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EGYPT:
SUMMER PROMOTION
A World Heritage Sites Tour of Egypt |
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The
world is indeed indebted to the people of ancient Egypt
for achieving the longest living civilization of the ancient
world - 3300 BC to 30 BC. Many of the Egyptians achievements
in construction and lifestyle are still available to us
over 5000 years later and are a must see for people of
all ages. Our journey through this ancient land not only
offers visits to the pyramids, sphinx and the world famous
Egyptian Museum, but also a look at the achievements of
the medieval Islamic period such as the majestic Al Azhar
Mosque, Salahuddi's citadel, the city of Cairo and the
famous Khan-el-Khalil bazaar. These World Heritage Sites
are visited in a combination of land, train and a four-day
Nile cruise. Few will fail to see the charm of this spectacular
and ancient country; the land where it all began.
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Tour
Summary
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Map |
Day
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Place
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01
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Cairo |
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02
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Cairo / Pyramids |
| 03 |
Cairo
/ Luxor |
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04
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Sherry
Nile Cruise: Luxor |
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05
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Sherry Nile Cruise: Luxor /Esna / Edfu |
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06
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Sherry
Nile Cruise: Edfu / Kom Ombo / Aswan |
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07
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Aswan
/ Cairo |
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08
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Cairo |
| 09 |
Cairo |
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UNESCO
World Heritage Sites Visited
This tour has been tailored to include the following World
Heritage Sites |
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World Heritage Sites in Egypt covered on this tour |
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Memphis and its Necropolis - the Pyramid Fields from Giza
to Dahshur (1979) |
The
capital of the Old Kingdom of Egypt has some extraordinary
funerary monuments, including rock tombs, ornate mastabas,
temples and pyramids. In ancient times, the site was considered
one of the Seven Wonders of the World. |
| Ancient
Thebes with its Necropolis (1979) |
Thebes,
the city of the god Amon, was the capital of Egypt during
the period of the Middle and New Kingdoms. With the temples
and palaces at Karnak and Luxor, and the necropolises
of the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens,
Thebes is a striking testimony to Egyptian civilization
at its height. |
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Islamic Cairo (1979) |
Tucked
away amid the modern urban area of Cairo lies one of the
world's oldest Islamic cities, with its famous mosques,
madrasas, hammams and fountains. Founded in the 10th century,
it became the new centre of the Islamic world, reaching
its golden age in the 14th century. |
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Saint Catherine Area (Optional)
(2002) |
The
Orthodox Monastery of St Catherine stands at the foot
of the Mount Horeb of the Old Testament, where Moses received
the Tablets of the Law. The mountain is known and revered
by Muslims as Jebel Musa. The entire area is sacred to
three world religions: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.
The Monastery, founded in the 6th century, is the oldest
Christian monastery still in use for its initial function.
Its walls and buildings are very significant in the study
of Byzantine architecture and the Monastery houses outstanding
collections of early Christian manuscripts and icons.
The rugged mountainous landscape, containing numerous
archaeological and religious sites and monuments, forms
a perfect backdrop for the Monastery. |
| Detailed
Itinerary |
Day
1: Arrive Cairo
Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome in Arabic. We are warmly received at Cairo Airport and
transferred to our hotel. Check in starts from 1400 hrs.
Overnight: Pyramids Park Hotel or similar (2 nights)
Day
2: Cairo/Pyramids
This is a day to go back in time, starting with a visit to the most famous of
the Egyptian sphinxes, the Great Sphinx of Giza, followed by the Great Pyramid
of Khufu (Cheops). Completed around 2600 BC, this pyramid was 146m (478ft) high
and consisted of over 2 million limestone blocks weighing over 2 tons each. We
also examine the Chephren and Mycerinus Pyramids as well as the Cheops wooden
boat. At over 4500 years old, this boat is the most ancient vessel found in perfect
condition anywhere in the world and is one of the most important archaeological
finds in Egypt. Next we visit Memphis and the Saqqara Step Pyramid, the world's
first great stone structure. Evening, an ideal opportunity to join in our optional
viewing of the spectacular Sound and Light Show at the foot of the Great Pyramids. (B,
L)
Day 3: Cairo/Luxor (Flight)
A short flight gets us to Luxor where we are warmly received and transferred
to your boat, home for the next four nights. Over the next few days we cruise
the Nile and visit various off shore sites.
Overnight: M/S Etoile Du Nil Nile Cruise or similar (4 nights) (B, L,
D)
Day 4: Nile Cruise Luxor
This afternoon we visit the Karnak and Luxor Temples. The ancient Egyptians knew
the Temple of Karnak as Ipet-isut. It is a city of temples built over 2000 years
and dedicated to the Theben triad of Amon, Mut and Khonsu. This derelict place
continues to overshadow many of the wonders of the modern world. It is the mother
of all religious buildings and a place of pilgrimage for nearly 4,000 years.
Luxor Temple was connected to Karnak Temple by an avenue of sphinxes in ancient
times. Unlike Karnak, Luxor is mainly the work of one pharaoh - Amenhotep III
and was added to by Tutankhamun, Horemheb, Ramses II and Alexander the Great.
During Akhenaten’s all religion other than worship of Aten was rejected
and development at Luxor stopped. When Akhenaten died, the old religions returned,
along with the priests so the temple began to expand again. (B, L, D)
Day
5: Nile Cruise Luxor / Esna / Edfu
We begin our day with a visit to the West Bank of Luxor to explore the Valley
of the Kings, a vast City of the Dead where magnificent tombs were carved into
the desert rocks, richly decorated, and filled with treasures for the afterlife
by generations of pharaohs. Our visit will also includes Queen Hatshepsut Temple
and the Colossi of Memnon. Sail to Esna, cross the lock then continue onto Edfu. (B,
L, D)
Day 6: Nile Cruise Edfu / Kom Ombo / Aswan
Morning we will be visiting the well-preserved Greek built Temple of Horus. This
temple, built during the reigns of six generations of Ptolemy’s, is not
only the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt, but also the second largest
after Karnak. Afternoon sail for Kom Ombo to visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated
to the crocodile-god Sobek. It stands at a bend in the Nile where in ancient
times sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank. (B, L, D)
Day 7: Aswan / Cairo (Flight)
Disembark after breakfast. Visits in Aswan include the famous and monumental
Aswan High Dam and the romantic and majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilka.
This afternoon, we take a ride on a felucca, a typical Egyptian sail-boat, around
Elephantine Island. This is also a day for those who may want to take an optional
flight excursion to Abu Simbel to see the temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari.
Afternoon transfer to the airport for flight back to Cairo. Meet & transfer
to hotel.
Overnight: Pyramids Park Hotel or similar (2 nights) (B)
Day 8: Cairo
Our day at Cairo starts with a fascinating tour of 7,000 years of Egyptian history
with a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. The Museum houses the world's
greatest collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, including 12 rooms filled
with golden treasures from the world-famous tomb of the boy-king Tutenkhamun.
Next we start with the fascinating part of Islamic Cairo, including the beautiful
and graceful Mohamed Ali Mosque and the ancient Citadel, a spectacular medieval
fortress perched on a hill above the city. Originally built by Salah El-Din in
1176 to fortify the city against the Crusaders, the Citadel was modified and
enlarged over the centuries by subsequent rulers and today is a complex of three
mosques and four museums. Our last stop is at the awesome Khan El-Khalili Bazaar,
reputed to be the largest bazaar in the Middle East. Originally founded as a
watering stop for caravanserai in the 14th century, the bazaar has now grown
to vast proportions. (B, L)
Day 9: Depart Cairo
Today we bid farewell to Egypt, best described as a heritage site to the whole
world, having gained an educational, historical an enlightening cultural experience
never to be forgotten. Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)
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B
= Breakfast
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L
= Lunch
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D
= Dinner
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Departure Dates |
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2010
Validity:
Jun 01, 2010 until Sept 25, 2010
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| Prices |
Departure |
Tour
Price US$ |
Single
Sup US$ |
| 2010 |
950 |
250 |
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| Tour
Price Includes |
Tour
Price Does Not Include: |
•
Hotel Accommodation/Cruise as mentioned or similar, including
hotel taxes
• Meal Plan as mentioned
(B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner)
• All sightseeing and transfers
• Entrance Fees to Museums and Sites
• Local English speaking guides
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International airfares
• Cairo/Luxor & Aswan/Cairo airfares are from USD
300.00
• Insurance / Visas
• Drinks / Beverages with meals
• Tips & gratuities to local guides and drivers
• Entrance fees into the Pyramids chambers, visit to
the Sun/Solar Boat Museum, Mummies Room at the Egyptian
Museum, Tutankhamun’s Tomb in the Valley of Kings,
Nefertari’s Tomb in the Valley of the Queens. These
may be paid locally.
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| Domestic
/ Regional Airfare INCLUDED in Tour Price |
| Cairo
/ Luxor & Aswan / Cairo |
| Estimated
International Airfare(not
included in tour price) |
| East
Coast |
US
$ 1200 |
| West
Coast |
US
$ 1400 |
| Please
note:
This tour operates with a minimum of 02
and a maximum of N/A
participants. |
| Other
Dates / Customized Itinerary / Languages |
In addition to our set programs we are also pleased
to offer customized tours.
Please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your
individual needs.
Customized tours can be conducted in English, French,
German, Spanish or Italian. Each departure is conducted
in the designated language only. |
| Contact
Information |
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Fax:
+1-604-264-7774
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| 206–8678
Greenall Ave |
Phone:
+1-604-264-7378 |
| Burnaby
B.C., Canada |
Toll
Free (US & Canada): 1-800-663-0844 |
| V5J
3M6 |
Email:
bestway@bestway.com |
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30
years in small group journeys
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Site
updated Jun 01, 2009
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