ISIS BLESSINGS Sacred Journey to Egypt April 29 – May 13, 2014 Welcome We have put together this package to assist you in answering most of your questions and offer you some additional information about travelling to Egypt. We hope you will choose to join us for this wonderful trip of a life time as we turn back the sands of time & Unlock the Mysteries of Ancient Egypt. Introducing Your Hosts Sue Bunnett is Principal of Isis Blessings Healing Centre in Crystal Brook South Australia. She is an Isis Mystery School Certified Practitioner & Authorised Teacher, Intuitive & Spiritual Healer, Registered Nurse, Counsellor, Therapeutic Practitioner and Remedial Massage Therapist. Sue has had a life-long passion and fascination with Egypt that goes back to her early childhood. She first experienced the wonders and mystery of Egypt, when she accompanied Elisabeth Jensen, Principal of Isis Mystery School in Adelaide on her Sacred Journey to Egypt in 2007. This will be Sue’s fourth visit. Visit www.isisblessing.com to read more about Sue. Is a boutique travel agency; established in 2007; Abba Travel is owned and operated by the Egyptian born, Mr. Medhat Ahmed and his beautiful wife, Shashi. Initially specializing in spiritual journeys to mystical Egypt, Medhat's considerable experiences in organizing Egyptian travel groups and exclusive time at various temple sites has honed his enterprising and diligent skills of diplomacy and organization. Medhat is also a very spiritual person and puts his heart and soul into every sacred journey. For many years, a key player in the Egyptian tourist industry, especially with spiritual tours, Medhat has a deep connection with Egypt and her people. Drawing upon his vast network of Egyptian contacts, Medhat offers professionally organized, luxurious, escorted journeys. When visiting the ancient temples and megaliths and organizing private experiences, he goes well beyond the scope of the average travel agent. Visit www.abbatravel.co.uk Dr Morad Nasr – is our English speaking guide. He lives in Cairo with his family & completed a Diploma in Egyptology at the University of Cairo. With thirty two years’ experience as an Egyptologist, his deep knowledge & comprehensive understanding of ancient & modern day life of Egypt will enable you to truly experience the wonder & beauty of this remarkable country. Read his stories from Sue’s blog My Sacred Journey to Egypt 2009 at www.isisblessings.com/blog.html Isis Blessings & Abba Travel Terms & Conditions Tour Pricing The price for this tour package is US$5400 for Share Room Basis accommodation with Single Room Supplement (if required) an additional US$1540. This package price includes six nights at the luxurious Mena House Oberio with a direct view of the Great Pyramid from the garden oasis (breakfast & dinner); 7-night luxury Nile cruise on the Sonesta Moon Goddess Cruise ship (all meals on board); all transfers and sightseeing in an air-conditioned modern bus; return flights from Cairo to Luxor; one night deluxe 5 star accommodation at Sonesta St George Hotel (breakfast & dinner); welcome & farewell dinners and three extra lunches. Extensive sightseeing as mentioned in the itinerary, including entrance fees & tips, English speaking guide and all group transfers and luggage handling. It also includes three private visits and meditations at these sacred sites. Not Included Any airfare from your home to Cairo, Visa & passport fees. If you arrive or depart other than with the group there will be additional transfer fees for being met at the airport, brought through customs and to the hotel and for any extra accommodation before or beyond the duration of the tour. Trip cancellation and medical insurance is not included. Any meals not mentioned in the itinerary and beverages and items of a personal nature such as laundry will be your responsibility. Space is limited. Tour costs are based on a minimum of 16 participants, single or double occupancy. All prices are in US dollars. Passport/Entry Visa A valid passport is required. Passport details are required 60 days prior to departure. Any registration after 60 days prior to departure will require a passport number at time of registration. Entry Visas to Egypt are required and in some countries eg. Australia they must be obtained prior to departure and are not included in the Tour/Journey price. All International Travel & Egyptian Visa is the responsibility of the passenger to organise and purchase. Payment Initial Registration Fee of Aust $500 is required by November1 2013 to secure your place on this trip. Please complete the registration form and send with payment to Isis Blessings; credit card payments, bank transfers or bank cheques are welcomed. Please make cheques payable to Isis Blessings, 17 Stanley Street Crystal Brook South Australia 5523. Please call Sue to arrange payment by credit card Abba Travel is travel host for the tour and will be handling the reservations, payments and travel arrangements in Egypt, so once you have paid your registration fee you can book your Egypt land package by paying your deposit of US$750 for a Share Room or US$1000 for a Single Room to Abba Travel in UK or by PayPal @ www.abbatravel.co.uk or Bank Transfer by November 17th. 2 Final Full Payment to Abba Travel is by Bank Transfer (Transfer fee is approx. $30 extra) by February 10th 2014. Deposits are non-refundable and non-transferable. A discount of $ 100 applies if payment in full made by 1stof January 2014. Cancelation Policy Abba Travel If you cancel 60 to 90 days before departure 50 % of tour package price is refundable. NO refunds will be made in the 60 days prior to the departure date. NO EXCEPTIONS!! Final payment made by February 10th 2014 to Abba Travel Bank Account: ABBA TRAVEL LIMITED WINDWARD VILLA, BOSKERRIS ROAD CARBIS BAY, CORNWALL ENGLAND TR26 2NQ ACCOUNT NUMBER: GB MIDL 40051569 643725 BANK: SWIFT CODE MIDLGB22 HSBC BANK, 1 GREENMARKET, PENZANCE CORWALL UNITED KINGDOM TR18 2 SD If you wish to make the final payment by Pay Pal there will be extra charge of 3% Abba Travel recommends the purchase of Travel Insurance with Medical Insurance which also should cover you for any events beyond our control such as War, Threat of war, Riots, Civil disturbances, Terrorist Activity, Revolution. There will be NO refunds for those who register 60 days or less prior to the departure date or for those who CANCEL 60 days or less prior to departure date. CANCELLATIONS MUST BE IN WRITING by the person concerned or their next of kin if they are unable to do this. No refund will be paid for unused services listed as part of this Journey. The cost of this Journey is based on double occupancy. If Abba Travel is unable to match a single traveller with a roommate the single supplement will apply. Abba Travel reserves the right to change the itinerary to improve the journey due to unforeseen circumstances or for reasons beyond our control; as well as the right to change the accommodations listed for others of similar quality. Abba Travel operates this Journey as agents of the aircraft, travel insurance agents, railroads, car rental contractors, cruise ship line, hotels, bus operators, sightseeing contractors and others who provide actual arrangements. Abba Travel is not liable for any act, omission, delay, injury, loss or damage or non-performance in connection with these Journeys. Travel & Health Insurance Travel and health insurance is not included in the Journey price. It is the passenger’s sole responsibility to obtain travel insurance. Abba Travel highly recommends the purchase of 3 comprehensive travel insurance including trip cancellation, baggage insurance, and appropriate health/travel accident insurance. You will be required to provide proof of travel and health insurance or sign a waiver releasing Abba Travel and Isis Blessings from any and all liabilities. (NB: On some tours it may be an essential requirement) Any person or persons participating in our producing partner program is released from any and all liabilities in connection with these journeys and are considered independent agents. Responsibility Isis Blessings & Abba Travel are not responsible for any financial loss should the presenter Sue Bunnett leading the tour, cancels for any reason whatsoever including insufficient numbers that would make the trip economically infeasible to operate or if it is cancelled due to unforeseen health & safety concerns for participants or for any events beyond our control such as war, threat of war, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist activity & revolution. We have recommended the purchase of appropriate travel insurance and advise that travel insurance only covers what is included, as stated on the insurance travel brochure or the company’s website, therefore please check that you insurance covers unforeseen circumstances, such as those outlined above, before purchasing your policy. Isis Blessings & Abba Travel are not responsible for any physical, mental, emotional or other reaction, trauma or ailment during the trip or occurring afterwards. Attendance on the trip indicates acceptance of this and all other provisions of this responsibility clause. 4 Registration Form for Isis Blessings Sacred Journey to Egypt April 29 – May 2014 Participant Information Full Name (As on Passport: Date of Birth: Sex Nationality Passport Number: Date of Expiry Place & Date of Issue of Passport Mailing Address City Day Time Phone State Postcode Evening Phone Mobile Email (Essential) Name & International Telephone Number of Next of Kin or emergency contact: ________________ Name exactly as it appears on your passport: ________________________________________________ Passport number, expiration date and country issued. Your passport must be valid for 6 months after the date of departure (Egyptian travel rules). Passport Number: ______________________________________________________________________ Expiration Date: _______________________________________________________________________ Country Issued: ________________________________________________________________________ 5 Personal Information Room Selection (please choose one) I will be having a single room: YES/NO Share Accommodation Name of Preferred roommate: ____________________________________________________ (I have made a confirmed agreement with this person) I do not have a preferred roommate; please choose one for me __________________________ Do you smoke? Yes ____No____ Do you snore? Yes ___No___ Are you a morning person? Yes ___No___ Are you a night owl? Yes __No __ What is your date of birth? __/__/___ Sex? M ___/F____ Diet/Food Requirements: _______________________________________________________________ Do you have any medical conditions we should know about? Please specify: __________________________________________________________________________________ Comprehensive Health & Travel Insurance MUST be taken out by all participants prior to final payment to ABBA Travel (earlier recommended) & a copy forwarded to Isis Blessings. Please provide two contact details in case of emergency: Name Relationship Phone numbers (include international code) _________________________________________________ Name Phone numbers (include international code) _________________________________________________ 6 Relationship Release Please read & sign I, __________________________________________have read the information letter, including the terms and conditions. I understand that Isis Blessings and Abba Travel, or any associated individuals or organizations, are not responsible for, and I release them from liability for any accidents, injuries, illness, loss, theft, or other mishap that might occur for any reason in connection with this journey to Egypt in April 2014. By signing below I acknowledge that I agree with them in full. Signed By Passenger: ............................................................................Date.................... Print Name as in your passport......................................................................................... ABBA TRAVEL Medhat Ahmed www.abbatravel.co.uk info@abbatravel.co.uk 0044/01736796298 0044/7732999369 ISIS BLESSINGS Sue Bunnett 17 Stanley Street Crystal Brook South Australia 5523 Email: sue@isisblessings.com www.isisblessings.com Telephone in Australia: 1300 342 873 International: +61886363185 7 Additional Information Documents All participants are required to have a valid passport, to be carried on your person or stored safely at all times. It must be valid for at least 6 months after departure from Egypt. Please organise your Egyptian Visa in plenty of time; this is best done through your travel agent as the documentation required for the application form has to be exact or it will not be granted by Egyptian officials and may need to be submitted again. We recommend that you take a copy of your passport and travel insurance with you and leave one at home. Travel/trip cancellation insurance covers your losses on non-refundable air and land costs due to personal or family illnesses or unforeseen documented emergencies. We recommend that you purchase your travel insurance within 14-21 days of the date you send in your deposit in order to receive certain benefits, including coverage for pre-existing conditions. Luggage We suggest you pack light as the airlines are very strict with allowances now (check with your airline). Please take a carry-on bag for the air flights to accommodate an extra set of clothes, your valuables and medications. One that has wheels on it is suggested as you will get very tired carrying around heavy hand held bags. Fluid restrictions also apply for cabin luggage. Medications If you are taking regular medications please bring a letter from your Doctor. Do not remove medication from its boxes/bottles or foil enclosures. Vaccinations Do check with your Doctor in plenty of time and have them early to avoid travelling with side effects. Medical Care Medical care is easily obtained in Cairo, however is not so reliable outside of the city. We suggest that you pack your own first aid kit including a good supply of your own prescribed medications and medication for diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting, antihistamines and analgesia. Pharmacies stock and dispense most things in Egypt but you need to locate one and make your needs known and this isn’t always easy. If you need to see a Doctor you will have to pay cash for your consultation and the medication, then claim later on your insurance when you return home. International Flights Currently we are awaiting release of dates for next year from the airlines. Isis Blessings will advise participants when these are made available so they can be booked early. 8 Cash & Credit Cards In Egypt the currency is the Egyptian Pound. Unfortunately they are hard to obtain in Australia, so we suggest that you take cash in US Dollars and then change on your arrival (or as required) at Mena House Hotel in Cairo. Australian or Singapore Dollars are harder to change so we also suggest that you change your money at Singapore Airport before flying to Egypt. You can purchase Egyptian Pounds directly at Mena House using your credit card too. Many ATMS in Egypt don’t work and Traveller’s checks are often hard to cash and not very welcome. Once currency is exchanged, it helps to carry many one and five pound notes for gifting i.e. men who keep the area of the Sphinx tidy; it’s nice to give them a pound. Note: All hotel & cruise tips are included in the price of your tour, however not our guide or bus driver; this is personal choice only and not a specified requirement. There is provision of a safe in your hotel room and on the cruise ship to store money/documents/valuables. These are easily used via entering your own chosen pin number. Cash donations for the children at Dr Morcos Centre are very welcome. Communications Mobile Phones Do take your mobile phone so family can contact you but organise International Roaming before you leave. Your family can then text you or leave voice messages. If you wish to make lots of calls home its best to take an unlocked spare mobile phone and purchase an Egyptian Sim Card on arrival – Medhat can assist here. Emails Mena House has a business centre so you can check your emails there for a moderate price. There are provisions for use of laptops (extra cost) and can you purchase Wireless Internet cards there also. Prior to our departure, each person travelling with us will be given a list of hotel numbers where we will be staying and our tour manager, Medhat’s mobile phone number. Electronics/Cameras The electrical current in Egypt is 220-240, with European-style plugs that have two rounded prongs. You will need to purchase an adapter in order to plug in your electric/electronic devices. If using a digital camera/video recorder, you should plan to bring extra memory cards and batteries. There is limited access to download your images while you are away unless you bring your own computer. Camera/Video recorder are not permitted to use in some areas i.e. Valley of the Kings and will be taken from you by Egyptian staff, if you are found to be using one. Climate/Clothing The climate in Egypt is dry year round with a day time average of 35 C to 39 C and 20 C at night for April and May. Ladies it is very important that you are aware that Egypt remains a conservative country therefore shoulders should always be covered (there are beautiful shawls available to purchase in Egypt). We suggest you pack comfortable loose-fitting clothing for the daytime with the addition of a light jacket or wrap for the evening and our early dawn private visits. Pants are acceptable for women and are recommended for camel or horseback riding with T shirts, jeans/slacks being best for travel and sight-seeing options. 9 In the evening we will be dining in very pleasant surroundings at our hotels/ cruise ship/ local restaurants and farewell dinners, so do pack some nicer attire to wear. There are plenty of excellent clothes to buy too. Comfortable and well-worn in walking shoes, either sneakers or sandals with a supporting back are highly essential for sightseeing. Laundry & Dry-cleaning Reasonable priced services in the bigger hotels and on the cruise ship are available or you can do your own hand washing, however they don’t offer washing machines etc. Hairdryers & Toiletries Both are provided in most accommodations however provisions for tea and coffee are not always available. Special Diets Vegetarians are well catered for but you will need to advise our tour manager Medhat on your registration form and arrival of this or any other special diets. Vegan or other special diets can be organised but not so easily. Many meals are buffet style so it’s simply a matter of choosing what you want, or can eat, from a large selection. Foods to Avoid All the food at the big hotels and on the cruise is usually fine to eat. If you eat at cheap places or buy ice creams or milk based drinks from smaller shops you might get an upset stomach. Our extra lunches will be supplied from our cruise ship and our tour manager Medhat also knows where to take us to avoid these problems. Water Only bottled water can be consumed in Egypt! Even at the big hotels. You can’t boil the water or use purification tablets as it’s mainly the chemicals in the water that cause the problem. If you drink the water or use it to clean your teeth etc. you will probably get sick so please allow some extra money for the bottled water sold quite cheaply on the bus or in the hotels. Mena House provides a daily complementary bottle of water. If you decide to join our tour please fill out and return the Registration form with your deposit to Isis Blessings, 17 Stanley Street Crystal Brook South Australia 5523. We look forward to joining you on this wonderful and enriching tour where you will experience Egypt’s incredible mix of old and new culture that goes back thousands of years. Regards Sue & Medhat 10 11