Valley of the Kings
The king's formal names and titles are inscribed in his tomb along with his images and statues. Beginning with the 18th Dynasty and ending with the 20th, the kings abandoned the Memphis area and built their tombs in Thebes. Also abandoned were the pyramid style tombs. Most of the tombs were cut into the limestone following a similar pattern: three corridors, an antechamber and a sunken sarcophagus chamber. These catacombs were hard to rob and easily concealed.

Hatshepsut Temple
A tree lined avenue of sphinxes led up to the temple, and ramps led from terrace to terrace. The porticoes on the lowest terrace are out of proportion and coloring with the rest of the building. They were restored in 1906 to protect the celebrated reliefs depicting the transport of obelisks to Karnak and the birth of Queen Hatshepsut. Reliefs on the south side of the middle terrace show the queen's expedition by way of the Red Sea to Punt, the land of incense.

Colossi of Memnon
Amenhotep III built a mortuary temple in Thebes that was guarded by 2 gigantic statues. All that remains now are the 23 meter (75 foot) high, 1,000 ton statues of Amenhotep III. Though damaged by nature and ancient tourists, the statues are still impressive. Ancient Egyptians called the southern of the two statues "Ruler of Rulers". Later travelers called them "Shammy and "Tammy", which may be from the Arabic words for "left" and "right".

The statues are made from carved blocks of quartzite quarried at Giza or Gebel es-Silsila. On the sides of the statues are reliefs depicting Nile gods joining together plants symbolizing a united Egypt. Due to an earthquake in 27 BC, these statues became known for a bell like tone that usually occurred in the morning due to rising temperatures and humidity.

Enjoy a camel ride (approximately 15 minutes), which is how these ruins, located some three quarters of a mile (1,200 meters) from the west bank opposite the southern tip of the island of Elephantine, are usually accessed.

The monastery was given the name St Simeon by archaeologists and travelers, but earlier Arabic and Coptic sources called it Anba Hatre (Hidra, Hadri, Hadra), after an anchorite who was consecrated a bishop of Syene (now Aswan) by Patriarch Theophilus (385-412 AD).

Anba Hatre married at the age of eighteen. Tradition says that just after the wedding, he encountered a funeral procession which inspired him to preserve his chastity and later become a disciple of Saint Baiman.

After eight years of ascetic practices under the supervision of his teacher, he retired to the desert and applied himself to the study of the life of Saint Antony. He died during the time of Theodosius I.

Travel from your Cairo City Hotel to Cairo International Airport or Main Railway Station. Transfer services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When making a booking, you will need to advise your departure details and your Cairo City Hotel details. Your transfer will be confirmed instantaneously and you will be provided with a travel voucher to present to the driver. 24 - 48 hours prior to your transfer, you will be required to call the supplier directly (the contact number will be provided on your travel voucher) to reconfirm exact pick up times and places.

It's that easy!

Don't forget to book your Cairo Airport or Railway Station Arrival Transfer, simply type the product code 3124CAIAPTHTL into the Keyword Box.

At time of booking, YOU MUST include the following departure and hotel details in the 'Special Requirements' box:

• Departure Airline/Train Company
• Departure Flight Number/Train Service Number
• Departure Airport/Station and Arrival Airport/Station
• Departure Time
• Full Hotel Name and Address