Cairo , Nubia and Petra

Dendera Abydos Version
Abu Simbel , Amman , Petra , Cairo , and a Nile Cruise

Our 11-day Nile cruise is the perfect add-on to a Cairo visit. Weekly on Friday, Sat , Sun, Mon, Tue & Thursdays . Embarkation: Luxor

Click for the full listing of Nile Cruises - Map -Nile Cruise Route

Rates for : 4 days , 5 Days , 8 Days, 7 Day Cruise - Add Abu Simbel , add Cairo Hotel Stay

How would you like to cruise the Nile the way the Pharaoh & Cleopatra did ? These graceful boats will allow you to cruise the great river in a stately Pharaonic style. Our 8-day "soft adventure" cruise visits all of Upper Egypt's top sights, and gives you the chance to see the timeless Nile as adventurers have seen it throughout the ages. If you're on your honeymoon, we can provide a private boat . ( More cruise images)

DAY 1 - LUXOR Friday, ( Weekly, YEAR ROUND) (LD)
When boarding Aswan ( depending on your dates : Please add $123 USD due to higher air fare Cairo Aswan Cairo ) . Provide us with your hotel details in Cairo , and we'll provide you with a complimentary transfer, to your flight to Luxor , the flight is included in our rate , arrival in Luxor , our local rep will assist with your transfer to your hotel.

DAY 2 - LUXOR /Denderah Abydos Temples- Saturday (BL)
After breakfast, check-out , we drive inland to tour Denderah & Abydos Temples. Among the best preserved in Egypt. This temple as a sight to hold. Indiana Jones would have felt at home, with the massive stones & underground passages :

DENDERAH IN A DAY

We'll travel to Denderah to visit the Temple of Hathor, one of the best-preserved in all of Egypt, and also one of the most important. In the ancient beliefs, Hathor was the consort of the god of daylight, ruler of the west, and protector or the underworld. In the manner of wise desert wayfarers, we'll leave before dawn to take advantage of cool temperatures. Our air-conditioned van will take us through timeless Nile-side villages, where life revolves around the irrigation and harvest of crops. Finally, we'll reach the temple precincts. We'll take note of the unusually deep tombs, and pass under the celebrated Zodiac, in a chapel dedicated to Osiris. (Denderah is the traditional site of his rebirth.) Our full day will also include a visit to Abydos, traditional home of Osiris, god of the underworld, and a stopping point on the journey of wayfaring souls. We'll enjoy a box lunch, and return to Luxor late in the afternoon , in time to sip our afternoon tea ( Included) on board your Nile cruise

Welcome fruit basket, with our compliments.

Morning tour of Deir El Medinah, the first known "Workers Village" these were the true creative heroes who built the temples & tombs for the mighty Pharaohs of the Nile Kingdom.

Morning tour of Deir El Medinah, the first known "Workers Village" these were the true creative heroes who built the temples & tombs for the mighty Pharaohs of the Nile Kingdom.

Deir El Medinah is on Luxor's west bank you get a totally different perspective on ancient Egyptian life, at the ancient workers' settlement of Deir el-Medinah. While most of the imposing stone monuments and sites of Egypt honor the lives and after-lives of royalty, Deir el-Medinah gives us unique and surprising insights into the ordinary citizens who constructed and decorated the tombs.

Here we'll see the excavated homes shared by laborers with their domestic animals. These quarters were surprisingly large, with three good-sized rooms, courtyard, kitchen, and even storage cellars. While ancient Egypt might not have been a workers' paradise, we'll see that artisans and builders were highly regarded in their community. We are proud to be the only operator to offer regular visits to this singular ancient settlement in its tour and cruise programs.

Return to the cruise for a delicious lunch, complimentary welcome fruit basket in your cabin. Afternoon at leisure , maybe to explore the local bazaar on your own. Evening Sound & Light show at Karnak Temple.

DAY 3 - VALLEY OF THE KINGS Sunday (cBLD)
Today we tour the Valley of the Kings, including King Tut's tomb, Valley of the Queens. Then it's on to Queen Hatshepsut's Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. After a shipboard lunch. Sail for Edfu where we dock for the night.
Cabin amenity tonight: One large bottle of water ( one for each guest).

DAY 4 - EDFU & ASWAN Monday (cBLD)
In Edfu, we board horse-drawn carriages for the ride to the Temple of Horus. The best preserved temple in Egypt. Returning to our ship, we set sail for Aswan .Complimentary Galabya , you may wish to try on for the evening when there's a jolly galabia party aboard. A complimentary galabya will be delivered to your cabin.

DAY 5 -ASWAN & Abu Simbel Tuesday (BLD)
Get ready for the tour of Aswan Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, The Nubian Museum, and Philae Temple ,before we head back for our lunch aboard. In the afternoon
We take a short flight to Abu Simbel private guide /private car , for our group
In Abu Simbel: In the larger temple, colossal figures of Ramses are seated with the gods and attended by his queen and daughters.
The smaller temple is dedicated to Queen Nefertari, who appears as Hathor, the goddess of love, joy and fertility, symbolized by the benevolent cow. We explore these fine temple by ourselves in the quiet of the morning, admiring their ancient aura and artistry, after which retire to a comfortable hotel for refreshments. Just as planeloads of visitors arrive to throng the temples we head back to the airport for the flight back to Aswan and your Nile cruise . Cabin amenity: Complimentary Egyptian sweets/pastry platter.

DAY 6 - KOM OMBO Wednesday (BLD)
Morning at leisure . In the afternoon we sail for Kom Ombo. Where we dock for the night.

DAY 7- KOM OMBO Thursday (BLD)
We explore the twin Temples of Haroeris , the Sun God, and Sobek , the Crocodile God, at Kom Ombo, . Returning to our ship in time for tea. We set sail for Luxor.

DAY 8- LUXOR Friday (BLD)
After breakfast, on to the Gigantic Temple of Karnak & the great temple of Luxor are our goal this morning , after lunch we see the most recent discoveries housed in the relatively new & charming Luxor Museum. Return to our Nile cruiser in time for afternoon tea

DAY 9- LUXOR / CAIRO / AMMAN Saturday (B)
After breakfast, check - out. Transfer is included to the Airport. Air fare is included in our rate for the flight back to Cairo , as well as assistance and transfer in Cairo , either to connect to Amman flight .

When boarding Aswan ( depending on your dates : Please add $123 USD due to higher air fare Cairo Aswan Cairo )
In Amman .Our local rep we'll pick you up from Queen Alia Airport . Visa Fee is included & issued upon arrival for : Americans, Canadians, EU citizens, Australians, NZ, And Japanese. Our local rep will meet you , assist with your visa and then proceed to Amman for check-in and overnight at the hotel of your choice. ( Complimentary local sweets & bottled water : one large bottle for each guest)

Day 10 - Mt. Nebo - Madaba - Jerash - Petra : (BL)
We head south in our private air conditioned sedan . On to Mt. Nebo! Then we'll continue to Madaba and visit the site of the oldest map of the Holy Land, St. George's Cathedral, and Jerash, the best preserved Roman City of the East.

On to Petra with lunch served ( Included) enroute at a local restaurant.
Reach Petra late afternoon , check-in and overnight at the hotel of your choice.

In the evening we will call on you for a unique experience :
Dine as a local : The Petra Kitchen is a delightful way to round out your Jordan travel experiences. Like any home kitchen, The Petra Kitchen is a relaxed, informal atmosphere where you’ll gather to prepare an evening meal, working alongside local women under the supervision of our chef.

Each evening meal includes soup, cold and hot mezza ( appetizers ) and salads, and a main course—all typical Jordanian dishes. You will have get an inside glimpse of the secrets behind the famous regional cuisine of the Levant.

The Petra Kitchen offers an evening of learning, fun and a very special dining experience, with each dish gaining the special flavor of a reward well-earned. Great care has been taken to make The Petra Kitchen a truly Jordanian experience—right down to the furnishings, all crafted in Jordan, the tableware, all produced by the Iraq al Amir Women’s Co-operative, and the aprons and table linens, all hand-embroidered by the Jordan River Foundation.

Tour experience tonight includes the cuisine course, meal and all non-alcoholic beverages as well as take-home recipes for all dishes prepared that evening.

Day 11 - Petra : (BL)
A full day tour of Jordan's most famous site, the rose-red city of Petra. Venture through the Siq (the gorge between two towering mountains) until you reach the treasury which, like the most of the structures at Petra, is carved into the rose-red Nubian sandstone. In the afternoon, drive back to Queen Alia's Airport, or drive you to Aqaba Harbor if you're boarding the ferry back to Egypt.
Jordanian Departure tax is included in our rate.

For those going on to Syria with us. You will continue on to The Syrian border, visit Bosra before continuing to Damascus. Or if you are touring Syria on your own, we'll be glad to arrange for the transfer to Bosra in Syria ( Supplement $ 165 per person, minimum 2 guests, private car/driver to Bosra).

Bon Voyage.

RATES are  per person in USD

For Dec 20 - Jan 5 , Easter : Please add 15 %

M/S Amarco ultra deluxe Nile cruise

For Dec 20 - Jan 5 , Easter : Please add 15 %

Rate Includes :

• All shore excursions.
• Hotel accommodation as listed .
• Air fare Cairo Amman , in economy class , tax included.
• Domestic air fare as per itinerary with tax. Add $ 150 for upgrade to business class ( subject to availability)
• Transfers in Luxor & Aswan between the Airport & the cruise.
• Two Airport transfers in Cairo.
• Welcome fruit basket upon arrival on board the Nile Cruise .
• A complimentary Galabya gift delivered on board the Nile Cruise
• One large bottle of water ( per person) delivered to your cabin daily while on board the Nile Cruise )
• All entrance fees.
• The service of an English Speaking guide
• All meals: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, as listed while on board the Nile Cruise .
• Afternoon tea daily onboard the Nile Cruise .
• Pickup and drop-off from Amman Airport

• In Amman as indicated : Complimentary local sweets, fruit basket & bottled water : one large bottle for each guest
• Jordanian Visa and departure tax fees
• All tours and transfers in Jordan
• All entrance fees in Jordan
• Horse ride at Petra
• English speaking guides in Jordan ( extended 4 hours tour & guiding in Petra rather than the usual 2    hours)
• Hotel accommodation in Jordan as listed including taxes
• Greeting and assistance upon arrival and departure
• Meals in Jordan as listed: cB: Continental breakfast, L: preset menu lunch.

Not Included:

• Any type of insurance
• For private guide, private air-conditioned car, private driver for the cruise shore excursions, please add $ 250 per person to the above listed rate.

What to Pack:
Most of the year look forward to warm, even hot weather in Luxor & Aswan, morning & evenings are cooler. For Shore excursions, we suggest comfortable cotton & natural fabric lightweight clothing. Comfortable walking shoes are essential

Clothing on Board: Lightweight comfortable & casual clothing. Swimsuits, sun hat. Dining room dress code is casual for breakfast & lunch, but smart casual for dinner. All ships are fully air conditioned

Departure days varies between Deluxe & First class.

It's important to realize that 90% of the money you pay for our tours goes to working people at the destinations we serve. We believe in supporting the local economies of the beautiful places we show you, and we are pleased to be able to help local people to live better lives, whether it be your guides in Upper Egypt, the crew on a Nile cruise, or the Touareg tribesmen of Morocco the bedouins in Petra Jordan. They are our valued associates, just as you are our valued client.

Nefertiti Turns Egypt Upside Down!!

The first bloodless religious revolution against the established church in Ancient Egypt
And the seat of power that rested with the priests in Karnak

Nefertiti Turns Egypt Upside Down!! 1350 BC - Queen Nefertiti is reported to have led her Egyptian subjects on a wild spree of idol-smashing, temple-destruction, and forced migration, all part of a campaign of religious reformation.

"From now on, there will be only one Deity, and that Deity is Aten, the Sun Disc," she has commanded.

Reliable sources in the Nile Valley report that all temples to gods other than Aten have been closed, and that a hefty fine will be imposed on anyone caught with an outlawed statuette.

Idols are to be smashed immediately, and the shards turned over to the priests of Aten.

"The capital of Egypt will now be at Tel El Amarna," reads a decree widely circulated in cuneiform on clay tablets.

"All priests are to settle within one hour's journey of the new Temple to Aten. All bidders on public works contracts will likewise have their head offices within the same specified distance."

Egyptian leaders in exile have disputed the motives behind the upheaval. "It's just a ploy to concentrate power and wealth in her hands and those of her husband, Ikhnaton," stated one defrocked priest.

"Everybody knows that Nefertiti has risen to her position on qualities that have nothing to do with religion.

She isn't called Incarnation of Beauty for nothing," he added, referring to the literal meaning of her name. The source asked not to be identified, fearing reprisals. Tel El Amarna, Nile Valley, 2004 - from Paul Glassman, special correspondent "Wow," commented Joe Shiner, an agro-businesman from Des Moines, as he toured the main temple at Tel El Amarna. "It's one thing to hear that Nefertiti was a real beauty. But it's quite another to visit in person and learn the real story." "Until I came here, I didn't know that she was behind the idea of having only one god-even before the Hebrews and Christians and followers of Mohammed.

"And now that I see her picture, I can understand why people followed her. This is not what I expected . . . not at all!" Mr. Shiner gestured as he spoke to a temple painting of a well-endowed Nefertiti in a chariot, wearing only a see-through cloak and thong-style panties.

"If she was my queen, I'd follow her to the end of the . . . "
Mr. Shiner's comments were interrupted by the approach of his wife.

Disclaimer: The facts presented are as accurate as can be ascertained from the archeological record. Mr. Joe Shiner is a composite of the satisfied clients of Travel in Style.

Sonesta's new , all suites :

Sonesta Star Goddess:
Mondays from Luxor for the Five and Eight day cruise

• Five Decks
  
• 33 Suites
  
• 27 Beethoven suites - 40 sq meters each
  
• 4 Mozart suites - 35 sq meters each
  
• 2 Chopin suites - 52 sq meters each (Clients staying in the Chopin Suite have private guided excursions)
  
• All cabins on upper decks: main, third and fourth decks
  
• Individually controlled air conditioning
  
• Private bathroom with bathtub and hair dryer
  
• DVD, Plasma TV, satellite and movie program (Satellite Television available while sailing)
  
• Channels music system
  
• Private direct-line telephones
  
• Mini bar
  
• Safety-deposit box
  
• Sitting area in each suite
  
• In-room dining available till midnight
• Meals : One Seating.
• International cuisine serving breakfast, lunch buffet and à la carte dinners
  
• Sundeck with bar and barbeque facilities
  
• Lounge serving light meals for lunches dinners, cocktails & beverages
  
• Discotheque
  
• Outdoor swimming pool with bar service
  
• Jogging track
  
• Panoramic spa (gym room, massage room, sauna and Jacuzzi)
  
• Laundry facility
  
• Bazaar
  
• Certified doctor available on board
  
• Private docking facilities in Aswan