In the Footsteps of Pharoah Sneferu (6 Days)

The National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation (NMEC)

This amazing museum houses the mummified remains of over 30 rulers of Ancient Egypt. And its here that we put into perspective the life and times of many pharaohs and the development of pyramids and what they represented.

Lunch: The tour takes lunch at a local restaurant

Saqqara & The Stepped Pyramid: King Djoser, was the first to build his tomb entirely in stone. and in a stepped arrangement. The tour goes inside the pyramid and the outbuildings. Later the pharaoh Sneferu would take the design one step further.

The second of 5 nights at the Cairo Marriott (Nile River) 5 Star Hotel or equivalent. B L included – Dinner at Own Expense.

The 90 minute drive to Sneferu’s first foray into pyramid building gives you a glimpse of rural Egypt and sets the scene for the day.

An Obelisk or Monument that Became a Pyramid Sneferu added to an existing and partly completed obelisk type structure and it has 3 layers of construction. We venture inside. But it’s not for the claustrophobic or faint hearted. The problems of construction and design were lessons learned and prompted Sneferu to new sites and revised pyramid designs.

Lunch: The tour takes lunch at a local restaurant. The third of 5 nights at the Cairo Marriott (Nile River) 5 Star Hotel or equivalent. B L included – Dinner at Own Expense.

The Bent Pyramid was the name given to Sneferu’s second pyramid building attempt. It became referred to as an architectural mistake. But was it?

Cracks started to appear which likely led to reducing the inclination from 53 to 43 degrees. Regardless it was the first attempt to build a smooth sided pyramid. The Bent Pyramid is one of the oldest pyramids in the world. It has some fascinating features and you can enter its inner sanctums to explore.

Lunch: The tour takes lunch at a local restaurant.

Day 4: PM – The Red Pyramid – Was it Perfection that Underwhelmed Sneferu?

The Third Pyramid of Sneferu is referred to as the Red Pyramid and located close to the Bent Pyramid in Dahshur. It is also the pyramid with the lowest slope of its faces, so it reached only 105 meters in height. It has been described as the perfect pyramid but was it as grand as Snefru had wanted. Had Sneferu finally got the design right?

B L D included

Night Cruise and Dinner on the Nile: A Dinner Cruise on the Nile where belly dancing and musicians entertain.

The Pyramids of the Giza Plateau Sneferu’s reign ended after 33 years and he was succeeded by his son Khufu. Khufu would be followed by his son Khafre and his son Menkaure. Building pyramids had become a family affair but the reputation of Sneferu as a designer, intellectual and master planner eclipsed them all. Sneferu had built 3 pyramids – simply an outstanding achievement.

The Sphinx – much is still to be learnt about the building of the sphinx and what it represents

Lunch: The tour takes lunch at a local restaurant. The fifth of 5 nights at the Cairo Marriott (Nile River) 5 Star Hotel or equivalent. B L included – Dinner at Own Expense.

Breakfast at the Hotel

Enjoy breakfast before being transferred to Cairo for your onward flight.

Transfers to Cairo International Airport

At a previously arranged time you will transfer to the airport for your onward flight.

Last Minute Shopping

(Optional) If you have a late evening departure we can organise some last-minute shopping for you at Khan El Khalili Bazaar.

End of Tour