Cairo, Egypt FAM l May 16-19, 2019

Transcription

1 Post-FAM Tour Cairo, Egypt l May 16-19, 2019 with Optional Nile Cruise Extension l May 19-24, 2019 COST: Occupancy Price (per person) Pricing for Egypt FAM & Optional Nile Cruise Extension Double Occupancy $2,098 Single Occupancy $2,698 (Note: Only two (2) single options available) NOTE: Passport and Visa requirements for Egypt: All visitors need a valid passport with at least six months remaining to enter (from date of arrival). Citizens of the USA can obtain and pay for a visa ($25) at Cairo airport upon arrival, or pre-apply for a Visa at WHERE: Cairo, Egypt Cairo, Egypt FAM l May 16-19, 2019 WHEN: May 16-19, 2019 (May 19-24, 2019 cruise extension) ITINERARY: Thursday, May 16 o Arrival Transfer to the 5-star Semiramis Intercontinental hotel Friday, May 17 o Full-day tour to the Pyramids & Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, Khan Khalil Bazaar (lunch included) Saturday, May 18 o Full-day day Old Cairo tour, lunch included o Evening Dinner Cruise on the Nile Sunday, May 19 o Departure Transfer to Airport or extension Nile Cruise Page 1

2 WHAT S INCLUDED: Three nights hotel accommodation at the Semiramis InterContinental hotel in city-view rooms, including daily breakfast and taxes. All group airport transfers, sightseeing tours, excursions and meals per itinerary EXCLUSIONS: Air fare to/from Cairo. Recommended flight to book ATH/CAI May 16: Egyptair MS748 at 13:00hrs and CAI/ATH May 19 on Egyptair flight MS 747 departing at 09:00AM or MS749 at 15:35hrs Egypt entry visa (Citizens of the USA can obtain and pay for a visa ($25) at Cairo airport upon arrival, or pre-apply for a Visa at Tips & Gratuities Personal expenses e.g. tel., laundry, etc. Entering the Pyramids inside chambers [claustrophobics are not allowed] Entering inside the Mummies room (extra charge is applicable payable on the spot) Entering the Coptic Museum (extra charge is applicable payable on the spot) Meals not stated in the program. Any items, services, meals or beverages not mentioned in the itinerary. ESSENTIAL INFORMATION: This FAM tour will operate with a minimum of 10 participants and a maximum of 25. Official check-in time at the hotel 15:00 hrs // checkout time from the hotel at 12:00 noon. Your registration is non-refundable unless the FAM is cancelled by ASTA or the Supplier. We encourage you to not book your flights until your FAM is confirmed by ASTA. Travel insurance is not required but is highly recommended. Have questions? Contact meetings@asta.org FULL ITINERARY: DAY 1: THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019 Depart Athens -- flight fare not included, recommend you book Egyptair flight MS748 at 13:00hrs for the 2-hour flight to Cairo arriving at 13:50hrs local time. Upon arrival in Cairo, you will be met and greeted upon arrival before the immigration desk and assisted at Cairo International Airport (agent will hold an ASTA sign). Collection of luggage and transfer to the Semiramis Intercontinental hotel. Rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure. You may want to experience one of the hotel s restaurants for dinner (not included) tonight. Page 2

3 DAY 2: FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2019 Enjoy the included Breakfast at the hotel 08:00AM Full-day tour to the Pyramids & Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, Khan Khalil Bazaar. Proceed on the Full day city tour of Cairo. The Three Great Pyramids & The Sphinx of Giza: On the west bank of the Nile and on top of Giza plateau rise the three great Pyramids of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus. They are guarded by the mysterious Sphinx which is a mythical statue with the body of a lion and a human head. Cheops Pyramid is considered one of the seven wonders of the world. The Egyptian Museum: The largest of Egyptian antiquities museums all over the world. It presents through its innumerable pieces, the antique culture of the entire country covering the whole history of ancient Egypt. Lunch will be served at the Egyptian Oriental restaurant The tour continuous for a shopping experience at the most famous and largest bazaar in Egypt, the Khan El Khalili Market. This 500 year old maze of streets, lanes, stores, and shops occupies the center of Islamic Cairo and forming one of the most famous touristic markets in the world. Return to the hotel in mid-afternoon. Rest of the day is at leisure. The hotel s concierge will recommend you restaurants for dinner (not included) DAY 3: SATURDAY, MAY 18, 2019 Enjoy the included Breakfast at the hotel 9:30AM Depart for an Old Cairo tour. Proceed for a tour of Old Cairo. Old Coptic Cairo: This area is the oldest part of Cairo. After the spread of Christianity throughout Egypt, it became a Christian stronghold, with as many as twenty churches that dates from the 4th century upwards, built within an area of just one square mile - now only few remain. After the fall of Jerusalem in around 70 AD, the area saw an influx of Jews, and it s here where Egypt s oldest synagogue, Ben Ezra is located. Among the churches are: The Hanging church [the suspended church]: is one of the oldest churches in Egypt, the first built in Basilican style. The history of a church on this site dates to the 3rd century AD. It is named for it s location above a gatehouse of Babylon Fortress, the Roman Fortress in Coptic Cairo; its nave is suspended over a passage. St. Sergius church [Abu Sirga church], dating back to the 4th century. It is believed to have been built on the spot where the Holy family, Joseph, Mary and the infant Jesus Christ rested at the end of their journey into Egypt. Saint Barbara church, one of the many famous Orthodox parishes that can be found in the district of Coptic Cairo. Dating back to the 5th or 6th century AD. Saint George church: is a Greek Orthodox church, dating back to the 10th century. Ben Ezra Synagogue: according to the local tradition, it is located on the site where baby Moses was found. This was the synagogue whose store room was found in the 19th century to contain a treasure of abandoned Hebrew Page 3

4 secular and sacred manuscripts. Amr Ibn El Aas Mosque: also called the Mosque of Amr, was originally built in AD, as the center of the newly founded capital of Egypt, Fustat. The original structure was the first mosque ever built in Egypt and the whole of Africa. The Virgin Mary church was built by the Nile as a dedication for the Virgin Mary upon the spot from which they embarked. An event of miraculous import occurred on the 12th of March 1976 A.D., the Holy Bible was carried by the lapping ripples of the Nile to the bank below the Church. It was open to the page of Isaiah 19:25 declaring, Blessed be Egypt My People. This Bible is now behind glass in the Sanctuary of the Church for all to see. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. Rest of the afternoon at leisure Evening Dinner Cruise on the Nile - Depart the hotel for an evening dinner cruising on the river Nile aboard the Nile Maxim - the most luxurious cruising restaurant on the River Nile with live entertainment to add an unforgettable atmosphere to the whole scenery through the extravaganza Band Belly Dancer and the Folkloric Tanoura show Spin Man. DAY 4: SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2019 Enjoy the included Breakfast at the hotel Check out the hotel and transfer to the airport. Flight fare not included; recommend you book Egyptair flight MS 747 departing at 09:00AM and arriving Athens 12 noon local time. Connect in Athens to your home-bound flight. Page 4

5 HOTEL: SEMIRAMIS INTERCONTINENTAL Hotel (5 star) Standing on the site of the historic Semiramis hotel, guests can enjoy modern luxury on the River Nile. This Cairo hotel features a 26 m2 rooftop pool and fine dining with exquisite cuisine for every taste. A selection of twelve restaurants and bars reflect contemporary design, with the Nile Terrace offering stunning views of the sunset over the Nile. Located in the heart of the city center the Semiramis InterContinental hotel offers free Wi-Fi and is located next to the Egyptian Museum and bazaars of old Cairo. Extension Including a 4-Night Nile Cruise in Upper Egypt (Luxor, Edfu & Aswan) l May 19-24, 2019 WHEN: May 19-24, 2019 (immediately following the Egypt FAM) ITINERARY: Sunday, May 19 o All day at leisure to further enjoy Cairo on your own o Overnight at the Semiramis InterContinental hotel Monday, May 20 o Enjoy the included Breakfast at the Semiramis InterContinental hotel o Check-out of the hotel and transfer to Cairo Airport to board your Egyptair flight MS392 at 08:55 to Luxor o Upon arrival at Luxor airport at 09:05AM, you will be met and transferred to the Sonesta St. George Nile Cruise Boat Tuesday, May 21 o At sea onboard the Sonesta St. George Nile Cruise Boat Wednesday, May 22 o At sea onboard the Sonesta St. George Nile Cruise Boat Thursday, May 23 o At sea onboard the Sonesta St. George Nile Cruise Boat Friday, May 24 o Disembarkation and transfer to Aswan airport for your Egyptair flight MS392 at 08:55AM to Cairo. Upon arrival Cairo domestic airport at 10:20am, you will be met and transferred to the Page 5

6 International airport for your flight (not included) to Athens. We recommend you book Egyptair flight MS749 at 15:35hrs to Athens arriving at 18:30hrs. Upon arrival in Athens, connect to your home-bound flight. WHAT S INCLUDED: One night hotel accommodation in Cairo at the Semiramis InterContinental hotel in city-view rooms, including breakfast and taxes. Airfare Cairo/Luxor and Aswan/Cairo on Egyptair 4-night Nile Cruise aboard the Sonesta St. George Nile Cruise including all meals All airport group transfers, sightseeing tours, excursions and meals per itinerary EXCLUSIONS: Air fare ATH/CAI/ATH. Recommended flight to book ATH/CAI May 16: Egyptair MS748 at 13:00hrs and CAI/ATH May 24 on Egyptair flight MS 749 departing at 15:35hrs arriving Athens at 18:30hrs Egypt entry visa (Citizens of the USA can obtain and pay for a visa ($25) at Cairo airport upon arrival, or pre-apply for a Visa at Tips & Gratuities. Personal expenses e.g. tel., laundry etc. Any items, services, meals or beverages not mentioned in the itinerary. ESSENTIAL INFORMATION: This FAM tour will operate with a minimum of 2 participants and a maximum of 12. Official check-in time at the hotel: 15:00 hrs. Official checkout time from the hotel: at 12:00 noon. Official embarkation on board of the Nile Cruise: before lunch. Official disembarkation from the Nile Cruise: after breakfast. Your registration is non-refundable unless the FAM is cancelled by ASTA or the Supplier. We encourage you to not book your flights until your FAM is confirmed by ASTA. Travel insurance is not required but is highly recommended. Have questions? Contact meetings@asta.org FULL ITINERARY: DAY 1: SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2019 Enjoy the included Breakfast at the Semiramis InterContinental hotel All day at leisure to further enjoy Cairo on your own. Overnight at the Semiramis InterContinental hotel DAY 2: MONDAY, MAY 20, 2019 Enjoy the included Breakfast at the Semiramis InterContinental hotel Check-out of the hotel and transfer to Cairo Airport to board your Egyptair flight MS392 at 08:55 to Luxor (Flight fare not included) Upon arrival at Luxor airport at 09:05AM, you will be met and transferred to the Sonesta St. George Nile Cruise Boat - Embarkation before lunch at 12:00 noon Lunch on board. Dinner on board. Overnight aboard at Luxor. The Sonesta St. George Nile Cruise Boat offers luxurious accommodation that provide the ultimate in comfort, elegance and design. With 47 Deluxe cabins, 09 Presidential suites and one Royal suite. It features the highest quality furnishings and most upscale amenities. Features & services: main dining room, sun deck bar, lounge, panoramic lounge and Piano lounge. Nightly entertainment. Oversize pool with shallow water extension and Jacuzzi. Spa & wellness center with gym, massage services, sauna and Page 6

7 steam bath. Dry cleaning service. Daily guided sightseeing excursions stated below. Luxor hosts one third of the whole monuments and antiquities of the world. Therefore, it is considered one of the most important tourism sports in Egypt and maybe in the whole world. Visit Luxor s EAST BANK: - Karnak Temple: it dates from 2055 BC. It is a vast open air museum, and the second largest ancient religious site in the world. The complex contains a group of temples. The great temple of Amun Ra was known during the Middle Kingdom period as Ipt-Swt, which means the selected spot. It was also called Pr-Imn, which means the house of Amon. Luxor Temple: among the most beautiful temples in Egypt. Known in the new Kingdom period as Ipt-Rsyt, which means the southern shrine. The architect and overseer of the works or construction was the genius Amenhotep, son of Habu. The Temple run close and parallel to the River Nile from North to South. DAY 3: TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2019 Breakfast on board Sail to Edfu via Esna Lunch on board Afternoon tea Welcome reception cocktail Dinner on board Overnight at Edfu Today we Visit Luxor s WEST BANK: - Valley of Kings: for a period of nearly 500 years, from the 16th to 11th century BC, tombs were constructed for the Pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom. It stands within the heart of the Theban Necropolis. The Valley is known to contain 63 tombs and chambers. It was the principle burial place of the major royal figures of the Egyptian New Kingdom. The Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El-Deir El-Bahari: it is dedicated to the sun god Amon-Ra. Representative of New Kingdom funerary architecture, it both, aggrandizes the pharaoh and includes sanctuaries to honor the gods relevant to her afterlife. The Colossi of Memnon: are two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Since 1350 BC they have stood in the Theban Necropolis. The statues are made from blocks of quartzite sandston. DAY 4: WEDNESDAY, MAY 22, 2019 Breakfast on board. Page 7

8 Visit Horus Temple in Edfu: was known in the Greco-Roman times as Apollonopolis Magna, after the chief god Horus-Apollo. It is one of the best preserved temples in Egypt. The temple dedicated to the falcon god Horus, was built in Ptolemaic period between 237 BD and 57 BC. Lunch on board. Afternoon tea during sailing to Kom Ombo. Visit the Temple shared by two gods Sobek & Haroeris in Kom Ombo: an unusual double temple built during the Ptolemaic dynasty. The building is unique because its double design meant that there were courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms duplicated for two sets of gods. The southern half of the temple was dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek, god of fertility and creator of the world with Hathor and Khonsu. Meanwhile, the northern part of the temple was dedicated to the falcon god Haroeris. Sail to Aswan Dinner on board Overnight in Aswan DAY 4: THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2019 Breakfast on board Visit Aswan s High Dam: it is an embankment dam situated across the Nile River in Aswan. Since 1960s, the name commonly refers to the High Dam. Construction of the High Dam became a key objective of the Egyptian Government following the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, as the ability to control floods, provide water for irrigation and generate hydroelectricity were seen as pivotal to Egypt s industrialization. It was constructed between 1960 and 1970 and has had a significant impact on the economy and culture of Egypt. Philae Temple: it was formerly an Island in the First Cataract of the Nile River and the previous site of an Ancient Egyptian temple complex in southern Egypt. The complex was dismantled and relocated to nearby Agilkia Island during a UNESCO project started because of the Aswan Dam, after was partly flooded by the earlier Aswan Low Dam for half a century. It is accounted one of the burying places of Osiris. Lunch on board Afternoon tea Felucca on the Nile around Kitchener Island Dinner on board Nubian show [or Belly dance show] DAY 4: FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2019 Breakfast on board. Disembarkation and transfer to Aswan airport for your Egyptair flight MS392 at 08:55AM to Cairo. Upon arrival Cairo domestic airport at 10:20am, you will be met and transferred to the International Page 8

9 airport for your flight (not included) to Athens. We recommend you book Egyptair flight MS749 at 15:35hrs to Athens arriving at 18:30hrs. HOTEL: SEMIRAMIS INTERCONTINENTAL Hotel (5 star) Standing on the site of the historic Semiramis hotel, guests can enjoy modern luxury on the River Nile. This Cairo hotel features a 26 m2 rooftop pool and fine dining with exquisite cuisine for every taste. A selection of twelve restaurants and bars reflect contemporary design, with the Nile Terrace offering stunning views of the sunset over the Nile. Located in the heart of the city center the Semiramis InterContinental hotel offers free Wi-Fi and is located next to the Egyptian Museum and bazaars of old Cairo. Page 9