Egypt (12 Days) The BEST with Style: Detailed Itinerary
Departure Date:
Sunday, 27 December 2009
Meeting Point: Monday, 28 December 2009 in Cairo,
EGYPT Departure Point: Thursday, 7 January 2010 in Cairo, EGYPT
Price: $6,895 per person, based on double occupancy*
Plus: Intra Tour Airfare, $610 per person
The Single Supplement: $2,095 (This will be a double occupancy room
for single occupancy)
This is an "A Free Universe"
EDD(Exclusive DavidTravel Departure) featuring a luxuriously "ALL
INCLUSIVE" Itinerary.
"A Free Universe"
is the DavidTravel "Welcoming to All" theme that brings together travelers who seek out new and
exciting experiences while embracing and celebrating diversity.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Fascinating, mysterious, majestic, mystical, and sensual—words don’t
come close to describing your thrilling journey on the Nile. The
wonders of ancient Egypt ignite your imagination and the great
cities and traditional villages offer matchless excitement and
discoveries. When you stand before the Great Pyramids of Giza you
can almost hear their proud confessions about a civilization that
once seemed indestructible. The Alabaster Sphinx and the colossal
statue of Ramses II speak with their eyes of the mighty civilization
that once reigned. Most of the greatest sites line the River Nile,
so you will travel in a style that would be the envy of the most
powerful Pharaohs as you cruise aboard the new Sonesta St. George I.
You’ll see all the monuments, temples, tombs and mosques while staff
and crew do everything but fan you with palm branches. The friendly
Egyptians are proud to welcome you to their great land.
JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS
• Explore the treasures of Cairo’s Egyptian Museum
and the Tutankhamen Collection
• Cruise the Nile for four days aboard the luxurious Sonesta St.
George I
• Enjoy privileged access to Luxor’s ancient treasures
• Enjoy a sound and light show at the Philae Temple , and at the
Pyramids
• Experience the Nile on a timeless felucca
• Luxuriate in a pyramid-view room at Cairo’s Four Seasons at the
First Residence
DAILY
ITINERARY
Our journeys are designed to accommodate the most
common flight times from the USA. The first
and last included accommodation and meals are specified in the
itinerary below.
Days 1 & 2, Sunday & Monday
Depart for Cairo, EGYPT
Leave your home city for Cairo on Sunday, arriving late in the evening on Monday. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be greeted and transferred to your luxury hotel.
A city of over 17 million people, Cairo is the largest city in Africa. It is a complex blend of cultures and civilizations, each overlaid one on top of the other, going all the way back to the days of the Pharaohs. Four Seasons
Nile Plaza Hotel
Day 3, Tuesday
Cairo, EGYPT
Included meal services begin with Breakfast in on
Day 3.
Explore the treasures of the Egyptian Museum,
considered one of the most prominent museums in the world. Built
during the reign of Khedive Abbass Helmi II in 1897, it has 107
halls divided into seven sections, each section devoted to one era
in Egyptʹs history. The displays of ancient history span more than
50 centuries. The museumʹs most significant showpiece is
theTutankhamen collection. You will make a special visit to the
Mummies Room.
In the evening join your fellow travelers at a
cocktail and dinner party, and learn more about the exciting
adventures ahead from your Travel Director. Four Seasons
Nile Plaza Hotel BLD
Day 4, Wednesday
Cairo, EGYPT
This morning explore the Pyramids and Sphinx of
Giza. The last survivor of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World,
the Pyramids are truly awe-inspiring, and some of them date back
nearly 5,000 years. Nearby is the mysterious Sphinx, carved from a
single block of stone. Step inside one of the Royal Burial Chambers
in the Pyramids. Also view the well-preservedfunerary boat of Cheops.
This afternoon drive to the ancient city of
Memphis, the oldest capital of Egypt, where you’ll admire the finely
detailed, colossal, recumbent statue of Ramses II. It is made of
fine-grained limestone, 13 meters long, and weighing 120 tons.
You’ll also see the stunning 80-ton Alabaster Sphinx. Continuing to
Sakkara, the oldest ancient Egyptian cemetery, where you’ll see the
world’s first large-scale stone construction, the Step Pyramid.
Tonight, enjoy premium seating at the enchanting
Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids, which re-enacts the history of
the Pyramids and the glory of the Pharaohs. Four Seasons
Nile Plaza Hotel BLD
Day 5, Thursday
Cairo, EGYPT & Aswan, EGYPT
Fly to Aswan in the late morning. Enjoy an
excursion by a traditional canvas-sailed felucca to the Botanical
Gardens at Kitchner’s Island and admire exotic flora from as far as
India and Malaysia. A cruise on these indigenous boats offers an
unforgettable and uniquely Egyptian event. Movenpick Elephantine Island Hotel BLD
Day 6, Friday
Aswan, EGYPT, Abu Simbel, EGYPT & Embark on the Cruise
Fly to Abu Simbel this morning for a close-up look
at the 3,300 year old temples built by Ramses II, which were carved
out of a hillside next to the Nile. Abu Simbel is a set of two
temples near the border of Egypt and Sudan. The entire temple
complex was moved to its present location, 90 feet above its old
site, to protect it from rising waters caused by the damming of the
Nile.
The Great Temple is dedicated to Ramses II and a
statue of him seated with three other gods is in the innermost part
of the rock-cut temple (the Sanctuary). The Small Temple was
probably completed ahead of the Great Temple and is dedicated to his
favorite wife, Nefertari. 25,000 workers labored 25 years to
complete these massive monuments. It is one of the mostprodigious
feats of engineering in Egypt.
Fly back to Aswan and board the Sonesta St. George
I to cruise the Nile. The luxurious, 5-star Sonesta St. George I
offers opulent hospitality. Sail serenely between Aswan and Luxor on
the majestic River Nile as 5,000 years of history unfold before you. Sonesta St. George I BLD
Day 7, Saturday
Nile Cruise - Kom Ombo, EGYPT - Edfu, EGYPT
At the island Temple of Philae, discover a sacred
temple complex dedicated to the Goddess Isis. The temple was
dismantled and painstakingly reassembled in the 1970’s when the
Aswan Dam was constructed. There you will discover a fusion of three
great civilizations – Egyptian, Greek and Roman.
See the granite quarries that supplied the stone
for temples and colossi in ancient times and a gigantic unfinished
obelisk that had been hewn from the bedrock. Sail to the Temple at
Kom Ombo, known for its unusual double temple – one half is
dedicated to the falcon-headed god, Haroeris, and the other half to
the crocodile god, Sobek.
Enjoy afternoon tea as you sail to Edfu. In Edfu
visit the beautifully preserved sandstone Temple of Horus – one of
the finest examples of Ptolemaic art in Egypt. It is the largest and
bestpreserved temple in Egypt. Built by the Ptolemaic Pharaohs, its
bas-reliefs give a vivid picture of life in ancient Egypt. Sonesta St. George I BLD
Day 8, Sunday
Nile Cruise - Luxor, EGYPT
Luxor is a magnificent ancient township built on
the site of the even more ancient city of Thebes, dating back 4,000
years. It boasts the country’s richest collection of antiquities.
Visit the Valley of Kings, famous for its royal
tombs. These beautifully painted tombs have been designated a World
Heritage Site by UNESCO. For over five hundred years, the kings of
the New Kingdom (1500-1070 B.C.) were buried in this valley, making
it the worldʹs most magnificent burial ground. The most famous tomb
belongs to the boy-king Tutankhamen.
The tombs were cut into limestone rock in a remote
wadi (a dried-up river valley) on the west bank of the Nile. Their
walls were painted and sculpted with magnificent murals depicting
the after life and the land of the gods. The chambers were filled
with treasures – everything from furniture to food, statues, boats
and jewels, which a person may need to sustain life into eternity.
Also visit the Valley of Queens – a misnomer for
it also houses the tombs of high officials and royal children along
with the various queens and concubines. The valley contains 80
tombs, most of which are not inscribed and simple in design.
You will also visit the Temple of Madinat Habu,
where the entire Temple of Ramses III still stands in good condition
next to the remains of the Kings Palace within a defensive wall.
Then visit the Colossi of Memnon.
This afternoon take a horse carriage ride to visit
the incredible Luxor Museum. Sonesta St. George I BLD
Day 9, Monday Disembark Nile Cruise & Luxor,
EGYPT
After disembarking the ship this morning, continue
exploring Luxor’s extraordinary monuments, including the stunning
Temples of Karnak and Luxor, once decorated with vivid colors, their
faded remains can still be seen.
The Temple of Karnak has three main sacred areas
that honor three gods: Montu, an ancient local warrior god; Amun,
the chief god of Thebes; and the goddess Mut, wife of Amun. The
construction began in the Middle Kingdom in 1500 BC and was
completed during the New Kingdom. The gate of the Temple of Karnak,
built by Ptolemy III, is still almost in perfect condition. See the
incredible stone forest of massive pillars in the Hypostyle Hall and
the Avenue of Sphinxes.
The Luxor Temple is a remarkably delicate work of
architecture, originally built by Pharaoh Amenophis, and added to by
various rulers over the eons, including Alexander the Great. It was
discovered less than a century ago and its remains echo the splendor
of ancient Thebes.
Your overnight accommodations are at the
contemporary and elegant Sonesta St. George I Hotel, in a deluxe
room overlooking the Nile River. Sonesta St. George
Hotel BLD
Day 10, Tuesday Luxor, EGYPT & Cairo, EGYPT
Fly from Luxor to Cairo, arriving about mid-day.
The melting pot of ancient and modern Egyptian civilizations, Cairo
is a fusion of old and new – modern skyscrapers and ancient
monuments stand side-by-side, along with features of Islamic,
Christian, Coptic and Jewish culture.
You will stay at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at
The First Residence. It is a gracious sanctuary on the west bank of
the Nile, with impressive views of the Great Pyramids over the
old-growth canopy of Cairoʹs ancient Zoological and Botanical
Gardens. From your spacious deluxe room you will enjoy a spectacular
view of the pyramids. Tonight you will enjoy an evening at the home
of an Egyptian family with cocktails and dinner. Four Seasons
Hotel Cairo at The First Residence BLD
Day 11, Wednesday Cairo, EGYPT
Visit the Citadel and the Ottoman-style Mohammed
Ali Mosque (the Alabaster Mosque), within the walls of the Citadel,
built in AD 1183. See the medieval Mosque of the Sultan Hassan.
Explore the famous Khan El Khalili Souk (or
bazaar), largely unchanged since the 14th century.
The market is renowned for its magnificent
architecture. Wander through small narrow alleys lined with old
shops or sit in one of the famous coffee shops and just observe
daily life. Four Seasons
Hotel Cairo at The First Residence BLD
Day 12, Thursday Depart for Home
B
This morning you will be taken from your hotel to
the Cairo airport for your return flight home or on to your next
destination.
Journey accommodations end with the hotel night on
Day 11. Check-out time is approximately 11am on Day 12.
Included meal services end with Breakfast on Day
12.
NOTE: The Daily Itinerary above is subject to
change dependent upon local conditions and/or operational changes or
improvements. The specific times and order of inclusions within each
destination may also be altered to best accommodate unscheduled
closures, special events, weather, traffic, etc.
Please contact your Vacation Planner before
scheduling any coinciding appointments. You will receive an
up-dated itinerary approximately 30 days prior to your journey’s
scheduled departure date.
Cairo, Four Seasons Nile Plaza: 3 Nights
This beacon of sophisticated hospitality rises on the legendary
Corniche along the bank of the river. With commanding views of both
the Nile and the Citadel, Four Seasons unites its timeless, caring,
personalized attention with the dynamism of fast-forward Cairo. It
is steps from Garden City’s historic mansions and a short taxi ride
from Cairo’s attractions. The Four Seasons features an unparalleled
spa, lush pool oasis, and eight eclectic choices for dining or
entertainment.
The guest rooms and suites, are generously sized
and reflect the vibrancy of contemporary Cairo, with bright
interiors, natural wood finishes and chic, comfortable furnishings.
All guest quarters offer panoramic views, whether across the Nile to
the island of Zamalek and beyond, or towards the 12th-century
Citadel. Triple-glazed windows ensure that interiors remain cool and
quiet. Up-to-the-minute technology for communication and
entertainment includes highspeed Internet wired and wireless access
throughout. The spacious marble bathrooms incorporate Four Seasons
signature features: deep soaking tub, separate glass-enclosed
shower, large double vanity and, in a separate alcove, WC with
telephone.
Aswan Movenpick
Elephantine Island Hotel and Spa: 1 Night
The beautifully landscaped island on the River Nile, provides a
tranquil environment, exquisite scenery, services and facilities to
please even the most discerning guest. Caring is a way of life in
Aswan and nowhere more so than at the Aswan Movenpick Elephantine
Island Hotel where the famous health Spa attracts almost as many
visitors as the temples of ancient Nubia.
The hotel air conditioned rooms feature a balcony,
bathtub/shower, bidet, Cable TV, Direct Dial phone, electrical
adapters, full size mirror, hair dryer, mini bar and Modem Data
Port.
Nile Cruise,
Sonesta St. George I: 3 Nights
Arguably the best boat on the Nile, the Sonesta St. George I boasts
five star deluxe facilities with the service to match.
This elegantly refined cruise ship is perfect for discerning
travelers. See many of Egypt’s ancient wonders and take the
opportunity to relax and unwind in sumptuous surroundings. Sail
serenely between Aswan and Luxor on the majestic River Nile as 5,000
years of history unfold before you on a magnificent journey.
DavidTravel guests stay in Presidential Suites –
each a 474 sq. ft. outside cabin on the C or D deck. Amenities
include direct-dial international phone, 23” LCD screen TV with 16
channels, memory stick, and live sailing channel. Sound proof and
fire resistant walls, wireless internet facilities, digital safe,
mini bar, hairdryer, laptops in suites, double glass panoramic
French windows, and coffee and tea tray in all cabins and suites.
Tech wood bathrooms are fitted with a full spa unit which includes
steam bath, jacuzzi, and water massage. (An upgrade to a ‘Royal
Suite,’ 638 sq. ft. on the D deck, is space available at an
additional charge.)
Luxor, Sonesta St.
George Hotel: 1 Night
The contemporary and elegant St. George Hotel overlooks the Nile
River. It is a modern sevenstory building, featuring bay-shaped iron
balconies and lower-level terraces. For your dining pleasure there
are eight onsite restaurants and two bars. Facilities include an
outdoor heated swimming pool, aerobic classes, weekly activity
program, fully-equipped health and fitness center, massage, sauna,
steam room and jacuzzi. Each of the hotels 224 luxurious guestrooms
and suites feature air-conditioning, a hair dryer, safety deposit
box and mini-bar.
Cairo, Four Seasons
Hotel Cairo at The First Residence: 2 Nights
The Four Seasons Hotel at The First Residence is a gracious
sanctuary on the west bank of the Nile, with impressive views of the
Great Pyramids over the old-growth canopy of Cairoʹs ancient
Zoological and Botanical Gardens. The 269-room hotel is at the
center of the prestigious new First Residence complex of apartments
and shops.
The luxurious rooms feature down pillows and
duvets, plus a CD player, hair dryer, in-room safe, refrigerated
private bar, satellite TV, thick terry bathrobes, and twice-daily
housekeeping service.
Dining includes Seasons, an all-day Mediterranean
restaurant overlooking Cairo and the Nile, with cuisine influenced
by North Africa, Lebanon, Morocco and Italy; the warm Library Bar;
Lai Thai, an intimate Thai restaurant; the Tea Lounge; and a
poolside Bar and Grill. There is an extensive health club and spa,
plus massage, spa treatments and salon. The luxuriantly landscaped
pool is a calm oasis from the city.
TRAVEL PLANNING DETAILS
12-Day Itinerary: Per person price is based upon
two people sharing a room. Airfare is additional.
Check with DavidTravel for special international airfares.
INTRA-TOUR AIRFARE: $610
Cairo / Aswan / Abu Simbel / Aswan - Luxor / Cairo
These flight tickets will be issued by DavidTravel; airfare prices
are subject to change and are only guaranteed
at time of final payment.
JOURNEY PACE: ACTIVE
JOURNEY EXPECTATIONS & ELIGIBILITY
All guests are expected to be in good health. We consider our
journeys to be active. Moderate to strenuous exertion, including
long walks and climbing stairs is sometimes an integral part of your
journey. There are full action-packed days.
RENDEZVOUS & SCHEDULE POINTS
Below are the times and locations where this journey officially
begins and ends. DavidTravel is
pleased to provide arrival and departure transfers between the
designated airport city and the
Rendezvous location when confirmed flight details are provided with
final payment.
Day 1 Sunday Depart Hometown
Day 2 Monday Arrive Cairo, Egypt
Meeting Point - Cairo, Egypt, Four Seasons Nile
Plaza Hotel, after dinner.
Journey accommodations begin with the hotel night on Day 2. Check-in
time is approximately 3pm.
Day 3 Tuesday:
Included meal services begin with Breakfast on Day 3.
Day 12 Thursday Depart Cairo, Egypt:
Farewell Point - Cairo, Egypt, Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at the First
Residence Hotel, after breakfast
Journey accommodations end with the hotel night on Day 11. Check-out
time is
approximately 11am.
Included meal services end with Breakfast on Day
12.
Arrive Hometown
If you arrive before or depart after these
inclusions, you may request supplemental arrangements for an
additional charge.
INTERNATIONAL AIR FLIGHTS
Airfares vary according to airline, departure city and seat
category, and are based on availability and subject to change.
DavidTravel is pleased to assist you with your air reservations for
this journey.
The recommended air carriers for this journey are:
Egypt Air, British Airways & Alitalia.
Please check with DavidTravel for schedules and
rates on our preferred carriers.
If you are arranging your own flights, please take
careful note of the Rendezvous Points above.
Our office requires flight details 2 months prior
to departure to provide your included journey arrival and departure
airport transfers.
EXTENDING YOUR STAY
EXTRA HOTEL NIGHTS:
Call DavidTravel for pre-tour rates at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza
Hotel in Cairo or post-tour rates at the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at
the First Residence in Cairo. Extra hotel nights are subject
to availability.
CUSTOM JOURNEY EXTENSIONS:
We offer tailor-made itineraries designed around your special
interests and desired departure dates. These can be arranged as pre
or post journey extensions. Call DavidTravel for more details.
CONNECTING JOURNEY NOTES:
If you are connecting this journey with another DavidTravel escorted
or custom journey, please note the connecting flights between
journeys are NOT included. Please contact DavidTravel for the
recommended connecting flight schedule.
YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES:
• Deluxe rooms in the best available hotels*
• Three meals per day, including our unique Dine-Around program that
lets you enjoy any restaurant you choose with à la carte dining, or
relax with room service when available*
• A professional Travel Director as your personal concierge
• Local sightseeing with professional English-speaking guides with
unparalleled knowledge, including entrance fees for places visited
• Active participation and up-close encounters to experience the
cultures of your journey
• Bottled water, soft drinks, coffee and tea included with meals;
bottled water during sightseeing excursions
• All gratuities to hotel and restaurant staff and local guides and
drivers
• Group or individual airport transfers on arrival and departure
flights
• Emergency medical evacuation insurance coverage for injury or
illness, and 24-hour Worldwide Live Travel Assistance through Travel
Guard Assistance
*Due to remote or undeveloped locations on some
journeys, accommodations may not always meet Western standards.
Dine-Around opportunities will be limited in remote or unsecured
locations.
THE COST OF YOUR JOURNEY DOES NOT INCLUDE:
• Air transportation; airport taxes; passport expenses
• Inoculations and medications
• Visas if required
• Alcoholic beverages (except as noted in itinerary) and caviar
• Expenses of guides, buses or cars for sightseeing not included in
the itinerary
• Laundry, expenses of a personal nature and gratuity for any
personal services
• Health, accident, baggage and trip cancellation insurance
• Excessive baggage charges imposed by airlines
• Trip Cancellation Insurance (optional additional coverage)
• Customary end-of-the-trip gratuity to the Travel Director
(Depending on your satisfaction with their services, $12-$15 per
person, per day is customary.)
DAILY
ITINERARY