Compare with the Sonesta Cruise Version
Add a foray into the Western Sahara and camping in the White Desert
Handling your own air fare, please click here

DAY 1 - USA/CAIRO - Sunday- Weekly - Year Round
Your wide-body jet departs the USA bound for Cairo. Overnight across the Atlantic.
Air fare add on is available from most major cities in the USA. For West Coast Passengers : You need not to connect via JFK, you will fly LH, BA or AF etc. non-stop to Europe , then connect to another non-stop to Cairo . For JFK Passengers : Please note that Egyptair is the only-non-stop flight JFK Cairo , with a great afternoon arrival time, versus other carriers very late PM arrivals.Air fare is always subject to change, even on a last minute basis. Feel free to handle your own air fare if you prefer to do so : Credit $ 500 to be deducted from any of the listed rates.

For business class upgrades from JFK ( roundtrip tax included ) :
Egyptair , Lufthansa or British Airways : Please add : $ 3050 tax included .


For business class upgrades from LAX, SFO, SEA or SAN (roundtrip) :
Lufthansa or British Airways : Please add : $ 4300 tax included .

DAY 4 - GIZA and OLD CAIRO - Wednesday (BL)
In the morning, we visit the majestic pyramids of Giza, Cheops Royal Barge Museum and the timeless Sphinx, including that famous shot on the camel with the Pyramids in the background, this is a PHOTO OP. Not a camel ride, as time is very limited. ( entrance ticket is included for the Great Pyramid , yet please read the note below , as guests must be in good health and physical cndition to climb ) in the afternoon we tour Old Cairo: the Coptic museum, Church of Abu Sarga, and Ben Ezra Synagogue, where we will visit the spot at which, tradition says, Moses was found by the banks of the Nile. Lunch at a local restaurant. Evening Whirling Dervishes performance at Wekalet El Ghouri.

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 . Complimentray 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 ! 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.

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 ! 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.

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.

Today's tour include as well a visit to the Valley of the Kings including Tut-Ank-Amon's tomb , temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari, and Colossi of Memnon, returning to our Nile cruiser for lunch. Following lunch aboard, we visit the great Temple of Luxor, and the gigantic Great Temple of Amon at Karnak, returning to our vessel in time for tea. Complimentary welcome fruit basket in your cabin.

DAY 9 - ESNA & EDFU - Monday- Nile Cruise (BLD)
We cruise to Esna during the night and pass through the locks. After breakfast we cruise to Edfu and board horse-drawn carriages to get to the fine Temple of Horus. In the evening, we have a jolly galabia party.

DAY 10 - KOM OMBO - ASWAN - Tuesday- Nile Cruise (BLD)
We explore Kom Ombo's twin Temples of Haroeris, the sun god, and Sobek, the crocodile god, before cruising south to Aswan. After lunch aboard, we board a graceful felucca for a cruise among the Nile islands . Evening Sound and Light show at Philae.

DAY 11 - Disembarkation from your Nile Cruise - ASWAN - Wednesday (B)
The mighty Aswan dams and the Nubian Museum are our first goal this morning, followed by a trip by motor launch to : 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!

Back on land, we 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, before checking in at the Movenpick-Aswan for Deluxe or Basma for First class . In the evening your guide will call on you for a horse-drawn carriage ride throughout Aswan souks and waterfront.

DAY 12 - Abu Simbel - Cairo - Thursday (BLD)
After breakfast we take a short flight further south into the heartland of Nubia and on to Abu Simbe where your private guide , private chauffeur and private air-conditioned vehicle await you l. We tour Ramses the Great and Queen Nefertari temples, and then fly back to Cairo and your hotel. Lunch is included in Abu Simbel with bottled water and tea or coffee.
In Abu Simbel, your private guide, private air-conditioned vehicle and private chauffeur will be waiting for you at the airport , fly back to Cairo and your hotel. In the evening get ready for dinner at Zeituni at the Four Seasons . Zitouni
Authentic Egyptian flavours come alive in Zitouni, 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 specialties such as breads, mezzes and grilled dishes, prepared by a team of gourmet chefs.

DAY 13 - Giza , Memphis , Sakkara - Friday (BL)
In the morning, we visit the majestic pyramids of Giza , Cheops Royal Barge Museum and the timeless Sphinx. The afternoon is for Memphis and Sakkara, including the Step Pyramid of Zoser , the Nobles tombs/Mastabas and Imhotep Museum . In the evening, we return to the Pyramids for an awe-inspiring sound-and-light show.

DAY 14 - CAIRO - Saturday (BL)
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.

Our visit is also a journey into a vanished way of life: Beit El-Kretlia—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.


Then on to one of the gems of Cairo lay hidden for years behind locked gates in a nondescript neighborhood: the tomb and gardens of Khedive Tawfik.

The Khedive was the viceroy who administered Egypt for the Turkish sultan. It was Tawfik’s father, Khedive Ismail, who saw to the construction of the Suez Canal. In the process, he mortgaged the nation, and threw Egypt into turmoil. Tawfik was installed in his father’s place. But with foreign bankers pressing on one side, and resentful nationalist officers on the other, he was ineffectual. British troops moved into the Suez Canal area to protect their investment—and didn't leave until 1952, when the monarchy was given the boot.

Tawfik’s mausoleum far outshines his rule. The original family burial area was enlarged in 1881 and decorated with a splendor not seen since the times of the Pharaohs. Columns with intricate Islamic-Mameluke decoration adorn the entrance, while parts of the gold-threaded woven cover of the holy Kabah of Mecca adorn the walls inside the doorways.

The tomb of Bambah Qadin, in white marble, is impressive, but that of Tawfik himself is stunning: constructed of ebony, with inlays of ivory, mother-of-pearl, and precious woods. Elsewhere are the tombs of other family members, including that of Price Muhammad Ali, who married a French actress. Even the family library is here.

With treasures like these, it’s no wonder that the precincts were closed off from public view in uncertain times.

Even today, Tawfik’s Tomb and Gardens are off the beaten track for most visitors, but at Travel in Style, we’re proud to include this little-known treasure house of Egyptian history and art on our regular tours.

DAY 15 - Cairo / Amman - Sunday- Private Chauffeur will meet you at Amman Airport (B)
Air fare ( economy class ) is included , ticket is issued & delivered in Cairo .
Breakfast is included at the hotel. Our local rep will escort you to Cairo Airport for your flight to Amman ,where you'll be met and escorted to your hotel. Visa fee is included & issued upon arrival for American, Australian, NZ , EU Canadian,Singaporean & Japanese citizens. Passport must be valid at least for 6 month beyond the date of your arrival. Remainder of the day at leisure in Amman

DAY 16 - AMMAN- Monday- Local Guide - Private Tour (BD)
Enjoy a morning tour of Amman. Visit the Roman Theater, the Citadel, the Archaeology and Folklore Museums, old and modern Amman and one of the many art galleries in this enchanting capital city. Afternoon is free for your leisure. In the evening visit Kan Zaman Village for dinner, a Folklore show and a preview of the many handicraft ateliers.

DAY 17 - DEAD SEA / GALILEE - Tuesday- Local Guide - Private Tour (B)
After breakfast, drive down to the lowest spot on Earth and experience floating in the waters of the Dead Sea. Continue northwards to Pella in the Jordan Valley. Visit Um Qais, Gedara of the Bible (Matthew 8:28-34) for a spectacular view of the Sea of Galilee, the Yarmouk River and the Golan Heights.
Return in the late afternoon to Amman

DAY 18 - JERASH / AJLOUN Wednesday- Local Guide - Private Tour (B)
A later morning tour of Jerash (Gerasa of antiquity), the best preserved city of Roman times. Visit its theaters, temples, churches and colonnaded streets. Then continue to Ajloun to tour the 12th century Saracen Castle built by one of Saladin’s lieutenants in the campaign against the Crusaders. Overnight in Amman.

DAY 19 - KERAK / PETRA Thursday- English Speaking Private Chauffeur To Petra (B)
Private English Speaking Chauffeur Amman / Petra:
We will drive southwards along the Kings’ Way to Petra, visiting Madaba, the oldest map of the Holy Land, and its Mosaic School, Mt. Nebo and the alleged burial site of Moses overlooking the Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley. Then drive through the magnificent scenery of Wadi Mujib to visit the Crusader Castle of Kerak. Stop for optional lunch. Overnight in Petra.

DAY 20 - PETRA Friday- Local Guide - Private Tour (B)
A full day to visit the many sites of Petra, the city that was carved into the rose-red Sharah Mountains by the Nabateans and lost to civilization until it was rediscovered by the Swiss Burkhardt. Walk through the Siq, a narrow and winding fissure between the cliffs, to reach the treasury, the Roman Theater, the Courts, Qasr Bint Pharaoun, Temple of the Winged Lion and other monuments. A break for optional lunch, or you may wish to climb up to the Monastery. Overnight in Petra.

DAY 21 - WADI RUM DESERT - AMMAN Saturday- Private Chauffeur (B)
Visit the Wadi Rum Desert (with a short ride in a 4 Wheel Drive vehicle) and its awesome moonlike landscape, where the film “Lawrence of Arabia” was shot. Return to Amman on the Desert Highway. Overnight in Amman.

DAY 22 - DEPARTURE- Sunday (B)
Transfer to Amman International Airport and assistance with departure formalities. Jordanian Departure tax is included.

Ultra Deluxe - Private Guide and Private air-conditioned vehicle for your
Flying Business class within Egypt. Suite on your Nile Cruise with private balcony
RATES per person in US$ From JFK

• Cairo : Club Level room - Nile View at the Grand Hyatt
  
• Amman : Deluxe room Hyatt Amman or Sheraton Al-Nabil
  
  
• Petra : Junior. Suite at Movenpick Petra
  
  
• Nile Cruise : Beethoven Suite on Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise , With private balcony, or similar

RATES per person in US$ From JFK:

Air Fare Supplement Notes :

• Our airline partners for departures from New York are : Lufthansa , KLM, Delta , British Airways, Air France, Egyptair and Olympic Airways.
  
  
• From San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle-Tacoma, Phoenix, Denver and Dallas-Fort Worth please add an additional $450; from Chicago , Detroit or Washington, DC's Dulles International Airport, please ad an additional $350.
  
• Air Fare High Season:
  In addition, for any departures from May 1 through end of Sep , Dec 20 - Jan 2 please add $500 high-season airfare surcharge to the rates shown above. This air fare supplement doesn't apply when you handle your own airfare.
  

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES :

• International airfare from New York, US departure tax.
  
• Tips to drivers, porters, guides and crew on board your cruise.
  
• Egyptian domestic airfares as well as Cairo Amman air fare as described in the itinerary, in economy class .
  
• All airport transfers and taxes in Egypt and Jordan .
  
• Hotel accommodations (including taxes).
  
• Set-menu (table d'hote) meals as indicated in the itinerary above.
  
• A Nile cruise with all shore excursions and meals.
  
• Guided sightseeing by air-conditioned motor coach, including all admissions fees.
  
• Jordanian departure taxes included.

Not included:

• Expenses of personal nature, such as phone calls, laundry , beverages, etc
• Tips.
• Travel Insurance .
• Visa for Egypt 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 .

   

• The Best of Jordan , Syria and Egypt : A true 21 Grand Tour of the Near East .
  

• The Wonders of the Near East
  A Private Tour of Egypt Palestine , Israel and Arabia . A Grand 28 -Day Tour of the Middle East