Black History Month - Splendors of Egypt
February 19 - 29, 2016 * Cairo + Nile Cruise * 11 Days - 9 Nights
$2739 per person double occupancy * Single supplement $595
Itinerary
Day 01 Friday February 19: Depart New York for Cairo
Depart from New York JFK on Delta Airlines at 19:43 overnight to Cairo via Rome.
Day 02 Saturday February 20 - Arrival in Egypt
Arrive in Rome at 10:15 and change aircraft for the flight to Cairo, departing at 12:15 and arriving in
Cairo at 16:30. Welcome to Cairo! Your tour begins when you are greeted by our representative
who will assist you through immigration and customs formalities. After you have collected your
luggage he will then take you, in our deluxe vehicle, to your hotel: Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel. Take
the evening to rest up or take a walk in the surrounding neighborhood. With the largest number of
rooms in the Giza area, Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel & Spa is conveniently located within a walking
distance of Egypt’s historic treasures, including the Giza Pyramids, the Sphinx, Sakkara and other
monument sights. Dinner on your own and overnight at the 5-star Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel.
Day 03 Sunday February 21 - Cairo
Breakfast at the hotel is followed by a full day tour. In the morning you will be driven to see the
Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx: the most famous monuments of not only ancient Egypt, but
of the entire ancient world! These massive stone structures were built around 4,500 years ago on a
rocky desert plateau close to the Nile. In the afternoon you will be taken to the Egyptian Museum:
gaze at the wonders of King Tutankhamen, including his golden death mask; stare upon the
mummies of some of Egypt's ancient pharaohs (optional); lose yourself in the many rooms and
galleries, where thousands of artefacts await you. At the end of this exciting day you will be
returned to your hotel. Dinner on your own and overnight at Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel. (B)
Day 04 Monday February 22 - Nile Cruise: Luxor
After breakfast you will check out and our representative will escort you to the airport for your
flight to Luxor. Upon arrival you will be met and assisted by our representative who will transfer you
to your cruise boat: your floating hotel for your next 4 days. After lunch, which you will have on
board, you will visit the magnificent Karnak and Luxor Temples. The Temple of Karnak is the largest
Temple in the World! The complex contains a group of Temples such as the Great Temple of Amon
Ra, The Temple of Khonso, The Ipt Temple, The Temple of Ptah, the Temple of Montho and the
Temple of the God Osiris. Amenhotep III built the Luxor Temple. The architect and overseer of the
works of construction was the genius Amenhotep, son of Habu. The Temple runs close and parallel
to the river Nile from north to south.Once your visit to these ancient Theban Temples is complete
you will return to the boat for your dinner. Overnight on board the ship. (B-L-D)
Day 05 Tuesday February 23 - Nile Cruise: Luxor
A new day, your first breakfast on board, and then it is time to visit the West Bank of Luxor: the
tombs of the New Kingdom Pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings; the tombs of princes in the Valley of
the Queens; the magnificent temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El-Bahri finishing with the
immense Colossi of Memnon. After these visits to the Theban "City of the Dead" you will be taken
back to your boat for your lunch, and then you can watch as it departs Luxor and sails for Esna. As
the Nile flows gently underneath you, dinner will be served. Overnight on board the ship. (B-L-D)
Day 06 Wednesday February 24 - Nile Cruise: Edfu and Kom Ombo
You can enjoy your breakfast watching as the cruise boat crosses the Esna lock then sails onward to
Edfu, home of the best preserved temple in Egypt: the Temple of Horus. Edfu was a flourishing city
in Ancient Times. Today, the most important monument in the city of Edfu is the Temple of Horus,
which is considered to be one of the most beautiful and preserved Temples in Egypt. The origins of
the Temple probably date back to the Second Intermediate Period, but the actual Temple only
dates back to Ptolemaic times. Your guide will then return you to your cruise boat for dinner as the
boat sails majestically towards Kom Ombo. Overnight on board the ship. (B-L-D)
Day 07 Thursday February 25 - Nile Cruise: Aswan
Your last day of sailing starts with breakfast, and then a visit to the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated
to the gods Horus and Sobek. The Temple of Kom Ombo, which we view today, was built during the
Greco Roman period, constructed on the ruins of a much older temple which was called "Ber
Sobek" or the house of the god Sobek. The most glorious days of Kom Ombo came when the
Romans ruled over Egypt as it became the capital and the administrational center of the province
and during this period a large portion of the Temple of Kom Ombo was constructed and many other
sections were restored and renovated. Afterwards it is back to the boat for lunch and then sail to
Aswan. Once ashore you will be driven to see the High Dam, the world's largest rock filled dam, and
the Temple of Philae, moved to the island of Agilika after the waters of Lake Nasser flooded its
original location. The Temple of Isis is one of the greatest Temples in Egypt and it occupies about a
quarter of the island. It is the main Temple on the island, with its huge, complete pylons and
beautiful scenes. In addition to the main Temple of Isis there are other monuments here, such as
The Kiosk of Trajan, the Chapel of Osiris, The Temple of Horus, The Temple of Hathor, The Gateway
of Tiberius, the Gateway of Diocletian, and the Temple of Augustus.It is then back to Aswan for your
last dinner on the boat. Overnight on board the ship. (B-L-D)
Day 08 Friday February 26 - Aswan & Cairo
You will have your final breakfast on the boat before you have to check out. You will then be taken
to the Botanical Gardens by felucca. Among the famous visits in Aswan is to see the botanical
gardens of Aswan , you sail in a local felucca boat to the eastern bank of the Nile to reach this
island, where this botanical island is located opposite the city of Aswan and elephantine island.
There is a huge variety of plantation and trees at the island some of which are naturally found on
the island before it was converted into botanical island and others that have been brought in. There
are is a number of very rare palm trees in the island such as the Royal palm tree, the Sabal Palm
tree and the phonic Palm tree. After this visit you will be transferred to Aswan airport for the flight
back to Cairo (flight duration is about 55 minutes). Once there our representative will meet you and
assist you with your luggage before transferring you to your hotel for check-in. Your afternoon is at
leisure. Overnight at the 5-star Semiramis Inter Continental (or similar). (B)
Day 09 Saturday February 27
It is said that Egypt is full of Pyramids and after breakfast you will get the opportunity to visit two
more of them. You will be taken, in an air conditioned vehicle to Dashur where you will see the two
pyramids built by the Pharaoh Snefru. Not only will you be able to look at the Red Pyramid, the
world's first true pyramid, you will also have the opportunity to go inside it and gaze at the
phenomenal corbelled ceilings in the 3 separate rooms. Next you will be able to stare at the wonder
of the "Bent Pyramid", so called due to the change in angle caused by the architect wanting to
relieve the weight which was causing it to subside. In the near distance you will also see the Black
Pyramid of Amenemhat III, inaccessible due to it being on army land. After lunch, at a local
restaurant, you will be taken to Sakkara to see the very first pyramid ever built; the Step Pyramid of
Djoser. You will also get the chance to see some fantastic mastaba tombs, including the mastaba of
Mereruka, the largest one built in ancient Egypt. You will then be able to marvel at the Pyramid
Texts inside the Pyramid of Teti before heading off to the ancient capital of Egypt: Memphis. The
Colossus of Ramses II dominates the museum here; do not forget your camera! After this amazing
trip through Egypt's pharaonic past you will be driven back to your hotel. In the evening there is a
farewell Nile cruise dinner, which lasts for 2 hours, sailing on the Nile with Folkloric Shows and Belly
Dancers. At the end of this cruise you will be driven back to your hotel. Overnight at the 5-star
Semiramis Inter Continental (or similar). (B-L-D)
Day 10 Sunday February 28
After breakfast you will be taken to the Citadel of Saladin, the fortress built between 1176 and 1183
AD, to protect Cairo from the Crusaders and rebuilt by Muhammad Ali Pasha, whose mosque is a
"must see". From here you will be taken on a tour of Cairo's famous Churches, including: The
Hanging Church and the Church of St. George the Martyr, 2 churches built into the walls of the Fort
of Babylon and its remains could be Cairo's oldest structures; and the Church of Abu Serga (St.
Sergius), where, it is said, the Holy Family took shelter in a cave, with the church being erected here
to commemorate this. This whole area is a world famous destination for Pilgrims. Before being
driven back to your hotel you will have the opportunity to visit the old market of Cairo (Khan ElKhalili) to test your haggling skills. Have dinner in Old Cairo (on your own) or at your hotel.
Overnight at the 5-star Semiramis Inter Continental (or similar). 4:30 AM Departure to Airport. (B)
Day 11 Monday February 29
Your final day starts with an early breakfast at the hotel followed by check-out at 04:30. You will
then be transferred to the airport for your departure on Delta Airlines (operated by Air France)
departing at 07:35 for Paris. Arrive at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris at 11:45 and transfer for
your Delta flight to New York (operated by Air France), departing at 13:55 and arriving JFK at 16:25.
Welcome Home! (B)
$2739 per person double occupancy * Single supplement $595
Passports are required of all U.S. citizens for entry into Egypt. According to the Egyptian
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, your passport must have an expiration date that is six
months after the end of your trip. You also need sufficient pages in your passport for
entry stamps. Visas are required for U.S. citizens for entry into Egypt. If your visit is for
tourist purposes, you can purchase a visa at the Egyptian airport that is valid for a 30day visit. $25.00 USD
What's Included

5 night's accommodation in Cairo at a 5 star hotel on bed and breakfast basis

4 night's accommodation on board a 5 star Nile Cruise on full board basis (all meals included)
including all above shore excursions

All transfers as per above mentioned program

Private and personalized sightseeing shore excursions for 4 nights on the cruise

Private English speaking Egyptologist guides as per the itinerary

Entrance fees for all sightseeing

All applicable taxes.

Private and deluxe air conditioned vehicle for all transportation

Meals: 9 breakfasts + 6 lunches + 5 dinners
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Arrival / Departure assistance.

Domestic flights: Cairo to Luxor and Aswan to Cairo.

Luggage handling at airports and hotels.
What's Not Included

Tipping for guides, driver, Nile cruise crew, etc…

Personal expenses (laundry, telephone calls, etc...)

Dreamer Travel & Tours
9 Frank Street, Valley Stream, New York, 11580
Tel: 516-285-4607 * email: adreamt@optimum.net * www.dreamertours.com