Splendors of the
Nile
EGYPT
October 20-31, 2011
12 days/11 nights
$3,999
EGYPT is currently listed as one of the top ten destinations in the
world to visit! Our fabulous journey back in time begins in
Cairo, a vibrant metropolis where
mosques and minarets are a part of the skyline. Visit the Museum
of Egyptian Antiquities that houses thousands of catalogued objects
including the golden treasures of King Tutankhamun.
At the nearby Giza plateau
stand before the great pyramids you have dreamed of seeing. Nearby
is the majestic Sphinx, guardian of the plateau and all that surrounds
him. In Cairo, enjoy dinner
in a lovely private home with an English speaking Egyptian family.
Your
3 night Nile cruise will be aboard a luxurious cruise boats.
All cabins are tastefully appointed with private bath, air conditioning,
and perfect views of the Nile. Cruising the Nile gives you the
opportunity to see the perpetual green fields that border the Nile, many
still farmed as they were thousands of years ago, and to visit the great
temples at Aswan, Kom-Ombo, Edfu and Luxor. Shore excursions
and all meals are included on the Nile cruise.
In Aswan, an afternoon to rest and relax at
your hotel overlooking the Nile before an optional excursion the next
morning to Abu Simbel to visit the great temple masterpieces created by Ramses II for him and his favorite wife, Nefertari.
In Luxor, visit the great Karnak and
Luxor Temples, two of the greatest temple complexes in the world.
At your hotel, an early morning bird watching experience is available.
Our Egyptologist will accompany us throughout
the tour, share his knowledge and provide continuity as we travel
throughout the country. Our small groups insure you will hear his
every word.
Barbara Osman, President of 4 Seasons Tours
and Travel, will accompany the tour to this country she always finds
fascinating and which she wants to share with you.
Suggested reading includes:
"THE NILE," AN INSIGHT GUIDE BOOK
- text is well written, very descriptive and informative.
"NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELER
EGYPT" - excellent text, color coded by region,
maps of areas. Highly recommended.
Both available at local book stores.
Itinerary
Day 1 -
GEORGETOWN/WILMINGTON/JFK AIRPORT Afternoon departures for JFK Airport and overnight
non-stop flight to
Cairo.
Meals D IN FLIGHT
Day 2 - CAIRO Afternoon arrival in Cairo, and after brief customs formalities,
transfer by motorcoach to your deluxe hotel, each room with balconies
overlooking the Nile. Meals D INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL
Day 3 - CAIRO Meet your Egyptologist this morning and begin touring with a visit to
the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. The golden treasures of King
Tutankhamun will highlight your introduction to the antiquities of Egypt.
Afternoon visit to Saladin's 12th century Citadel from which you get a
breathtaking view of the city. Nearby is the mosque of Mohammed Ali
where you will learn the fundamentals of the Islamic religion. Meals B
INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL
Day 4 - MEMPHIS/SAKKARA/PYRAMIDS/SPHINX
A visit to the ancient capital of Memphis. At Sakkara, in the
desert, see the Step Pyramid of Zoser and visit the Tomb of Mereruka.
The reliefs within are of ancient local life and show the domestication
of gazelles, goats and hyenas. Lunch at the Sakkara Restaurant
before our visit to the great Pyramids of Egypt. Nearby is the huge Sphinx, the earliest truly
colossal piece of ancient Egypt sculpture. We have included a
camel ride for your pleasure. Dinner with a lovely Egyptian
family thisevening!
Meals BLD INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL
Day 5 - CAIRO/ASWAN
Morning airport transfer for flight to Aswan. An independent lunch at hotel before a leisurely
afternoon and felucca (sailboat) sail on the Nile. Later today
visit the local market. Your hotel overlooks the Nile.
Meals BD ASWAN MOVENPICK HOTEL
Day 6 - ASWAN/ABU SIMBEL/ASWAN
Optional flight and tour of Abu Simbel to visit the great temples of Ramses II and
his favorite wife Nefertari, which stand tall above Lake Nasser, with return
by air to Aswan. Board your cruise boat in time for lunch. Enjoy a
free afternoon and evening in this favorite city of the Egyptians.
All
Meals NAGGAR CRUISE LINE
Day 7 - ASWAN
SIGHTSEEING/CRUISE/KOM-OMBO/EDFU A morning visit to the magnificent island temple of Philae. Sail
after lunch to Kom-Ombo to visit the temple shared by two gods
overlooking the Nile. Afternoon tea as we sail on to Edfu.
All Meals NAGGAR CRUISE LINE
Day 8 - EDFU/LUXOR A visit by horse and carriage this morning to Edfu's superbly
preserved temple of the falcon-god Horus, lord of the sky. Return to
the ship and an afternoon of cruising the Nile. Afternoon tea will
be served as you cruise the Nile to Luxor.
All Meals NAGGAR CRUISE LINE
Day 9 - LUXOR/VALLEY OF
THE KINGS AND QUEENS Disembark your cruise boat for an exciting day as you cross the Nile to the West Bank to visit the
Valley of the Kings. Descend into the tombs of the Pharaohs of Egypt,
each
with magnificent paintings on the walls that look as though they were
painted only yesterday. Travel through the desert to Deier el Bahri
to visit the impressive Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. You
will no doubt be overwhelmed with the beauty of the sites you see today.
Two nights at your delightful resort hotel overlooking the Nile. Meals
BL JOLIE VILLE RESORT HOTEL
Day 10 - LUXOR The city of Luxor stretches along the east bank of the Nile and is
home to two of the greatest historical sites in the world. The
Temple of Luxor, set beside the Nile, is one of the most beguiling of all
Egypt's pharaonic monuments. It is approached by the Avenue of
Sphinxes, which originally went all the way to Karnak, 2 miles north.
Originally raised by Amenhotep III (R. 1390-1352 BC) Ramses II added huge
statues of himself. It has a wealth of reliefs and an air of
serenity. Nearby visit the Temple of Karnak. To the ancient
Egyptian it was The Most Perfect of Places. Within the dizzying
hypostyle hall stand 134 columns roughly 50 feet high and it takes six men
with their arms outstretched to circle one column. Once again you
feel the ancient aura of Egypt. This afternoon relax by the pool or take advantage of the free
local shuttle into Luxor.
Meals B JOLIE VILLE RESORT HOTEL
Day 11 - LUXOR/CAIRO Depart for the airport and our return flight to Cairo for a visit to
Coptic Cairo. Coptic Cairo refers to the years between the old
pharaonic religions and before the arrival of Islam, when Egypt was
Christian. Our visit will include Abu Serga Church, probably 5th
century, built over a crypt where the Holy Family took shelter during
their stay in Egypt. Also visit the nearby Ben Ezra Synagogue, the oldest
in Egypt. A stop at the Khan el Khalili Bazaar before returning to
our hotel. Afternoon at leisure to pack and relax. Meals B INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL
Day 12 - HOME Board flight for JFK Airport where transportation will be waiting to return you to
Wilmington and Georgetown.
Meals B & IN FLIGHT
Tour inclusions:
Roundtrip
motorcoach transportation from Georgetown and Wilmington to JFK Airport
* Roundtrip air on
non-stop flights JFK/Cairo/JFK * Air taxes (subject to change until ticketed)
* Domestic air
in Egypt * Accommodations
for 7
nights in deluxe hotels based on double occupancy * Accommodations for
3 nights in junior suites aboard the Naggar Cruise Line *
Admission to
all sightseeing as per itinerary and shore excursions while cruising * Meals include
full breakfast daily, 2 lunches and 3 dinners on land portion of tour; all meals
aboard the Nile cruise boat *
Camel ride at the Pyramids * Sound and Light Show at the
Pyramids * Hotel taxes and service charges
* Transfers between airports, hotels and cruise ship *
Gratuities for motorcoach drivers * Luggage handling *
Accompanying
Egyptologist throughout the tour * Services of
Barbara Osman as Tour Director
* Apre-departure briefing.
Not
Included:
Passport and entry visa fee (visa fee $15 as of January 2011), gratuities to
Egyptologist and ship personnel * Items of a personal nature
such as beverages not included with meals, telephone calls and faxes,
laundry, etc., optional tour to Abu Simbel.
Conditions:
▪
Reservation deposit
$100 due with each reservation.
▪
Balance due
September 3, 2011.
Tour price is based on a minimum of 20 passengers. Cost of
roundtrip transportation to New York is based on a minimum of 20
passengers and be adjusted with fewer than 20.
▪
Cancellations:
After final payment date, no refunds.
▪
Trip cancellation/interruption insurance is recommended
and available through 4 Seasons Tours and Travel.
A passport valid for 6 months after
your return is required.
A visa for entry into Egypt will be
obtained at the airport.
Our Egyptologist will accompany us throughout
the tour, share his knowledge and provide continuity as we travel
throughout the country. Our small groups insure you will hear his
every word.
