Egypt

Timeline of the Pharoahs

November 19 - December 1, 2008

$3,580 + tax

Itinerary:

Wednesday - November 19   LAX
Depart LAX Airport on board an overnight transatlantic flight.

Thursday - November 20   Cairo
We are met by our local English speaking (Egyptologist) guide who is going to stay with us throughout our journey. After lunch our half day sightseeing city tour will follow transfer to our hotel in the center of Cairo. Hotel Sheraton of Cairo (L/D)

Friday - November 21   Cairo
In the morning we will take a short trip to Memphis and Sakkara – two of the earlier cities of Lower Egypt. We visit the enormous statue of Ramses II and visit the ancient Step Pyramid of Djoser. No tour of Egypt would be complete without a tour to The Ancient Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. Hotel Sheraton Cairo (B/L)

Saturday - November 22   Cairo - Luxor
We transfer to the airport for a short flight to the incredible ancient city of Luxor. With its vast array of ancient monuments, Luxor is often called the world’s greatest open air museum. We are guided through the massive monuments of the Temple of Luxor. We continue our tour to the awe-inspiring Amun complex at Karnak. Karnak is equally as impressive as the Pyramids of Giza. We board our elegant 5 star ship for our 4 night river cruise of Upper Egypt on the River Nile. Cruise (B/L/D)

Sunday - November 23   Luxor - Esna
Today’s highlight is a visit to the Valley of the Kings. Secluded in the Theban Hills, it is where the New Kingdom Pharaohs were buried in dramatically shafted tombs built into hillsides. Next we visit the Temple of Medinet Habou and on to the breathtaking Deil el-Bahri, Queen Hatshepsut’s impressive temple. Later we return to the ship and sail for the city of Esna. Cruise (B/L/D)

Monday - November 24   Esna - Edfu - Kom Ombo
In the morning we will pay homage to Khnum, the ram headed god of the Temple of Esna. In the afternoon we sail to Edfu, one of the best preserved cult temples in Egypt – dedicated to the falcon god, Horus. Then we continue our cruise along the Nile arriving at Kom-Ombo. Cruise (B/L/D)

Tuesday - November 25   Kom Ombo - Aswan
We visit roofless temple of Kom-Ombo, which was built for falcon and crocodile gods. Later we sail to Aswan to visit the High Dam and Temple of Isis on the Philae Island and massive unfinished Obelisk. Cruise

Wednesday - November 26   Abu Simble-Aswan
After we disembark from the cruise, we fly to Abu Simble to visit the mighty Sun Temple, flanked by four giant stone statues of Ramses II. The temple was reclaimed from the dam and reconstructed in its present and unforgettable location. We fly back to Aswan to take a memorable Felucca ride across the Nile to visit the Botanical Garden on Kitchener’s Island. The felucca is the traditional craft of Egyptians who have sailed in them down the centuries. Hotel Movenpick (B/L/D)

Thursday - November 27   Aswan
We fly back to Cairo, we visit the old Cairo include the hanging Church of St. Mary above the old water gate, Ibn Toloon Mosque, Ben Serga Church and Ei Sultan Hassen Mosque and Khan El Khalili Bazaar, lunch during the tour served in a typical restaurant. Hotel Sheraton Cairo (B/L)

Friday - November 28  Cairo
Full day tour, we start by visit three millennia of Egyptian Civilization in the Egyptian Museum. This is where you will discover the treasures of Tutankhamen and Royal Mummies. In the afternoon we tour the city of Cairo, visiting the 12th Century Citadel of Saladin and the Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque. Hotel Sheraton Cairo (B/L)

Saturday - November 29  Cairo - Alexandria - Cairo
A pleasant drive through the fertile Nile Delta to the Mediterranean Sea port city of Alexandria, founded by Alexander the great in 331 B.C. We visit Pompey’s massive red granite pillar, the Qiat Bay Fort, the intriguingly decorated Catacombs, and the Alexandria Library. In the evening we return to our hotel in Cairo. Hotel Sheraton Cairo (B/L)

Sunday - November 30   Luxor
After a big buffet breakfast we visit one of the largest outdoor markets in the Middle East, The Khan el Kahilli Bazaar. Hotel Sheraton Cairo (B/L/D)

Monday - December 1    Cairo - LAX
Transfer to the airport for our return flight back home. (B)

(B)=Breakfast   (L)=Lunch   (D)=Dinner