16 days/15 nights
Egypt has a major strategic geographical position as a bridge between continents offering migratory species an ideal route for their annual migration from Europe and Asia.
A wide array of Egyptian habitats ranging from high rocky mountains to desert and tropical style jungle along the Nile Valley, give it a exceptional character plus the variety needed to attract an extremely wide range of bird life. There are over 470 species of birds found in Egypt with about 140 being inhabitant.
The others are annual visitors from Europe and Asia with the primary migrations south in the fall and the return in the spring months. The combination of bird watching with exploring ancient Egypt is what will make this trip beautifully unforgettable for you.
Day 1:
Arrive at Cairo Airport. You will be received by our most experienced personal. They will help you with the entry Visa and will transfer your luxurious Marriott hotel, which used to be one of the royal palaces of the former King. It is situated on a Nile island, in the middle of Cairo. It is encircled by acres of green land with a large variety of birds to watch.
Day 2:
This morning we drive to the oasis of El Fayoum. Located about 1.5 hours drive south of Cairo this is one of the greatest oasis areas in Egypt and a major winter home for migratory species. Fayoum is where the Greeks and Romans had their wineries and grew the grain for the empire.
It also was an important part of Pharaonic history including a famous canal thought to have been built by the Biblical Joseph. O/N Fayoum (B)
Day 3:
We depart Fayoum early this morning for the Pyramids at Gizeh and the inscrutable Sphinx. In the afternoon we visit the Egyptian Museum and the Khan el Khalili bazaar.
O/N Cairo Marriott (B)
Day 4:
Today, we will visit the ancient churches in the Christian quarter of Cairo. Rest of the day will be free.
Day 5:
A full day touring the ancient capital of Memphis, Sakkara with it's Stepped Pyramid, the earliest pyramid of all, the Seraphim (tomb of the bulls), and the Mastabas of Ti which features beautiful carvings of early Egyptian bird life, and Dahshur with it's "Bent" Pyramid, Black Pyramid and Red Pyramid (the Red pyramid is open for entry).
O/N Cairo (B)
Day 6:
A morning flight to Aswan and transfer to the Hotel. Built on the highest elevation in the area it offers commanding views of the Nile, the desert and the city. We will visit the Nubian Museum in the afternoon or evening depending on the flight time. O/N (B)
Day 7:
An optional tour to the Temples at Abu Simbel or a day to relax and enjoy Aswan. O/N (B)
Day 8:
Today we visit the Granite quarries with it's Unfinished Obelisk, The temple of Philae and the Old Dam. O/N Hotel (B)
Day 9:
Sail by Felucca (native sailboat) to visit the famous islands of the area. Kitchener's Island is a botanical garden that naturally attracts a number of species, filled with exotic plants and trees imported from all over the world. Elephantine Island is the largest of the Aswan area islands, and is one of the most ancient sites in Egypt, with artifacts dating to pre-dynastic periods.
It is also a good place to spend leisure time, wandering among the Nubian villages where the people are friendly and the houses are often very colorful. Depart by train to Luxor about 5 PM, which affords an excellent opportunity to watch sunset along the river, the birds nesting for the night and the river traffic as lights come on at the approach of darkness. Arriving Luxor about 8 PM transfer to the St. George Hotel, right on the Nile, facing the Necropolis of Thebes. (B,L)
Day 10:
This morning we depart early for the West Bank, The Necropolis of Thebes where we will visit the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon. Afternoon free at leisure. O/N St. George (B)
Day 11:
The temples of Luxor and Karnack are visited this morning plus the Karnack Museum. In the evening we fly to Sharm el Sheikh, located at the southern extreme of the Sinai Peninsula, you are now in Asia. You will stay right on Neema Bay at the Marriott. O/N Sharm.
Day 12:
Depart in the morning for the Sinai Mountains. Drive to the important Biblical site of Wadi Fairan. This area is an oasis of greenery in an otherwise hostile environment and as
such attracts a wide variety of species ranging from songbirds to predators. A journey through Feiran is to pass through an entire chapter of the Old Testament
itself.
Few places are as steeped in Biblical mystery as the great Wadi Feiran-the Sinai's largest Wadi and one of it's most archeologically important stretches of terrain. It was here, according to locals, scholars, and legend, that Moses struck a rock with his staff, bringing forth a spring so his people could drink. Feiran is also the site of Rafadim, the fabled oasis where the Hebrews camped and battled the Amelecites.
You will also be introduced to Bedouin culture, one that has not changed for many centuries. Enjoy a BBQ lunch Bedouin style. Ride a camel if you like. From Wadi Feiran we drive to Mt. Sinai where we overnight at a small hotel. O/N St. Catherine's Plaza (B,L,D)
Day 13:
Today you can rise early, about 3AM, climb Mt. Sinai and watch the sunrise from the crest or sleep in and the view the mountain from the base. You will also visit St. Catherine's Monastery. Located at the foot of Mount Moses, St. Catherine's was constructed between 527 and 565. It is built around what is thought to be Moses' Burning Bush. It is a spectacular natural setting for priceless works of art.
St. Catherine's is also a formidable fortification, with granite walls 40 to 200 feet tall, surrounded by gardens and cypresses. From St. Catherine's you will visit the Rock
of Inscriptions, where travelers have left graffiti and directions for 8,000 years plus Ein Kudra, the traditional Hazarot of the Children of Israel (Exodus) to the Gulf of
Aqaba then back to Sharm el Sheikh to overnight at the Marriott. O/N Sharm.
Day 14:
This morning fly to Cairo where you will visit Gabal El Asfar. This is the huge reclaiming area for the cities sanitation system. Since it's start in 1923 this area has grown into one of the richest birding sites in Egypt.
Day 15:
Staff will transfer you to the airport; assist with exit formalities and checking in for your international departure.
BIRDS OF THE PHARAOHS
SMALL GROUP TOUR DATES AND PRICES:
NOTE: Many hotels in Egypt have mandatory Christmas and New Years dinners/parties. These can range from $75 a person, per event, to over $200. These special dinners/parties are NOT included in this price as the hotels will not announce the rate until late fall of 2007.
PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
All tours booked with deposits paid are price protected against any increase in ground tour costs however airline or security tax increases plus any fuel charge supplements are not protected.
GROUP TOURS INCLUDE:
Guaranteed to operate with NO minimum but a maximum of 16 travelers). All transfers by air-conditioned vehicle relating to the tour program starting with arrival to Cairo. Baggage handling of no more than 2 pieces of luggage per person however baggage and personal effects are at the owner's risk at all times during the tour. Hotels (based on double occupancy). Meals as outlined by B for Breakfast, L for lunch and D for dinner. Fees for visiting antiquity sites and museums. Services of an English speaking licensed Egyptologist. Service charges and taxes. Tips for ground personnel except guide.
NOT included are: Air ticket taxes or fuel surcharges, items of a personal nature such as tips for guide, entry visa (available at the airport on entry for USA, Canadian and E.U. citizens. Other nationalities should check with the nearest Egyptian consulate), phone calls, laundry, bar bills, beverages during meals, any items not specifically covered in the included items and all “options”.
(Prices are updated individualy to each company, depending on quantity of packages and type of packages. Offers will be shown to every company thrue this site.)
