Cleopatra's Egypt

A Grand 12 Day Version with Abu Simbel Tour
Airfare included from USA

This exceptional package includes Egypt's highlights ,in all its variety, from the wonders of the Great Pyramids to a Nile Cruise almost as wondrous as what you'll see! Extra time in Luxor or Aswan , and a CAMEL CARAVAN to a Nubian Village , get to enjoy a : Home Hosted Family Dinner
And we have even included all the tips . No hidden charges, no additional tax

Click here for Boarding in Luxor . Compare with the 11-day version 
Add Morocco . Or Extend to Fayoum Oases

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 (private vehicle) to the hotel

Tour of Kalabsha Temple dedicated to the ancient god Mandulis, and the goddess Isis . Built during the reign of the Roman Emperor Augustus , the small rock-cut temple of Beit El Wali, built by Ramses the Great , and the small yet charming Kiosk of Qertassi. Then we return to the boat for lunch.

During the train ride, you will have seen feluccas sailing the Nile. Now we'll experience Egypt at its most authentic, as we sail in one of these graceful craft. Then, to really immerse yourself, try your hand at 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 people. We are proud to offer this insight into the Nubian way of life. In the evening your guide will call on you for a horse - drawn carriage ride to tour Aswan souks and the water front.

DAY 6 - ASWAN, Abu Simbel - Monday - (BL D)
After an early Breakfast ( included at your hotel) , we get ready to board your private air-conditioned vehicle , with your private chauffeur and private Egyptologist. Lunch box will be prepared by your hotel.

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 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 in time for lunch on board your Nile cruiser. A complimentary fruit basket awaits you at your cabin.

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. Evening Sound and Light show at Karnak Temple , please bring a jacket and a flash light .

• Click here for the Sailing boat Edition on board the Royal Cleopatra
  
• DEPARTURE NOTES:
  This tour departs , weekly, year round .
  
• For departures during Christmas, New Year's and Easter weeks ; Please add % 15 to the rate.
  
• Children's Discount :
  10 years of age or younger, sharing room with parent, receive a discount of 15 percent.
  

• For PRIVATE GUIDE/CAR/DRIVER :
  For the full duration of the Nile Cruise & shore excursions: please add $250 per person . This supplement doesn't apply when you have at least 6 guests in your party.

AIRFARE NOTES:

AIRFARE NOTES:

• Our airline partners for departures from New York are : Egyptair , British Airways, Lufthansa, KLM, Swiss , and Olympic Airways.
  
  
• From other cities: San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle-Tacoma, Atlanta and Dallas-Fort Worth for an additional $450
  
  
• From Chicago or Washington, DC's Dulles International Airport, for an additional $250.
  
  
• In addition, for any departures from May - Sep , please add $ 450 high-season airfare
  surcharge to the rates shown above.
  
  
• This air fare supplement doesn't apply when you handle your own airfare, If you choose to make your own arrangements for international airfare, please deduct $500 per person from the rates

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES:

• International airfare from New York, economy class US departure tax.
  
• Egyptian domestic sleeper train fares as described in the itinerary.
  
• All airport transfers ( on a private basis ) in Egypt.
  
• Hotel accommodations (including taxes).
  
• Set-menu (table d'hôte) meals as indicated in the itinerary above.(B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner).
  
• A Nile cruise with all shore excursions and meals.
  
• Guided sightseeing by air-conditioned motorcoach,including all admissions fees.
  
• Lonely Planet travel guidebook
  
• Visa Fee
  Egyptian visa fee is included , visa issued (Only for holders of U.S., Brazilian , Mexican, Australian, NZ , EU, Canadian and Japanese. Passports with six months of validity remaining at time of arrival).
  
• On Board the cruise:
  Complimentary welcome fruit basket, Galabya,and an Egyptian Sweets/pastry platter
  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 an bottled water with each / every meal while you are on board the Nile Cruise.
  
  
• We have even included all the tips to your porters, drivers, guides, and the crew on board your cruise . No hidden charges, no additional tax
  
  

DRESS CODE

All of our Nile cruise vessels are fully air conditioned. Onboard dress is casual except at dinner, when smart casual is the rule. Lightweight cotton and other natural fiber clothing is best, with swimsuits and sun hats for the sundeck and pool. Bring a light sweater or light jacket for cool mornings and evenings, but most days are warm to hot, with very little rain. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for shore excursions.

Not included:

• Personal expenses
• Beverages, and meals not specifically mentioned
• Travel insurance

On board the ultra deluxe Radamis II Nile Cruise

More Choices :

• Combine Egypt & Athens : Cleopatra with Athens extension.

• Mediterranean Fantasies
  Luxury Nile Cruise & The Greek Isle of Santorini
  
  
• This 12 -day itinerary combines a Nile Cruise of Ancient Egypt with Classical Athens & the romance of the honeymoon Greek Isle of Santorini
  

What to Pack:
Most of the year look forward to warm, even hot weather in Cairo , Luxor & Aswan, morning & evenings are cooler. During Winter ... very rare do we get rain, if so , very brief showers. No need for real rain wear/gear.
Before sunrise , after sun-set , you'll need a light jacket , or light sweater .
For Nile cruise shore excursions, we suggest comfortable cotton & natural fabric lightweight clothing.
Comfortable walking shoes are essential for all tours in Cairo or Upper Egypt.

Clothing on Board the Nile Cruise :
Lightweight comfortable & casual clothing. Swimsuits, sun hat.
Dining room dress code is casual for breakfast & lunch, but smart casual for dinner. Please do not wear swimsuits into the dining room. All ships are fully air conditioned

Nefertiti Turns Egypt Upside Down!!

The first bloodless religious revolution against the established church in Ancient Egypt
And the seat of power that rested with the priests in Karnak

Nefertiti Turns Egypt Upside Down!! 1350 BC - Queen Nefertiti is reported to have led her Egyptian subjects on a wild spree of idol-smashing, temple-destruction, and forced migration, all part of a campaign of religious reformation.

"From now on, there will be only one Deity, and that Deity is Aten, the Sun Disc," she has commanded.

Reliable sources in the Nile Valley report that all temples to gods other than Aten have been closed, and that a hefty fine will be imposed on anyone caught with an outlawed statuette.

Idols are to be smashed immediately, and the shards turned over to the priests of Aten.

"The capital of Egypt will now be at Tel El Amarna," reads a decree widely circulated in cuneiform on clay tablets.

"All priests are to settle within one hour's journey of the new Temple to Aten. All bidders on public works contracts will likewise have their head offices within the same specified distance."

Egyptian leaders in exile have disputed the motives behind the upheaval. "It's just a ploy to concentrate power and wealth in her hands and those of her husband, Ikhnaton," stated one defrocked priest.

"Everybody knows that Nefertiti has risen to her position on qualities that have nothing to do with religion.

She isn't called Incarnation of Beauty for nothing," he added, referring to the literal meaning of her name. The source asked not to be identified, fearing reprisals. Tel El Amarna, Nile Valley, 2004 - from Paul Glassman, special correspondent "Wow," commented Joe Shiner, an agro-businesman from Des Moines, as he toured the main temple at Tel El Amarna. "It's one thing to hear that Nefertiti was a real beauty. But it's quite another to visit in person and learn the real story." "Until I came here, I didn't know that she was behind the idea of having only one god-even before the Hebrews and Christians and followers of Mohammed.

"And now that I see her picture, I can understand why people followed her. This is not what I expected . . . not at all!" Mr. Shiner gestured as he spoke to a temple painting of a well-endowed Nefertiti in a chariot, wearing only a see-through cloak and thong-style panties.

"If she was my queen, I'd follow her to the end of the . . . "
Mr. Shiner's comments were interrupted by the approach of his wife.

Disclaimer: The facts presented are as accurate as can be ascertained from the archeological record. Mr. Joe Shiner is a composite of the satisfied clients of Travel in Style.