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Ancient Egypt Tour
CAIRO, ASWAN, LUXOR AND SHARM EL SHEIKH
June
12th - 26th, 2009
Join Scuba Venture on an exciting trip of a lifetime to ancient egypt.
Click Here for photos from our 2000 Egypt trip.
Egypt informational meeting
Friday June 6th, at 7:00 PM
The informational meeting of our 2009 Egypt trip has been moved to Friday June 6 at 7:00 PM.
All those that have an interest in traveling with us to Egypt in 2009 should plan on attending.
Dave from Learning through Dive Travel will be bringing a show to educate us all.
Everyone is welcome.
Trip Details:
Day 1 – Friday – June
12
Departure Depart your home city today for Egypt.
Day 2 – Saturday – June 13 - Cairo
Ahlan Wa Sahlan! Welcome to Egypt, Land of the Pharaohs! On arrival at Cairo International Airport, your
tour representative will greet you, collect your passport so he can obtain your Egypt Visa, and assist you with Customs
formalities. After check-in at the hotel and time to freshen up, meet with the Learning Through Travel representative
to discuss the exciting days ahead. A welcome dinner this evening will introduce you to Egyptian cuisine.
ACCOMMODATIONS: RAMSES
HILTON HOTEL OR SIMILAR (D)
Day 3 – Sunday – June 14 Cairo
 Today you will visit the Giza Plateau
where there are three Pyramids, the greatest being that of Cheops. It took 100,000 workers more than 20 years to
construct. Entrance into one of the pyramids is included. Southeast of the Great Pyramids is the Sphinx, carved
out of solid natural rock in about 2650 BC, a magnificent monument with the head of the Pharaoh and the body of
a lion. Visit the first Pyramid ever built, the Step Pyramid of Zoser, in the Sakkara Complex. When Memphis was
the capital of Egypt, during the Old Kingdom period, Sakkara was its necropolis. Spread over seven kilometers of
desert, Sakkara is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Before returning to the hotel,
we will visit the remains in Memphis, the first capital of United Upper and Lower Egypt.
ACCOMMODATIONS: RAMSES
HILTON HOTEL OR SIMILAR (B, L)
Day 4 – Monday – June 15 - Cairo
 This morning you will be introduced
to the masterpieces of ancient art in the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, including the Mummy Room. The museum
is home to the vast findings of King Tutankhamen’s tomb and other important pieces of Egypt's history. There
will be time to shop at the Khan El Khalili Bazaar, known for its narrow alleys. Hundreds of shops are selling
all types of Egyptian handicrafts, silver and gold jewelry, cottons, copperware and perfumes.
ACCOMMODATIONS: RAMSES
HILTON HOTEL OR SIMILAR (B, L)
Day 5 – Tuesday – June 16 - Cairo/Aswan –Optional Abu Simbel/Nile
Cruise
 This morning a short flight will bring you to Aswan
to board your Nile Cruise or you may select the optional pre cruise three-hour Abu Simbel excursion to visit the
great Temples of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari. The colossal statues were originally carved into the side of
a natural cliff that had to be rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. After your excursion and upon your
return to Aswan you will embark your Nile cruise. After lunch, visit Aswan’s High Dam, Granite Quarries, and
Unfinished Obelisk. Then continue by felucca to enjoy Kitcheners Island with its beautiful gardens and to view the
mausoleum of the Agha Khan.
ACCOMMODATIONS: 5-STAR
DELUXE NILE CRUISE SHIP (B, L, D)
Day 6 – Wednesday – June 17 - Nile Cruise Aswan/Kom Ombo/Edfu
After
breakfast sail in a small boat to the Philae Temple, situated on the island of Agilika. Like Abu Simbel, the temple
was relocated in order to protect it from the rising water of the High Dam, built in 1960. The main sanctuary on
the island is dedicated to the Goddess Isis and her son Horus. Ancient Egyptians believed that Isis was the Goddess
of Magic, and when she wept, the Nile flooded. This afternoon set sail for the city of Kom Ombo, known as “Ombos” in
ancient times. Its location on the Nile, gave it strategic importance to control the routes from Nubia to the Nile
Valley. The city became prosperous when the temple in the Ptolemaic era was built and divided into two symmetrical
halves. The left side is dedicated to the falcon-headed god, “Heroeris," and the right side to the crocodile
god, “Sobek”. Reliefs of Ptolemaic Pharaohs are found in the porch area. The remainder of the temple
consists of a crypt, chapels, Roman wells where sacred crocodiles may have been kept, and the remains of a birth
house. On the walls of the temple, look for the first recorded representation of medical instruments. Sail onto
Edfu, midway between Aswan and Luxor.
ACCOMMODATIONS: 5-STAR DELUXE NILE CRUISE SHIP (B, L, D)
Day 7 – Thursday – June
18 - Nile Cruise Edfu/Luxor
Begin your day by visiting the magnificently preserved temple of Edfu. The sandstone
temple of Horus the Sun God, was built under the Ptolemies and completed by the mid first century, BC. In the colonnaded
court, we will see the surviving statue of a pair of falcons representing Horus. A series of smaller chambers leads
to the Sanctuary of the God, which is lit by three openings in the ceiling. Ceremonies, celebrations, and war scenes
are shown on the walls of the temple. Later today, we sail to Esna, pass the lock, and arrive in Luxor, ancient
Thebes. This afternoon explore the East Bank of the Nile including the Temple of Luxor. Here, the Avenue of Sphinxes,
famous for its artistic degree of uniformity, leads to the entrance of the temple where a seated colossus of Ramses
II and a towering Obelisk are situated. Continue to the Karnak Temple, one of the most impressive monuments of
ancient art and architecture in the world. The carvings, which adorn all the walls, depict the history and conquests
of many of Egypt's Pharaohs. This evening you may join an optional excursion to the Karnak Temple for a spectacular
Sound and Light Show.
ACCOMMODATIONS: 5-STAR DELUXE NILE CRUISE SHIP (B, L, D)
Day 8 – Friday – June
19 - Luxor/Sharm El Sheikh
 Disembark the ship in the morning and cross
the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings. The Valley of the Kings houses 63 tombs belonging to the Pharaohs
of the New Kingdom, including the famous tomb of King Tutankhamen, and tomb KV 63 found in 2005. KV 63 is the first
tomb discovered in the Valley of the Kings since King Tut’s KV 62 tomb in 1922. Many of the tombs, carved out
of the bedrock, retain their original bright colors and fine relief’s and scenes, thought to guarantee the
safe passage of the Ka to the after life. Afterwards continue on to Deir El Bahri to visit the mortuary Temple of
Queen Hatshepsut, considered being one of the finest buildings in Egypt. A short flight to will take you to Sharm
El Sheikh, the “Land of Turquoise” where
rock meets coral reefs and the desert stops at the sea. Sharm El Sheikh offers rich and elegant seaside resorts
and is often called the “Egyptian Riviera.” Your resort has all the amenities of a luxury seaside
hotel and offers spectacular shore diving and snorkeling.
ACCOMOMDATIONS: SHERATON HOTEL AND RESORT (B, D)
Day 9 – 13 - Saturday – Wednesday – June 20 – 24 - Sharm El Sheikh
The next five days are
at your leisure or you may join some of the optional tours that will be offered including a day of snorkeling, a
trip to Jordan Petra, or a visit to St. Catherine’s Monastery and Mt. Moses. ACCOMOMDATIONS: SHERATON HOTEL
AND RESORT (B, D)
Day 14 – Thursday – June 25 - Sharm El Sheikh/Cairo
Return to Cairo today.
The remainder of the day is at your leisure or you may choose to re-visit some of the city’s
exciting sites or shop at the famous Khan el Khalili Bazaar. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner. ACCOMMODATIONS:
HELIOPOLIS FAIRMONT HOTEL OR SIMILAR (B, D)
Day 15 – Friday – June 26 - Departure
Farewell to Egypt
as you transfer to the airport for your return flight to New York. Arrive home your hearts and minds filled with
happy memories of ancient and modern day Egypt. (B)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS • International air New York/Cairo/New
York • Domestic Air Cairo/Aswan-Luxor/Sharm El Shiekh-Cairo • 3 nights accommodation in Cairo at the
Ramses Hilton Hotel or similar • 4 days/3 nights 5-star deluxe Nile Cruise • 6 nights accommodation
in Sharm El Shiekh at the Sheraton Hotel and Resort or similar • 1 night accommodation in Cairo at the Heliopolis
Fairmont Hotel or similar • All transfers: Cairo/Aswan/Luxor/Sharm El Sheikh • Sightseeing and transfers
by deluxe motor coach • English speaking guide throughout Egypt • Full day sightseeing Pyramids (entrance
into 1 pyramid)/sphinx –Memphis/Sakkara • Full day sightseeing Egyptian Museum of Antiquities including
entrance into the Mummy Room-Citadel, Mosque & Bazaar • 4 ½ days of dive excursions • All
entrance fees and shore excursions on Nile Cruise • 13 breakfasts, 10 lunches and 11 dinners • Hotel
taxes and service charges • Porterage • Luggage Tags, Travel Bag, Passport Wallet and First Aid Kit
NOT
INCLUDED • U.S. Departure Taxes & Airport Security ($300.00 subject to change) • Domestic air
within the U.S. • Items of a personal nature such as laundry, telephone calls, inter-net services, dive
equipment, National Park fees, soft drinks, coffee, tea (except at breakfast), mineral water, alcoholic beverages,
passport fees, gratuities for drivers, guides, transfer personnel, travel insurance, etc……
Please Note: This itinerary sequence is subject to change due to hotel availability, weather conditions,
and government restrictions
OPTIONAL ALEXANDRIA EXTENSION
Day 15/16 – Friday/Saturday – June 26/27 - Cairo/Alexandria
Today you
will drive along the Pyramids Road to Alexandria. The next two days will be spent exploring the many sites of ancient
and modern day Alexandria. On the first day you will have an opportunity to dive into history as you explore the
ancient underwater city of Cleopatra and her Palace. The site is located inside the Eastern Harbor of Alexandria.
The city collapsed and fell into the sea after several earthquakes. You will also dive the remains of Greco-Roman
temples and the ancient Pharos Lighthouse which stood strong for 13 centuries as the one of the Seven Ancient Wonders
of the World. You will have the late afternoon to tour the cosmopolitan riverfront of the Eastern Harbor known
as the Corniche. After a casual dinner in the Eastern Harbor and a light morning, you will check into the dive
shop for a second day of diving of Napoleonic era shipwrecks or World War II British wrecks. After a second day
of diving, tour Fort Qaitbay, the former site of the Pharos Lighthouse and have dinner in the area at the Greek
Club overlooking both the Mediterranean Ocean and the Eastern Harbor
ACCOMMODATIONS: SOFITEL CECIL HOTEL OR SIMILAR
(B, D)
Day 17 – Sunday – June 28 - Alexandria/Cairo
Return to Cairo today. ACCOMMODATIONS: HELIOPOLIS
FAIRMONT HOTEL OR SIMILAR (B)
Day 18 – Monday – June 29 - Departure
Farewell to Egypt as you transfer
to the airport for your return flight to New York. Arrive home your hearts and minds filled with happy memories
of ancient and modern day Egypt. (B) Please Note: Itinerary sequence subject to change without prior notice due
to government regulations and hotel/cruise confirmations.
All Egypt Trip Options:
Ancient Egypt
Tour
for non-divers
CAIRO, ASWAN, LUXOR
June
12 – 26, 2009
Including Sharm El Sheikh
$3822.00
double occupy. |
$4372.00
single occupy. |
Net Rates per person, Land & Air non-divers
This option is best for non-diving friends and family who want to participate in the entire Egypt touring experience.
Alexandria Extension
June 25-28
$595.00
double occupancy
Optional Tours
Abu Simbel $210.00
Petra, Jordan $185.00
(Based on 10 participants)
Full Day Snorkeling
in Sharm El Sheikh including lunch $75.00
Mt. Moses & St. Catherine’s Monastery including
lunch $115.00
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Egypt Tour & Scuba
Diving
the Red Sea
CAIRO, ASWAN, LUXOR
June
12 – 26, 2009
Including Sharm El Sheikh
$4375.00
double occupancy |
$4922.00
single occupancy |
Net Rates, Land & Air dive, Per Person
Scuba Divers
Exploring Ancient Egypt from June 12th through the 19th, then five
days of exciting scuba diving- returning on June 26th.
Alexandria Extension
June 25-28
$595.00
double occupancy
Optional Tours
Abu Simbel $210.00
Petra, Jordan $185.00
(Based on 10 participants)
Full Day Snorkeling in Sharm El Sheikh including lunch $75.00
Mt. Moses & St. Catherine’s Monastery including lunch $115.00
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Ancient Egypt
Tour for
non-divers
CAIRO, ASWAN, LUXOR
June
12 – 20, 2009
No Sharm El Sheikh
$3162.00
double occupy. |
$3437.00
single occupy. |
Net Rates per person, Land & Air non-divers
This option is best for non-diving friends and family who only want to tour Egypt, but not stay for the
scuba diving portion of the trip.
Optional Tour
Abu Simbel $210.00
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Egypt informational meeting:
Friday June 6th, at 7:00 PM
The informational meeting of our 2009 Egypt trip has been moved to Friday June 6 at 7:00 PM.
All those that have an interest in traveling with us to Egypt in 2009 should plan on attending.
Dave from Learning through Dive Travel will be bringing a show to educate us all.
Everyone is welcome.
Call us at 610-678-2688
Toll free at 877-685-0944
We will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Click here
to email us at dive@scubaventure.net
Click here for our
2008 dive boat schedule.
Click here
for a handy scuba equipment checklist.
Click
here to jump to the U. S. Department of State tips
for traveling abroad internet page.
Need to get a new passport? Click
here.
Cash, local checks (with photographic ID), MasterCard™, Visa™,
and Discover™ are accepted.
Financing options are available. All prices, trip dates and times
subject to change without notice.
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