EGYPT
River Nile
Western Desert
The Pyramids at Giza
CAIRO AND THE WESTERN DESERT
Cairo, the incomparable ‘Mother of the World’, is a city richly steeped in the history and traditions of its glorious past; from its magnificent Pyramids, to the bustling bazaars and hidden alleyways of its Islamic and Coptic heart. Meanwhile, beyond its city limits, lie the expansive landscapes of the Western Desert, a land of golden mummies, Berber tribes and the fascinating oases of Siwa and Bahariya.
THE PYRAMIDS & SPHINX AT GIZA These iconic structures are the last survivors of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World. The Great Pyramid, built by the Pharaoh Cheops nearly 5,000 years ago took two decades to construct. Sharing the desert plateau is the mysterious Sphinx carved from a single piece of bedrock which stands guard over the pyramids.
THE EGYPTIAN MUSEUM
The Egyptian Museum is home to the most comprehensive collection of Egyptian antiquities in the world. There are a staggering 120,000 exhibits on view ranging from towering granite statues and mummified remains of the ancient Pharaohs to the most prized possession, the treasures of Tutankhamun.
MEMPHIS & SAQQARA
The old capital of the Ancient Kingdom, Memphis predates Cairo by some 4,000 years. Once one of the greatest cities of its time, today it plays host to the vast necropolis site of Saqqara and is one of the richest archaeological sites in all of Egypt.
OLD COPTIC & ISLAMIC CAIRO Hidden amidst a network of quiet streets and labyrinthine alleyways, the old quarters of the capital are home to a complex mix of religious heritage including Egypt’s oldest synagogue, some of its most important Coptic remains and the greatest concentration of medieval Islamic architecture.
ALAMEIN Lying on Egypt’s Mediterranean coast, Alamein was the site of one of the Second World War’s most significant encounters, when
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Rommel’s Afrika Corps were finally broken by the allies, halting German advances on the Suez Canal. The graves of troops lost in battle still bear witness to the intensity of the fighting.
BAHARIYA OASIS Located 350 km from Cairo amongst the spectacular White and Black deserts of Egypt. Bahariya Oasis was recently the discovery site of a remarkable necropolis which contained 105 gilded gold mummies dating from the Greco-Roman period.
ALEXANDRIA
Home to Cleopatra, the Pharos Lighthouse and the most spectacular library of antiquity. Alexandria, founded in 331 BC by Alexander the Great has been a crossroads for trade and culture for 2,500 years. An engaging mix of the ancient and the modern, Alexandria is a fascinating amalgam of Egypt’s eclectic heritage.
SIWA OASIS
The ultimate oasis, its people still retaining the fierce traditions of their Berber ancestors, Siwa is a supreme desert oasis with its date and palm groves being fed by the waters of 300 freshwater springs. Today its winding streets, along with the fortified ghost town of Shali, evoke a powerful vision of life amongst the desert.
CAIRO’S CAMEL MARKET The Birqash Camel Market is located about 60 kilometres away from Cairo, on the edge of the Western Desert. One of the largest camel markets in Africa, it provides visitors with one of Egypt’s more extraordinary spectacles. Dress conservatively and be warned, it is not for the faint-hearted.
Speak with a Travel Expert, phone 0844 488 0664
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