|
Egypt In Depth
II
23 Day Comprehensive Tour of Egypt
Only $9589
per person
based on double
occupancy
Guaranteed Weekly Departure
| Day |
Itinerary |
| 1 |
Depart
USA from New York (JFK) airport on your flight to Cairo, all meals and beverages served on
board flight. |
| 2 |
Arrive
Cairo where you will be met by our representative who will help you with your immigration
and customs formalities. Later you will be transferred to your hotel, the luxurious
Mena House Oberoi Hotel for overnight.
Pyramids at Nightfall:
Mena
House Oberoi Hotel in the background |
| 3 |
Breakfast,
then drive to Memphis at the edge of the western desert, the capital of the ancient
kingdom, and one of the most important cities throughout the history of ancient
Egypt. From here we drive to Sakkara, the vast necropolis of ancient Memphis.
In the afternoon, drive to the Pyramids of Giza. Cheops Pyramid, the largest of the
three, was built in the 3rd Dynasty about 2690 BC, and is one of the Seven Wonders of the
Ancient World. Enjoy a camel ride by the pyramids area if you wish. In front
of the Pyramids of Chephren, we find the Sphinx carved from a single piece of stone.
It is a lion with a Pharaoh's head thought to be a portrait of the Pharaoh Chephren.
Continue your tour to the Solar Boat Museum where a dismantled river barge of King Cheops
was found and has been beautifully re-assembled. Return to your hotel.
PM You will be met and transferred by our tour escort to the Giza Plateau to attend
the magnificent Sound and Light Show. Later transfer back to your hotel for an
overnight. (B)
Sakkara:
Zoser's Step
Pyramid and fluted columns |
| 4 |
Breakfast,
then drive to Abu Sir to visit a 5th dynasty Sun Temple for King
Sahure, Neferirkare and Niussere. Visit the Sun Temple of Niussere at
Abu Ghurab. This is the most intact Sun Temple from the 5th Dynasty
period. In the afternoon drive to the Pyramids of Giza. Cheops
Pyramid, the largest of the three was built in the 4th dynasty about
2650 BC. Enjoy a camel ride by the Pyramids area if you wish; also
visit the Sphinx carved from a single piece of stone. Continue your
tour to the Solar Boat Museum where a dismantled river barge of King
Cheops was found and has been beautifully re-assembled. Transfer back
to your hotel. Overnight. (B,L)
|
| 5 |
Breakfast,
then drive to Fayoum, Egypt's largest oasis, overlooking Lake Qarun,
which is a popular spot for hunting and fishing. Visit the Pyramid of
Hawara as well as the remains of the temple built by Amenemhet III.
Also visit the Roman site of Chariness, which once housed two
limestone temples and a large agora. Lunch at the Oberge El-Fayoum
Hotel overlooking the lake. Drive to Maidum. Visit the Pyramid of
Maidum. This was originally a seven-stepped Pyramid and was later
enlarged to become an eight-stepped Pyramid. Eventually the steps were
filled in and a smooth outer facing turned it into a true pyramid. It
is a huge structure and is surrounded by the debris from the casing
that collapsed. The Maidum Pyramid is thought to have been started by
Huni, the last ruler of the 3rd dynasty and then completed by his
successor Sneferu. Sneferu was the first 4th dynasty Pharaoh
(2613–2494 BC). A little north of the Maidum Pyramid are the remains
of the Seila Step Pyramid, which is made of limestone and is thought
to be from the 2nd dynasty. Transfer back to your hotel for an
overnight. (B,L) |
| 6 |
Breakfast,
then drive to Dahshur to visit the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid.
The builder of these pyramids is thought to have been Sneferu, who is
thought to have built the pyramid of Maidum. His son was Cheops who
continued his empire expansion. Transfer back to your hotel. In the
evening you will be met and transferred to an Egyptian home for a
traditional home-cooked dinner and for getting acquainted with the
locals and their way of life. Tour the home and engage in a social
discussion about the two cultures and the people, if you wish. Later
you will be transferred back to your hotel for an overnight. (B,D)
Dahshur: The Bent
Pyramid |
| 7 |
Breakfast,
then drive through the Delta to the town of Tanis. Tanis was the
capital of Egypt during the late period of the 21st to the 22nd
dynasties, and served as a burial site for some of the kings. The
pharaohs used to bring monumental statues from all over Egypt to
embellish their temples. Drive back to Cairo and visit the Hanging
Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It was built at the end of the
3rd century. Also visit the Church of St. Sergius, built in the 4th
century. This is one of the places where the holy family had taken
shelter. Continue the tour to visit St. Barbara Church built sometime
in the 4th Century and which has some of the writings of Saint John.
Your tour will end at the medieval house of Ghouria, where you will
attend a magnificent and impressive live performance of the whirling
Dervishes. Enjoy dinner at a traditional restaurant in the El-Hossein
area. Later transfer back to your hotel for an overnight. (B,L,D)
|
| 8 |
Breakfast,
then you will be met and transferred to Cairo Airport for your flight
to Abu-Simbel. Upon arrival at Abu-Simbel Airport, you will be
transferred to visit the Great Temple, hewn in rock, with the four
colossal seated statues of the king in front of the entrance. It was
dedicated to Amun-Ra, the Horakkhti, and Ramses II. Then visit the
King's wife temple. The temples were saved from the rising waters of
the Nile resulting from the construction of the Aswan High Dam. The
temples are awesome and impressive by all means although they were
built 3200 years ago. Later transfer to the newly opened Seti Mercure
Hotel in Abu-Simbel. Remainder of day at leisure or you may wish to go
back to the temples for a picture taking opportunity at sunset. In the
evening, transfer to attend the newly Sound and Light Show at the
temples of Abu-Simbel—it's an impressive and outstanding
performance. Overnight in Abu-Simbel. (B,L,D)
Abu Simbel: Statues of
Ramses in front of the Great Temple |
| 9 |
After
an early breakfast, you will have a wonderful opportunity to see the
sunrise at the Abu-Simbel Temples. Later transfer to Abu-Simbel
Airport for your flight to Aswan. Upon arrival you will be met and
transferred to your hotel, the luxurious Aswan Oberoi Hotel for
check-in. Later start your tour visiting the Botanical Gardens and the
exterior of the Agha Khan Mausoleum by "Felucca" (sailboat).
Also visit the Temple of Isis on Philae Island. Continue your tour
visiting the High Dam, the Granite Quarries and the Unfinished
Obelisk. Also visit Kalabsha Temple built during the Augustus Empire.
Continue your tour to visit the Roman Kiosk of Qertassi, a small Roman
temple and the Shrine of Ramses II from Beit El-Wali. Also visit the
Nobles site. These tombs were constructed by nobles and princes of the
region about 2300 BC. Important among them are the tombs of Mehu,
Sirenput,Pepi-Nakht and Khuf Har. Transfer back to your hotel for an
overnight. (B)
Aswan: A view of the
Nile |
| 10 |
Breakfast
and a rare visit to the newly opened Nubian Museum which de-scribes
the Nubian history from past to present time including some Coptic and
Islamic art as well. Continue your tour visiting the Nubian village,
including a special visit to a Nubian home. There you will be served
tea and have a short social discussion with the locals and notice
their way of life. In the afternoon ride camels in the desert to the
Tomb of Nomarchs and the majestic Monastery of St. Simeon. Later
transfer back to your hotel. In the evening you will be met and
transferred to Philae Temple by Felucca to attend the magnificent
Sound and Light show. Later transfer back to your hotel for an
overnight. (B,D)
|
| 11 |
Breakfast,
then you will be met and transferred by car to Luxor visiting en-route
the Greco Roman temple of Kom-Ombo, which was dedicated to two gods:
the Crocodile god Sobek and the Falcon-Headed god Haroeris. Continue
to Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus (237 BC.), the best-preserved
Egyptian temple in existence. From there drive to Esna to visit the
Temple of the god Khnum. Continue to Luxor. Arrive Luxor where you
will be met and transferred to the historic Old Winter Palace Hotel.
Overnight. (B,L,D) |
| 12 |
Breakfast,
then start your tour crossing by ferry to the West Bank of the Nile
and visit the Valley of the Queens, which lies hidden in the foothills
of the mountains of Gourma. See the dramatic temple of Queen
Hatshepsut, a masterpiece of graceful proportions, then visit the
famous Valley of the Kings where most of the royal tombs are. Visit
the Valley of the Nobles, famous for its fine wall decorations
and drawings, which depict scenes from the daily life of the ancient
Egyptians. In the afternoon visit the famous tomb of King Tut (14th
century BC). Also visit the Seti II Tomb from the 13th century BC. The
outer halls of this tomb are decorated with reliefs on beautiful
limestone. Also visit the temples and Chapels of Madinet Habu, the
largest complex which was built by Ramses III. Continue your tour to
visit the Ramesseum, a mortuary temple built by King Ramses II, one of
the largest temples in Egypt. Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight.
(B,L,D) |
| 13 |
Breakfast,
then visit the newly opened tomb of Nefertari, built by King Ramses II
for his beloved queen. This tomb is most famous for its fine art work.
It is a breathtaking exhibit and is truly one of the highlights of
your trip. Continue your tour visiting the newly opened tomb of Queen
Tausert, the wife of King Seth II. That tomb was usurped by King Set-Nakht
who changed some of its inscriptions and added to its original
construction. From there visit the tomb of Menna from 1425 BC. This
fine tomb belongs to the scribe of the fields under Tuthmosis IV. Also
visit the newly opened Tomb of Amenhotep II dating back to 1450 BC.
The tomb of Amenhotep II is one of the most beautiful tombs in the
Valley of the Kings. The walls are painted terracotta and the mortuary
texts are so drawn that they give the impression of papyrus text
printed to the interior walls of the tomb. End your tour with a visit
to the Luxor Museum. Overnight. (B,L) |
| 14 |
Breakfast,
then visit the tomb of Nakht. This is a tomb famous for its scenes of
dancing girls and banquet scenes; also the details of hunting scenes
are very clear on the walls. Continue your tour visiting the tomb of
Ramose from 1379 BC known as tomb number 55 and belonging to the Prime
Minister of Akhenaton. Although the tomb is somewhat damaged, it has
some of the most beautiful reliefs of Ramose and his wife. Also visit
the tomb of Ramses IV dating back to 1200 BC. The tomb has nice
paintings on its walls depicting different chapters from the
"Book of the Dead" as well as magical scenes. Also visit the
tomb of Amon-Hir Khopshef who was the son of Ramses III. It has scenes
showing Ramses III teaching his nine year old son. In the afternoon
visit the Temple of Karnak with its awesome and giant columns. Also
visit the Temple of Luxor which was started by Amenhotep III and
completed by Ramses II. Transfer back to your hotel. In the evening
you will be met and transferred to attend the magnificent sound and
light show in Karnak. Later transfer back to your hotel for an
overnight. (B,L) |
| 15 |
Breakfast,
then drive to Dendera. Visit the Temple of Hathor, goddess of love,
music and wine. It was built in the 1st century BC and is the only
circular representation of the heavens found in Egypt. It is a
Greco-Roman temple. The temple was first initiated by Ptolemy III with
numerous additions by subsequent Roman Ptolemic rulers. It also houses
a famous painting of Queen Cleopatra. Continue to Abydos to visit the
Temple of Seti I, viewing the famous list of kings and some of the
most beautifully painted reliefs from pharaonic periods. Return to
Luxor. Embark on a 2-hour Felucca (sailboat) ride, exploring the East
and the West Bank of the Nile riding in a sailboat exactly the same
way the ancient Egyptians used to do thousands of years ago. Return to
your hotel for an overnight. (B,D)
Dendera: Osiris Shrine
in Hathor Temple |
| 16 |
Breakfast, then transfer
to Luxor airport for your flight to Sharm-El-Sheikh. Upon arrival at
Sharm, you will be transferred to the Marriott Sharm Hotel. Remainder
of day at leisure for swimming, snorkeling, diving or just relaxing by
your hotel pool or private beach. Overnight (B)  
Sharm-El-Sheikh: The
Marriott Sharm hotel swimming pool and lobby |
| 17 |
Breakfast and a day at leisure
for swimming, diving and snorkeling. PM You will be met and transferred by car
to the Sinai Desert. From the desert road we will take camels to meet the
Bedouins. Experience the Bedouin hospitality, a dinner will be barbecued and served
in front of you at a canyon in a Bedouin tent surrounded by the stars. Traveling and
dining in the desert with the Bedouins will make you relive the adventure of Lawrence of
Arabia. Later transfer back to your hotel for an overnight.
(B,D) |
| 18 |
Breakfast
and a day at leisure for swimming, diving or snorkeling. Late
afternoon proceed to St. Catherine. Arrive St. Catherine and transfer
to the St. Catherine Village. A choice of a 3-hour climb to the top of
Mount Sinai is available, if you wish to see a spectacular sunrise as
well as view the Red Sea and the Saudi Arabian border. The recommended
time to start the climb of the 3,750 steps is at 2:00 A.M. in order to
arrive at the summit for a spectacular sunrise around 5:00 A.M. (You
must be physically fit and healthy in order for you to do the 3-hour
mountain climb.) (B,D)
|
| 19 |
Breakfast,
then visit St. Catherine Monastery built by Emperor Justinian during
the 6th century. The site sits at the foot of Mount Sinai, where Moses
is believed to have received the Ten Commandments. Visit the churches,
gardens and the living quarters of the monks who operate it. Some of
your highlights will be the actual Burning Bush Shrub that grows
nowhere else in the world. The Monastery owns more than 2,000
Byzantine icons, many of which are displayed in the main Church of the
Transfiguration. The Monastery also has a priceless collection of more
than 4,500 manuscripts including the world's second oldest Bible. Walk
in the same foot steps where Pope John-Paul II did when he visited
Egypt in February of 2000. Depart St. Catherine to Wadi Firan to visit
the largest Oasis in the peninsula. In the 4th century AD it was a
Christian stronghold. Continue your drive to Sarabit El-Khadem to
visit the semi-precious turquoise mines where the ancient Egyptians
used to mine for precious stones. Also visit the Temple of Hathor, the
cow headed goddess from the 1st century AD. Drive to Uyun Mussa, time
permitting, to view this oasis with 12 sweet water springs. It is here
where the Israelites were halted after crossing the Red Sea and where
Moses is supposed to have thrown a tree into the largest spring.
Continue your drive to Cairo via the Suez Canal. Arrive Cairo where
you will be transferred to one of our privately owned luxuriously
furnished condominiums. You will spend the night in a fully equipped
and furnished Egyptian condo, local but luxury style with a
refrigerator full of tasty local food, mineral water as well as fresh
fruits. Your condo will have a private balcony and a pyramid view is
guaranteed. You will get a true sense of how Egyptians live and do
their daily chores by going through that experience. (Spending the
night in one of our condos can not be guaranteed, depending on their
availability. If it is sold out during that time or if you do not wish
to try that experience, you will be spending the night at the
Semiramis Inter-Continental Hotel. You will be informed at the time of
booking if it is available depending on your arrival date in Cairo.)
Overnight. (B,D)
St. Catherine: St.
Catherine Monastery |
| 20 |
Breakfast,
and an early drive from Cairo to the very famous town of
Tel-El-Amarna, the town formerly known as Akhenaten. King Akhenaten
offered this place to be the home of his god Aton (1375–1350 BC).
Start your tour visiting Ay's Tomb. The drawings show Ay and his wife
receiving gold collars from Akhenaten and Nefertari. From there
continue to Huya's Tomb, steward of Queen Tiyi, the queen mother and
wife of Amenhotep III. Continue your tour to visit the tomb of Meri-re
I, the high priest of Aton. A table of offerings including a beautiful
representation of a colorful rainbow is drawn on the left-hand wall of
the chamber below the Aton disk. Also visit the Tomb of Meri-re II who
was the superintendent of the palace of Queen Nefertiti. It has plenty
of scenes showing celebrations honoring leaders of other countries.
Transfer to your hotel, the Etap Hotel in Menia for an overnight. (B,L,D) |
| 21 |
Breakfast,
then visit the tomb of Panhesy, the chief servitor. The facade that
decorated the outside of his tomb is still preserved. Drive to Beni
Hassan where there are more than 39 tombs located here from the Middle
Kingdom (about 2050 BC). They were built for feudal lords. Visit some
of the famous ones like Amenemhet, Tomb of Khnumhotep, Tomb of Bakhet
as well as the tomb of Kheti. Drive back to Cairo for an overnight at
your furnished condo. (B,L,D) |
| 22 |
Breakfast,
then start your tour by visiting the Egyptian Museum famous for its
antiquities from Egypt's pharaonic period including the fabulous
treasures of King Tut-Ankh-Amon. Also visit the famous Mummy Room in
the museum which was ordered opened to the public by President Mubarak
of Egypt. Afternoon excursion to old Cairo will include a visit to the
very old Coptic Churches and the oldest Jewish Synagogue of Beni Ezra.
Continue your tour to visit the Citadel of Salah El-Din and the
Mohammed Ali Mosque; also visit the famous City of the Dead. This is a
centuries-old cemetery in old Cairo, with very small houses
encompassing both the dead and (of late) their living relatives,
who—because of inadequate housing—have moved into their family's
graves. End your tour at the Medieval Bazaars of Khan-El-Khalili,
where you can bargain for your jewelry and hand-tooled leather items.
Return to your condominium for an overnight. (B,L,D)
Cairo: Khan El Khalili
Bazaar |
| 23 |
Breakfast,
then you will be met by your tour manager and transferred to Cairo
Airport, where you will be helped with your check-in and immigration
formalities for your departure flight back home. (B) |
Also Included: All
taxes, service charges, entrance fees to sights mentioned included as well. All
transfers, meeting and assistance and baggage handling is included. "If any
modifications or changes are needed to package, that will be accommodated at an extra
cost".
Not included: Items of
personal nature, such as phone calls, wine, tips, etc.
Departure from other gateway cities is
available as follows: Departure out of Boston, please add $129. Departure out of
Washington, D.C., add $149. Departure out of Chicago, please add $259. Departure out of
Los Angeles, please add $369, or call for your city.
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: For single occupancy in hotels, please add $1279.
EXTENSIONS & OPTIONAL TOURS: Extra days and
optional tours to sites are available upon request.
If airfare from the U.S.A. is not required,
please deduct $920 from posted rate.
If you need a different package, we
will customize it for you.
You're
almost on your way!
To book your tour and for additional information CALL:
Egypt
Tours and Travel
8117 S. Lemont Rd. Suite #1
Darien, IL 60561
USA
1-(800)
52-EGYPT | 1-(800) TO-EGYPT
1-(800) 863-4978 | 1-(800) 573-4978
1-(630) 427-1234 | Fax: (630) 427-1224
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Round Trip air from New
York