# Spiritual Heritage Discovery Routes |Hurghada • Luxor • El Minya • Al-Bahnasa • Fayum • Cairo • Tanta • Alexandria | 7 Nights 9 Days

- URL: https://sunbodrumtravel.com/en/manevi-miras-kesif-rotalari-hurghada-luksor-el-minya-al-bahnasa-fayum-kahire-tanta-iskenderiye-7-gece-9-gun-t158411
- Category: Egypt Tours
- Duration: 7 Nights, 9 Days
- Next available date: 21 March 2027 – 29 March 2027
- Starting Price: 2,195 $ (110,060 ₺) / Per Person
- Getting Around: Flight
- Departure Point: İstanbul, Türkiye

## Tour Detail

SPIRITUAL HERITAGE DISCOVERY ROUTES

Special journeys bringing together history, culture and authentic experiences

EGYPT: FROM THE HERITAGE OF THE PHARAOHS TO TRACES OF THE SAHABA

A grand journey from the Red Sea to the Nile Valley, from Al-Bahnasa to the shrines of the Ahl al-Bayt, and out to the Mediterranean

9 Days / 7 Nights | Hurghada • Luxor • El Minya • Al-Bahnasa • Fayoum • Cairo • Tanta • Alexandria

All tours and meals are included in the package price. There are no mandatory extra fees within the tour…

DAY 1 | ISTANBUL – HURGHADA

A GREAT JOURNEY OPENING TO THE RED SEA

At 19:30 we meet our tour companions at the International Departures Terminal of Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport. After baggage drop-off, ticket and passport procedures, we depart for Hurghada at 22:35 on the scheduled direct flight PC620 operated by Pegasus Airlines.

Tonight we are not only setting out from Istanbul to Egypt; we are taking the first step of a special journey that will lead from the Red Sea coast to the Nile Valley, from ancient civilizations to the scholarly, spiritual and devotional heritage of Islam. In the coming days we will explore a many-layered Egypt: from Luxor's thousands of years of history to Al-Bahnasa's spiritual memories associated with the Companions and martyrs; from Fayoum's lake and desert silence to Cairo's shrines of the Ahl al-Bayt, its scholars and sultans; from Tanta's Sufi heritage to Alexandria's historic world opening onto the Mediterranean.

Important Accommodation Information

Our flight will arrive in Hurghada after midnight. So that our guests can settle into their rooms and rest after the journey without waiting for the standard check-in time, our hotel reservation in Hurghada begins from today.

Our Hurghada stay will take place at our hotel on an alcohol-free all-inclusive basis.

Night flight. Hotel accommodation in Hurghada begins.

DAY 2 | HURGHADA

THE BLUE WORLD OF THE RED SEA AND THE ISLAMIC FACE OF HURGHADA

At 00:15 local time we arrive at Hurghada International Airport. After passport and baggage procedures, we head to our hotel by our private vehicle.

Since our hotel reservation was started the previous day, upon arrival at the hotel we settle directly into our ready rooms without waiting for the standard check-in time and rest after the journey.

After breakfast at our hotel in the morning, we continue to rest. Our stay in Hurghada is on an alcohol-free all-inclusive basis; within the service times and concept set by the hotel, we enjoy breakfast, lunch and dinner along with non-alcoholic beverages.

After lunch we leave the hotel to get to know Hurghada. We listen, through our guide's commentary, to the story of Hurghada, once a small fishing settlement on the Red Sea coast, which over time has become one of the region's most important tourism centers.

Our first visit is to El Mina Mosque, one of the city's most striking places of worship with its prominent location by the sea. With its tall minarets, spacious prayer area and views over the Red Sea, the mosque is one of the important buildings reflecting Hurghada's present-day Islamic identity and daily religious life. If visiting and worship conditions allow, we perform our prayer here.

After our visit to El Mina Mosque, we take a panoramic tour covering the fishing harbour, Hurghada Marina, the seafront and the city center. We observe the modern city life on the Red Sea coast together with the region's local fabric. We give free time in the central area for shopping and other personal needs.

Then we set off for the Sea Scope experience. From the panoramic section of the submarine observation boat below the water surface, we watch the clear waters of the Red Sea, its colorful corals and rich underwater life. During this special experience, carried out without entering the sea, we have the opportunity to closely see the unique nature of the Red Sea and the richness of creation.

After the Sea Scope tour we return to our hotel.

Our accommodation is at our hotel in Hurghada.

DAY 3 | HURGHADA – LUXOR

FROM THE RED SEA TO THE NILE VALLEY: FROM ANCIENT THEBES TO ABU AL-HAGGAG

Today we check out of our rooms very early in the morning to discover Luxor, one of Egypt's most important centers of history and civilization. Collecting our breakfast boxes prepared by our hotel, we leave Hurghada by our private vehicle and head toward the Nile Valley.

Throughout our journey, an adequate amount of drinking water is provided free of charge in our vehicles. The in-vehicle Wi-Fi service can be used free of charge within local coverage and usage quotas. On road and traffic sections where conditions are safe and suitable, our guests are offered limited tea, coffee and snack refreshments.

After reaching Luxor in the morning, our first visit is to the Karnak Temple Complex, regarded as one of the largest religious centers of the ancient world. Walking among temples, courtyards, obelisks and giant columns added by different rulers over the centuries, we explore, through our guide's commentary, the influence of this magnificent center, once the heart of ancient Thebes, on belief, power and daily life.

Then we cross to the west bank of the Nile. We learn why most pharaonic tombs and monumental temples were built in this region, since the ancient Egyptians regarded the direction of the setting sun as a gateway to the afterlife.

First we visit the Valley of the Kings and the pharaonic tombs included in the program. Inside the tomb chambers hidden in the rocky mountains, we see wall paintings reflecting the pharaohs' ideas of eternity and their beliefs about the afterlife.

Then we visit the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, one of the most remarkable female rulers in Egyptian history. Accompanied by its impressive architecture, which blends with the natural structure of the mountains, we listen to the extraordinary story of Hatshepsut's rise to power.

We complete our west Luxor tour with the Colossi of Memnon, the majestic guardians of the great monumental temple that once rose here and that have survived to the present day.

After our visits we have lunch at a local restaurant.

Lunch is included. Limited beverages will be served during the meal.

After lunch we continue to get to know Luxor's Islamic and spiritual heritage. We visit the Abu al-Haggag Mosque and Shrine, rising among the historical layers of the Luxor Temple.

This special site, open for worship for centuries, is one of the most striking examples of civilizations that followed one another on the same land. Here we listen to the life of the Sufi Abu al-Haggag Yusuf al-Luxori, who holds an important place in the spiritual world of Luxor's people, the circle of knowledge and wisdom he established in the region, and the spiritual memory kept alive for centuries. If visiting and worship conditions allow, we perform our prayer in the mosque.

Then we tour the Luxor Temple. Walking among its monumental gateways, statues, columns and traces from different periods, we witness a journey through thousands of years of history: from the pharaonic era to the Roman and Christian periods, and onward to Islamic civilization.

Within the historic fabric of the ancient temple, the Abu al-Haggag Mosque, still open for worship, conveys that Luxor is not merely an open-air museum displaying the past, but a living center of civilization where belief, tradition and city life have continued uninterrupted for centuries.

After completing all our visits in Luxor, we head to our hotel in the evening. Upon arriving at the hotel, we settle into our rooms.

We have dinner at our hotel.

Dinner is included. Limited beverages will be served during the meal.

Overnight at our hotel in Luxor.

DAY 4 | LUXOR – (SOHAG) – EL MINYA

SPIRITUAL TRACES ALONG THE NILE: FROM SIDI ARIF TO AL-OMRAWI

After breakfast at our hotel, we check out of our rooms and, early in the morning, set off by our private vehicle for El Minya. On this journey along the Nile Valley, we follow traces of the Islamic tradition kept alive for centuries not only in Egypt's large cities but also in the lesser-known towns of Upper Egypt.

Throughout our journey, an adequate amount of drinking water is provided free of charge in our vehicles. The in-vehicle Wi-Fi service can be used free of charge within local coverage and usage quotas. On road sections where conditions are safe and suitable, our guests are offered limited tea, coffee and snack refreshments.

If the route, visiting hours and program flow permit, we visit the Sidi Arif Mosque and Shrine in Sohag. One of Sohag's most important spiritual centers, known among the people as the El-Arif Billah Mosque, this site keeps alive the memory of Sheikh Ismail al-Yemani, remembered in the region for his knowledge, wisdom and Sufi tradition.

In the peaceful atmosphere of the mosque and shrine, we feel the spiritual devotion of the people of Sohag that has continued for centuries, and we become closely acquainted with the Sufi culture of Egypt kept alive outside the big cities. The tomb of Murad Bey, located near the mosque, is an important memory connecting this spiritual site to the political history of Egypt in the late Ottoman period. Thus at the same stop we witness both the spiritual legacy left by a man of the heart and the traces of Egypt's turbulent years under Ottoman administration. (The Sohag visit may not be carried out depending on road, climate, season and traffic conditions, in order to avoid disruption of the tour program. In that case, no refund will be made on the grounds of incomplete service.)

After our visit we continue our journey toward El Minya.

Upon arriving in El Minya, we visit El-Omrawi Mosque, one of the city's most important Islamic monuments. Also known as the Farewell Mosque, the building's historic fabric shows traces of different periods together. The courtyard, columns and prayer sections of the mosque reflect the Islamic urban life of El Minya, which has changed over the centuries yet continued without interruption.

Behind the name "Farewell Mosque" lies a sorrowful and human story. It is told that in the past, funeral prayers were performed here for bodies being carried across the Nile for burial, and relatives bade their final farewells in this mosque. Thus El-Omrawi Mosque continues to live in the memory of the people of El Minya not merely as a place of worship, but as a special stop associated with prayer, separation and the eternal journey.

If visiting and worship conditions allow, we perform our prayer here. Then in El Minya city center we see selected Islamic monuments bearing traces of the Mamluk and Ottoman periods, and carry out a panoramic city tour. We get to know El Minya's historic fabric, its daily life and the calm atmosphere characteristic of Upper Egypt, developing on the banks of the Nile.

After completing the visits planned for the day, we head to our hotel in the evening and settle into our rooms.

We have dinner at our hotel.

Dinner is included. Limited beverages will be served during the meal.

Overnight at our hotel in El Minya.

DAY 5 | EL MINYA – AL-BAHNASA – FAYOUM OASIS

FROM TRACES OF THE SAHABA TO THE LAKE OF FAYOUM AND THE STARS OF THE DESERT

After our early breakfast at our hotel, we check out of our rooms and set off by our private vehicle for Al-Bahnasa, via Beni Mazar.

Throughout our journey, an adequate amount of drinking water is provided free of charge in our vehicles. The in-vehicle Wi-Fi service can be used free of charge within local coverage and usage quotas. On road and traffic sections where conditions are safe and suitable, our guests are offered limited tea, coffee and snack refreshments.

Our first stop today is Al-Bahnasa, one of the most special visiting areas in Egypt, associated with the early history of Islam. Known for the struggles of the period when Islam began to spread in Egyptian lands, this region holds a distinct place among the people with its shrines, graves and spiritual memories attributed to the Companions, the Followers and the martyrs, kept alive for centuries.

Accompanied by our guide's commentary, as we visit selected shrines and historic sites, we listen to the sacrifices behind Islam's arrival in these lands and the stories of the people whose memory is kept alive here. Taking care to distinguish historically verified information from religious and local traditions passed down from generation to generation, we get to know the spiritual atmosphere of Al-Bahnasa.

During our visits we offer our prayers and, where visiting and worship conditions allow, perform our prayer. In the simple and peaceful setting of Al-Bahnasa, we feel that history lives not only in great structures but also in the memories that people have preserved for centuries.

After our visits we head to the Fayoum Oasis. Upon arriving in Fayoum, we have lunch at a local restaurant on the shore of Lake Qarun. Accompanied by the lake view, our menu includes regional starters and salads, tahini, bread and rice, together with the grilled or fried lake fish of the day, and dessert or fruit.

Lunch is included. Limited beverages will be served during the meal.

After lunch we begin to explore Fayoum's Islamic and spiritual heritage. Our first visit is to the Qaitbay Mosque, which carries the architectural elegance of the Mamluk period. In this mosque, built during the reign of Sultan Qaitbay as part of works erected in different regions of Egypt, we get acquainted with the stonework of Mamluk art, its architectural proportions and the aesthetic understanding it brought to places of worship.

Then we visit the Sheikh Ali al-Rubi Mosque and Shrine, which holds an important place in the spiritual memory of Fayoum's people. We listen to the memory of Sheikh Ali al-Rubi kept alive in the region, the Sufi culture that developed around him, and the place of such spiritual centers in Egyptian urban life.

Our next stop is a historic place of worship known among the people as the Hanging Mosque, due to its elevated structure. One of the architectural traces of the Ottoman period in Fayoum, the mosque is among the important buildings that continue to keep the tradition of worship alive amid the city's changing face. If visiting and worship conditions allow, we perform our prayer in one of these mosques.

After our visits to mosques and spiritual sites in Fayoum, we head to our hotel. Upon arriving at the hotel, we settle into our rooms and take a short rest.

After resting, we head to Tunis Village, known for its handicrafts. Here we visit a local pottery and ceramics workshop and get closely acquainted with Fayoum's art tradition shaped by clay. We watch how the masters prepare the clay, how they shape it on the potter's wheel, and how traditional patterns are worked onto the pieces.

During a hands-on experience guided by the workshop masters, we try to shape a small ceramic piece with our own hands. This enjoyable experience is not merely a craft activity but a special stop that conveys the ancient relationship between humans and clay, built on patience and production.

After our pottery workshop experience, we board our 4x4 off-road vehicles and head into the Fayoum desert. During the safari among sand dunes, desert roads and wide panoramic views, we see the natural structure of the region up close, and at suitable points we take photo and scenery stops.

After an enjoyable drive over the sand dunes in the off-road vehicles, we stop at a panoramic point to watch the sunset. We watch the sun slowly disappear over the desert and the changing colors of the sky and sand, and feel the stillness of the desert away from the crowds of the city.

After sunset we arrive at our Bedouin camp prepared in the desert. We are welcomed with traditional Bedouin refreshments, and arrangements are made so that we can perform our prayer at the proper time.

We have dinner in the warm and friendly atmosphere of the camp. Prepared in the Bedouin style, our menu includes regional starters, salad, warm bread, rice and vegetables, together with varieties of grilled chicken and meatballs, and dessert or fruit.

Dinner at the Bedouin camp is included. Limited non-alcoholic beverages will be served during the meal.

After dinner, far from the city lights, we watch the stars under the desert sky. In the stillness of the night, we conclude our day with a short spiritual conversation on Egypt's spiritual heritage, the journey, creation, gratitude and reflection. The calm of the desert and the star-filled sky offer our guests, at the end of a busy day, a special atmosphere in which to be alone with their inner world.

After the Bedouin camp program, we return by our 4x4 off-road vehicles and are then transferred to our hotel.

Overnight at our hotel in Fayoum.

DAY 6 | FAYOUM OASIS – CAIRO

FROM THE SILENCE OF FAYOUM TO THE HEART OF CAIRO: SULTANS, SCHOLARS AND FRIDAY BLESSINGS

After an early breakfast at our hotel, we check out of our rooms and head to Cairo, Egypt's historic, cultural and spiritual center.

Leaving the calm atmosphere of the Fayoum Oasis and approaching the great capital, we see that Cairo is not merely a modern metropolis, but a great center of civilization that keeps the different periods of Islamic history alive within the same urban fabric, from the Fatimids to the Ayyubids, from the Mamluks to the Ottomans.

Throughout our journey, an adequate amount of drinking water is provided free of charge in our vehicles. The in-vehicle Wi-Fi service can be used free of charge within local coverage and usage quotas. At suitable times during the day, our guests are offered snack refreshments.

Our first stop in Cairo is the Citadel of Saladin, rising over the city on the Mokattam Hills. Built to protect Cairo during the Crusades, the citadel reflects the foresight and defensive outlook of Saladin, one of the most important rulers of the Islamic world. In this historic area, used for centuries as the administrative center of Egypt, we see the successive traces of the Ayyubid, Mamluk and Ottoman periods.

Inside the citadel, we first visit the Muhammad Ali Pasha Mosque, one of the most distinctive landmarks of the Cairo skyline. Bearing the influences of Ottoman architecture, with its domes, elegant minarets and spacious interior, the mosque is one of the most magnificent works left by Muhammad Ali Pasha, of Kavala, who left his mark on the military, administrative and social transformation of Egypt during the Ottoman period.

From the courtyard of the mosque, as we look over the wide panorama of Cairo, on one side we see historic Islamic Cairo and on the other the spreading neighborhoods of the modern city. Inside the mosque, beside the tomb of Muhammad Ali Pasha, we hear about his place in Egyptian history and his bond with the Ottoman State.

Then we visit the Sultan Al-Nasir Muhammad Mosque, one of the important Mamluk monuments within the citadel. This historic mosque, where Mamluk sultans and court members performed their Friday prayers for centuries, stands out with its balanced architecture and elegant details. The two mosques within the same citadel offer the chance to compare the architectural understandings of the Mamluk and Ottoman periods.

After our citadel visit, we move on to the Sultan Hassan Mosque and Madrasa and the Al-Rifai Mosque, which rise facing each other.

The Sultan Hassan Mosque, one of the most magnificent works of Mamluk architecture, was built not merely as a place of worship but as a great educational center where the Quran, hadith, jurisprudence and other sciences of the period were taught. This building, where different circles of learning meet under one roof, is an impressive example of how, in Islamic civilization, the mosque and the madrasa, worship and education, were never separated.

The Al-Rifai Mosque, located directly opposite the Sultan Hassan Mosque, opens another door onto Cairo's more recent history. Besides its spiritual identity, the presence of the tombs of members of the Egyptian dynasty here makes this area a special place to visit both religiously and historically. The two great buildings rising opposite each other bring together, in the same square, the centuries from the Mamluk period to modern Egypt.

Since today is Friday, we arrange our program as far as possible around the prayer time. We aim to perform our Friday prayer at the Sultan Hassan Mosque or the Al-Azhar Mosque. If this is not possible due to visiting hours, crowds, security or official procedures, we perform our prayer at another suitable mosque along the route.

Continuing the program, we visit Al-Azhar Mosque, one of the most established centers of learning in the Islamic world. Since its founding, Al-Azhar has hosted students from different regions for centuries, and it has held a decisive place in the educational and intellectual life not only of Egypt but of the entire Islamic world.

As we walk through its courtyards and the historic sections where study circles were held, we listen to the stories of the scholars trained here and of students who came to Cairo from different parts of the world to seek knowledge. The centuries-old educational tradition of Al-Azhar conveys the place of transmitting knowledge from generation to generation in Islamic civilization.

Then we visit the Mosque and Shrine of Imam Hussein, which holds a very special place in the spiritual life of Cairo's people. According to the long-standing religious tradition kept alive in Egypt, the blessed head of Imam Hussein is believed to be located here. For this reason, the mosque and its surroundings are among the visiting centers where love for the Ahl al-Bayt is felt most strongly in Cairo.

Here we remember the great trial that Imam Hussein, the beloved grandson of our Prophet, faced at Karbala, and his determination for the sake of justice and truth; we listen to how love and reverence for the Ahl al-Bayt are reflected in the religious and cultural life of the Egyptian people. In the spiritual atmosphere of the shrine, we offer our prayers and spend a moment in reflection.

After our visit we move on to Muizz Street, at the heart of historic Cairo. Walking among the mosques, madrasas, public fountains, tombs and historic houses reaching us from the Fatimid, Ayyubid, Mamluk and Ottoman periods, we move along a civilizational corridor that resembles an open-air museum.

Among facades decorated with stonework, wooden windows, narrow streets and markets that have kept their liveliness for centuries, we feel the bond Cairo has built between past and present. Here we get to know not only architectural works, but a living Islamic city where the sound of the call to prayer, trade, worship and daily life are intertwined.

We continue our walk in Khan el-Khalili, one of Cairo's most famous historic bazaars. We give free time to shop and explore among spice merchants, coppersmiths, fabric sellers, traditional handicraft shops and historic coffeehouses.

In the evening we move to the Al Saraya floating restaurant on the bank of the Nile. We have our dinner, served as a buffet, accompanied by the evening view of the Nile.

The buffet dinner at Al Saraya is included. Limited beverages will be served during the meal.

Then we return to our hotel.

Overnight at our hotel in the Cairo/Giza area.

Semester Special Arrangement

On tours that coincide with the semester, since the calendar arrangement of the days differs, the Friday prayer will be performed during the Tanta program. In this special arrangement, the order of visits is adapted to the relevant days while keeping the program content intact.

DAY 7 | GIZA – CAIRO

FROM ANCIENT EGYPT TO THE SPIRITUAL TRACES OF THE AHL AL-BAYT

After breakfast at our hotel, we set off to discover the Pyramids of Giza, one of the most impressive structures in human history.

Throughout the day, an adequate amount of drinking water is provided free of charge in our vehicles. The in-vehicle Wi-Fi service can be used free of charge within local coverage and usage quotas. Since lunch is not part of the program today, snack refreshments are offered to our guests in the vehicle at a suitable time.

When we reach the Giza Plateau, the Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure stand before us in all their grandeur, having endured for thousands of years. These monumental structures, reflecting the ancient Egyptian rulers' concept of eternity, their understanding of power and their belief in the afterlife, stand out not only for their engineering achievements but also for humanity's quest in the face of time and eternity.

Accompanied by our guide's commentary, we listen to how and why the pyramids were built, to the ancient Egyptian understanding of the pharaoh, and to the life that took shape around these great structures. Standing before works built thousands of years ago, we have the opportunity to reflect on the traces humans leave in the world, the power of time and the transience of all worldly splendor.

We take a photo stop at the panoramic viewpoint from which all three great pyramids can be seen together. Then we see the Sphinx, with a human head and a lion's body, regarded as the ancient guardian of the Giza Plateau. We listen to the symbolic meanings carried by the Sphinx, silently gazing at the pyramids, and to the stories that formed around it over the centuries.

Continuing our tour, we visit the Valley Temple, used in connection with the funerary ceremonies of the pharaohs and their understanding of the afterlife. In this area we learn that the pyramids were not merely independent tombs but part of a large whole consisting of temples, passageways and ceremonial spaces.

After our Giza visit we go to a papyrus workshop, where we get to know Egypt's traditional culture. We watch how the papyrus plant, which grows along the banks of the Nile, was processed in ancient times and transformed into a surface for writing and painting. Guests who wish may examine handmade papyrus works here and shop.

Then we visit a perfume and essence center to learn about Egypt's thousand-year-old tradition of scents and essences. We receive information about how traditional essences are prepared, the plants used, and the place of fragrance in Egyptian culture.

In the second part of the day we visit Cairo's spiritual centers reflecting love for the Ahl al-Bayt and its scholarly tradition. Leaving behind the glory of ancient Egypt carved into stone, we now follow the traces of a different heritage kept alive for centuries through prayer and devotion.

Our first visit is to the mosque and shrine attributed to Sayyida Nafisa, a descendant of Imam Hasan, the grandson of our Prophet. Known for her knowledge, worship, generosity and noble character, Sayyida Nafisa has held a special place in Cairo's spiritual life for centuries.

Here we listen to the life of Sayyida Nafisa, her devotion to knowledge and worship, and the deep love the Egyptian people feel for her. In the peaceful atmosphere of the shrine we offer our prayers and spend a moment in reflection.

Then we visit the Mosque and Shrine of Imam al-Shafi'i, one of the greatest jurists of the Islamic world. Imam al-Shafi'i spent the final period of his life in Egypt, where through his scholarly work he matured his thought and left a great legacy of knowledge that influenced later generations.

Through our guide's commentary, we get to know the life story of Imam al-Shafi'i, his journeys in pursuit of knowledge, his careful approach to evaluating different views, and his place in Islamic legal thought. During this visit we are reminded once more of the importance of knowledge, noble character and the search for truth in Islamic civilization.

Our next stop is the mosque and shrine attributed, according to the long-standing tradition in Egypt, to Sayyida Zaynab, daughter of Imam Ali and Fatima and granddaughter of our Prophet.

Sayyida Zaynab's life is remembered for the patience, steadfastness and dignity she showed in the face of the great sufferings of the Ahl al-Bayt. Her responsibility after Karbala in particular, and the courage she displayed in speaking the truth, made her one of the strongest female figures in Islamic history.

In the spiritual atmosphere of the shrine, we listen to Sayyida Zaynab's patience, her resolve and her loyalty to her family, and feel how love for the Ahl al-Bayt is kept alive in the religious and cultural life of Egyptian society.

Depending on the route, visiting hours and the suitability of the worship schedule, other selected shrines of the Ahl al-Bayt and Islamic scholars listed in the program may also be visited. At prayer times, we perform our prayers in the mosques at the visiting points where this is possible.

After our spiritual visits, we go to Mevlana Restaurant to have dinner.

Our dinner menu includes lentil soup, cold mezes and salad varieties, with mixed grill, okra stew, dessert and fruit served with rice pilaf.

Dinner is included. Limited beverages will be served during the meal.

Then we return to our hotel in Cairo/Giza.

Overnight at our hotel in the Cairo/Giza area.

DAY 8 | CAIRO – TANTA – ALEXANDRIA

ALONG THE PATH OF SUFISM TO THE MEDITERRANEAN: FROM SAYYID AHMED AL-BADAWI TO ABU AL-ABBAS AL-MURSI

After breakfast at our hotel, we check out of our rooms and head to Tanta, one of the important cities of the Nile Delta.

Throughout our journey, an adequate amount of drinking water is provided free of charge in our vehicles. The in-vehicle Wi-Fi service can be used free of charge within local coverage and usage quotas. On road and traffic sections where conditions are safe and suitable, our guests are offered limited tea, coffee and snack refreshments.

Today's journey brings together, on the same route, two great men of the heart from Egypt and the spiritual heritage that developed around them. In Tanta we follow the traces of Sayyid Ahmed al-Badawi, and in Alexandria those of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi, feeling closely how the Sufi tradition touched Egypt's urban life, worship culture and the spiritual world of its people.

Upon arriving in Tanta, we visit the Mosque and Shrine of Sayyid Ahmed al-Badawi, rising in the heart of the city. After a life journey that took him from North Africa to the Hijaz and then to Egypt, Sayyid Ahmed al-Badawi settled in Tanta and, with a life devoted to knowledge, worship and spiritual upbringing, became one of the most revered men of the heart in Egypt.

With his settlement in Tanta, the city over time gained a strong spiritual identity, becoming not only an important trade center but also a place where people came to pray and to gather in circles of knowledge and wisdom. The Sufi tradition that developed around Sayyid Ahmed al-Badawi brought people from different regions of Egypt together in Tanta for centuries, making the city an important place of visitation associated with his name.

In the peaceful atmosphere of the mosque and shrine, we listen to the life of Sayyid Ahmed al-Badawi, his place in the spiritual memory of Tanta's people and the Sufi tradition that developed around him. We offer our prayers; where visiting and worship conditions allow, we perform our prayer here.

After our visit to Tanta, we head toward Alexandria, on the Mediterranean coast.

Upon reaching Alexandria, we begin to get to know this ancient port city, which carries traces of different cultures, from Alexander the Great to the Greco-Roman world, and from Islamic civilization to the Mamluk and Ottoman periods. Surrounded by the blue of the Mediterranean, Alexandria has throughout history been a meeting point not only for commercial ships but also for ideas, scholars, Sufis and different civilizations.

Our first visit is to the Mosque and Shrine of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi, one of the most important spiritual centers of Alexandria. Known for a life journey that began in Andalusia and reached Alexandria via North Africa, Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi is an important man of the heart who left deep marks on the scholarly and Sufi life of the city.

His story is also the story of the spiritual and cultural bond built between the two shores of the Mediterranean. Bringing the knowledge and wisdom he carried from Andalusia together with the multicultural world of Alexandria, Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi contributed, through the circles of conversation and education that formed around him, to shaping the spiritual identity of the city.

Today the mosque bearing his name, with its domes, elegant minarets and striking stonework, is one of the most notable Islamic landmarks of Alexandria's skyline. Inside the mosque and around the shrine, we see how the city's daily life and the centuries-old tradition of spiritual visitation are lived side by side.

We listen to the life of Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi and his place in the Sufi tradition, and offer our prayers during our visit to the shrine. If visiting and worship conditions allow, we perform our prayer in the mosque.

After our spiritual visit, we move on to the Qaitbay Citadel, rising on the Mediterranean coast. Commissioned by the Mamluk Sultan Qaitbay to protect Alexandria against dangers coming from the sea, this magnificent citadel is one of the important monuments of the Islamic world's defensive history on the Mediterranean.

Built on the site of the lighthouse of Alexandria, regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, the citadel brings different historical periods of the city together at one point. The rise of a fortress protecting the city on the spot where a great lighthouse once guided sailors shows that Alexandria has retained its strategic role as a gateway opening onto the Mediterranean throughout history.

Around the citadel we enjoy the panoramic view of the Mediterranean and the Alexandria coastline, and feel the strong bond the city has with the sea.

Continuing our program, we see from a panoramic viewpoint important points of Alexandria that reflect its different layers of civilization. As we see the Roman-period monument known among the people as Pompey's Pillar, we listen to the story of Alexandria's Greco-Roman past.

Then we see from the outside the modern Bibliotheca Alexandrina, which keeps alive the memory of the ancient Library of Alexandria, one of the most important centers of learning in the ancient world. This building, a symbol of knowledge, research and cross-cultural interaction, represents Alexandria's claim to be, today as in the past, a city of learning and culture.

During our panoramic tour along the seafront, we observe the harbours opening onto the Mediterranean, the historic urban fabric and the distinctive daily life of Alexandria. If the program and time conditions allow, we see the Montaza area and palace gardens in a panoramic or brief visit.

After the visits of the day, we move on to our local restaurant on the Alexandria seafront. Accompanied by the Mediterranean view, our dinner menu includes cold mezes and salad varieties, the grilled or fried fish of the season, and dessert or fruit.

Dinner is included. Limited beverages will be served during the meal.

Then we give a short free time in the seafront area. Meeting again at the designated time, we head to Borg El Arab Airport for our return flight, which departs after midnight.

DAY 9 | ALEXANDRIA – ISTANBUL

RETURN WITH MEMORIES ENRICHED BY SPIRITUALITY

After midnight we arrive at Borg El Arab Airport. After completing the ticket, baggage and passport procedures, we depart at 03:20 on the scheduled direct flight PC629 operated by Pegasus Airlines to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport.

Our journey, which continued through the Ahl al-Bayt shrines, scholars and sultans of Cairo, the thousand-year-old heritage of Giza, and the Sufi tradition of Tanta and Alexandria, is now complete.

Throughout this special route we not only saw the historic monuments of Egypt, but also came to know closely the traces left on the same land by different civilizations, beliefs and traditions of knowledge and wisdom. We bid farewell to Egypt with prayers, spiritual narratives and the beautiful memories we gathered together.

Upon our arrival at Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen Airport at 06:25 local time, our tour comes to an end.

Hoping to meet again on another TurWiz journey…

## What's Included

INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

- Economy class airline tickets for the scheduled direct flights of Pegasus Airlines from Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen to Hurghada and from Alexandria Borg El Arab to Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen

- Airport taxes for the airline tickets

- Accommodation for a total of 7 nights in hotels stated in the program or of similar category: 2 nights in Hurghada, 1 night in Luxor, 1 night in El Minya, 1 night in Fayum, 2 nights in the Cairo/Giza area

- Accommodation in Hurghada on a non-alcoholic all-inclusive basis, and food and non-alcoholic beverages served within the hotel's concept hours and service conditions

- Hotel breakfasts specified in the program

- Lunch at a local restaurant in Luxor and limited non-alcoholic beverages served during the meal

- Dinner at the hotel in Luxor and limited non-alcoholic beverages served during the meal

- Dinner at the hotel in El Minya and limited non-alcoholic beverages served during the meal

- Lunch at a local restaurant on the shore of Lake Qarun with a menu featuring lake fish, and limited non-alcoholic beverages served during the meal

- Dinner at the Bedouin camp in Fayum and limited non-alcoholic beverages served during the meal

- Buffet dinner at the Al Saraya floating restaurant in Cairo and limited non-alcoholic beverages served during the meal

- Set menu dinner at Mevlana Restaurant in Cairo and limited non-alcoholic beverages served during the meal

- Fish-menu dinner at a local seaside restaurant in Alexandria and limited non-alcoholic beverages served during the meal

- Panoramic city tour in Hurghada

- Visit to the El Mina Mosque

- Experience of observing the corals and underwater life of the Red Sea with Sea Scope

- Entrance to and guided visit of the Karnak Temple Complex

- Entrance to the Valley of the Kings and visit to the standard pharaonic tombs stated as included in the program

- Entrance to the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

- Visit to the Colossi of Memnon

- Entrance to the Luxor Temple

- Visit to the Abu al-Haggag Mosque and Shrine

- Visits to mosques, shrines, tombs, historical sites and cities specified in the program (visits to El Minya, Al Bahnasa, Tunis Village and Tanta are guaranteed; Sohag will be visited subject to suitable conditions)

- Visits to the Giza Pyramids area, panoramic viewpoint, Sphinx and Valley Temple, and standard site entrances included in the program

- Visit to the Qaitbay Citadel in Alexandria and standard entrance fee included in the program

- Visit to a pottery and ceramics workshop in Fayum and basic hands-on workshop experience included in the program

- Desert safari program in Fayum by 4x4 off-road vehicles, including panoramic stops, sunset experience and transfers to the Bedouin camp

- All intercity transportation, airport–hotel transfers and excursion transfers specified in the program

- Air-conditioned private tour vehicle suitable for the group size

- Sufficient complimentary drinking water in the vehicles for guests' use throughout the tour

- Complimentary in-vehicle Wi-Fi service within local coverage and usage quota

- Limited tea and coffee refreshments on long journeys exceeding four hours, where road and traffic conditions are safe and suitable

- Snacks served in the vehicle on long journeys exceeding four hours

- Snacks served in the vehicle on days when lunch is not included in the program

- Professional Turkish-speaking guiding service knowledgeable and experienced in Islamic history, Egyptian history, Ahl al-Bayt heritage, and Mamluk and Ottoman monuments, and local guiding service with the same knowledge and experience where required. (This service may be provided with an Egyptian guide on certain dates.)

- Airport greeting and farewell, vehicle and in-destination assistance services

- Tours, activities and standard entrance fees explicitly stated as included in the program

Insurance policy certificate that must be issued by the package tour organizer travel agency under Law No. 1618

## Not Included

SERVICES NOT INCLUDED IN THE PRICE

- Egyptian arrival visa fees, visa application, service and processing fees for Turkish citizens holding maroon public passports (60 USD) (Note: Guests holding green passports do not require a visa).

- Exit fee for leaving the country

- Lunches and other meals not explicitly stated as included in the program

- Food and beverages ordered above the limit set for included meals

- Tea, coffee, soft drinks and other beverages not offered within the program

- Minibar consumption in hotel rooms

- Room service, laundry, telephone and similar hotel extras

- Museum, archaeological site, event and special entrance fees not explicitly stated as included in the program

- Entrance to the interior of the pyramids

- Separately charged special tombs in the Valley of the Kings and tomb entrances not explicitly stated as included in the program

- Tutankhamun's Tomb and similar special visits requiring a separate ticket

- Extra tours and personal activities not included in the program

- Personal expenses at papyrus, perfume, essence, pottery, ceramics and other shopping outlets

- Purchase, firing, packaging, shipping or later delivery services for products that may be bought at the pottery workshop

- Personal expenses

- Tips that may be given to guides, drivers and local staff

- Private travel health insurance

- Optional insurance such as trip cancellation, visa refusal, baggage, flight delay, extended-coverage health and similar

- Additional baggage, seat selection, in-flight meals and other extra services of the airline not included in the relevant ticket class

- Additional transportation, accommodation and new flight ticket expenses that the passenger may need due to their own actions, delays, missing documents or missing the flight

Tips

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