EGYPT- RED SEA ADVENTURE :: Empire Divers :: New York Scuba Adventures

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EGYPT-RED SEA ADVENTURE

ITINERARY AND TRIP PACKAGE INFORMATION FOR
NON DIVERS

Day 1 - Monday - July 2 - Departure

Depart New York this evening for Egypt.

Day 2 - Tuesday - July 3 - Cairo

Welcome to Egypt, Land of the Pharaohs! On arrival at Cairo International Airport, your tour representative greets you, collects your passport so he can obtain your Egypt Visa, and assists you with Custom formalities. After sometime to freshen up and relax, meet with Afifi and discuss the exciting days ahead. A welcome dinner at Al Saraya floating restaurant will introduce you to Egyptian cuisine.

ACCOMMODATIONS: MARRIOTT HOTEL (D)

Day 3 - Wednesday - July 4 - Cairo

After breakfast, you will experience one of the world's most awe-inspiring sites; the Giza Plateau. Here stands three Pyramids, the greatest being that of Cheops. It is generally believed the Great Pyramid was built as the tomb of Fourth dynasty Egyptian pharaoh Khufu (Cheops), after whom it is sometimes called Khufu's Pyramid or the Pyramid of Khufu. It took 100,000 workers more than 20 years to construct. A few hundred meters south-west of the Great Pyramid lies the slightly smaller Pyramid of Khafre, one of Khufu's successors who is believed to have built the Great Sphinx , and a few hundred meters further south-west is the Pyramid of Menkaure, Khafre's successor, which is about half as tall. In modern day, the pyramid of Khafre is the tallest of the three pyramids since the Great Pyramid has lost about 30 feet of material from its tip. Entrance into one of the pyramids will be included. Southeast of the Great Pyramids is the Sphinx, carved out of solid natural rock in about 2650BC, a magnificent monument with the head of the Pharaoh and the body of a lion. After lunch, you will make a stop at a carpet school and factory where you will see how some of the world's most beautiful carpets are made. Then you will visit the Saqqara Complex where you will see the first Pyramid ever built, the Step Pyramid of Zoser. When Memphis was capital of Egypt, during the Old Kingdom period, Saqqara was its necropolis. Spread over seven kilometers of desert, Saqqara is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Built for King Zoser of the third Dynasty by the architect and genius Imhotep, who designed Saqqara and its surrounding complex to be as grand as it was unique and revolutionary. Imhotep was the first to build stone tombs in honor of the king's majesty. His many titles included 'Treasurer of the King of Lower Egypt', 'Administrator of the Great Palace', and 'Imhotep the Builder, the Sculptor, the Maker of Stone Vessels'. Before returning to the hotel a stop will be made at the remains in Memphis, the first capital of united Upper and Lower Egypt.

ACCOMMODATIONS: MARRIOTT PALACE HOTEL (B,L,D)

Day 4 - Thursday - July 5 - Cairo/Abu Simbel/Aswan

Early morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Abu Simbel an archaeological site comprising two massive rock temples in southern Egypt on the western bank of Lake Nasser about 290 km southwest of Aswan . It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Nubian Monuments. The twin temples were carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BC, as a lasting monument to himself and his queen Nefertari, to commemorate his alleged victory at the Battle of Kadesh , and to intimidate his Nubian neighbors. The complex was relocated in its entirety in the 1960s to avoid being submerged during the creation of Lake Nasser, the massive artificial water reservoir formed after the building of the Aswan dam on the river Nile

After your visit fly to Aswan where you will embark on your Nile cruise. Lunch and then a short ride will bring you to Aswan's High Dam, Granite Quarries, and Unfinished Obelisk, and then continue by felucca to visit Kitcheners Island with its beautiful gardens and to view the mausoleum of the Agha Khan.

ACCOMMODATIONS NILE VISION CRUISE SHIP (B,L,D)

Day 5 - Friday -July 6 - Aswan/Kom Ombo/Edfu

After breakfast, sail in a small boat to the Philae Temple situated on the island of Agilika. Like Abu Simbel, the temple was relocated in order to protect it from the rising water of the High Dam, built in 1960. The main sanctuary on the island is dedicated to the Goddess Isis and her son Horus. Ancient Egyptians believed that Isis was the Goddess of Magic, and when she wept, the Nile flooded. This afternoon set sail for the city of Kom Ombo. Known as "Ombos" in ancient times, the city became prosperous when the temple was built in the Ptolemaic era. The temple is divided into two symmetrical halves. The left side is dedicated to the falcon-headed god, "Heroeris," and the right side to the crocodile god, "Sobek". Reliefs of Ptolemaic Pharaohs are found in the porch area. The remainder of the temple consists of a crypt, chapels, Roman wells where sacred crocodiles may have been kept, and the remains of a birth house. On the walls of the temple, you will see the first recorded representation of medical instruments. Sail onto Edfu, midway between Aswan and Luxor.

ACCOMMODATIONS NILE VISION CRUISE SHIP (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Saturday - July 7 - Edfu/Luxor

Begin the day by visiting the magnificently preserved temple of Edfu. The sandstone temple of Horus, the Sun God, was built under the Ptolemies and completed by the mid first century, BC. In the colonnaded court, you will see the surviving statue of a pair of falcons representing Horus. A series of smaller chambers leads to the Sanctuary of the God, which is lit by three openings in the ceiling. Ceremonies, celebrations, and war scenes are shown on the walls of the temple. Later today, we sail to Esna, pass the lock, and arrive in Luxor, ancient Thebes. This afternoon explore the East Bank of the Nile including the Temple of Luxor. Here, the Avenue of Sphinxes, famous for its artistic degree of uniformity, leads to the entrance of the temple where a seated colossus of Ramses II and a towering Obelisk sit. Continue to the Karnak Temple, one of the most impressive monuments of ancient art and architecture in the world. The carvings, which adorn all of the walls, depict the history and conquests of many of Egypt's Pharaohs.

ACCOMMODATIONS NILE VISION CRUISE SHIP (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Sunday - July 8 - Luxor/Hurghada

This morning cross the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings. The Valley of the Kings houses 63 tombs belonging to the Pharaohs of the New Kingdom, including the famous tomb of King Tutankhamen, and tomb KV 63 recently discovered in 2005. KV 63 is the first tomb discovered in the Valley of the Kings since King Tut's KV 62 tomb was found completely intact in 1922. Many of the tombs, carved out of the bedrock, still retain their original bright colors and fine relief's and scenes, thought to guarantee the safe passage of the Ka to the after life. Next, it is on to Deir El Bahri to visit the mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, considered being one of the finest buildings in Egypt. You leave Luxor this morning for Hurghada, a beautiful resort city on the Red Sea. When you arrive in Hurghada, you will have some time to relax on the beach or snorkel and have your first look at the magnificent under water life of the Red Sea.

ACCOMMODATIONS: HILTON HOTEL (B,L,D)

Day 8 – Monday - July 9 - Hurghada/Sharm El Sheikh

Early morning transfer to the port where you will embark the Fast Ferry for Sharm El Sheikh. Arrive in the “Land of Turquoise” where rock meets coral reefs and the desert stops at the sea. For the next week, you will be exploring the
crystal blue waters rich with unique sea life, visiting historic sites of the Sinai and experiencing spectacular sunrises and sunsets. Sharm El Sheikh is a rich and elegant seaside resort, often called the “Egyptian Riviera”. The Hyatt Regency Sharm El Sheikh Hotel has something for everyone. Down at the beach, the Water Sports Centre is the first port of call for water enthusiasts, eager to be informed about the endless possibilities including snorkeling. For those who prefer freshwater pursuits and refreshing fun, the 80-metre corkscrew water slide is part of the resort’s 2500square-metre water complex. Linked by bridges, staircases, ramps, gardens and rock formations, three cascading pools feature an amazing ten-meter drop. Other features include waterfalls and two outdoor Jacuzzis, a ‘lazy river’ that meanders through caves and grottos, and a party pool with a multitude of jet sprays and fountains. If you feel the need for a workout, you may spend some time at Club Olympus the hotels fitness center, or you might try out the Racquet
Centre, which offers one exhibition tennis court, four tennis courts, two indoor air-conditioned squash courts and one basketball court.

In addition, for those that love to play golf, you may try the magnificently manicured 18 hole course nearby the hotel.
Your guide will be able to help you arrange any activity that you may decide to do.

ACCOMMODATIONS: HYATT REGENCY HOTEL (B,L,D)

Day 9 – Tuesday – July 10 – Sharm El Sheikh

Leave your hotel and drive to St. Catherine’s. For those interested in climbing Mount Moses you will have the opportunity to do so. For those that choose not to climb you will have breakfast and a rest at the St. Catherine’s Hotel. Located at the foot of Mount Moses, St. Catherine’s Monastery was constructed by order of the Emperor Justinian between 527 and 565. Built around what is thought to be Moses’ Burning Bush, which has a chapel built atop it is a spectacular natural setting for priceless works of art, including Arab mosaics, Greek and Russian icons, Western oil paintings, paintings on wax, fine sacerdotal ornaments, marbles, enamels, chalices, reliquaries, including one donated by Czar Alexander II in the 19th century, and another by Empress Catherine of Russia in the 17th century. However, of perhaps even greater significance is that it is the second largest collection of illuminated manuscripts (The Vatican has the largest). Return to Sharm El Shiekh this afternoon.