YOUR O.A.T. ADVENTURE TRAVEL PLANNING GUIDE® New! Ancient Egypt & the Nile River 2022 Small Groups: 20-25 travelers—guaranteed! (average of 22) Overseas Adventure Travel ® The Leader in Personalized Small Group Adventures on the Road Less Traveled 1 Dear Traveler, At last, the world is opening up again for curious travel lovers like you and me. And the O.A.T. New! Ancient Egypt & the Nile River itinerary you’ve expressed interest in will be a wonderful way to resume the discoveries that bring us so much joy. You might soon be enjoying standout moments like these: Egypt is a land of profound majesty and mystery—commanding pyramids reaching towards the skies, piercing obelisks adorned with hieroglyphics, and people whose rich cultural heritage stretches back more than 7,000 years. And, at its heart, the mighty Nile—a true oasis in the desert and the lifeblood for Egypt’s enduring civilization. I saw this firsthand when I visited a riverside farm along the banks of the Nile. I met a local farmer and his family, and they gave me a unique view into their daily lives, where I came to understand their traditional livelihood and the undeniable power of the Nile. You’ll experience this, too, when you spend A Day in the Life with a farming family on the west bank of the Nile River. You’ll also meet with a local Cairo woman to gain a deeper understanding of women’s rights in modern Egyptian society. The role of women has gradually evolved, and you’ll explore the extent of this evolution with either a working wife and mother or a single, working woman. These women offer wide-ranging perspectives which are sure to cast a personal light on this complex issue. The way we see it, you’ve come a long way to experience the true culture—not some fairytale version of it. So we keep our groups small, with only 20-25 travelers (average 22) to ensure that your encounters with local people are as intimate and authentic as possible. It’s also why your O.A.T. Trip Experience Leader will be a resident “insider” who can show you the culture as only a local can. To ensure that your adventure is truly unique, put your own personal stamp on it. You can arrive early and stay later, add a pre- or post-trip extension, spend time in a Stopover city, or combine two or more trips. Plus, your itinerary offers ample free time so you can pursue your own interests. So until the day comes when you are off to enjoy your New! Ancient Egypt & the Nile River adventure, I hope you will relish the fun and anticipation that this O.A.T. Adventure Travel Planning Guide® will inspire. Should you have further questions, feel free to call our Regional Adventure Counselors at 1-800-955-1925. Love and peace, Harriet R. Lewis Vice Chairman, Overseas Adventure Travel P.S. For further peace of mind, please know that we are EXTENDING our Risk-Free Booking Policy through 12/31/21. Learn more at www.oattravel.com/risk-free-booking. USA Today “Best Tours” 10Best Readers’ Presented by Choice Awards Solo Traveler 2 CONTENTS A Letter from Harriet Lewis ................................................................2 The O.A.T. Difference......................................................................4 The Freedom to Personalize Your Experience ................................................6 Grand Circle Foundation...................................................................8 The Leader in Solo Travel ..................................................................9 ANCIENT EGYPT & THE NILE RIVER Aboard Your Ship: Cabin Features, Your Adventure at a Glance: Dining & Services on Board ............... 86 Where You’re Going, What it Costs, Nefertiti................................. 86 and What’s Included ..................... 10 Ship Specifications ...................... 89 Your Detailed Day-To-Day Itinerary ........ 12 Optional Tours .......................... 32 ABOUT YOUR DESTINATIONS: Pre-Trip Extensions ...................... 33 CULTURE, ETIQUETTE & MORE Post-Trip Extensions ..................... 46 Egyptian Culture ........................ 91 Language .............................. 92 Deck Plans .............................. 56 Religion ................................ 92 Dates & Prices ........................... 58 Shopping: What to Buy, Customs, Shipping & More ........................ 99 ESSENTIAL TRAVEL INFORMATION Travel Documents & Entry Requirements. 59 DEMOGRAPHICS & HISTORY Visas Required .......................... 60 Egypt................................... 102 Advance Information for Jordan .......... 61 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 102 Rigors, Vaccines & General Health ......... 63 Egypt: A Brief History .................... 102 Vaccines Required ..................... .. 64 Israel................................... 105 Money Matters: Local Currency & Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 105 Tipping Guidelines....................... 67 Israel: A Brief History .................... 105 Air, Optional Tours & Staying in Touch ..... 72 Jordan ................................. 107 Optional Tours .......................... 73 Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 107 Communicating with Home from Abroad . 73 Jordan: A Brief History ................... 108 Packing: What to Bring & Luggage Limits . 75 Turkey.................................. 109 Dress Codes: Shorts, Headscarves, Facts, Figures & National Holidays ........ 109 and other FAQ .......................... 76 Turkey: A Brief History ................... 110 Suggested Packing Lists .................. 77 Electricity Abroad ....................... 80 RESOURCES Climate & Average Temperatures .......... 82 Suggested Reading ...................... 112 Suggested Film & Video .................. 116 O.A.T. Health & Safety Measures.......................................................... 120 Notes.................................................................................. 121 Map ................................................................................... 123 3 EXPERIENCE THE O.A.T. DIFFERENCE in Egypt This adventure not only showcases iconic sights, but takes you beyond them to experience the culture through unique activities, engagement with the natural world, and authentic encounters with local people. Since our founding in 1978, O.A.T. has become America’s leader in personalized small group journeys on the road less traveled. SMALL GROUPS: 20-25 TRAVELERS LOCAL MODES OF TRANSPORTATION (AVERAGE OF 22)—GUARANTEED To see the world like the locals, you should The world feels more intimate and engaging travel like one. Our small group size allows when your experience of it is also personal us to take the roads and waterways that are and genuine. That’s why our groups never less traveled, and we often follow them using exceed 25 travelers. This gives you access to the same unique modes of transportation people and places larger groups simply can’t that the locals use—be it a canoe, a camel or a reach. More authentic interactions. Deeper vintage cab. bonds with your travel mates. Personal service from your Trip Experience Leader. Smoother UNIQUE LODGINGS transitions. And a far more satisfying Our lodgings reflect the local character, experience than any traditional tour offers. from smaller family-run hotels and historic manors to comfy inns. Occasionally, larger THE BEST TRIP EXPERIENCE LEADERS hotels closer to city centers are used. Wherever Your English-speaking, O.A.T. Trip Experience you stay, you’re assured fine comfort and Leader is a resident of the region you are visiting, hospitality. so you will get a true insider’s perspective that brings each place alive—the stories, food, OUR WORLDWIDE OFFICES customs, hidden treasures and more. With 36 regional offices around the world, we are perfectly poised to leverage our local AUTHENTIC CULTURAL CONNECTIONS relationships to deliver an excellent experience Engage with local people through visits to and value. During this trip, you’ll be supported farms, factories, markets, and artisans’ by our team in Cairo. studios; school visits; Home-Hosted meals; and more. Savor a Home-Hosted Lunch with a family in Haifa Explore local markets in Luxor 4 THE PILLARS OF DISCOVERY Enriching. Inspiring. Unforgettable. These features form the foundation of your Ancient Egypt & the Nile River adventure. GRAND CIRCLE FOUNDATION (GCF) VISIT A DAY IN THE LIFE GCF was established in 1992 to help change Do you ever wonder, “What would it be like people’s lives in the world where we live, to live here?” when you visit new lands? work, and travel. To date, we have pledged or Let’s find out during your O.A.T. A Day in donated $200 million worldwide. the Life, an exclusive, immersive experience that places you in the heart of a community By investing in the places we explore— where you’ll meet various people where they including local schools, cooperatives, or arts live, work, and play; visit the neighborhood centers—we hope to give locals the skills and school; lend a hand with daily chores; and confidence they need to become leaders of break bread with our hosts. their generation and preserve their heritage for many years to come. We’re proud to play This adventure includes a NEW A Day in a part in preserving precious locales like the the Life experience of an Egyptian farm Bryggen waterfront district of Bergen, a living along the banks of the Nile, where we’ll example of the glory days of the Hanseatic meet a local farmer and his family. Our League, and supporting villages like Harmi in discoveries will provide a window into this Estonia, whose once-struggling