Add Greece & the Peloponnese

Insights for Women Travelers

A grand 10 - Day Adventure , locally escorted

Egyptian women's roles in home and society are changing dramatically

They welcome new educational and career opportunities, but want to preserve traditions and family values. Come with us to meet Egypt's women, see how they live, share meals with them, and go beyond misconceptions- beyond the veil. We'll meet artisans and learn their crafts, travel through striking landscapes, and explore the deep history, art, culture and society of the Nile Delta and old Cairo Coptic biblical quarter from a woman's point of view.

DAY 1 - CAIRO- The First Thursday of each and every month

On arrival, we escort you to your comfortable hotel. Our representative greets you at the airport and whisks you to your hotel. Visa maybe issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number of citizens such as : American, EU , Canadian , EU Singaporean and Japanese citizens. For Americans , please pay the $ 15 USD fee in cash upon arrival . You are responsible for having your passport in order valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo. Our local rep. meets with a sign that carries your name you after you clear the passport and customs formalities . After exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort you (private vehicle) to the hotel

DAY 2 - CAIRO - Friday (BLD)

We start with the best of Cairo: the Egyptian Museum, Citadel of Saladin and its Alabaster Mosque, where you will participate in a " Q & A " presentation on "Women in Islam " as well as "Women in Egypt".

After lunch at a charming local restaurant, we wander through the alleys of the 12-century district of Khan el-Khalili with it's Caravanserai, Medieval Trade Centers , and bazaar shops that changed little since 12-13 century. You 'll have some time to wander on your own maybe in search of souvenirs.

Finally we walk the narrow streets of Old Cairo, once a Roman fort, later the Jewish Quarter, then the Coptic Christian Quarter. We visit the Coptic churches of Abu Serghius and Al Molaka, the Coptic Museum, and Ben Ezra synagogue. While we are at one of the churches or the Coptic Museum we'll discuss how the Nile Delta environment and local Egyptian tradition has affected women in the Nile Valley regardless of their religion.

In the evening, it's all aboard! We'll settle you into your private wood-panelled sleeping compartment on the train bound along the banks of the Nile. Sleeper train is rated 3 stars , if you prefer to fly please add $ 150 per person to any of the listed rates , You'll enjoy dinner on board , as the lights of villages reflect in the river.

DAY 3 - Luxor - ( or Aswan ) - Saturday (BLD)
After breakfast on board, the train arrives at Luxor , where we'll settle you into your Nile Cruise .Morning tour of one of the local girls school, you may wish to bring with you a small gift of school supplies , pencils, notebooks etc. to give to the children . Lunch is included at a local restaurant. Then off to tour the gigantic Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, and the mighty Temple of Luxor . In the evening your guide will call on you for a horse-drawn carriage ride throughout Luxor with tea at one of the local cafes.

DAY 4- Luxor - Sunday (BLD)
Cruise is from Aswan or Luxor , we 'll confirm the availability at the time of booking
Crossing the Nile , we tour the magnificent tombs in the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens,we tour as well the great temple of Queen Hatshepsut & Colossi of Memnon . Evening Sound and Light show at Karnak , please bring a jacket and a flash light .

DAY 5- ESNA EDFU - Monday (BLD)
We cruise by Esna to Edfu, where we board horse-drawn carriages for the ride to the Temple of Horus. Returning to our ship, we set sail for Kom Ombo. In the evening, there's a jolly galabia party aboard.

DAY 6 - ASWAN - KOM OMBO Tuesday (BLD)
We explore the twin Temples of Haroeris and Sobek at Kom Ombo, then sail south to Aswan. After lunch we board a graceful felucca and cruise among the islands with a tour of the Island temple of Philae, returning to our ship in time for tea.

DAY 7 - Aswan- Camel Caravan Wednesday (B)
Check-out after breakfast. 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.
Check -in at the Movenpick in Aswan or Old Cataract ( supplement $ 85 per person for Old Cataract )
( Subject to availability ) for deluxe category, and Basma hotel for First & Tourist class category.
Afternoon tour of the Nubian Museum, then a short camel caravan & ride to visit a local Nubian Village for tea with the local women in their homes.

DAY 8 -Abu Simbel / Cairo Thursday (BL)
Breakfast is included at the hotel. Lunch Box will be prepared by your checf , with bottled water of course included : 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 Ramsis 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 Airport.

Fly back to Cairo and your hotel.

DAY 9 - CAIRO Friday (BLD)
MEET AMERICAN and EUROPEAN WOMEN IN CAIRO
In the morning, we visit the majestic pyramids of Giza, the Valley Temple and the timeless Sphinx. After lunch we drive to Dahshour, the newly opened pyramid field south of Cairo. We visit several ancient structures, including the great pyramid built by Senfru, father of Cheops.

On our way back to Cairo , we stop at the village of Harania, after a brief tour we'll have a group discussion , that will include an American or a European woman /women who settled in Cairo to share their own insight on/about the Egyptian Society & Egyptian Women. These guests will join you for lunch at a charming local restaurant

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 dinner in a quiet restaurant with your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.

DAY 10 Departure Saturday (B)
Our representative escorts you to the airport for your homeward flight. Bon Voyage

RATES per person in USD

The rates include :

• All airfares within Egypt in economy class tax included.
• All transfers within Egypt on private basis.
• Preset menu meals including B = Breakfast, (or cB, Continental Breakfast) L = Lunch, D = Dinner .
• Guided sightseeing as per itinerary including all entrance fees.
• Hotel as listed, including all tax & service charges.

• All Nile cruise shore excursions, entrance fees, the service of an English Speaking guide.
• Welcome fruit basket upon check-in on board your Nile cruise and a welcome drink upon arrival on board
• Large bottle of water per person per day delivered to your cabin.
• All outside cabins, including all tax & service charges.
• All meals while on board the Nile cruise : B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner.
• Afternoon tea is served daily onboard your Nile cruise
• One small bottle of water per person with each meal
• Tea or coffle with each meal on board the cruise

Not included:

• Personal expenses and beverages .

• Gratuities

• International airfares to or from your home country

• Additional meals, drinks and services

• Trip interruption and cancellation insurance .
• 
  Visa maybe issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number of citizens such as : American, EU , Canadian , EU Singaporean and Japanese citizens. For Americans , please pay the $ 15 USD fee in cash upon arrival . You are responsible for having your passport in order valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo. Our local rep. meets with a sign that carries your name you after you clear the passport and customs formalities . After exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort you (private vehicle) to the hotel

Add a spa package to your stay at the Grand Hyatt or Four Seasons :

General Hotel Listing