EGYPT: CRADLE OF THE NILE
A cultural tour of Egypt

The world is indeed indebted to the people of ancient Egypt for achieving the longest living civilization of the ancient world - 3300 BC to 30 BC. Many of the Egyptians achievements in construction and lifestyle are still available to us over 5000 years later and are a must see for people of all ages. Our journey through this ancient land not only offers visits to the pyramids, sphinx and the world famous Egyptian Museum, but also a look at the achievements of the medieval Islamic period such as the majestic Al Azhar Mosque, Salahuddi's citadel, the city of Cairo and the famous Khan-el-Khalil bazaar. These World Heritage Sites are visited in a combination of land, train and a four-day Nile cruise. Few will fail to see the charm of this spectacular and ancient country; the land where it all began.

Day 1: Arrive Cairo (EGYPT)
Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome in Arabic. We are warmly received at Cairo Airport and transferred to our hotel.
Overnight: Pyramisa Hotel / Shepheard Hotel, Cairo (2 nights)

Day 2: Cairo / Pyramids
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 Giza, 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 3: Cairo / Luxor (Flight)
A short flight gets us to Luxor where we are warmly received and transferred to your boat, home for the next four nights. Over the next few days we cruise the Nile and visit various off shore sites.
Overnight: Sherry Nile Cruise / Presidential Nile Cruise (4 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 4: Sherry Nile Cruise Luxor
This afternoon we visit to the Karnak and Luxor Temples. The ancient Egyptians knew the Temple of Karnak as Ipet-isut. It 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 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 5: Sherry 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 include Queen Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Sail to Esna, cross the lock then continue onto Edfu. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Sherry 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 7: 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 sail-boat, 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 or take the optional flight to Cairo with overnight at the hotel. See** for details.
Overnight: Sleeper Train (1 night) (B, D)

Day 8: Arrive Cairo
We arrive in the morning and are welcomed at Cairo Railways Station. Our day at Cairo 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 start with 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 it 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 / Shepheard Hotel (1 night) (B)

Day 9: Depart Cairo
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. (B)

Optional Extension - ST. CATHERINE'S EXTENSION

1) ST CATHERINE’S FROM CAIRO - 4 day extension
This specially priced extension can only be taken with Egypt: Cradle of the Nile Cruise program and may be taken immediately before or after the main tour.

Day 01: Cairo / St Catherine's
We enjoy an interesting drive through the Sinai desert crossing the Suez Canal to reach St Catherine's.
Overnight: Wadi El Rha Hotel (2 nights) (B, D)

Day 02: St Catherine's
An early morning climb to visit the St. Catherine's Monastery constructed by order of the Emperor Justinian in the area of what is believed to be Moses' Burning Bush. Explore the biblical Mountain of Moses, the site at which he received the Ten Commandments. (B, D)

Day 03: St Catherine's / Cairo
Morning free till we start with our return journey across the Sinai which will remind us of the landscape in Biblical Times before reaching Cairo.
Overnight: Overnight: Pyramisa Hotel / Shepheard Hotel (1 night)

Day 04: Cairo / departure
We are transferred for our departure journey. Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

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Departure Dates

2008 English Speaking Departures Daily 2009 English Speaking Departures Daily

Inclusions

Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Hotel Accommodation/Cruise as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes International Airfare Meal Plan as mentioned (B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner) Insurance / Visas Regional/Domestic Air/Trainfare: Cairo/Luxor, Aswan/Cairo Tips / gratuities All Sightseeing and Transfers Entrance into the Great Pyramids, the visit to the Solar Boat in the Pyramids area, entrance into the Mummies Room at the Egyptian Museum, entrance into Tout Ankh Amoun Tomb in the Valley of Kings. Entrance Fees to Museums and Sites   Services of Local English speaking guides

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.

Departure Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement Up to Sep 28, 2008 US $ 1295 • CA $ 1295 US $ 345 • CA $ 345 From Sep 29, 2008 – Sep 21, 2009 US $ 1480 • CA $ 1480 US $ 315 • CA $ 315 For Peak season (Dec 20 – Jan 09 and April 04 to 17) rates add 25% to the above cost. * Day 07 ABU SIMBEL'S EXCURSION US $ 315 • CA $ 315 n/a Abu Simbel excursion includes airfare Aswan/Abu Simbel/Aswan ** Day 07 ASWAN / CARIO BY AIR Instead of the overnight train take a flight at $ 160 per person includes airfare, transfers and overnight hotel. Single Supplement $ 35 ST. CATHERINE'S EXTENSION Double Occupancy Single Room Supplement Up to Sep 28, 2008 US $ 615 • CA $ 615 US $ 195 • CA $ 195 From Sep 29, 2008 – Sep 21, 2009 US $ 695 • CA $ 695 US $ 195 • CA $ 195

Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour

Canada - West Coast CA $ 1600 USA - West Coast US $ 1400 Canada - East Coast CA $ 1400 USA - East Coast US $ 1200

Participants

This tour operates on a minimum of 02 persons

Notes

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.