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1001
Egyptian Nights
A
Grand 12 Day tour , airfare included from USA. This exceptional package
includes Egypt in all its variety, from the wonders of the Great Pyramids
to a Nile cruise, and even the unspoiled beaches
of the Red Sea. As well as the mighty temples at Abu Simbel
Denderah Temples, Diving and a Camel Caravan to a Nubian Village
We have even included all the tipping
DAY
1 - USA/CAIRO - The First Sunday of each and
every month
JFK Passengers : We take off from New York's John F. Kennedy International
Airport, bound for Cairo . For East Coast passengers : Egyptair is the
only non-stop flight between JFK and Cairo , and gets you into Cairo in
the afternoon, all other carriers do get in late evening or after midnight,
please lets know your preference.
For west coast passengers : you need not to fly thru JFK, usually we will
use Lufthansa, or British or Air France etc, so you fly non-stop to Europe
then a short flight to Cairo .
Air fare add-on : For Boston, Chicago, Miami, Orlando Houston : $350.
Most West Coast cities : SFO, LAX, SEA, SAN , PDX $ 450
This
tour is available without air fare : If you choose to make your own arrangements
for international airfare, please deduct $ 600 per person from the rates.
We do welcome bookings from all over the world.
For
business class upgrades from JFK ( roundtrip) :
Egyptair , Air France Lufthansa or British Airways : Please add : $ 3050
tax included .
For business class upgrades from LAX, SFO, SEA or SAN (roundtrip) :
Lufthansa , Air France , or British Airways : Please add : $ 4300 tax
included .
DAY
2 - CAIRO Monday
On arrival, we escort you to your comfortable hotel. Complimentary visa
is issued upon arrival for the following nationalities; American, Australian,
NZ, EU , Canadian , Japanese, Mexican , South African and Singaporean
, your passport must be valid for at least 6 month beyond date of arrival.
Visa
will be issued upon arrival. As you exit the gate, you will pass
through a door or two , down some stairs , then walk for 2-5 minutes ,
until you pass the duty free shops, at the end of a wide corridor , you
will see the security officers. There you will be met by a local representative,
who will be holding a sign with the name you prefer to use for the sign
. Our local representative will then take your passport to obtain a stamp
from the cashier / bank window and escort you to speak with the passport
officer. He will escort you through another last check on your passport
as you exit the passport control, into customs area, he will assist you
in collecting your luggage and clearing customs . After exiting the terminal,
our local representative will escort you (private vehicle) to the hotel
: Sample
Deluxe Hotels : Ramses Hilton , Nile Hilton , Sonesta
, J. W. Marriott, Cairo Conrad , Grand Hyatt or similar .
DAY
3 - CAIRO- Sailing on the Nile - Tuesday (BL)
Today we see Cairo's major sights: the Egyptian Museum, including the
Mummies Room. We'll continue to Royal Manial Palace of former Crown
Prince Mohamed Ali , on to the Coptic Museum, and the Church of Abu Sergha,
and the Beni Ezra Synagogue.
We'll see where , according to the legend, Moses was found along the banks
of the Nile by the Queen of the Nile and Pharaoh's wife . We'll take our
lunch at a local restaurant.
Enjoy a walking tour of the ancient Khan El Khalili Bazaar district ,
then a brief stop at El Rifai Mosque where the late Shah of Iran is buried
, as well
as King Farouk Egypt's last king, before we head back to
your hotel.
DAY
4 - Giza Pyramids : DAHSOUR - HOME HOSTED MEAL Wednesday (BLD)
After breakfast, we'll motor to the edge of Cairo, to the mysterious Sphinx
and the Pyramids of Giza.
The museum of the Royal Barge of Cheops The museum is built over the rectangular
pit that housed the Royal Barge for thousands of years , the wooden boat
was readied for the king's daily journey with the sun god, Ra . Discovered
in 1954, in a completely dismantled state, the 43-metre (140-foot) cedar
boat is a rare window on the Royal boats used by the kings of Ancient
Egypt.
Those
who are fit and adventurous enough may wish to penetrate into the heart
of the Great Pyramid, to the King's Chamber your ticket is included with
our compliments (or the interior of Kephren Pyramid). Taking
a camel ride (Included) is entirely your own choice!
Continue
to Dahshour, the newly-opened pyramid field south of Cairo. We
visit the great pyramid of Senfru, father of Cheops, and other structure:
The "Discovery" of Dahshour: For almost half a century, the great
field of huge pyramids near the desert village of Dahshour, 25 miles south
of Cairo, has been off limits to the public. Confined within the perimeter
of a military base were many pyramids, including the great 4500-year-old
pyramid built by Senfru, father of Cheops. Senfru's pyramid, the largest
in Egypt until his son built Giza's Great Pyramid, is rhomboidal in shape:
it tapers more distinctly on its upper half. All the pyramids were coated
in thick plaster at one time. Most have lost these protective, decorative
sheaths, but Senfru's--miraculously--is still in place.
Lunch is included at a the Mena House .
Complimentary Dinner is included at a local home:
Meet the locals,
you may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family ( T
shirt , small souvenirs of your home town):
This
evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right
into the homes of some of the people of Cairo l! You'll be invited to
a family dinner, and while you enjoy wholesome home-cooked specialties,
you'll learn about and appreciate the outlook, aspirations, and way of
life of your hosts. Be assured, as curious as you may be about your new
friends, they're sure to have questions about your own background. Once
the ice is broken, you'll enjoy a lively evening, and find that you have
more in common than you ever suspected. Of course, you may enjoy a quiet
evening with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.
DAY
5 - The Red Sea resort of Sharm , Thursday (B)
Head for the airport and a short flight to Sharm El Sheikh on the Red
Sea. The rest of the day is yours to enjoy this unique desert beach resort.
Relax by the cerulean waters, take a camel ride at your option ,
and observe in the distance the steady line of ships heading to and from
the Suez Canal.
(Optional) Sunset Camel Caravan or on Horse Backs :
A two hour caravan on camels, if you prefer to enjoy a 2 hour of horse
back riding, please do let's know, but in this case the horse ride will
not be into the Sahara .
The camel caravan is fully escorted & guided as well by local Bedouins
through the desert and through the mountain passes of El Aat mountain
, we stop at the highest point in the valley for a cup of tea with the
Bedouin, take in the evening charm of the desert & nature before we
head back to your hotel.
DAY
6 - Sharm El Sheikh, Snorkel or Dive- Friday (B)
The Red Sea just off "Sharm" is replete with fascinating coral
and aquatic species unique to this area. You'll spend the full day today
exploring these wonders as you snorkel or scuba dive (for which
proof of certification is a must ). There's also time to relax, take an
optional excursion, or look into the life of the Bedouins who have made
a way of life in the desert.
DAY
7 - LUXOR - Denderah -Saturday (BL)
An early flight takes us to Luxor ( or
Aswan) , along the Nile in fabled Upper Egypt, where We'll make a
brief stop at the hotel to freshen up , pick up our lunch box then proceed
to Denderah in a day excursion or by car , to visit the best preserved
temple in Egypt, then its back to Luxor for a spectacular sound &
light show at Karnak temple. Return to Luxor and your hotel.
DAY
8 - VALLEY OF THE KINGS -Nile Cruise - Sunday (BLD)
After
breakfast at the hotel, check-out. Proceed to explore the city that was
the Pharaohs capital for 20 centuries : Start with the Ancient Workers
Village at Deir El Medineh, the first known "Workers Village"
these were the true creative heroes who built the temples & tombs
for the mighty Pharaohs of the Nile Kingdom.
Deir
El Medinah is on Luxor's west bank you get a totally different perspective
on ancient Egyptian life, at the ancient workers' settlement of Deir el-Medinah.
While most of the imposing stone monuments and sites of Egypt honor the
lives and after-lives of royalty, Deir el-Medinah gives us unique and
surprising insights into the ordinary citizens who constructed and decorated
the tombs.
Here
we'll see the excavated homes shared by laborers with their domestic animals.
These quarters were surprisingly large, with three good-sized rooms, courtyard,
kitchen, and even storage cellars. While ancient Egypt might not have
been a workers' paradise, we'll see that artisans and builders were highly
regarded in their community. We are proud to be the only operator to offer
regular visits to this singular ancient settlement in its tour and cruise
programs.
Today's
tour include as well a visit to the Valley of the Kings including
Tut-Ank-Amon's tomb , for guests who are interested : Please be our guests
for a 10-15 minutes camel ride from the Valley of the Kings, you you'll
then change your mode of transportation and continue in your deluxe air-conditioned
vehicle and on to the temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari, and
Colossi of Memnon, returning to our Nile cruiser for lunch. Following
lunch aboard, we visit the great Temple of Luxor, and the gigantic
Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, returning to our vessel in time
for tea. Complimentary welcome fruit basket in your cabin. In the evening
your guide will call on you for a horse drawn carriage ride throughout
Luxor souks , bazaars and water front.
DAY
9 - ESNA & EDFU- Monday
(BLD)
We cruise to Esna during the night and pass through the locks.
After breakfast we cruise to Edfu and board horse-drawn carriages
to get to the fine Temple of Horus. In the evening, we have a jolly
galabia party. A Galabya will be delivered to your cabin with our compliments.
DAY
10 - KOM OMBO & ASWAN , CAMEL CARAVAN -Tuesday (BLD)
We explore Kom Ombo's twin Temples of Haroeris, the sun god, and
Sobek, the crocodile god, before cruising south to Aswan. After
lunch aboard, we board a graceful felucca for a cruise among the Nile
islands .Then to really immerse yourself, try your hand at a complimentary
camel riding! We'll take willing passengers on a traditional caravan to
enjoy tea with Nubian villagers.
Only Travel In Style affords this unique opportunity to meet and interact
with local Nubians. We are proud to offer this insight into the Nubian
way of life. Back in your cabin : Complimentary Egyptian pastry
& sweets platter. In the evening your guide will call on you for a
horse -drawn carriage ride thorough Aswan souks and waterfront.
DAY
11 - ASWAN - ABU SIMBEL - CAIRO Wednesday (B. Lunch
Box )
Breakfast and check-out . Lunch Box will be prepared by your chef on board
, bottled water included .
Do you
Prefer to extend one more day on
the Nile Cruise ?
The mighty Aswan dams are our first goal this morning, followed
by a trip by motor launch to the Island temple of Philae , dedicated to
the Ancient Goddess ISIS :
The
Mystery of Isis : Two millennia ago the Mediterranean world was enthralled
by the mystery of Isis:
"I,
Isis, am all that has been, that is or shall be; no mortal man hath ever
seen me unveiled."
Called
Aset by the ancient Egyptians, the goddess was a Madonna in the Mediterranean
tradition that stretches far, far back to the primitive Mother Goddess
from Anatolia, home to some of the oldest human communities on earth.
Isis was the powerful and quick-witted protector of her son Horus, the
Sun God. Ancient peoples throughout the Mediterranean regarded Isis and
Horus as the perfect Madonna and Child. Another legend says she was also
the mother of the fertility god Min who, judging from the depiction of
him on temple walls, needed no help from Viagra!
Because
of her wisdom and skill at protection, she was admired as a good magician
capable of healing the sick and protecting the dead in their journey to
the Underworld. Isis is portrayed regally, as a queen seated on a throne
(which may be the meaning of her name), often holding her son Horus as
a baby. Other images show her with broad, magnificent gilded wings able
to protect the world.
Isis,
the great Mother Goddess. Come explore her mystery in timeless Egypt when
you Travel in Style!
Back
on land, we visit an ancient Pharaonic red granite quarry, then Nubian
Museum before we take a short flight to Abu Simbel. There we'll
marvel at the temples dedicated to Ramses the Great and Queen Neferatri,
saved from rising waters of the Nile when the High Dam was built,in
the larger temple, colossal figures of Ramses are seated with the
gods and attended by his queen and daughters. The smaller temple
is dedicated to Queen Nefertari, who appears as Hathor, the goddess of
love, joy and fertility, symbolized by the benevolent cow. Fly
back to Aswan and connect with our returning flight to Cairo and
your hotel .
DAY
12 - Departure -Thursday (cB)
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home. Bon
Voyage
RATES per
person in USD
From
New York |
Deluxe
Hotels
Deluxe Nile Cruise |
First
Class
Hotels and Nile Cruise |
Tourist
Class |
| Triple |
US$
3475 |
US$
3025 |
US$
2725 |
| Double |
US$
3616 |
US$
3205 |
US$
2805 |
| Single |
US$
4411 |
US$
4100 |
US$
3700 |
If
you prefer a boutique style hotel in Cairo , please click here for more
details on " Le Riad " 17 suites hotel in the heart of old "
Fatimid " Medieval Cairo , please let's know your preference at the
time of booking , as the hotel offers only 17 suites , it is always in
high demand and space is subject to availability .
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For
departures during Christmas, New Year's or Easter weeks, please add
20 % to the rates above.
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Please
note that the Nile vessels and cruise itineraries are subject to
change.
-
Upgrade
to these ultra deluxe Nile cruise :
Click here for more info on these luxurious cruises: ( Supplement
: 20 % to be added to the
Deluxe rate : Movenpick M/S Royal Lilly , M/S Royal Lotus , M/S Radamis
II ( Swiss Management) .
The Sonesta M/S Star Goddess , Sonesta M/S Moon Goddess
all suites with private balconies
Hotel
Choices
Cairo Deluxe Hotels : City Stars Inter.continental. Sonesta Hotel
Cairo . Ramses Hilton, or similar
First Class Hotels : Cairo : Shepherds' Hotel.
Oases, or similar
AIRFARE
NOTES
- Our
airline partners for departures from New York are British Airways,
Lufthansa, Swiss International
For
Boston, Chicago , DC : Please add:$300 , Miami, Orlando, Dallas Ft.
Worth, Houston : $350. Most West Coast cities: SEA, PDX, SFO, LAX,
SAN : $ 450
- In
addition, for any departures from May 1 through end of Sep ,
Dec 20 - Jan 2 please add $500 high-season airfare surcharge to the
rates shown above. This air fare supplement doesn't apply when
you handle your own airfare.
- If
you choose to make your own arrangements for international airfare,
please deduct $500 per person from the rates.
Your
Tour Includes :
- International
airfare from New York, US departure tax, economy class .
- All
the tips to drivers, guides, Nile cruise crew etc.
-
Egyptian domestic airfares as described in the itinerary, economy class
- All
airport transfers and taxes in Egypt.
- Hotel
accommodations (including taxes).
- And
set-menu (table d'hôte) meals as indicated in the itinerary above.
-
Nile cruise with all shore excursions and meals.
- Complimentary
welcome drink upon arrival on board the Nile Cruise.
- Complimentary
welcome fruit basket on board the Nile Cruise.
- Large
bottle of water ( per person ) delivered to you cabin daily while you
are on board the Nile Cruise.
- Tea
or coffee and bottled water with each / every meal while you are on
board the Nile Cruise.
- Guided
sightseeing by air-conditioned motor coach, including all admissions
fees.
- Visa
fee issued upon arrival for American, Australian, NZ,EU, S. Korean ,S.
African Mexicans, Singaporean & Japanese citizens, passport must
be valid for at least 6 month after the date of arrival.
-
Airport
taxes
- Trip
interruption and cancellation insurance
- Personal
expenses, including excess baggage or shipping charges, beverages,
and personal charges in hotels for laundry, telephone, or other
services
- Optional
Excursion
More
unique tour choices :
-
Honeymoon
Wishes:
A
"Dream Come True"
tour. 14 days , Cairo and the Pyramids. A Nile
Cruise of course, and a beach resort at Hurgada or El
Gouna, on the Red Sea. Including the welcome Zaffa (procession
that will resemble an Arabian/Egyptian wedding party) with a
troupe of dancers and musicians dressed with the Egyptian typical
clothes, welcoming guests by singing and dancing Egyptian Folklore).
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