Tour Length: 8 days / 7 nights
See Also
MAMLUK ART. The Splendour and Magic of the Sultans.
EGYPT - Cairo, Alexandria and Nile Delta
Detailed Programme |
Day 1
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ARRIVAL IN CAIROProgramme Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport you will be met by a representative of the travel agency, who will assist you with all formalities and take you to your hotel for overnight in Cairo. |
Day 2
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CAIROProgramme This itinerary includes a tour of Cairo Citadel and its surroundings. Built by Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi (Saladin) some distance from the city, its construction followed the fortress model of the Crusaders and various parts were repeatedly restored under the Mamluks. Visit the Museum of Islamic Art, al-Ramla and al-Haddad Citadel towers (closely associated with the Circassian Mamluks from the reign of Sultan Qalawun onwards, who had his soldiers lodged in these towers, from which came the nickname Burji Mamluks), Tower of Baybars al-Bunduqdary, ruins of al-Ablaq Palace commissioned by Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad ibn Qalawun in 1313, Mosque of Sultan al-Nasir Muhammad (1318), Madrasa of Qanibay Amir Akhur (built in the time of Sultan al-Ghouri), Mosque and Madrasa of Sultan Hassan (1356), Madrasa of Jawhar al-Lala (an emancipated slave who served the son of Sultan Barsbay), entrance of Manjak al-Silahdar Palace and entrance of Yashbak min Mahdi Palace. Overnight in Cairo. Reference to Exhibition Trail: ITINERARY I |
Day 3
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CAIROProgramme This itinerary follows the route of the sultan’s procession (known as “the way of the sultan”), held at the accession of a new Mamluk sultan (or the investiture of high ranking qadi and amirs, or the procession of the kiswa (special cover) of the Ka‘ba before being sent to Mecca) from the Citadel to the north of Cairo, or vice versa. Along this route sultans and officials commissioned some of their best monuments, many of which are still visible in the Mamluk Cemetery. Visit the Madrasa and Mosque of Sultan Qaytbay, Khanqa (religious hostel) of Sultan Farag ibn Barquq (son of the first Circassian Mamluk Sultan Barquq), Wikala (caravanserai) of Sultan Qaytbay (1480), Palace of Bashtak, Maq‘ad of Mamay al-Sayfi, Mosque of Sultan al-Mu’ayyad Shaykh (1415), Madrasa al-Qujmas al-Ishaqi, Mosque of al-Tunbugha al-Maridani and Madrasa of Umm al-Sultan Sha‘ban (1369). Overnight in Cairo. Reference to Exhibition Trail: ITINERARY II |
Day 4
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CAIROProgramme This itinerary begins with a visit to the Nilometer, built during the Abbasid era and restored by the Mamluk Sultan Qaytbay in 1481. Continue to the Aqueduct, Sabeel (water dispensary) and Kuttab (Quranic school) of Sultan Qaytbay (1479), Madrasa al-Qanibay al-Muhammadi, Mosque of Shaykhu (1349), Khanqa and Qubba (mausoleum) of Shaykhu (1355), Madrasa of Toghril Bardi (1440), Madrasa of Sargathmish (1356), Mosque of Ibn Tulun and Madrasa and Mausoleums of Salar and Sinjar al-Jawli (1303). Overnight in Cairo. Reference to Exhibition Trail: ITINERARY IV |
Day 5
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CAIROProgramme With the Crusader threat over and the risk of Mongol invasion contained, Egypt enjoyed a period of great security, which led to increasing attention on education and trade. Mamluk sultans and amirs were deeply involved in the construction of madrasas and khanqas, encouraging scientific knowledge and attracting ulama (religious scholars) and travellers, while trade between the East and the West passed through the Red Sea. Visit Mosque of al-Azhar (Mamluk Madrasas), Madrasa of Sultan al-Ghuri (completed in 1503), Complex of Sultan al-Mansur Qalawun (1284) (if open), Khanqa and Madrasa of Sultan Barquq (1384-86) and Khanqa of Sultan Baybars al-Gashankir. Continue to Wikala of Sultan al-Ghuri, Complex of Sultan al-Ghuri, Madrasa, Ghuriyya Market, Madrasa of Sultan Barsbay and Market of al-‘Attarin, Khan al-Khalili (second half of the 14th century-1511) and Market of al-Sagha (Gold Market, beginning of the Bahri Mamluk era). Overnight in Cairo. Reference to Exhibition Trail: ITINERARIES III, IV, V |
Day 6
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ALEXANDRIAProgramme Drive to Alexandria via desert road. Alexandria, whose foundation goes back to Alexander the Great, was an important city during the Christian Era. After the Arabs conquered the city in AD 642 the new city of Fustat was chosen as the new capital, but Alexandria continued to maintain an important strategic position under the Fatimids. During the Ayyubid period Alexandria was the centre of world trade where products from the East were unloaded. With the Bahri and Burji Mamluks the city became an important seaport and the greatest trading centre in the Islamic world at that time. On arrival in Alexandria visit the Citadel of Qaytbay (built on the site of the ancient lighthouse of Alexandria) and walls and the Old City. Overnight in Alexandria. Reference to Exhibition Trail: ITINERARY VI |
Day 7
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ROSETTA / FUWAProgramme Drive from Alexandria via the agricultural road to Rosetta, the trading centre of the Delta and one of Egypt’s major ports during the Mamluk era, to visit the Citadel of Qaytbay (1472) and Mosque of al-Mahalli (1495). After lunch on a felucca on the Nile continue to Fuwa in Kafr el-Sheykh governatorate to visit the mosques of al-Qina’i (15th century), Hassan Nasr Allah and Abu al-Makarim. Return to Cairo and overnight. Reference to Exhibition Trail: ITINERARIES VII, VIII |
Day 8
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DEPARTURE FROM CAIROProgramme On departure day you will be collected from the hotel by a representative of the travel agency, who will accompany you to Cairo International Airport and assist you until check-in. |
PAST & PRESENT OPTIONS
On request the visit to historical monuments and sites can be combined with features representing the country today.
Cairo
A visit to New Cairo City and ring road as examples of modern city planning and architecture; Azhar Tunnel and Azhar Park; Children's Cultural Garden, a modern hospital, Supreme Council for Culture, Opera House, Music Library and Modern Art Museum; skyscrapers and modern malls on the Nile bank and the underground Metro.
Alexandria
A visit to the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
Programme And Prices Are Subject To Change. © Museum With No Frontiers, 2009 – 2013