Minarets
and Menorahs
Tour of the Near East
Here's
the best of Egypt and Israel in 18 days
( Click here for the 15 days edition)
Join us for a journey to these ancient lands, and an unsurpassed array
of sights, sounds and memories, from the ever mysterious Sphinx , to
Alexandria and a Nile cruise, to a walk along the ancient byways
of Jerusalem and much more, all arranged in every detail.
Weekly
Year Round -SUGGESTED
ITINERARY
Day
1 - CAIRO - Tuesday - Weekly - Year Round
We'll arrive early in the day at London or Paris, where you'll proceed
to board your connecting flight to Cairo. In Cairo our representative
greets you at the airport, helps with formalities, and whisks you to
your hotel. For Australian, American, Canadian, EU & Japanese citizens,
complimentary visa will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport. You
are responsible for your passport being valid for at least 6 month beyond
the date of arrival.
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
DAY
2- CAIRO (BLD) - Wednesday
On your first full day in Egypt we show you the Pyramids of Giza, the
Sphinx, and the Solar Boat Museum housing the Royal Barge of the Mighty
Pharaoh : Cheops. Lunch is included at the Mena House.
Afternoon tour of the Old Coptic Cairo , including the Coptic Musuem
, the El -Moalaka Church and Beni Ezra Church .
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
3 - Cairo Fayoum (BL) - Thursday
On Desert Safari for the Day - Fayoum Oases - And you thought
the Pyramids were old
The
wilds of the desert begin right on the outskirts of Cairo, and continue
for hundreds of miles to the east and west, through sands, rock, mountains,
oases, and a surprising variety of scenery and inhabitants.
Join
us for a day ranging across the desert like modern nomads. In place
of camels, we’ll travel in comfortable, reliable four-by-four
Toyota Land Cruisers. Your guide and drivers will meet you at your hotel,
and soon you’ll leave bustling Cairo behind as you undertake the
drive toward the Oasis of El Fayoum, 150 kilometers to the southwest.
Hard as it is to believe, a great inland sea once covered these sands.
It was a holy reserve of sacred crocodiles, symbolized by the god Sobek.
We’ll
visit the temple of Kom Oshim, drive over ancient lake beds, and alongside
the waters of today’s Fayoum Lake to reach the fishermen’s
village of Chak Chouk. There we’ll stop for a lunch of fish caught
fresh that morning. There will be time to wander the village lanes and
discreetly watch the everyday activities of baking flatbread, irrigating
crops from the lake’s waters, and bringing in the catch. We’ll
also include the craft and pottery museum where the best works of local
artisans are on display.
Then
it’s into our four-by-fours again, for an off-road adventure!
We’ll head alongside and across desert washes, between dunes,
and over ancient lake beds for 35 kilometers to the Valley of the Whales
( In Arabic : Wadi-El-Hitan) . Incredibly, these great mammals once
thrived - almost forty million years ago- in waters surrounded by sands.
We’ll stop and gaze in amazement at their fossilized remains alongside
smaller sea creatures that remain in stone.
This valley was discovered in 1936 , by the German geologist George
Schweinfurth in the northwestern corner of Wadi El-Rayan.
The valley provides evidence of one of the major changes in this mammal
evolution has been declared by the UNESCO to be a World Heritage Site.
It is believed that these land based whales once had feet that may have
helped them somewhat while ashore . A team from the University of Michigan
discovered in the late 80's that these Zeuglodon whales did have rudimentary
feet , this was a startling discovery , suggesting that whales of Wadi
-El-Hitan had recently started living in water as well , these whales
were not related to any of the whales we have today , rather a more
slender body and may grow up to 75 feet long. Several skeletons of whales
are exposed in the sand. George Schweinfurth named this extinct specie
the Zeuglodon Isis Whales .
In
the evening, you’ll return to your hotel in Cairo. Land
transportation in air-conditioned four-wheel-drive Toyota Land Cruiser
with the services of driver and English-speaking driver. Lunch is included
DAY
4- CAIRO (BLD) - Friday
Today we show you the Egyptian Museum, including the Mummy Room and
the fabulous treasures Tutankhamon, the Citadel of Saladin, and the
Mohammed Ali Mosque, made of alabaster. After lunch, enjoy a walking
tour of Khan El Khalili Bazaar old district. In the evening, we settle
you into your private sleeping compartment on the train bound along
the banks of the Nile. You'll enjoy dinner on board.
DAY 5: CAIRO/ LUXOR (BLD):Saturday
We arrive Luxor (or Aswan depending on cruise confirmation & availability
at the time of booking) and board our Nile cruise ,in time for lunch
, then to get ready for the afternoon visits to Luxor and Karnak Temples.
Evening at leisure for you to explore local markets.
Complimentary welcome fruit basket & Egyptian Pastries.
DAY
6 : LUXOR (BLD) - Wed.
Crossing the Nile , we tour the magnificent tombs in the Valley of the
Kings and the great funerary temples of Queen Hatshepsut. We'll have
a brief stop at the Colossi of Memnon on the way back to Luxor . Afternoon
sailing up river to go through Esna locks. Complimentary Galabya
(Local dress) is delivered to your cabin this evening.
DAY
7 : ESNA /EDFU (BLD) - Thu.
Sail further south to Edfu, climb aboard horse-drawn carriages, and
clip-clop through town to the Temple of Horus, Egypt’s best preserved
temple. Re-embarking, dock at Kom Ombo for the night.
DAY
8 : KOM OMBO (BLD) - Fri.
Visit the twin temple at Kom Ombo then re-embark and sail to Aswan.
Afternoon leisure cruise on the Nile by felucca. If you wish try your
hand at camel riding, with our compliments ! We'll take a traditional
caravan to enjoy tea with Nubian Villagers. We are proud to offer this
opportunity for insight into local ways.
Evening Sound & Light show at Philae Temple.
DAY
9 : ASWAN / CAIRO/ ALEXANDRIA (BD) - Sat.
Today we visit Aswan dam, the unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple
before heading back to the airport. To board your return flight to Cairo
and connecting same day to Alexandria, dinner at the hotel.
DAY
10 - ALEXANDRIA (BL) - Sun .
Today,
we'll enjoy morning at leisure , then on to visit the Museum of the
Crown Jewels a former residence of one of Egypt Princesses . Visit Moustafa
Kamel Roman Tombs . Walking tour of the old town and souks of Zanket
El Setat , and maybe enjoy shopping where the locals go. Enjoy lunch
in an Alexandrine restaurant. A
brief stop at " El Selsela" the site of the Underwater reserve
where Cleopatra Place was discovered, as well as Caesar Kiosk , then
its off to the new site for the Alexandria Library .
Time
permitting we 'll visit 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.
DAY
11 - ALEXANDRIA (BL) Mon.
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
Egypt's double crown symbolizing control of Upper and Lower Egypt. Alexander
reinstated Egypt's traditional government and founded the city of Alexandria
at the country's most important crossroads: where the Nile meets the
Mediterranean.
Today,
we'll get to known Alexandria in depth, as we visit the Greco-Roman
Museum, the Roman Amphitheater, and the Koum El Shougafa Tombs
Lunch is included in an Alexandrine charming local restaurant.
Our tour includes Qayet Bey Fortress built
on the same site of the ancient wonder of the world : the famous Alexandria
Light House.
 |
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. |
DAY 12- CAIRO (B) Tue.
Our local rep will escort you to the train station to board your first
class air conditioned train to Cairo, We'll travel northward to Cairo
through the lush delta of the Nile River, the source of the wealth of
ancient Egypt.
Cairo and
your hotel.
DAY
13- CAIRO (B) Wed.
We've set aside this day for you to program as you wish . And there
are so many choices! Perhaps you'll visit the Khan El Khalili bazaar
with its spice merchants and craftsmen. The Pyramids of Dahsour. The
Beni Ezra Synagogue. Or enjoy a day of rest.
DAY
14- Tel Aviv (B)- Thu .
Our representative escorts you to the airport for your flight to Tel
Aviv to start our Jerusalem Mini Package. You will be met by our Israel
- based representative who will be at hand to assist with your transportation
to your hotel in Jerusalem . You'll have the rest of this day to discover
Jerusalem on your own. The crowds along Ben Yehuda Street, the new city
Hall, the walls of the Old City illuminated at dusk, the gleaning Dome
of the Rock. Jerusalem surpasses every expectation! Welcome local dates
& pastries at hotel room.
Day
15 - OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM, BETHLEHEM (B)
Fri.
Our visit to the Old City includes the reconstructed Jewish Quarter.
Visit the newly excavated Cardo and continue to the Western Wall , the
only remaining portion of the Second Temple. Nearby is the Dome of the
Rock , one of the holiest places of Islam. We will follow in the footsteps
of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher
and through the colorful bazaars. We'll depart Jerusalem in the afternoon
to Bethlehem , birthplace of King David. Visit Rachel's Tomb and the
Church of Nativity , before returning to Jerusalem.
Day
16 - NAZARETH, TIBERIAS (B)
Sat.
Drive north from Jerusalem to Nazareth to see the Church of the Annunciation.
Then continue to the Sea of Galilee and ride the waters to Tabgha. Traveling
overland again, we'll stop at Cana, and stroll through lively waterside
Tiberias. At Capernaum, on the Sea Of Galilee, to see the ruins of the
Synagogue and Church of St. Peter. We'll return to Jerusalem via the
baptismal site on the Jordan River.
Day
17 - MASSADA, EIN GEDI, DEAD SEA (B) Sun
Travel along the shores of the Dead Sea , the lowest spot on earth,
to Massada. Ascend by cable car to the last stronghold of the Zealots
in their struggle against the Romans. Visit the excavations, Herod's
Palace, synagogue and bath houses. Return to Jerusalem
Day
18 - Departure (B) Mon.
Our representative escorts you to the airport . Bon Voyage
Rates
per person in USD $
|
Deluxe |
First Class |
Tourist Class
Modest Hotels |
|
Triple |
US$
5840 |
US$
5410 |
US$
4890 |
|
Double |
US$
5980 |
US$
5640 |
US$
4960 |
|
Single |
US$
7005 |
US$
6780 |
US$
6470 |
DEPARTURE
DATES
This
tour departs weekly . Year Round
Dec
15 - Jan 05 : and 2 weeks Easter season : 25 % supplement applies.
Your
tour includes:
- All
airfares in economy class with tax included & sleeper train within
Egypt.
- Air
fare : Cairo / Tel Aviv, in economy class , tax included .
- All
transfers within Egypt & Israel , always with a private air-conditioned
vehicle, private chauffeur.
- Hotel
accommodations, including tax and service charges.
- Nile
cruise; the sequence of sights visited between Aswan and Luxor is
subject to change according to vessel requirements, and the cruise
may begin in either Aswan or Luxor.
- Meals
as indicated in the tour itinerary: B = continental breakfast; L =
set-menu lunch; D = set-menu dinner.
- Guided
sightseeing by private air-conditioned motor coach or car as per itinerary,
including all entrance fees.
- Complimentary
Lonely Planet travel guidebook to Egypt/ Jerusalem .
-
For American, Australian, NZ, Canadian & Japanese citizens, complimentary
visa will be issued upon arrival at Cairo Airport. You are responsible
for your passport being valid for at least 6 month beyond the date
of arrival.
- Tips
(except to guides)
Not
Included:
|
