Egypt
on a Yacht
|
 |
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/ Departure - Saturday (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 : $ 5001
Rate per person in single : $ 6860
Peak
Season :
Easter ( 2 weeks ) & Christmas and New Year ( 2weeks)
:
Rates are per
person in USD $
Rate per person in double : $ 5350
Rate per person in single : $ 7700
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 : $ 6990
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 : $ 8310
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 : $ 7305
Rate per person in single : $ 9090
Rate Does Not Includes:
Aswan to Luxor Cruise Itinerary
Cairo
portion remains the same .
For the cruise portion :
Saturday - Board Aswan
Embarkation in Aswan for a relaxing week sailing the Nile on a luxuriously
appointed dahabiyya. Overnight, the ship moors on the Nile banks of
Aswan
Sunday
Today you will visit the Aswan High Dam (completed in 1971); the Old
Dam (completed in 1902) and the ' unfinished obelisk', lying in situ
since the days of the pharaohs. You will also visit the Philae Temple,
dedicated to the goddess Isis, a structure rescued from the rising
waters of Lake Nasser at the time of the High Dam's construction.
Overnight moored in Aswan.
Monday
Morning sail to Kom Ombo to see the Ptolemaic temple dedicated to
the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-headed Horus, god of the morning
sun.
Overnight moored beside a Nile island.
Tuesday
This morning you will sail to Edfu to visit the wonderfully preserved
Temple of Edfu.
Overnight moored beside an island.
Wednesday
Today will be a leisurely day. After breakfast, commence sailing to
Esna, and onwards to Luxor, where your dahabiyya moors overnight.
Thursday
Excursion to the West Bank to visit the great burial places of the
Pharaohs - the Valley of the Kings - where Howard Carter discovered
the tomb of Tutankhamen in 1922. Continue to the adjacent Valley of
the Queens, Medinet Habu Temple and the Colossi of Memnon.
Overnight moored in Luxor.
Friday
This morning you will visit the magnificent temple complex of Amon-Ra
at Karnak, with its vast hypostyle hall of 137 columns, followed by
the imposing 28th Dynasty Luxor Temple.
Overnight moored in Luxor.
Saturday-
Luxor -Disembarkation
Breakfast aboard the dahabiyya , check-out.
Add Jordan and a Deluxe Dahabiya Sailing boat in Egypt
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.
Private
docking areas:
Your Dahabia will moor on privately owned areas of the riverbank at
Luxor and Aswan, you will avoid the over crowded docking area of the
regular large size cruises.
In your felucca docking are you will be welcomed with the sight of
flowers and gardens that are frequented by exotic birds. These gardens
provide our ships with flowers and organically grown 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
.
The
Cabins:
Each boat has six delightfully appointed private cabins measuring
5.75 meters x 2.50 meters . The cabins (maximum occupancy two persons)
have private bathrooms of 1.25 meters x 2.50 meters with a wc, wash
basin, shower and hairdryer. Some cabins offer two single beds and
others have a double. Each Dahabia comfortably accommodates twelve
passengers sharing in doubles . Yet of course in a lot of cases we
have smaller parties that prefer to charter the boat for four, five
or six guests only .
The cabins are named them in keeping with the ship's theme. For example, on the Zahra ('flower') you will find the 'white lotus' cabin; on the Nesma ('breeze') you have 'the zephyr', each with tasteful, individualized embellishments.
The cabins are located towards the front of the boat on the starboard and port sides, separated by a central corridor. The communal lounge covers the width of the boat, and is a lovely setting for enjoying meals.
Engines will only be used if wind is insufficient to sail, but generators are available to provide electricity.
From
the bow, two staircases lead to the partially shaded top deck. Here,
guests can sunbathe or just enjoy the ride and spectacular views from
comfortable rattan deck chairs, or in oriental seating areas of colorful
cushions and carpets. Meals will also be served on the top deck, a
great place for cocktails and stargazing
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.
This program gives you an idea of the daily flow of activities in
Adrere Amellal:
Breakfast is served on a shaded terrace overlooking the lake. If you
do not know where to
head for breakfast, just listen for the sound of the cutlery and plates
and they will lead
you to the right place.
Around 10:00 am: Head towards the car park for a trip around the town
of Siwa in 4x4 vehicles
with a guide: you will visit Shali fortress, the tombs of Jabal el
Mawta, Oracle
Temple, Jabal Dakrour & Cleopatra’s bath.
Around 2:00 pm: Lunch will be served under the palm trees by the pool.
It is a vegetarian
meal, which is tradition.
Around 4:00 pm (in winter) and 5:00 pm (in summer): 4x4 vehicles will
take you into the Great
Sand Sea, this depends of course on the mood of the desert and the
duration of your stay. You will visit Lake Shiata, Bir Wahed and the
Petrified Forest. Just as the sun is going down you will be served
mint
tea.
Remember to take a jacket with you, because the temperature drops
rapidly in the desert
once the sun goes down.
Around 8:00 pm: Return to Adrere Amellal and have a well deserved
cocktail in one of
the bars of the lodge.
Dinner will be served – in a different dinner room every night
– at whatever time suites
you. All you need to do is just let the staff know when you would
like to have your meal.
Dinner in the desert is also an option, but at an extra charge of
$50 per person. It depends
on the mood of the desert of course and the number of people, as well
as other factors.
Additional options are swimming in the Lake by the lodge, visiting
our library, climbing
up the White Mountain, having a mud bath, having a massage with Siwan
olive oil by a
Siwi or even a masseuse from Cairo or abroad (not included in the
price).
There is also the option of riding horses in the desert at an additional
cost of EURO 40
per hour per person. Please note that the horses are not in Siwa from
mid-May till mid-
October.
If you do ever get lost or don’t know where to go, ask any of
our personnel who are
dressed in white; they would be more than happy to assist you.
Summary of activities NOT included in the room price:
1.Dinner in the desert: $50 per person
2.Horse riding: EURO 40 per person per hour
3.Massage: Payment is settled with the masseuse that will come especially
from Cairo or abroad.
When you book with us , please clarify what you would like to do from
the above
mentioned activities in order for us to arrange it for you.
