10 days/ 9 nights
Bring your sleeping bag and backpack!! This trip offers adventurous travelers a unique look at 5000 years of history.
As there is virtually never any inclement weather and bugs are
rare, the stars will be your cover as you sleep on the deck of
your Felucca (sailboat). Fully crewed, your only job will be to
enjoy the incredible sites, sounds and surroundings. This is life
as it has been since recorded history began.
Friday: Depart New York at 11PM on a
non-stop flight to Egypt.
Saturday: Arrive Cairo, be met by
our staff who will assist you with clearing immigration and
customs. Transfer to the Sonesta hotel.
Sunday: Enjoy visiting the
Pyramids at Giza, the inscrutable Sphinx plus the Egyptian museum
and the Khan el Khalili Bazaar before you board your first class sleeper train to Aswan. (B,D)
Monday: Arrive Aswan and staff
will transfer to the Basma Hotel. Located at the highest elevation
in the area you will have striking views of the Nile and the Desert. Free day to enjoy
Aswan. An optional tour to the Nubian Museum can be
arranged. O/N Aswan. (B)
Tuesday: Board your Felucca and sail
to the west bank of the Nile where you will climb aboard a
"ship of the desert" (Camel) for a ride to St. Simeons
monastery. This early Christian monastery/fortress presents a
great story of early Christianity and the photo opportunities are
excellent. Return to the river, raise the sail, turn the bow
downstream and you are off. You will spend the night onboard
at El Hardeyat Island (about 12 miles upriver of Kom Ombo).
The Felucca's deck is nicely covered with large mattresses and
comfortable cushions, serving as your bedroom, living room and
dining room most of the time. The Felucca is equipped with a
simple kitchen sufficient for providing you with your tasty meals,
as well as hot and cold drinks. Sailing on the Nile starts in the
early morning till sun set in normal conditions but can be
interrupted due to reasons like wind or river currents or perhaps
after spotting a nice area for swimming or lunch.
In the evening you might want to
build a small fire on shore and visit with your Nubian crew where
they can teach you songs, show you their native dances and share stories. O/N Felucca (B,L,D)
Wednesday: Sail on to Kom Ombo,
visit the temple and then sail to Hammam Island (about 18 miles
upriver of Edfu) where you will dock for the evening. O/N Felucca (B,L,D)
Thursday: Sail on to Edfu, visit the temple and
overnight. O/N Felucca (B,L,D)
Friday: Disembark your Felucca and
transfer by private air-conditioned bus to Luxor. At Luxor
enjoy visiting the antiquity sites of both banks of the river including the Necropolis of Thebes with the valley of
the Kings, valley of the Queens, Queen Hatshepsut's temple,
Colossi of
Memnon plus the temples of Luxor and Karnak. Board the
sleeper train about 10PM for your overnight trip to Cairo. (B,D)
Saturday: Arrive Cairo about 6AM and
staff will transfer you the Sonesta hotel. Free day to enjoy
Cairo. O/N Cairo (B)
Sunday: Staff will transfer you to
the airport, assist with exit formalities and checking in for your
9AM international departure. (B)
GROUP TOURS INCLUDE:
Maximum of 16 travelers (note: max of 8 on one Felucca). 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.
Sail Egypt TEA-116
Groups: $1995 p.p. (dbl. occ)
Single supplement (hotels only): $232
Group Departures: 2001: Oct. 12, Nov. 09, Dec. 07
2002: Jan. 11, Feb. 01, Mch. 01, Apr. 19
