A Return to Egypt: The Nile Revealed

Transcription

1 2013 President s Journey A Return to Egypt: The Nile Revealed GIZA & THE GREAT PYRAMIDS CAIRO MEMPHIS SAKKARA ASWAN ABU SIMBEL NILE CRUISE on the MS Sonesta St. George I KOM OMBO EDFU LUXOR THE VALLEYS OF THE KINGS & QUEENS

2 JOURNEY HIGHLIGHTS Travel side-by-side with Jerre Fuqua, President of Travcoa, and a private expert Egyptologist Indulge in a private luncheon in full view of the pyramids one day, and join local Egyptians for an intimate meal on another Stand at the foot of the Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World Delight in the Sound and Light Show at the pyramids from your VIP seat Cruise the Nile for four days in a Presidential Suite aboard the luxurious Sonesta St. George I See the Temples of Karnak and Luxor Explore the treasures of Cairo s Egyptian Museum and the Tutankhamen Collection Experience the lively ambiance of Cairo s famous Khan el-khalili bazaar

3 DAILY ITINERARY Travcoa 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. October 13 th 14 th Depart USA / Arrive Cairo, EGYPT Journey accommodations begin with the hotel night on Day 2. Check-in time is approximately 3pm. Depart the USA on Sunday and arrive in Cairo on Monday. You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your luxury accommodation, the Mena House Oberoi. 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. Stay at the Mena House Oberoi, one of the most unique hotels in Giza, with its own rich and colorful history. Surrounded by 40 acres of verdant green gardens, this palatial hotel is located in the shadows of the Great Pyramids of Giza. The royal history of the hotel is reflected in luxurious interiors that are embellished with exquisite antiques, handcrafted furniture, original works of art and magnificent antiques that are rarely found in luxury hotels. Mena House Oberoi Giza October 15 th Giza Included meal services begin with Breakfast on October 15 th. This morning, enjoy a brief orientation lecture with your private Egyptologist before setting out for the day. The last survivors of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, the Pyramids of Giza are truly awe-inspiring. Some of them date back nearly 5,000 years. Step inside one of the pyramid s Royal Burial Chambers. Also see the mysterious Sphinx, carved from a single block of stone, and visit the Solar Boat Museum. Return to the hotel for lunch and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure. In the evening join your fellow guests at a welcome party, and learn more about the exciting adventures ahead from Justin Smith, Travcoa s Middle East Product Manager, who is also accompanying you on this very special journey. Mena House Oberoi, Giza

4 October 16 th Memphis, Sakkara, Dashur & Giza Visit the ancient city of Memphis, the oldest capital of Egypt, where you ll admire the finely detailed, colossal, recumbent statue of Ramses II. Made of fine-grained limestone, the 43-footlong statue weighs 120 tons. You ll also see the stunning 80-ton Alabaster Sphinx. Next, visit Sakkara, the oldest ancient Egyptian cemetery, where you ll see the world s first large-scale stone construction, the Step pyramid. Enjoy lunch in a local restaurant in Dashur. Tonight, enjoy premium seating at the enchanting Sound and Light Show at the pyramids, which re-enacts their history and the glory of the Pharaohs. Mena House Oberoi, Giza October 17 th Aswan This morning we transfer to the Cairo airport for our flight to Aswan. Upon arrival, we ll explore the Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, 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. This afternoon, enjoy time to relax at leisure and savor dinner at your luxurious hotel. Hotel Sofitel Legend Old Cataract, Aswan October 18 th Abu Simbel & Embark on the Nile Cruise Fly to Abu Simbel early this morning for a close-up look at the 3,300-year-old temples built by Ramses II, 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 building of the Aswan High Dam. The Great Temple is dedicated to Ramses II and a statue of him seated with three other gods is located in the innermost part of the rock-cut temple (the Sanctuary). The Small Temple, likely completed before the Great Temple, is dedicated to Ramses II s favorite wife, Nefertari. Twentyfive thousand workers labored 25 years to complete these massive monuments. It is one of the most prodigious feats of engineering in Egypt.

5 Fly back to Aswan and board the Sonesta St. George I, our luxurious 5-star home on the Nile offering opulent hospitality. Your accommodations are one of the few opulent Presidential Suites on board. Enjoy a late lunch on the ship and the remainder of the day at leisure. Sonesta St. George I October 19 th Nile Cruise - Kom Ombo & Edfu Sail to Kom Ombo and disembark to visit the Temple at Kom Ombo. It s 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. Here we stop to visit the beautifully preserved sandstone Temple of Horus one of the finest examples of Ptolemaic art in Egypt. The largest and best-preserved temple in the country, and built by the Ptolemaic Pharaohs, its bas-reliefs provide vivid insight into life in ancient Egypt. Enjoy a galabeya party in Esna this evening as your cruise continues towards Luxor. Sonesta St. George I October 20 th Nile Cruise - Luxor Luxor is a magnificent ancient township built on the site of the even more ancient city of Thebes which dates back 4,000 years. The city boasts the country s richest collection of antiquities. Explore Luxor s extraordinary East Bank monuments, including the stunning Temples of Karnak and Luxor. Look for the faded remains of the vivid colors that once ornamented these temples. 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. Construction began during the Middle Kingdom period and was completed during the New Kingdom period. The gate of the Temple of Karnak, built by Ptolemy III, remains in almost 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 eons, including Alexander the Great. It was discovered less than a century ago and its remains echo the splendor of ancient Thebes. Enjoy lunch on board the Sonesta St. George I before a visit to the incredible Luxor Museum. See displays of pottery, jewelry, furniture and statues, including a carefully selected assortment of items from the Theban temples and Necropolis. Enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride this evening. Sonesta St. George I

6 October 21 st Disembark Nile Cruise & Luxor After disembarking the ship this morning, visit the Valley of Kings, famous for its royal tombs. These beautifully painted tombs have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For nearly 500 years, the kings of the New Kingdom ( B.C.) were buried in this valley, making it the world's most magnificent burial ground. The most famous tomb, though one of the least decorated, 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 afterlife and the land of the gods. The chambers were filled with treasures everything from furniture to food, statues, boats and jewels everything a person would need in the afterlife. Next, visit the Valley of Queens a misnomer, for it also houses the tombs of high officials and royal children along with various queens and concubines. The valley contains 80 tombs, most of which are not inscribed and are simple in design. Our visit includes a stop at the Temple of Hatshepsut. We 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. Next we visit the Colossi of Memnon. Take a boat across the Nile to settle into the elegant Luxor Hilton. Spend some time at leisure at the hotel before we enjoy wine and hors d oeuvres during a special sunset felucca ride. Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa, Luxor October 22 nd Cairo Early this morning we fly Cairo, the melting pot of ancient and modern Egyptian civilizations. Cairo is a fusion of old and new modern skyscrapers and ancient monuments stand side-byside, along with features of Islamic, Christian, Coptic and Jewish culture. Visit the Citadel, built in AD 1183, and the Ottoman-style Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha (also known as the Alabaster Mosque). See the medieval Mosque of the Sultan Hassan. Continue to the center of Cairo for lunch and explore the famous Khan el-khalili bazaar, largely unchanged since the 14th century. The bazaar 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. Close the day with dinner at the hotel. Four Seasons Nile Plaza, Cairo

7 October 23 rd Cairo Explore the treasures of the Egyptian Museum with a special opening arranged just for Travcoa. Considered one of the most prominent museums in the world, it was built during the reign of Khedive Abbass Helmi II, in 1897, and features 107 halls divided into seven sections; each section devoted to an era in Egypt's history, the displays span more than 50 centuries. We ll visit the museum's most significant showpiece, the Tutankhamen collection, and enjoy a special visit to the Mummies Room as well. Enjoy lunch in a local home for a special cultural exchange and then enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Gather with your Travcoa Travel Director and fellow guests at a farewell cocktail party this evening to reminiscence about your travels. Four Seasons Nile Plaza October 24 th Depart for Home Today you will be transferred to the airport for your flight home or on to your next destination. Journey accommodations end with the hotel night on October 23 rd. Check-out time is approximately 11am on October 24 th. Included meal services end with Breakfast on October 24 th. NOTE: The daily itinerary above is subject to change and is 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 Journey Consultant before scheduling any coinciding appointments. You will receive an updated itinerary approximately 21 days prior to your journey s scheduled departure date.

8 ACCOMMODATIONS October 14 th 16 th Giza, Mena House Oberoi October 17 th Aswan, Hotel Sofitel Legend Old Cataract October 18 th 20 th Nile Cruise, Sonesta St. George I October 21 st Luxor, Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa October 22 nd 23 rd Cairo, Four Seasons Nile Plaza Giza, Mena House Oberoi: This palatial hotel in the shadow of the Great Pyramids in Giza has enchanted guests since Located in forty acres of jasmine scented gardens, Mena House Oberoi has played host to kings and emperors, Heads of State and celebrities. Its royal history is reflected in luxurious interiors that are embellished with exquisite antiques, handcrafted furniture and rich textiles. A variety of international as well as Egyptian cuisine is on offer at the excellent restaurants and bars in the hotel. All guest accommodation at Mena House Oberoi is air conditioned with satellite television, broadband internet access, electronic safes and hair dryers. Rooms and Suites are lavishly appointed with traditionally inspired furnishings and rich carpets. The hotel offers 2 different luxury experiences in which its heritage has been preserved; in the Old Palace Wing are located 76 rooms and suites, while contemporary elegance has been lavishly designed into the Nile Wing s 62 rooms and suites. Aswan, Hotel Sofitel Legend Old Cataract: Indulge in personalized service at the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan. Located in the Nubian desert on the banks of the Nile, opposite Elephantine island, the hotel is majestically positioned on a shelf of pink granite overlooking the grand river. Behind its Victorian façade, the hotel retains its original beauty, receiving visitors in an historic lobby with polished marble floors and high, classic Islamic arches. Nile Cruise, Sonesta St. George I: 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. Travcoa 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, hair dryer, laptops in suites, double glass panoramic French

9 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, Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa: Escape to the serenity of the lush banks of the Nile and receive Egypt's most attentive, friendly service at this idyllic Hilton Worldwide Resort. With glorious, uninterrupted views from the water s edge location, the newly renovated Hilton Luxor Resort & Spa is the ideal base from which to explore the region s rich and ancient culture. Choose from 8 stylish bars and restaurants, indulge in a luxury holistic treatment at the tranquil Nayara Spa, bathe in the resort s two stunning infinity pools or simply relax in a shaded cabana hammock beside the Nile. Cairo, Four Seasons Nile Plaza: 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.

10 TRAVEL PLANNING DETAILS 2013 President s Journey Dates & Prices Dates Travcoa Select Intra-Tour Air Select Single Suppl. Oct 13 Oct 24, 2013 $7,295 $675 $2, Day Itinerary: Per person price is based upon two people sharing a room. Airfare is additional. Check with Travcoa for special international airfares. INTRA-TOUR AIR FLIGHTS: Cairo / Aswan / Abu Simbel / Aswan - Luxor / Cairo These flight tickets will be issued by Travcoa; airfare prices are subject to change and are only guaranteed at time of final payment. RENDEZVOUS & SCHEDULE POINTS Following are the times and locations where this journey officially begins and ends. Travcoa 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. October 13 th October 14 th Depart Hometown Arrive Cairo, Egypt Meeting Point Giza, Mena House Oberoi Journey accommodations begin with the hotel night on Day 2. Check-in time is approximately 3pm. October 15 th Included meal services begin with Breakfast on Day 3. October 24 th Depart Cairo, Egypt Farewell Point Cairo, Four Seasons Nile Plaza Journey accommodations end with the hotel night of October 23 rd. Check-out time approximately 11am. Included meal services end with Breakfast on October 24 th. Arrive Hometown If you arrive before or depart after these inclusions, you may request supplemental arrangements for an additional charge.

11 JOURNEY PACE: ACTIVE All guests are expected to be in good health. We consider our journeys to be active. Moderate to strenuous exertion, including long walks on rough uneven terrain, climbing stairs and long drives on rough roads are an integral part of your journey. For a more detailed description of the special requirements for this journey, and to check if this journey is right for you, please speak with a Travcoa representative. INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS Airfares vary according to airline, departure city and seat category, and are based on availability and subject to change. Travcoa is pleased to assist you with your air reservations for this journey. The recommended air carriers for this journey are: Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France & Emirates. Please check with Travcoa 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.

12 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 Travcoa Travel Director as your personal concierge (in this special case, our Middle East Product Manager, Justin Smith) 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 The TravcoAssist Plan, $5,000 medical expense and $50,000 Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation of Remains coverage if you suffer injury or illness during the trip provided through Travel Guard and 24-hour Worldwide Live Travel Assistance provided by Travel Guard (not available to residents of Quebec). 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 TravcoAssist GOLD Plan (optional comprehensive travel insurance offered through Travel Guard) [not available to residents of Quebec]. Customary end-of-trip gratuity to the Travcoa Travel Director (in this special case, our Middle East Product Specialist, Justin Smith) (Depending on your satisfaction with their services, $15-$18 per person, per day is customary.)