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Great
Egypt
Cairo Alexandria , The Nile and the Nubian Sea
An 18-Day tour - Start Weekly in Cairo - Year Round
This
inclusive tour shows you the true grandeur of Egypt, from the Mediterranean
shores in the north to " Nubia" , " the land of gold
" in the south , with a brief stop in cosmopolitan Cairo and Alexandria
, a cruise to the temples along the Nile, and a voyage to the ancient
sites on the vast inland sea of Lake Nasser in Nubia. We
have even included all the tips.
Abu
Sir Pyramids Fields are closed for now
In some cases they may appear - in error - on some of our web page
Day
1- CAIRO Thursday - Weekly - Year Round
This tour starts weekly in Cairo , year round. Complimentary visa will
be issued upon arrival for citizens of : Australia, USA, Canada , Japan
and EU . Your passport must be valid at least for 6 month beyond the
date of arrival. Upon arrival, we escort you to your hotel. Welcome
local pastries awaits you in your room. ( More
cruise images)
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. All your airport transfers in Egypt are ALWAYS with a
private air-conditioned vehicle and a private chauffeur
Day
2 - CAIRO - Friday (B)
Full day at leisure, rest , relax and enjoy your hotel. Or venture
on your own to explore Cairo with your travel guide book in hand.
Add Extra Night :
To add Memphis , Sakkara , Coptic Cairo and more, please click here
Day
3 - CAIRO - Saturday(B)
Today
we see Cairo's major sights: the Egyptian Museum, including the Mummies
room, and King Tut's Gold treasure room. Lunch is included at
the charming local restaurant of Naguib Mahfouz or similar.
After lunch we tour the Citadel of Saladin, Sultan El Rifai Mosque and
then enjoy a walking tour of the legendary Khan El Khalil Bazaar district.
Evening Sound & Light show at Giza.
DAY
4 - Giza - Sunday (cBL)
Today we see Cairo's major sights: the Egyptian Museum, including the
Mummies room, and King Tut's Gold treasure room. Lunch is included
at the charming local restaurant of Naguib Mahfouz or similar.
After lunch we tour the Citadel of Saladin, Sultan El Rifai Mosque and
then enjoy a walking tour of the legendary Khan El Khalil Bazaar district.
Evening Sound & Light show at Giza.
DAY
5- ASWAN/ NUBIAN CRUISE Monday
(cBLD) After an early breakfast, we drive
to the airport for the flight to Aswan, where we board our lake
cruiser. Complimentary welcome fruit basket in ear cabin. After lunch
aboard, we visit the Temple of Kalabsha, originally constructed
in Pharaonic style, but later remodeled in Greco-Roman style and dedicated
to the god Mandoulis. Next we visit Beit el Wali, a work of Pharaoh
Ramses the Great, followed by a stop at Kertassi Kiosk, dedicated
to the goddess Isis. We dine aboard our floating hotel.
DAY
6 - CRUISING Tuesday (BLD)
Lake Nasser, Egypt's great man-made inland sea formed by the waters
held behind the Aswan High Dam. As we head south towards Wadi
el Seboua, you have time to relax on deck, take a dip in the pool,
read up on Egyptian history, and get to know your fellow travelers.
DAY
7 - WADI EL SEBOUA, DAKKA & AMADA Wednesday (BLD)
Our first port of call is at the Temple of Wadi el Seboua, dedicated
by the mighty Ramses the Great to two of ancient Egypt's most powerful
gods. Our next stop is Dakka Temple, followed by a visit to Amada
and the tomb of Penout, the powerful viceroy of Nubia, one of ancient
Egypt's richest regions. Known as the "Land of Gold," Nubia
was famous for the stream of gold, ivory, precious stones and minerals
which made their way from Africa to Egypt via the Nubian Nile. We dock
at Kasr Ibrim, where we dock for the night.
DAY
8 - KASR IBRIM & ABU SIMBEL Thursday (BLD)
As the sun brightens the lake shore we gaze at the citadel of Kasr Ibrim,
a once-mighty fortress which time and weather have rendered fragile,
the only structure of its kind still extant in Nubia. We learn about
the history of Nubia and this fortress, then, after lunch, set sail
for Abu Simbel. Arriving at the great temple, we have time to explore
its colossal facade and surroundings before enjoying dinner and spectacular
sound-and light show with the temple as our backdrop.
DAY
9 - ABU SIMBEL & ASWAN Friday (BD)
Get up early today to enjoy the extraordinary vision of the temple of
Abu Simbel at dawn, when the sacred sunlight penetrates deep
into its holy of holies as its architect intended. The morning sun bathes
the ruddy stone in golden light, providing perfect conditions for photography.
We fly to Aswan, transfer to your hotel, enjoy the local
souks or the water front.
DAY
10 - NILE CRUISE Saturday (cBLD)
Morning visit to Aswan dam, the unfinished Obelisk, and
the Island temple of Philae
, dedicated to the Ancient Goddess ISIS :
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
Isis,
the great Mother Goddess. Come explore her mystery in timeless Egypt
when you Travel in Style!
before heading for our Nile Cruiser in time for lunch, complimentary
fruit basket & bottle of mineral water (awaits you in your cabin),
afternoon sailing on the Nile by felucca. A mini Camel Caravan short
ride to a Nubian Village for a visit with the locals!!. Evening Nubian
Folklore show on board.
DAY
11 : KOM OMBO Sunday (BLD)
Morning sailing and departure for Kom Ombo, visit its twin temple
then continue to Edfu. Afternoon tea served on deck. Complimentary
galabya will be delivered to your cabin, you may wish to try it on for
the costume party on board.
DAY
12 : EDFU & ESNA /LUXOR Monday (cBLD)
We dock in Edfu, climb aboard horse-drawn carriages, and clip-clop
through the town to the temple of Horus, Egypt's best preserved.
Re-embarking, we cruise to Esna. Evening finds us in Luxor.
Complimentary Egyptian sweets & pastry.
DAY
13: LUXOR , Tuesday (BLD)
Crossing the Nile, to the West Bank we tour the magnificent tombs in
the Valley of the Kings including King Tut's Tomb, and the great
temple of Queen Hatshepsut , and the Colossi of Memnon As well
as the hidden ancient "Workers village " or
Deir El Medinah, the first known "Workers Village"
these were the true creative heroes who built the temples & tombs
for the mighty Pharaohs of the Nile Kingdom.
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.
Then
on to visit the new & old "Qurna" or Gurnah" : In
Ancient times as well as in a more recent history, the locals populated
the West Bank and lived in series of villages near the tombs they built
for their kings & queens. The largest of these villages is Gurnah
or Qurna , these villages continue to grow in population in spite of
the damage caused to the nearby tombs, the house are an example of the
traditional Egyptian rural homes, the houses are usually built of mud
break mixed with straw, the New Gurnah was designed by the famous Hassan
Fathy , author of " Architecture for the Poor", we conclude
the afternoon by a visit to the nearby Nobles Tombs , can not guarantee
which ones will be open as they are rotated , but you may visit : tomb
of Rekhmire , Senoufer , or Ramose .
Evening Sound & Light show at Karnak.
DAY
14 : LUXOR / CAIRO/ Alexandria - Wednesday (BD)
The gigantic Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, and the mighty Temple
of Luxor are our goals in the morning, followed by a return flight
to Cairo, on to Alexandria by private air conditioned car / van and
chauffeur , dinner is included at your hotel , subject to availability
: First Class : the Cecil Hotel with the old world charm. Deluxe : Hilton
, Sheraton or Palestine Montazah Hotel.
DAY
15 - Alexandria & Wadi El Natroun Monasteries - Thursday (cBL)
Full day tour of Alexandria : the Catacombs, the Roman Amphitheater,
Qayet Bey Fortress
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 new
Alexandria Library and
the
new museum in Alexandria , the building was originally built in 1926
for the US consulate in Alexandria and is a masterpiece in 1920's architecture
& Mediterranean style buildings.
We spend tonight in Alexandria.
DAY
16 : Alexandria - Friday (B)
Breakfast at the hotel. Full day at leisure. Explore Alexandria on your
own, or ask us for additional optional tours.
DAY 17 : Alexandria - Home Hosted Lunch - Saturday
(BLD)
Breakfast at the hotel. Lunch box will be provided , as we head back
south on our way to Cairo .
Visit Wadi El Natroun Monasteries ,
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.then
on to Cairo and your hotel.
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 afternoon with your travel companions, by letting us know
your preferences.
Then we head back to Cairo where we spend the night.
DAY
18 - DEPARTURE - Sunday(B)
Our staff escorts you to the airport for your flight home.
RATES
are per person
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First
Class Hotels
First Class Nile Cruise
|
| Triple |
US$
4050.00 |
US$
3660.00 |
| Double |
US$
4170.00 |
US$
3720.00 |
| Single |
US$
5270.00 |
US$
4630.00 |
For
Christmas, New Year, Easter, please add:10% supplement.
For Private Guide (s) on board the CRUISE : Supplement $250 per
person per cruise
( Lake Nasser & Nile Cruise ) $ 500 total per person .
Rates
include:
- All
transfers in Egypt always on a private basis .
- Tips
to drivers, porters, guides and your crew on board the cruises.
- Guided
sightseeing as listed including all entrance fees.
- Hotel
and cruise accommodations.
- All
shore excursions on board the cruise as listed, including all entrance
fees.
- Complimentary
welcome drink upon arrival on board the Nile Cruise.
For deluxe Nile Cruise we use: MS Solitaire, MS Renaissance, : M/S
Monaco or
M/S Monte Carlo
or similar
- 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 Lake Nasser & the Nile
Cruise.
- Tea
or coffee an bottled water with each / every meal while you are on
board the Lake Nasser & the Nile
Cruise.
-
Meals as listed including cB = Continental Breakfast, L = Lunch, D
= Dinner.
- Domestic
airfare within Egypt "Y" class.
- Complimentary
visa will be issued upon arrival for citizens of Australia, USA, Canada
, Japan, Singaporean & EU . Your passport must be valid at least
for 6 month beyond the date of arrival.
International
air fare is not included in any of the above listed rates. Please ask
us about our special air deals to Cairo.
Not
included:
The
King's Chamber in the Great Pyramid was not meant to be visited:
Getting to it is challenging, and once you enter, it is very difficult
to turn back. The stone passage is only wide enough for one person.
You must be in good physical condition, able to climb several flights
of stairs, bend double, crouch and duck-walk for short distances. The
King's Chamber itself is the world's most claustrophobic place, with
dim light and heavy, hot, oxygen-poor air. There is no ventilation.
If you are at all sensitive to claustrophobia or confinement, or if
you have any sort of respiratory condition, for your own safety and
the safety of others, you must not enter the pyramid because it is impossible
to remove a person or to bring aid to them quickly
More
Choices:
Sample
Deluxe ships on Lake Nasser :
The
Ships
The
M.S. Kasr Ibrim was named after the ancient citadel on Lake
Nasser, the only Nubian monument that still exists in its original location.
The Kasr Ibrim citadel, standing on a high bluff overlooking the river
valley, was adapted to suit the needs of its diverse occupants throughout
the ages. Likewise, the M.S. Kasr Ibrim provides an epic setting for
international travelers, while commemorating the citadel as an enduring
link with Egypt's distant past.
Relax in the ship's spacious lounge areas, its restaurant or bars. On
deck you will find a shaded area, a mosaic-lined swimming pool and deckchairs
to make the most of idle luxury. Kasr Ibrim's facilities also include
a sauna, steam bath, exercise equipment, state-of-the-art water filtration
systems, and is fully air-conditioned.
Service is thoughtful and friendly; the cuisine is superb. Each day
we anchor beside one of Lake Nasser's historic sites, where a launch
will take you ashore to explore.
Cabins
M.S.
Kasr Ibrim was launched in September 1997. The ship is 79 meters long,
with just 55 cabins for maximal comfort, and 10 luxurious suites. The
interior décor reflects the Art Deco style of the 1920's.
The ship fifty-five spacious cabins measure 22.75 m2, each with an ensuite
bathroom (bath, shower, washbasin, w.c. and hairdryer). There are seven
29 m2 junior suites; two 59 m2 Royal suites and one 140 m2 Imperial
suite (all ten suites have bathrooms with jacuzzi, shower, washbasin,
w.c. and hairdryer).
The
Executive Deck has 12 twin-bedded cabins, each with a private balcony
(total space 22.75 m2). The Executive Deck cabins (400 numbers) are
available at an additional surcharge per cabin and per night.
The
Upper Deck has 18 twin-bedded cabins each with a private balcony (total
space 22.75 m2). A guaranteed allocation to one of the Upper Deck cabins
(300 numbers) is available at an additional surcharge per cabin and
per night.
The
Main Deck has 18 twin-bedded cabins each with a private balcony (total
space 22.75 m).
The
Lower Deck has 7 twin bedded cabins without balconies (22.75 m); these
can also be used for triple occupancy.
M.S.
Eugenie
The
Eugenie was proudly named to evoke an historic event in Egypt's recent
past: the grand opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, attended by the crown
heads of Europe including the Empress Eugenie of France. The completion
of the Suez Canal marked Egypt’s passage into modernity, and a
new era of international trade and interaction.
Likewise the Eugenie, the first ship to sail Lake Nasser, launched a
new era of tourism, offering travelers fresh vistas of Egypt’s
natural beauty and archeological treasures. Lake Nasser extended the
boundaries of Egypt’s touristic possibilities, while the Eugenie
reminds us of this ancient country’s endless capacity for renewal.
The
M.S. Eugenie was constructed in 1993 in the style of a turn-of-the-century
Nile steamship. It is 74 meters long, with just 52 cabins for maximal
comfort, and two luxurious suites. Each cabin has an ensuite bathroom
with shower, washbasin, w.c. and hairdryer.
The Eugenie’s facilities include a sauna, steam bath, exercise
equipment, sun decks, a swimming pool, air-conditioning and state-of-the-art
water filtration systems.
The
Upper Deck has 22 twin-bedded cabins each with a private balcony (total
space: 21m2). Cabins 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310,
311 and 315 are ‘executive cabins’ available at an additional
surcharge per cabin and per night.
The Main Deck has 20 twin bedded cabins, also with private balcony (21m2)
and two single bedded cabins, also with private balconies (cabins 201,
202).
The Lower Deck has 8 twin bedded cabins without balconies (21m2); these
can also be used for triple occupancy.
Sailing
( Subject to change )
Aswan
/ Kalabsha to Wadi El Seboua 11 hours
Wadi El Seboua to Amada 4 hours
Amada to Kasr Ibrim 2.5 hours
Kasr Ibrim to Abu Simbel 4 hours
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