ANCIENT EGYPT and THE RED SEA JUNE 3-19 2011 17 DAYS/15 NIGHTS Day 1 – Friday – Departure Day 2 – Saturday – Cairo Day 3 – Sunday – Cairo Day 4 – Monday – Cairo Day 5 – Tuesday – Cairo/Aswan - Nile Cruise Begins Day 6 – Wednesday – Nile Cruise Aswan/Kom Ombo/Edfu Day 7 – Thursday – Nile Cruise Edfu/Luxor ACCOMMODATIONS: 5-STAR DELUXE NILE CRUISE SHIP Day 8 – Friday – Luxor Day 9 – Saturday – Luxor/Sharm El Sheikh Day 10 – Sunday – Ras Mohammed National Park Day 12 – Tuesday – Sharm El Sheikh/Dahab Day 13/14 – Wednesday/Thursday – November 16/17 – Dahab Day 15 – Friday – Dahab ST. CATHERINES MONASTERY & MT. MOSES However, of perhaps even greater significance is that it is the second largest collection of illuminated manuscripts (the Vatican has the largest). PETRA, JORDAN Day 16 – Saturday – Cairo Day 17 – Sunday – Departure TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Total of 7 Flights!
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NOT INCLUDED
Please Note: This itinerary sequence is subject to change due to hotel availability, weather conditions, and government restrictions. Estimated Pricing
Optional Tours – Per Person
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Welcome to Egypt, Land of the Pharaohs! On arrival at Cairo International, you will be met and assisted with visa formalities and escorted to your hotel. As you drive through Cairo, you will see some interesting ancient monuments. After check-in at the hotel and time to freshen up, meet with your Egyptologist-guide to discuss the exciting days ahead. A welcome dinner this evening will introduce you to Egyptian cuisine.
Today you will visit the Giza Plateau where there are three Pyramids, the greatest being that of Cheops. It took 100,000 workers more than 20 years to construct. Entrance into one of the pyramids is included. Southeast of the Great Pyramids is the Sphinx, carved out of solid natural rock in about 2650 BC, a magnificent monument with the head of the Pharaoh and the body of a lion. Continue to visit the first Pyramid ever built, the Step Pyramid of Zoser, in the Sakkara Complex. When Memphis was the capital of Egypt, during the Old Kingdom period, Sakkara was its necropolis. Spread over seven kilometers of desert, Sakkara is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Before returning to the hotel, you will visit the remains in Memphis, the first capital of united Upper and Lower Egypt. 
This morning you will be introduced to the masterpieces of ancient art in the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, including the Mummy Room. The museum is home to the vast findings of King Tutankhamen’s tomb and other important pieces of Egypt's history. There will be time to shop at the Khan El Khalili Bazaar, known for its narrow alleys. Hundreds of shops are selling all types of Egyptian handicrafts, silver and gold jewelry, cottons, copperware and perfumes. ACCOMMODATIONS: LE MERIDIAN PYRAMIDS HOTEL OR SIMILAR (B, L)
This morning a short flight will bring you to Aswan to board your Nile Cruise or you may select the optional pre cruise three-hour Abu Simbel excursion to visit the great Temples of Ramses II and his wife Nefertari. The colossal statues were originally carved into the side of a natural cliff that had to be rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. After your excursion and upon your return to Aswan you will embark your Nile cruise. After lunch, visit Aswan’s High Dam, Granite Quarries, and Unfinished Obelisk. Then continue by felucca to enjoy Kitcheners Island with its beautiful gardens and to view the mausoleum of the Agha Khan. 
After breakfast sail in a small boat to the Philae Temple, situated on the island of Agilika. Like Abu Simbel, the temple was relocated in order to protect it from the rising water of the High Dam, built in 1960. The main sanctuary on the island is dedicated to the Goddess Isis and her son Horus. Ancient Egyptians believed that Isis was the Goddess of Magic, and when she wept, the Nile flooded. This afternoon set sail for the city of Kom Ombo, known as “Ombos” in ancient times. Its location on the Nile, from which the routes from Nubia to the Nile Valley could be controlled, gave it strategic importance. The city became prosperous when the temple was built 
in the Ptolemaic era. The temple is divided into two symmetrical halves. The left side is dedicated to the falcon-headed god, “Haroeris," and the right side to the crocodile god, “Sobek”. Reliefs of Ptolemaic Pharaohs are found in the porch area. The remainder of the temple consists of a crypt, chapels, Roman wells where sacred crocodiles may have been kept, and the remains of a birth house. On the walls of the temple, you will see the first recorded representation of medical instruments. Sail onto Edfu, midway between Aswan and Luxor. 
Begin the day by visiting the magnificently preserved temple of Edfu. The sandstone temple of Horus, the Sun God, was built under the Ptolemies and completed by the mid first century, BC. In the colonnaded court, we will see the surviving statue of a pair of falcons representing Horus. A series of smaller chambers leads to the Sanctuary of the God, which is lit by three openings in the ceiling. Ceremonies, celebrations, and war scenes are shown on the walls of the temple. Later today, you sail to Esna, pass the lock, and arrive in Luxor, ancient Thebes. This afternoon explore the East Bank of the Nile including the Temple of Luxor. Here, the Avenue of Sphinxes, famous for its artistic degree of uniformity, leads to the entrance of the temple where 
a seated colossus of Ramses II and a towering Obelisk sit. Continue to the Karnak Temple, one of the most impressive monuments of ancient art and architecture in the world. The carvings, which adorn all of the walls, depict the history and conquests of many of Egypt's Pharaohs. 
Cross over to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings. The Valley of the Kings houses 63 tombs belonging to the Pharaohs of the New Kingdom, including the famous tomb of King Tutankhamen. Many of the tombs, carved out of the bedrock, retain their original bright colors and fine relief’s and scenes, thought to guarantee the safe passage of the Ka to the after life. Afterwards continue to Deir El Bahri to visit the mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, considered being one of the finest buildings in Egypt. This afternoon enjoy some time at your leisure exploring Luxor on your own, shopping at the bazaar visiting the Luxor Museum or enjoying a drink at the Old Winter Palace.
A short flight will take you to Sharm El Sheikh, the “Land of Turquoise” where rock meets coral reefs and the desert stops at the sea. Transfer to the harbor where you will meet with your dive guide who will take you on an orientation dive at the Far, Near and Middle Garden site. Your equipment will be waiting for you when you arrive. After your check-out dive, you have the option to spend the next 4 days on a liveaboard boat or land-based at a hotel in Sharm. If you choose to explore the Red Sea by liveaboard you will embark on your safari boat the M/Y Snefro Crown, if you choose land-based you’ll check-in at your hotel.
Dive at the most spectacular sites in all of the undersea, and the “masterpiece” of wall dives Ras Mohammed. It has been said that if there were just one dive place in the world to dive that would be Ras Mohammed. The Ras Mohammed Wall extends from the eel garden in the north to a large rock formation in the south called the Shark Observatory. Above the surface is a sheer limestone cliff with a fringing reef below. Drifting southward with the gentle current, every ledge and crevice has something different to offer. Colorful soft corals grow from overhangs, surrounded by Anthias, which flutter around the wall like butterflies. Giant gorgonian fans, up to 15 feet across, spread horizontally on some of the ledges. A few areas, especially in deep crevices, are dark and devoid of life, while others are brilliantly colorful and alive with activity. Caves provide refuge for soldier fish, hatchet fish, and silver 
There is no area in the world comparable to the site that you will dive today. Imagine diving in a watery World War II museum to view a unique piece of military history and dive into the past. The SS Thistlegorm was sunk by German bomber planes in World War II. It rests at the bottom of the sea for over sixty years. Located in the Straits of Gubal, Northern Red Sea this famous vessel has been the subject of much activity and drama during its life as merchant ship and now as an excellent dive site. In 1941 it was destined for British troops in North Africa to deliver supplies. Though described on the manifest as "MT" (Motor Transport), this - probably deliberate, non-description hid a wide array of Land Mines, Shells, Ammunition, Weapons, Bedford Trucks, Armored Cars, Bren-Carriers, BSA Motorcycles, Trailers, Vehicle spares, Aircraft and parts, Radios, Rubber thigh-boots - and a great deal more besides. To save cargo space, the Motorcycles were placed onto the back of the 
Bedford trucks - three at a time before loading. Also on board were two sets of rolling stock to Egyptian Railways - each comprising a 0-6-0 Railway Engine, one Tender, and one Water Carrier - all six items being carried as deck cargo. After two months of sailing, the Thistlegorm landed in Egypt and was assigned “Safe Anchorage “F”, and wait for orders to proceed to Alexandria. The Germans based in Crete, Greece were alerted of the anchorage and released two bombs right over her bridge. Both penetrated No 5 hold - aft of the bridge, detonating a great deal of ammunition. The explosion sent the two locomotives spiraling into the air, as the ship was ripped open like a huge tin can. Even to this day, the rear decks are peeled back towards the Bridge leaving many a Diver wondering what exactly is he looking at. Some accounts have even described this as "Armour Plating!" unaware, the Thistlegorm had no time to defend herself and it quickly sunk while the crew abandoned ship. In 1956, Jacques Cousteau found the 
Thistlegorm and kept it a secret until the early 1990’s when a group of divers happened to discover her. Despite extensive damage aft of the Bridge, the main section is upright and on an even keel. In the past years, many of the smaller treasures have been taken but you will be able to see many other sunken wonders. You will never forget this site!
Your first dive today will be to the historical wreck of the Dunraven, which sank in April 1876. The Dunraven is an old wooden wreck with plenty of room for passing through thousand of glassfish that live in the shade of the wreck. Afterwards return to Ras Mohammed National Park to dive some of the most popular sites including Shark and Yolanda Reef, the southernmost tip of the Sinai Peninsula with an endless wall unique to the Red Sea. Sailing back toward Sharm El Sheikh you will have your third dive at Ras Zatar, Ras Ghazlani or possibly Ras Um Sid. Upon arrival at the port you will be met and transferred to Dahab a Bedouin fishing village that today is world-renowned for its many reefs immediately adjacent to the waterfront hotels. 
The next two days will be spent exploring the numerous legendary dive sites both North and South of Dahab. The most famous shore diving is in the North with the dive sites of The Canyon, The Blue Hole and The Bells. The North Dahab dive sites are just a short 5 mile drive from the Dahab Hilton Resort. The following sites may be visited. The Canyon: The closet dive site from Dahab and also the most accessible for divers. The dive operation companies park the vehicles; divers gear up and enter the water right at the dive site entrance. The site is famous for a large crack in the sea floor starting at 40 feet, going down to 90 feet and is accessible for divers who wish to swim through the “Canyon.” It is also known for colorful hard and soft corals and schools of colorful reef fish. Rick's Reef, situated on the north of the Canyon dive site, is a 
perfect place to make a drift dive toward the lagoon of the Canyon when a mild current is present. This is a very relaxing dive, excellent for photography. Octopus, Scorpion fishes, Morays, school of Red Sea Goatfishes fish and Fusiliers are always around on the sandy plateau patches with coral heads. The sandy bottom often hosts Bluespotted Stingray and amazing Napoleon Wrasses. The sloping coral garden stretches form the entry of the dive site to the fishbowl of the Canyon of beyond. The Blue Hole: A couple of miles up the road from the Canyon find a small Bedouin village of restaurants surrounding a coral peninsula called the Blue Hole. The Blue Hole is a submarine pothole (a kind of cave), around 400 
feet deep. There is a shallow opening around 30 feet deep, opening out to the sea and a 90 foot tunnel, known as the arch, the top of which is 170 feet. The Hole itself and the surrounding area have an abundance of coral and reef fish. Deep descents into the Blue Hole or through the tunnel are only for divers with proper technical dive training and equipment. The Bells: A 100 foot walk from Northern edge of the Blue Hole Bedouin village is a small pool in the coral shoreline where divers enter and go down a sloppy chute called the “Bells.” It takes divers through the coral reef line and exits on the outside reef wall at 80 feet where divers peer into the deep blue abyss as they turn south and head towards the Blue Hole. After gently swimming south for 200 feet along the sheer walls of coral, divers enter the Blue Hole over the shallow opening which faces seaward with a max depth at 30 feet deep. Deco stops at the Blue Hole are spent in a local Bedouin restaurant, where you can ride a camel or just watch divers walk by as you enjoy your lunch. North of the Blue Hole is a dive site called Ras Abu Galum which is best reached by 
Depart Dahab before sunrise for St. Catherine’s. For those interested in climbing Mount Moses you will have the opportunity to do so. Located at the foot of Mount Moses, St. Catherine's Monastery was constructed by order of the Emperor Justinian between 527 and 565. Built around what is thought to be Moses' Burning Bush, which has a chapel built atop it is a spectacular natural setting for priceless works of art, including Arab mosaics, Greek and Russian icons, Western oil paintings, paintings on wax, fine sacerdotal ornaments, marbles, enamels, chalices, reliquaries, including one donated by Czar Alexander II in the 19th century, and another by Empress Catherine of Russia in the 17th century.
This morning you will leave Egypt by fast ferry over to Jordan where you will visit the ancient city of Petra. Climb atop your horse for a ride to the main entrance to the “lost city of Petra”. Much of Petra’s appeal comes from its spectacular setting deep inside a narrow desert gorge. From the main entrance, you walk into the siq, which ripped through the rock in a prehistoric quake. As you make your way through the cliff walls you will pass inscriptions in ancient languages. 
