PASSAGE THROUGH EGYPT ABOARD OBEROI PHILAE | 2018/2019 Ralph Hammelbacher knows Egypt like the back of his hand, having been responsible for our program from its inception in 1992. When I heard he planned to retire after 43 years in travel, I convinced him to remain—to curate our new Egypt program. I am delighted on both counts: he remained for the project, and has created an extraordinary program. I hope you will agree, and join us to explore Egypt. DEAR TRAVELER, I’ve had a decades-long love affair with Egypt. My first visit to Egypt was in 1978, and I was immediately captivated. I felt as if I had finally come home. I returned four years later, taking a barge from the Sudanese border across Lake Nasser to Aswan, and then a local sailboat (called a felucca) to Luxor. Over the years, I’ve been back dozens of times—sometimes for longer stays, renting a bicycle daily to explore Luxor’s west bank, and sometimes just for a few days to work with our local counterparts on Lindblad Expeditions’ programs. When I returned most recently, in December 2017, I was frankly expecting people to be downcast, given all the difficulties they’ve had. I couldn’t have been more mistaken. Instead, there’s a pervasive optimism as visitors come back to Egypt, which is also reflected in the considerable investment in hotels, ships, and other areas. I wanted that to be part of our program, and I think that if you join us you’ll be stunned by the beauty and graciousness of our Nile ship, the Oberoi Philae, and our hotels, the Nile Ritz-Carlton and the Mena House. I also wanted our guests to have special access to some key places, and to be able to take pictures at some of the sites without having to pay extra (as part of our trademark photography program). And, I found, some things haven’t changed at all: how vivid and enthralling the antiquities are, and the friendliness and kindness of the Egyptian people. Our Egyptologist guides—who have become my friends, just as they’ve become friends with so many of our past guests—told me over and over how much they’re looking forward to welcoming Lindblad Expeditions travelers, who are a special breed. I hope you’ll join us. If you do, I believe you’ll experience some of the same sense of joy and wonder that I’ve had over the years. Sincerely, Ralph Hammelbacher (Now-retired!) Vice President, Expedition Development Cover: Tutankhamun’s golden death mask, among the many treasures in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo.© Larry Lilac Left: Still vibrant pharaonic art, Valley of the Queens. © David Vargas. Ship’s registry: Egypt EXPERIENCE THE THRILL OF DISCOVERY Civilization arose from the Nile Valley around 5000 B.C. By the third millennium B.C., the Early Dynastic period of Egypt’s Pharaonic rule had begun. The scope of Egypt’s accomplish- ments over the next 3,000 years is astounding. Who designed the great pyramids and grand temples? What prompted such lavish monuments? How were the stones fashioned, transported, and hoisted? When was mummifica- tion perfected? Egypt inspires these thoughts at every turn. THE HIGHEST STANDARDS Egypt is different from the other remote, wild destinations we explore, in that it is a well-traveled path. But we take the same expedition-style approach and have chosen the pre-eminent A felucca on the Nile. experts, hotels, ship, and private aircraft, that meet our standards and your highest expectations. OUR EGYPTOLOGISTS You’ll be accompanied EXPEDITION PHOTOGRAPHY Egypt is remark- by outstanding, highly experienced Egyptologist ably photogenic, from the great monuments and guides. Many have worked with us for years. They colorful ancient art, to the Nile, and the expressive are specialists in Egyptian culture, art, history, and faces of the people you encounter. Photography is archaeology—ancient and modern—and they’re a key ingredient on our Egyptian journey—ensur- also wonderful, caring people. They will be with ing you’ll return home with photos that capture the you throughout your journey in Egypt. moments at the heart of your experience. We’ve obtained photo permits, at no additional cost to you, for many of the sites you’ll visit, including some usually restricted. Each departure features a Lindblad certified photo instructor, to help you improve existing skills or learn new ones. Whether your camera is a smartphone or a DSLR, you’re bound to return home with some of your best A few of our superb Egyptologist guides. images ever. From left: Manal Fathy, Ahmed Borham, Ghada Doss. ENHANCE YOUR EXPEDITION: EXPLORE JORDAN To add even more great experiences to your time in the region, you’ll surely want to consider our 5-day post-voyage extension to Jordan (including Petra). For details, check out www.expeditions.com/egypt or call our Expedition Specialists. 2 1.800.EXPEDITION (1.800.397.3348) EXPERIENCE THE THRILL OF DISCOVERY OUR HOTELS We’ve chosen OUR PRIVATE AIRCRAFT two of the finest and best- We have chartered private located hotels anywhere to aircraft for all internal flights, greatly enhance your stay. with just our group aboard. Begin your Cairo sojourn There are many benefits to in the heart of the city at doing so: we choose our the Nile Ritz-Carlton, in a beautifully appointed travel times, rather than being held to a commercial room overlooking the Nile. Elegance is evident airline schedule, and you’ll be able to rise at a throughout the property, with a stunning spa, varied reasonable hour. In addition, at Abu Simbel, instead restaurants, a swimming pool, and of course great of having the rushed tour that is so typical, you’ll views. On your return to Cairo, you’ll stay at the have the luxury of exploring at your own pace. historic Mena House, stunningly and conveniently THE TRAVELERS Small groups are an integral sited at the foot of the Giza Plateau, with views of part of the Lindblad Expeditions experience, and the Pyramids from your balcony. A felucca on the Nile. you’ll travel with individuals whose keen intellect OUR SHIP The Nile is the lifeblood of Egypt, and and curiosity will enhance your journey. There is a sailing the Nile is a centerpiece of your journey. maximum of 21 guests per Egyptologist, and visits Many boats ply the river’s waters, but few if any throughout your stay are privately guided. match the quality and style of Oberoi Philae. Her elegance, beauty, spacious cabins, gracious public areas, and incomparable views combine to make sailing aboard her a simply wonderful experience. You’ll have the chance to ride a camel, if you wish, at the foot of the Pyramids. 3 EXPLORE UPPER EGYPT Upper Egypt, where Luxor, Aswan, and Abu Simbel are located, gets its name from the fact that it lies upstream from Cairo and the Nile Delta. Since the Nile flows from south to north, Upper Egypt lies in Egypt’s southern regions. Upper and Lower Egypt were unified more than 5,000 years ago, ushering in the Pharaonic dynasties and successive eras of Egyptian greatness. ENJOY SPECIAL ACCESS Certain tombs on Luxor’s west bank require special permission, and we’ve obtained permits for some of the most remarkable ones on your behalf. You’ll enjoy privileged access to: Tutankhamun’s tomb, which was The tomb of Nefertari, the piled floor to ceiling with treasures favorite wife of Ramses II, that are now on display in the located in the Valley of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Queens. Ramses spared The tomb of Seti I, closed for nothing in depicting Nefertari’s many years but extensively beauty. This tomb, open restored and recently reopened to only a few visitors each on a very limited basis, by special day, has colors so vivid they permit. It is one of the finest and could have been painted most colorful tombs in all of Egypt. yesterday. The tomb of Nefertari. ASWAN Aswan enjoys a favored location along one of the loveliest stretches of the Nile, just below the First Cataract and the Aswan High Dam. Its views and climate made it part of the Grand Tour. Local sail- boats, called feluccas, ply these waters, and we’ll have a chance to ride on one during our stay. Our explorations take us to the fine Temple of Isis at Philae, where we’ll learn the story of Isis and Osiris, and to a quarry where Aswan’s legendary pink granite was quar- ried. As a special treat, we’ll have high tea on Luxor Temple. the veranda of the Old Cataract Hotel, made famous by Agatha LUXOR Christie—to enjoy a Philae Temple. Called Thebes by the ancient Greeks, Luxor was splendid panorama. a great center of learning, religion, art and a place of paramount political importance. The east bank was the “land of the living,” where pharaohs built ABU SIMBEL great temples. The west bank, where the sun set, was the “land of the dead,” where the New The warrior pharaoh and master builder Ramses II Kingdom pharaohs chose to build their tombs and constructed two massive temples at Abu Simbel— mortuary temples. one for himself, one for his wife Nefertari—at a remote location along the Nile in the Nubian Desert. Highlights of our journey include: They are a must-see: one of the most impressive • The Temple of Amon at Karnak, a site of sites of Ancient Egypt. In the 1960s, the building of unimaginable size where over thousands of years the Aswan High Dam threatened to inundate the kings built temples, shrines, obelisks, statues temples.