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EGYPT WITH NILE RIVER CRUISE
OCTOBER 24-NOV. 02, 2023 (10 DAYS)
Day 1 (Oct. 24)
Departure
From $2390
to $2695
(Per Person, DBL Occ.; Excluding Flights)
Departure from U.S to Cairo overnight flight
Day 2 (Oct. 25)
ARRIVE IN CAIRO;
WELCOME TO CAIRO!
Today we arrive Cairo, Egypt; Upon arrival, (about 10am) we meet our Egyptologist guide and driver who will drive us to Old Cairo, and the City’s cultural landmarks that span three millennium of Egyptian history. We begin with Coptic Church, where you will visit the Hanging Church, the most famous Coptic church in Cairo, dating to the late 4th and early 5th century. This basilica was named "Al-Mu'allaqah" because it was built by the Nile River a top the south gate of the Roman Babylon Fortress.
During a walking tour, our guide will point out that this section of the old city was definitely the route taken by Abraham, Joseph, Moses and the family of Jesus - an inspiring thought. Continue to the Church of St. Sergius, a 5thcentury Coptic Church. This basilica is built on the cave in which the Holy Family stayed and is regarded by visitors as a source of blessing. As we stroll along, we'll come to the recently restored Synagogue of Ben Ezra - the oldest Jewish synagogue in Egypt built in 882 AC. Lunch will be served during the tour at a local restaurant. Then After lunch, we visit the first authentic museum of civilization in Egypt, the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) with 50,000 artefacts from the dawn of civilization to the present day
Meals: Lunch
Overnight in Cairo at Steigenberger El-Tahrir Cairo Hotel
Day 3(Oct. 26)
PYRAMIDS AND SAKKARA TOUR
Breakfast then you'll move to start your blissful day kicking off with the visit to the enchanting pyramids of Cheops, Chefren and Mykerinus at Giza. Then proceed to visit the Great Sphinx, the head of a pharaoh with a lion's body, dates back to the timeof Chephren. After that, you will visit the Valley Temple which belongs to the Pyramid of Chephren. Lunch will be served in a nice restaurant, and then proceed to Sakkara area to visit Sakkara Complex and first pyramid ever built (Djoser Pyramid).
Then you'll transfer to your hotel.
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Overnight in Cairo at Steigenberger El-Tahrir Cairo Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Note: Going inside Great Pyramids of Cheops requires early start as tickets are limited. The inside thoroughfares of the Pyramids are small and warm, so for those suffering from claustrophobia it is not recommended.
Day 4 (Oct. 27)
ALEXANDRIA DAY TOUR
After breakfast, drive to Alexandria from Cairo. Visit the CataComb of Kom El-Shokafa. This majestic Roman burial site includes inside some family tombs that reveal the merging of the Egyptian & Roman art and architecture and most importantly, it is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. You will find there a collection of Alexandrian tombs and some interesting archeological objects of the Pharaonic funeral cult and it is really a great adventure to get in a historical place like this. Then we visit St. Mark’s Coptic Basilica. The cathedral is said to stand on the site of the church founded by St. Mark the Evangelist in AD 60. St. Mark the Evangelist (author of the second Gospel) has been connected with the city of Alexandria since earliest Christian tradition. During this time, Mark converted many to Christianity and performed many miracles. He is considered the founder of the church in Alexandria and the first Bishop of Alexandria. According to tradition, St. Mark was arrested during a festival of Serapis in AD 68 and martyred by being dragged through the streets. He was buried under the church he had founded. The Relics of Saint Mark : In 828, the body of St. Mark was stolen from the Alexandrian church by Venetians to be enshrined in the grand new St. Mark's Basilica in Venice However, the head of the saint remained in Alexandria and every newly-appointed Patriarch of Alexandria began his service with holding the holy head of St. Mark in his lap and changing its cloth shroud. The head of St. Mark was moved around a great deal over the centuries, and has been lost for over 250 years. Some of the relics from the body of St. Mark, however, were returned to Alexandria from Rome in 1968 during the papacy of Pope Cyril VI. The present St. Mark's Coptic Cathedral is of recent date, but is said to stand on the site of church founded by St. Mark himself. Continue to visit Pompey's Pillar. It is a Roman Triumphal Column that is truly famous in Alexandria and it is the largest one to be built during the Roman empire. It is located at the Serapeum of Alexandria and it is considered one of the largest monolithic columns ever erected to honor Emperor Diocletian who freed the besieged city and used to bring food to its starving people. Alexandria is considered one of the largest monolithic columns ever erected to honor Emperor Diocletian who freed the besieged city and used to bring food to its starving people. Then you will head to Citadel of Qaitbay: This picturesque fortress was built during the 14th century to defend Alexandria from the advances of the Ottoman Empire and it was established in 1477 AD by Sultan Al-Ashraf Qa'it Bay. Have a lunch meal at a seafood restaurant and then you will finish your tour with a photo stop in front of Alexandria Library that includes a copy from every single book ever published in the world in addition to several exhibitions relating to the history of Egypt. Then drive back to your hotel in Cairo for the night.
Overnight in Cairo at Steigenberger El-Tahrir Cairo Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 5 (Oct. 28)
FLY TO LUXOR/NILE RIVER CRUISE EMBARKATION/LUXOR EAST BANK TOUR
4 Days/3 Nights: 5* Nile River Cruise
from Luxor to Aswan
Cruise Ship: MS Sonesta Star Goddess (5*) Nile River Cruise Cabin Type: Beethoven Suites
After breakfast your tour manager will escort you to Cairo Airport, where you will board a flight to Luxor. In Luxor you will be met by our representative and taken to board 5-star cruise ship which will be your home throughout your cruise down the Nile. In the afternoon after you have had lunch, you will spend time exploring the Luxor East Bank area, including the Temples of Karnak and the Luxor Temple. You will enjoy afternoon tea and dinner aboard ship, and you will
spend the first night of your cruise on the quiet waters of the Nile at Luxor.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, and Dinner
Day 6 (Oct. 29)
LUXOR WEST BANK AND CRUISE TO EDFU
Today kicks off with a hearty onboard breakfast, and then it will be time for an onshore excursion you will never forget. Your first stop will be a visit to Valley of the Kings on Luxor’s West Bank. This sprawling site attracted archeologist from all over the world, leading to the discovery of more than 70 ancient royal tombs, including the tomb of King Tutankhamen.
In fact, Tutankhamen’s mummy remains in the tomb to this day. Another famous tomb discovered here is that of King Ramses VI. After Valley of the Kings, you will be taken to visit the spectacular Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. This is a huge rock-cut temple which attracts thousands upon thousands of visitors each year, and it is without question one ancient site which every visitor should try to see during their stay. After spending some time exploring this site, everyone will return to the Sonesta Moon Goddess, and it will begin cruising towards Edfu, with a delightful lunch being served along the way. A little bit later in the day, afternoon tea will be served, and at around 18h00, there will be an enjoyable “Captain’s Welcome” cocktail reception. Shortly after this, the dining area will open, and the crew will begin serving dinner. At night there will be an onboard disco for those who are in the mood for dancing, but if lively music is not your sort of thing, you can simply choose to relax instead. This night will be spent on the water in Edfu.
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Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, andDinner
Day 7 (Oct. 30)
EDFU TO KOM OMBO, AND ON TO ASWAN
Wake up and enjoy another superb onboard breakfast and get ready for another fun-filled day, which starts with a fascinatingvisit to the magnificent Edfu Temple. After your visit to this famous historical site, you will return your cruise liner, and it will begin sailing towards Kom Ombo. Enjoy another fine lunch on the water, and then disembark at Kom Ombo for a visit to Kom Ombo Temple.
This site actually features two identical temples that were dedicated to Sobek the crocodile God and Horus the Falcon God. Your English speaking Expert guide will be more than happy to discuss the history and significance of this intriguing ancient relic. After Kom Ombo Temple, it will be time to board the cruise line again, at which point it will set sail for Aswan. Enjoy afternoon tea along the way; another fine dinner on the water, and then enjoy a wonderful Galabia Party on board the vessel in the evening. Tonight you will be sleeping on the water in Aswan .
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Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Afternoon Tea, and Dinner
Day 8 (Oct. 31)
ABU SIMBEL- ASWAN SIGHT SEEING
& DISEMBARKATION -
FLY TO SHARM
Today you'll be issued a breakfast board as you will disembark, and one of our tour representatives will meet you and escort you for a day tour to Abu Simbel. It is about 03 hours and half, one way driving from Aswan to Abu Simbel. The two Temples of Abu Simbel, with their unique style, are considered to be the masterpieces of ancient Egypt. They reflect the glory and grandeur of the new Kingdom. The Egyptian government and UNESCO decided to co-operate in order to save these temples from the flood. The Temple of Ramsses II was dedicated to the four universal gods Ptah, Re-Her-Akhtey, Amun-Re, and to Ramsses II himself. The great Abu Simbel temple is also called The Sun Temple of Ramssess II. The Temple of Queen Nefertari is also Called Temple of Hathor who was the wife of the Sun God so in a symbolic way, the two Temples, that of Ramsses II and that of Nefertari, bring Ramesses II, Nefertari, Hathor and the Sun God together as one. Later on, you will be escorted back from Abu Simbel to Aswan and you will be taken to visit the Aswan High Dam; the ancient granite quarries to see the Unfinished Obelisk, and finally the heartwarming Temple of Philae. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most popular relics of the ancient world, and visiting this attraction will definitely be an unforgettable experience. Finally, with your sightseeing tour of Aswan behind you, one of our friendly tour representatives will meet you, and you will travel to Aswan Airport for your Sharm El Sheikh flight. When you reach Sharm, you will be met at the airport, and then immediately transferred to the hotel where you will be staying for the night.
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NOTE: Most flights to Sharm are connecting via Cairo.
Overnight in Sharm at Park Regency Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 9 (Nov. 1)
SHARM EL SHEIK / FREE RELAXATION DAY - BEFORE YOUR PILGRIMAGE CLIMB TO MT. SINAI
After enjoying your breakfast in your hotel, you can either have this day all to yourself to enjoy Sharm El Sheikh as you wish, or else you can join an optional tour to the remarkable Ras Mohammed National Park which covers an area of both sea and land.
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Meals: Breakfast
Overnight in Sharm at Park Regency Hotel
Day 10 (Nov. 2)
MOUNT SINAI & ST. CATHERINE - TABA
You'll be issued breakfast boxes, then you will be checking out, as our representative will pick you up from your hotel in Sharm El Sheikh at 9:00 pm by an air-conditioned vehicle to drive to St. Catherine, takes about 3 hours driving. Start climbing the Moses Mountain at 12:00 am to reach the summit of the mountain before sunrise.
Watch the sunrise and experience the most spectacular and breathtaking sunrise you'll ever see. Start your descent at at 7:00 am. Then proceed to visit St. Catherine's Monastery, which is considered one of the most famous and oldest-functiomning monasteries in the world. It was dedicated to one of Alexander's rulers, Saint Catherine who was tortured to death for the sake of her new faith. After the tour, we drive to Taba. The journey takes approximately 5hrs. The distance between Sharm el Sheikh and Taba is 190 km. Upon arrival in Taba, you'll be transferred to your hotel for a restful night.
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Meals: Breakfast
Overnight in Taba at Movenpick Resort Hotel
Day 11 (Nov. 3)
TABA TO ISRAEL BOERDER CROSSING/START OF HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE/JAFFA
After enjoying your breakfast in your hotel, we drive to the Taba Israel border for entry procedures. We drive to Jaffa (about 4 hrs) to meet the group. Today starts your Holy Land Pilgrimage.
INCLUDED IN TOUR PACKAGE
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Meet and greet service by our representatives at airports
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Assistance of our guest relations during your stay
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All transfers by a private air-conditioned vehicle
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Domestic Flights Cairo to Aswan & From Sharm to Cairo
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Accommodation for 3 nights in Cairo including bed & breakfast
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Accommodation for 3 nights on 5 Star Superior Cruise on full board
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Accommodation for 2 nights in Sharm El-Sheikh on including bed & breakfast
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Accommodation for 1 night in Taba including bed & breakfast
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Local English speaking Egyptologist tour guide
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All sightseeing tours in Cairo are private tours
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All Sightseeing tours on your Nile Cruise sharing cruise group
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Tour to the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Temple of Philae in Aswan
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Tour to Abu Simbel (is optional but will be included, valued at $150)
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Tour to Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples
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Tour to Karnak and Luxor Temples
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Tour to Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut temple & Colossi of Memnon
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Entrance fees to all sites as indicated on the itinerary
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Meals as mentioned in the above itinerary
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Bottled water during outings outside of hotel or cruise ship
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Portage handling of 1 suitcase per person in/out hotels and cruise
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All service charges and taxes
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Entry visa to Egypt ($25)
NOT INCLUDED:
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International Airfare; However, if you are joining the Holy Land trip, you will pay only the difference of fares between Cairo & Tel Aviv. based from Gateway cities
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Any optional tours, Personal expenses,
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Tips to tour guides ($2/day) & bus driver ($2/day)
AVAILABLE PACKAGE OPTIONS:
OPTION 1: $ 2,695/pp DBL Occ.
Whole Tour ( Land & Cruise Package) with Nile RIver Cruise
+Mt. Sinai & continue to Holy Land
OPTION 2: $ 2,635/pp DBL Occ.
Egypt Only Tour ( Land & Cruise Package) with Nile RIver Cruise
+Mt. Sinai & will not join Holy Land
OPTION 3: $ 2,390/pp DBL Occ.
Egypt Land & Cruise Package) with Nile River Cruise Only
without Mt. Sinai, without Holy Land