Egypt

Tue. Feb. 23 Depart ATLANTA

Wed. Feb. 24 Arrival at Cairo

• Meet TUTKU representative at Cairo International Airport and assist through customs and formalities.
• Transfer to the hotel.
• Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Thu. Feb. 25 Cairo

• After breakfast, transfer to Giza.
• Visit the Pyramids of Cheops, Chefren& Mikarinus. After viewing the three great Pyramids from a panoramic viewpoint, visit the Sphinx.
• Visit the new Grand Egyptian Museum.
• Back to the hotel.
• Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Fri. Feb. 26 Cairo

• Visit: Sakkara and Dahshur pyramid sites and Memphis. At Sakkara we can see the first pyramid, the Step Pyramid of Djoser including New Kingdom tombs. The Dahshur Pyramids precede the Giza group and allow one to see the evolution of the pyramid. These necropolises were the burial grounds for the kings and elite of the nearby capital, Memphis. At Memphis we will visit an outdoor museum that includes a colossal statue of Ramesses II.
• Possible handmade papyrus craft at a Papyrus Institute.
• Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Sat. Feb. 27 Cairo

• Visit Old Coptic Cairo, home to the Hanging Church and the Church of St Sergius. St. Sergius is the oldest and most unique of the churches in Old Cairo, founded in the 5th century. Its main attraction is a crypt claimed to be the place where the Holy Family stayed during their Egyptian exile.
• Visit Ben Ezra Synagogue is the supreme Jewish monument in Cairo.
• Visit Khan El Khalili Bazaar.
• Visit the Cave Church, also known as the Church of St. Simon the Tanner.
• Possible cooking class experience.
• Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Sun. Feb. 28 Aswan

• Morning transfer to Cairo Airport to fly to Aswan.
• Afternoon visit to the High Dam at Aswan, completed in 1970.
• Visit the Nubian Museum.
• Dinner and overnight in Aswan.

Mon Mar. 1 Abu Simbel and Aswan

• Optional: early morning visit by bus to Abu Simbel. Here at Abu Simbel, there are two iconic temples: the Temple of Hathor and Nefertari, and nearby the mammoth Great Temple of Ramesses II. Four colossal sitting statues greet visitors on their entry to the Great Temple. The temple serves as a living legacy of the Pharaoh Ramesses II. For those not wishing to visit Abu Simbel, free time until lunch.
• Upon return to Aswan, visit the Unfinished Obelisk (Granite Quarry) and Philae Temple dedicated to the goddess Isis. (Note: If the group decides to go for Abu Simbel trip, they may only have time to visit one of the two sites.)
• Dinner and overnight in Aswan.

Tue. Mar. 2 Luxor

• Morning transfer to Luxor by bus.
• Arrive Luxor and visit Karnak Temple. Walk among the pillars of the temple dedicated to the god Amun Ra and along the avenue of the Sphinxes at Karnak.
• In the evening, visit the illuminated Luxor Temple.
• Dinner and overnight in Luxor.

Wed. Mar. 3 Luxor

• Optional: early morning hot-air balloon flight over west Luxor.
• After early breakfast, drive to the west side of Luxor: explore the great Valley of the Kings, where generations of Pharaohs were buried in crypts cut into the cliffs.
• Stop by the Colossi of Memnon, then proceed to visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
• 1 hour afternoon felucca ride on Nile.
• Dinner and overnight in Luxor.

Thu. Mar. 4 Luxor

• After breakfast visit the Valley of the Nobles.
• Visit Medinat Habu and Ramesseum Temples.
• Evening flight to Cairo.
• Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

Fri. Mar. 5 Departure

• Walk across the tube to Cairo International Airport terminal for final departure.

• Roundtrip international air fare between ATLANTA – CAIRO
• Domestic flight ticket: Cairo/Aswan-Luxor/Cairo.
• Meet and assist at Cairo airport upon arrival and departure.
• Accommodation at 5-star standard hotels as per hotels specified below or similar.
• 4 Nights at Movenpick Media City or similar in Cairo
• 2 Nights at Sonesta Luxor or similar in Luxor
• 2 Nights at Tolip Aswan or similar in Aswan
• 1 Nights at Meridien Airport or similar in Cairo
• Daily breakfasts
• 9 Dinners
• Entrance fees to all archaeological sites included in the program.
• English Speaking licensed tour guide throughout the itinerary.
• Camel ride at the pyramids.
• Transfers & transportation by private A/C bus.
• Portage for one piece of luggage at the hotels.
• Guide wireless headset system.
• Tips to tour guide, driver and hotels staff.
• Service charges and local taxes.

• Egypt Visa ($30)- Subject to increase if applied by the government.
• Lunches and drinks.
• Personal expenses, any other item which is not included above.
• Optional hands-on experience with making papyrus (cost will be announced later)
• Optional early morning hot air balloon ride in Luxor usually - cost between $120- $150, depending on demand and availability
• Optional trip to Abu Simbel - additional cost: $140 per person.