OPTIONAL ABU SIMBEL $210

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Authorization

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Day 1 – Departure

Depart this evening for Egypt.

Day 2 – Cairo

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

Day 3 – Giza/Memphis/Sakkakra

Today 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 into 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. Visit the first Pyramid ever built, the Step Pyramid of Zoser, in the Sakkara Complex. When Memphis was the capital of Egypt, during the Old Kingdom period, Sakkara was its necropolis. Spread over seven kilometers of desert, Sakkara is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Before returning to the hotel, visit the remains in Memphis, the first capital of United Upper and Lower Egypt. 

Day 4 – Cairo

This morning 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 Tutankhamen’s tomb and other important pieces of Egypt's history. After lunch visit Old Cairo, to see the Ben Ezra Synagogue and the St. Serguis Church. A short drive will bring you to the citadel of Salah El Din built by the famous Arab Sultan, Salah El Din (Saladin), in the 12th century and the Mohammed Ali Mosque. There will be time to shop at the Khan El Khalili Bazaar, known for its narrow alleys and hundreds of shops selling all types of Egyptian handicrafts, silver and gold jewelry, cottons, copperware and perfumes.

Day 5 – Aswan/Nile Cruise

This morning a short flight will bring you to Aswan to board your Nile Cruise or you may select the optional pre cruise three-hour Abu Simbel excursion to visit the great Temples of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari. The colossal statues were originally carved into the side of a natural cliff and had to be rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. After your excursion and upon return to Aswan embark your Nile cruise. Visit Aswan’s High Dam, Granite Quarries, and Unfinished Obelisk. Then continue by felucca to enjoy Kitcheners Island with its beautiful gardens and to view the mausoleum of the Agha Khan. 

Day 6 – Nile Cruise Aswan/Kom Ombo/Edfu

After breakfast sail in a small boat to the Philae Temple, situated on the island of Agilika. Like Abu Simbel, the temple was relocated in order to protect it from the rising water of the High Dam, built in 1960. This afternoon set sail for the city of Kom Ombo, known as “Ombos” in ancient times. The temple is divided into two symmetrical halves. The left side is dedicated to the falcon-headed god, “Heroeris" and the right side to the crocodile god, “Sobek”. Relief’s of Ptolemaic Pharaohs are found in the porch area. The remainder of the temple consists of a crypt, chapels, Roman wells where sacred crocodiles may have been kept, and the remains of a birth house. On the walls of the temple you will see the first recorded representation of medical instruments. Sail onto Edfu, midway between Aswan and Luxor.

Day 7 – Nile Cruise Edfu/Luxor

Begin your day by visiting the magnificently preserved temple of Edfu. The sandstone temple of Horus the Sun God was built under the Ptolemies and completed by the mid first century, BC. In the colonnaded court, we will see the surviving statue of a pair of falcons representing Horus. A series of smaller chambers leads to the Sanctuary of the God, which is lit by three openings in the ceiling. Ceremonies, celebrations, and war scenes are shown on the walls of the temple. Later today, we sail to Esna, pass the lock, and arrive in Luxor, ancient Thebes. This afternoon explore the East Bank of the Nile including the Temple of Luxor. Here, the Avenue of Sphinxes, famous for its artistic degree of uniformity, leads to the entrance of the temple where a seated colossus of Ramses II and a towering Obelisk are situated. Continue to the Karnak Temple, one of the most impressive monuments of ancient art and architecture in the world. The carvings, which adorn all the walls, depict the history and conquests of many of Egypt's Pharaohs. This evening you may join an optional excursion to the Karnak Temple for a spectacular Sound and Light Show.

Day 8 – 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.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

• ·  International Air US/Cairo/US
  

• ·  Domestic Air Cairo/Aswan-Luxor/ -Cairo
  

• ·  3 nights accommodation in Cairo at a 4star hotel or similar
  

•   4 days/3 nights 5-star deluxe Nile Cruise 
  

• ·  Sightseeing and transfers by deluxe motor coach
  

• ·  English speaking guide throughout Egypt
  

• ·  Full day sightseeing Pyramids (entrance into 1 pyramid)/sphinx –Memphis/Sakkara
  

• ·  Full day sightseeing Egyptian Museum of Antiquities including entrance into the Mummy Room-Citadel,          Mosque & Bazaar
  

• ·  All entrance fees and shore excursions on Nile Cruise
  

• ·  7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7dinners
  

• ·  Hotel taxes and service charges
  

• ·  Porterage
  

• ·  Luggage Tags, Travel Bag, Passport Wallet and First Aid Kit
  

NOT INCLUDED

• U.S. Departure Taxes & Airport Security fees
  

• Domestic air within the U.S.
  

• Visa
  

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

• Please Note: This itinerary sequence is subject to change due to hotel availability, weather conditions, and government restrictions.