Private Memphis, Sakkara, Cairo

Private Memphis, Sakkara, CairoDepart the pier to begin your private cruise excursion with an approximately 3 hour 15 minute drive through the flat Egyptian desert/farming landscape towards Africa's largest city, Cairo. You will pass through the outskirts of Cairo, as you continue on to Sakkara, south of Cairo. Sakkara is one part of the great necropolis of Memphis, which was the capital of the Old Kingdom. It was thought that the section was for the kings of the 1st and 2nd dynasty only, but excavations have revealed the tombs of a prime minister, the son of one of the Dynasty's Kings and a queen's pyramid. Sakkara is probably best known as the location of King Djoser's Pyramid, better known as the Step Pyramid. It is the oldest known of the nearly 100 pyramids that have been discovered in Egypt. It was designed by the architect Imhotep, whose design was both unique and revolutionary.From Sakkara, your excursion will proceed to the old capital of Memphis. You will see the ruins of the Temple of Ptah and see the fallen colossal statue of King Ramses the second and the Alabaster Sphinx of King Amenhopis the second during your orientation drive. Then, drive to Cairo where lunch will be served in a local hotel.After lunch, your tour continues with a drive 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, erected magnificent tombs to protect their mummified bodies for the afterlife. You will then drive to the high western plateau for panoramic views and photo opportunities of the valley and pyramids below.Next stop on your private excursion is the guardian of the mortuary complex, the mystical Sphinx. With the head of a man and the body of a lion, the mysterious Sphinx stretches out to a length of 240 feet of carved natural stone, dating back to 2650 B.C. Your last stop on the tour will be at the Papyrus Institute to see demonstrations on how the ancient Egyptians made paper from reeds from the Nile. A short time will be set aside for souvenir shopping in the adjacent bazaar. Then you will rejoin your transportation for the 3-hour 15-minute drive back to Port Said.