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Egypt
Grand Sahara and Oases Tour
A 19-Day Grand Adventure
Including a Nile Cruise, a ride on the Sleeper Train , Abydos Temple
, Abu Simbel Temples , Alexandria , Al-Alamein and Siwa Oases
We have even included all the tips
The search continues for the tomb of Alexander
the Great
Here
are all the splendors of Egypt, from the magnificence of the pharaohs
to the glory of Alexandria to Siwa desert oases and the triumph of El
Alamein. This itinerary includes a Nile
cruise, of course, plus the attractions that most visitors miss.
DAY
1 - DEPARTURE : - Weekly - Thursday - Year Round
We take off from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, bound
for Cairo. Overnight across the Atlantic .
Guests who are leaving from the West Coast : You need not to fly via
NYC, you fly non-stop to Europe then onward to Cairo .
DAY 2 - CAIRO Friday
On
arrival, our local rep. will escort you to your comfortable hotel. Our
local representative greets you at the airport and whisks you to your
hotel. Visa may be 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
3 - CAIRO Saturday (BLD)
Today you'll explore the wonders of the Egyptian Museum, with its treasures
of the ancient pharaohs: mummies, statuary, and precious stones and
metals. Travellers have long come to Cairo just to gaze on these sights,
but your day includes much more. Lunch is included at the Mena House.
This afternoon : You'll see Cheops Royal Barge Museum, and in Giza,
on the edge of the desert, you'll view the mysterious Sphinx and the
Pyramids. Dinner is included back at your hotel .
DAY
4 - CAIRO, TRAIN DEPARTURE Sunday (BLD)
Today, we'll get to know more of Cairo, both historic and contemporary.
We'll set off for Khan el-Khalili, the labyrinthine bazaar district
with its array of spice shops and clothing merchants and purveyors of
baskets and brass ware and a thousand other specialties. We'll also
stop at the Citadel of Saladin , the Alabaster Mosque, Sultan Hassan
Great Mosque, a true master piece. The afternoon is devoted to seeing
more of Islamic Cairo's sights: City of the dead with it's architectural
treasures from Medieval Cairo & more contemporary Ottoman Times,
Including Khedives' tombs & Qait Bey. In the evening, we'll call
on you, escort you to the railroad station, and settle you into your
private sleeping compartment on the train bound southward along the
banks of the Nile. Fall asleep as you watch the lights of villages reflect
in the river.
DAY
5 - Arrive Luxor / Abydos - Monday (BL)
Good morning, Luxor! We'll detrain early, and proceed right to our Nile
cruiser for breakfast. While our bags are looked after, proceed to your
waiting coach and on to Abydos Temple ( Lunch box included)
Return to Luxor & your hotel late afternoon : ( Old
Winter, Sonesta St. George, Hilton or Sheraton)
DAY
6- Nile Cruise - LUXOR Tuesday (BLD)
Breakfast at leisure . We escort you to your Nile Cruiser, after lunch
on board we'll set out for the imposing Great Temple of Amon at Karnak
and the Temple of Luxor.
DAY
7 - VALLEY OF THE KINGS Wednesday(BLD)
We'll set out across the Nile to view an array of ancient splendors:
the tomb chambers of the Valley of the Kings; the imposing tomb-temple
of Queen Hatshepsut in the Valley of the Queens.
Stop
at the Colossi of Memnon before we head for Medinet Habu then back to
the boat.
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.
Picture
yourself on a camel in the fabled Valley of the Kings!
The Valley of the Kings and Deir El Bahari are essentials for anyone
visiting Luxor. And Travel in Style is one of the few companies that
includes King Tut’s tomb on every tour—without exception,
and without surprises. (Others leave it to you to make arrangements
and pay up on the spot at an additional charge to see this un-missable
attraction.)
And
now we also offer the experience of conveyance by camel!
You’ll
mount your caravan in the famous Valley of the Kings after your descent
to the Tomb of Tut, and with your select group of companions and skilled
drovers, proceed over the sand and rocks and hills, gently swaying in
the manner of desert travelers of long ago. Have no cares! These sure-footed
beasts have evolved to tackle this very terrain, and you’ll soon
relax into the rhythm of their gait, and the tranquility of another
era, as you regard the desert vistas of multi-hued hills and ancient
temples from a privileged perch and breathe the pure air.
You—or
your children—can choose to ride atop a horse, or even a donkey.
It’s entirely up to you to make it the most fun!
Your
caravan concludes after half an hour at the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
at Deir El-Bahari.
Of
course, it’s your choice to travel in the traditional desert manner,
or to continue in the air-conditioned vehicle that brought you to the
Valley. Should you decide to dismount early, your vehicle is always
at your disposition. You’ll want to give the caravan a try.
There’s
no additional charge for your royal caravan, only an additional measure
of fun ! Must
request this option at the time you book your reservation with us.
Photo
Credit Osama Abdel A'al
DAY
8 - ESNA, EDFU Thursday (BLD)
We'll make our way up the Nile during the night. After breakfast, we'll
proceed through the Esna locks, and on to Esna itself. Horse-drawn carriages
meet us at riverside to take us to the Temple of Horus, best-preserved
in all of Egypt. While we continue our sail up the Nile in the evening,
we'll party in Egyptian style. You might well have bought a galabia,
the flowing national dress. Now's your chance to wear it!
DAY
9 - KOM OMBO, ASWAN Friday (BLD)
Soon after daybreak, we'll disembark at Kom Ombo to explore the twin
temples of Haroeris, the sun god, and Sobek, the crocodile god, then
continue our voyage to Aswan. All the while, 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. We'll include a tour of the
Elephantine Island.
Return to your cruise late afternoon.
DAY
10 - Aswan Dam/ Philae/ Camel Caravan - Saturday
(BL)
In
the morning we check-out form your cabin.
Tour he awesome Aswan dams, and next an ancient granite quarry
complete with an unfinished obelisk. Then we go by motor launch to the
island temples of Philae
, dedicated to the Ancient Goddess ISIS
Then
to really immerse yourself, try your hand at a complimentary 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 & interact with local Nubians. We are proud to offer this
insight into the Nubian way of life.
In
the afternoon we check in at your hotel ( Deluxe : Old
Cataract or Elephantine Island i. First class : Basma Hotel)
DAY
11 - Abu Simbel - Sunday (B)
Ramses the Great's huge desert temple at Abu Simbel marked the southern
border of the pharaoh's dominions. Rescued from the rising waters of
Lake Nasser by an international effort, it is a marvel of sacred engineering.
Twice a year‹and only then‹the sun penetrates to the Holy of Holies,
illuminating the stone figures of Ramses and Nefertari. We've planned
our visit to maximize your Abu Simbel experience. 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 temple while the
air is clean, clear and cool, and the sun's light still golden‹just
right for photographs. We explore the huge temple by ourselves, admire
its ancient aura and artistry, then retire to a comfortable hotel for
refreshments. Just as planeloads of visitors arrive to throng the temple
we begin our leisurely drive back along the shore to Aswan, arriving
late afternoon.
DAY
12 - CAIRO, ALEXANDRIA Monday (BL)
After breakfast, and proceed to the airport of Aswan, where we'll board
a plane to fly northward to Cairo. We'll be met at the airport, then
proceed northward overland to the great port of Alexandria, where we'll
settle in to our hotel.
Today in Alexandria we tour : the Museum , Qayet Bey Fortress
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 is included at a charming local restaurant
, then its off to the new site for the Alexandria Library and Kom-El
Shougafa Greco Roman Catacombs, as well the Roman Amphitheater
Conqueror
of the Mediterranean Coast - Alexander the Great
In 332 BC, Egypt was laboring under Persian military control when
Alexander the Great arrived to drive out the invaders without the shedding
of a drop of blood. The Persian governor surrendered and the conquering
hero was hailed as a liberator and given Egypt¹s double crown symbolizing
control of Upper and Lower Egypt. Alexander reinstated Egypt's traditional
government and founded the city of Alexandria at the country¹s most
important crossroads: where the Nile meets the Mediterranean. .
DAY
13 - ALEXANDRIA, EL ALAMEIN, Marsa Matrouh Tuesday (BLD)
We'll cross into another era of history today, as we motor westward
through the dunes along the Mediterranean coast, following the route
of Field Marshall Montgomery to El Alamein. Here we'll visit the fields
of battle where Rommel's advance on Cairo was finally halted. We'll
visit the museum.
As the gateway to Egypt, the Nile and Africa, Alexandria has been contested
by armies and navies ever since. In 1798, Lord Nelson defeated Napoleon¹s
navy just east of Alexandria.
In 1807 the British occupied the city. In 1941, General Erwin Rommel's
Afrika Korps stormed across North Africa all the way to El Alamein,
only 70 miles west of Alexandria.
Rommel
was driven back in desperate fighting by British forces under the command
of Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery yet another of the many generals
to have struggled for control of this strategic land.
After visiting El-Alamein on to Marsa Matrouh where we overnight
. ( Alexandria Marsa Matrouh : 400 Kilometer)
DAY
14 - Marsa Matrouh / SIWA, ORACLE OF AMON Wednesday (BLD)
It's back to ancient days as we follow the pilgrimage route of Alexander
the Great to the Oracle of Amon. He marched westward along the Mediterranean
coast, then inland (south) to the great oasis of Siwa. His aim was to
visit the great temple of Amun which, tradition says, his legendary
"ancestors" Heracles and Perseus had visited. He entered the temple
and was hailed by the priests as pharaoh, the son of Amun. He then had
a private audience with the High Priestess of the oracle, who proclaimed
him to be a god, the son of Zeus. She predicted that he would conquer
vast territories. He did. Leaving Egypt, he marched into Persia conquering
all who came before him, all the way to what is now Lahore in Pakistan.
On
his return trip, however, he fell ill and died‹at the ripe age of 33
in Babylon.
According
to ancient inscriptions, Alexander's body was returned to
Egypt and buried‹but where?
Both Siwa and Alexandria are possibilities. His tomb has not
yet been identified for sure. At Gebel Mawta, we'll see tombs of the
Greco-Roman era, including one that's reputed to be Alexander's own
tomb. At Siwa, we'll see an ancient fortress with winding alleyways,
and the Temple of Amon, where Alexander's divinity and legitimacy were
proclaimed. Within a short distance, we'll traverse centuries as we
visit Cleopatra's Pool, a Roman outpost, and a Ptolemaic temple. Our
lunch break will be at the springs of Ain Sharouf, where we might get
to take a dip. ( Marsa Matrouh - Siwa : 310 Kilometers)
DAY
15 - SIWA, ALEXANDRIA Thursday(BLD)
Today is really a full day , its a 700 Kilometer drive : We'll retrace
the desert route to Alexandria this morning (the portion never completed
by Rommel), and have the rest of the day free, to stroll the Corniche,
acquire mementos of our trip, or look in on daily life in the ancient
capital of Cleopatra.
DAY
16 - ALEXANDRIA, CAIRO By Train Friday (BL)
After breakfast , we head Back to Cairo : First class train ticket ,
all transfers are on a private basis , private air-conditioned vehicle,
private chauffeur , and on to your hotel in Cairo . Remainder of the
day at leisure.
DAY
17 - Pharaonic Giza , Saturday (BL)
Today we tour Memphis and Sakkara, including the Step Pyramid of Zoser
& Nobles tombs/Mastabas, The Serapeum, Unas, Pyramid of Teti and
key Mastabas.
In the afternoon the tour takes us to Dahshour, the pyramid field
south of Cairo:only-opened few years back after Sadat signed the peace
treaty with Israel, and the Army did let go of this strategically "important"
area.
DAHSOUR - we'll motor to the edge of Cairo, to Dahshour,
the newly-opened pyramid field south of Cairo. We visit the great pyramid
of Senfru, father of Cheops, and other structure:
The "Discovery" of Dahshour:
For almost half a century, the great field of huge pyramids near the
desert village of Dahshour, 25 miles south of Cairo, has been off limits
to the public. Confined within the perimeter of a military base were
many pyramids, including the great 4500-year-old pyramid built by Senfru,
father of Cheops. Senfru's pyramid, the largest in Egypt until his son
built Giza's Great Pyramid, is rhomboidal in shape: it tapers more distinctly
on its upper half. All the pyramids were coated in thick plaster at
one time. Most have lost these protective, decorative sheaths, but Senfru's--miraculously--is
still in place. We'll tour as well the famous "Bent" Pyramid.
DAY
18 - CAIRO - Sunday (BLD)
The
Culture of Cairo
Today
we’ll explore deep into the heart of Cairo, and get to know its
daily rhythms, its spirituality, its history, and its modern diversions.
We’ll start early, with a visit to a local market, with an immense
variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables on offer, both familiar and
exotic.
You’ll
see that shopping in Cairo goes far beyond a supermarket experience.
Be prepared for whispers, gestures, shouting, and controlled chaos.
It’s all part of the bargaining process, engaged in by women in
traditional modest garb as well as others in Western dress.
Then
it’s on to the Museum of Islamic Art, with its tapestries, textiles,
swords and other objects exemplifying one of the world’s great
decorative traditions. We’ll continue to the Gayer-Anderson House,
a serene and classic domestic oasis, right down to its central fountain
and exquisite furnishings. Our visit is also a journey into a vanished
way of life—the residence is actually two traditional medieval
Cairo houses restored by an English physician to a former king. We’ll
stop for lunch at a restaurant where Cairenes go, then visit the Bab
an-Nasr, the Gate of Victory in Cairo’s old walls. You’ll
even see graffiti that survives from soldiers of Napoleon and of the
British Empire, among the many who passed this way.
Evening
buffet dinner at Zeitouni restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel in Cairo
. Zeitouni . Authentic
Lebanese flavours come alive in Zeitouni, 24 hours a day. An extensive
buffet display situated in front of the restaurant's open kitchen offers
breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests enjoy premier views of the Nile
from large picture windows. Secluded alcoves, featuring contemporary
wood décor, provide a more intimate dining alternative .Specialties
: Guests enjoy a wide range of authentic Lebanese specialties such as
breads, mezzes and grilled dishes, prepared by a team of gourmet Lebanese
chefs.
DAY
19 - RETURN HOME Monday (B)
After breakfast, our Cairo staff will accompany you to the airport,
where you'll board your flight to start your journey home. This tour
departs weekly .
RATES
per person in USD $ , based on departure from New York .
| From
New York |
Deluxe |
First
Class
|
| Triple |
US$
5196. |
US$
4931. |
| Double |
US$
5238. |
US$
5083. |
| Single |
US$
6413. |
US$
6208. |
-
Air fare supplement : Doesn't apply when you handle your own air fare
:
For travel in May thru end of Sep , please note that a $350 airfare
supplement is added to the above rates.
- Air
fare from your home city:
For departures from most west coast cities, as well as Dallas-Fort
Worth, Houston, Miami , Orlando or Atlanta please add $350 to the
above rates. Boston : $250
- Tour
operates weekly , year round.
Sample Deluxe Hotels ( Or similar)
( Oases hotels are not as deluxe as the ones in Cairo
Alexandria .)
|
| Cairo
|
Grand Hyatt , Conrad, Inter.Continental, Marriott , Le Meridien
Pyramids
|
| Luxor |
Le Meridien, Sheraton, Hilton
|
| Nile
Cruise |
Movenpick Royal Lotus , Movenpick Royal Lilly , Movenpick Radamis
II , M/S Beau Soleil. M/S Sonesta: Sun Goddess, M/S Nile Vision
Please add %15 supplement for :
M/S Amarco, Sonesta M/S Moon
Goddess
|
| Aswan |
Elephantine Island Aswan, the
Old Cataract Hotel is closed for renovation
|
| Alexandria |
Sheraton , Palestine Montazah
|
| Siwa |
Hilton Borg El Arab or Safari Paradise Siwa
|
| El
Bahariya |
Beshimo hotel
|
| El
Farafra |
Tent / Camping ( please click
for info on your camping experience
|
Rate
includes:
- Airfare
from New York to Cairo and return, and from Aswan to Cairo in economy
class , tax included.
- Domestic
air in Egypt as per itinerary, in economy class , tax included .
- Sightseeing
with guide and entrance fees as indicated .
- Meals
as indicated, preset menu (B:Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner) .
- All
tips to porters, guides, the crew on board your Nile cruise and drivers.
- All
ground transportation to and from airports and while touring overland
.
- Hotel
accommodations with tax .
- Cabin
on Nile cruise vessel, with all meals & shore Excursions. Cruise
embarkation is from Luxor or Aswan. Your
Nile Cruise will always Include
:
- 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.
Photo
Credit Osama Abdel A'al : Fun
in the Sun
Not
included:
- Trip
interruption and cancellation insurance.
-
Personal expenses
- Egyptian
Visa : please pay the $ 15 in cash upon arrival, no photos required
. Visa maybe issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport for a limited number
of citizens such as : American, EU , Canadian , EU Singaporean and
Japanese citizens. You are responsible for having your passport in
order valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival in
Cairo.
More
Choices :
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