Egypt the Exodus Journeys with a Nile and Lake Nasser Cruise An archaeological journey following the ancient Hebrews - from bondage to freedom. Lecturer : Dr. James Fleming Teacher: Hannaniah Pinto Feb 16 March 1, 2019
DAY 1/ Feb 16, Sat. Outward Flight Depart New York or Atlanta to Cairo DAY 2/ Feb 17, Sun. - Arrive in Cairo We will be welcomed by our Egyptian tour guide. We ll transfer to our Cairo hotel where we ll enjoy a nice welcome dinner and meet others in the group. Dinner and Overnight at Le Meridien Hotel in Cairo D DAY 3/ Feb 18, Mon. Lake Nasser Cruise After breakfast we transfer to the Cairo airport and fly to Aswan. We ll board the 5-star deluxe Prince Abbas cruise ship at 1:00 p.m., enjoy lunch, have a special introductory lecture (#1) and then spend the remainder of the afternoon getting acclimated to our ship and enjoying the amenities. We will have an optional late afternoon introductory illustrated lecture (#2) and then enjoy dinner around 8:00 pm throughout the cruise. B/D and Overnight on board.
DAY 4/ Feb 19, Tue. Lake Nasser Cruise- Kalabsha At 8:00 a.m. we will explore the nearby Kalabsha Temple which was built by the last of the Ptolemy Pharaohs, together with the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus to honor the local god Mandulis. The Kalabsha Temple is one of the finest, as well as one of the largest Egyptian temples in Nubia (southern Egypt and northern Sudan). At 10:30 we will set sail further for the southern half of Lake Nasser. There will be two, optional, illustrated lectures (#3 and #4): Archaeological discoveries about oppression and the meanings of the Exodus narratives. This evening there will be 5:00 pm tea time, and after dinner we will enjoy a rooftop exploration of the dramatic night sky, unencumbered by even distant ground light. B/L/D and Overnight on board. DAY 5/ Feb 20, Wed. Lake Nasser Cruise- Wadi El Seboua Temples, Amada and the Nubian Show 8:00 a.m. guided tour of the Temples of Wadi El Seboua, also known as the Valley of the Lions. Here we ll find three temples that were rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser which now stand on the west bank of Lake Nasser. We board at 10:30 and have an optional lecture (#5) Archaeological discoveries in the Sinai Desert. This evening we enjoy an amazing musical performance of traditional Nubian music and dancing. BL/D and Overnight on board.
DAY 6/ Feb 21, Thu. Lake Nasser Cruise- Kasr Ibrim, Abu Simbel Temple After breakfast we will view from top deck Kasr Ibrim which was an isolated fortress built high above the Nile River by the Romans. There will be an optional illustrated lecture (#6) Pharaoh Rameses II. We will have a spectacular morning view of the massive Abu Simbel tomb and the Rameses temple complex rising above the waters of the lake. The structures we will view were originally cut into a solid rock cliff and then were (with United Nations help) carefully cut into blocks and then elevated to the dramatic reconstruction site before us! Opportunity for souvenirs at this site. Later we will enjoy the Sound and Light Show about Abu Simbel. B/L/D and Overnight on board.
DAY 7/ Feb 22, Fri. Nile River Cruise- Aswan After breakfast we disembark for our flight from Abu Simbel north to Aswan. The main sites we will see include High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk and taking a motorboat to the nearby island to view the Temple of Philae. This afternoon we will enjoy a felucca ride (traditional Nile sailing vessel) around Elephantine Island, the Botanical Gardens and the Agha Khan Mausoleum. We board our Nile River cruise boat and enjoy our dinner followed by an optional lecture (#7) The theology of the ten plagues. B/L/D and Overnight on board. DAY 8/ Feb 23, Sat. Nile River Cruise- Kom Umbo & Edfu Visit two amazing temples, Kom Umbo and its Temple of Sobek, the crocodile god. Then sail further downstream to Edfu to visit the temple dedicated to Horus the Falcon god. Our evening sail will take us to Luxor, our point of land excursions during the next two days. B/L/D on board
DAY 9/ Feb 24, Sun. Nile River Cruise- Dendara After breakfast we disembark and travel to Dendara where we ll enjoy a tour of the amazingly well-preserved Temple at Dendara dedicated to the cow goddess Hathor. Return to our ship for lunch and then have an optional lecture (#8) The text in Exodus 34:1-7 concerning the ancient Hebrews dancing around a golden cow goddess. There will also be time for worship. The rest of the afternoon will be at leisure on board or in the port. B/L/D and overnight on board DAY 10/ Feb 25, Mon. End of Nile River Cruise to Luxor This morning we disembark for a morning of touring on the west bank of the Nile River. We will see the two Colossi of Memnon, the striking architecture of the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir-El-Bahri, and some of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Free time for Rest and Relaxation or shop in Luxor. Dinner and Overnight at Sonesta St. George in Luxor DAY 11/ Feb 26, Tue. The Luxor and Karnak Temples Morning touring of the spectacular Luxor temple complex and the nearby Karnak Temples. Enjoy some free time after lunch before transfer to the Luxor airport to Cairo. Overnight and Dinner at City Stars Hotel in Cairo B/D
DAY 12/ Feb 27, Wed. Memphis, Sakkara, Final optional lecture (#9) The Pyramids, as well as the Patriarchs and Matriarchs in Egypt. Enjoy a short ride to ancient Memphis, capital of Egypt. Memphis is most likely where Abraham lied to Pharaoh about his wife Sarah being his sister. We will view a very large and well-preserved statue of Ramses II. Next visit Sakkara, one of the more extensive archaeological sites in Egypt. Sakkara is dominated by the Step Pyramid of King Zoser. There will also be a stop to see how local Egyptian carpets are made. Our final stop to Khan al-khalili Bazar, popular among tourists. After dinner, you will have opportunity for Sound and Light show at the Pyramids. Overnight and Dinner at City Stars Hotel in Cairo B/D DAY 13/ Feb 28, Thu. Cairo Pyramids & Tutankhamen s Treasures Travel back to ancient Cairo with a full day of touring to the wonders of the ancient world, some of which date back to 1000+ years prior to Abraham. We will visit the Cheops Pyramid, the most colossal pyramid ever built. We will also see the Solar Boat, the Sphinx and tour the Egyptian Museum, location of Tutankhamen s treasures and many other artefacts. Enjoy a Farewell dinner together, with time to share with each other the highlights of our adventure into discovering the background of the Exodus. Overnight and Dinner at City Stars Hotel in Cairo B/D DAY 14/ March 1, Fri. Return Flight Morning we transfer to the Cairo airport for an early flight home.