EGYPT in STYLE March 06 - 19, 2022 Led by Professor Norman Jones

EGYPT IN STYLE March 06 - 19, 2022 Led by Professor Norman Jones

Includes 5 nights Luxury private sailing yacht on the Nile Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, this is the perfect time for you to see Egypt, with its incredible monuments, temples, artifacts and history. Cruise along the eternal NILE River in the style of the “belle époque of the early 20th century” on a yacht that was built for the King of Egypt. Witness time standing still evidenced by the rhythm of life along its banks. Visit all of the sites that one expects to see in an itinerary offering an overview of the history of the region. A highlight of this tour is the visit of the newly opened Museum of Antiquities, which is the largest in the world. Visit temples, tombs, pyramids and markets and explore the Coptic Christian heritage of Egypt as well as its Islamic monuments. Explore Khan el Khalili bazaar in Cairo for a slice of life both past and present. Of course, no itinerary would be complete without a stop at some of the oldest attractions in the world, the colossal pyramids of Giza and the mysterious Sphinx. NO trip is complete in Egypt without flying to see the most majestic and monumental of its temples: Abu Simbel. Let this superbly-crafted exploration of Egypt captivate you with the bountiful treasures of ancient times and the hospitality of modern natives.

Ihab Zaki Managing Director, Spiekermann Travel

Sunday, March 06 Thursday, March 10 Arrive in Cairo Cairo to Alexandria

Upon arrival in Cairo (depending on your arrival time), you will Morning drive to Alexandria, The second largest city in Egypt, Al- be met and transferred to the Marriott Hotel for check-in, and exandria, Egypt’s Hellenistic capitol, known as “The Pearl of the overnight. Mediterranean”. Enjoy your full day sightseeing including the Alexandria Library, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa, consists Monday, March 07 of a series of Alexandrian tombs, statues and archaeological ob- Cairo (Pyramids) jects of the Pharaonic funeral cult with Hellenistic and early Impe- rial Roman influences. Also, visitthe Pompey’s Pillar, one of the biggest monoliths in the world, and the Greco Roman Museum, After breakfast at the hotel, your driver and guide will pick you up ending with a visit to the Montazah Gardens. Afterwards, transfer for a full day of touring, starting with Cairo’s iconic Giza pyramids, to Sheraton hotel for check in and overnight. (B,L) where the city meets the desert, then drive south along the river valley to Memphis, the once-resplendent capital of the Old King- Friday, March 11 dom, where you will see the reclining statue of Ramses II, then Alexandria to Cairo drive a short way on to Saqqara, the burial place of the pharaohs of the Old Kingdom and home of the Step Pyramid of Zoser, one Morning drive back to Cairo, visiting en route, the 4th century cas- of the world’s oldest stone structures of its size. Enjoy the Sound tle monastery of Anba [St.] Bishoi and the nearby 6th c. mon- and Light Evening show before returning to your hotel for over- astery of The Holy Virgin of the Syrians in Wadi El Natrun. Upon night. (B,L) arrival transfer to Marriott Hotel for check in and overnight. (B)

Tuesday, March 08 Saturday, March 12 Coptic Cairo Cairo to Luxor

After breakfast, enjoy your full day in the city, starting with a visit of Transfer to Cairo airport for your flight toLuxor , upon arrival, cross the newly opened Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. Afterwards, the river to Luxor’s West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings. visit Coptic Cairo with the First Coptic Church in the area Mo’Al- Visit the well-preserved tombs of several rulers of Old Kingdom laqa (Hanging) in old Cairo, we move in with in few steps to Enter Egyptian dynasties along with King Tut Tomb. Visit the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (18th dynasty of the Old King- the Coptic Museum & on to the Ben Ezra Synagogue, Abu Serga dom, ca. 1490 BCE), one of Egypt’s most successful pharaohs, as Church (built over the crypt where Jesus, Mary and Joseph stayed well as, the longest-reigning female; Deir El Bahari; and Medinat while in Egypt) & on to Khan El Khalili district and bazaars. Lunch at a Habu temple. Drive back to Luxor’s East Bank for lunch, then in local restaurant, then back to your hotel for overnight. (B,L) the afternoon, tour the temples in the massive two-square-kilo- meter Karnak complex, who’s ancient name means “the most Wednesday, March 09 perfect of places,” and the graceful Luxor Temple in the heart of Islamic Cairo town. In the evening you will head back to Luxor Temple to at- tend the impressive Sound & Light show Transfer to Sonesta Lux- After breakfast at the hotel, embark on a full day tour of the city’s or Hotel for check-in and overnight. (B,L) finest Islamic sights, starting with the Citadel of Saladdin over- looking the whole city of Old Cairo, and the Alabaster Mosque of Khe- Sunday, March 13 dive Mohamed Ali Pasha, then Sultan Hussein Mosque as well as the Luxor to Esna (Start cruising) Islamic Museum and finally the medieval labyrinth alleyways of Khan Morning visit Karnak Temple, and then drive to Esna where you El Khalili Bazaar. Tonight, you will dine in an Egyptian home, inter- will pass the Nile locks in order to embark on Queen Farida Da- acting with local families and seeing how they live. (B,L,D) habeya. After lunch, set sail toward the village of El Hegez, just north of Edfu, where you will moor for the night, relaxing on deck and taking in the sights along the way. (B,L,D) Monday, March 14 ly, the site where the Ark of the Covenant was allegedly hidden here El Kab to Edfu to El Fuaza before it reached Axum in Ethiopia. Afterwards, transfer to the airport for your flight back to Cairo, upon arrival meet and transfer to le Meri- Sail to El Kab, where you will disembark after breakfast to see the sel- dien Cairo Airport Hotel or similar for check-in and overnight. (B,L,D) dom-visited site of El Kab, with its vast pre-dynastic cemeteries, early Saturday, March 19 New Kingdom tombs, and temple of Thoth. Return to your cruise and continue sailing to Edfu. Disembark and tour the Edfu Temple, the Cairo - USA most complete example of pharaonic architecture. Set sail for the island of El Fuaza and spend the night. (B,L,D) After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight back home. (B)

Tuesday, March 15 “We (STS) reserve the right to change hotels, restaurants or the El Fuaza to Gebel El Silsila order of activities if/as needed”

After breakfast, set sail for El Ramadya and disembark, enjoy walking in the village to explore the countryside. Return to the cruise to sail to Gebel el Selsela around 3 hours. After lunch, visit gebel el Selsela and continue sailing to Fares village (1 hour), where you will have your dinner and overnight. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, March 16 Kom Ombo to Harbyab Island

Sail to Kom Ombo to visit the temple, unique in its dedication to two deities. The most spectacular of the river temples, Kom Ombo is hon- eycombed with crypts, secret passages, and tunnels under the floors, the source of the gods’ human voices. Return to your Dahabeya and depart for Harbyab Island on a leisurely two-hour sail on the scenic river. You will dine and overnight onboard near Harbayb Island. (B,L,D)

Thursday, March 17 Harbyab Island to Aswan to Abu Simbel

Enjoy breakfast on your cruise while you sail towards Aswan. After breakfast, disembark and head to the domestic airport for your flight to Abu Simbel. The monuments on the bank of Lake Nasser south of Aswan were built by Ramses II (r. 1277-1212 BCE). See the two temples excavated in the mountain by Ramses II to his wife Nefertari in the guise of the goddess Hathor, and to himself. They were moved when the High Dam at Aswan was built to avoid being flooded. Return to Aswan, enjoy lunch at a local restaurant then start your visit by boat ride to explore Philae Temple (dedicated to Goddess Isis). Then visit the High Dam. Visit the Nubian Museum, dedicated to the ancient Kingdom of Nubia. Free time to enjoy the Nubian baskets’ market or have a drink at the terrace of the Old Cataract Historical hotel. Over- night onboard (B,L,D)

Friday, March 18 Aswan to Cairo

Breakfast then Proceed to the Tombs of the Nobles, perched high above the river on the West side. Here are the ancient tombs of Old and Middle Kingdom officials, presenting a unique style of building away from the political centers of the time and showing a mysterious aspect not seen elsewhere. Continue by camel to the ruins of the Monastery of St. Simeon, built in the 6th century. It was one of the largest Coptic monasteries in Egypt. Head to Elephantine Island by Felucca, the location of the Satet temple (goddess of the star Sirius). Elephantine is famous in Jewish archeology for its Jewish temple and hoard of documents about Jewish life in the 5th century BCE. Alleged- About your lecturer...Professor Norman Jones is Professor of History of Religious Stud- Tour cost (land only): $6,950.00 ies at Utah State University. Holding a doctorate per person sharing in double occupancy from Cambridge University, he specializes in the interplay of religion and culture, especially on the Single Supplement: $1,450.00 cultural fault lines where religions meet and iden- tities are shaped through religious allegiances, as in Price based on a minimum of 6 participants Egypt. He teaches the history of Christianity, and his and maximum of 14 participants publications, focusing on the early modern world, include work on the relations between Christianity Trip Grade: I Lodging Level: : **** and Islam. He has been a visiting professor at Har- vard, Oxford, the University of Geneva, the University of Hong Kong, and Cam- bridge, as well as the Huntington Library and the Folger Library. His expertise will deepen your understanding and enrich the experience.

Tour includes: Tour does not include:

• Domestic flights within Egypt: Cairo/Luxor - • International airfare USA-Cairo-USA Aswan/ Abu Simbel – Aswan/Cairo. • Entry visa (Currently $30.00 available upon arrival) • 5 nights’ accommodation at Marriott Cairo or similar on • Visit of The Solar Boat Museum, the Mummies Room at bed and breakfast basis the Egyptian the Tomb of Seti 1st at the Valley of the Kings • 1 night in Sheraton Hotel or similar in Alexandria and the Tomb of Nefertari at the valley of the Queens. • 5 nights’ accommodation on the Queen Farida Dahabiya • Any meals not mentioned in the itinerary. on full board basis • Dayroom or extra hotel nights necessitated by airline • 1 night at Sonesta Luxor hotel or similar flight schedule changes. • 1 night at Meridian Cairo Airport hotel or similar. • Items of a personal nature (camera fees at sites, laundry, • Abu Simbel excursion phone calls, emails, excess luggage, etc.), drinks, tips. • All Transfers and Sightseeing by A/C Coach. • Any increase to entrance fees imposed by government or • All Entrance Fees as per the Program new taxes or fuel surcharges. • Meals as per program (B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner). • Trip surcharge to operate below required minimum par- • 2 small bottled water during touring on bus. ticipants. • Gratuities to Drivers, Guides, porters, cruise staff, etc. • Travel protection insurance. (RECOMMENDED) • English speaking Egyptologist/Guide on all touring days and in all sites.

Sailing the Nile...aboard a Dahabiya Also spelled (dahabeah, dahabeeyah, dahabiah, dahabiyah and Daha- bia). These river-going sailboats were common in Egypt in the days of the monarchy (1880-1940s) when travelers loved to cruise the Nile in style. We’ve revived those elegant days, but with modern comforts and facilities. It is an original and peaceful option to navigate on the river Nile and discover the most singular places of the landscape in a more intimate setting while in absolute luxury, exploring some of Egypt’s ancient sites in the same manner as those nearly 100 years before you.

Special Tour Remark: It is anticipated that the new Egyptian Museum will be open by that time, so if it does we will include a visit to it on the Giza day tour.

Trip Grade: I Easy - Reasonably paced sightseeing, easy walking, and leisurely days. No particular physical challenges.

Lodging Level: **** Luxury: Regular style- usually large- hotels, typical western standard with ample venues, and full amenities. (4 or 5 stars)

Spiekermann Travel Service, Inc. 18421 East Nine Mile Road, Eastpointe, MI 48021 Phone: 1-800-645-3233 Fax: 586-775-9556 www.mideasttrvl.com [email protected]