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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
And Queen Nefertari's Tomb
Spend
Your Honeymoon in Egypt and on a Nile Cruise
Travel In Style put together a fantastic honeymoon package to Egypt for
us. Omar listened to what we wanted to see, work around our dates, and
put together a customized itinerary with private tours that exceeded our
expectations. From the moment we were met at the airport in Cairo we were
treated like VIPs. At each point in our vacation we had excellent English
speaking guides, safe drivers, and travel representatives that handled
our hotel, cruise, and airline check-ins. We were able to relax and focus
on ourselves and truly make the most of our time in Egypt. It was a vacation
we will never forget!
David
& Justine
DAY
1 - CAIRO - Saturday- Weekly - Year Round
On arrival, our local rep. will escort you to your comfortable hotel.
Our
local representative greets you at the airport and whisks you to your
hotel. Visa may be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited
number of citizens such as : American, EU , Canadian , EU Singaporean
and Japanese citizens. For Americans , please pay the $ 15 USD fee in
cash upon arrival . You are responsible for having your passport in order
valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo. Our
local rep. meets with a sign that carries your name you after you clear
the passport and customs formalities .
After exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort you (private
vehicle) to the hotel : Sample
Deluxe Hotels : Ramses Hilton , Cairo Sheraton , Sonesta
, Cairo Marriott, Cairo Conrad , Semiramis InterContinental Hotel or similar
.
DAY
2 - CAIRO- Sailing on the Nile - Sunday (BLD)
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 ( or Abdeen Palace Museum ) , 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. Evening
Whirling Dervishes performance at Wekalet El Ghouri. Dinner
is included at La Bodega restaurant or similar .
DAY
3 - Giza Pyramids : DAHSOUR - HOME HOSTED MEAL - Monday (BL)
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 ! 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
4 - The Red Sea resort of Sharm , Tuesday (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.
Sunset Camel Caravan or on Horse Backs : we go into the Sinai
desert in a camel caravan , if you prefer to enjoy a 2 hour of horse back
riding, please do let's know . The camel caravan is fully escorted and
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
and nature before we head back to your hotel .
DAY
5 - Sharm El Sheikh - The Red Sea - Wednesday (BD)
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 . Evening bedouin theme dinner .
DAY
6 - Sharm El Sheikh, Luxor - Queen Nefertari's Restored Tomb. Our Guests
Private Visit - Thursday (BL)
An early flight takes us to Luxor ( or
Aswan) , along the Nile in fabled Upper Egypt, the flight is non-stop
or via Cairo , land at Luxor
Airport , where at the airport , our local rep. will be waiting for you
with a sign in your name,
from the airport we proceed to the West Bank :
Queen Nefertari's Tomb - Long before Cleopatra humbled
the ruler of Rome, an Egyptian queen held power over the heart and soul
of Ramses, Egypt's greatest pharaoh. In the 12th century BC, a broken-hearted
Ramses built a grand funerary tomb for Queen Nefertari, "the Beautiful
one," in the Valley of the Queens. It's been exquisitely restored
with the aid of an American endowment, and is among the rarest sights
in all Egypt: the only great tomb ever built by a pharaoh for his late
queen. Artistically, it is the equivalent of Tutankhamon's tomb. Because
of its fragile nature, it is no longer open to the public, access
is very limited to a few guests with permits , and ours is the only tour
to visit it as part of a normal itinerary . Because
of the limited access we must rise early for our flight and our visit,
appropriate as Ramses named Nefertari "the one for whom the sun shines."
Tomb
of Queen Nefertari : our visit to the Valley of the Queens allows you
this rare treat: a visit to the beautifully restored royal tomb of Queen
Nefertari, wife of Ramses II. Exquisitely restored with the aid of an
American endowment, it is among the rarest sights in all Egypt: the only
great tomb ever built by a pharaoh for his late queen.
The romantic story of Nefertari and Ramses is best told by the great temples
at Abu Simbel ( south of Aswan in Nubia). On one, Ramsis is seated with
the gods and attended by his queen and daughters. The other is dedicated
to Queen Nefertari, who appears as Hathor, the goddess of love, joy and
fertility, symbolized by the benevolent cow. Nefertari thus precedes Cleopatra,
Helen, Roxelana, and the Elizabeths of Russia and England as one of the
world's great queens. Your visit to Abu Simbel may be considered the highlight
of your Egyptian adventure. As you fly over and along the shore of Lake
Nasser, watching the sky lighten and the sacred sun rise above the horizon.
We try to book early morning flights to reach the temple while the air
is clean, clear and cool, and the sun's light still golden—just
right for photographs. We explore the huge temple , admire its ancient
aura and artistry, then retire to a comfortable hotel for refreshments.
In
the larger temple, colossal figures of Ramsis 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. PLEASE NOTE : Abu Simbel
Temples tour ( when listed in any of our tour program) starts from Aswan
not Luxor, we list the info as part of Queen Nefertari's story here.
At the end of the day , return to your hotel in Luxor .
DAY
7 - LUXOR - Denderah the best preserved temple in Egypt - Friday
(BL)
then we drive inland to tour Denderah Temple ,tour is in an air-conditioned
vehicle, with a chauffeur of course as well as an English speaking guide
/ Egyptologist. Dendera Temple is among the best preserved in Egypt. This
temple as a sight to hold. Indiana Jones would have felt at home, with
the massive stones and underground passages. We tour as well Abydos before
we head back to Luxor (lunch box included )
DENDERAH
IN A DAY: We'll travel to Denderah to visit the Temple of Hathor,
one of the best-preserved in all of Egypt, and also one of the most important.
In the ancient beliefs, Hathor was the consort of the god of daylight,
ruler of the west, and protector or the underworld. In the manner of wise
desert wayfarers, we'll leave before dawn to take advantage of cool temperatures.
Our air-conditioned vehicle will take us through timeless Nile side villages,
where life revolves around the irrigation and harvest of crops. Finally,
we'll reach the temple precincts. We'll take note of the unusually deep
tombs, and pass under the celebrated Zodiac, in a chapel dedicated to
Osiris. (Denderah is the traditional site of his rebirth.) Our full day
will also include a visit to Abydos, traditional home of Osiris, god of
the underworld, and a stopping point on the journey of wayfaring souls.
We'll enjoy a box lunch with bottled water included ,
then its back to Luxor and your hotel. By sunset get ready for the transfer
to Karnak for a spectacular sound & light show at Karnak temple, after
which return to your hotel .
DAY
8 - VALLEY OF THE KINGS -Nile Cruise - Saturday (BLD)
After
breakfast at the hotel, check-out. Proceed to explore the city that was
the Pharaohs capital for 20 centuries :
Start with Medinet Habu , the Ramesseum and 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 , 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 On Board Your Nile Cruise - Sunday
(BLD)
We cruise to Esna during the night and pass through the locks.
Private tour is included with to Esna Temple .
Continue our cruise to Edfu and board horse-drawn carriages to
get to the fine Temple of Horus. In the evening, we have a jolly
galabiyas party. A Galabya will be delivered to your cabin with our compliments.
DAY
10 - KOM OMBO - ASWAN , CAMEL CARAVAN - on Board Your Nile Cruise - Monday
(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 - Tuesday (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 your
private guide, private chauffeur and private air-conditioned vehicle will
be waiting for you : 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 - Wednesday (B)
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home. Bon
Voyage
RATES per
person in USD
|
Deluxe
Hotels
Deluxe Nile Cruise |
First
Class
Hotels and Nile Cruise |
Tourist
Class
In Cairo
El Borg Novotel Hotel or similar |
| Triple |
US$
6375. |
US$
5825. |
US$
5525. |
| Double |
US$
6416. |
US$
6005. |
US$
5605. |
| Single |
US$
7611. |
US$
7200. |
US$
6650. |
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 .
-
For
departures during Christmas, New Year's or Easter weeks, please add
20 % to the rates above.
-
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 : Mövenpick 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 cabins with private balconies
Hotel
Choices
Cairo Deluxe Hotels : Inter.continental . Sonesta Hotel Cairo
. Sheraton. Ramses Hilton, or similar
First Class Hotels : Cairo : Shepherds' Hotel.
Oases, Novotel El Borg or similar
Your
Tour Includes :
-
Egyptian domestic airfares as described in the itinerary, economy class,
with tax included.
- 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 (including admissions fees) as described in the itinerary.
Private guided touring in Egypt, except while on board the cruise, you
are part of a 10-15 English speaking group .
- Meals
as shown: (cB = continental breakfast; L
= set-menu lunch; D = set-menu dinner)
- Hotel
and Nile Cruise accommodations, including hotel tax and service charges
- Bonus!
Lonely Planet guidebook
- Nile
Cruise in Egypt including all meals and group tour for the shore executions
you are part of a 10-15 English speaking group .
- Queen
Nefertari's Restored Tomb. Our Guests Private Visit
Queen Nefertari's Tomb - Long before Cleopatra humbled
the ruler of Rome, an Egyptian queen held power over the heart and soul
of Ramses, Egypt's greatest pharaoh. In the 12th century BC, a broken-hearted
Ramses built a grand funerary tomb for Queen Nefertari, "the Beautiful
one," in the Valley of the Queens.
- Tips.
- Trip
interruption and cancellation insurance .
- Air
fare from / to your home country
- Personal
expenses, including excess baggage or shipping charges, beverages,
and personal charges in hotels for laundry, telephone, or other
services
- Egyptian
Visa : please pay the $ 15 in cash upon arrival, no photos
required . Visa maybe issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport
for a limited number of citizens such as : American, EU ,
Canadian , EU Singaporean and Japanese citizens. You are responsible
for having your passport in order valid at least for 6 month
beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo.
More
unique tour choices :
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