River of the Pharaohs
Wonders of Egypt
March 6 – 16, 2007
LIVING HISTORY
No country in the world has so many impressive antiquities as does
Egypt. Few civilizations can compete with Egypt’s magnificent
buildings, its legendary wealth, or its long centuries of peace. To
a large extent this is because other civilizations did not have Egypt’s
main advantage—a great river. For tens of thousands of years the
River Nile has been the focal point of life, and ancient Egyptians believed
the river’s waters came from a “mysterious heaven of plenty.”
All of Egypt depended on the Nile for
water, food, and transportation. The need to maintain irrigation channels
as well as the convenient transportation that the river provided were
some of the reasons Egypt was the first country in the world to have
a national government. The availability of this unlimited supply of
water allowed the creation of a society which produced the wonders of
ancient Egypt.
Throughout history people have tried to
understand the pyramids. Early Christians thought they were places where
priests watched the stars. In the late 18th century some people believed
that the Great Pyramids’ measurements were devised by God, and
that from them they could predict the future! In time, however, with
the excavation of whole towns, temples and tombs, scholars finally came
to understand that these were the final resting places of Egypt’s
great kings—the Pharaohs.
The title of Pharaoh certainly sounds
impressive, but it simply means “the one who lives in the palace.”
The Egyptians believed, however, that no single name could express adequately
the greatness of their ruler. They felt that the king, by serving the
gods, helped the sun to rise every morning and helped the Nile to flood
at the end of each summer, and that in return for the offerings of food
and water that only the Pharaoh could make, the gods would feed their
souls after death. The Pharaoh’s power was almighty and unquestioned.
The Pharaoh’s chief duty was to build and maintain temples to
the gods.
The ancient Greeks saw Egypt as a source
of all wisdom. Roman emperors traveled here to marvel at the pyramids.
They packed up Egyptian statues and obelisks and sent them home to decorate
Rome. The worship of deities like Isis and Osiris spread through the
Roman Empire as far as Britain. As a result, Egypt is probably one of
the world’s oldest vacation spots. Early Greeks, Romans and others
went there just for fun, and to see the wonders of some of mankind’s
earliest triumphs.
For thousands of years Egypt has been
the playground of emperors and kings, but it is much more than just
its pyramids and monuments. It is also Red Sea tranquility, hot nightclubs,
luxury hotels and world-class restaurants. It is romantic cruises down
the Nile on deluxe ships, and adventurous excursions into the vastness
of the Sahara Desert. Toto Tours invites you on a cultural odyssey to
Egypt, the like of which you have never experienced before. Journey
with us to a land bustling with life, sound, visual beauty and excitement.
It is, without a doubt, the one place you simply must experience in
your lifetime.
ITINERARY
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Depart U.S. / Travel Day
The tour cost includes your round-trip group airfare on Egyptair plus
all internal flights within Egypt. We depart New York’s JFK International
Airport on Egyptair Flight # 986 at 6:30pm this evening. Check in for
this flight no later than two hours prior to departure and proceed to
the departure gate, where you will meet your tour leader. Our actual
flying time tonight will be 10 hours and 45 minutes, non-stop.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Arrive in Cairo
We arrive at the Cairo International Airport at 12:15pm today, and
are met by our local host who will assist with our transfer to the Marriott
Palace. The afternoon is free to rest up from jet lag and enjoy the
amenities of our wonderful hotel. This evening Toto Tours hosts a Welcome
Dinner at the very trendy La
Bodega Restaurant, just a short walk from our hotel. (Dinner)
Thursday, March 8, 2007
Old Cairo / Citadel
After a sumptuous buffet breakfast at our hotel we are off to the Egyptian
National Museum for a guided tour of the most famous museum
of ancient Egyptology, featuring the amazing treasures of King Tut.
(Even though some pieces are currently out for a traveling exhibition,
the vast majority of the treasures can only be seen at this museum.)
We also include entrance to the special room containing the amazing
collection of ancient mummies.
Tour Old Cairo and see the Coptic Church known
as The
Hanging Church, then plunge into the excitement of the Khan
el Khalili Bazaar. Our guide will take you through its bustling
lanes, where you can see typical day-to-day life in Old Cairo and shop
for unique souvenirs. We enjoy lunch at Naguib Mafouz, an historic and
lovely Oberoi café within the Bazaar. The tour concludes with
a visit to the Citadel
of Salah el Den, built in 1183 AD, and featuring the Mosque
of Mohammed Ali (also known as the Alabaster Mosque).
This evening thrill to your first glimpse of
the pyramids in a most spectacular way, attending the Sound & Laser
Light Show at the Great Pyramids of Giza. This enchanting production
with music, historical narration and special effects created with laser
lights will be an unforgettable first encounter with the Great Pyramids
and the Sphinx! (Breakfast / Lunch)
Friday, March 9, 2007
Memphis / Sakkara / Giza
Our day of touring begins in Memphis,
the site of Egypt’s ancient capital, where we see the remains
of two temples and a huge alabaster statue of Ramses II. Continue on
to Sakkara
and Egypt’s oldest standing stone structure, the Step Pyramid
of King Zoser. If we are fortunate, we might convince a groundskeeper
to open a tomb with depictions of two men in loving embrace.
Next stop is Giza, where we enjoy lunch
at the luxury Mena
House, overlooking the Great Pyramids. Then, at last, enjoy
one of the true highlights of the tour—getting up close and personal
with the Great
Pyramids and the Sphinx. Our guide will lead a tour of the
area, including the Sphinx and the Solar Boat, then we enjoy free time
to soak up everlasting impressions of these world wonders. You might
use your time to wander the site atop a camel or a horse, or climb into
the burial chamber of one of the Great Pyramids if it is open (these
activities optional). We return to our hotel in Cairo and the remainder
of the day is free. (Breakfast / Lunch)
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Board Cruise Ship / Tour Luxor, Karnak, Valley of Kings & Queens
NOTE: The proposed itinerary, schedule and activities
aboard our Nile Cruiser are subject to revision at the discretion of
the Captain.
After breakfast depart our hotel for the airport and a morning flight
to Luxor. Upon arrival we transfer to our deluxe Nile River Cruise Ship,
boarding before lunch. This afternoon we visit the great temples of
Luxor
and Karnak. Continue to the West Bank to tour the Valley
of Kings and Valley
of Queens, where many of Egypt’s rulers were buried
in ornate tombs. Tour the Deir
El Bahari funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, then visit
the Colossi
of Memnon, huge twin statues each 75 feet high and hewn from
a single piece of rock. This evening you have the option to attend a
Sound and Light Show at Luxor. (All
Meals)
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Cruise to Edfu via Esna
Relax and enjoy the passing scene and all the amenities of our luxurious
ship as we cruise to Edfu. (All Meals)
Monday, March 12, 2007
Edfu / Kom Ombo / Aswan
In Edfu, visit the Temple
of Horus, built between 237BC and 57BC. It is the best-preserved
temple complex in Egypt. The Court of Offerings has a colonnade of 32
pillars covered with bas-reliefs. Magnificent black falcons guard the
entrance to the steps of the complex.
Continue our cruise along the Nile to Kom Ombo
where we visit the Sobek
Temple, a unique temple from the Ptolemic period. Divided
between two separate Egyptian deities, it honors the local crocodile
god Sobeck and the falcon-headed sky god Horus. Continue cruising south
along the Nile to Aswan. (All Meals)
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Aswan
Visit the awesome High
Aswan Dam, an ancient granite quarry with a huge, unfinished
obelisk, and the Philae
Temple. After lunch enjoy a view of Kitchener’s
Island, the Botanical Gardens and the Agha Ghan Mausoleum
aboard a romantic felucca
boat. (All Meals)
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Aswan to Abu Simbel
After breakfast, disembark from the ship and fly to Abu
Simbel. Here we stand and marvel at one of the greatest feats
of archeological preservation ever accomplished. When the lake created
by the Aswan Dam threatened to submerge the Great Temples of Ramses
and Nefertari, the Egyptians undertook a herculean project to move the
temples, brick by brick, to higher ground.
After relaxing at our hotel, we return to the
Temples as the sun sets to marvel at Egypt’s most spectacular
sound and light show. Very few tour groups actually spend the night
in Abu Simbel, and this event is guaranteed to be one of the highlights
of your tour! Dinner is on our own tonight in Abu Simbel. (Breakfast)
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Return to Cairo
This morning our group travels to the Abu Simbel airport for our return
flight to Cairo. The entire day is at leisure to relax by the pool,
do last-minute souvenir shopping, or visit some additional historic
sites on your own.
This evening Toto Tours hosts a very special
Farewell Dinner aboard the elegant Nile Maxim Dinner Cruise and Show.
We cruise around Cairo at night, enjoying the lights of this grand city
sparkling in the reflections of the Nile while savoring wonderful food
and watching Egyptian and International entertainment. The acts include
professional belly dancers, whirling dervishes and more—all blending
into a most festive conclusion to our exploration of “The River
of the Pharaohs.” (Breakfast
/ Farewell Dinner)
Friday, March 16, 2007
Departure
After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our return flight. Egyptair
Flight # 985 departs Cairo at 10:00am and lands at JFK at 3:15pm the
same day. (Breakfast)
Click the link above to read the full detailed itinerary of our optional
tour extension to Jordan, with a special emphasis on Petra. You have
come this far, why not stay a few more days and see another of the world’s
most famous archeological treasures?
ACCOMMODATIONS
(Click hotel name to read description)
Cairo (first 3 nights): Cairo
Marriott Palace & Casino
Nile Cruise: MS
Mojito Five Star Deluxe Nile Cruiser
Abu Simbel: Seti
Abu Simbel Hotel
Cairo (last night): Sonesta
Hotel Heliopolis
TOUR PREPARATION
Entry Requirements—Citizens of the United States
and Canada need a valid passport and visa for travel to Egypt. Passports
must be valid for a minimum of six months after the end of the tour.
The cost of the visa is $20, and is not included. Toto Tours will provide
information about how to obtain your visa once your reservation has
been received.
Immunizations—No immunizations are compulsory,
but inoculations for typhoid, polio, malaria, hepatitis and tetanus
are advised. Please consult your personal physician for advice and immunization
planning.
Exit Requirements—There is no departure tax
levied when leaving Egypt.
WHAT TO BRING
March temperatures in Egypt can reach the mid-80's in the daytime,
but as is typical of desert climates, drop significantly at night. Expect
the weather in Cairo to range from a cool 54 degrees to a comfortable
75 degrees, with Luxor and Aswan more in the 60-85 degree range. Bring
light-colored, lightweight cotton clothes that breathe well, or the
new micro-fiber fabrics.
Dress is casual and conservative; your clothes
should not insult local sensibilities, so leave tight, provocative apparel
at home. Loose garments are more comfortable and allow wind to circulate,
creating a natural ventilation system. Pack light and try to carry only
two small suitcases. Pack any medications you require in a carry-on
bag just in case your luggage doesn’t arrive when you do. Leave
expensive jewelry at home—it marks you as a wealthy tourist and
an easy target for mugging.
Suggested Packing List:
____ Passport and Visa
____ Sturdy walking shoes / cool sandals
____ 4 pairs long pants, lightweigh cotton or khaki trousers for dinners
____ 1 pair sturdy denim jeans for riding camels or horses (not necessary
if you just want to climb on one for a photo op)
____ 3 pairs shorts for hot desert sightseeing excursions
____ T-shirts (6 - 8).
____ Socks and underwear for 10 days
____ Daypack & fanny pack (you will want to carry water at all
times)
____ Sunscreen / lip balm / bug spray
____ Sunglasses / sun hat
____ Personal toiletries
____ Swimsuits.
____ Jacket or sweater for cooler nights and mornings.
____ Camera & plenty of film or memory cards / extra batteries
____ A good book for the plane / ship
MONEY MATTERS
The monetary unit is the Livre Egyptian or the Egyptian pound (EGP),
which is subdivided into 100 piastres (PT). Notes come in denominations
of 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 LE, and 50 and 25 PT. Coins are 25, 20,
10, and 5 PT. On July 26, 2006, the interbank exchange rate was 5.80
EGP to the U.S. $1. All international hotels and most restaurants and
shops accept the major credit cards. ATMs are widely available, and
many banks provide cash advances on credit cards.
Taxes and Tipping—Tipping or “baksheesh”
is generally around 5% of the full sum, usually less if the bill is
very high and slightly more if the bill is low. In other words, the
more you spend, the less you tip. Hotel maids should get around LE10
per week, porters LE2 and elevator or door men LE1. Taxi drivers are
particularly aggressive and any demands for higher tips should be studiously
ignored. Most cabbies already add an illegal “foreigner”
surcharge.
To reserve a place on this tour, click on the “Reservations”
link above. Type in the information requested in each field, print the
form, then sign and mail it to Toto Tours with your $500 deposit check.
You also have the option to pay for your tour deposit with a Visa or
MasterCard. The remaining balance is due 80 days prior to departure
(by December 18, 2006). Tour registration is not complete until we have
received both the form and your deposit check.
Toto Tours does not accept credit cards
as a form of payment except for the amount of the tour deposit ($500
maximum can be charged per tour). An installment plan is possible. Our
mailing address is: Toto Tours, 1326 W. Albion Avenue, Chicago, Illinois
60626-4753. Make checks payable to: Toto Tours, Ltd.
LIABILITIES / DISCLAIMERS
Making a reservation with a deposit shall be deemed to be consent to
these conditions: Toto Tours does not accept responsibility in whole
or in part for any delay, loss, accidents, personal injury, sickness,
medical expenses, or property damage occasioned by fault of any person
from whatever cause. All tour participants are required to sign a standard
liability form.
The tour operators reserve the right to accept
or decline any person as a member of the tour at any time and to make
whatever changes become necessary with or without notice. Guaranteed
departure with a minimum of 10 participants. Toto Tours is
not responsible for airline cancellation or change penalties incurred
by individual tour participants for air tickets purchased prior to notification
that the tour is a confirmed departure.
THE TOTO SPIRIT
Toto Tours provides Adventure Travel Experiences as differentiated
from tours in the traditional sense. Adventure Travel allows (even encourages)
you to be an active participant. Adventurers can be identified by certain
traits. They are:
- fun-loving optimists who have a sense of humor and accentuate
the positive;
- good natured realists who are willing to accept situations
as they exist;
- undaunted by the unexpected, like occasional delays or bad
weather;
- willing to forego some of the amenities we normally take for
granted;
- eager to try new things & test limits;
- punctual;
- not whiners!
Toto Tours is known for attracting great groups of guys who are outgoing,
interesting, and fun. You wouldn't want to do this tour with anybody
else! Come with us to the River of the Pharaohs for absolutely the most
memorable vacation experience of your life! If you have any questions,
please call toll-free: 800-565-1241.
THE BOTTOM LINE
(tour prices per person)
Price: $3,795 double occupancy (including
air from New York)
Private Room: $700 extra, if available.
(Paying a single supplement is not required. Toto Tours can match you
with a roommate if you are traveling alone and prefer to share a room.)
Deposit: $500 (due at time of registration
for the tour)
Remaining Balance: $3,295 double / $3,995
single
(Assumes $500 deposit has already been made)
Remaining Balance Due: December
18, 2006
(Full payment required with reservation form if enrolling after this
date.)
Included: Round-trip air aboard Egyptair
flights between New York City and Cairo, three flights within Egypt
(CAI/LXR, ASW/ABS, ABS/CAI); services of a full-time Egyptologist Guide
plus services of a full-time Toto Tour Leader; air-conditioned motorcoach
for sightseeing in Cairo; all entrance fees for guided excursions except
those listed as “optional”; meals and accommodations as
listed in the itinerary.
Not Included: Cost of obtaining a visa
for entry to Egypt; optional excursions, meals and other items not specifically
covered in the itinerary; insurance; beverages at “included”
meals: alcoholic beverages; soft drinks; bottled water; laundry; telephone
calls; internet; faxes; or any other expenses of a personal nature.
Tips to drivers / guides are not included.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
We recommend you purchase travel insurance with AIG Travel Guard to
cover for unforseen events prior to and during your trip. Please follow
the link below or call us for more information.
Please click on the above link to load in an Adobe Acrobat file. The
PDF file will enable you to print the tour details in a much more compact
version.
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