ITINERARY

Day 1 Sat - Dec 20: Detroit / New York (JFK) / Cairo
Your exciting journey begins as you depart Detroit for New York this afternoon to connect with your Egypt Air flight to Cairo.
DL 5052 20DEC SA DTWJFK 1212P 159P
MS 986 20DEC SA JFKCAI 630P 1130A#1

EGYPT
Day 2 Sun - Dec 21: Arrive Cairo (D)
Arrive in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, late this morning. You are welcomed at the airport and assisted with the visa process. After completing arrival formalities you are escorted to the deluxe CAIRO MARRIOTT HOTEL. The rest of the day is at leisure. Enjoy a welcome dinner this evening.
The Cairo Marriott Hotel & Omar Khayyam Casino is located in the heart of Cairo with an exotic garden setting built around a 19th century palace on an island in the Nile River in downtown Cairo. The hotel is surrounded by the sights and sounds that makes Cairo the most popular destination in the Middle East for both business and leisure travelers and is a perfect base for exploring historic Cairo. It is an oasis of peace, a perfect place to unwind, to conduct business and to receive royal Marriott service in an exquisite palatial setting in the Historical City of Cairo.

Day 3 Mon - Dec 22: Cairo / Luxor (BLD)
Fly to Luxor this morning to board the deluxe cruise vessel, MS TU-YA, your home for the next four nights as you cruise the majestic and mystical Nile River. This afternoon, tour the Karnak and Luxor temples. This evening, enjoy dinner and dancing on board. An idyllic way to discover the rich history along the Nile, this deluxe cruiser offers the elegance of an old world voyage. The MS Tu Ya offers guests a cruise on the Nile along the landmarks of an ancient civilization. The journey begins in Luxor and courses through Pharaonic dynasties that span thousands of years. Elegant interiors with teak paneling, parquet floors, European antiques and Oriental carpets create an ambience of luxury. Excellent recreational and dining facilities make the journey pleasurable. Impeccable service and a beautiful setting come together to make this a voyage of discovery. Among the highlights of the cruising experience, is the delicious international cuisine, spanning a wide variety of styles, with choices for the most discerning of palates.

Day 4 Tue - Dec 23: Luxor / Esna (BLD)
Cross the Nile to the West Bank to the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. Continue to Esna, the site of a temple dedicated to the ram-headed god, Khnum.

Day 5 Wed - Dec 24: Esna / Edfu / Kom Ombo (BLD)
A short horse-drawn carriage ride takes you to the temple dedicated to the falcon-headed god, Horus. Sail to Kom Ombo. Christmas Eve Celebration.

Day 6 Thu - Dec 25: Kom Ombo / Aswan (BLD)
Visit the Ptolemaic Temple of Kom Ombo before sailing to Aswan. See the High Dam, Old Dam, Granite Quarries and the Temple of Philae.

Day 7 Fri - Dec 26: Aswan / Abu Simbel / Cairo (BLD)
This morning, go sightseeing by felucca (wooden sailboat) around the botanical gardens on Kitchner Island. Fly to Abu Simbel for a tour of one of the most spectacular and best-preserved temples in the country. Later, fly back to Cairo & transfer to the CAIRO MARRIOTT HOTEL.

Day 8 Sat - Dec 27: Pyramids / Memphis / Saqqara (BLD)
Visit the Great Pyramids of Giza, including the Pyramid of Khufu and the Sphinx. Drive to Memphis, once a vast metropolis and capital of the Old Kingdom. Continue to Saqqara, the oldest stone complex in the world, to see the towering Step Pyramid of Djoser, the earliest of all pyramids. This evening enjoy a dazzling display of lights and sound at the Pyramids of Giza. Using modern technology the show seeks to interpret the history of a bygone era to recreate the magic of the past.

Day 9 Sun - Dec 28: Excursion to Alexandria (BLD)
Enjoy a full day excursion to Alexandria today. Visit the Montazah Summer Palace and gardens. Following lunch visit the Fort and Citadel of Qaitbay, which was built around 1480 by the Mamluk Sultan Qaitbay. Visit Bombay's Pillar which was built in 297 AD for the Roman Emperor Diocletian. The day ends with a visit to the Catacomb of Komel-Shokafa. These tombs were tunneled into the bedrock in the age of the Antonine emperors (2nd century A.D.) for a single wealthy family still practicing the ancient religion. These tombs represent the last existing major construction for the sake of the old Egyptian religion.

Day 10 Mon - Dec 29: Cairo Sightseeing (BLD)
Explore the ancient city of Cairo, including the Egyptian National Museum, Old Cairo, the Citadel, the Alabaster Mosque of Mohammed Ali and the colorful Khan el Khalili Bazaar. This evening and enjoy a farewell dinner and folk show, complete with belly dancer.

Day 11 Tue - Dec 30: Cairo / New York (JFK) (B)
Depart Cairo this morning and arrive home today, or continue your exploration with the extension to Jerusalem, Petra & Sharm Al Sheikh.
MS 985 30DEC TU CAIJFK 910A 315P/O $ E

Arrive in New York this afternoon. After completing arrival formalities, proceed to the Delta terminal to board the flight to Detroit. Arrive home this evening with fond memories of your sojourn to the land of the Pharaohs.

Extension to Jerusalem, Petra & Sharm El Sheikh

Day 11 Tue - Dec 30: Cairo / Tel Aviv / Jerusalem (BLD)
Depart Cairo this morning for Tel Aviv by flight on board Air Sinai.
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Arrive in Tel Aviv, where you are welcomed and transferred to the RENAISSANCE HOTEL. Tour Jerusalem this afternoon, starting the day with the breathtaking view the Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, and then enter Old City via the Jaffa Gate. We will explore the Jewish Quarter and visit the Cardo, an ancient marketplace where you can still shop today. Continue on to the Western Wall, the holiest place to the Jewish People. We will continue into the Christian Quarter and walk along the Via Dolorosa, following the Stations of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Day 12 - Wed Dec 31: Masada & Dead Sea Tour (BD)
Travel south and descend to the lowest place on earth – the Dead Sea. Ascend (by Cable Car) to the mountain fortress of Massada, once a luxurious palace built by Herod the Great and later the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. Explore the unique remains including the bathhouse, water cisterns, storerooms, hanging palaces and the Synagogue. Enjoy a chance to swim (float) in the mineral rich Dead Sea. The high mineral content in the water and the mud is well known for its curative effects.

Day 13 - Thu Jan 1: Jerusalem / Petra (BLD)
Depart Jerusalem this morning and drive to the Allenby Bridge. Cross over into Jordan and proceed to Petra. Check in at the PETRA CROWN PLAZA HOTEL.
The fabled city of Petra--a marvel carved from living stone, all pink and wonderful, surely the most beautiful sight ever seen.”—is merely one of Jordan’s many ancient and modern treasures. This afternoon explore the Treasury, Amphitheatre and ancient tombs of the ‘rose-red’ city of Petra. New Years Eve celebrations.

Day 14 - Fri Jan 2: Petra / Sharm El Sheikh (B)
Further sightseeing in Petra. Later this morning transfer to Aqaba to board the ferry to Nowiiba. Upon arrival transfer to Sharm El Sheikh. Check in at the HILTON FAYROUZ HOTEL. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 15 - Sat Jan 3: Sharm El Sheikh (B)
Day at leisure in Sharm to pursue independent activities.

Day 16 - Sun Jan 4: Sharm El Sheikh / Cairo / New York / Detroit (B)
Depart Sharm this morning by flight for New York via Cairo.
MS 126 04JAN SU SSHCAI 635A 735A
MS 985 04JAN SU CAIJFK 910A 315P

Arrive in New York this afternoon. After completing arrival formalities please proceed to the Delta terminal to connect with the onward flight to Detroit.
Arrive home this evening with fond memories of your sojourn to the land of the Pharaohs.

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