Ancient Egypt, Red Sea Diving, Jordan and Jerusalem
September 30-October 15 2011 extension to Jerusalem end Oct 18
Escorted by: Cindi LaRaia
Cost: No international air (Egypt domestic air included)
Double $6385.00 per person
Single $7911.00
Cost: Egypt air from NYC includes domestic air- economy
Double $7375.00 per person
Single $8800.00
ISRAEL EXTENSION:
Double $1138.00 per person
Single $1325.00
**Business class upgrade 1995.00 - 2750.00 (subject to class availability). When business class tickets are booked they need to be paid for within 1 week of reserving.**
Day 1 – Friday – Departure
Depart New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport this evening for Cairo, Egypt. Dinner served on board.
Day 2 – Saturday – Cairo
Welcome to Egypt, Land of the Pharaohs! On arrival at Cairo International, you will be met and assisted with visa formalities and escorted to your hotel. As you drive through Cairo, you will see some interesting ancient monuments. After check-in at the hotel and time to freshen up, meet with your Egyptologist-guide to discuss the exciting days ahead. A welcome dinner this evening will introduce you to Egyptian cuisine.
ACCOMMODATIONS: LE MERIDIEN PYRAMIDS HOTEL OR SIMILAR (D)
 Day 3 – Sunday - 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. Continue to 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, you will visit the remains in Memphis, the first capital of united Upper and Lower Egypt.
ACCOMMODATIONS: LE MERDIEN PYRAMIDS HOTEL OR SIMILAR (B, L)
 Day 4 – Monday – 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, cotton wear, perfumes and copperware.
ACCOMMODATIONS: LE MERIDIEN PYRAMIDS HOTEL OR SIMILAR (B, L)
 Day 5 – Tuesday – Cairo/Aswan - Nile Cruise Begins
This morning a short flight will bring you to Aswan where you will connect with a flight to Abu Simbel. 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 – 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, from which the routes from Nubia to the Nile Valley could be controlled, gave it strategic importance. The city became prosperous when the temple was built in the Ptolemaic era. The temple is 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, you will see 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 – Nile Cruise Edfu/Luxor
Begin the 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, you 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 sit. Continue to the Karnak Temple, one of the most impressive monuments of ancient art and architecture in the world. The carvings, which adorn all of the walls, depict the history and conquests of many of Egypt's Pharaohs.
ACCOMMODATIONS: 5-STAR DELUXE NILE CRUISE SHIP
(B, L, D)
Day 8 – Friday – Luxor
Cross over to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings which houses 63 tombs belonging to the Pharaohs of the New Kingdom, including the famous tomb of King Tutankhamen. 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 Ba to the after life. Afterwards continue to Deir El Bahri to visit the mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, considered to be one of the finest buildings in Egypt. This afternoon enjoy some time at your leisure exploring Luxor on your own, shopping at the bazaar visiting the Luxor Museum or enjoying a drink at the Old Winter Palace. This evening return to the Karnak Temple Complex to see the exciting Sound & Light Show presentation.
ACCOMMODATIONS: 5-STAR DELUXE NILE CRUISE SHIP (B, L, D)
 Day 9,10,11,12 – Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday – Sharm El Sheikh/St. Catherine’s Monastery/Dahab
A short flight will take you to Sharm El Sheikh. Drive to St. Catherine’s Monastery. For those interested in climbing Mount Moses you will have the opportunity to do so. Visit the Monastery which was constructed by order of the Emperor Justinian between 527 and 565. The monastery was built around what is thought to be Moses' Burning Bush, which has a chapel built atop. It is a spectacular natural setting for priceless works of art. Arab mosaics, Greek and Russian icons, Western oil paintings, paintings on wax, fine sacerdotal ornaments, marbles, enamels, chalices, reliquaries, including one donated by Czar Alexander II in the 19th century, and another by Empress Catherine of Russia in the 17th century. Perhaps even greater significance, this is the second largest collection of illuminated manuscripts (The Vatican has the largest).
Continue to Dahab, originally a Bedouin fishing village, today is world-renowned for its many reefs immediately adjacent to the waterfront hotels. Spend the next four days exploring the numerous legendary dive sites North and South of Dahab. The most famous shore diving is in the North with the dive sites of The Canyon, The Blue Hole and The Bells. The North Dahab dive sites are just a short 5 mile drive from the Dahab Hilton Resort. The following sites may be visited.
The Canyon: The closet dive site from Dahab and also the most accessible for divers. The dive operation companies park the vehicles; divers gear up and enter the water right at the dive site entrance. The site is famous for a large crack in the sea floor starting at 40 feet, going down to 90 feet and is accessible for divers who wish to swim through the “Canyon.” It is also known for colorful hard and soft corals and schools of colorful reef fish. Rick's Reef, situated on the north of the Canyon dive site, is a perfect place to make a drift dive toward the lagoon of the Canyon when a mild current is present. This is a very relaxing dive, excellent for photography. Octopus, Scorpion fishes, Morays, school of Red Sea Goatfishes fish and Fusiliers are always around on the sandy plateau patches with coral heads. The sandy bottom often hosts Blue spotted Stingray and amazing Napoleon Wrasses. The sloping coral garden stretches form the entry of the dive site to the fishbowl of the Canyon of beyond.
 The Blue Hole: A couple of miles up the road from the Canyon find a small Bedouin village of restaurants surrounding a coral peninsula called the Blue Hole. The Blue Hole is a submarine pothole (a kind of cave), around 400 feet deep. There is a shallow opening around 30 feet deep, opening out to the sea and a 90 foot tunnel, known as the arch, the top of which is 170 feet. The Hole itself and the surrounding area have an abundance of coral and reef fish. Deep descents into the Blue Hole or through the tunnel are only for divers with proper technical dive training and equipment.
The Bells: A 100 foot walk from Northern edge of the Blue Hole Bedouin village is a small pool in the coral shoreline where divers enter and go down a sloppy chute called the “Bells.” It takes divers through the coral reef line and exits on the outside reef wall at 80 feet where divers peer into the deep blue abyss as they turn south and head towards the Blue Hole. After gently swimming south for 200 feet along the sheer walls of coral, divers enter the Blue Hole over the shallow opening which faces seaward with a max depth at 30 feet deep. Deco stops at the Blue Hole are spent in a local Bedouin restaurant, where you can ride a camel or just watch divers walk by as you enjoy your lunch.
North of the Blue Hole is a dive site called Ras Abu Galum which is best reached by camel. Ras Abu Helal which means "Cape of the growing moon”, is situated 2 miles south of the Canyon. This extensive site features an inshore reef top dropping steeply to a sandy lagoon of 35 foot maximum depth with a semicircular shape. This dive site, at a depth of more than 100 feet, features a small narrow canyon which lies beyond the scope of recreational diving. The surrounding coral gardens throughout the site are excellent and fish life is equally diverse.
Among the hundreds of reef species, notable residents are Unicorns, big Groupers, Triggerfish’s, starry Puffers, Wrasses, and Hawksbill turtles are also common here. One evening you will take a camel trek to visit with the Bedouins for tea and pastry.
ACCOMMODATIONS: IBEROTEL DAHAB HOTEL OR SIMILAR (B, L)
Day 13 – Wednesday – Aqaba/Wadi Rum/Petra
The fast ferry will take you to Aqaba. Drive to the sensational desert of Wadi Rum Nature Reserve also known as the “Valley of the Moon”. Rolling Dunes and mountains of sandstone surround you. A 4 x 4 jeep brings you to the great mountain if Al Khazali. Here you will discover what has been left behind from ancient civilizations including pictographs of Thamudic, Nabataean, Greek and Arabic texts, formal inscriptions and rock art depicting hunting scenes. Enjoy lunch at a camp site with a Bedouin family. Continue to Petra the “rose red city”.
ACCOMMODATIONS: MOVENPICK PETRA HOTEL (B, L, D)
Day 14 – Thursday - Petra
Your exploration of Petra begins early this morning. Climb atop your horse for a ride to the main entrance to the “lost city of Petra”. Much of Petra’s appeal comes from its spectacular setting deep inside a narrow desert gorge. From the main entrance you walk into the siq, which ripped through the rock in a prehistoric quake. As you make your way through the cliff walls you will pass inscriptions in ancient languages. Petra’s most famous monument is the Treasury (the final scene of Indian Jones and the Last Crusade was filmed here). You will also see a 3,000 seat theater from the early 1st Century, tombs baths, funerary halls temples and rock drawings. (Box lunch included today)
ACCOMMODATIONS: MOVENPICK PETRA HOTEL (B, L, D)
Day 15 – Friday - Petra/Amman
This morning you will leave Petra for Amman. While driving, you will make some interesting stops. Visit the Crusader Fortress of Kerak, Mt. Nebo, believed to be the site where Moses was buried. A small square church, built on the spot by Byzantine Christians, that later expanded into a vast complex. One can see a breathtaking view of the Jordan Valley and the Dead Sea from here. Visit Madaba, the “City of Mosaics”. Visit the Greek Orthodox church of St. George where you will see the magnificent sixth century Byzantine mosaic map consisting of two million colored pieces of stone depicting Jerusalem and other holy sites. There are also some other beautiful mosaics from the 5th to the 7th century in the church. Arrive in Amman for overnight. FOR THOSE USING EGYPTAIR – THEY WILL FLY TO CAIRO AND OVERNIGHT.
ACCOMMODATIONS: LANDMARK HOTEL AMMAN HOTEL (B)
Day 16 – Saturday - Departure
Depart Amman or Cairo today.
Please Note: This itinerary sequence is subject to change due to hotel availability, weather conditions, and government restrictions.
Optinal Israel Extension
 
Day 15/16 – Friday/Saturday - Jerusalem
Today you will cross the border to Israel where you will spend the next two days exploring the area. Visits include; The Mount of Olives, first touring its famous cemetery, Garden of Gethsemane and the Church Of All Nations, Old City of Jerusalem; Jewish quarter at the Western wall, Temple Mount, and Jerusalem’s famous golden Dome of the Rock, The Church of the Holy Sepulcher, the Tomb of Jesus, Mt. Zion to see the Tomb of David, the Room of the Last Supper. Masada Herod’s mountain palace and site of the Jewish Zealot’s last stand against the Roman Legionnaires. Ascend and descend by cable car. See the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found and view the new interactive audiovisual program. Spend the afternoon at the Ein Gedi Spa.
PLEASE NOTE THIS IS NOT THE ORDER OF THE VISITS, THIS WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE GUIDE AND TIME PERMITTING AND WILL BE ADVISED IN THE FINAL DOCUMENTS.
ACCOMMODATIONS: DAN BOUTIQUE HOTEL OR SIMILAR (B, L)
Day 17 – Sunday - Jerusalem/Tel Aviv/Cairo
This morning you will take a short flight to Cairo or depart for home.
ACCOMODATION: FAIRMONT HELIOPOLIS HOTEL OR SIMIALR (B, D)
Terms and Conditions
Contact Cindi at Request Info
to reserve your spot!
For more information
Contact:
Dive Discovery
@
1 800 886-7321
ph- 415-444-5100
or
Request Info
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