Egypt
on a Yacht
|
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Octavious
visiting Alexander the Great's Tomb in Alexandria just after
the Roman Emperor defeated Cleopatra & Marc Anthony. He
left his coat as a token of respect to Alexander the Great. The search continues for Alexander the Great's Tomb. |
DAY
13 - ALEXANDRIA, EL ALAMEIN - Marsa Matrouh - Monday (BLD)
We'll cross into another era of history today, as we motor westward
through the dunes along the Mediterranean coast, following the route
of Field Marshall Montgomery to El Alamein. Here we'll visit the fields
of battle where Rommel's advance on Cairo was finally halted. We'll
visit the museums war memorials . .
As the gateway to Egypt, the Nile and Africa, Alexandria has been contested
by armies and navies ever since. In 1798, Lord Nelson defeated Napoleonšs
navy just east of Alexandria.
In
1807 the British occupied the city. In 1941, General Erwin Rommel's
Afrika Korps stormed across North Africa all the way to El Alamein,
only 70 miles west of Alexandria.
Rommel was driven back in desperate fighting by British forces under the command of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery yet another of the many generals to have struggled for control of this strategic land. Lunch is included at Ala-Alamein Charm Hotel or similar then we are off to Marsa Matrouh where dinner and comfortable beds await us .
DAY
14 - Marsa Matrouh - SIWA, ORACLE OF AMON - Tuesday (BLD)
It's back to ancient days as we follow the pilgrimage route of Alexander
the Great to the Oracle of Amon. He marched westward along the Mediterranean
coast, then inland (south) to the great oasis of Siwa . His aim was
to visit the great temple of Amun which, tradition says, his legendary
"ancestors" Heracles and Perseus had visited. He entered the temple
and was hailed by the priests as pharaoh, the son of Amun. He then had
a private audience with the High Priestess of the oracle, who proclaimed
him to be a god, the son of Zeus. She predicted that he would conquer
vast territories. He did. Leaving Egypt, he marched into Persia conquering
all who came before him, all the way to what is now Lahore in Pakistan.
On his return trip, however, he fell ill and died at the ripe age of
33 in Babylon.
According to ancient inscriptions, Alexander's body was returned
to Egypt and buried , but where? Both Siwa and Alexandria
are possibilities. His tomb has not yet been identified for sure.
In Siwa expect nothing but the best : Adrere Amellal Ecolodge ( must
book in advance ) . Imagine a hotel without electricity, let alone internet
access, a true dream come true , no faxes , no e.mail !!
The
Adrere Amellal lodge ( 40 rooms and suites) , this is a boutique oases
of luxury in the Egyptian desert that was built with Siwan labour and
care so that it would fit entirely into the architectural styles of
the oasis. Siwa and the Adrere border the largest ocean of sands in
the world . Built out of indigenous material using traditional Siwan
building techniques and styles so as to have a minimal impact on the
land . The Adrere Amellal Ecolodge sets an example for being environmentally
friendly hospitality establishment . Situated at the base of a majestic
white mountain and overlooking palm groves and Siwa lake,
Adrere Amellal consists of a series of traditional Siwan houses that
have been restored and re-designed into guests suites and rooms, all
of which offer genuine desert-style comfort. Furnishing is simple, but
of the highest quality, drawing exclusively on local material and design
to reflect Siwa's rugged spirit. The Siwan homes are built using a a
mixture of sun dried salt rock mixed with straw for wall building. Furniture
and fixtures are made of palm trunks and ceilings are beamed with palm
logs , the carpentry and accessories display the rich and colorful variety
of Siwa's indigenous handicraft. Oil lamps and candles are used for
lighting. On cold winter nights, coal-filled braziers are used for heating.
(
A brazier is a container for fire, generally taking the form of an upright
standing or hanging metal bowl or box. Used for holding burning coal
as well as fires .Braziers are mentioned in the Bible. The Hebrew word
rendered “brazier” (´ach) is of Egyptian origin, suggesting
that the brazier itself was an innovation from Egypt. ) . Please do
not expect that you 'll be able to access e.mail tonight !
Siwa Adrere Ecolodge ... have a drink by the sea !! Sea of sand that
is !!
DAY 15 - Siwa, Oracle of Amon - Wednesday (BLD)
All meals are included today :
Today's tour includes : At Gebel Mawta, we'll see tombs of the Greco-Roman
era, including one that's reputed to be Alexander's own tomb. At Siwa,
we'll see an ancient fortress with winding alleyways, and the Temple
of Amon, where Alexander's divinity and legitimacy were proclaimed.
Within a short distance, we'll traverse centuries as we visit Cleopatra's
Pool, a Roman outpost, and a Ptolemaic temple. Our lunch break will
be at the springs of Ain Sharouf, where we might get to take a dip.
At your Adrere Ecolodge , your meals are a true culinary delight using
a mix of Egyptian , and Siwan cuisine always fresh, the nearest thing
you get to organic in an oases ; fresh yogurt, thick date syrup, eggs,
local bread, fruit and rich coffee make up breakfast which is served
in natural rocky grottos at the base of the mountain, lunch in village
style by the swimming pool, hidden within a palm and olive grove and
fed by one of the 230 springs in the area, while dinner is by candle
light and served in the maze of dining rooms, alcoves and bars, their
mud walls studded with salt mini slabs (from nearby salt lakes) that
make dining under candlelight like eating in a " Star War "
movie set . The lodge is telephone and electricity free. Candles and
torches are used for lighting.
DAY
16 - SIWA, ALEXANDRIA - Thursday (BLD)
Today is a very full and long day as we head back north , we break for
lunch at Marsa Matrouh , then off to Al-Alamein for a brief stop at
Al-Alamein Charm hotel . Day use rooms will be available for one hour
to take showers , freshen up, enjoy supper / light dinner then we'll
retrace the desert route to Alexandria the ancient capital of Cleopatra
and your hotel: Helnan Palestine or the Four Seasons ( superior
room ) based on your choice of hotel category ( rate listed below )
DAY
17 - ALEXANDRIA, CAIRO - Friday (B)
Today, we'll fly back to Cairo in
business class and your hotel.
Hotels
: J. W. Marriott ( Suite ) , Sonesta Cairo ( Suite) . Nile Hilton ,
Cairo Conrad or Grand Hyatt ( Suite) or similar , or of course upgrade
to the Four Seasons Hotel or the Mena House Oberoi ( Palace wing) ,
ok to mix and match stay between Four Seasons and Oberoi Mena House
hotels , rates as listed below.
DAY
18 - CAIRO - Saturday (BL) The Culture
of Cairo
Today
we’ll explore deep into the heart of Cairo, and get to know its
daily rhythms, its spirituality, its history, and its modern diversions.
We’ll start early, with a visit to a local market, with an immense
variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables on offer, both familiar and
exotic.
You’ll see that shopping in Cairo goes far beyond a supermarket experience. Be prepared for whispers, gestures, shouting, and controlled chaos. It’s all part of the bargaining process, engaged in by women in traditional modest garb as well as others in Western dress.
Then
it’s on to the Gayer-Anderson House, a serene and classic domestic
oasis, right down to its central fountain and exquisite furnishings.
Our visit is also a journey into a vanished way of life—the residence
is actually two traditional medieval Cairo houses restored by an English
physician to a former king. We’ll stop for lunch at a restaurant
where Cairenes go, then visit the Bab an-Nasr, the Gate of Victory in
Cairo’s old walls. You’ll even see graffiti that survives
from soldiers of Napoleon and of the British Empire, among the many
who passed this way.
In
the evening , it's time for a fun brief belly dance workshop, about
90-minutes session of belly dance ( ladies ) and folk dance ( gents)
. The workshop will be at the hotel or one of the local gym's . This
is the time to try on your galabiya !
Henna ( temporary tattoo ) For Ladies only with our compliments :
( for interested guests , please book with us at the time of booking.
One of the "insiders" excursions into Egyptian Bedouin and Fellaheen
culture, a chance to attend a henna party, the painting of hands and
body with this natural red dye is a symbol of joy at weddings and regarded
as a way to enhance one's beauty
DAY 19 - CAIRO/ Departure - Sunday (B)
Our representative escorts you to the airport for your homeward flight.
Bon Voyage.
Please click here for the
Dahabias Photo Gallery .
Sample Deck plan for some of the Dahabbiya's - All the dahabiyas are
available for private charter.
* There is no triple occupancy cabins
*
Compare with the Ultra Deluxe Version
based on Four Seasons and /or Mena House Palace Section
Rate Per Person in USD $ Year Round ( Except Holiday season)
Rates are per person in USD $
Rate per person in double : $ 6201
Rate per person in single : $ 8060
Peak
Season :
Easter ( 2 weeks ) & Christmas and New Year ( 2weeks)
:
Rates are per
person in USD $
Rate per person in double : $ 6550
Rate per person in single : $ 8900
Upgrade
to the Four Seasons and /or the Mena House Oberoi Hotel
Okay to mix and match between these hotels while you are in Cairo
:
Ultra Deluxe Rates
the Cairo Four Seasons Hotel
Ultra
Deluxe Rates are in USD $
Rates are PER Person
There is no triple occupancy cabins
Based on Four Seasons Hotel Nile View , Executive
suite with Sofa Bed
or Mena House Palace Section, Pyramid view room ( subject to availability)
Flying Business Class within Egypt
Year
Round: Except during Easter - Christmas/New Year's :
Rates are per person in USD $
Rate per person in double : $ 8190
For the presidential suite at the Mena House
( Palace section) , please add $ 500 USD per person , per night including
tax and breakfast .
Rate per person in single : $ 9510
For
the presidential suite at the Mena House
( Palace section) , please add $ 900 USD per person , per night ,
per night including tax and breakfast .
Peak
Season :
Easter ( 2 weeks ) & Christmas and New Year ( 2weeks)
:
Rates are per
person in USD $
Rate per person in double : $ 8505
Rate per person in single : $ 10,390
Rate Does Not Includes:
Many
visitors come to Egypt to fulfill their dream of sailing the Nile
on board a private boat.
These Four Dahabbiya allow you to experience the Nile 's romance in
an intimate, privileged setting. These dahabiyas take you back in
time to a gentler, more gracious era.
On the Nile in Royal Style Feluccas or Dahabiyas are the traditional sailing vessel of much of the Mediterranean world, and the traditional Nile felucca, or Dahabia, was the mainstay of travel in ancient Egypt.
With shallow drafts, sails, and oars, feluccas could navigate not only the great river, but the maze of canals threading through its banks, with or without wind, reaching every part of the kingdom.
Dahabbiyas / Feluccas long ago transcended their role as humble transports. They held the ancient empire together, carrying troops, decrees, and the very mystery of the pharaoh.
vegetables
and herbs.
Along the way, we moor on un-inhabited Nile islands, whose virgin
landscapes have hardly changed throughout millennia. Wandering the
gardens and Nile islands is an idyllic pastime, and the perfect compliment
to your visits to Egypt 's matchless monuments.
The Dahabbiyas are beautifully crafted wooden ships, outfitted in
colonial style with oriental and Egyptian touches. The interiors boast
period furnishing, and each cabin has its own distinct style and interior
.
A skilled river captain is on board at all times . A guide is at your disposal to plan your itinerary and escort you through the sites you choose to visit. The crew has completely separate quarters, to ensure your privacy.
What to Pack:
Most of the year look forward to warm, even hot weather in Luxor &
Aswan, morning & evenings are cooler. For Shore excursions, we
suggest comfortable cotton & natural fabric lightweight clothing.
Comfortable walking shoes are essential. Lightweight comfortable
& casual clothing. Swimsuits, sun hat.

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