Established in 2000

                                                                                                                   Now in our 10th year

Copyright © Nile Travel International

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Specialised travel at its best

 

New Year in Egypt

25 December 2010 to 04 January 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Do you not know that Egypt is a copy of heaven or rather, the very place on earth where the forces of heaven are balanced and ordered?  Even more than that, if truth be told, Egypt is the temple of the entire world”  Egyptian Scribe

 

TOUR ORGANISER

Kim Lings is the owner of Nile Travel, a founding, corporate and honorary life member of the Ancient Egyptian Society as well as a member of the Egyptian Exploration Society in London.  She has visited Egypt on forty one occasions during the past ten years and has led over twenty five tours to Egypt over the past seven years and will personally be organising your trip.

 

EGYPTOLOGIST AND TOUR LEADER

Nile Travel only makes use of Egyptologists who are fluent in English and proficient in the reading of Hieroglyphs. The same Egyptologist will be with the group for the entire duration of the tour.

 

ITINERARY

 

DAY 01 – Saturday, 25 December 2010

Depart Johannesburg on Egypt Air flight MS 840 at 21H45 for Cairo.  Each person is allowed 20kg of luggage and 1 carry on piece of luggage.  I suggest that you bring extra drinks for during the flight (bought in duty free due to liquid restrictions in hand luggage), and please be advised that Egypt Air does not serve any alcoholic drinks.

 

DAY 02 – Sunday, 26 December 2010

Arrive in Cairo at 05H40, where we will be met by a representative from our agent in Egypt, who will assist us in passing through customs and immigration.  We will immediately transfer to the domestic terminal for our flight to Luxor.

 

Depart Cairo on MS 351 at 07H45, arriving in Luxor at 08H55.  On arrival in Luxor we will be collected at the airport and transfer to the Sonesta St George hotel (early check-in not guaranteed).  Rest of the day at your leisure.  

 

We will meet again in the early evening to visit the impressive temple of Luxor.  Construction at Luxor Temple began under the reign of Amenhotep III; it was then added to by Ramses II and Nectanebo I.  It has an intact gathering of sphinxes in front of the Ramses II pylon.  The Battle of Qadesh of Ramses II against the Hittites is detailed on the pylon walls.  This is the only religious monument in the world that includes Pharaonic, Macedonian, Ptolemaic, Roman, Christian and Islamic constructions.  Dinner and overnight in hotel.

 

DAY 3 - Monday, 27 December 2010

After breakfast we will visit the West Bank of Luxor, one of the richest archaeological sites on Earth by crossing the road bridge to see the world famous Valley of the Kings.  During the greatest period in ancient Egyptian history, most of the pharaohs were buried here, in tombs of extraordinary beauty and in chambers filled with vast treasures.  We will visit three tombs where we will view their afterlife dreams coming true.  We will study the voyage of eternity and the sailing through the sky, as the Pharaohs make their trip toward what is in the beyond.  View the kings succeeding in passing through the “Gates of the Afterlife,” in very detailed, brilliantly coloured and intact scenes.  Entrance to the tomb of the boy-king Tutankhamen is excluded and costs EP100 per person.

 

We will then visit the unique temple of the female pharaoh Hatchepsut at Deir El-Bahri which is the show piece of the West Bank.  In its superb setting the temple rises in a series of broad terraces that at the topmost level joins with the limestone cliffs.  It is in this temple of beauty and power that you can view Hatchepsut’s peaceful expedition to Punt, with its commercial exchange of goods and warm relations.    On our way back to the East Bank we will stop at the Colossi of Memnon who have stood the test of time, surviving long after the temple they guarded has vanished, for photography.  

We will check into our Nile Cruise M/S Amrante.  Lunch on board.  Rest of the day at your leisure.  Dinner and overnight on board, docked in Luxor.

 

(A highly recommended optional hot air balloon ride can be arranged for this morning at the cost of approximately US $160 per person.  We would be collected at our hotel around 05H00 and cross the Nile by motor boat and do a 40 minute hot air balloon ride over the West Bank of Luxor viewing the Ramesseum temple, Medinet Habu temple, tomb entrances,  desert, farm land and in the distance the mighty river Nile.  An unforgettable experience!)  

 

DAY 4 - Tuesday, 28 December 2010

Breakfast on board.  Morning visit to Karnak Temple.  Named Ipet-Isut, the most perfect of palaces by the ancient Egyptians, it remains magnificent after thousands of years.  Apart from its size, Karnak represents a vastness of historical time.  The main temple of Amun, from the foundations of the original Middle Kingdom temple to the First Pylon, built during the 25th Dynasty, saw construction over a span of 1 300 years.   The largest of all the temples of Egypt, its 25th dynasty pylon welcomes visitors.  The Great Hypostyle Hall contains 134 columns with the royal names of Seti I and Ramses II.  The great temple of Amun contains a double avenue of ram-headed sphinxes, pylons built by Tutmose I, Horemhab and Amenhotep II, shrines of Seti II, Amenhotep I and II, obelisks of Hatchepsut (325 tons of granite) and texts by Tutmose III, Ramses II and III.  

 

We will return to our cruiser and sail to Esna passing through the lock (delay in crossing the lock depends on cruiser traffic).  Lunch on board as we sail to Edfu enjoying the unique scenes along the banks of the Nile.  View Egyptian farmers and mountains as we sail between them.  Dinner and overnight on board, docked in Edfu.

 

DAY 5 - Wednesday, 29 December 2010

After breakfast we will visit the huge temple dedicated to the God Horus at Edfu.  This is the best-preserved temple of its time, built during the Ptolemaic rule, the construction commenced in 237 BC under Ptolemy III Evergetes I and was accomplished in 57 BC.  The temple celebrates the legendary battle between the Gods Horus and Set.    

 

Lunch on board as we sail to Kom Ombo to visit the temple situated on a hill (kom) overlooking the East Bank of the Nile, and dedicated to two Gods, Horus the Elder and Sobek the Crocodile deity.  Built in the time of Greco-Roman rule, it contains sanctuaries, hypostyle-pillared halls and corridors.  The temple also contains mummified crocodiles now placed in a small shrine dedicated originally to Hathor.  The name Kom Ombo (the ancient Greek settlement of Ombos) is derived from the Ancient Egyptian word, nubt, which means city of gold.  Sail to Aswan.  Dinner, followed by a fancy dress party (Galabeya night) and overnight on board, docked in Aswan.

 

DAY 6 - Thursday, 30 December 2010

After breakfast we will visit the ancient granite quarry with its 1 000 ton Unfinished Obelisk.  We will then visit Philae Temple, built on an island, and devoted to the goddess Isis.  We will travel by a small motor boat to Agilika Island.  The temple was moved to this island in the 1960’s when the new High Dam threatened to put the island underwater forever.  The temple rose in importance during the time of the Ptolemy’s and was the main cult center of Isis.  The site was so popular that it survived well into the Christian era as one of the last outposts of paganism.  Early Christians transformed the main temple’s hypostyle hall into a chapel and added churches to the island.  Dedicated to Isis, mother of the Lords, guardian and magician, the temple was built by Egyptians under the rule of Taharqa and Nectanebo I.  Later the Ptolemy’s and Romans added their royal names on the original construction. This was the last temple where the Pharaonic cult was practiced; the last hieroglyphic inscriptions (394 AD) were carved and has the last demotic graffiti (425 AD).

 

Lunch on board.  In the afternoon we will do a traditional Felucca Cruise from which we will view Kitcheners and Elephantine Islands and the mausoleum of the Aga Kahn.  This is a relaxing way to learn about the importance of the Nile to both its ancient and modern cultures.

 

An evening visit the atmospheric Aswan market with its ancient spice market, vegetable stands and fascinating vendors which runs the length of the town is recommended.  Dinner and overnight on board, docked in Aswan.

 

DAY 7 - Friday, 31 December 2010

After breakfast we will disembark from the cruise and transfer to the airport for our flight to Abu Simbel visiting the Aswan High Dam which forms the 500 km long Lake Nasser on the way.  Depart Aswan on MS 411 at 12H40 arriving in Abu Simbel at 13H25.  On arrival we will transfer to the Seti I hotel.  Lunch at own expense.  Late afternoon visit to the Temples of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari.   We will remain at the same temples to see the sound and light show which is voted the best in the world.  Dinner and overnight in hotel.

 

DAY 8 – Saturday, 01 January 2011

After breakfast we will transfer to the airport for our flight to Aswan.  Depart Abu Simbel on MS 135 at 08H30, arriving in Cairo 09H05.  We will change planes and fly to Cairo.  

 

On arrival in Cairo we will be collected at the airport and transfer to the Meridian Pyramids hotel.  Rest of the day at your leisure.  Dinner and overnight in hotel.

 

DAY 9 - Sunday, 02 January 2011

After breakfast we will be collected at our hotel and do a full day tour to the Giza Plateau and Saqqara Necropolis.  We will visit the Pyramid of Khufu, the oldest and largest of the three pyramids on the plateau.  Originally 482 feet high, it is now slightly lower due to the removal of its outer casing and capstone.  The pyramid of Khafre, slightly smaller than that of Khufu his father, retains some of its outer limestone covering.  The pyramid of Menkaure’s is the smallest of the group, but perhaps the most expensive to construct due to its building material.  (Entrance into the Great Pyramid is not included and cannot be guaranteed as there is a limited number of tickets sold each day and entrance costs – EP100.  Entrance to the Pyramid of Khafre costs EP20).

 

We will then visit the Solar Boat, believed by many to be the funerary bark that carried the body of Khufu from Memphis to his pyramid tomb at Giza.  We will then visit the panorama area where there is an opportunity to ride a camel followed by a visit to the Sphinx and the valley temple.

 

Free time will be allocated for you to buy some lunch (own expense) before we drive approximately 40 minutes to Saqqara, one of the richest archaeological sites in Egypt.  This vast desert necropolis was built for kings and nobles of the Old Kingdom.  We begin at the centerpiece of Saqqara, the Step Pyramid and the surrounding enclosure of King Djoser, king of Egypt from 2667 to 2648 BC.  Built for the king by Imhoptep, high priest and the world’s first architect and physician.  We continue on to the Pyramid of Titi, first king of the 6th dynasty, with its hymns, litanies and spells of protection, the first flowerings of a tradition that would later blossom into the full blown, full-colour, floor-to-ceiling wall paintings seen in the tombs of the Valley of the Kings and Queens in Luxor.  We then visit the mastaba tomb of Mereruka with its 33 chambers and magnificent relief’s including hunting scenes of birds, fish and hippo.  Dinner and overnight in hotel.

 

DAY 10 - Monday, 03 January 2011

After breakfast we will be collected at our hotel and visit the Citadel of Salah-El-Din who ruled Egypt from 1171 to 1192 AD.  Situated within the Citadel is the Mosque of Mohammed Ali, which he built after taking the throne of Egypt in 1805.  He ruled until 1848, and died in Alexandria in 1840.  He is buried within his alabaster mosque that took fifteen years to complete and possess one of the largest minbards (pulpits) in the world.  We will then visit the Hanging Church before visiting the world famous Cairo Museum.   

 

This guided tour will focus on some of the most ancient Egyptian artifacts, Ra-Hotep and Nofret’s legendary statues, Khafre’s immaculate diorite statue and the artifacts and gold of Tutankhamen.  Entrance to the somber and intriguing Mummy Room with its embalmed ancient royals, including the famous Ramses the Great (1290 -1224 BC) is excluded and costs EP100.

 

We will return to our hotel where a few rooms have been reserved for us to freshen up before visiting the famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar with its vast lanes of ancient shops, spices, gold and silver for dinner at Naguib Mahfouz restaurant (no alcohol served) and time for shopping.  

We will transfer to the airport around 21H00 for our return flight to Johannesburg.  Depart Cairo on flight MS 839 at 23H45.

DAY 11 - Tuesday, 04 January 2011

Arrive in Johannesburg at 08H00.

 

THE ABOVE ITINERARY INCLUDES:

 

THE ABOVE ITINERARY EXCLUDES:

 

NB:  Please note the standard of accommodation in Egypt can vary considerably to the same star accommodation in South Africa.  Therefore a 5 star hotel in Egypt is not necessarily representative of a 5 star hotel in South Africa.

 

Nile Travel reserves the right to change the order of the itinerary, guide, hotels and cruise should the need arise.  Nile Travel shall not be liable for any loss or harm, delay, damage or injury to property or person however caused.  For a list of our full terms and conditions please visit www.nile.co.za.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE

While we will strive to include all the sites mentioned in the above itinerary Nile Travel cannot be held responsible for any sites being closed at the time of visiting.  The order of the above itinerary may also vary in order to accommodate the weather and energy levels of the group.  Please ensure that you wear comfortable shoes and dress accordingly for the weather.  If you have any strict dietary requirements or need to eat at regular intervals please ensure that you have enough food and drinks with you prior to departure each morning as we may not get back to the hotel/cruise exactly at lunch time every day.  The hotels will be able to arrange a lunch box for you if required, please check costs with reception.

 

TOUR PRICE

The above itinerary will cost R9 900 for international and domestic flights on Egypt Air ex Johannesburg.  This airfare may increase and is subject to confirmation at the time of issuing.  The tax fluctuates according to the fuel price and current rate of exchange.  

 

The land arrangements in Egypt will cost US $1 995 per person sharing a double room.  At the current exchange rate of around R7.50 to $1 the tour including flights would cost R24 865 per person sharing.  The single supplement is approximately US $695 or R5 212 (availability of single rooms is limited).  

 

Please note the above price is quoted in South African Rands for the airfares and in US Dollars for the land arrangements due to the constant currency fluctuation.  When final payment is due the amount will be calculated according to the buying rate of exchange.  

 

The price is subject to the rand/dollar exchange rate and airline increases until full payment has been received.  A non-refundable deposit of R3 000 secures your booking.  The balance owing will be due by 1 October 2010.  The price is based on a minimum of 12 passengers and a maximum of 26 passengers.

 

CONTACT DETAILS

If the mysteries of Egypt, its Pharaohs and Pyramids fascinate you contact:

Kim Lings on 083 630 7926, 011 788 3823, kim@nile.co.za. www.nile.co.za

 

“One wonders that people come back from Egypt and live lives as they did before.”  Florence Nightingale