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)

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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.