International Selection Panel Traveler's Guide
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INTERNATIONAL SELECTION PANEL MARCH 13-15, 2019 TRAVELER’S GUIDE You are coming to EGYPT, and we are looking forward to hosting you in our country. We partnered up with Excel Travel Agency to give you special packages if you wish to travel around Egypt, or do a day tour of Cairo and Alexandria, before or after the ISP. The following packages are only suggested itineraries and are not limited to the dates and places included herein. You can tailor a trip with Excel Travel by contacting them directly (contact information on the last page). A designated contact person at the company for Endeavor guests has been already assigned to make your stay more special. TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS: The Destinations • Egypt • Cairo • Journey of The Pharaohs: Luxor & Aswan • Red Sea Authentic Escape: Hurghada, Sahl Hasheesh and Sharm El Sheikh Must-See Spots in: Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor, Aswan & Sharm El Sheikh Proposed One-Day Excursions Recommended Trips • Nile Cruise • Sahl Hasheesh • Sharm El Sheikh Services in Cairo • Meet & Assist, Lounges & Visa • Airport Transfer Contact Details THE DESTINATIONS EGYPT Egypt, the incredible and diverse country, has one of a few age-old civilizations and is the home of two of the ancient wonders of the world. The Ancient Egyptian civilization developed along the Nile River more than 7000 years ago. It is recognizable for its temples, hieroglyphs, mummies, and above all, the Pyramids. Apart from visiting and seeing the ancient temples and artefacts of ancient Egypt, there is also a lot to see in each city. Each city in Egypt has its own charm and its own history, culture, activities. Egypt stimulates the imagination of tourists as one of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide. So.. let’s start our journey. CAIRO Cairo is the capital city of Egypt, with a total population of 16 million people. The metropolitan city is one of the largest in Africa, the largest in the Middle East and the Arab world, and the 15th largest in the world. Cairo is associated with ancient Egypt, where the Great pyramids of Giza and the ancient city of Memphis exist. It is famous for its own history, preserved in the medieval Islamic city and Coptic sites in Old Cairo. Though firmly attached to the past, Cairo is also home to a vibrant modern society. The Midan Tahrir area situated in downtown Cairo has strived to be a "Paris on the Nile." Cairo has the oldest and largest film and music industries in the Arab world, as well as the world's second-oldest institution of higher learning, Al-Azhar University. Journey of The Pharaohs LUXOR Luxor, the "world's greatest open-air museum” on the West Bank of the Nile, is the home to the ruins of temple complexes and human headed sphinxes. Most of the ruins and tombs still remain, including the Valley of the Kings, which contains the famous Tomb of Tutankhamen which was found in pristine condition and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahary. Nearby, a number of ancient temples and Theban Necropolis are located: the Temple of Medinat Habu, Colossi of Memnon, the Ramesseum, the Valley of the Queens and the Valley of the Nobles. While in Luxor, one cannot miss the Hot Air Balloon trip; offering a fantastic view from above of the West Bank of Luxor. Journey of The Pharaohs ASWAN Going south along the River Nile lies the smaller city of Aswan, the home of many granite quarries from which most of the Obelisks in Luxor were sourced. The river is wide, slow and beautiful, with the colorful Nubian villages featuring the traditions of the lives of the Nubians. The Philae Temple is the most visited temple in Aswan and the last in the classical Egyptian architectural style. In the south of Aswan lies the Unfinished Obelisk, the largest obelisk carved directly out of bedrock. Sailing towards the West Bank by felucca are located the Elephantine Island and the Botanical Garden. The High Dam is a modern landmark across the Nile built between 1960 and 1970. Accessible and usually combined with an Aswan tour is the visit to the iconic temples of Abu Simbel, situated on the western bank of Lake Nasser. Red Sea Authentic Escape HURGHADA Boasting a number of superb beaches and famous for its great diving opportunities, Hurghada has a variety of other sea activities, including scuba- diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, parasailing, kitesurfing, waterskiing and jet skiing. You can also ride a glass bottom boat where you can see the gardens of corals and the exotic marine life. There are many islands to visit, such as Giftun and Mahmya Islands - the most famous for diving and snorkeling. Combine adventure with dramatic desert scenery as you take to the sands on a quad bike, using the sunset against the Sinai mountains as your backdrop, or head into the heart of the desert by jeep. In the evening, you can go for a walk in the promenade area for some traditional cafes, shopping, or dining. There is bowling and a family entertainment center nearby as well as a few malls and restaurants. Night life usually begins quite late, and you can find some clubs in close proximity to the promenade. Red Sea Authentic Escape SAHL HASHEESH 15 minutes from Hurghada International Airport, the community is situated on a beautiful bay, long-renowned as a gorgeous seaside and diving destination with 12.5 kilometers of pristine sandy beaches. Sahl Hasheesh is the authentic Red Sea escape offering guests and residents many options from fun-in-the-sun, golfing, water sports and a thriving nightlife to tranquility and peace. Sahl Hasheesh's Old Town district is the heart of the community and home to a variety of high-end retail outlets serving hotel guests, residents and day visitors. Taking a stroll down the beachside boardwalk offers beautiful views, an exciting ambience and a wide selection of designer brands, jewelry and souvenirs. Red Sea Authentic Escape SHARM EL SHEIKH Sharm – as its known locally – has become one of Egypt's leading tourist destinations thanks to its resorts, gorgeous beaches, and bounty of sightseeing attractions. Diverse marine life and hundreds of Red Sea coral reef sites make Sharm El Sheikh a magnet for divers and eco-tourists. Naama Bay, the resort district's stunning natural bay boasts some of the city's most popular cafés, restaurants, and bazaars. It's the place to go for tourist-friendly entertainment. Pharaoh's Island’s outstanding natural beauty is complemented by its 12th-century citadel, see it by booking a boat tour! Ras Muhammad National Park, at the tip of the peninsula is one of Sharm El Sheikh's best snorkeling spots. The coastal national park is home to thousands of species, including crustaceans and turtles. For sightseers who don't fancy the three-hour climb up Mount Sinai, one of the world’s oldest Christian monasteries, Saint Catherine’s Monastery, lies right at its feet. It was built 1,500 years ago! MUST-SEE SPOTS MUST-SEE SPOTS CAIRO • The Giza Pyramids & Sphinx • Visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World! Your guide will take you to the 5000-year old necropolis in Giza. Stand at the foot of the Great Pyramids guarded by the Great Sphinx with the head of a pharaoh and a lion's body. • The Egyptian Museum • The Egyptian Museum has the largest collection of Egyptian antiquities and art in the world. It features artifacts from the Pharaonic period, displaying a rare collection dating back 5000 years. Over 250,000 artifacts are presented, including an exhibit dedicated to Tutankhamen’s collection of treasure, gold and jewelry. • Salah El Din Citadel • It was constructed by Salah El Din on the Moqattam hills in 1183 AD to defend Cairo from the armies of Crusaders. Inside the castle's walls lies Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque which was designed by the architect Yousif Boushnaq, a Turkish man who came to Cairo to build the mosque for Mohamed Ali, the ruler of Egypt from 1805 to 1849. • Khan El Khalili Bazaars • Located in the heart of Islamic Cairo, this busy and colorful open-air bazaar is filled with unique and exotic items from spices and perfumes to jewelry and souvenirs. MUST-SEE SPOTS ALEXANDRIA • Pompay's Pillar • Constructed in honor of the Emperor Diocletian at the end of the 4th century and originally from the temple of the Serapis, it was once a magnificent structure rivaling the Soma and the Caesarean. • Catacombs • The largest Roman Cemetery consisting of three levels cut in the rock. This historical archaeological site is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Middle Ages. The necropolis consists of a series of Alexandrian tombs, statues and archaeological objects of the Pharaonic funeral cult with Hellenistic and early Imperial Roman influences. • Qaitbay Citadel • A 15th-century defensive fortress located on the Mediterranean sea coast in Alexandria, Egypt. It was established in 1477 AD (882 AH) by Sultan Al-Ashraf Sayf al-Din Qa'it Bay. It is built on the site of the Lighthouse of Alexandria, which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. • Bibliotheca Alexandrina • Reborn in October 2002 to reclaim the mantle of its ancient namesake, it is a vast complex where the arts, history, philosophy, and science come together. Moreover, the myriad activities it offers have made it a place for open discussion, dialogue, and understanding. MUST-SEE SPOTS LUXOR East Bank • Karnak Temple • To the east bank of Luxor, it is the greatest example of worship in history. It was dedicated to the God Amon, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu and was constructed from the beginning of the Middle Kingdom until the Greco Roman Kingdom.