ANCIENT
EGYPT WITH TANZANIAN SAFARI
A cultural tour of Egypt & a safari
in Tanzania
The
best of ancient civilisation combined with the
best of nature and the animals that habitat it.
An artistically designed tour package that covers
the best of Egypt & Tanzania in one journey.
We go from over 5000 years of human achievements
enshrined in the Pyramids, Sphinx, and Luxor Temples.
Then it is off to Islamic Cairo with its citadels,
mosques, parks and exotic bazaars. We leave the
hustle and bustle of Egypt to the world of the
animal kingdom in its native environment at the
most well known game parks in the world - Serengeti,
Ngorongoro, Manyara and Tarangire. The tour offers
en excellent opportunity to After this tour of
18 days, we will have completed a journey with
the experiences of the ancient world in Egypt and
the natural heritage of the animal kingdom in Tanzania.
Day
01 (FRI): Depart North America for Cairo
Day 02 (SAT): Arrive Cairo
Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome in Arabic. We are
warmly received at Cairo Airport and transferred
to our hotel.
Overnight: Pyramisa Hotel (2 nights)
Day 03 (SUN): Cairo / Pyramids (drive)
This is a day to go back in time, starting with a visit to the most famous of
the Egyptian sphinxes, the Great Sphinx of Gizah, followed by the Great Pyramid
of Khufu (Cheops). Completed around 2600 BC, this pyramid was 146m (478ft) high
and consisted of over 2 million limestone blocks weighing over 2 tons each. We
also examine the Chephren and Mycerinus Pyramids as well as the Cheops wooden
boat. At over 4500 years old, this boat is the most ancient vessel found in perfect
condition anywhere in the world and is one of the most important archaeological
finds in Egypt. Next we visit Memphis and the Saqqara Step Pyramid, the world's
first great stone structure. Evening, an ideal opportunity to join in our optional
viewing of the spectacular Sound and Light Show at the foot of the Great Pyramids.
(B)
Day 04 (MON): Cairo / Luxor (Flight)
A short flight gets us to Luxor where we are warmly received and
transferred to the boat, home for the next four nights. Over the
next few days we cruise the Nile and visit various off-shore sites.
Overnight: M/S Sherry Boat Cruise (4 nights) (B, L, D)
Day
05 (TUE): Nile Cruise Luxor
This afternoon we visit the Karnak and Luxor Temples.
The ancient Egyptians knew the Temple of Karnak as
Ipet-isut. Luxor is a city of temples built over 2000
years and dedicated to the Theben triad of Amon, Mut
and Khonsu. This derelict place continues to overshadow
many of the wonders of the modern world. It is the
mother of all religious buildings and a place of pilgrimage
for nearly 4,000 years. Luxor Temple was connected
to Karnak Temple by an avenue of sphinxes in ancient
times. Unlike Karnak, Luxor is mainly the work of one
pharaoh - Amenhotep III and was added to by Tutankhamun,
Horemheb, Ramses II and Alexander the Great. During
Akhenaten’s reign, all religion other than worship
of Aten, was rejected and the development at Luxor
stopped. When Akhenaten died, the old religions returned,
along with the priests, so the temple began to expand
again. (B, L, D)
Day
06 (WED): Nile Cruise Luxor / Esna / Edfu
We begin our 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, richly decorated, and filled with treasures
for the afterlife by generations of pharaohs. Our visit
will also includes Queen Hatshepsut Temple and the
Colossi of Memnon. Sail to Esna, cross the lock then
continue on to Edfu. (B, L, D)
Day
07 (THU): Nile Cruise Edfu / Kom Ombo / Aswan
Morning we will be visiting the well-preserved Greek
built Temple of Horus. This temple, built during the
reigns of six generations of Ptolemy’s, is not
only the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt, but
also the second largest after Karnak. Afternoon sail
for Kom Ombo to visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated
to the crocodile-god Sobek. It stands at a bend in
the Nile where in ancient times sacred crocodiles basked
in the sun on the riverbank.
(B, L, D)
Day
08 (FRI): Aswan / Cairo (Train)
Disembark after breakfast. Visits in Aswan include
the famous and monumental Aswan High Dam and the romantic
and majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilka.
This afternoon, we take a ride on a felucca, a typical
Egyptian sailboat, around Elephantine Island. This
is also a day for those who may want to take an optional
flight excursion to Abu Simbel+ to see the temples
of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. Evening we are transferred
to the railway station at Aswan for our comfortable
overnight train to Cairo.
Overnight: Sleeper Train (1 night) (B, D)
Day
09 (SAT): Arrive Cairo
We arrive in the morning and are welcomed at Cairo
Railway Station. Our day starts with a fascinating
tour of 7,000 years of Egyptian history with a visit
to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. The Museum houses
the world's greatest collection of Ancient Egyptian
artifacts, including 12 rooms filled with golden treasures
from the world-famous tomb of the boy-king Tutenkhamun.
Next we are off to the fascinating part of Islamic
Cairo, including the beautiful and graceful Mohamed
Ali Mosque and 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, the Citadel was modified and enlarged
over the centuries by subsequent rulers and today is
a complex of three mosques and four museums. Our last
stop is at the awesome Khan El-Khalili Bazaar, reputed
to be 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.
Overnight: Pyramisa Hotel (1 night) (B)
Day
10 (SUN): Cairo / Kilimanjaro Airport (flight)
Today we bid farewell to Egypt, best described as a
heritage site to the whole world, having gained an
educational, historical an enlightening cultural experience
never to be forgotten. After breakfast we have the
whole day free to enjoy the colorful bazaars of Cairo.
Late in the afternoon we go to the airport for our
flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Arusha.
(B)
Day
11 (MON): Kilimanjaro Airport / Tarangire (drive)
Karibu! - Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International
Airport, after disembarking from the aircraft, we clear
customs and immigration formalities. We are welcomed
and assisted by our tour representative. Transfer to
a restaurant in Arusha town. After a pre-safari briefing,
we drive to Tarangire National Park. It is vast numbers
of the ancient baobab trees that first captures our
eye. Rest of the day is at leisure and in preparation
for the big African safari to come.
Overnight: Tarangire Sopa Lodge (1 night) (L, D)
Day
12 (TUE): Tarangire / Ngorongoro Crater (drive)
Early morning we start with our first game experience.
Tarangire not only has big game but is also a focus
for over 350 species of birds. After the safari we
head for Gibbs Farm which is located in the slopes
of Ngorongoro and is famous for its coffee farms. We
visit the farms and also see the historical buildings
which started during the British colonial era. We then
continue for Ngorongoro to our lodge located on the
rim of the crater. The crater covers over 102 square
miles (250 square kilometres) of land and is the home
of the rare black rhino, prides of lion, elephant,
cheetah and great herds of buffalo, antelope and wildebeest.
Overnight: Ngorongoro Sopa Lodge (2 nights) (B, L,
D)
Day
13 (WED): Ngorongoro Crater
Breakfast at the lodge. Today we will descend 2000
feet (0ver 600 metres) to the floor of the crater for
a half day crater tour. Explore the forest areas that
are inhabited by monkey and elephant, the lake area,
where we may see the flamingos and the open savannah
where the lions hunt for food.
(B, L, D)
Day
14 (THU): Ngorongoro Crater / Serengeti (drive)
After breakfast drive to Olduvai Gorge, site of Louis
and Mary Leakey’s renowned archaeological discoveries.
Their findings include some of the man’s earliest
known ancestral remains. Continue to Serengeti National
Park with a picnic lunch en route. This enormous park
supports every variety of animals imaginable, from
large predators such as lion, leopard and cheetah to
the smaller herbivores they prey on.
Overnight: Serengeti Sopa Lodge (3 nights) (B, L, D)
Day
15 & 16 (FRI & SAT): Serengeti
Breakfast at the lodge. Morning and afternoon game
drives. More than two million wildebeest, Thompson’s
gazelle and zebra gather during the migration, attracting
a great deal of attention from their predators such
as lion, hyena, cheetah and leopard.(B, L, D)
Day
17 (SUN): Lake Manyara
After breakfast we depart for Lake Manyara National
Park. Lunch at the lodge, followed by an afternoon
game drive in this park famous for its prolific bird-life
and other inhabitants such as hippos, monkeys, tree
climbing lions.
Overnight: Lake Manyara Serena Lodge (1 night) (B,
L, D)
Day
18 (MON): Depart
After breakfast, drive back to Arusha for lunch. After
lunch transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your scheduled
flight back home. You may extend your journey to visit
the Stone Town and Beach resort city of Zanzibar. Please
call for details. (B, L)
Departure Dates | | 2008
English Speaking Departures
Jan 11, Apr 04*, May 09*, Jun 27, Aug 15, Oct 17, Nov 07 & Dec 19** | Inclusions | | Tour Price Includes | Tour Price Does Not Include |
| Accommodation
and cruise as mentioned or similar |
International
air (see Note below) |
| Meals
as mentioned (B=Breakfast, L=lunch, D=Dinner) |
Insurance
(trip cancellation & medical insurances are highly recommended) |
| All
game drives and transfers by jeeps |
Entrance
fees to the special chambers inside the Pyramids, Tout
Ankh Amoun Tomb in the Valley of Kings, Mummies room
at the Egyptian Museum, visit to the Solar Boat Museum.
Entrance fees to the outside chambers, where applicable,
are included |
| Services
of local English speaking guides/drivers |
|
| Entrance
fees at all Museums, Parks & Sites |
|
| Domestic
air tickets: Cairo / Luxor |
|
| Train tickets:
Aswan / Cairo |
|
| Tour Price | | We accept payment in US $ (US Dollars), CA $ (Canadian Dollars) or equivalent EURO (for clients outside North America). Bestway Tours & Safaris offers conversion rate protection. Once full payment has been received, and no modification has been made to the tour itinerary, we will honour that rate. For complete payment procedures, please download Bestway_Payment_Info.pdf Note: to read this file you must have Adobe Acrobat. |
| Season |
Double
Occupancy |
Single
Room Supplement |
| 2008 |
US
$ 4455 CA $ 4455 |
US
$ 795 CA $ 795 |
*
Special Discount of US$/CA$ 150 per person in double occupancy
** High season surcharge of US$/CA$ 200 applies on these departures
|
+ Optional Abu Simbel
(Day 08) add $ 285 per person includes air Aswan/Abu Simbel/Aswan |
| Estimated
International Airfare - International
airfare is not included in this tour  |
| NOTE: International
airfares ranges from ex East Coast to Egypt & Tanzania
combined at $1450 plus taxes (approx $300). West
Coast supplement is
$250. |
Participants | | This
tour operates on a minimum of 02 and a maximum of 06 participants. |
Customised Itinerary If you would like to have a tour on dates other than the above ones or with a customised itinerary, please contact us and we will be happy to work out an exclusive program for you. Foreign Language Departures Please contact us for information on French, German, Italian and Spanish speaking departures. You may e-mail us at bestway@bestway.com or call us at 604.264.7378. Residents of U.S.A./Canada may call us toll free at 1.800.663.0844. |
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