Discovering EGYPT Including Alexandria Nov 18 - Dec 1, 2020
A Special Expedition for Members and Friends of AAAS, Sigma Xi & ACS
Dear Travelers: Led by an excellent Egyptologist guide, Join us!... as we discover the extraordinary Amr Salem, and an Egyptologist scholar, antiquities and colossal monuments of Egypt, Dr. Bojana Mojsov, learn about the history November 18 - December 1, 2020. of ancient Egypt, including a 4-night cruise on the Nile. Explore the Valley of the Kings This program will include exciting recent at Thebes, where tombs of more than 60 discoveries in Egypt in addition to the wonders pharaohs have been discovered. On the of the pyramids and ancient Egypt. Visits will opposite bank of the Nile at Luxor and Karnak, include the fabulous new Alexandria Library see the splendor and glory of Egypt during (once the site of the greatest library in antiquity) the finest hour of the New Kingdom. and the new Alexandria National Museum which includes artifacts from Cleopatra’s Dr. Mojsov’s recent book, Alexandria Lost, Palace beneath the waters of Alexandria Harbor. tells the extraordinary story of classical Alexandria. The expedition offers an excellent There will also be opportunities to learn introduction to the about contemporary Egyptian life, to marvel at land and life of the grace and beauty of feluccas at sail on the ancient Egypt to the Nile, and to discover the desert shores of the ultimate monuments Nile and Red Sea on the post-trip extension. of the Old Kingdom, Join us!... for a treasured holiday in Egypt! the Great Pyramids and Sphinx! Sincerely, Discover the great stone ramparts of the Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel, built Margaret M Betchart during the New President, Betchart Expeditions Inc. Kingdom, on the Abu for AAAS, Sigma Xi & ACS Simbel extension. Mediterranean Sea
Bawiti a y i ar is Bah s Oa Hurghada F arafra O asis Valley of Red the Kings Luxor Sea Esna Edfu Aswan EGYPT Lake Nasser Abu Simbel
Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms, which flourished ITINERARY from 3000 to 1100 BC, is displayed. The ancient statues, sarcophagi, engraved stonework, paintings, Days 1/2 New York to Cairo jewelry, and treasures give an excellent introduction Fly from New York’s JFK International Airport on to the glory and life in ancient Egypt. Of special a nonstop flight to Cairo. Arrive in Cairo in late morning interest will be the exhibit of King Tutankhamun’s on Day 2. Transfer to the Mena House Hotel (4 nights), treasures, found intact in 1922 by archaeologist situated in a wonderful location right by the pyramids. Howard Carter. Also see the Citadel and Old Cairo, Afternoon for rest and leisure. Welcome social and trip and have free time in the El Khalili Bazaar. B,L orientation. Days 6/7 – Alexandria – Library, Museum Day 3 – Ancient Sakkara, the Pyramids, & Cleopatra’s Palace & the Sphinx This morning, we will depart for Alexandria, the city This morning, we will explore ancient Sakkara, the of Alexander the Great on the Mediterranean coast, necropolis of the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis. driving on the edge of the Nile Delta en route. We will See the dramatic Step Pyramid and explore this first visit the Alexandria National Museum, to see the fascinating site. Then return to Cairo to explore the most new collection of artifacts, which includes recent famous of the Egyptian sites: the Great Pyramids of Giza discoveries from excavations in the city and its ancient and the Sphinx. The Great Pyramids were built during harbors. The exhibits include ancient Egyptian the Old Kingdom’s 4th dynasty, about 2600 BC. The objects, Greco-Roman finds, and Islamic antiquities Sphinx guards from the city’s long history. The collection is housed in the pyramidal an old city mansion. Our visit will show the different tomb of Pharaoh ages in which Egypt prospered from the Old Kingdom Chephren. B,L of ancient Egypt (2500-200 BC) through the age of Days 4/5 – Alexander and Cleopatra (323-30 BC), the Romans (30 Egyptian BC-641 AD), the medieval Arab Period (1200-1400 AD), Museum to the modern 20th century city, immortalized in & El Khalili Lawrence Durrell’s “Alexandria Quartet”. We will explore We then will visit the extraordinary new Library in the excellent Alexandria, the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, designed Egyptian by an award-winning Norwegian team. In antiquity, Museum, where the greatest library in the world was found in a magnificent Alexandria. The new library includes an astronomical collection of observatory and archaeological museum, which artifacts from the exhibits several beautiful mosaics discovered during the excavation of the foundations for the building, as Day 9 – Karnak & Board our Nile cruise ship well as many statues salvaged from the waters of This morning, we will explore the awe-inspiring Great Alexandria’s harbor. We’ll stay on the Corniche at the Temple in Karnak, an immense complex of temples, historic Steigenberger Cecil Hotel (2 nights). sacred lakes, and sphinx-lined walkways which extend The next day, we will visit the Catacombs of Kom El nearly two miles along the Nile, from Karnak to Luxor. Shoqafa, Pompey’s Pillar, and the Roman Amphitheatre The Great Hall includes 134 enormous columns, with which was discovered fairly recently, and view the site original paint and decoration near the tops. Just south of where they discovered ruins of the Pharos (the 7th the Great Temple is the sacred lake where barques were wonder of the Ancient World) under the harbor waters, set afloat to symbolize the daily celestial journey of Amon- and a Ptolemaic palace on nearby Antirhodos Island Ra, the sun god. Board our Nile cruise vessel (4 nights), which may be Cleopatra’s Palace. B,L/B,L and have lunch. On an afternoon excursion, visit the Papyrus Institute to learn how papyrus paper was made, Day 8 –Alexandria to Luxor & Karnak and discover Luxor. B,L,D This morning, we will drive back on the desert highway to Cairo which is now edged by farms and Day 10 – Valley of the Kings orchards irrigated by the Nile. Have lunch on own in Our journey this morning will be to the Valley of the Cairo and then fly to Luxor in Upper Egypt. Transfer to Kings on the opposite bank of the Nile from Luxor. We the classic Winter Palace Hotel (1 night). Luxor and will see King Tut’s Tomb, the Temple of Queen Karnak were the center of Egyptian power and glory Hatshepsut at Deir-el-Bahari, and the Colossi of from 2100 to 750 BC. Late this afternoon, visit Luxor’s Memnon. Sail to Luxor via the Esna Lock. B,L,D Great Temple for a glorious sunset over the Nile. Also see Day 11 – Horus Temple at Edfu & Kom Ombo the excellent Luxor Museum. B This morning we will sail to Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus, the god of the sun and planets. Intricate hieroglyphics cover the 38 immense columns, describing offerings to the god. Here we will again see the parade of souvenir vendors which will be a common sight during our Egyptian travels. This afternoon, we will cruise to Kom Ombo to visit the imposing Ptolemaic Temple shared by two gods, Sobek (the crocodile god of fertility) and Haroeris, the great winged solar disc. We will enjoy afternoon tea as we sail to Aswan. B,L,D Day 12 – Aswan This morning, we will visit the Aswan High Dam, built by a team of Soviet engineers and 35,000 Egyptian The new Alexandria Library workers in the 1960’s and completed in 1972, changing the local economy and way of life forever. Now curbing the annual floods away. In the afternoon, we will visit the extraordinary which have nourished the floodplain of the Nile for Nubia Museum. The museum is dedicated to the millennia, the Aswan High Dam has created a lake which Nubian culture of Upper Egypt and Sudan and was extends more than 500 kilometers to the south into awarded the Aga Khan Award for Architecture in 2001. Sudan. Our morning tour will continue to the famous Ancient Egyptian antiquities representing various ages Temples of Philae, which were partially submerged from prehistoric to Pharaonic, Coptic, Islamic, and when the first Aswan Dam was built around 1900, then Nubian are found in the museum. B,L,D rescued from oblivion under Lake Nasser and Day 13 – Aswan to Cairo reassembled on the island of Agilka, just 300 yards This morning, we will disembark our Nile cruise ship, and visit the quarry in Aswan which includes the Optional Red Sea Extension Unfinished Obelisk or join the Abu Simbel December 1-5, 2020 Extension. In the afternoon we will fly to Cairo and the Hilton Heliopolis Hotel. Farewell dinner. B,D You will fly on December 1st from Cairo to the Red Sea beach area of Hurghada for a three-night Day 14 – Cairo to New York stay. Enjoy snorkeling, scuba diving, or loafing in Transfer to the airport for your return flight to this desert paradise, or visit Arab coffee houses, New York. or begin Red Sea Extension. B explore souks, and more! This resort area is very popular with Europeans and Egyptians, and is a Optional Abu Simbel Extension quick getaway from Cairo.For more info, please call November 30, 2020 Taunya at 800-252-4910. Early in the morning we will transfer to the Extension Fee: $895 per person twin share, Aswan Airport and fly to Abu Simbel. Here are including hotel, meals, and transfers. Activities some of the grandest monuments of ancient Egypt, additional. Air fare from Cairo $395 RT. Single built by Ramses II during his long reign (1279-1213 supplement $ 395. BC) during the New Kingdom when Egypt was at the pinnacle of its splendor. The colossal figures of Ramses II received great international attention in the late 1960’s when they were moved from a spot now beneath the waters of Lake Nasser to the present location. We will visit the Ramses II and Queen Nefertari temples. As you enter the temple of Ramses II, bas-reliefs describe the monarch’s offerings to the gods and his triumphant military campaigns. Ramses II sits in state with gods to whom the temple is dedicated. An afternoon flight will take us back to Cairo to rejoin the group. Fee: $595 per person includes flights Aswan/ Abu Simbel roundtrip and tour. & I&ACS SIGM A XI THE SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH SOCIETY
RESERVATIONS #1594 Yes! I/we want to join the Discover Egypt Expedition, Nov 18 - Dec 1, 2020, offered by AAAS Travels, Sigma Xi & ACS Expeditions. Please reserve ____ space(s) on the expedition and _____ spaces on the Abu Simbel Extension November 30th and_____ spaces on the Red Sea Extension December 1-5, 2020. As a deposit, I/we enclose a check for $______($1,000 per person for Egypt and $250 per person for the Red Sea Extension) payable to Betchart Expeditions Inc. Trust Account.
Name(s) ______Age ______Age ______Address ______RESPONSIBILITY City ______State ___ Zip ______Betchart Expeditions Inc., the American Association for the Advancement of Phone: Home ______(______) Science (AAAS), Sigma Xi, The Scientific Research Society, and the American
Chemical Society (ACS) act only as agents for the passenger with respect Work (______) ______Expe to transportation and hotels, and exercise every care possible. However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, accident or Email Address ______irregularity in connection with the services of any airplane, ship, motor- coach, or any other conveyance used in carrying out the arrangements Membership: __ AAAS __ Sigma Xi __ ACS __ Planetary Society of the tour. We cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air or other services, sickness, weather, strike, war, quarantine, terrorism, acts of God, or other causes beyond our Accommodations Preference: control. All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, ___ Twin ___ Single ___ Share (with a friend) as tour rates pro vide for arrange ments only for the time stated. We reserve the right to substitute another leader of similar expertise or reserve the ___ Share (assign a roommate) di tions right to cancel any tour prior to departure, in which case the entire payment ___ Nonsmoker ___ Smoker will be refunded with no further obligation on our part. The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any per son as a member of the tour. No refund will be made for the unused portion of any tour unless arrange- Signature ______Date ______ments are made in sufficient time to avoid penalties. The price of the program is based on current tariffs and rates, and is subject to change. Any tariff, exchange rate, or fuel increases will be passed on to participants. Signature ______Date ______Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk entirely. It is understood that the air ticket when issued shall constitute the sole contract between the passenger and the airline concerned. The airlines concerned are not to be held Please Mail To: responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their plane or conveyance. Egypt 2020 © 2020 Betchart Expeditions Inc. Betchart Expeditions Inc. All rights reserved. Map by April Milne. 17050 Montebello Road Photography courtesy of Wikipedia Commons. CST# 2036304-40 Cupertino, CA 95014-5345 AAAS Travels ACS & Sigma Xi Expeditions BETCHART EXPEDITIONS Inc. 17050 Montebello Road, Cupertino, CA 95014-5435
FIRST CLASS
Discover Egypt! November 18 - December 1, 2020 with optional Red Sea Extension Dec 1-5
Air Fare & Airline Ticketing: Air fare quoted is based on COSTS & CONDITIONS a group fare with Egypt Air. All air bookings and ticketing will be handled by Betchart Expeditions Inc., (800) 252-4910. Trip Fee: $4,995 per person for 14 days (+ international air Limited independent travel arrangements are available. AIR fare of $995 from New York to Egypt, round trip). In-tour FARES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. flights Cairo to Luxor, Aswan to Cairo $395. Accommodations: Singles are available for $1,195. If you What to Expect: This Expedition is planned for the travel do not have a roommate or we cannot assign one, you must enthusiast who would enjoy discovering the spectacular pay the extra cost of a single. antiquities and history of ancient Egypt and learning about Reservations, Deposits, & Payments: Please mail a modern Egyptian life today, led by an excellent Egyptologist deposit of $1,000 per person plus $250 per person for the guide and an Egyptologist scholar. Travel by motorcoach, Red Sea Extension, with the completed reservation form to: ship, and in tour flights. We are offering an optional Abu Simbel Extension. There will be daily outings on foot of one- Egypt Expedition 2020 half to two miles at archaeological sites, museums, and cities Betchart Expeditions Inc. at a pace suitable for seeing the wonders of Egypt and 17050 Montebello Road discoveries in Alexandria. Typically, it will be in the 70s to Cupertino, CA 95014-5435 80s with temperatures at night dropping to the 50s. This The balance is due 60 days before departure. expedition is a tremendous experience for travelers with an Cancellations & Refunds: The initial deposit is refundable appetite for adventure who enjoy the camaraderie of up to 60 days before departure less a handling fee of $100 per traveling with a group and who have a keen interest in person. There is no refund after the 60-day period unless learning about ancient Egypt. (No smoking in vehicles, your place is resold, then only the $100 per person handling during lectures, or meals, please.) fee is withheld. There are no refunds for unused meals, Expedition Fee Includes: Land transport; airport accommodations, or other trip features. Trip cancellation transfers, accommodations in first class hotels, and insurance will be available. comfortable Nile cruise ship twin share with bath; Questions: Please contact Taunya DeYoung at: welcome social and meals; entrance fees; tips for group activities and local guides; leadership, administration. Betchart Expeditions Inc. Telephone: (800) 252 4910 Expedition Fee Does Not Include: Air Fare (quoted or (408) 252 4910 separately); Abu Simbel flights and tour (optional extra); some Fax: (408) 252 1444 meals; tips on board ship and for personal activities; Egyptian Email: [email protected] visa fee; Red Sea Extension; personal items such as alcoholic beverages, laundry, phone calls, snacks, or other items.