May 7th/ Philadelphia/JFK/Cairo
Chartered bus from Penn Museum to JFK. Egyptian Air non-stop flight to Cairo leaving JFK approximately 6:00 PM.
May 8th/ Cairo
Upon arrival at Cairo airport, approximately noon time, you will be met by Tarottours Garranah (TTG) representative who will assist you through immigration and customs formalities and transfer you to your hotel. After checking in the group will gather for a welcome reception followed by dinner. Overnight in Cairo.
(D)
May 9th/ Coptic Cairo, Ben Ezra Synagogue and Islamic Cairo
Morning visit to Coptic Egypt to visit Al Moallaka Church (Hanging Church) and Ben Ezra Synagogue. Stop for lunch then continue to visit Islamic Cairo including the Citadel of Salah Eldin, Mohamed Ali Mosque and the historical Mosque of Ahmed Ibn Toloun. Return to hotel for overnight.
(B/L)
May 10th/ Cairo-Luxor
Early transfer to Cairo airport for your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your charter cruise vessel, (Sun Azur) your Upper Egypt base home for the next 7 nights. After check-in you will start your tour of Luxor visiting the West Bank; Valley of the Kings including: The tombs of King Tut, Seti I, Ramses VI and Thutmosis III. Afternoon: visit the Luxor Museum and then enjoy the Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple. Overnight on board cruise ship.
(B/L/D)
May 11th/ Luxor
Start your day with early morning tour to the West Bank. Visit the Valley of the Queens; including tomb of Nefertari, Deir El Medineh; the Tombs of the Artists; Medinet Habu- the Temple of Ramses III (lunch box included). After lunch visit the Rameseum (Temple of Ramses II) and the Hatshepsut Temple. Return to cruise ship. Overnight on board.
(B/L/D)
May 12th/ Luxor-navigation towards Esna
Morning visit to Luxor Temple. Return to cruise ship and start sailing to Esna. Overnight on board. (B/L/D)
May13th/ Esna-Edfu-Kom Ombo
Full day sailing including stops to visit Edfu Temple (the temple of Horus, the falcon-god) and
the temple of Sobek and Haroeries at Kom Ombo. Arrive Aswan and overnight.
(B/L/D)
May 14th/ Aswan
Enjoy the whole day visiting Aswan including the tombs of the middle kingdom governors. Lunch on board cruise ship. Afternoon visit the high dam - the unfinished obelisk and the granite quarries. Evening visit the Nubian Musem. Overnight on board.
(B/L/D)
May 15th/ Aswan/Abu Simbel/Aswan/navigation back to Luxor & Quena Early morning transfer to Aswan airport for short flight to Abu Simbel Temple. Returning to Aswan, you will sail on a felluca to Elephantine Island. Return to cruise ship. Remainder of day at leisure, as ship sails.
(B-L-D).
May 16th/ Dendera-Abydos (TRIP HIGHLIGHT)
Visit Abydos today. A very special highlight will be the site where the University of Pennsylvania Museum has been excavating since 1967. Our very own Dr. Jennifer Wegner and Dr. Josef Wegner (he is the Director of the site) will be working at the dig while we are visiting and will take us through it. The excavations are in the mortuary complex and town of Senwosret III. The mortuary complex includes a temple of Senwosret III and a tomb for that king. Overnight on board cruise ship.
(B/L/D)
May 17th/ Dendea-Luxor
Early visit to Denderah Temple and start sailing back to Luxor. Lunch on board. Upon arrival at Luxor we will pack, check out and transfer back to Luxor Airport for your evening flight to Cairo, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
(B/L)
May 18th/ Cairo-the Pyramids, the Sphinx & Sakkara
Start your day with a visit to the Pyramids at Giza, the Sphinx and the Solar Boat Museum. Afternoon go to Sakkara to visit tombs not open to the public including Mersyankh, Karand Idu. Dr. Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, has given our group special privileges. Return to hotel for overnight.
(B/L)
May 19th/ Cairo-Memphis-Abusir
a full day visit to the Old Kingdom pyramids of Pharaohs Djoser and Teti and tombs of the high officials of the Old Kingdom. At Memphis we will visit the colossal statue of Ramses II. Overnight at your hotel.
(B/L)
May 20th/ Cairo-The Egyptian Museum and Khan El Khalili Bazaar
Your last day in Cairo will include a visit to the famous Cairo Museum including King Tut treasures and the mummies room. Lunch at the famous Bazaar restaurant of Naguib Mahfouz followed by a walking tour of the Bazaar. Return to your hotel and start preparing for a farewell gala dinner at the exclusive restaurant, Barry's, overlooking the pyramids & the sphinx. Dr. Hawass is our guest tonight and he will orient and update us of his latest discoveries. Return to hotel for overnight.
(B/L/D)
May 21st/ Cairo-USA-Phi
Morning transfer for your return flight home.
**Optional extension: You can opt to take a 5 night extension to visit the Red Sea, Sinai and Jordan including the monastry at St Catherine, Petra in Jordan and the gorgeous town of Sharm El Sheikh –Sinai.
Extra cost per person, double occupancy is $1290. Single supplement is $360. Included in this price:
All transfers - Cairo-Sharm Elsheikh-St Catherine-Cairo
Round trip air Sharm El Sheikh-Amman- Sharm El Sheikh
4 nights Sharm el Sheikh, hotel accommodation, bed & breakfast
