Luxury on the Nile
19 - day : With an extended foray into the Egyptian Sahara

The Red Sea - Sharm El Sheikh . The Oases of Western Sahara With one night camping in El Farafra Oases And a 5 day Ultra Deluxe Nile Cruise. Visit Egypt's Western Desert Oases and El Djarrah Cave that was discovered in 1873, and then forgotten for more than 100 years. Even today, few visitors are privileged to penetrate its depths to admire its stalactites and ancient rock art

Compare with the Three weeks edition , Using your own free air miles : Click here

The ultimate version of an Egyptian adventure. You'll journey in Egypt in the comfort of business class, enjoy the most luxurious Nile Cruise accommodation available, and even have the option of floating over the legendary Valley of the Kings in a hot air balloon, on this upscale package. Leave any day ( Subject to availability of air space & Nile cruise) . Compare with the 10 day  , extended stay in Upper Egypt , go fishing on Lake Nasser . Add Jerusalem . Compare with the 24-Days El Amarna Version.

DAY 1 - DEPARTURE ( leave any day- subject to availability )
JFK Passengers : We take off from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, bound for Cairo , tax included. Leave any day ( Subject to availability of air space & Nile cruise). For Boston : Please
add:$250 , for Chicago, Miami, Houston : $300. Most West Coast cities : $ 350

Egyptair Business Class Upgrade : $ 2500 or First class $ 3500, round-trip including tax, on board Egyptair non stop Boeing . (Air fare is always subject to change) . This upgrades apply only from JFK

DAY 2 - CAIRO
Our Cairo staff greets you and escorts you through the excitement and hubbub of the terminal, and onward to your hotel. Traditional sweets await you, with our compliments. You'll have time to relax and unwind. Visa fee is included & issued upon arrival. Available only to American, Japanese , Singaporean , Canadian & EU citizens, your passport must be valid for at least 6 month beyond the date of arrival.

Private air condition car for your transfer. Private chauffeur
For Hotel upgrade in Cairo : Four Seasons or the Mena House Palace wing / Pyramid's view ( you may mix & match Cairo stay first stay at Four Seasons and return stay Mena House Palace Wing: please add: $489 for the total of 3 nights per person in double

DAY 3 - CAIRO (aBLD)
Private air condition car for your tour today . Private chauffeur .

Your exploration of ancient Egypt begins today! We'll start after breakfast with the Egyptian Museum. Here you'll see the treasures of the ancient pharaohs: Mummies Hall is included , statuary, and precious stones and metals. Travelers have long come to Cairo just to gaze on these sights alone. But there's more, on we go to the Coptic & Jewish ancient quarter then the Royal Manial Palace of the former Crown Prince Mohamed Ali. After lunch Egyptian-style, we'll motor to the mysterious Sphinx and the Pyramids on the edge of Cairo.

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!

Conclude a memorable day as we host you on a Nile dinner cruise complete with exotic Egyptian entertainment.

Photo Credit Osama Abdel A'al - Click here for more images from the Oases

DAY 4 - CAIRO El Bahariya Oases (BLD)
Early morning departure before sunrise to be able to watch the sunrise over the Sahara.
We board a private four wheel vehicle and proceed west on the Sahara Highway, ( 180 Kilometers from Cairo to El Bahariya), visiting Qaser Sleim , Alexander's Tomb & Museum of Golden Mummies . Lunch & Dinner at the hotel : Beshimo Lodge or similar . Evening Bedouin folk show .

Day 5 – Bahariya Oasis, El Djarrah Cave (Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner )
Today we’ll journey to El Djarrah, and a cave that was discovered in 1873, and then forgotten for more than 100 years. Even today, few visitors are privileged to penetrate its depths to admire its stalactites and ancient rock art, as you’ll note by the guest book. Make sure that your presence is noted!

DAY 6 - El Farafra Oases ( White Desert ) (BLD)
After a morning tour of El Bahariya we head for the White Desert ( 180 Kilometers) , on the way we'll stop ay Crystal Mountain to marvel at the different Shapes of Lime Stones , arrive Farafra Oasis , where we will camp for the night. ( In a tent) , dinner will be camp style. This tour may not be suitable for families with children who may not be used to camping, and the lack of hotel amenities. Guests must show proof of insurance before embarking on any camping trip with us regardless of the destination be it Moroccan Sahara, Tunisian Oases or the Egyptian Western Desert or in Sinai. BBQ dinner at the White Desert.

If you prefer to stay at a hotel then we 'll move back to El Farafra Oases and : Badawiya Hotel

A note about meals in the Sahara
Please note that some meals will be served in local desert style. For your Egyptian breakfast, expect orange juice, tea and coffee, marmalade, a selection of two cheeses, beans, and eggs.
A picnic lunch will typically include either tuna, sausage, sardines or beef with a green salad or a salad of cheese, tomato and fruit.
For dinner, expect a beef or chicken main coarse, with vegetable and rice or pasta.
Please inform your hosts in advance of dietary requests.

DAY 7 - CAIRO (B)
Early morning camp style breakfast before sunrise, drive back to Cairo ( 380 Kilometers).
Remainder of the day at leisure.

DAY 8 - LUXOR (aBLD)
Early morning flight to Luxor, all transfers are on a private basis, always with an air conditioned car. A welcome fruit basket awaits you on board your Nile Cruise. Relax, unpack, and settle into your accommodations on board for the next four nights. You'll tour the charming Luxor Museum. Then we'll set out overland to visit the Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, followed by the mighty Temple of Luxor. We'll return in time for afternoon tea. You'll have a chance to explore your ship before dinner, which tonight features an international buffet. Evening Karnak Sound & Light Show.

DAY 9 - LUXOR/ EDFU (BLD)
We'll cross the Nile to view an array of ancient splendors: the tomb chambers of the Valley of the Kings; the imposing tomb-temple of Queen Hatshepsut in the Valley of the Queens

On to the Colossi of Memnon. On to Edfu. Horse-drawn carriages meet us at riverside to take us through Edfu to the Temple of Horus, best-preserved in all of Egypt. Later, we'll cruise to Esna. Relax on deck or on your private terrace, and gaze at timeless Egypt. In the evening, we'll celebrate in Egyptian style, dressed in galabias ( A Galabia will be delivered to your cabin with our compliments), the galabia is the flowing national costume.
While you are on board the cruise, afternoon tea will be served daily on deck.

DAY 10 - EDFU, KOM OMBO, ASWAN (BLD)
At EDFU: Horse-drawn carriages meet us at riverside to take us to the Temple of Horus, best-preserved in all of Egypt. After our visit, we'll re-embark, and enjoy lunch while we proceed upriver. We'll disembark at Kom Ombo to explore the twin temples of Haroeris, the sun god, and Sobek, the crocodile god, then continue our voyage to Aswan, while we party after dinner.
Complimentary "Egyptian sweets" platter will be delivered to your cabin today with our compliments.

DAY 11 - ASWAN (BLD)
After breakfast, we'll visit the dams at Aswan, including the High Dam, a modern wonder in this ancient land. At the ancient granite quarry, we'll see an obelisk left unfinished, then board a launch to visit the Temples of Philae, rescued from rising waters , 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!
Our farewell dinner is a buffet of Egyptian specialties, followed by a show featuring oriental performers, including, of course, a belly dancer.

DAY 12 -CAMEL CARAVAN/SAILING BOATS (BLD)
After breakfast on board, we'll have the opportunity to experience Egypt at its most authentic, as we sail the Nile in a graceful Felucca, the age-old sailing vessel of the river. If you wish, try your hand at camel riding! We'll take a traditional caravan to enjoy tea with Nubian villagers. Check-out from the suite is after breakfast. Luggage will be sent to the Old Cataract (Not booked yet), then you return from the tour to check-in at the OLD Cataract. Afternoon High Tea included on the famous terrace over looking the Nile, where Agatha Christi wrote "Death On the Nile " Remainder of the day at leisure. Make sure you retire to bed early tonight, you leave tomorrow for Abu Simbel before sunrise

DAY 13 - ABU SIMBEL - Ramses the Great - Master Builder of All Times (BLD)
Very early breakfast. Abu Simbel We've planned our visit to Abu Simbel to be a highlight of your Egyptian adventure. Rising before dawn, we drive along the shore of Lake Nasser, watching the sky lighten and the sacred sun rise above the horizon. We reach the great temples while the air is clean, clear and cool, and the sun's light still golden;just right for photographs.
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. We explore these fine temple by ourselves in the quiet of the morning, admiring their ancient aura and artistry, after which retire to a comfortable hotel for refreshments. Just as planeloads of visitors arrive to throng the temples we begin our leisurely drive back along the shore to Aswan, arriving in time for a late lunch. (Depending on flight confirmation lunch will be served either in Abu Simbel, Aswan Airport or Cairo).

Back in Aswan we connect by air to Cairo, at Cairo airport, our local rep will assist with the connection to fly to Sharm El Sheikh .Private air condition car always for your transfers. We'll settle you into your Luxury hotel in Sharm : Sonesta , Hyatt, The Ritz Hotel or similar.

DAY 14 - Sharm El Sheikh (BD)
Full days at leisure . Hit the water , or venture into the nearby Bedouin village to see how the local people live-as you like. Dinner is included daily on a complimentary basis at the hotel.

DAY 15 - Sharm El Sheikh (BD)
Full days at leisure . Hit the water , or venture into the nearby Bedouin village to see how the local people live-as you like. Dinner is included daily on a complimentary basis at the hotel.

DAY 16 - MOUNT SINAI - St. CATHERINE ( Santa Katarina / Catarina ) Monastery & Dahab (BL)
Relax! This is one more day in "Paradise", enjoy the beach the Egyptian sun and maybe fishing , snorkeling or diving in the Red Sea. Or join us on a complimentary tour to Mount Sinai then in the cool before sunrise, we drive into the wilderness of Sinai, through which Moses led his people to the Promised Land. Our goal is the Monastery of St. Catherine, built on the site of the  burning bush  at the base of Mount Sinai. We tour the monastery, rich in history,icons and sacred paintings, returning to Sharm late in the evening. You must be in good physical condition if you wish to consider climbing Mt. Sinai. The climb is not recommended for those affected by heights

Please advise us early on , if you prefer to do Mount Sinai / St. Catherine's tour by Jeep versus air conditioned sedan / vehicle.

DAY 17 - Sharm El Sheikh - Bedouin dinner (BD)
Full day at leisure . Hit the water , or venture into the nearby Bedouin village to see how the local people live-as you like. Bedouin Dinner is included in the desert with a camel ride, if you rather ride in a car , please let us know in advance

DAY 18 -CAIRO - HOME HOSTED FAMILY DINNER (BD)
Fly to Cairo remainder of the day in Cairo, at leisure.
You'll have one more opportunity to experience the excitement of this great city and, of course, do some last-minute shopping.
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 dinner in a quiet restaurant with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences. You may wish to bring token gifts to exchange with the host family ( T shirt , small souvenirs of your home town).

DAY 19 - DEPARTURE (aB)
Private air condition car for your transfer. Private chauffeur .Our Cairo-based staff escorts you to the airport, where you'll begin your journey home, either direct on Egyptair, or via Athens on Olympic Airways. Salaam and Bon Voyage!

This tour leaves daily from JFK , throughout the year. Subject to the availability of air space & the Nile Cruise.

Please note that the Nile vessels and cruise itineraries are subject to change.
Click here for more info on these luxurious cruises: Radamis ( Swiss Management) ,Moon Goddess

Why book with us ?

RATES per person, in deluxe accommodations, in US$: JFK
Please click here for 4 stars first class accommodation

AIRFARE NOTES

Other Notes :
For travel during Easter, Christmas or New Year's, weeks a 20 percent supplement applies.

Rate includes: