ITINERARY
05 November: Overnight transatlantic flight from USA to Cairo.
Chicago Arrivals: Kathy Wolters, Gail Jarratt, Ken & Julie Ortolon, arr. a day early; Scott Anderson, Janet Woltman, Tom & Vickie Michelson, AA360, 2:42; Laura Robinson, UAL 282 at 4:45pm; Carrol Smith, Donita Lincoln, Gretchen Sherman, Lynne Bueler, AW 5, 5:45 pm; Richard & Ann Adams, AA 1356, 6:29 p.m.
Group departure for London from Chicago (ORD), BA #294, 9:15P
Laurence Barker, Sara & Charlie Lewis, and Antoinette Acone will meet group in London.
06 November: Arrivals in Cairo:
Jackie Nelson and Liz Diesner, EgyptAir 986, 12:00 noon, Miguel Bustos, Lufthansa 584, 6:25P, Edmundsons, Rogers, Walls, AF, 7:10P
Group, BA #155, 10:50P
Upon arrival, a Delta Tours representative will meet us at airport and assist us through airport customs and formalities. Direct transfer by coach to our 5-star Hotel. Dinner (for those of you arriving early enough) and overnight in Hotel Pyramisa, +202 3367000.
07 November: After breakfast, brief orientation tour of city of Cairo with our Egyptologist guide who will be with us for the entire tour, continuing on to the Giza Plateau with the three Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, Mycrenos and the Sphinx. After lunch, transfer to Memphis and Sakkara, the first capital of ancient Egypt and the step Pyramid built by king Zoser in 2700 B.C. Transfer back to the hotel. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
08 November: After breakfast, coach transfer to the Egyptian Museum accompanied by our guide where we can see over 250,000 art works dating back 5000 years. The most important display contains the Fabulous Treasures of Tut Ank Amon, especially the solid Golden Mask. After the museum visit, continue on to the Citadel of Saladin and the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali. We will then proceed to Old Cairo to visit the Hanging Church and Synagogue (Ben Ezra Temple). Return to the hotel for a late lunch and some free time. Afternoon transfer to Khan el Khalili Market, one of the most impressive oriental markets containing a large number of shops. Dinner at typical restaurant in or near the market area, return for overnight in hotel.
09 November: Depart Cairo at 4:30 am on MS 245, arrive Aswan at 05:55 am. Upon arrival, immediate transfer to our 5-Star Deluxe Nile Cruise Ship for embarkation and breakfast. After lunch (on board), depart by coach to visit the world famous High Dam. It was built in 1960 and provides electricity and irrigation for the whole of Egypt. We will then visit Philae Temple dedicated to the Goddess Isis. Our excursion concludes with a visit to the Granite Quarries and the unfinished Obelisk. Dinner and overnight on cruise ship.
10 November: After breakfast, arrive Komombo, tour to visit Komombo Temple, a double temple dedicated to two Gods, the crocodile God, Sebek, and Horus, The Solar God of War. Return to cruise ship for lunch and sail to Edfu. Tour to visit Edfu Temple, dedicated to God Horus. Sail to Luxor via Esna Lock. Dinner and overnight on cruise ship.
11 November: After breakfast, tour of the East bank of the Nile to visit the Temples of Luxor and Karnak which were linked together in antiquity by an avenue bordered by ram-headed Sphinxes. Return to our cruise ship for lunch. Afternoon free to enjoy the offerings of the cruise ship. Evening Galabia Party (bring your own if you bought one in Morocco, or they will provide) and oriental dinner. Overnight on cruise ship.
12 November: Disembarkation from the Nile Cruise after breakfast. Tour of the West Bank of the Nile, to visit The Valley of the Kings, which was a complex of burial chambers for the Pharaohs from Tutmose I. Continue on to visit the Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon. Lunch in local restaurant. Afternoon activities and dinner plans TBA. Depart Luxor at 21:40 on MS 236, arrive Cairo at 22:45.Upon arrival in Cairo, transfer to the hotel. Overnight in hotel.
13 November: After breakfast, coach excursion to Alexandria. Visits will include the Catacombs, Montazah Palace, Roman Museum and Kaitbay Citadel, and the new Library. Lunch will be served in the old famous fish market. Return to Cairo, dinner and overnight in hotel. NOTE: If you are not feeling up to the day trip to Alexandria, you may choose to spend the day in Cairo.
14 November: 8:00 AM transfer to the Western desert by private AC bus, to the Great Sand Sea, an adventure trip which will never be forgotten. 1:00 PM arrive Baharya Oasis after a 400 KM drive from Cairo. Transfer by 4X4 to visit the Black Mountain 45 KM drive from Bahariya Oasis. Lunch in the desert, then transfer to Heiz Oasis, 55 KM from Bahariya Oasis, then proceed to Agapat to visit the flower stone area. In the evening, we will camp in the desert, sitting by the campfire, watching the moon and stars in the clear sky surrounded by the quietness and serenity of the desert. We will have a barbecue dinner while watching Bedouin music, dance and folklore. Overnight in the camp.
15 November: 7:00 AM breakfast, drive back to Baharya with en route visit to Crystal Mountain, return to Baharya Oasis and check in to the Bedouin Hotel. After lunch and some free time, we will visit the Hot and the Cold Springs, known for their curative powers. We will continue to the English Mountain and then visit the Oasis Bedouin Village introducing to the life of Bedouins. Return to the hotel for dinner with entertainment. Overnight in hotel.
16 November: 7:00 AM breakfast, then transfer back to Cairo by private AC bus. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
17 November: After breakfast, excursion to Egyptian Museum for a second visit. This time our guide will be along to facilitate our entry and to answer questions, but will not be leading the visit. Lunch at typical restaurant. Afternoon free for shopping (independent, take taxi back to hotel) or return to hotel with coach. Late afternoon early evening farewell to the Nile with a ride on a felucca, the typical sailboat of the Nile. Dinner and overnight in hotel.
18 November: Departures:
Edmundson, Rogers, Walls, AF, 7:15A
Group, BA #154, 8:45A, arr. LHR at 12:10P
Nelson/Diesner, Egypt Air 985 at 10:00A
Bustos, Lufthansa 585, 3:55A (19th) Transfer to the airport for final departure either to USA or to London for an optional night so we could go to the British Museum and see what the Brits took during the 19th century.
18/19/25 November departure from London: BA #297, 12:40P from LHR, arr. ORD (Chicago) at 15:15P