EGYPT - SUMMER PROMOTION
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
Ahlan wa sahlan! Welcome in Arabic. We are warmly received at Cairo Airport and transferred to our hotel. Check in starts from 1400 hrs.
Overnight: Pyramids Park Hotel or similar (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, L)

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: M/S Etoile Du Nil Nile Cruise or similar (4 nights) (B, L, D)

Day 4: Nile Cruise Luxor
This afternoon we visit 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 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: 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 onto Edfu. (B, L, D)

Day 6: 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 (Flight)
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. Afternoon transfer to the airport for flight back to Cairo. Meet & transfer to hotel.
Overnight: Pyramids Park Hotel or similar (2 nights) (B)

Day 8: Cairo
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 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. (B, L)

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. Check out time is by 1100 hrs. (B)

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Departure Dates
2010 English Speaking Departures Validity: Jun 01, 2010 until Sept 25, 2010
Inclusions
Tour Price Includes Tour Price Does Not Include Accommodation/cruise as mentioned or similar, including hotel taxes International airfares Meals as mentioned (B=Breakfast L=Lunch D=Dinner) Cairo/Luxor & Aswan/Cairo airfares are from USD 300.00 All sightseeing and transfers Insurance and visa fees Services of local English speaking guide Tips & gratuities to local guides and drivers Entrance fees to museums and sites included in the itinerary Entrance fees into the Pyramids chambers, visit to the Sun/Solar Boat Museum, Mummies Room at the Egyptian Museum, Tutankhamun’s Tomb in the Valley of Kings, Nefertari’s Tomb in the Valley of the Queens. These may be paid locally.
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 2010 US $ 950 US $ 250
Estimated International Airfare - International airfare is NOT included in this tour
Canada - West Coast N/A USA - West Coast US $ 1600 Canada - East Coast N/A USA - East Coast US $ 1400
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.