Group Photos

360 Photos

Days 1 & 2 – Saturday-Sunday, February 21-22: Depart U.S. / Arrival in Cairo

Our day of departure finally came. God brought together a total of 62 (unfortunately it was supposed to be 65, but three had medical issues and had to cancel) for this 11 Day biblical tour of Egypt. Besides those who signed up through BIMT, we welcome Pastor Trinity Opp and the Alexandria Covenant Church from MN as well as Nate Loper (Director of Canyon Ministries) and his group.

Using a few different airlines, we all made it to Cairo today (Sunday) except one (unfortunately her flight was delayed in the States and she missed her connection). Cairo is a city of about 22 million people, with the entire population of Egypt around 110 million.

Cairo

When we arrived at the Cairo Airport, we went through the customary Passport & Visa procedures. Our Meryland Tours agents, Yady and Mahab, helped us through the process as we arrived. We enjoyed dinner together at the airport hotel (the Meridian… very nice). We are all looking forward to this trip of biblical proportions that begins with a nine a.m. flight to Luxor tomorrow (about 480 miles south). We are blessed have Dr. Moses and Max, our Egyptologists/guides for our entire trip here in Egypt.

(Note: the few photos posted are from a previous trip flying into Cairo)

Day 3 – Monday, February 23: Morning Flight to Luxor, East Bank of Nile River: Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple

Today was our first full day, and it began with an early 5:30 a.m. wakeup, 6 a.m. breakfast and an early flight to Luxor. The 9 a.m. flight was only a little over an hour long. When we arrived we gathered our luggage and border our two buses. The weather in Luxor was perfect, with sunny skies and temps in the low 70s in the afternoon. Wha a great first day seeing ancient Egypt at its best!

Temple of Karnak

It took only 10 minutes from the airport to arrive at the Karnak Temple. It is really a massive complex of five temples. This temple was first built around 2100 BC (conventional dating). Many Pharaohs are honored here, including Thutmose III (who had 18 military victorious campaigns and took Megiddo in Israel), Seti I, Ramses II (who reigned 67 years and lived until 91 years of age). We also saw the many pylons, the Hypostyle Hall (built by Seti I, later refined by Ramses II, It consists of 134 columns), the obelisk of Hatshepsut (the largest one), the Sacred Lake, and the relief of Shoshenk. Most suggest he was one in the same as the Pharoah called “Shishak” in the Bible (I Kings 14:25-28, 2 Chronicles 12:3-9, although New/Revised Chronology would suggest Ramses III was the “Shiskak” in the biblical text). The tour of Karnak was incredible given the grandeur of this temple! What a great start!

Nile River Cruise Ship

Following our visit of Karnak, we bussed to our cruise ship for the next four days (the Sonesta Moon). First we enjoyed lunch no board before getting our room keys and enjoying a little rest time before leaving for the Luxor Temple.

Temple of Luxor at Dusk 

We ended the day with an late afternoon visit to the Luxor Temple. This temple is primarily in honor of Ramses II, although built before him by Amenhotep III. Ramses II, one of the most famous of them all, was the great Egyptian pharaoh of the 13th century BC (1280s-1220s, conventional dating). To see this temple eliminated with lights at dusk was spectacular.

Before we drove back to our hotel, we stopped in at a local papyrus store. The ancient Egyptians made papyrus the same way! Once we returned to the boat, some enjoyed watching some Egyptian dancing (“whirling dervish”) before dinner at 8 p.m. It was a cultural experience!

Unfortunately we received word this evening that the western winds will not allow the hot-air balloon ride to take place. These winds have caused the balloon rides to be canceled for the last five days. 52 in the group were planning on doing it.

Day 4 – Tuesday, February 24: West Bank of Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Temples of Hatsephsut and Medinet Habu, Embark on Nile River Cruise

We explored ancient Egypt today on the west bank of the Nile River. Every site we visit had its own unique and spectacular features, making the day to impressive in every way. The weather was perfect, with full sun and highs in the mid 70s. While it was very crowded everywhere (except the last site), what we saw was right of of the National Geographic! We read from Exodus 2 (about the birth of Moses) as we left the hotel at 7 a.m.

Luxor: Valley of the Kings

We boarded the bus and drove directly to the Valley of the Kings. 63 pharaohs have been buried here since the start of the New Kingdom. Each of us went into three ancient tombs: among the two buses we visited the tomb of Ramses IV (a Pharoah of the 20th Dynasty), the tomb of Ramses III (the one who defeated the Sea Peoples), the dual tomb for Tausert-Setnakht, and the tomb of Siptah. About half in the group also purchased an extra ticket ($15) to see the tomb of the famous King Tut’s (his tomb is included in the photos below). His actually mummy is on display here as well as his sarcophagus. The well-preserved colors in all the tombs of the wall reliefs were stunning to see. The religious focus within the Egyptian belief system upon the after-life is plain to see in all these tombs! It took between six months and three years to build these tombs, some even more time because of their complex. They began building these tombs once the Pharoah became king.

Alabaster Shop/Store

Close by are many alabaster shops. We went to one whose owner and his workers were quite the comedian. It was interesting to see how some of the vessels are made. The final products made from stone and onyx were impressive.

Temple of Hatshepsut

On the opposite side of the cliff of the Valley of the Kings is the Temple of Hatshepsut. The temple was built in 1470 BC (conventional dating). Based on an early conventional dating for the Exodus and Conquest (1446), it is suggested Hatshepsut was the Pharaoh’s daughter who rescued Moses (Exodus 2). She was the daughter of Thutmose I and reigned for over 20 years. She was despised by those who succeeded her, with her image and cartouches eliminated and/or scratched away (perhaps both Thutmose III and Amenhotep II did this?).

Temple of Medinet Habu

Before we re-boarded the ship, the last temple on the western side we saw was the Medinet Habu. This was a dedicatory temple built in honor of Ramses III. Depicted on the pylons is the defeat of his enemies, including the Nubians and the “Sea Peoples” (i.e. the Philistines of the Bible). Ramses defeated the Sea Peoples in 1177 BC (conventional dating, 10th century New Chronology). The wall reliefs show Ramses holding the heads of his defeated enemies by the hair. He also cut off their hands and men’s “private part” to humiliate them.

Cruise Boat Ride on Nile River

Shortly after 2 p.m., both buses re-crossed to Nile River (to the eastern side) and re-boarded the cruise ship. We first enjoyed lunch, followed by rest/nap time (in our rooms), coffee and tea on the top deck, a spectacular sunset, a short talk (by Nate), and dinner (at 7:30 p.m.). It was another fantastic day!

Day 5 – Wednesday, February 25: Temples of Horus at Edfu, Temple of Sobek & Horus at Kom

Egypt’s Tombs of the Pharaohs

A highlight of this trip will be to walk into some of the Tombs of the Pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings. This tomb belonged to Ramses III. The colors and details are so well preserved!

This video is in 360 format too! So you can move it around and look at in any direction you want! All of ancient Egypt is a marvel to see!