1001
Egyptian Nights
With a Foray into the Kingdom of Morocco
A
Grand 21 Day Tour of Egypt and Morocco
A true North African Adventure
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, Queen Nefertari's
Tomb, Denderah Temples, Diving or snorkeling, and a CAMEL CARAVAN
to a Nubian Village
In
Morocco : Tour the Imperial cities in as the grand Vizier would
have ! The grace and splendor of the Orient, traditional Arab hospitality,
and the fine service and amenities of a boutique hotel all come together
in the Moroccan Riad ,(Sample
images). This package affords a sampling of these
unique accommodations, along with an array of unforgettable experiences,
ranging from train and camel rides to dinner in the home of a local
family. Compare
with the
14 Day edition .
Add Petra ,
Greece
, Morocco , or
Alexandria & Fayoum Oases . Add
Extra Nights in Luxor , Upper Egypt
DAY
1 - USA/CAIRO - First Sunday
of each and every month - Year Round
JFK Passengers : We take off from New York's John F. Kennedy
International Airport, bound for Cairo , tax included. For Boston Chicago,Philadelphia
, Pittsburgh : $ 250 , for Miami, Dallas Ft. Worth , Orlando Houston
: $ 350. Most West Coast cities : $ 450 . This
tour is available without air fare . We do welcome bookings from all
over the world .
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 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 to the hotel
DAY
3 - CAIRO- Sailing on the Nile - Tuesday (cBLD)
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
, 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 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 (cBD)
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 the evening charm of the desert & nature before
we head back to your hotel.
DAY
6 - Sharm El Sheikh, Snorkel or Dive- Friday (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 Dinner.
DAY
7 - LUXOR - Denderah -Saturday (cBLD)
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 & your
hotel.
DAY
8 - VALLEY OF THE KINGS -Nile Cruise - Sunday (cBLD)
After
breakfast at the hotel, check-out. Proceed to explore the Pharaohs capital
for 20 centuries
Special announcement : Queen Nefertari's tomb will be closed
until further notice for urgent repairs, so we 'll be touring instead
: 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.
As
soon as Nefertari is opened again, we will reinstate it in our programs.
The
Queen for whom the sun shines : ( closed for the time being)
We rise very early in the morning to be able to secure entry to the
recently restored tomb of her Majesty Queen Nefertari, wife of the mighty
Pharaoh Ramses the Great , limited to the first 100 visitors.
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 brokenhearted 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 closest
thing you could ever come to see the original Ancient Egyptian art in
all of its glory and finesse.
Because of its fragile nature, only a limited number of visitors are
allowed entry each day. We are the only company to include a visit to
Nefertari's tomb in our daily program. Because of the limited access
we must rise early for our visit, appropriate as Ramses named Nefertari
"the one for whom the sun shines."
Today's
tour include as well a visit to the Valley of the Kings including
Tut-Ank-Amon's tomb , 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.
DAY
9 - ESNA - EDFU- Monday
(cBLD)
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 (cBLD)
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 & 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.
DAY
11 - ASWAN - ABU SIMBEL / CAIRO Wednesday (cBD)
Breakfast and check-out . 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 Nubia
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
.Dinner at the hotel in Cairo
Jacquie
Kennedy & Abu Simbel:
All Americans alive during the 1960s remember President John F Kennedy
and First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy. Most Americans from that
time also remember Abu Simbel, the dramatic, ancient Pharaonic temple
threatened by the rising waters blocked by the new Aswan High Dam.
Read More .
It’s
worth remembering that it was Jacquie Kennedy who provided crucial support
for the mammoth rescue project. Without her help, Abu Simbel might have
been lost. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy loved Egypt, and Egypt
still loves her.
DAY
12 - Departure Cairo Marrakech -Thursday (cB)
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight to Casablanca
where you clear customs and passport formalities. Connect to Marrakech
( air fare is included in economy class ). Our
local staff will meet you at Marrakech Menara airport and escort you
to your accommodations at Riad or a hotel pending on your preference
, where a traditional welcoming mint tea and a fruit basket await you.
Your personal requirements and relaxation are foremost. The formality
of check-in can wait.
DAY 13 - Marrakech- Leisure-Friday (B)
Enjoy a relaxing day at leisure in Marrakech .
In the evening : Complimentary Dinner is included at a local home: Meet
the locals: You'll
finish the day with a memorable experience of Moroccan hospitality,
dinner in the home of a Marrakech family in the old Medina
This
evening we'll venture where few ordinary visitors ever tread . . . right
into the homes of some of the people of Marrakech l! You'll be invited
to a family dinner, this is not a touristy scheme, we try to afford
our guests a unique experience and a chance to get to meet the locals,
the Arabs, the Middle Eastern , you may enjoy a quiet evening with your
travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.
DAY
14 - Marrakech--Saturday (BL)
Full day Marrakech, including lunch : Tour the Koutoubia, the landmark
mosque of the city. Perhaps you'll note its similarity to its sister
tower, the Giralda of Seville, in Spain. You'll continue to the Saadian
Tombs, and the Bahia palace, built in the nineteenth century, with room
after stately oriental room with intricate plaster work and finely detailed
columns, and sedate hidden gardens. Lunch is included at a charming
local restaurant. In the afternoon, you'll discover the old city and
always-lively Djemaa El Fna Square, populated by water sellers, magicians,
peddlers, politicians, and animal tamers, who carry on an endless flurry
of activities straight out of the middle ages , the we are off to the
souks of Marrakech which will always keep you entertained .
DAY
15 - Marrakech - Home Hosted Dinner Sunday (BL)
After
breakfast in you hotel, leave to Amizmiz, 54 Kilometers from Marrakech.
On the way you will see the Oumnast Kasbah then the Lalla Takerkoust
Dam built between 1929 and 1935 with it man made lake. It will take
you about an hour to reach Amizmiz , a typical Berber village , we tour
the Kasbah and the "Mellah" (Jewish quarter). Every Tuesday an important
country market is held, where all the villagers from the area come for
their weekly shopping and gossiping. You can buy there interesting Regragra
potteries. Your guide will welcome you in his home for a traditional
Berber breakfast then you will start your hiking first through Sidi
Hossein valley to reach Tizi Oughourane. On the way you will see picturesque
landscapes of the Atlas mountains , Berber villages with their houses
built in stone and earth. After a typical lunch accompanied by mint
tea, you will come back to Amizimiz by a different itinerary and be
transferred back to busy Marrakech by late afternoon. Remainder of the
day at leisure
, just before sunset, we'll call on you to take you for your sunset
camel ride, in the 13,000 acres of palm groves around Marrakech.
DAY
16 - MARRAKECH, CASABLANCA, RABAT, MEKNES, FEZ Monday (BL)
We'll pick you up in the morning and take you to the Marrakech railroad
station. Tickets in a first-class compartment and lunch are provided.
You'll roll in comfort through stunning mountain scenery to Casablanca.
Once you detrain, we'll escort you to visit the Hassan II Great Mosque,
a monument to Moroccan artisanry and architecture. Then we'll continue
to Rabat, the capital of the kingdom, where we'll stop at the mausoleum
of Mohamed V, built in the Spanish-Moorish style, and at the nearby
Hassan Tower. We'll continue by way of Meknes to arrive in the evening
to Fez, and your accommodations at one of the charming Riads. A welcome
mint tea and a fruit basket await you, usually In the heart of the Medina,
the old city of Fez. A Moroccan-style breakfast is included.
DAY
17 - FEZ, Volubilis Tuesday (BL)
Full day tour of Volubilis including lunch:
We'll set out in the morning for the site of Volubilis, once the capital
of the Roman province of Mauritania Tingitania. We'll have lunch en
route, and continue to Moulay Idriss, the picturesque shrine village
named for the founder of the kingdom, who is interred here. Late afternoon
return to Fez
DAY
18 - FEZ Wednesday (BL)
Half day tour : Put on your walking shoes this morning for a trip in
time back to the ninth century, as you explore the old city of Fez.
Its Medina and its labyrinth of souks have been declared a world cultural
treasure. Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant . Your afternoon
is free for relaxation or shopping or further exploration as you wish.
DAY
19 - FEZ - MIDLET - ERFOUD - MERZOUGA Thursday (BLD)
We'll call on you early in the day and start or trip south through the
Middle Atlas range, lunch is included at Kasabah Asmaa, in Midlet
at the foot of Djebel Ayachi.
We
drive through the famous Legionnaires Pass, Rachidia and the Tafilalet
Valley. Upon arrival at Erfoud, board a our motorized caravan ( Turbo
four-wheel -drive Land Rover), to continue on to Merzouga on the edge
of the Sahara. Accommodation: Bedouin Tent, -foam mattress- billow,
sheets, blankest will be provided, toilet tents available. Your stay
includes a sunset or a sunrise camel ride, as you prefer !
Evening
bonfire as well as folk dance by the villagers from nearby oases. Dinner
included with one bottle of mineral water for each person.
Tonight
we enjoy our desert sunset and night sky, not to mention the cool, pure
breezes that waft through our tents. We camp in the shadow of the Erg
Chebbi dunes south of the Tafilalet Valley. The sand mountains of
the erg hide scattered oases marked by groves of date palms and other
greenery.
DAY
20- ERFOUD - OURZAZATE Friday (BLD)
Early
morning spiritual sunrise experience with a 1,000 stars as the sun comes
up over the Sahara Dunes.
After breakfast , we ride our ( four wheel drive Turbo Land Rover) ,
and head back for Erfoud where we change our mode of transportation
to a Mercedes Sedan or a an air conditioned van depending on the numbed
of guests.
We
stop briefly at Tinerhir , a former military outpost built on terraces
above a magnificent palmgrove , we head into the Todra Pass for lunch
at Yasmina restaurant , at " The ends of the Earth"
famous point at the Gorge snuggled between 300 meter high cliffs. Reach
Ouarzazate in time for dinner and a relaxing evening.
DAY
21 - MARRAKECH / JFK Saturday (B)
Early Morning we drive across Atlas mountains and through Tizi N'Tichka
Pass heading north for Marrakech at escort you to Marrakech Menarah
airport, where you'll board your flight to begin your journey back to
JFK .
RATES per
person in USD
| From
New York |
Deluxe
Hotel and Nile Cruise |
First
Class
Hotels/Cruise |
Tourist
Class |
| Triple |
US$
7275 |
US$
6525 |
US$
6200 |
| Double |
US$
7316 |
US$
6605 |
US$
6307 |
| Single |
US$
8811 |
US$
8100 |
US$
7800 |
DEPARTURE
NOTES:
