2008 November
12 Wed Leave Canada
Evening departure from Toronto Pearson International Airport. on Lufthansa overnight jet service via Frankfurt.
13 Thu Arrive Cairo
Changing aircraft this morning continue to Cairo arriving at Cairo International Airport in mid-afternoon. Your escort will meet you and assist with immigration and customs formalities. Transfer to the Nile Hilton Hotel to stay 4 nights. Remainder of the day at leisure.
14 Fri Cairo
Breakfast is included this morning and every morning during the stay in Egypt.
This morning meet your Egyptologist guide for a visit to the nearby the Egyptian Museum whose most famous exhibit is the Gold Room that holds the treasures from the Tomb of Tutankhamen. Then visit the Citadel of Saladin, built between 1176 and 1183, by Salah ad-Din to protect the area against attacks by the Crusaders; since then, it has never been without a military garrison. Within the Citadel visit the Alabaster Mosque & Tomb of the Ottoman Ruler Mohamed Ali, built in Turkish style, very similar to the Blue Mosque in Turkey. One of the landmarks of Cairo whose minaret can be seen from any part of the city. Finally visit Old or Coptic Cairo. The Abu Serga Church of Saints Sergius and Bacchus (Abu Serga) is a 4th century church and today is considered to be the oldest of Cairo's Christian churches. It is traditionally believed to have been built on the spot where the Holy Family, Joseph, Mary and the infant Christ, rested at the end of their journey into Egypt. Visit Al Mo allaqa Church or Hanging Church, set on top of the southern tower gate of the old Babylon fortress with its nave suspended above the passage (Muallaqa translates to 'suspended'). It is the most famous Coptic Christian church in Cairo, probably built during the patriarchate of Isaac (690-92), though an earlier church building may have existed as early as the 3rd or 4th century.
Welcome dinner party this evening. [BD]
15 Sat Cairo
The first stop to-day is the Great Step Pyramid Complex at Saqqara is one of those superstars of Egyptian monuments that is almost always on the itinerary of antiquity tours to Egypt, and for good reason. Few monuments hold a place in human history as significant as that of this Pyramid. It can be said without exaggeration that the Step Pyramid complex constitutes a milestone in the evolution of monumental stone architecture, both in Egypt and in the world as a whole. It is the beginning of an evolutionary period that would eventually see the polished, smooth faced true pyramids of the 4th Dynasty master builders. Here limestone was first used on a large scale as a construction material, and here the idea of a monumental royal tomb in the form of a pyramid was first truly realized. Continue to Memphis, founded around 3,100 BC, is the legendary city of Menes, the King who united Upper and Lower Egypt. Early on, Memphis was more likely a fortress which controlled the land and water routes between Upper Egypt and the Delta.
Lunch en route. The evening at leisure. [BL]
16 Sun Cairo
Dahshur forms the southernmost area of the Memphis Necropolis and contains a number of pyramid complexes and monuments. Dahshur has only recently been opened to the public, and there is a certain peace and tranquility to the site still. It is most noteworthy for being the site that best demonstrates the change from the "step" pyramid to the "true" pyramid that occurred during the Third and Fourth Dynasties.
Giza is, of course, the home of Egypt's best known pyramids, including the largest one in Egypt, that of Khufu, the only remaining wonder of the ancient world. This is were the Egyptian pyramids matured. In addition to the major pyramids, there are also at least six pyramids built for queens, together with even smaller cult pyramids. Nearby is the Great Sphinx, believed to be the most immense stone sculpture in the round ever made by man, a huge creature with the head of a human and a lion's body. This monumental statue, the first truly colossal royal sculpture in Egypt is a national symbol of Egypt, both ancient and modern. It has stirred the imagination of poets, scholars, adventurers and tourists for centuries and has also inspired a wealth of speculation about its age, its meaning, and the secrets that it might hold. Lunch en route. The evening at leisure. [BL]
17 Mon Cairo - Luxor
This morning transfer to the airport for the short flight to Luxor; upon arrival transfer to the Old Winter Palace Hotel . The name Luxor represents both the present-day metropolis that was ancient Thebes, and the temple on the eastern bank which adjoins the town. Luxor is a magnificent ancient township built on the site of the even more ancient city of Thebes, dating back 4,000 years. The balance of the day at leisure.
Dinner at the hotel. [BD] and over night
18 Tue Board the Nile Cruise
In the late morning transfer to the pier to board the Oberoi Philae one of the most elegant Nile River cruise vessels. All cabins ensure the comfort and security of guests with upholstered furniture, private balconies and rich fabrics and carpets lend an air of a British country house. Each cabin private bathrooms, temperature controls, minibar, remote control TV, radios, computerized telephone system, safes and spacious wardrobes.
On board facilities included boutiques & gift shops, lounge with bar, large single sitting restaurant, room service, hair salon, laundry services, fitness equipment,
swimming pool & jogging track, evening entertainment & shows, sun deck with bar & BBQ facilities and a library with quiet area.
After lunch visit Karnak & Luxor Temples.
The Luxor Temple is a remarkably delicate work of architecture, originally built by Pharaoh Amenophis, and added to by various rulers over the aeons, including Alexander the Great. The Luxor Museum has a wonderful collection of ancient statuary, as well as relics from the ancient city of Thebes.
Temple of Karnak , located at the northern end of the town of Luxor, Karnak Temple has three main sacred areas that honour three gods: Montu, an ancient local warrior god; Amun, the chief god of Thebes; and the goddess Mut, wife of Amun. Amun, Mut and their son, Khonsu, were members of the sacred family known as the Theban Triad. The construction of Karnak Temple began in the Middle Kingdom and was completed during the New Kingdom, some 1,600 years later. Every successive king of this era added to the temple, which covers two hectares (five acres) of land. It is a complicated site with four courtyards, ten pylons, a sacred lake and several buildings.
Return to the ship for Afternoon Tea. This evening a Cocktail Reception and Dinner [BLD].
19 Wed Luxor - Cruise Ship- Esna
This morning visit the West Bank staring with the Valley of the Kings, famous for its royal tombs. These beautifully painted tombs have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. For over a thousand years, the kings, queens and nobles of the New Kingdom (1500-1070 BC.) were buried in this valley making it the world's most magnificent burial ground. The most famous tomb belongs to the boy king Tutankhamun. It was discovered on November 22, 1922 by the English archaeologist Howard Carter. The tombs were cut into the limestone rock in a remote wadi (a dried-up river valley) on the west bank of the Nile, opposite the present day city of Karnak. Their walls were painted and sculpted with magnificent murals depicting scenes of daily life and the land of the gods. The chambers were filled with treasures - everything from furniture to food, statues, boats and jewels, which a person may need to sustain life into eternity. The royals and their courtiers hoped to find refuge from robbers and their enemies, who had pillaged the pyramid tombs of their predecessors.
Continue to the Temple of Madinat Habu, where the entire Temple of Ramesses III, palace and town is enclosed within a defensive wall. Entry is through the Highgate, or Migdol, which, in appearance resembles an Asiatic fort. Just inside the Highgate, to the south, are the chapels of Amenirdis I, Shepenwepet II and Nitoket, wives of the god Amun.
Finally the Valley of the Queens - a misnomer for it also houses the tombs of high officials and royal children along with the various queens and concubines. The valley contains 80 tombs, most of which are uninscribed and simple in plan although the murals in these can rival those in the Valley of the Kings. The reopening of the tomb of Nefertari in 1995 has given the Valley of the Queens an extra fillip.
Return to the ship for lunch as you sail to Essna. [BLD]
20 Thu Cruise to Edfu Kom Ombo
After breakfast, sail to Edfu to visit the sandstone temple of Horus in Edfu, the largest and best-preserved temple in Egypt. Built by the Ptolemaic Pharaohs, its bas-reliefs give a vivid picture of life in ancient Egypt. The temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus, was built over a 180-year period from 237 BC to 57 BC.
Later cross the lock , sail to Aswan and on to Kom Ombo. Kom Ombo is home to an unusual double temple built during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The temple is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris (Horus the Elder). Despite being badly damaged, the temple is a beautiful sight as one approaches on the river as sunset nears and the colours change. [BLD]
21 Fri Cruise to Aswan
This morning sail to Aswan. After lunch visit the High and Old Dams: The first dam at Aswan was built in 1889. It was insufficient to hold back the water of the Nile and was subsequently raised in 1912 and 1933. In 1952, the government of Egypt decided to build a High Dam at Aswan, about four miles upstream of the old dam. In 1954, creating the world's third largest reservoirs, Lake Nasser.
At the southern end of Aswan is one of the granite quarries that supplied the stone for temples and colossi in ancient times. In one section of the quarry lies a gigantic unfinished obelisk that had been hewn from the bedrock but later abandoned after a flaw was detected. Had this obelisk been finished it would have weighed 1168 tons and stood at a height of nearly 42 metres.
The Temple of Philae, a superb temple complex dedicated to the goddess Isis, had to be dismantled and painstakingly reassembled on the Eglika Island in the '60s when the Aswan Dam was constructed.
Overnight on board. [BLD].
22 Sat Aswan
Leave the Oberoi Philae this morning - by felucca! The feluccas and Aswan are inseparable. The Nile's timeless beauty is best experienced on a lateen-sailed felucca allowing you to enjoy an unforgettable and uniquely Egyptian event. Take a short ride on a felucca to the Botanical Gardens on Kitchener's Island and spend time on the island admiring exotic flora from as far as India and Malaysia. Later transfer to the Old Cataract Hotel to stay 2 nights. The balance of the day at leisure. [BD]
23 Sun Aswan
After breakfast travel by felucca to Elephantine Island, largest of the local islands, where you can see a Nilometer used to measure the height of the water in the river. At the museum hear tales of the Nubian people and some explanation of the Island's name . The afternoon at leisure. [BD]
24 Mon Aswan - Abu Simbel - Cairo
After breakfast a short flight to Abu Simbel. Not only are the two temples at Abu Simbel among the most magnificent monuments in the world but their removal and reconstruction was an historic event in itself. When the temples (280 km from Aswan) were threatened by submersion in Lake Nasser, due to the construction of the High Dam, the Egyptian Government secured the support of UNESCO and launched a world wide appeal. During the salvage operation which began in 1964 and continued until 1968, the two temples were dismantled and raised over 60 meters up the sandstone cliff where they had been built more than 3,000 years before. Here they were reassembled, in the exact same relationship to each other and the sun, and covered with an artificial mountain. Most of the joins in the stone have now been filled by antiquity experts, but inside the temples it is still possible to see where the blocks were cut. You can also go inside the man made dome and see an exhibition of photographs showing the different stages of the massive removal project. The two temples, that of Ramesses II primarily dedicated to Re-Harakhte, and that of his wife, Nefertari dedicated to Hathor, were a must see for Victorians visiting Egypt, even though it required a trip up the Nile, and often the temples were covered deeply in sand.
From Abu Simbel fly direct to Cairo and the Nile Hilton Hotel for a further stay of 2 nights. The remainder of the day at leisure. [B]
25 Tue Cairo
A free day for last minute sightseeing and shopping - be sure to visit the Bazaar.
This evening a special farewell dinner party. [BD]
26 Wed Homeward bound.
Early morning transfer to the airport for Lufthansas' flight to Frankfurt. On arrival change aircraft, continuing on to Toronto where you arrive in the mid-afternoon. After clearing immigration and customs, transfer to your home in the Kingston area.{B]
Tour cost includes
- Round trip air transportation Toronto Cairo plus domestic flights Cairo Luxor and Aswan Abu Simbel Cairo.
- 6 nights (4 + 2) at the Nile Hilton,.
- 1 night at Luxor at Old Winter Palace Hotel.
- 4 nights cruising from Luxor to Aswan on the Oberoi Philae Nile Cruise ship.
- 2 nights at Aswan at the Old Cataract Hotel.
- 13 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 9 dinners
- All Transfers and sightseeing by modern air-conditioned motorcoaches..
- Professional English-speaking Egyptologist Guide for all sightseeing.
- Entrance fees to points of interest
- Abu Simbel visit.
- Porterage of one bag per person at airports and hotels and piers.
- English-speaking representative service for all transfers.
- Egyptian Visa fees
- Tips to drivers, guides, waiters and waitresses throughout as well as baggage porters.
Tour cost does not include:
Passport fees; travel insurance; personal items (laundry, bar bills etc); airport taxes
any other item not specified above or in the itinerary.
Group size - 12 to 26 passengers.
Cost per person from Kitchener and area:
| In a twin-bedded room/cabin |
Supplement for single room/cabin |
| CA$4950.00 |
add CA$1150.00 |
| Early Booking Bonus: book and pay your deposit by June 1st 2008 and save $100 per person. |
| Air taxes (approximately CA$290.00 per person) are additional and will be shown separately on your final invoice. |
1st Deposit at time of booking CA$750 per person plus insurance premium (if applicable)
2nd Deposit due June 30 2008 CA$750
Final payment due September 17 2008
Cancellation Fees
From payment of deposit until September 17 Deposits paid
September 18 to 30 50% of final invoice
October 1 to 31 75% of final invoice
November 1 or later 100% of final invoice.
