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BEST OF EGYPT

Travel to Egypt away from the madding crowds.

temple pyramids Giza | camels - Cairo, Egypt [© 2011 Pulse Africa - pulseafrica.com]    


In response to the current demand for travel to Egypt, we've put together a luxury seven-night itinerary for travel between June and September. It is low season in Egypt, and whilst it can get hot, you will escape the madding crowds. This superb trip embraces the highlights of Egypt, from the legendary Great Pyramid and Sphinx to a Nile cruise around Luxor in true deluxe style. In Cairo you will be personally escorted by an Egyptologist for two days, whilst on board your cruise boat, the Sun Boat IV, you will be wined, dined and entertained in fabulous Egyptian style in between visits to the Philae, Kom Ombo, Hatshepsut, Luxor and Karnak Temples and Valley of the Kings and Queens. Egypt does not get more exclusive than this!


ITINERARY


Day 01:

Arrival:  Arrive at Cairo International Airport, where you will be met by your professional Akorn Egypt Tour Coordinator

Transfer: Transfer in modern, air-conditioned vehicle to your hotel.

Check-in: Our Tour Coordinator will assist you with check-in at your hotel.

Overnight: At Conrad Hotel in Cairo

Day 02:

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at your hotel.

Introduction to your Egyptologist then start your visits with:

Pyramids & Sphinx: Your Egyptologist will escort you today on a fascinating tour to the 4,500-year old Pyramids built for Pharaohs Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus on the Giza Plateau, the Great Pyramid being the only survivor of the "Seven Wonders of the Ancient World". Just to the east of the 2nd pyramid lies the legendary Sphinx, whose human face is thought to represent that of Chephren, acting as the guardian of the Pharaoh’s enormous funerary monument

The Egyptian Museum: Proceed to visit the 7,000 years of Egyptian history with a visit to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, open since 1902. The Museum exhibits over 120,000 objects in its 107 halls, comprising the world’s greatest collection of Ancient Egyptian artifacts. Two grand halls containing countless artifacts and one room reserved for the golden treasures, all from the world-famous tomb of the boy-king Tutankhamen astound and delight visitors. More than 2 million people flock to this magnificent site each year.
Return to your hotel

Overnight: At Conrad Hotel in Cairo

Day 03:   

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at your hotel.
Tour: start a full day tour with your Egyptologist

Hanging Church: The Hanging Church (El Muallaqa), so named for its location on top of the southern tower gate of the old Babylon fortress with its nave suspended above the passage, is curious indeed. (Muallaqa translates to 'suspended') The church was first built, in Basilican style, in the 3rd or 4th century. However, at that time it is unlikely that the church would have been constructed at this location. The main church is thought to have been built between the 5th and 6th centuries with the southeastern section called the "upper church" being added later. Though destroyed in the 9th century, it was rebuilt in the 11th century and became the seat of the Coptic patriarchate until the 14th century.

Church of St. Sergius: The walls of the fortress also enclosed the Church of St. Sergius, a 4th century church, dedicated to Sergius and Bacchus, two soldier-saints martyred a few years before in Syria by Maximilan. According to tradition, it was built on the spot where the Holy Family, Joseph, Mary and the infant Christ, rested at the end of their journey into Egypt. They may have lived here while Joseph worked at the fortress. Although "Abu Serga” has been rebuilt and restored constantly since medieval times, it is still considered to be a model of the early Coptic churches.

Church of St. Barbara: This modest church is named for Saint Barbara, a beautiful young lady who most likely lived during the 4th century; she was the daughter of a pagan merchant who tortured and killed her when she converted to Christianity. Although the main portion of the Church dates from the late 7th century, a door found during one of the church's restorations could date as early as the 4th.  It was most likely reconstructed between 1072 and 1073 to house the relics of Saint Barbara. The chapel still contains her remains.

Synagogue of Ben Ezra: Continue to  the Synagogue of Ben Ezra, from the time of the once thriving Jewish community in Egypt under the leadership of Rabbi Ben Ezra. Inside, the so-called "Geniza Documents” were found, a treasure hailed as an unparalleled source of information about life of the Jews in Egypt’s past. The basilica-style temple contains a Jewish heritage library inaugurated in 1997. At the back of the temple, the coffers in which the infant Prophet Moses was placed by his mother, was reportedly found in a deep well.


Islamic Cairo: Take a fascinating tour of Islamic Cairo, starting with 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, it has never been without a military garrison. The Citadel was modified and enlarged over the centuries by subsequent rulers, most notably Muhammad Ali Pasha, one of the great builders of Modern Egypt, who was responsible for considerable alteration and building within the Citadel. Today it is a complex of four mosques and four museums, including the beautiful and graceful Mohamed Ali Mosque. Built from 1830 to 1857, the mosque also became the site of the great Ottoman ruler’s tomb. From the arcaded courtyard, enjoy a magnificent view across the city to the pyramids in Giza. Just in the shadows of the Citadel is the Mosque of Sultan Hassan. Built in 1356 AD as a mosque and religious school for all sects, it was designed so that each of the four main Sunni sects could have their own ‘madrasa’ or school within while also sharing the mosque.

Khan El-Khalilli Bazaar: Proceed to the fascinating Khan El-Khalilli Bazaar – reputedly 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. As you wander through the labyrinth of narrow streets you will find workshops and stalls selling all manner of craftsmanship from woodwork, glassware and leather goods to perfumes, fabrics and Pharaonic curiosities. Remember to bargain hard!

Overnight: At Conrad Hotel in Cairo

Day 04:

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at your hotel, and check out.

Transfer: Assisted transfer from your hotel in Cairo to Cairo airport for your domestic flight to Luxor

Flight: Fly to Luxor

Transfer: Assisted transfer from Luxor airport to board your Nile cruise on board the Sun Boat IV at Luxor

Check-in at noon time: Arrive on your 5-star deluxe Nile cruise boat, the "Sun Boat IV”, moored in Akorn’s private dock in Aswan. On board, you will be welcomed by the reception staff, who will offer you chilled fruit juice while assisting with your check-in.

Entertainment: Exact entertainment schedules during your cruise are adjusted according to the needs of each group and the exact sailing schedule of the boat, and, therefore, the day of each feature is subject to change.  However, every cruise on the Sun Boat IV will include:

A colorful  "galabeyya party” which gives each guest the opportunity to dress up in traditional Egyptian dress and dance to Arabic music.
A belly dancer, accompanied by a whirling dervish show in Luxor.
A trio of authentic Egyptian musicians in Aswan during afternoon tea.
A lecture accompanied by a slide show, by your Egyptologist guide.

Food & Beverage: Menus are changed on a seasonal basis to enable the Chef to use the freshest ingredients at all times.  Most meals are served in the restaurant.  However, at least one barbecue lunch (while sailing) will be served on deck (weather permitting). Afternoon tea includes a range of teas and herbal infusions, fresh coffee and a selection of freshly baked, homemade cake, cookies and finger food. Mineral water, tea and coffee are included on a complimentary basis during meals.

Lunch: to be served on board

Unfinished Obelisk: Visit the Granite Quarries, which supplied the ancient Egyptians with most of the hard stone used in pyramids and temples, and still hold a huge unfinished obelisk.

Afternoon tea: Enjoy your afternoon tea served in the lounge with a trio of authentic Egyptian musicians.

Cocktail Reception: Tonight you will be greeted by your Boat Manager, who will introduce you to the boat staff and review on-board facilities and your cruise program for the next few days.  Complimentary Egyptian wine and local beer will be served, together with a selection of canapés.

Dinner: Gourmet menu on board.

Overnight: On board in Aswan.

Day 05:

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet on board

Philae Temple: Take a short motorboat ride to visit the romantic and majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilka.

Cooking lesson: Egyptian cooking lesson will be presented on board while you cruise to Kom Ombo..

Lunch: Lunch on board, while you cruise to Kom Ombo.

Kom Ombo Temple: Visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile-god Sobek.  The temple stands at a bend in the Nile where in ancient times sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank.

Afternoon Tea: Afternoon tea will be served while you cruise to Edfu.

Edfu Temple: This evening, explore the largest and most completely preserved Pharaonic – albeit Greek-built – temple in Egypt, the extraordinary Temple of Horus at Edfu.

Dinner: Tonight’s dinner on board will be an "Egyptian Night” costume party for all guests, with a chance to dress up in traditional Egyptian "galabeyas”.  Dinner will be a lavish buffet of Egyptian specialities, followed by oriental music and dancing for everyone.

Overnight: On board in Esna.

Day 06:

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet on board during sailing to Luxor.

Morning: Valley of the Kings & Queens: Begin your 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, decorated richly, and filled with treasures for the afterlife by generations of Pharaohs.  You will also have the chance to visit at least one tomb in the Valley of the Queens. 


Hatshepsut Temple: Rising out of the desert plain in a series of terraces, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (Ancient Egypt’s only female Pharaoh) merges with the sheer limestone cliffs that surround it, as if nature herself had built this extraordinary monument.


Photostop at Colossi of Memnon: On the way back to the river Nile, your road passes by the famed Colossi of Memnon, known in Ancient Greek times for their haunting voices at dawn.

Lunch: Lunch on board.


Luxor Temple: This afternoon your Egyptologist will guide you on a tour of the East Bank of Luxor, starting with the strikingly graceful Temple of Luxor dedicated to the god Amun.

Karnak Temple: Proceed to the Temple of Karnak, built over more than a thousand years by generations of Pharaohs.  The great "Hypostyle Hall” is an incredible forest of giant pillars, covering an area larger than the whole of Notre Dame Cathedral.

Afternoon Tea: Return to your cruise for afternoon tea on board.

Dinner: Tonight’s farewell dinner will be a gala dinner (jacket required), with white-gloved waiters serving gourmet cuisine followed by a belly dancer, accompanied by a whirling dervish show.

Overnight: On board in Luxor.

Day 07:

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet on board, and check out at 8:00 AM.

Transfer: Assisted transfer to Aswan airport for your domestic flight to Cairo

Flight: board your domestic flight to Cairo

Transfer: Assisted transfer from Cairo Domestic airport to your Hotel in Cairo – Fairmont Towers

Overnight: At Fairmont Towers Hotel in Cairo


Day 08:

Breakfast: Buffet breakfast at your hotel, and check out.

Transfer: Assisted transfer from your hotel in Cairo to Cairo airport for your departure flight


COST

Approximately US$3 000, excluding flights.







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