10 Day Egypt With Nile Cruise. Cairo Luxor Valley of the Kings Edfu Aswan Abu Simbel Nile Cruise

Transcription

1 10 Day Egypt With Nile Cruise Cairo Luxor Valley of the Kings Edfu Aswan Abu Simbel Nile Cruise

2 10 Day Egypt With Nile Cruise FROM $3,999 PER PERSON, TWIN SHARE Part of the very cradle of civilisation, Egypt's rich cultural heritage has fascinated explorers, historians and archaeologists for centuries. From the Great Sphinx of Giza to the countless antiquities in the Egyptian Museum and the ancient Karnak Temple, this tour will uncover all of Egypt. Book Now Call Page 1

3 DAY 1 Home Cairo Meals included 5 Le Méridien Pyramids, or similar Welcome to the trip of a lifetime! Board your flight to Egypt and prepare to be spellbound by the ancient wonders of the Pharaohs. Salaam Aleikum! Welcome to Egypt. You ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel of your incredible Inspiring Stay overlooking the Great Pyramids of Giza what a way to start your adventure. You're guide will welcome you as you arrive at your hotel. Please note: Some flights may depart the day before. DAY 2 Cairo Meals included Breakfast 5 Le Méridien Pyramids, or similar This morning, meet your group for an introductory briefing to meet your fellow travellers. After, head out to see some of the world s most iconic sights the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. Explore these structures that have stood tall for 4,500 years and learn about the ancient history of the monuments. Afterwards, make your way to the Egyptian Museum, home to one of the world's great collections of antiquities. Wander the treasure-filled halls of the museum, and make sure to check out the Mummies Hall (optional) for a close encounter with some of the country s most important queens and pharaohs. The masses of gleaming artefacts recovered from the tomb of Tutankhamun are an impressive sight to behold. DAY 3 Cairo Luxor Meals included Breakfast, dinner Watania Sleeping train, or similar Today, enjoy a free day at leisure. Later this afternoon you will be transferred to the station to board your overnight sleeper train to Luxor. Optional Tour - Cairo City tour - Join a local guide to get in touch with Cairo's Islamic heart. From backstreet bazaars to minaret-topped mosques, and neighbourhood coffee houses, these are the places that make Egypt's sprawling capital what it is. Enjoy time at Khan el-khalili market. A labyrinth of narrow streets and passageways, Khan el-khalili is one of Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 2

4 the world s largest bazaars, and offers a truly authentic local Cairo experience. Note: Accommodation aboard the overnight train is in two-berth cabins which convert to bunk beds. All bedding is provided on board and western-style toilets are in each carriage. Your bags will be stored in your cabin, where airlinestyle dinner and breakfast will be served. However, it may be worth bringing some additional snacks, especially if you are vegetarian or have dietary requirements. Your tour leader can help you to arrange this. Despite being a tourist class train facility are basic but comfortable. OPTIONAL TOUR - CAIRO CITY TOUR Join a local guide to get in touch with Cairo's Islamic heart. From backstreet bazaars to minaret-topped mosques, and neighbourhood coffee houses, these are the places that make Egypt's sprawling capital what it is. Enjoy time at Khan el-khalili market. A labyrinth of narrow streets and passageways, Khan el-khalili is one of the world s largest bazaars, and offers a truly authentic local Cairo experience. DAY 4 Luxor Embark on Nile cruise Meals included Breakfast, lunch, dinner Movenpick Royal Lotus, or similar Welcome to Luxor! After an early breakfast on board, the train rolls into Luxor from the spectacular temple complex of Karnak to the Valley of the Kings, Luxor is full of wonderfully preserved reminders of the Pharaohs. Today you will explore the magnificent Karnak Temple, which is perhaps the most impressive of all the ancient Pharaoh s' monumental works. One of the world's most celebrated temple complexes, Karnak is a house of the gods built over a period of some 200 years. Your guided tour of this vast temple of impressive pylons, obelisks and chapels will reveal its finest sections, such as the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Great Temple of Amun. Later you will be transferred to your Nile cruise boat, which will be your home for the next four nights. You can relax by the pool on the boat or explore the town. Optional Tour: Luxor Temple - Luxor Temple is a large Ancient Egyptian temple complex located on the east bank of the Nile River in the city today known as Luxor and was constructed approximately 1400 BC Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 3

5 DAY 5 Luxor Valley of the Kings Luxor Edfu Meals included Breakfast, lunch, dinner Movenpick Royal Lotus, or similar Today you will discover some of the many wonders of ancient Thebes. Our first stop is the Colossi of Memnon, two 17 metre-high statues on Luxor's west bank. Carved from granite blocks, they represent the Pharaoh Amenhotep III and were once part of an impressive colonnade. Continue on to the spectacular royal burial site of the Valley of the Kings. Buried under the arid hills here are over 60 tombs of pharaohs, many richly decorated with reliefs and paintings. With your leader, explore this sprawling and spectacular place, where the pharaohs of the New Kingdom (16th to 11th century BC) were secretly interred for all eternity, and where discoveries are still being made. Your guide will explain the history and legends of these remarkable people, their funerary rites, and the significance of the many paintings and hieroglyphics, still well preserved in the deepest tombs. You will visit three of the most interesting royal tombs and then continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a stunning colonnaded building set against high cliffs that create a spectacular natural amphitheatre. One of Egypt s greatest Queens, she built this temple to prove her importance among the ancestors. Enjoy lunch upon your return to the boat. There is time to relax on deck or in your cabin before you set sail for Edfu. Generally the journey from Luxor to Edfu is from 1 pm to 11 pm. Departure time may vary, depending on river traffic enroute to Edfu we pass through the Esna Lock and upstream. OPTIONAL INSPIRING SIGHT - LUXOR TEMPLE Visit Luxor temple. The temple has been in almost continuous use as a place of worship right up to the present day.today, remains of this vast complex include the colossal Great Colonnade Hall, almost 61 meters long, with 28 twenty-one-foot-high columns, its decoration largely undertaken by Tutankhamun around 1330 B.C. DAY 6 Edfu Kom Ombo Aswan Meals included Breakfast, lunch, dinner Movenpick Royal Lotus, or similar Today finds you moored near Edfu, a beautifully preserved temple also dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god. You can disembark and discover the lively streets of Edfu town get acquainted with the bustling town centre and purchase some souvenirs at the bazaars. Optional Tour - Edfu Temple - continue to the temple, perhaps the best preserved in the whole country. The scale is Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 4

6 incredibly impressive, with soaring sandstone walls covered in reliefs and hieroglyphics. You ll pass through the Grand Temple entranceway into a colossal courtyard ringed with 32 towering columns, each richly decorated with patterns, and once the site of a great altar. The sense of awe that comes from touring this temple is incredible. Please note: The only mode of transport available to visit the Edfu temple is by locally managed horse and carriages. As a responsible travel focused business, animal welfare is extremely important to us and unfortunately, some operators of the horse and carriages have been found to be in breach of our animal welfare guidelines. It is for this reason we do not include the visit the Edfu Temple. While we recommend that you do not use the horse and carriage to visit the Temple, the decision is ultimately up to you and your guide can help arrange transport and ensure the best horses are used. Continue travelling upriver, relaxing on the sundeck and taking in the surrounding sights desert hills forming a backdrop to lush riverbanks, fishermen casting their nets and farmers working their land. This afternoon we will arrive at Kom Ombo temple. Kom Ombo Temple. Set dramatically on the bank of the Nile, 47 kilometres north of Aswan and 168 kilometres south of Luxor, the soaring, chunky columns of the Great Temple of Kom Ombo are a magnificent sight as you arrive from the river. Dedicated to the gods Sobek and Haroeris, the temple's finely carved reliefs give a sense of this area's prominence as capital over the surrounding region during the Ptolemaic era. Today, Kom Ombo may be a sleepy agricultural backwater surrounded by sugar cane fields, but its prime position along the Nile once made it one of Upper Egypt's most important centres. Wander through the temple's colonnades, gazing up at scenes of kingly propaganda, and you'll capture a feel of this glorious history for yourself. Return to the cruise boat where you ll continue travelling upriver Board your boat again at around 6pm and continue to Aswan. DAY 7 Aswan Abu Simbel Aswan Meals included Breakfast, lunch, dinner Movenpick Royal Lotus, or similar Today you will drive to Abu Simbel near the southern Egyptian border. Often referred to as the Temples of Ramses II, the two enormous sandstone structures at Abu Simbel were built in 1255 BC by Ramses II to commemorate himself and his favourite wife, Nefertiti. The larger temple, dedicated to three major Egyptian deities, features four large statues of Ramses II on its facade, while the smaller temple is dedicated to the love goddess Hathor, with statues designed to embody Nefertiti. Set on the banks of the artificial Lake Nasser, the structures were once in danger of being flooded with the construction of the Aswan High Dam but were saved via an extensive project to cut the temples into pieces and Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 5

7 move them to higher ground, where they are seen today. On the return to Aswan, the rest of the day is free for you to make your own discoveries. This afternoon, we will enjoy a sailboat ride around the islands in a traditional felucca, stopping off at the botanical gardens. Optional tour - Temple of Isis - Visit the beautiful Temple of Isis (the Goddess of health marriage and wisdom), which was rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated on Igelka Island. It's a marvel of decorative pylons featuring some of Egypt's finest carvings definitely one of the real gems of Upper Egypt. Optional tour - Nubian Dinner - Experience modern Nubian culture first-hand with a visit to Elephantine Island. On your visit you ll join a Nubian family for dinner and experience true traditional Nubian hospitality. Here, you will encounter Nubian homes, traditional food and an unforgettable insight into the daily life of a Nubian. This is a rare and memorable experience, giving you the chance to become fully immersed in the local culture. OPTIONAL INSPIRING SIGHT - EDFU TEMPLE Continue to the temple, perhaps the best preserved in the whole country. The scale is incredibly impressive, with soaring sandstone walls covered in reliefs and hieroglyphics. You ll pass through the Grand Temple entranceway into a colossal courtyard ringed with 32 towering columns, each richly decorated with patterns, and once the site of a great altar. The sense of awe that comes from touring this temple is incredible. DAY 8 Aswan Cairo Meals included Breakfast 5 Le Méridien Pyramids, or similar Today we will leave Aswan and make the short flight back to Cairo. On the return to Cairo, enjoy free time to relax or do some last-minute sightseeing in Cairo. Optional tour - Home Cooked dinner with an Egyptian family - Sit down for a home-cooked meal with a local family. During this experience, you'll get to visit a local family and learn about Middle Eastern traditions, Egyptian culture and tasty food but most importantly, enjoy a delicious and authentic home cooked meal. Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 6

8 OPTIONAL INSPIRING SIGHT - NUBIAN DINNER (ASWAN) Experience modern Nubian culture first-hand with a visit to Elephantine Island. On your visit you ll join a Nubian family for dinner and experience true traditional Nubian hospitality. Here, you will encounter Nubian homes, traditional food and an unforgettable insight into the daily life of a Nubian. This is a rare and memorable experience, giving you the chance to become fully immersed in the local culture. OPTIONAL TOUR - TEMPLE OF ISIS Visit the beautiful Temple of Isis (the Goddess of health marriage and wisdom), which was rescued from the rising waters of the Nile and relocated on Igelka Island. It's a marvel of decorative pylons featuring some of Egypt's finest carvings definitely one of the real gems of Upper Egypt. DAY 9 Cairo Home Meals included Breakfast N/A Unfortunately, today marks the end of your incredible tour through Egypt. At the appropriate time, you will be transferred to the airport to board your flight home. OPTIONAL INSPIRING SIGHT - HOME COOKED MEAL IN CAIRO Sit down for a home-cooked meal with a local family. During this experience, you'll get to visit a local family and learn about Middle Eastern traditions, Egyptian culture and tasty food but most importantly, enjoy a delicious and authentic home cooked meal. DAY 10 Home Meals included N/A Arrive home today, with memories to last a lifetime. Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 7

9 Inclusions WHAT'S INCLUDED Return international airfares with Emirates Internal Aswan - Cairo airfare Return airport transfers 3 nights at the incredible Le Meridien Pyramid Resort in a Pyramid View Room overlooking the Great Pyramids of Giza 4 nights on-board the Movenpick 5 Star Royal Lotus (excluding 15 March, 5 April - 5 star MS Moon Dance or similar) Overnight train from Cairo to Luxor in a twin share cabin Breakfast daily, 4 lunches, 5 dinners The services of a professional English-speaking guide throughout In-depth sightseeing & all entry fees as per the itinerary Dedicated private transportation throughout SIGHTSEEING HIGHLIGHTS Cairo - Pyramids and Sphinx Cairo - The Egyptian Museum Luxor - Karnak Temple Luxor - Colossi of Memnon Luxor - Valley of the Kings (3 tombs) Luxor Tut Ankh Amon Tomb Luxor - Hatshepsut Temple Kom Ombo - Kom Ombo Temple Aswan Elephantine Island Abusimbel Excursion CRUISE DETAILS For further information on your Nile cruise, click HERE. Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 8

10 DUBAI STOPOVER PACKAGE Dubai Stopover Package - $599 per person 3 nights superior room at the Pullman Jumeirah Lakes Towers or similar Breakfast daily Return private transfers Resort Fee not included - approximately AED $20 (AUD $7.50) per night payable locally. If you wish to book the Dubai stopover package either before and/or after your Egypt tour please request 'Dubai stopover package' in the 'Special Requests' field prior to making your purchase. You will then be contact to collect payment after paying your tour deposit. Please note, the Dubai stopover package must be paid in full at the time of paying your Egypt tour deposit. The $150pp extension supplement does not apply if selecting this option. Fine Print DEPOSIT & PAYMENT Secure your package with a deposit of $250 per person. You will then be invoiced for final payment 120 days prior to departure. BOOKING PROCESS Select the purple 'Sign Up For Full Details' tab to begin your booking (you must sign up first by enterting your and creating a password) Then select the purple 'Book now' tab Select your Departure Date, Departure City, number of Passengers, Room Configuration, and enter any Special Requests Click the purple Proceed to secure checkout' tab Enter your credit card or Paypal details to secure your deposit/payment Once your order is complete, you will be prompted to complete a booking form so that we can fulfil your booking Your booking is confirmed once your booking form is submitted and you can begin the countdown to your Inspiring Vacation! Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 9

11 HOW TO EXTEND YOUR STAY Some customers like to enhance their holiday by extending their stay pre and/or post tour. If you wish to do so, please follow these steps to initiate your request: 1. Follow the book now prompts after signing up, until you reach the "Special Requests" field 2. Here, please specify your preferred flight arrangements and if you require additional accommodation, with the number of nights needed. 3. After finalising your purchase and submitting your booking form, a member of our team will be in contact with you via to verify your request. Please note a $150 per person supplement plus any applicable fare and tax difference applies to deviate from the standard itinerary. You will be contacted via with a quote and proposed flight itinerary, with the additional payment required to confirm your request. Additional nights' accommodation can be booked by your own arrangement, or alternatively we can offer the following rates: Pre/Post-tour accommodation (Cairo): $180 per room per night (single or double/twin) including breakfast Please note, if you are not arriving or departing as per the group itinerary, airport transfers are also no longer included. If you would like us to arrange this service for you, an additional cost will apply: Airport Transfers: $60 per vehicle each way (1-2 people) The additional cost for these land arrangements will be added to your final payment invoice, due 120 days prior to departure, and are strictly subject to availability. Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 10

12 AIRFARE INFORMATION Full service airline used will be with Emirates (Etihad or similar if unavailable). Flights will require a minimum of 1 transit (maximum 2). All international tickets will include 30kgs checked baggage. For domestic travel, baggage allowance of 23Kgs per passenger for checked-in baggage. Once ticketed, flights are non-refundable. Any changes will be subject to the airline rules & change fees. Full names as per passport (including all middle names) are required. Any airline schedule changes or cancellations are beyond our control. PREMIUM ECONOMY OR BUSINESS CLASS UPGRADES Premium Economy - Not available. Business Class available from an additional $6,500 per person in addition to the standard price (subject to availability). Please specify this as a 'Special Request' when completing your booking and you will be quoted for the additional fare. In the event your selection is unavailable or that you are dissatisfied with the quote, you will be provided with a full refund. LAND-ONLY DISCOUNT A $1,500 per person reduction from the twin share price applies if you wish to arrange your own airfares. Should you wish to purchase land only, please select this option in the booking process, under 'Departure City'. Please note airport transfers are not included if selecting this option. Should you wish to book airport transfers to match your own flights, the cost would be $60 per vehicle, per direction. Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 11

13 OPTIONAL TOURS Cairo City tour (Day 2)- $75pp Nubian Dinner in Aswan (Day 7) - $35pp Temple of Isis (Day 7) - $55pp Luxor Temple (Day 4) - $20pp Home cooked Egyptian dinner in Cairo (Day 8) - $50pp Edfu Temple (Day 6) - No cost You will be contacted prior to departure to arrange booking and payment for your chosen optional tours. Edfu Temple: Please note: The only mode of transport available to visit the Edfu temple is by locally managed horse and carriages. As a responsible travel focused business, animal welfare is extremely important to us and unfortunately, some operators of the horse and carriages have been found to be in breach of our animal welfare guidelines. It is for this reason we do not include the visit the Edfu Temple. While we recommend that you do not use the horse and carriage to visit the Temple, the decision is ultimately up to you and your guide can help arrange transport and ensure the best horses are used. EXCLUSIONS Visas Travel insurance (compulsory) Tipping Optional activities Personal expenses International airport departure tax Anything not mentioned in the itinerary ACCOMMODATION The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences however any changes are beyond our control. Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 12

14 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT Single supplement is $599 per person in addition to the twin share price. TRIPLE SHARE Not available. GROUP SIZE 2-16 people CHILDREN Children must be 2 years old or over and share a room with parents at all times. Children are the same price as adults. TRAVEL INSURANCE Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected. We have partnered with QBE Insurance to offer our customers competitive rates for their Travel Insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover, earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points and save 25% on retail rates. Simply click HERE to arrange your policy. Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 13

15 VISA & PASSPORT INFORMATION It is the travellers responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from your intended date of return to Australia. All Australian passport holders will require a visa to enter Egypt. You will be able to obtain your E-visa when you have all of your travel documents approximately days prior to departure. Visit and create an account for yourself to then start the application process. Information required: Visa type (tourist) Entry type (single) Arrival date and departure date (no specific flight details are required) Passport information You have to upload a JPEG (only supported file type) of your passport The name of the host/tour operator, phone number, address and street address Pay USD $25pp by credit card Wait for it to be approved and you will be notified via within approximately 48 hours. Once approved, please ensure that you travel with the following documentation as they are required to present to customs upon arrival into the country: Passport with 6 months validity E-visa printout Travel itinerary (provided 30 days before departure) list (provided 30 days before departure) Should you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask. Call support@inspiringvacations.com Page 14

16 OTHER INFORMATION Final documentation including e-tickets and hotel details will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel. The total length of the tour in days includes time spent in flight and is subject to change depending on the flight schedule, please refer to the day by day itinerary for the time spent on land. Call Page 15