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Great
Nile Cities Cruise
This
Grand 15-day tour shows you the best of Cairo, as well as the Nile's
other great cities
Luxor, Thebes, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan - on a five-day Nile cruise
With a break on the beach in Sharm at the end of the tour
Click
here for : Private Touring, Private Nile Cruising
Add Alexandria ,
or add Petra / Jordan
DAY
1 - NEW YORK - JFK /CAIRO - Every Thursday and Monday - Weekly -
Year Round
Your comfortable wide-body jet departs the USA for Cairo. For most West
Coast Cities , please note the see add on air fare listed below. West
coast customers do not need to fly via NYC. Please deduct $ 500 when
you handle your own air fare across the Atlantic .
DAY
2 - CAIRO- Friday and Tuesday
Our
local Cairo rep. greets you and escorts you through the excitement and
hubbub of the Heliopolis area and onward to your hotel.
Sample hotels ( or similar ) : Deluxe : Hilton, Sheraton, Sonesta, J.
W. Marriott or similar . First : Shepheard's , Oasis , Novotel .
Visa
maybe issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number of citizens
such as : American, Australian, NZ , EU , Canadian , EU Singaporean and
Japanese citizens. Guests are to pay for it upon arrival ( approx : $
15 - subject to change ) . You are responsible for having your passport
in order valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival in
Cairo .
After exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort you to
the hotel .
DAY
3 - CAIRO -Saturday and Wednesday (BL)
Our full-day tour of the great metropolis includes the most spellbinding
sights: the Pyramids at Giza, the mighty Sphinx, the treasure-filled
Egyptian Museum and more. We return to Giza by sunset for the Sound
& Light show, you may wish to bring a jacket with you.
DAY
4 - ALEXANDRIA - Wadi Natrun Monastery- Sunday and Thursday (BL)
Today, we'll
get to known Alexandria in depth, as we visit the Museum, the Roman
Amphitheater, the Koum El Shougafa Tombs, and the fortress of Kayet
Bey . After lunch in an Alexandrine restaurant, we'll make a brief stop
at the new Alexandria Library before we travel to Cairo through the
Western Desert to stop at Wadi El Natroun monastery , where early
Coptic Christians retreated here to escape the Roman persecution in
the 4th century AD. The Egyptian Pope of Alexandria is always chosen
from the Monks of wadi El Natroun. Reach Cairo early evening. Add
an extra day in Alexandria ?
DAY
5 CAIRO - Ottoman Cairo , Home Hosted Dinner - Monday and Friday
(BLD)
We continue our explorations with a half-day tour through medieval Khan
el-Khalili, the bazaar district, to admire the ancient streets, houses
and mosques. We tour as well the Caravanserai of Wekalet El Ghouri ,
Beit El Kritlya /Gayer Anderson old Ottoman Houses (Built 15th century).
The afternoon is devoted to: the former Royal palace of Abdeen &
Manial Palace, the Palace of Egypt's last Crown Prince.
Home
hosted dinner, Complimentary
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 a quiet evening with
your travel companions, by letting us know your preferences.
DAY
6 - LUXOR ( or Aswan) Tuesday and
Saturday - Board your Nile Cruise (BLD)
After a short morning flight to Luxor, we check in on our Nile
cruiser . Welcome fruit basket.
Following
lunch aboard, we tour Luxor Museum the stupendous Great Temple of
Amon at Karnak and the smaller-but still immense-Temple of Luxor.
In the evening we return to Karnak for an evening Sound & Light
show, (a Jacket is a must).
DAY
7 - VALLEY OF THE KINGS- Wednesday and Sunday (BLD)
After breakfast we tour the Valley of the Kings,including King
Tut's Tomb, , the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari.
Followed
by the Colossi of Memnon, returning to our ship for lunch. The
afternoon is for Deir el Medina the Ancient Workers Village ,
where the first known "Sit-down" Strike against the Pharaoh
took place, it is said that the "Palace" did back down and
made good on the back pay , in sesame oil ! 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.
You'll be back on board in time for tea and an excellent dinner . Complimentary
galabya will be delivered to your cabin.
DAY
8 - ESNA & EDFU - Thursday and Monday (BLD)
We cruise to Esna during the night. Go thru the locks, then cruise to
Edfu, where we board horse-drawn carriages for the short ride
through the town to the stupendous Temple of Horus, the best
preserved temple on the Nile. Returning to our ship, we set sail for
Kom Ombo. In the evening there's a galabia party. If you've tried
our flowing Egyptian garment ( the galabya), tonight's the night to
try it on!
DAY
9 - KOM OMBO - ASWAN -Friday and Tuesday (BLD)
First thing in the morning we explore the twin temples of Haroeris,
the sun god, and Sobek, the crocodile god, at Kom Ombo, then re board
our ship for the voyage south to Aswan. After lunch we board
a graceful felucca and cruise among the islands. Followed by visit to
the Nubian Museum. Complimentary Egyptian sweets/ pastry .
DAY
10 - Camel Caravan - Saturday and Wednesday
(B)
After breakfast we check out of our floating hotel , we tour Aswan Dams,
enjoy a Felucca sailing among the Nile rocky islands , followed by a
trip by motor launch to the Island temple of Philae , dedicated to the
Ancient Goddess ISIS
.
For those interested, please join us on a complimentary
short camel ride to a nearby Nubian village for tea with the locals.
Overnight at your hotel in Aswan : Deluxe : the Aswan Movenpick Hotel,
for an upgrade to the Old Cataract , please add : $ 150 per person in
double ( as soon as it reopens) . First Class : Basma Hotel , or similar
.
DAY
11- Abu Simbel- Private Air-conditioned vehicle- Private Chauffeur -
Private Guide
Sunday and Thursday - Cairo - Sharm El Sheikh (B)
We take a short flight to Abu Simbel , where your private air-conditioned
vehicle awaits you and your private guide . 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 , 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 fly back to Aswan , and on to Cairo where
we connect to fly to Sharm El Sheikh : Hotels ( or similar ) : Deluxe
: Sharm El Sheikh Renaissance, Hyatt. Savoy. Rotana. Marriott
First : Hilton . Novotel or similar
DAY 12- SHARM EL SHEIK - Monday and Friday (BD)
Relax!
These are your days to absorb all that you've seen and experienced so
far, not to mention the bright Egyptian sun and sparkling Red Sea. Evening
Dinner with the Bedouins on the edge of the Sahara, with Bedouin Music.
DAY
13 - MOUNT SINAI - St. CATHERINE Monastery- Tuesday and Saturday
(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 ( must request at the time of booking ) , this is a
1 or 2 AM departure from the hotel to avoid the sun heat , we reach
the foot of the mountain before dawn, this is 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.
DAY
14 - SHARM EL SHEIK/CAIRO - Wednesda and Sunday (B)
One more day on the beach before we head back to Cairo for maybe a last
minute shopping at Kahn El Khalili.
DAY
15 - CAIRO/USA Thursday (B)
After breakfast, our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight
home.
RATES per
person in USD $
|
Deluxe |
First
Class |
| Triple |
US$
3980 |
US$
3645 |
| Double |
US$
4020 |
US$
3895 |
| Single |
US$
5230 |
US$
4990 |
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.
- Christmas,
New Years and Easter
From December 20 to January 3 inclusive; and Easter Season ( 2 weeks)
, please add 20 % per person.
- Air
Fare PEAK SEASON SUPPLEMENT
For departures May - Sep ; Air fare supplement : $ 450.
This supplement doesn't apply when you handle your own airfare.
- Hotel
Choices
Cairo
Deluxe Hotels : City Stars Inter.continental. Hilton ,Sonesta
, Cairo Conrad or Grand Hyatt . Sofitel , Meridien
Pyramids ,
or similar
Sample Deluxe hotels in Sharm : Rotana, Savoy , Hyatt / Marriott
, Sonesta
Cairo
First Class Hotels Four Stars : Shepherds' Hotel. Oases,
or similar
Rates
include
- International
airfares from New York to Cairo and return , in economy class , tax
included . When you handle your own air fare , please deduct $ 500
USD
- All
airfares, transfers and airport taxes in Egypt (Including Abu Simbel).
- Set-menu
meals including B = Breakfast, (or cB,
Continental Breakfast), L = Lunch, D
= Dinner as indicated in the tour itinerary above.
- Hotel
accommodation with all tax & service charges.
- Nile
cruise with all meals & shore excursions.
- Guided
sightseeing , all as listed, including all entrance fees, and the
service of an English speaking guide.
- 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.
- Guided
sightseeing by air-conditioned motor coach, including all admissions
fees.
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.
-
Airport
taxes
- Trip
interruption and cancellation insurance
- Personal
expenses, including excess baggage or shipping charges, beverages,
and personal charges in hotels for laundry, telephone, or other
services
- Gratuities
- Visa
maybe issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number
of citizens such as : American,Australian, NZ , EU , Canadian
, EU Singaporean and Japanese citizens. Guests are to pay for
it upon arrival ( approx : $ 15 - subject to change ) . You are
responsible for having your passport in order valid at least for
6 month beyond the date of your arrival in Cairo .
After exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort
you to the hotel .
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