10 days/9 nights
Relive history as you travel by
camel across the sands in the footsteps of Lawrence of Arabia
and Moses. This is an exciting an unusual holiday
introduction to some of the worlds greatest historical sites.
Difficulty: moderate, with some climbing, walking and riding.
Friday: Depart New York at
11PM, flying non-stop to Egypt.
Saturday: Arrive Cairo and be
met by our staff who will assist with clearing immigration and
customs. Transfer to the Sonesta hotel.
Sunday: Morning flight to Sharm
El Sheik, at the foot of the Sinai peninsula. (You are now in
Asia!) You will overnight at our beautiful oceanfront hotel,
the Ghazala, located on the beach at Naama Bay, where you can
spend the day enjoying the scenery or perhaps snorkeling in
the crystal
clear waters of the Red Sea. O/N Sharm (B)
Monday: Depart Sharm early for
Wadi Feiran, the largest oasis in the Sinai and a famous
biblical site from Exodus. Proceed to Mt. Sinai and
overnight at St. Catherines Plaza. O/N Mt. Sinai (B,D)
Tuesday: Rise early and climb Mt.
Sinai to see the sunrise on the mountain where God gave Moses
the 10 commandments. Return to the base
and enjoy visiting St. Cahterines monastery with the Chapel of
the
Burning Bush. Then drive to Wadi Ghazala. We begin our
camel ride in
the wide valley and travel to El Rawahbia and Gebel Melekhas.
We climb this sandstone mountain for a magnificent view of the
desert . Overnight we will camp in a traditional tent, just as
it has been done for
thousands of years. (B,L,D)
Wednesday: This morning we ride
to the hidden White Canyon and walk to
the date palm gardens of Ein Khudra. This oasis is a
traditional Hazerot
of the Children of Israel. Overnight camp at Ein Khudra. (B,L,D)
Thursday: From the oasis we
follow the crusader Pilgrimage route which
brings us to the rock of Inscriptions (Nabatean, Children of
Israel and
early Christian inscriptions survive side by side). We ride on
to the
Nawamis, extremely well preserved burial chambers from the
Early Bronze
Age, covering the nearby red sandstone plateau. From here we
follow the valleys, Wadi Mothla taking us to the great
pilgrimage landmark, Gebel El Makhroom, then we camp near Wadi
Hamam. (B,L,D)
Friday: We ride to Beir Safra
with the opportunity to climb one of the
sandstone's in the yellow valley. Wadi Arada gives a chance
for another
canyon walk before a final desert camel ride to meet jeeps
which will
take us to Wadi Ghazala where we transfer back to Sharm El
Sheik. O/N
Ghazala (B,L,D)
Saturday: Morning flight to
Cairo with the balance of the day to enjoy the city. O/N
Sonesta Hotel. (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.
Ship of the Desert TEA-119
Groups: $1895 p.p. (dbl. occ)
Single supplement (hotels only): $235
Group Departures: 2001: Oct. 19, Dec. 14
2002: Jan. 18, Mch. 01, Mch. 22, Apr. 19
