Including a Mini-Safari - 9 Days/7 Nights

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

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Day 1 – Saturday - Departure

Depart New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport this evening for your overnight flight to Egypt. Dinner and a light breakfast will be served on board.

Day 2 - Sunday - Cairo

Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome to Egypt, Land of the Pharaohs! Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, your tour representative will greet and assist you with custom formalities. After check-in at the hotel and time to freshen up, you will meet with the Learning Through Travel representative to discuss the exciting days ahead. A welcome dinner this evening will introduce you to Egyptian cuisine.

ACCOMMODATIONS: 5 – STAR DELUXE HOTEL (D)

Day 3 – Monday - Cairo

Today you will visit the Giza Plateau where there are three Pyramids, the greatest being that of Cheops. It took 100,000 workers more than 20 years to construct. Entrance to one of the pyramids is included. Southeast of the Great Pyramids is the Sphinx, carved out of solid natural rock in about 2650 BC, a magnificent monument with the head of the Pharaoh and the body of a lion. This afternoon you will be introduced to the masterpieces of ancient art in the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, including the Mummy Room. The museum is home to the vast findings of King Tutankahmun’s tomb and other important pieces of Egypt’s history. The day ends with a visit to the Khan El Khalili Bazaar, known for its narrow alleys. Hundreds of shops are selling all types of Egyptian handicrafts, silver and gold jewelry, cottons, copperware and perfumes.

ACCOMMODATIONS: 5 – STAR DELUXE HOTEL (B, L)

Day 4 – Tuesday - Cairo/Sharm El Sheikh

This morning you will transfer to the airport for a flight to Sharm El Sheikh. Arrive in the “Land of Turquoise” where rock meets coral reefs and the desert stops at the sea. Transfer to the harbor where you will meet with a dive guide who will take you on an orientation dive at the Far, Near and Middle Garden site. Your equipment will be waiting for you when you arrive. After your check-out dive embark your safari boat.

ACCOMMODATIONS: LUXURY LIVE ABOARD (B, D)

Day 5 – Wednesday – June 9 – Ras Mohammed National Park

Your first day of diving takes you to Ras Mohammed. It has been said, that if there were just one place in the world to dive that would be Ras Mohammed. The Wall extends from the eel garden in the north to a large rock formation in the south called the Shark Observatory. Above the surface is a sheer limestone cliff with a fringing reef below. Drifting southward with the gentle current, every ledge and crevice has something different to offer. Colorful soft corals grow from overhangs, surrounded by Anthias, which flutter around the wall like butterflies. Giant gorgonian fans, up to 15 feet across, spread horizontally on some of the ledges. A few areas, especially in deep crevices, are dark and devoid of life, while others are brilliantly colorful and alive with activity. Caves provide refuge for soldier fish, hatchet fish, and silver sweepers. If you look upward, you will notice schools of jacks or tunas, a shark or eagle ray. This sight will keep you in awe!

ACCOMMODATIONS: LUXURY LIVE ABOARD (B, L, D)

Day 6 – Thursday – June 10 – Thistlegorm

Early this morning you will arrive at the famous wreck of the Thistlegorm. There is so much to explore so you will have a minimum of 2 dives. The first will be a complete overview and the second a penetrating one. For the third dive your boat will sail to Small passage where two channels cut the reef system of Shaab Mahmoud and connect the sheltered lagoon to the open sea. A night dive inside the lagoon is optional.

ACCOMMODATIONS: LUXURY LIVE ABOARD (B, L, D)

Day 7 – Friday – Ras Mohammed National Park/Sharm El Sheikh

Your first dive today will be to the historical wreck of the Dunraven which sank in April 1876. The Dunraven is an old wooden wreck with plenty of room for passing through thousand of glassfish that live in the shade of the wreck. Afterwards return to Ras Mohammed National Park to dive some of the most popular sites including Shark and Yolanda Reef, the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula with an endless wall unique to the Red Sea. Sailing back to ward Sharm El Sheikh you will have your third dive at Ras Zatar, Ras Ghazlani or possibly Ras Um Sid. Upon arrival at the port you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

ACCOMMODATIONS: 5 – STAR DELUXE HOTEL (B, L, D)

Day 8 – Saturday –Sharm El Sheikh/Cairo

The day is at your leisure in Sharm El Sheikh. Later this afternoon you will take a flight to Cairo. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner.

ACCOMOMDATIONS: 5 – STAR DELUXE HOTEL (B, D)

Day 9 – Sunday – Departure

Farewell to Egypt as you transfer to the airport for your return flight to New York. Arrive home your hearts and minds filled with happy memories of ancient and modern day Egypt. (B)

• International Air New York/Cairo/New York
  

• Domestic Air Cairo/Aswan-Luxor/Sharm El Sheikh-Cairo
  

• 2 nights accommodation in Cairo at the Le Meridian
  

         Pyramids Hotel or similar

• 4 day/3 night mini-safari from Sharm El Sheikh
  

• 1 night accommodation in Sharm El Sheikh at the
  

        Sheraton Resort and Hotel or similar

• 1 night accommodation in Cairo at the Heliopolis
  

         Fairmont Hotel or similar

• All transfers: Cairo/Luxor/Sharm El Sheikh
  

• Sightseeing and transfers by deluxe motor coach
  

• English speaking guide throughout Egypt
  

• Full day sightseeing Pyramids (entrance into 1
  

         pyramid)/Sphinx–Egyptian Museum of Antiquities

         Including entrance into the Mummy Room and

         Khan El Khalili Bazaar

• Transfer of dive equipment from Cairo/
  

         Sharm El Sheikh/Cairo

• 7 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 6 dinners
  

• Hotel taxes and service charges
  

• Porterage
  

• Luggage Tags, Travel Bag, Passport Wallet and
  

         First Aid Kit

         NOT INCLUDED

• U.S. Departure Taxes & Airport Security
  

         ($285.00 subject to change)

• Domestic air within the U.S.
  

• Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, inter-net services, dive equipment, soft drinks, coffee, tea (except at breakfast), mineral water, alcoholic beverages, passport fees, gratuities for drivers, guides, transfer personnel, travel insurance, etc……
  

Please Note: Itinerary sequence subject to change

      without prior notice due to government regulations

      and hotel/cruise confirmations.