Egypt with the Emilies
July 8, 2024
After meeting up in Cairo at our hotel Novotel El Borg, we enjoyed an amazing welcome dinner with our group of 20 (+ our favorite tour guide, Hany, of course.)
July 9, 2024
Today we experienced some of the world's most famous structures, the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. We hopped on camels to get the best views and photo opportunities in the historical park. Then a visit to the Egyptian Museum.
July 10, 2024
Today we headed to the vast ancient burial ground of Saqqara to explore the outer pyramids. We visited the Pyramid of Zoser, the oldest step pyramid in history, and entered an incredibly well-preserved tomb. We stopped by the first capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt, Memphis. In the evening, we boarded the sleeper train for a train journey to the Nubian city of Aswan.
Photo: Riley Whitford
July 11, 2024
After an overnight sleeper train journey, we arrived in the Nubian city of Aswan. Hany immediately took us on a boat ride out to Philae Temple. In the evening, we enjoyed a Nubian-style dinner with locals on Elephantine Island.
Photo: Riley Whitford
July 12, 2024
Today our group all opted for an excursion to Abu Simbel, the massive rock-cut temple to Ramses II now located on Lake Nasser. Back in Aswan, we shopped for souvenirs in the market.
Photos: Riley Whitford
July 13, 2024
This morning we boarded a felucca and spent the day out on the river, watching rural Egyptian daily life on the banks. Our Nubian sailing crew provided amazing meals cooked right on the boat and then we settled in for a night under the stars.
Photos: Riley Whitford
July 14, 2024
After a bus ride into Luxor, we visited Karnak Temple. Built over a period of some 2000 years, and dating back to 2055 BC, Karnak Temple is one of the most celebrated sites in Egypt. In the evening we enjoyed a night of shopping in the medina before sharing a beautiful rooftop dinner.
Photo: Riley Whitford
July 15, 2024
Our last full day was a busy one: we started with a half-day tour of Luxor's West Bank, visiting the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon. For lunch, we joined a local family for a home-cooked Egyptian meal before catching a short flight back to Cairo.
Photos: Riley Whitford
(Left: inside a tomb at the Valley of the Kings; top right: The Emilies with former student/photographer extraordinaire Riley Whitford; bottom right: Colossi of Memnon)
July 16, 2024
This morning we said our goodbyes and each headed off to the airport for our next adventure!
