17 days/16 nights
DEPARTURES: Spring and Fall, timed to match the peak
migrations.
Egypt occupies a significant strategic geographical position
as a bridge between continents offering migratory species the
perfect route for their annual flights from Europe and Asia.
A wide variety of Egyptian habitats ranging from high rugged
mountains to desert and tropical style jungle along the Nile
basin, give it a unique character plus the diversity needed to
attract an extremely wide range of bird life.
There are over 430 species of birds found
in Egypt with about 150 being resident. The others are annual
visitors from Europe and Asia with the primary migrations
south in the fall and the return in the spring months.
This program operates during the anticipated peaks of these
migrations to afford birders a vacation with the maximum
chance to view and photograph the widest variety possible.
Imagine being able to combine 5000 years
of human history with birding and conservation. On tap are
visits to important antiquity sites and oases in both upper
and lower Egypt plus a visit to the Sinai peninsula with its
beautiful beaches, incredible undersea life and
bountiful collection of bird life.
Friday: Depart New York at
11PM flying non-stop to Cairo.
Saturday: Arrive Cairo. Be met
and assisted through immigration and
customs by our staff. Transfer to the Mena House hotel
for the evening.
Sunday: A full day touring the
ancient capital of Memphis, Sakkarra with
it's stepped Pyramid, the earliest pyramid of all, the
Seraphim (tomb of
the bulls), and the Mastaba of Ti which features beautiful
carvings of early Egyptian bird life., Dahshur with it's
"bent" pyramid, black pyramid and red pyramid (built
of red granite brought all the way from Aswan, this pyramid is
open for entry). O/N Mena House. (B)
Monday & Tuesday: This
morning we drive to the oasis of El Fayoum.
Located about 1.5 hours drive south of Cairo this is one of
the greatest oasis areas in Egypt and a major winter home for
migratory species. Fayoum is where the Greeks and Romans had
their wineries and grew the grain for the empire. It
also was an important part of Pharaonic history including a
famous canal thought to have been built by the Biblical
Joseph. O/N both nights at King Farouk's. (B.L,D)
Wednesday: We depart Fayoum early
this morning for the Pyramids at Giza
and the inscrutable Sphinx. In the afternoon we visit the
Egyptian Museum and the Khan el Khalili bazaar. O/N Cairo
Marriott (B)
Thursday: A morning flight to
Aswan and transfer to the Basma hotel. Built on the highest
elevation in the area it offers commanding views of the Nile,
the desert and the city. We will visit the Nubian Museum
in the afternoon,
a first class presentation on the Nubian culture and history.
O/N Basma. (B)
Friday: An optional tour to
the Temples at Abu Simbel or a day to relax and enjoy Aswan.
O/N Basma (B)
Saturday: Today we visit the
Granite quarries with it's unfinished Obelisk, The temple of
Philae and the Old Dam. O/N Basma Hotel. (B)
Sunday: Sail by Felucca (native
sailboat) to visit the famous islands of
the area. Kitchner's Island is a botanical garden that
naturally attracts a number of species, filled with exotic
plants and trees imported from all over the world. Elephantine
Island is the largest of the Aswan area islands, and is one of
the most ancient sites in Egypt,
with artifacts dating to pre dynastic periods. It is also a
good place to spend leisure time, wandering among the Nubian
villages where the people are friendly and the houses are
often very colorful. Depart by train to Luxor about 5 PM,
which affords an excellent opportunity to watch sunset along
the river, the birds nesting for the night and the river
traffic as lights come on at the approach of darkness.
Arriving Luxor about 8 PM transfer to the St. George hotel,
right on the Nile, facing the Necropolis of Thebes. (B,L)
Monday: This morning we depart
early for the West Bank, The Necropolis of Thebes where we
will visit the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens,
Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon. We can
arrange an optional entry to Queen Neferateri's tomb if you
desire. Afternoon free at leisure. O/N St. George.
(B)
Tuesday: The temples of Luxor and
Karnak are visited this morning plus
the Karnak Museum. In the evening we fly to Sharm
el Sheikh, located at the southern extreme of the Sinai
Peninsula, you are now in Asia. You will stay right on Naama
Bay at the Ghazala Hotel (winner of the "Green Globe
Award" for it's environmental efforts. O/N Ghazala.
(B)
Wednesday: Depart in the morning
for the Sinai Mountains. Drive to the
important Biblical site of Wadi Feiran. This area is an
oasis of greenery in an otherwise hostile environment and as
such attracts a wide variety of species ranging from songbirds
to predators.
"...a journey through Feiran is to
pass through an entire
chapter
of the Old Testament
itself..."
Few places are as steeped in Biblical
mystery as the great Wadi Feiran-the Sinai's largest wadi and
one of it's most archeologically important stretches of
terrain. It was here, according to locals, scholars, and
legend, that Moses struck a rock with his staff, bringing
forth a spring so his people could drink. Feiran is also the
site of Rafadim, the fabled oasis where the Hebrews camped and
battled the Amelecites. You will also be introduced to
Bedouin culture, one that has not changed for many centuries.
Enjoy a BBQ lunch Bedouin style, Ride a camel if you like.
From Wadi Feiran we drive to Mt. Sinai where we overnight at a
small hotel. O/N St. Catherine's Plaza. (B,L,D)
Thursday: Today you can rise
early, about 3AM, climb Mt. Sinai and watch
the sunrise from the crest or sleep in and the view the
mountain from the base. You will also visit St.
Catherine's monastery.
Located at the foot of Mount Moses, St.
Catherine's was constructed between 527 and 565. It is built
around what is thought to be Moses' Burning Bush. It is a
spectacular natural setting for priceless works of art.
St. Catherine's is also a formidable
fortification, with granite walls 40 to 200 feet tall,
surrounded by gardens and cypresses. From St. Catherine's you
will visit the Rock of Inscriptions, where travelers have left
graffiti and directions for 8,000 years plus Ein Kudra, the
traditional hazarot of the Children of Israel (Exodus) to the
Gulf of Aqaba then back to Sharm el Sheikh to overnight.
O/N Ghazala. (B)
Friday: This morning fly to Cairo
where you will visit Gabal el Asfar.
This is the huge reclaiming area for the cities sanitation
system. Since it's start in 1923 this area has grown into one
of the richest birding sites in Egypt. Returning to the
city you will visit the Khan el Khalili bazaar.
Overnight at the Cairo Marriott. This former palace
is located on an island on the Nile, in the heart of Cairo. It
is surrounded by acres of gardens and the bird watching here
can be very entertaining and rewarding. O/N Cairo. (B)
Saturday: Today we see Old
Cairo with it's famous churches, synagogues
and Mosques plus the Citadel of Salad el Din. O/N Cairo. (B)
Sunday: Staff will transfer you
to the airport, assist with exit formalities and checking in
for your 9AM International departure.
GROUP TOURS INCLUDE:
Maximum of 16 travelers. Round trip air from JFK (add on air
from other U.S. cities available). All transfers by
air-conditioned vehicle relating to the tour program starting
with arrival to Cairo. Baggage handling of no more than 2
pieces of luggage per person however baggage and personal
effects are at the owner's risk at all times during the tour.
Hotels (based on double occupancy). Meals as outlined by B for
Breakfast, L for lunch and D for dinner. Fees for visiting
antiquity sites and museums. Services of an English speaking
licensed Egyptologist.
Service charges and taxes. Tips for ground personnel except
guide. Travel Insurance for those departing from the USA or
Canada.
Not included are: items of a personal nature such as tips for
guide, entry visa (available at the airport on entry for USA
and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should check
with the nearest Egyptian consulate), phone calls, laundry,
bar bills, beverages during meals, any items not specifically
covered in the included items.
TES-114 Birds of the Pharaohs
Groups: $3695 p.p. (dbl. occ)
Single supplement: $1019
Group departures: October 19
2002: March 08, April 05
This tour is operated in conjunction with
Conservation Outdoors Inc. A USA based international
scientific/charitable organization that operates wildlife
conservation and habitat preservation programs in the Middle
East and South America. Profits go to assistance with
maintaining habitat, educational programs, banding/rescue
programs in the Middle East.
