Enjoy a 14 Day / 13 Night Egypt & The Red Sea Tour Package including 7 Day Nile Cruise (and more!) beginning on one of the following dates:
September 4 or 18, 2008
October 9 or 16, 2008
November 6 or 20, 2008
December 4 or 25, 2008
January 15, 2009
March 12 or 26, 2009
April 9, 16, or 23, 2009
May 7 or 21, 2009
ITINERARY
The Sphinx
DAY 1 Thursday - Arrive in Cairo
Arrive in Cairo (on your own arrangements - Flights NOT included) and transfer to your hotel, the 5 star Sofitel Le Sphinx, facing the Pyramids of Giza. Balance of the day at leisure.
Transfer from Cairo airport to hotel is not included but may be added to your package for an additional cost.
Overnight: Cairo
DAY 2: Friday - Cairo
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Cairo, a city that straddles time, spanning the dawn of civilization to the present. From the ancient Pyramids at Giza, to the historic mosques, Coptic Churches, and medieval architecture of Old Cairo to modern Midan Square, home of the Egyptian Museum and American University in Cairo, all eras are represented in this amazing city.
Optional: Full Day Cairo Tour
Optional: Cairo Sound and Light Show
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3: Saturday - Embark cruise in Luxor
After breakfast, transfer to the Cairo airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival, you will be met, assisted, and transfered to your cruise ship, Ramses King of the Nile. Set sail along the Nile.
Optional Shore Excursion: Temples of Karnak and Luxor
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Ramses King of the Nile
DAY 4: Sunday - Esna
Sail to Esna. Continue sailing to Edfu, home of the Temple of Horus, the most well-preserved temple in Egypt. Located in close proximity to the temple are the ruins of the ancient city of Tell Edfu, which has been a treasure trove for archaeologists, with artifacts dating all the way back to the Old Kingdom. Enjoy a typical Galabia party on board tonight.
Optional Shore Excursion: Esna Temple
Overnight: Cruise (Edfu)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 5: Monday- Kom Ombo
Sail to Kom Ombo, the ancient Egyptian "City of Gold." Here, the crocodile was especially revered, and fine examples of both Egyptian and Ptolemaic Greek style temples can be found. Later, sail to Aswan.
Optional Shore Excursion: Twin Temple of Sobek and Horus
Overnight: Cruise (Aswan)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 6: Tuesday - Aswan
Enjoy the day at leisure in Aswan, famed as the site of the massive Aswan High Dam as well as the Unfinished Obelisk.
Optional: Abu Simbel Excursion (AM)
Optional Shore Excursion: Aswan High Dam, Granite Quarries with Unfinished Obelisk, Temple of Philae (PM)
Overnight: Cruise (Aswan)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 7: Wednesday - Edfu
Enjoy the morning at leisure. After lunch, sail to Edfu via Kom Ombo.
Optional Shore Excursion: Felucca sailing to view the Mausoleum of Agha Khan
Overnight: Cruise (Edfu)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 8: Thursday - Edfu, cruise to Luxor
Spend this morning at leisure in Edfu. This afternoon, sail via Esna to Luxor, known in ancient times as the city of Thebes.
Optional Shore Excursion: Edfu Temple by horse-drawn carriage
Overnight: Cruise (Edfu)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 9: Friday - Luxor
Enjoy the day at leisure in Luxor. The premier destination in Upper Egypt, Luxor features an array of ruins and monuments, and is often considered the most extraordinary open air museum in the world. The city is also known for its horse carriages, called caleches, which offer a charming way to enjoy the area's many sightseeing opportunities.
Optional Shore Excursion: Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon
Overnight: Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 10: Saturday - Transfer to Hurghada
After breakfast, transfer to your all-inclusive resort in Hurghada. Balance of the day at leisure to enjoy the resort's recreational facilities, restaurants, bars, and the area nightlife.
Overnight: Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 11: Sunday - Hurghada
Enjoy the day at leisure at your all-inclusive resort.
Optional: Glass Bottom Boat Ride (AM)
Optional: Full Day Safari Tour
Overnight: Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 12: Monday - Hurghada
Enjoy the day at leisure at your all-inclusive resort.
Optional: Snorkeling at Giftun Island
Overnight: Hurghada
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
DAY 13: Tuesday - Flight to Cairo
Fly to Cairo and spend the remainder of the day at leisure and savor the local culture and cuisine or further investigate the most interesting historical sites.
Optional: Half Day Memphis and Sakkara (PM)
Optional: Local Dinner with an Egyptian Family
Overnight: Cairo
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 14: Wednesday - Depart for Home
Transfer independently to the airport for your departure flight home. (Flight NOT included). Return Transfers from hotel to airport in Cairo may be purchased for an additional cost.
Meals: Breakfast
Nile River
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OPTIONS
The following options may be purchased as part of this package:
- Transfers from Cairo airport to hotel upon arrival and from hotel to Cairo airport on return are an additional $24.00 per person, each way or $48.00 roundtrip.
- Optional Tours
Cairo Sound & Light Show Day #2 -- $39.00 per person
At sundown, drive to the Sphinx area to attend one of Egypt's most entertaining productions--the Sound & Light Show at the Giza Pyramids. Since 1961, this exhilarating performance has wowed crowds and is a "must" for visitors to Egypt. The show combines ancient Egyptian history with a dazzling display of modern lights and lasers.
Summer: Departs approximately 7:30 pm; returns at 10 pm.
Full Day Cairo Tour Day #2 -- $109.00 per person
Visit the Pyramids of Cheops, Khefren, and Mycerinus. Continue to the Sphinx and the Valley Temple. Then proceed to the world-renowned Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, which houses the world's largest collection of artifacts from the era of the pharaohs including some belonging to King Tut. End the day at the bazaar of Khan El Khalili. Lunch is included.
Nile River Optional Shore Excursion - Egypt with Red Sea Day #3 -- $149 per person
Optional Excursion Package includes: (1) Visit to the Temples of Karnak and Luxor. (2) Visit to the the Esna Temple. (3) Visit to the Twin Temple of Sobek and Horus. (4) Visit to Aswan High Damn, granite quarries with the Unfinished Obelisk, and the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis. (5) Felucca sailing to view the Mausoleum of Agha Khan. (6) Horse-drawn carriage to Edfu Temple. (7) Visit to Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon.
Abu Simbel Excursion from Aswan Day #6 -- $239.00 per person
Depart for the airport for your short flight to the archaeological complex of Abu Simbel, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you will enjoy a tour of the Nubian Monuments, the twin temples carved from the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II. Following your tour of one Egypt's most popular attractions, enjoy time at leisure to walk the temple grounds before returning to Aswan. Compare pre-purchase price of $239 to $260 if purchased locally.
Please note that Egypt Air flight departs for Abu Simbel at 08:00am, and is subject to availability
Glass Bottom Boat Ride Day #11 -- $65 per person
Enjoy a glass bottom boat ride providing an unparalleled view of the Red Sea. The boat's upper deck is open and offers spectacular sea views, while the lower deck allows a panoramic underwater view of the colorful fish and beautiful coral for which the sea is famous. With comfortable seating on both decks, this tour is the perfect way to relax and experience the best of the Red Sea both above and beneath the waves.
Departs at 7 am; returns at 10 am.
Full Day Safari Tour Day #11 -- $99 per person
Your safari tour begins with a twenty-five mile excursion into the desert in a covered jeep to reach a Bedouin camp. Here, enjoy a lecture regarding the culture, customs, and traditions as you are treated to a cup of Bedouin tea. Proceed to visit houses, the herbal pharmacy, bakery, and mosque of the encampment. Afterward, depart and participate in a variety of recreational desert activities, such as camel, horse, and donkey rides. Then, dine on traditional fare in the midst of a gorgeous desert setting. After dinner, enjoy a few performances by belly dancers, whirling dervishes, and a snake charmer. When the sun sets, admire the stunning night sky before returning to Hurghada. Departs at 1 pm; returns at 8 pm. Please note: Sneakers or comfortable shoes, long pants, a hat, and light scarf are recommended on this tour.
Snorkeling at Giftun Island Day #12 -- $59 per person
This morning, you will be transferred to join a boat that will sail to Giftun Island, a beautiful natural protected island surrounded by coral reefs. Before boarding you will select your snorkeling equipment. On the way you will have the opportunity to go snorkeling to view the colorful reefs, fish and other sea life in the sparkling waters. Arrive at Giftun Island, where you will have free time to snorkel, enjoy the National Park and relax on the sandy beach. Lunch will be served aboard the boat. End the day with another hour of snorkeling at a nearby reef. Return to Hurghada where you will be transferred to your hotel. Departs at 8 am; returns at 4 pm.
Half Day Memphis & Sakkara Day #13 -- $65 per person
Your half day tour begins with a visit to the ruins of the ancient city of Memphis, located twelve miles south of Cairo on the western bank of the Nile. According to the Greek historian Herodotus, Memphis was founded more than five thousand years ago by the pharaoh Menes, who first united the Upper and Lower Kingdoms of Egypt and established the city as his capital. Proceed to the nearby Sakkara necropolis with its famous Step Pyramid of Zoser, which was designed by Imhotep, the Pharaoh's vizier, who has the profound historical distinction of being both the first architect and first physician known by name. Departs at 1 pm; returns at 4 pm.
Nile Dinner Cruise Day #14 -- $55 per person
This evening, enjoy an unforgettable dinner on the Nile. While cruising the world's longest river, savor Egyptian and Continental cuisines while enjoying an entertaining show.
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Seasonal Surcharges apply for tours commencing on certain dates. See below for details.
Tax and service charges of $295.00 per person additional.
Reservations subject to availability.
Bid price is per person based on a minimum of 2 people travelling together and sharing accommodations throughout the tour package.
