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The Glories of Egypt and The Nile from $1064


10 Days (3 nts. Cairo, 5 Day Nile Cruise & 1 nt. Cairo)

No country on earth boasts a longer recorded history than does Egypt, the Eternal 'Gift of the Nile' as described by the historian Herodotus . A statement as true today as it has been through seventy centuries of Egypt's extraordinary history. Start in Cairo, a city of a thousand minarets and a hundred cupolas, of winding alleys and vaulted passages…and not far away, three large stone sentinels emerge from the desert, Cheops, Mykerinos and Kephren, the famous pyramids of Giza. Embark on the 5-star deluxe Sonesta Nile Goddess, for a 4-day cruise along the Nile, the river worshipped as a river-god, a fertile source of life. This a journey that reveals the splendors of dynasty after dynasty of pharaohs. Magic names of legend. Luxor, Karnak, the Valley of the Kings the temple of Queen Hatshepsut the Colossi of Memnon, the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus, the Falcon God. Rejoice at the Temple of Isis at Philae, a monument moved it in its entirety to its present site when it's original location was threatened by the change in water level caused by the High Dam. Experience a felucca (Nile sail boat) ride to the Aga Kahn Mausoleum.This will be a once-in-a-lifetime trip! A romantic journey through space and time.

Special Inclusions:  

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Tour Features
Optional contracted transatlantic air transportation available from all US gateways 4-night accommodations at selected hotels
5-day/4-night Nile cruise, M/S Mojito or M/S Monaco outside standard cabin with two lower beds and private facilities Tour by air-conditioned motorcoach
Sightseeing as indicated, including local guide and all entrance fees All transfers per itinerary, including FREE airport transfers at arrival and departure city
Professional tour director (Egyptologist) during entire tour Travel bag, one per person
Document holder and luggage tags Hotel taxes and service charges
Note: Flights Cairo/Luxor and Aswan/Cairo are not included as they should be added to the optional transatlantic airfare in order to secure better airfares for those 2 air segments

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Itinerary


Day 1 Thu Depart USA
Evening departure. Meals and refreshments are served on board.

Day 2 Fri Cairo
Upon arrival in Cairo, you'll be met and taken to your hotel. The balance of the day is at leisure. Optional Sound and Light Show at the Pyramids.

Day 3 Sat Cairo / Luxor / Cruise
After a short flight you will arrive at Luxor Airport, where you will be met and transferred to the pier to board the M/S Mojito or M/S Monaco. After embarkation, visit the necropolis on the Nile's West Bank that includes the Valley of the Kings, the monumental temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahri and the Colossi of Memnon. After lunch admire the temple complex of Karnak (ancient Thebes) and Luxor. Dinner on board. Optional Sound & Light Show at the Temple of Karnak. Overnight in Luxor. (B,L,D)

Day 4 sun Cruise (Luxor / Esna / Edfu)
Cruise through the Esna Lock to the ancient settlement of Edfu, located on the west bank of the Nile River. (B,L,D)

Day 5 Mon Cruise (Edfu / Kom Ombo / Aswan)
Travel by horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Horus, the Falcon God. The temple is known as the major Ptolemaic temple, built between 237 B.C. to 57 B.C., up to the reign of Cleopatra VII. Of all the temples that remain in Egypt, the Temple of Horus is the most completely preserved. Built from sandstone blocks, it was constructed over the site of a smaller New Kingdom temple. In Edfu, there are also the remains of ancient pyramids. Sail onto Kom Ombo where you will visit the Temple of Sobek and the Temple of Haroeris. In ancient times, sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the river bank near here. You will resume sailing and arrive in Aswan where you will overnight. Optional Sound and Light Show describing the rescue and restoration of Aswan temples, their history and the Nile's grandeur. (B,L,D)

Day 6 Tue Cruise (Aswan)
Enjoy a morning tour of the High Dam, an outstanding water project undertaken with the aim of preventing the Nile River's flooding. Also stop at the Granite Quarries, which in antiquity furnished the stone for the monolithal, colossal statues, obelisks, and shrines which are found throughout Egypt. See the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Philae, dedicated to Isis, Goddess of Magic. The temple had to be relocated block by block to its current location because of the rising waters caused by the dams built on the Nile. End this day tour with a ride on a felucca, a typical Egyptian sailboat, to view Kitchner's Island botanical garden and the Agha Khan Mausoleum. Overnight in Aswan. (B,L,D)

Day 7 Wed Cruise (Aswan / Cairo)
After breakfast, you may either select an optional excursion to Abu Simbel or disembark and transfer to Aswan Airport for your short flight to Cairo, where you will be met and transferred to your chosen hotel. Balance of the day is at leisure for a visit to a shopping bazaar and to enjoy Cairo's exciting nightlife. (B)

Day 8 Thu Cairo
Full day city sightseeing including the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, with the world's largest collection of pharaonic artifacts and treasures from Tutankhamen's tomb. Subsequently, drive to the Citadel to view wonderful Islamic structures, including the Muhammad Ali Mosque. In Old Cairo, we visit Al Moallaka Church (Hanging Church) and Ben Ezra Synagogue. End this city tour at Khan el-Khalili, Cairo's labyrinthine shopping Mecca. Best buys: gold, silver, papyrus, slippers, galabeyas, t-shirts, perfumes, antiques, spices, lanterns, famous Egyptian cotton, and everything under the Egyptian sun! Lunch is included during tour. (B,L)

Day 9 Fri Cairo (Giza Pyramids, Memphis & Sakkara)
This full day guided tour takes you to the Giza complex, including the Pyramid of Khufu (the Great Pyramid), the only remaining monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World and the Great Sphinx. After Giza, proceed to Memphis where we tour the "open air museum", site of the Colossus of Ramses the Second and the Alabaster Sphinx. The visit to Sakkara will include the Step Pyramid, the first pyramid ever built. You will subsequently view the Pyramid of Teti. Time permitting, we will stop at a school of carpet weaving. Lunch is included during tour. (B,L)

Day 10 Sat Cairo to USA (or extend your stay)
Morning transfer to Cairo International Airport for your return flight home. Meals and refreshments are served aloft. (B)

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Rates


2012 & 2013 Scheduled Departures

Rates (except cruise portion) indicated on the website are subject to currency fluctuations.  For an accurate rate, please call our Reservations Department at 1-800-935-5000.

Once we have received the deposit on your booking, the land price is guaranteed from any future fluctuations in the rate of exchange.


Hotel Category
Dates: City: Type:
★★
★★★
★★★★
★★★★★
Rates for 2012 * * from
 
Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26, 2012 Land & Cruise from
$1,244
 
Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23, 2012 Land & Cruise from
$1,244
 
Mar. 1, 8, 15, 22, 2012 Land & Cruise from
$1,244
 
Mar. 29, 2012 Land & Cruise from
$1,471
 
Apr. 5, 2012 Land & Cruise from
$1,486
 
Apr. 12, 19, 2012 Land & Cruise from
$1,244
 
Apr. 26, 2012 Land & Cruise from
$1,088
 
May. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, 2012 Land & Cruise from
$1,064
 
Jun. 7, 14, 21, 2012 Land & Cruise from
$1,064
 

Show rates for further dates? Yes No

 
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Associated Hotels


 
Hotel Class
City
★★
★★★
★★★★
★★★★★
J W Marriott
 
Le Meridien Pyramids
 
Marriott Hotel
 
Sonesta Cairo Hotel
 
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Cabin Upgrade & Supplements for suite accommodations available on request.

Actual airfares from all gateways will be advised at the time of booking. Some airfares may require instant purchase.

All prices are based per person on double occupancy. Rates for Triple/Children and extra nights at arrival and departure city are available on request. Other hotels in Cairo are also available on request.

 

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Ship Information


M/S Mojito

M/S Mojito is a category 5-Star Deluxe vessel, built in 2005, offering superlative luxury and comfortable cruising for the experience of a lifetime. The boat features 4 decks – 70 suites – 69 junior suites (Including 2 singles &15 large beds ) plus 1 presidential suite. All suites on upper decks except 6 on lower deck. All are outside with large bay windows with one section that can be opened. Individually controlled air conditioning. Private teak bathroom with bathtub & hair dryer. Sitting area in each suite. Safe deposit box and mini bar, Internal telephone. Color TV + Video channels. Internal music channels. Lounge & discotheque. Piano bar. Boutique & gift shop. Beauty shop. Medical service. 24 hours cabin service. Spa (gymnasium, massage, sauna). Swimming pool with a built in Jacuzzi. Technical Data : Length: 236.22 feet – width: 46.59 feet - Height: 42.65 feet draft: 4.59 feet – Water purification station - Sound proofing - 3 engines 450hp (man) 3 generators 400 hp (man ) - Rolls Royce propellers. Classification : Polski Rejestr Statkow

Amenities
Onboard Entertainment: Entertainment on board is a marvelous complement to the daily activity ashore. During day time, when not participating in the exciting shore sightseeing, enjoy the Sundeck, Swimming pool with a built in Jacuzzi, or the Spa (gymnasium, massage, sauna). Boutique & gift shop and the Beauty Salon are also on board. When shadows fall have fun at a folkloric dance show, a cocktail party, the Piano Bar, lounge or discotheque. M/S Mojito is truly a very distinctive Nile cruising dream boat.

Dining
Savor the superb international gourmet cuisine available on this boat is a feature acclaimed by the many sophisticated travelers who have experienced it. The one sitting restaurant (140 seats) will do away with any waiting around for a second sitting. In addition to the appointed time for scheduled meals you there are other ship’s venues for refreshment and light meals. It may please you to know that there is a 24 hours cabin service.

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Optional Excursions


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Sightseeing Tours


Full-day Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, Citadel Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Cairo
Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, Citadel
Departure time: Actual pick-up time will be advised upon arrival in Egypt
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 7 hours

Highlights: See the pyramids of Cheops, Chephran and Mycerinus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the Great Sphinx of Giza, a monument that stands 65 feet high and 187 feet long, and that combines the head of a pharaoh with a lion's body. See the Citadel, one of the world s greatest monuments and most important landmarks in Cairo. Visit the Mosque, also called the Alabaster Mosque, due to the extensive use of alabaster stone for the exterior walls. Visit the Egyptian Museum. Situated on Tahir Square in Cairo, with its 107 halls, it is the most important museum in Egypt. Statues, mummies, antique jewels and the Tutankhamon treasures are on display. Lunch is included

Full-day Pyramids, Sphinx, Solar Boat, Memphis & Sakkara Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Cairo
Pyramids, Sphinx, Solar Boat, Memphis and Sakkara
Departure time: Actual pick-up time will be advised upon arrival in Egypt
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 8 hours

Highlights: See the pyramids of Cheops, Chephran and Mycerinus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the Great Sphinx of Giza, a monument that stands 65 feet high and 187 feet long,and that combines the head of a pharaoh with a lion's body. Continue with a visit of Memphis, the first capital city of Egypt, and Sakkara, one of the most exciting historical and archaeological areas in Egypt. Lunch is included

Full-day Alexandria Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Cairo
Alexandria
Departure time: Actual pick-up time will be advised upon arrival in Egypt
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 6 hours

Highlights: Visit the National Museum with Greek and Roman artifacts, the Library, the Catacombs of Kom El Shuqafa and the Qaitbay Fort, the ancient lighthouse. Lunch is included

Half-day Citadel Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Cairo
Citadel
Departure time: Actual pick-up time will be advised upon arrival in Egypt
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 2 hours

Highlights: See the Citadel, one of the world s greatest monuments and most important landmarks in Cairo. Visit the Mosque, also called the Alabaster Mosque, due to the extensive use of alabaster stone for the exterior walls.

Half-day Egyptian Museum Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Cairo
Egyptian Museum
Departure time: Actual pick-up time will be advised upon arrival in Egypt
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 3 hours

Highlights: Situated on Tahir Square in Cairo, with its 107 halls, it is the most important museum in Egypt.Statues, mummies, antique jewels and the Tutankhamon treasures are on display.

Half-day Memphis & Sakkara Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Cairo
Memphis and Sakkara
Departure time: Actual pick-up time will be advised upon arrival in Egypt
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 4 hours

Highlights: See Memphis, the first capital city of Egypt. Continue with a visit of Sakkara, one of the most exciting historical and archaeological areas in Egypt.

Half-day Pyramids & Sphinx Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Cairo
Pyramids and Sphinx
Departure time: Actual pick-up time will be advised upon arrival in Egypt
Schedule: Daily
Duration: Approx. 3 hours

Highlights: See the pyramids of Cheops, Chephran and Mycerinus, one of the Seven Wonders of the World and the Great Sphinx of Giza, a monument that stands 65 feet high and 187 feet long, and that combines the head of a pharaoh with a lion s body.

Sound & Light Show at Pyramids Call for Price This Tour is Available from:Cairo
Sound and Light Show at Pyramids
Departure time: Actual pick-up time will be advised upon arrival in Egypt
Schedule: Daily, except Thursdays and Sundays
Duration: The show is approx. 1 hour

Highlights: Evening performance by the Pyramids