religion.

    • At Kom Ombo temple, the southern half was devoted to Sobek-  the crocodile-headed god of fertility.

    • Crocodiles were considered the earthly embodiment of God Sobek. Hence they were worshipped, cared for, and mummified after death.

    • Around ~50 crocodile mummies are displayed in the museum with age more than 2000 years old.

• 7:30 PM: Back to Cruise and ready to sail towards Edfu.

• 8:30PM: Dinner

• 🍽️ Buffet dinner at cruise restaurant.

Day 5- Horse Cart Ride to Edfu Temple and Reach Luxor- Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple- Back to  Cruise)

🗓️ Date: 22nd October 2025 (Wednesday)

• 5:30AM : Get up and get ready for Edfu Temple. Horse carts are available from Nile corniche to Edfu Temple.

• From Corniche/Cruise to temple, it takes around 15-20 mins in a horse cart.

🗼Edfu Temple

• • ⏳Ptolemaic Period (237–57 BC)

  • 📍Location- Edfu City, Aswan Governorate. West Bank of Nile.

  • 📝Notes-

    • The temple is dedicated to Horus- The falcon God and is one of the best preserved temples in Egypt.

• 7:45 AM - Back to Cruise and breakfast.

• 🍽️Breakfast at Cruise.

• 8:45 AM: Cruise started sailing towards Luxor.

• 12:45 PM Pass through the Esna Lock Gate

🗼Esna Barrage and Lock Gate

• ⏳The lock gate was built in 1994

• 📍Location- Esna, Luxor Governorate.

• 📝Notes-

  • There is a lock gate mechanism where all the vessels wait for the water level to get adjusted since the Barrage (Dam) Creates a Height Difference of water.

  • When going upstream (to Aswan) --> the chamber fills with water to lift the boat.

  • When going downstream (to Luxor) -->  the water drains to lower the boat. [We saw this since we ere going towards Luxor]

  • Approx. 45 mins to 1 hour is needed to cross the Esna barrage.

• 1:30 PM: 🍽️ Lunch at cruise.

• 3:00 PM: ☕Tea at Sun Deck.

• 3:30PM: Cruise reached Luxor. Luxor is the final destination of the cruise. The cruise stays docked in Luxor for the remaining stay.

• Visit the Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple and back to Cruise.

• Took around 30mins in car from Cruise to Karnak Temple.

🗼Luxor

• ⏳2100 BC. Middle to New Kingdom

• 📍Location- Luxor , Luxor Governorate. Around 650 Kms south of Cairo and ~250Kms north of Aswan

• 📝Notes-

  • It was the capital of the middle and the new kingdom after Memphis.

  • Also the primary religious center (evident from the presence of the Karnak and Luxor temples)

🗼Karnak Temple Complex

• ⏳Spanned from middle kingdom-2000–1700 BC to Ptolemaic period- 100BC

• 📍Location- Luxor , Luxor Governorate., East Bank of Nile.

• 📝Notes-

  •  Karnak was the spiritual heart of ancient Thebes(The area now known as Luxor)

  • It is not a single temple but a city like structure with obelisk, holy lakes, zoo, temples etc. built over 2000 years.

  • Amun Ra - the King of Gods was worshipped here.

  • There is a holy lake inside the complex.

  • Karnak complex is the largest ancient religious site in the world.

  • The Statue of the Sacred Scarab

    • The statue of the sacred Scarab or Beetle is a statue near the holy lake within Karnak complex.

    • Made of red granite and is placed on a stone pedestal.

    • In ancient times people used walk around the scarab statue — usually seven times — in a clockwise direction to fulfil wishes. Visitors practice the same till date.

• Karnak Temple to Luxor Temple by Car- takes around 10mins. 

🗼Sphinx Avenue from Karnak Temple to Luxor Temple

• ⏳Built at around 1400 BC.

• 📍Location- Karnak Temple Complex to Luxor Temple, Luxor Governorate., East Bank of Nile.

• 📝Notes-

  • The Karnak Temple and Luxor temple were connected through a 2.5kms road known as the Avenue of Sphinx. and was used in the ancient era for religous processions.

  • The avenue is lined up with around 1200- 1400 sphinx statues on both sides of the road.

  • The avenue was buried thereafter in the sands and was excavated in 19th century.

  • Although the avenue is currently open but when we visited it was closed for renovation. So we had to take the car from Karnak to Luxor temple and it took around 10mins.

🗼Luxor Temple

• ⏳Built at around 1400 BC . Later additions by Alexander.

• 📍Location- Luxor, Luxor Governorate., East Bank of Nile.

• 📝Notes-

  • The temple was built by Pharaoh Amenhotep III with additions during Tutankhamon and then expansion by Ramses II.

  • Alexander the Great and the Romans also added to the temple and used it as chapel  during the Greek-Roman period.

  • The temple was mainly dedicated to God Amun-Rah.

🗼Abu al-Haggag Mosque on top of the Luxor temple

• ⏳Built at around 1400 BC . Later additions by Alexander.

• 📍Location- Luxor, Luxor Governorate., East Bank of Nile.

• 📝Notes-

  • The mosque was built around 13th century by the followers of one Sufi saint named Abu al-Haggag.

  • The mosque was built on top of a high ground but they didn't know that the Luxor temple is buried underneath.

  • The mosque was kept intact even after Luxor temple restoration and is active even today which makes it a place of worship being used for almost thousands of years.

• Returned to Cruise from Luxor temple. Overnight at Cruise.

• 🍽️ Dinner - Buffet at Cruise

Day 6- Luxor Hot Air Balloon, Luxor West Bank Tour and Fly back to Cairo

🗓️ Date: 23rd October 2025 (Thursday)

• 4:00AM : Wake up and get ready for Hot Air Balloon. 

• 🍽️Breakfast at 5:00AM and board car sent by Hot air balloon company.

• 6:20 AM Reached Luxor hot air balloon ground.

• 7:30 AM Boarded hot air balloon.

• 📍Location- Luxor Hot Air Balloon Ground, Near Valley of Kings and Hatshepsut Temple, Luxor Governorate., West Bank of Nile.

• 📝Notes-

  • Flight duration is ~ 1hour

  • Balloons fly over the necropolis, the valley of Kings, Hatshepsut temple, Colossi of Memnon and vast farmlands and is an experience of a lifetime to witness those while the sun rises.

  • Each balloon basket is divided into 4 compartments- each carries approx 5 persons. So ~20 persons can fiti n one balloon.

  • The landing and take off are very smooth and done by trained pilots. Our pilot was an experienced one with more than 300+ flights and had experience of flying balloons in Turkey. The crew members reach at the landing point before landing by following the balloon.

• 9:00 AM : Checked out of cruise for Luxor West bank sight seeing. Luggage kept on cruise. 

• 10:15 AM: Reached the Valley of Kings

🗼The Valley of Kings

• ⏳Built during the New Kingdom (~ From  1550BC to 1070BC). 

• 📍Location- Luxor, Luxor Governorate., West Bank of Nile.

• 📝Notes-

  • Probably the most important site in Egypt after the pyramids.Used as a royal burial site during Egypt’s New Kingdom for 500 years.

  • For a ticket, any 3 tombs can be visited. King Tut tomb requires separate ticket. Each tomb bears a number with KV#.

  • We visited- KV2- Tomb of Ramesis IV, KV8 Tomb of Merenptah and KV 16 Tomb of Ramses I (Grandfather of Ramses-II )

  • Each tomb was cut deep into rock and filled with treasures, food, and ritual items to accompany the pharaoh into the afterlife.

  • Tomb walls are covered in vivid hieroglyphs and the original colours are still visible clearly.

  • The most famous discovery at the Valley of Kings was the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamon which was found almost intact with his famous golden funerary mask and other treasures by Egyptologist Howard Carter in 1925. The mask and the treasures are kept at the Egyptian museum in Cairo since then. The same will be moved to the newly build Grand Egyptian Museum after 100 years in November 2025.

  • Other famous  tombs include that of Pharaoh Ramses II (which was closed for renovation), Amenhotep-III, Seti I and others.

• Next visit the Temple of Hatshepsut ~ 5-7 mins drive from the Valley of Kings.

🗼The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

• ⏳Built during 1473 BC–1458 BC

• 📍Location- Luxor, Near Valley of Kings,  Luxor Governorate., West Bank of Nile.

• 📝Notes-

  • Dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut, the most powerful and successful female Pharaoh. Amun-Ra, Anubis, and Hathor were worshipped.

  • The temple is designed in a unique way with staircases and is completely different from the other temples.

  • After Hatshepsut’s death, her stepson Thutmose III (and later others) attempted to destroy the temple to erase her name due to political reasons but could not.

  • The temple is one of the key sights from the hot air balloon.

• Drive to Colossi of Memnon ~ 5-7 mins drive.

🗼Colossi of  Memnon

• ⏳Built around 1350 BC

• 📍Location- Luxor, Near Valley of Kings and Hatshepsut Temple Road,  Luxor Governorate., West Bank of Nile.

• 📝Notes-

  • The Colossi are two massive seated statues, each about 18 meters high.

  • Each statue represents Amenhotep III, seated on his throne with his hands resting on his knees, facing east toward the rising sun.

  • The statues were built to serve as the entrance of the Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III. The temple is now destroyed over time with few remains scattered in the area.

• 1:30PM: Back to Cruise for lunch. (Checked out in the morning but lunch was included)

• Waiting in common area/ deck /lobby

• 8:00PM : Car pickup for Luxor Airport

• 8:40 PM: Reached Luxor Airport

• 11:55PM: Flight from Luxor to Cairo

• ✈️Flight Details-  EgyptAir MS 267  Luxor to Cairo . Journey time- 1 hour 10 mins. 23:55 to 01:05

• 1:30 AM: Reached Cairo

• 3:00 AM: Checked in to Cairo Hotel. 

• 🏨Cairo Stay Details: 

  • Victoria Hotel, Downtown Cairo.

Day 7- Alexandria Day Trip and Downtown Cairo Walk

🗓️ Date: 24th October 2025 (Friday)

• 8:00 AM: Wake up 

• 🍽️8:30 AM:  Buffet Breakfast at Hotel.

• 9:30 AM : Start from Hotel towards Alexandria. Guide- Muhammed and Driver- Zoky.

• Cairo to Alexandria takes around 3 hours the visually stunning Cairo-Alexandria Desert road. 

• Due to dense desert fog on the Cairo Desert Road, we had to wait ~40mins at a toll gate near New Cairo City.

• As per the locals, this is a regular phenomena and the authorities block the highway until the visibility becomes normal.

• 12:15PM: Reached Alexandria. 

🗼Alexandria City

• ⏳Founded in 331BC by Alexander The Great

• 📍Location- 220KM north of Cairo along the Mediterranean sea shore, Alexandria Governorate.

• 📝Notes-

  • The second largest city in Egypt after Cairo. and is often called the Pearl of the Mediterranean.

  • Founded by Alexander The great and he made this his capital. 

  • Alexandria later flourished during the Ptolemaic period and was used as the Capital even during the reign of Queen Cleopatra- The last Pharaoh of Egypt.

  • Alexandria has got its own unique culture , with a western touch, which is different from the other cities in Egypt.

  • The lighthouse of Alexandria was one of the wonders of the ancient world which was destructed in earthquakes. The palace from where Queen Cleopatra ruled Egypt lies  buried under the sea.

  • Major sites to visit- Alexandria Library, Qaitbay Citadel, Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar, Roman Amphitheatre, Montazah Palace.

  • Due to time constraints we only visited the Catacomb of Kom El Shoqafa and Qaitbay Citadel and enjoyed a sumptuous sea food lunch on the shore of Mediterranean. :)

  • The library was closed since it was a Friday.

🗼Catacomb of Kom El Shoqafa

• ⏳2nd century AD

• 📍Location- Alexandria city, Alexandria Governorate.

• 📝Notes-

  • The Catacomb is a burial place for some wealthy family but the identity is still unknown.

  • Spiral staircases that go down to 3 levels- Central spiral staircase was used to lower the bodies. The main burial chamber is decorated with statues.

  • A banquet like hall mostly used for funerary meals (which was probably a practice then)

  • It is an unique site and has a fine blend of Greek, Roman and Egyptian elements of art in one place.

  • The pillars, decor are mostly like Greek or Roman structure with mummification and Anubis dressed like a Roman is shown in inscriptions.

  • 💡Fun fact- The site was discovered accidentally in 1900 when a donkey fell through a hole.

🗼The Citadel of Qaitbay

• ⏳1477 AD

• 📍Location- Western most tip of Alexandria Corniche, Alexandria city, Alexandria Governorate.

• 📝Notes-

  • Built by Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qaitbay to defend Alexandria from Ottoman attacks. Hence the name Qaitbay Citadel.

  • The structure is like a square fortress and surrounded by thick defensive walls and round corner towers. Visitors can climb up to the rooms containing canon and arrow openings from where the guards kept surveillance. The kitchen, rest rooms, training rooms are open for visitors.

  • It is the most iconic site of Alexandria and offers some breathtaking views of the Mediterranean sea and Alexandria city skyline.

  • 💡Fun fact- It is built in the exact same location where the lighthouse of Alexandria - one of the wonders of the ancient World was built. In fact , stones from the ruins of the lighthouse were reused in building the fortress.

• 🍽️ Sea food lunch at local restaurant on the Mediterranean sea corniche. 

• 4:30PM - Started from Alexandria to Cairo.

• 7:30PM - Reached Cairo Hotel-> Freshen up -> Room extension for next day -> Book car for Saqqara circuit visit

• 8:15 PM- Stroll around in Cairo downtown- buy souvenirs from local store.

• 🍽️ Dinner- Chicken Roasted and  RiceFrom local restaurant in downtown.

Day 8 - Saqqara, Dahshur and Memphis. Tahrir Square

🗓️ Date: 25th October 2025 (Saturday)

• 7:30AM: Wake up and buffet breakfast at Hotel.

• 9:00 AM : Car picked up from hotel. Arranged from hotel.

• 10:45 AM: Reached the Step Pyramid Complex at Saqqara:

🗼The Step Pyramid at Saqqara

• ⏳2667–2648 BC. Built during the Old Kingdom.

• 📍Location- Saqqara Necropolis, ~26 Kms from Giza Necropolis, Giza Governorate.

• 📝Notes-

  • This is the first pyramid ever built and also the world's first monumental stone building.

  • Designed and constructed by Architect- Imhotep — Egypt’s first known architect, engineer, and physician.

  • Built for Pharaoh Djoser of 3rd Dynasty of Old Kingdom.

  • The Serdab chamber - The Serdab chamber is a sealed chamber just beside the pyramid which contained a life size statue of King Djoser in seated position. There are two small holes through which the statue of the king looks towards north. The original statue was moved from this site to the Egyptian museum for preservation and a replica is currently kept in the chamber. Visitors queue up to see the seated replica statue through the holes.

  • The complex of step pyramid is like a small town in itself with a large stone wall, courtyards etc. A lot of excavations are still going on in and around the step pyramid complex and the Saqqara circuit is considered as the most important site for Egyptology archeologists.

  • The Imhotep Museum- The Imhotep museum or Saqqara museum is a small site museum within the Saqqara complex and displays the artefacts found at the Saqqara site during the excavations. 

• 12:00 PM: Saqqara to Dashur Pyramids Site. Takes ~30 mins by Car.

🗼Dahshur Pyramids Complex

• ⏳Old Kingdom, 4th Dynasty (around 2600–2500 BCE).

• 📍Location- Dahshur Necropolis, ~10-12Kms south of Saqqara,, Giza Governorate.

• 📝Notes-

  • The Dahshur complex contains - The Red Pyramid, The Bent Pyramid and The Black Pyramid. Out of the 3, the Red and Bent Pyramids are open for tourists.

  • The Red Pyramid- Built by Pharaoh Sneferu, The father of Pharaoh Khufu. The pyramid was built with limestone which turned reddish over time and hence known as the Red Pyramid. It is the third tallest Pyramid in Egypt and the first successful smooth pyramid (The pattern which was eventually applied to build the Great Pyramids). 

  • The Bent Pyramid- This was also built by Pharaoh Sneferu but the initial angle of 53 degrees was changed to 43 degrees most likely due to some structural instability which marks an experimental phase of smooth pyramid design and transition from the step pyramid style to the smooth style. The outer smooth casing of limestone still visible at this pyramid.

  • Sequence wise, The Step Pyramid  (Stepwise structure and not the smooth one we see) --> Bent Pyramid (Attempt to build a smooth one from the Step style) --> The Red Pyramid (First ever successfully built smooth structure) -->  Finally leading to the building of the Great Pyramids of Giza.

  • The Black Pyramid- Was built during the middle kingdom and it has mostly collapsed over time. It can be viewed from a distance within the Dahshur complex.

12:45 PM: Dahshur to Memphis Open Air Museum. Takes ~30mins by Car.

🗼Memphis Open Air Museum

• ⏳3100 BC

• 📍Location- Memphis , ~10-12Kms from Dahshur, Giza Governorate.

• 📝Notes-

  • Memphis was the Capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom. Later it shifted to Thebes (Now Luxor)

  • The are is relatively a small one with the main attractions:

  • 1) The Colossal Statue of Ramses II- It is a huge statue of Ramses II and is  kept lying in the open air museum. The statue is famous for its intricate details.

  • 2) Alabaster Sphinx of Memphis - The Sphinx is made up of Egyptian Alabaster and believed to be of either Queen Hatshepsut or Amenhotep. This is probably the second largest sphinx in Egypt after the Great Sphinx of Giza, although it is much smaller than the great sphinx.

  • 3) Ruins of the Temple of Ptah- Only the remains are on display at the museum grounds.

1:45 PM: Memphis to Cairo back.

• 3:30 PM:  Cairo downtown walk -> Buy local cookies/confectionaries/ Souvenirs -> Stroll around streets/ local restaurant and cafe.

• 🍽️ Lunch- Pigeon stuffed with rice (Locally known as "Hamam Mahshi"). A special dish in Egypt usually for occasions.

• 🍽️ High Tea at Local Cafe- "Oldeish". Near Tahrir Square/American University.

• 6:45 PM  to 7:30PM - Relax at Tahrir Square benches.

🗼Tahrir Square

• 📍Location- Center of Cairo Downtown, Cairo Governorate.

• 📝Notes-

  • The Center of Cairo Downtown and the most prominent hub of the city.

  • The name means- Liberation square and is served as the main point of demonstrations during the 2011 Egyptian Revolution and earlier in 1952 revolution.

  • The Tahrir Square houses the famous Egyptian museum and is surrounded by many modern day hotels, markets, shops and colonial buildings while the Nile flows nearby.

Day 9 - Cairo to Chennai Via Muscat and finally back to Kolkata

🗓️ Date: 26th October 2025 (Sunday)

• 12:10AM : Reached Cairo Airport Terminal 2

• 1:50AM: Boarding started for Cairo to Muscat 

• ✈️Flight Details-  

• Cairo to Muscat - Oman Air WY 0408 (CAI -> MCT) - 02:15 - 07:00. Fly time-  3 hrs 45 mins .
  🍴Food- Chicken Biryani , Dessert

• Muscat to Chennai-  Oman Air WY 0253 (MCT -> MAA) - 09:10 -14:20. Fly time-  3 hrs 40 mins
  🍴Food- Fish and Rice, Dessert

• Chennai to Kolkata- Indigo  6E 606 (MAA -> CCU) - 18:15 - 20:40. Fly time- 2 hrs 25 mins
  🍴Food- Chicken Sandwich, Panner Sandwich and Coffee.

• Reached home at around 10:00PM.