Great Nile Cities Cruise
With an Extra Day in Alexandria

This 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 3 day break on the beach in Sharm at the end of the tour, including a climb Mount Sinai. Combine with Jordan

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.

Qayet Bey Fort was built on the same site of the ancient wonder of the world : the famous Alexandria Light House. A brief stop at " El Selsela" the site of the Underwater reserve where Cleopatra Place was discovered, as well as Caesar Kiosk. Lunch at a local restaurant. Visit the Crown Jewels Museum, then its off to the new site for the Alexandria Library before heading to Wadi El Natroun monastery almost midway to Cairo , 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 and your hotel.

If you prefer a smaller Yacht cruise on the Nile
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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.

The Mystery of Isis

Two millennia ago the Mediterranean world was enthralled by the mystery of Isis:

"I, Isis, am all that has been, that is or shall be; no mortal man hath ever seen me unveiled."

Called Aset by the ancient Egyptians, the goddess was a Madonna in the Mediterranean tradition that stretches far, far back to the primitive Mother Goddess from Anatolia, home to some of the oldest human communities on earth.

Isis was the powerful and quick-witted protector of her son Horus, the Sun God. Ancient peoples throughout the Mediterranean regarded Isis and Horus as the perfect Madonna and Child. Another legend says she was also the mother of the fertility god Min who, judging from the depiction of him on temple walls, needed no help from Viagra!

Because of her wisdom and skill at protection, she was admired as a good magician capable of healing the sick and protecting the dead in their journey to the Underworld.

Isis is portrayed regally, as a queen seated on a throne (which may be the meaning of her name), often holding her son Horus as a baby. Other images show her with broad, magnificent gilded wings able to protect the world.

DAY 12- CAIRO / SHARM EL SHEIK - Monday (BD)
Returning by plane to Cairo connecting to Sharm El Sheikh . 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 Tue (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 on 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.

• The Great Nile Cities Cruise departs weekly
• PEAK SEASON SUPPLEMENT
• Christmas, New Years, & Easter :
  From December 16 to January 3 inclusive; and from April 15 to April 30 inclusive, please add % 20 to any of the rates

Hotel Choices

Cairo Deluxe Hotels : City Stars Inter.continental. Nile Hilton ,Sonesta , J. W. Marriott Cairo Conrad or Grand Hyatt . Sofitel ,Meridien Pyramids , Mena Garden ( for the Palace Wing of Mena House , please add $ 150 USD per person in double per night) or similar

Sample Deluxe hotels in Sharm : Rotana, Savoy , Hyatt / Marriott , Sonesta

Cairo First Class Hotels Four Stars : Shepherds' Hotel. Oases, or similar

Egyptian 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

Rates include

• All airfares, and airport taxes in Egypt (Including Abu Simbel), air fare is in economy class, tax included, tickets issued & delivered in Egypt .
  
• All transfers in Egypt .
  
• 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.
  
• Visa fee issued upon arrival for American, Australian, NZ, EU , Korean , Singaporean & Japanese citizens, passport must be valid for at least 6 month beyond the date of arrival.

Dining Room Reservations: Meet other passengers :
YOU will not require any, our dining rooms do accommodate all our guests in one seating, one less thing to worry about while you are on the Nile. Enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere with several different languages being heard at dinner.

Do we get sea sickness while sailing the Nile ?
This is river sailing, so do not expect any waves , no rough seas ! Your Nile cruises is actually a floating hotel that moves from place to place along the Nile. Actual cruising times are short and pleasant.

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.