01/11/2022
SHOULD IN CASE ONE IS WONDERING WHATS INCLUDED??! 1973 BABIES, WE ARE A HALF CENTURY NEXT YEAR! IT WILL BE A MOVIE ALL YEAR! WHOS TRAVELING WITH ME?? 🧳 ! END OF YEAR SHENANIGANS!
Dec06 Arrive in Cairo D
Upon arrival into Cairo International Airport after you have gone through Immigration and Customs, you will be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to relax or explore on your own.
Enjoy a welcome dinner on a Nile Cruise with entertainment this evening.
Accommodations: Ramses Hilton hotel – city view rooms for 2 nights
Dec 07 Full Day Cairo Sightseeing B/L
After breakfast begin your full day tour, including visits to the pyramids, the Sphinx, Memphis and Sakkara.
The Pyramids & Sphinx were reckoned by the Greeks to be one of the Seven Wonders of the World. A single pyramid is built of 2,300,000 blocks, each weighing an average of two and one–half tons. In the face of such immensity, one cannot help but feel the wonder and awe that so many writers & artists have sought to convey over the centuries. The Cheops Pyramid is especially interesting since its interior burial chambers are open for inspection by the public. Not far from the Pyramids is the Great Sphinx of Giza, which dates from the time of Chephren (2620BC). Hewn from natural yellowish limestone & standing 65 feet high & 187 feet long, this unforgettable statue combines the head of a Pharaoh with a lion’s body.
Enjoy a camel ride near the Pyramids today.
Memphis served as the capital of Upper & Lower Egypt some 5,000 years ago during the 1st Dynasty. Menes, the first pharaoh of this dynasty, built a great white-walled palace & the Temple of Ptah here.
Sakkara one of the most exciting historical & archaeological area in all of Egypt is Sakkara, situated about 12 miles South West of Cairo. The site is dominated by the famous step pyramid of King Zoser. It was the first pyramid to be built in ancient Egypt, preceding those at Giza by many centuries, & is the work of the famous pharaonicarchitect, Imhotep.
Lunch will be included at a local restaurant today.
Dec 08 Nile Cruise B/L/D
Transfer to the airport and fly to Aswan.
Today you board your Nile Cruise Ship, your floating hotel for the next 4 days.
Aswan is the best winter resort in Egypt. On its eastern bank are mosques, bazaars, Ferial Gardens, Nubian Museum, Fatimid Cemetery, the Unfinished Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut, Kitchener's Island and Elephantine Island, which is the largest in Aswan. As for its western bank there are tombs of local Pharaonic nobles and dignitaries, the tomb of Aga Khan, the Coptic Monastery of St. Simeon and the Old Aswan Dam.
Just north of the border between Egypt and Sudan lies the Aswan High Dam, a huge rock filled dam which captures the world's longest river, the Nile, in the world's largest artificial reservoir, Lake Nasser. The dam, known as "Sadd El-Aali" in Arabic, was completed in 1970 after 10 years of work.
A short trip on a motorboat to the temple of Philae will bring you to a magnificent vista of the island, before landing at what would have been the ancient quay on the south side. The temple was dedicated to the goddess Isis and has many legends connected to it. The most well-known legend tells the story of how Isis found the heart of Osiris here after his murder by his brother Seth.
Please note: the cruise starts on Fridays only
Accommodations: Sonesta St. George, Deluxe Cabin for 3 nights
Dec 09 Sail Aswan to Kom Ombo and Esna B/L/D
This morning sail to Kom Ombo where you will visit the Temple of Kom Ombo.
Kom Ombo is located on a bend in the river Nile about 50 km north of Aswan. Located on the east bank, Kom Ombo is home to an unusual double temple built during the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. The temple is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris (Horus the Elder). Despite being badly damaged, the temple is a beautiful sight as one approaches from either direction on the river, particularly as sunset nears and the colours change.
Return to the vessel to sail to Edfu where you will have a tour of the Edfu Temple, dedicated to the god Horus.
Tonight, enjoy a special Egyptian Galabeya Party. Overnight in Esna.
Dec 10 Sail Esna to Luxor B/L/D
After breakfast on board, tour the Edfu Temple, dedicated to the god Horus. After returning to the ship, sail to Luxor this morning and enjoy lunch on board the ship. This afternoon you will visit the Luxor and Karnak Temples, a holy city of pylons (monumental gateways), hypostyle halls, colossal statues, shrines and obelisks built over centuries and dedicated to the God Amon-Ra, his consort Mut and their son Khonsu.
Dec 11 Explore Luxor's West Bank and Disembark B
This morning you will disembark at 8:00am. Afterwards, visit the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El-Deir, El-Bahari and the Colossi Memnon.
Luxor is a major attraction for tourists in Egypt. It is considered the world's largest open-air museum with its various temples since the Pharaonic era till the Greco-Roman era, most famous of which is Karnak and Luxor Temples dedicated to the triad of Thebes. The West Bank of Luxor is known for the famous tombs of Seti I, Tut Ankh Amon, Tuthmosis III in the Valley of the Kings and also Queen Hatchepsut's Temple.
The Valley of the Kings in Upper Egypt is home to many pharaonic tombs of the New Kingdom, including those of King Tutankhamen and Ramses the Great. Each king's formal name and title is inscribed in his tomb, which is also adorned with his images and statues. Most of the tombs were cut into limestone following a similar pattern: three corridors, an antechamber, and a sunken sarcophagus chamber.
The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty was built just north of the Middle Kingdom temple of Mentuhotep Nebhepetre, amid the bay of cliffs known as Deir El-Bahri. In ancient times the temple was called Djeser-djeseru, meaning the sacred of sacreds. The female pharaoh chose to build her temple in a valley sacred to the Theban Goddess of the west, on a direct axis with the Karnak Temple of Amun on the East Bank.
Accommodations: Sonesta St. George hotel, Standard side Nile view room for 1 night
Dec 12 Fly Luxor – Cairo B
After breakfast Check out and transfer to the Luxor airport for your flight back to Cairo. Transfer to your hotel and check in.
Accommodations: Ramses Hilton hotel –city view rooms for 2 nights
Dec 13 Egyptian Museum B/L
After breakfast you will begin your full day tour to the Egyptian Museum, Citadel, Mosque and Khan El Khalili Bazaar.
The Egyptian Museum is the most important depository of Egyptian antiquities anywhere in the world. It features artifacts from the Pharaonic and Graeco-Roman periods, including the celebrated mummies of ancient Egypt’s king and Tut Ankh Amun treasures.
Please Note: If the Grand Egyptian Museum is open, this will replace the Egyptian Museum.
The Citadel is situated on a highly visible spur of the Mokattam Hills of Old Cairo, and was the nerve center of Egypt for almost 700 years. Construction of the grand structure began in 1176 and was completed by Muhammad Ali Pasha, ruler of Egypt in the late 19th century. Mamluk sultans and Turkish governors resided in the Citadel, which is among the world's most splendid monuments of medieval warfare.
The tour also includes a visit to Khan ElKhalili, known as the Turkish bazaar during the Ottoman period, and was built in 1382 by Emir Djaharks ElKhalili, in the heart of what was then Fatimid City.
Until this day, the bazaar is a center of trade and communion in the city, and offers a wide array of antiques, handcrafts of gold, silver and copper as well as numerous old coffee shops and local restaurants which attract both Egyptians and tourists alike.
Lunch is included today at a local restaurant.
Dinner is included at the hotel, and late check out. Transfer to the airport for your overnight flight to Johannesburg.
Dec 14 Arrive in Johannesburg – Fly to Cape Town
Welcome to South Africa! In Johannesburg, connect to your flight to Cape Town, where you will be met by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the evening is at leisure.
With its majestic Table Mountain backdrop, Cape Town is one of the most beautiful and exciting cities in the world; an eclectic mix of architectural styles reflects the tastes and dictates of the past and the more functional demands of the 20th Century. Cobblestone streets, mosques and the flat roofed pastel homes of the Malay quarter enhance a cosmopolitan ambience and in a recent development, the restoration of the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront evokes images of the seafaring activities of the 19th century. At the end of the day, gourmets and lovers of sophisticated entertainment have a treat in store, as the choice for your evening's repast is vast.
Accommodations: Radisson Blu Waterfront – standard non sea-facing rooms for 4 nights
Dec 15 Birthday Dinner B/D
Enjoy the day at leisure, exploring Cape Town on your own. If the weather is nice you might want to take a taxi or Uber to one of the fabulous beaches in the area - Sea Point, Clifton, Camps Bay – all lovely beaches.
This evening, head out of the city before sunset savouring a chilled glass of sparkling wine as you watch the sunset turn the surrounds peach and gold. We’ll point out the Southern Cross in the night sky, before enjoying dinner at a sensational ‘out of town’ restaurant offering seafood and South African specialities. Special occasion? We can arrange a separate table on request. As we return to the hotel, we’ll make sure you enjoy the city lights by night. We’ll take care of everything – just enjoy!
Dec 16 Half Day City Tour with Table Mountain B
Summit the legendary Table Mountain before visiting the country’s oldest building, The Castle followed by the Company Gardens, both historically fascinating and well conserved. Sense the depth of history as you drive past Parliament Buildings, City Hall and the Slave Lodge before moving up the cobblestoned hills to the Malay Quarter to marvel at the ice-cream colours of the quaint Bo-Kaap homes. Finally, trace the moves of a professional diamond cutter as he creates every girl’s dream stone.
The afternoon is at Leisure.
Please note: Table Mountain Cableway is a weather-dependent activity and may be cancelled without notice
Dec 17 Full Day Peninsula Tour B/L
Drive along Millionaire’s Paradise from Clifton to Camps Bay and on to Llandudno before an up-close-and-personal Seal Island cruise at Hout Bay (weather permitting). Wind along Chapman’s Peak Drive to the Cape of Good Hope Section of the Table Mountain National Park. Meander back along the coast, visiting Simon’s Town for lunch at Bertha’s Restaurant and visit the penguin colony at Boulder’s Beach. Return to Cape Town. Dinner is on your own this evening.
Please note: The Seal Island cruise is a weather-dependent activity and may be cancelled without notice
Dec 18 Fly to Kruger Mpumalanga B/D
Transfer to the airport and fly to Kruger Mpumalanga airport. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and check in.
Accommodations: Kruger Gate Hotel– standard room for 2 nights
(Protea Hotel by Marriott Kruger Gate – no longer affiliated with Protea/Marriott)
Dec 19 Full Day Game Drive Kruger Park B/D
Experience the legendary Kruger National Park, home to the magnificent ‘Big Five’ animals of the world, and a host of others besides...147 species of mammal, and over 500 bird species. Our specialist tour into this famous reserve is in specially modified, open safari vehicles, both to enhance your game viewing, and to provide the finest, unimpeded vantage points for photography and bird watching. There’s little between you and your subject! Our qualified experienced guides will undoubtedly enhance the experience by their deep understanding of the bush and the movement and identification of animals and birds, something they will impart to you. You’ll not only relish the experience of being in the Kruger environment, but you’ll leave with gems of info you’d never have known before. No children under 8 years, except on a private basis.
Dec 20 Fly to Johannesburg & Departure B
Inclusions in above prices:
First Class (4-5 Star) hotel accommodation as per itinerary based on twin share
All transfers and transportation is by private, air-conditioned coach with driver/guide (Any
individuals travelling outside the group arrangement must organize own transportation)
Arrival Meet & Greet guide assistance, departure guide assistance
Private English-speaking guide throughout in Egypt
Domestic flights Cairo-Aswan/Luxor-Cairo (subject to change)
3 nights Sonesta St. George Nile cruise
Sightseeing and admissions as per the itinerary
English speaking guide on transfers and day trips in South Africa. A guide will not accompany the
group to Kruger Park
Local taxes on accommodation and sightseeing tours, based on current rates
Meals as indicated on itinerary (B-full breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner)
Airport and hotel porterage in South Africa
One FOC (Free of Charge) in a shared room
PASSPORT & VISA INFORMATION*:
I. PASSPORTS
Passports must be valid for a minimum of 6 months from your scheduled return date. Passports must
contain at least three blank pages for entry stamps – one for Egypt and two for South Africa. The blank
pages does not include the page reserved for Observations, Amendments or Endorsements.
