June 3-19, 2008
Tuesday June 3, 2008, depart from Canada Board your transatlantic flight, our tour guides will be waiting to receive you when you arrive in Cairo... Wednesday June 4, 2008, Arrive in Cairo Arrive at your hotel in Cairo. Upon your arrival you will be greeted with a welcome drink and given an orientation of the property and its many lovely amenities. Take advantage of fun shopping, dining, and relaxing by the poolside. Those keen to get their first taste of Egyptian dance may choose to go on their own to visit the Parisianna Club, owned by Oriental dancer Lucy. Overnight in Cairo. [D] Thursday June 5, 2008, Cairo / Aswan Those who are still adjusting to the time change may choose to rest by the pool at your hotel and take in some of the Egyptian sun. Today we will visit Khan El Khalili, one of the earliest and greatest markets in the Middle East, built in the14th century AD and containing many stores that exhibit wonderful collections of jewelry, wooden products engraved with mother-of pearl, perfumes and many more exiting souvenirs. Practice your bargaining skills with your choice of the many costume suppliers that are located here. You can bring your custom orders to them, or buy some of the lovely treasures right off the rack. Afternoon flight to Aswan where we board a luxury 5-star cruise ship. Dinner and overnight onboard in Aswan. [B, D] Friday June 6, 2008, Aswan Starting at 13:00 enjoy a guided tour of Aswan including Temple of Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk. Afterwards, you'll enjoy the unique experience of sailing in an Egyptian Felucca sailing boat on the Nile . Stop in at Garb Aswan to visit the Nubian villages for lunch and perhaps the unique experience of a camel ride. You'll float around Elephantine Island, pass lovely botanical gardens and have a fabulous view of the famous Agha Khan mausoleum, which is now a national monument. Dinner and overnight onboard in Aswan. [B, D] Saturday June 7, 2008, Aswan / Kom-Ombo / Optional Tour to Abu-Simbel For those who are participating in the optional tour to Abu-Simbel; this special tour takes you to one of the most spectacular monuments in Egyptian history with its mighty statures of Ramses himself. The great temple of Ramses II is truly magnificent. Over looking the expanse of lake Nasser. It presents a truly unique example of the power and beauty of Egyptian Culture. As you return to Aswan, you will also see the sites of Aswan before returning to the ship for lunch. Those not participating on the Abu-Simbel tour will enjoy a morning of leisure. In the afternoons you will enjoy lunch on board the ship as we set sail for Kom-Ombo where you will visit the temple of Kom-Ombo dedicated for gods Sobek, the crocodile headed god of the under world and Haroeris the winged god of the sky, the magnificently colored "reliefs" in the forefront show the purification of King Ptolemy XIII by temple goddesses. At every port your Egyptologist guide will amaze you with their expertise and informative dialogue about the history of each magnificent site you will visit with them. This evening you will sail to Edfu and enjoy a lovely dinner on the Hapi. Dinner and overnight on board cruise ship in Edfu. Sunday June 8, 2008, Edfu / Esna / Luxor Today after breakfast, we will board our carriage and visit the temple of Edfu; dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus. This temple may be the best-preserved temple in all of Egypt. We will have lunch on board the ship while sailing to Esna and crossing through the lock of Esna; which is a very interesting experience. The cruise will continue to sail to Luxor. Monday June 9, 2008, Luxor / Hurgada After breakfast, our tour of west bank, we will see the Colossi of Memenon, the temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Dair El-Bahari, and the Valley of the Kings . In the afternoon, we will visit Karnak and Luxor temples. After lunch, we will drive to once a simple fishing village, Hurghada with its crystal clear water and more than 20 Kilometres of pristine beaches, has become the foremost tourist resort of the Red Sea Coast and an international centre for aquatic sports, the unique underwater gardens offshore are some of the finest in the world, check into your resort hotel. Tuesday June 10, 2008, Hurgada / Sharm El-Sheikh After we have an early breakfast, we will transfer to Sharm El-Sheikh by ferryboat. Sharm El-Sheikh offers the sun, sea, and sand, the luxury of 5 star hotels, water sports, shopping and entertainment. This is Sharm El-Sheikh, one of the most accessible and developed tourist resort communities on the Sinai Peninsula. Dinner and overnight in the 5 star hotel. Wednesday June 11, 2008, Sharm El-Sheikh Snorkel and swim on your own or take the optional excursion dive tour to Ras Mohammed Water Park. This park containing Reefs that range in age from 15,000 to 2000,000 years. The profusion of exotic life in Ras Mohammed can almost overpower the senses. The playground of the Red Sea is located just minutes of the popular international "Hot Vacation Paradise" of "Naama Bay". Thursday June 12, 2008, Sharm El-Sheikh Today, we will have the day free to enjoy exploring more of Sharm El-Sheikh with its great shopping waterfront, restaurants. Shuttles will be available between the hotel and fabulous "Naama Bay" with all of its exciting nightlife, casinos restaurants and sightseeing. Friday June 13, 2008, Sharm El-Sheikh Day at leisure in Sharm El-Sheikh. Work on that tan, do some more shopping, smoke shisha Saturday June 14, 2008, Sharm El-Sheikh / St. Catherine After breakfast, we will take excursion to visit St. Catherine's Monastery, founded by the Byzantine emperor Justinian in the 6th Century. The Monastery where monks still lead a secluded life, surrounds the chapel of the burning Bush, containing a rare collection of icons including a great mosaic of the transfiguration of Christ. Close by the monastery is Mount Sinai, where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments, from the top of the mountain. Also, we may be able to take an excursion to Mount Sinai before heading back to Cairo. The mountain trek is only for those who are extremely fit. Upon your evening arrival into Cairo, you will have dinner and overnight at hotel. Sunday June 15, 2008, Cairo / Giza Tour We start a full day comprehensive tour after breakfast at our hotel. We board our luxury motor coach to begin a magical day stand in awe as we look upon the Sphinx with its unsolved mysteries, walk among the Pyramids and stand at the base of one of the wonders of the world. You may choose to tour the Pyramids by camel. Then we will visit Sakkara and Memphis. Dinner at Nile Maxim Boat with Oriental belly dance and Egyptian Folklore show for 2 hours. Overnight in Cairo [B, D] Monday June 16, 2008, Cairo After breakfast, we start our full day in Cairo visiting the Egyptian Museum, Citadel of Salaheldin, Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali, old Cairo and the Hanging Church. (Those who will attend the Nile Group Festival for dance from June 16 - 22 /08 will move to the hotel hosting the dance festival) Tuesday June 17, 2008, Cairo / Alexandria Excursion After breakfast, those who have booked the optional tour to Alexandria will board their luxury motor coach to begin a magical day stand in awe and look upon Alexandria, the second largest city in Egypt. Alexandria known as "The Pearl of the Mediterranean" has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern, its ambience and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is actually only 225 KM from Cairo. Founded by Alexander the great in 331 B.C., Alexandria become the Capital of Greco-Roman Egypt. Then visiting Fort Qaitbey (the Citadel of Qaitbey). The island of pharos was a major port having two large harbours. Then explore the Alexandria National Museum and the Catacombs of Kom El Shugafa. After lunch, a visit to the Bibliotheca Alexandria, built on the believed site of the old Library of Alexandria, and view the massive pink granite pompey's pillar before returning to Cairo. Dinner at your hotel. Wednesday June 18, 2008, Cairo Day at leisure. Shopaholics may wish to rush back on their own to Khan El Khalili for more souvenir hunting, picking up costume orders, or discovering the music shops of Mohamed Ali street. Or, you may choose to use the free time to explore more Cairo sights, return to the Egyptian museum, or just relax and take in a last bit of sun by the pool. Choose between the comfort of your hotel for dinner, or are free to discover one of Cairo's many restaurants for dinner tonight. In the evening you may choose between cramming in your last chance of Cairo nightlife, or pack your luggage and rest early; you fly home tomorrow. Thursday June 19, 2008 Cairo-Home : After breakfast, those not staying on for the optional Desert extension will transfer to Cairo Airport for final departure home [B] The above itinerary includes:
Excluded:
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Site: Jocelyne Khan. Updated
02/17/2009
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