Family Holiday in Egypt

Page 1

SPECIAL OFFER:

$500 OFF per Child!

Family Holiday in

Egyp

Aboard the Nile Adventurer December 26, 2009–January 6, 2010 With Egyptologists Tarek Swelim and Fetiche Posma-Zaalouk


Dear Traveler, You are invited to join a special family adventure into the heart of ancient Egypt—a land of pyramids and pharaohs, gods and goddesses, hidden tombs and golden treasures. This program features opportunities to learn about one of the greatest civilizations of antiquity woven into fun activities for kids and a fascinating lecture program for adults.

“It is one thing to read about Egyp , a stand between the paws of the Sphinx —2007 Egypt traveler

Created with families in mind, this program features the highlights of Egypt from the Great Pyramids of Giza to the Temple of Isis and the controversial High Dam at Aswan. You’ll take a three-night cruise along the scenic Nile River aboard the Nile Adventurer, visit Kom Ombo and the magnificent Valley of the Kings at Luxor, and enjoy time to browse the colorful, bustling Khan el-Khalili bazaar and marvel at the treasures in the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities in Cairo. An experienced study leader team, Tarek Swelim and Fetiche Posma-Zaalouk, and dedicated youth coordinators will bring to life the mighty rulers, ordinary citizens, and daily rituals nurtured by the waters of the great Nile River, along whose banks nearly all of the cultural and historic sites of ancient Egypt were built. Discover the wonders of Egypt and the Nile over the New Year’s holiday! Sincerely,

J. William Diebenow Executive Vice President High Country Passage To register, contact your professional travel advisor, call High Country Passage at 800-395-3288, or visit www.hcptravel.com, or

Cover: Felucca on the nile Back cover: Giza Pyramids

Abu Simbel

this page: Egyptian man in front of the Gre Cover: Man guiding Felucca down the nile,


and look at pictures. It is another to x and gaze up at the pyramids.”

eat Pyramids, Cairo Aswan

Your Study

Leaders

Dr. Tarek Swelim

is an expert on the art, architecture, and history of Egypt and the Middle East. Educated at The American University in Cairo and Harvard University, Dr. Swelim has been a popular guide and study leader in Egypt since 1979. An assistant professor at The American University in Cairo from 1991 to 1998, he was part of the Bayt El Suhaymi Documentation, Restoration and Conservation Project team (1994– 2000). Dr. Swelim has participated in several documentaries, including “Islam” produced by Smithsonian World, and is the author of The Mosque of Ibn Tulun, a book about Cairo’s oldest mosque still surviving in its original form. Fetiche PosmaZaalouk , a native of

Cairo and a tour guide since 1972, received her degree in Egyptology from Helwan University in Cairo. She is a leading guide in Egypt, Syria, and Jordan and has escorted a wide range of international clients and dignitaries. Fluent in French, English, Dutch, and Arabic, she is also a lecturer in Egyptology at the Leiden Museum in Holland. Fetiche offers unique insights into the ancient and modern history of the Middle East and, in her own words, is happiest “among the tombs and temples of ancient Egypt, describing their art, architecture, and romantic stories.”

You h

Coordinators Two experienced youth coordinators will orchestrate entertaining learning activities specifically geared for young people (ages 7–17). Please note that these activities will take place concurrently with the lecture series planned for adults and interested teens. For safety reasons, adult caregivers are responsible for their children at all other times, both on and off the ship.


Mediterranean Sea

SHIP AIR

CAIRO Gulf of Suez

Gulf of Aqaba

Nile

Red Sea

LUXOR ESNA KOM OMBO

ASWAN

Lake Nasser ABU SIMBEL Kom Ombo

I inerary U.S. ✺ Cairo, Egypt

Saturday & Sunday, December 26 & 27 Depart the U.S. Saturday on the recommended overnight flight or independently. Arrive in Cairo Sunday and transfer to the hotel, located near the pyramids. This evening, gather with fellow travelers for a brief orientation.

Egyptian Girl

colorful murals that portray everyday life in ancient Egypt. Visit nearby Dahshur, where the Red and Bent Pyramids provide insights into the trial-and-error process of pyramid building. Enjoy a Bedouin-style tented welcome dinner near the pyramids. Le Meridien Heliopolis Hotel (B, L, R, D)

Cairo ✺ Tuesday, December 29

Le Meridien Heliopolis Hotel

Explore the incomparable Great Pyramids—the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still existing. Enjoy private access to the base of the enigmatic Sphinx, and visit the Solar Boat Museum, which houses the magnificently preserved 4,500-year-old funerary boat of the Pharaoh Cheops. Attend a private lecture with Dr. Ali Gaballah, the former head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, then enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Le Meridien Heliopolis Hotel (B,L)

Cairo

Cairo ✺ Wednesday, December 30

Monday, December 28 Venture to the necropolis of Saqqara, the burial place of the early pharaohs. See for yourself how the mastabas (early mud-brick tombs) and the Djoser Step Pyramid led to the architectural techniques used to build the Great Pyramids. Inside Saqqara’s underground tombs, view

Delve into Islamic Cairo, with visits to the 14th-century Sultan Hassan mosque; Ibn Tulun, the oldest surviving mosque in Egypt; and Saladin’s Citadel, with the Mohammad Ali mosque. The afternoon is at leisure. Le Meridien Heliopolis Hotel (B,L,D)

Cairo ✺ Abu Simbel ✺ Aswan

Thursday, December 31 Take a charter flight from Cairo to Abu Simbel to see one of the greatest temples of ancient Egypt. Known for colossal statues of Ramesses II and his favorite queen, Nefertari, the temple of Abu Simbel is also the site of a tremendous feat of modern

engineering. In the 1960s, as rising water from the High Dam in Aswan threatened the site, a team of engineers raised the temples 200 feet and relocated them more than 600 feet from the water’s edge. In the afternoon, take a charter flight to Aswan, where a gala dinner will ring in the New Year. Movenpick Aswan (B,L,D)

Aswan (Embark)

Friday, January 1, 2010 This morning visit the Temple of Isis, which was carefully moved to higher ground when the rising waters of Lake Nasser threatened to submerge its original location on Philae Island. Embark the Nile Adventurer in time for lunch on board. This afternoon, sail around Elephantine and Lord Kitchener Islands aboard a felucca, or traditional Egyptian sailboat. After a visit to the High Dam of Aswan,

reserve today! contact your professional travel advisor, Call hcp at 800


return to the ship and join the captain for a welcome reception. Nile Adventurer (B,L,D)

Kom Ombo ✺ Esna Saturday, January 2 Relax on board as the Nile Adventurer cruises past some of the Nile’s most beautiful scenery en route to Kom Ombo. Here, view the unique double temple that honors two gods—the falcon god, Horus, and the crocodile god, Sobek—and its remarkably well preserved brightly colored reliefs. Continue cruising to Esna, where a stroll through the bustling bazaar takes you to the Temple of Khnum. Excavated from centuries of accumulated rubble, the temple’s floor is 30 feet below the present street level. Nile Adventurer (B,L,D)

Luxor Sunday, January 3 Visit the Valley of the Kings, where ancient Egyptians carved magnificent tombs and filled them with treasures for the afterlife. Learn about the early explorers of the Valley and the so-called “Curse of the Pharaohs.” By special arrangement, enjoy private access to tombs normally closed to the public. Visit Karnak Temple to admire Ramesses II’s magnificent hypostyle hall with its 134 giant columns, soaring obelisks, and an enormous temple dedicated to Amun, god of the moon. As the sun sets, stroll the grounds of the lovely Temple of Luxor, whose graceful papyruscluster columns were built by Amenhotep III and later embellished by Ramesses II, Tutankhamun, and Alexander the Great. Nile Adventurer (B,L,D)

Luxor ✺ Cairo

Monday, January 4 After bidding farewell to the Nile Adventurer, visit the fine collections at the Luxor Museum of Ancient Egyptian Art. Take a charter flight back to Cairo to explore Cairo’s most famous souk—the colorful, bustling Khan el-Khalili bazaar, filled with local crafts, jewelry, spices, and incense. After lunch in one of the bazaar’s traditional Egyptian restaurants, children can participate in an optional treasure hunt, conducted by our youth coordinators. This afternoon is at leisure. Sofitel El-Gezirah (B,L)

Cairo ✺ Tuesday, January 5 Take a guided tour of the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, which houses more than 100,000 relics and artifacts from nearly every period of ancient Egyptian history, including the golden treasures of Tutankhamun. A special tour, guided by an Egyptologist, will be offered for younger travelers. This evening, enjoy Egyptian hospitality during our farewell reception and light dinner in the private home of our Egyptologist and Islamic expert, Tarek Swelim.

Funerary boat of the Pharaoh Cheops

Egyptian spices

Sofitel El-Gezirah (B,L,R,D)

Cairo ✺ U.S.

Wednesday, January 6 Transfer to the airport and depart for the U.S. on the recommended flight, or independently. photo credits Cover: © Punchstock. Itinerary: Kom Ombo © iStockphoto.com/ Sue Colvil; funerary boat © Craig McAteer/ BigStockPhoto.com; spices © Sophie Bengtsson/BigStockPhoto.com; hieroglyphics © iStockphoto.com. General Information page: © iStockphoto.com/ Karim Hesham. Back cover: Pyramids © Dobi /Dreamstime.com; Camel © iStockphoto.com/Ljiljana Pavkov.

0-395-3288, or visit www.hcptravel.com

hieroglyphics


he Nile Adventurer The Nile Adventurer is a state-of-the-art river cruiser designed expressly for Nile cruises. Launched in 1990 and completely renovated in 2005, the 32-cabin vessel offers stylish design, spacious cabins, and luxurious amenities. All cabins have a Nile view, private bathroom with bathtub, shower, and hairdryer, color television with satellite TV and in-house movies, telephone with international access, air-conditioning with individual cabin controls, safe deposit box, and mini-bar. The ship also features an upper sun deck with heated swimming pool, lower deck with bar, gymnasium, library, gift shop, and a restaurant accommodating all guests at a single seating.

Standard cabin

Program Rates

(per person, double occupancy, unless otherwise indicated)

$12,380

CSJEHF!DECK

$9,790

$8,790

Standard Cabin, approximately 188 sq. ft., window

NBJO!DECK 205

203

201

206

204

202

111

109

107

108

106

$11,890

110

RESTAURANT

$9,690

Standard Cabin, approximately 188 sq. ft., window

■ Promenade Deck

209

$10,690

207

■ Promenade Deck

RESTROOM

208

Deluxe Cabin, approximately 237 sq. ft., window

101

$8,990

100

$9,990

210

■ Main Deck

GIFT SHOP

LOUNGE & BAR 310

■ Bridge Deck

309

Standard Cabin, approximately 188 sq. ft., window

301

$7,840

406

303

$8,840

LIBRARY

LOWER SUN DECK

Standard Cabin, approximately 188 sq. ft., window

■ Main Deck

BAR

405

302

$6,690

304

$11,190

401

$6,990

305

$7,990

306

■ Nile Deck

QSPNFOBEF!DECK 403

Triple**

402

Single

404

Child*

307

Adult

308

Deck

$10,890

GALLEY

RECEPTION

OJMF!DECK

Presidential Suite, approximately 441 sq. ft., window * Ages 7–17. **A rollaway will be provided for the third person. The other travelers pay the applicable double per person rate.

GYM

who is happy to assist you with making your air travel Do you need a roommate? High Country Passage will arrangements. Please remember to book your flights try to find a share for you and you will be charged the early to avoid higher airfares during the holidays. double occupancy rate even if no roommate is PROGRAM found. RATES Special Offer for Single Travelers:

SPECIAL OFFER:

Take $500 OFF per Child!

CHART PROVIDED FOR REFERENCE ONLY; OK TO REBUILD IN InDESIGN

DOUBLE

AIRFARE

TYPE X

SINGLE

Potential Fuel $0 Surcharge $0 LEAST EXPENSIVE

Nile Deck

Cabin description

Every effort is made to keep program costs as low as possible, and rates $0 do not $0 include allowances to cover possible increases in fuel costs. Please be aware Bridge $0 thatDeck the volatile nature of$0oil prices may make it necessary to assess a fuel surcharge. We appreciate Promenade Deck $0 $0 your understanding.

TYPE X

Main Deck

Cabin description

Round-trip airfare between New York and Cairo, TYPE X Egypt, is not included in the program rates. As of March 2009, economy-class airfare is estimatedTYPE at X $1,040 per person (subject to change). Cost savings TYPE X may be available through High Country Passage,

Cabin description

Cabin description

Cabin description

Main Deck

$0

$0


Family Holiday in

Included

Four nights at Le Meridien Heliopolis Hotel in Cairo, one night at the Movenpick Aswan Hotel, and two nights at the Sofitel El-Gezirah Hotel in Cairo • Three-night cruise aboard the Nile Adventurer • 25 meals (9 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 7 dinners) • Welcome and farewell receptions with wine, and welcome and farewell dinners • Comprehensive program of lectures, excursions, and special events • Complete packet of pre-departure information including suggested reading list and luggage tags • Transfers to and from airports for those participating in or meeting group flights • Visa fees for those on recommended group flights or with private transfers • Baggage handling for those traveling on recommended group flights • Gratuities to porters, guides, drivers, and waiters for all group activities, and to ship’s crew • Port charges • All on-tour transportation • Bottled water on coaches during excursions • State-of-the-art headsets for clear reception of expert commentary during excursions

Egyp

Please send your completed reservation form and deposit to High Country Passage, 500 Third Street, Suite 455, San Francisco, CA 94107; (800) 395-3288. Or contact your professional travel advisor.

Con ac Information (please print)

Name 1 (as on passport)

Name 2 (as on passport)

Child 1 (as on passport)

date of birth

child 2 (as on passport)

date of birth

child 3 (as on passport)

date of birth

child 4 (as on passport) Not Included U.S. domestic and international airfare • Passport fees • Visa fees for those not on recommended group flights or with private transfers • Immunization costs • Airport security fees imposed by the government or airlines • Meals and beverages, including alcohol and wine, not specified as included • Transfers for those not participating in or meeting group flights • Excess baggage charges • Baggage and cancellation insurance • Personal items such as laundry, telephone, fax, and email charges, gratuities for non-group services, and other items not specified as included Terms & Conditions Reservations & Payments A deposit of $1,000 per person (payable to High Country Passage) is required to confirm all reservations. Please mail the check to High Country Passage, 500 Third Street, Suite 455, San Francisco, CA 94107. Final payment deadline is August 28, 2009, 120 days prior to departure. Cancellations & Refunds Deposits are fully refundable if a written notice of cancellation is received by High Country Passage within 30 days of receipt of deposit; after that, they are 100% nonrefundable. Cancellations after final payment deadline: 100% penalty. All cancellations must be made in writing. Itinerary, Program, & Cost Modifications The itinerary, as contained in this brochure, is subject to modifications and change by High Country Passage. Every effort will be made to carry out this program as planned, but alterations may still occur after the final itinerary is sent. Costs, although given in good faith and based on information available upon publication of the brochure, are also subject to change and revision. Due to fluctuations in oil prices, a fuel surcharge may be added to your tour fee. Details and costs will be advised prior to your departure. Insurance Trip cancellation/ interruption insurance is highly recommended and should be considered for your financial protection. Another important consideration is medical insurance and emergency medical evacuation coverage. A comprehensive package will be made

date of birth

available to you upon receipt of your initial deposit. Early purchase will provide coverage of pre-existing medical conditions.

Health All participants should be in good health and capable of walking over rough terrain. By forwarding the deposit for passage, the passenger certifies that he/she does not have any physical or other condition or disability that would create a hazard for him/ herself or other passengers.

City

Responsibility High Country Passage (HCP) acts only as an agent for the suppliers and contractors providing transportation and/or all other travel-related services and assume no responsibility howsoever caused for personal injury, or for personal or property loss or damage, in connection with any service. Additionally, responsibility is not accepted for losses or expenses due to sickness, weather, strikes, terrorism, wars, or other such causes. HCP reserves the right to make changes to the published itinerary whenever, in their judgment, conditions warrant, or if they deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of the tour. Occasionally, unforeseen changes in transportation schedules or other pressing matters necessitate a change in the land portion of the tour or cause a tour to be extended beyond its scheduled completion; any extra costs incurred in such cases are the responsibility of the passenger. HCP reserves the right at their discretion to alter, change, omit, and/or feature any part of the itinerary or any reservation, conveyance, or routing at any time and without notice and for any reason whatsoever without allowance of refund. HCP also reserves the right to decline or accept any person as a member of the tour, or to require any person to withdraw from the tour at any time, when such action is determined by their representative to be in the best interests of the health, safety, and general welfare of the tour group or the individual participant. HCP reserves the right to withdraw without penalty any tour announced. Personal effects are the sole responsibility of the owners at all times.

❏ Enclosed is a check for $ ($1,000 per person), payable to High Country Passage, for space(s) on the Family Holiday in Egypt tour. OR ❏ Please charge my deposit of $ _________ ($1,000 per person) to the following credit card: ❏ MasterCard ❏ VISA ❏ American Express

CST #2070901-40 • 091226 EGF HCP

Address

Phone (home)

Fax

State

(work) Email

(cell)

Zip

Paymen

Card no.

Signature

Name (on card)

Exp. date

Sec. code Date

Accommoda ions

Cabin category preference (refer to deck plan): 1st choice

2nd choice

Bed preference (not guaranteed): ❏ One bed ❏ Two beds

Single Applicants Only

❏ I prefer single accommodations. ❏ I plan to share accommodations with: . ❏ Please arrange a share for me. I am a ❏ smoker ❏ nonsmoker. We will try to find a share for you and you will be charged the double occupancy rate even if no roommate is found.

Accep ance of Terms

I/We have read the program information and the Terms and Conditions in this brochure and agree to the terms as stated therein. Signature Date

Signature Date


CMYK (FROM PMS 357)

Family Holiday in

Egyp

Aboard the Nile Adventurer December 26, 2009–January 6, 2010 With Egyptologists Tarek Swelim and Fetiche Posma-Zaalouk

100% K

500 Third Street, Suite 455 San Francisco, CA 94107-1805

SPECIAL OFFER:

WHITE

$500 OFF per Child!

You and your family will:

Take a camel ride across desert sands near the Great Pyramids. Indulge in regional foods at a private, tented Bedouin dinner. Learn about hieroglyphics, mummification, and pyramid construction. Enjoy an unforgettable New Year’s Eve with a gala dinner in Aswan. Participate in a guided treasure hunt for kids at the Khan el-Kahlili bazaar


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