Wadi El Notrun overnight
Day 1
Start driving from the port towards Cairo about 3 hours driving through the flat desert landscape to Africa's largest city, Cairo. Upon arrival, you will proceed to the Giza Plateau to discover the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, the Pyramids of Giza. It is here that three pharaohs, Cheops, his son Chephren and grandson Mykerinus, built great tombs to protect their mummified bodies in the afterlife. Free time will be taken for photos and for those wishing, to walk closer to the pyramids. You will then drive to the high western plateau for panoramic views and photo opportunities of the valley and all the pyramids below. Your next stop will be at the guardian of the mortuary complex, the mysterious Sphinx. Carved out of a solid natural rock around 2650 B.C., the Sphinx has the head of a man, the body of a lion; you will have free time for photos and to explore the area Your last stop is the magnificent Egyptian Museum, the most important depository of Egyptian antiquities in the world. The museum is home to over 120,000 items, only a portion of which are in display in its more than 120 rooms. Your tour includes a visit to the King Tut gallery which includes the golden mask and items from the treasury. It does not include a visit to the Royal Mummy room. Following your tour, you will start driving back to the port
Day 2
Start driving from the port towards Wadi El-Natrun about 2 hours driving through the flat desert landscape, Wadi El-Natrun, the actual birthplace of Christian monasticism. Basically, there were about 50 monasteries; only 4 have survived into modern times. Begin your trip with Deir al-Baramus which is the oldest of the surviving 4 monasteries, and in many ways, the most isolated, then proceed to Deir Anba Bishoi whose body is still in the monastery.
Continue your trip to Deir Abu Maqar which is the richest monastery now in Wadi El-Natrun, as it has more than 100 monks and 600 workers in the extensive farm which spreads in front of it. You will end your trip with Deir El-Suryani which is the smallest and most compact of the 4 monasteries. After the end of the tour
you will start driving back to the port, about 2 hours drive back, If time permits, we can make some photo stops in Alexandria.