12 Day Program for ASH Study Tour Egypt 2023

Tour Organiser: Dr Diane McGreal

Tour Overview

Tour Type: Private and customised tour
Tour Route: Cairo | Luxor | Nile River Cruise | Aswan | Abu Simbel
Tour Date: 5 March to 16 March 2023
Vehicle: Private air-conditioned vehicle and local licensed driver
Guide Service: Private English-speaking guide service
Group Size: 10 adults

ITINERARY

Arrival: Cairo
Transfer via: Flight, arranged on your own
Accommodation: Barcelo Cairo Pyramids Hotel (4-Star), Standard Room

Upon arrival at Cairo Airport, you will be met in the tunnel by an airport representative who will facilitate the visa process (excluded) and escort you through customs and immigration. Continue on to the baggage claim hall and finally to the passenger pick-up area, where you will be introduced to your driver for a one-hour private transfer to your hotel. Check in and relax for the rest of the day.

Note: * Strict dress code for visiting mosques and churches.

  • Men must wear long pants and shirts with sleeves and no tank tops. If you’re wearing sandals or flip-flops you must wear socks (no bare feet).
  • Women must be modestly dressed (no see-through clothes, bare shoulders, etc).

* Observant Muslims do not drink alcohol or smoke. There might not be alcohol served in hotel or local restaurants. If alcohol is not offered, it is better not to ask for it.

Cairo
Accommodation: Barcelo Cairo Pyramids Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Start the tour today by marveling at the most iconic pyramids complex at Giza, including the Great Pyramid of Giza (also known as the Pyramid of Khufu), the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, all built during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt, between 2600 and 2500 BC. Adjacent to them, you will not miss the mysterious Sphinx with a Pharaoh head and lion haunch.

In the afternoon, visit the Egyptian Museum to marvel at its myriad of antiques and then take a relaxing stroll through the winding alleyways of the famous Khan El Khalili market.

Note: * Entering the Great Pyramid is possible with on-site payment.

Be aware that a limited number of people are allowed into the pyramid, based on a first come first serve basis.

Cairo
Accommodation: Barcelo Cairo Pyramids Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Free day to explore on your own.

(Optional Extra hereSound and Light Show at the Pyramids)

Cairo to Luxor
Transfer via: Sleeper Train (Twin cabin), arranged by Odynovo
Accommodation: Overnight on the Train
Meals: Breakfast

Another free day to explore on your own. Later of the day, be met and transferred to the railway station to catch the overnight train to Luxor.

Luxor: Nile River Cruise
Transfer via: Private vehicle, arranged by Odynovo
Accommodation: MS Medea Nile Cruise (Economic 3 star), Standard Cabin
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch on ship, Dinner on ship

On arrival in the early morning, our representative will meet you at Aswan railway station and take you on a Nile River Cruise tour before lunch.

Take some time to get settled into your stateroom and explore the ship. This afternoon you will explore the Temples of Karnak with your Egyptologist guide. Continue to Luxor Temple which was once joined to the Temples of Karnak by a two kilometre long Avenue of Sphinx, a portion of which marks the entrance to the temple. Tonight you’ll overnight at port in Luxor.

Note: * The itinerary for shore excursions is subject to change without prior notice due to navigational and security restrictions. The change will be only in the sequence of the itinerary and the visits will be the same.

* WiFi service is available on board at an additional cost of around $15 USD per day. However, due to poor construction of base stations, WiFi is not stable during the cruise. If internet service is essential, it might be better to consult your mobile operator for data service before departing for the trip.

* During your Nile cruise, you have a chance to attend a Galabia Party where you will get to wear traditional clothes to eat and dance.

Nile River Cruise
Accommodation: MS Medea Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This morning you will meet up with your guide and explore some of the most incredible sites of the country. You will visit the Valley of the Kings where you will have the chance to explore three tombs of the ancient Pharaohs. You will then visit the recently renovated mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Hatshepsut was the second pharaoh of the eighteenth dynasty of Ancient Egypt. The tour also includes a visit to the huge Colossi of Memnon which are all that remain of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III.

Today you’ll sail to Edfu, via locks of Esna. Overnight at port in Edfu.

Nile River Cruise
Accommodation: MS Medea Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, you will start the tour from the Temple of Horus (also known as the Temple of Edfu), it is considered the best-preserved cult temple in Egypt. This is partly because it was built later than most: in the Ptolemaic era from 237 to 57 BC. Despite its later date, it reflects traditional pharaonic architecture and so provides an excellent idea of how all the temples once looked. Edfu is also very large: the second largest in Egypt after Karnak Temple.

Sail to Kom Ombo to visit the Greco-Roman Sobek Temple, the temple is unusual in that it is a double temple, with one side dedicated to the god Haroesis and the other side to Sobek.

Sail to Aswan in the afternoon, stay overnight aboard your Nile Cruise in Aswan.

Nile River Cruise
Accommodation: MS Medea Nile Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

This half day tour begins with a visit to the impressive Aswan High Dam. The water which was collected behind created Lake Nasser, the world’s largest artificial lake. View the Temple of Philae, dedicated to the Goddess Isis, on the island of Agilika.

After lunch, you will sail aboard a traditional, non-motorized felucca around Kitchener’s Island, step ashore the Botanical Gardens. Stay overnight aboard your Nile Cruise in Aswan.

Nile River Cruise – Aswan to Abu Simbel Return
Transfer via:

  • Nile River Cruise – Aswan, Boat, arranged by Odynovo
  • Aswan – Abu Simbel, Private vehicle, arranged by Odynovo
  • Abu Simbel – Aswan, Private vehicle, arranged by Odynovo

Accommodation: Tolip Aswan Hotel, Standard Room
Meals: Breakfast on ship

Disembark from the ship after breakfast, and then transfer to Abu Simbel (about 3 hours drive) to visit the fabulous Temples of Abu Simbel, with their unique style, which are considered to be the masterpieces of ancient Egypt. They reflect the glory and grandeur of the new Kingdom. The visting time is around one and a half hours. Afterward, drive back to hotel in Aswan for the night.

Aswan to Cairo
Transfer via:
 Flight, Economy Class, arranged by Odynovo (afternoon flight)
Accommodation: Barcelo Cairo Pyramids Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Free time until transferred to the airport for the flight back to Cairo. On your arrival, our representative will meet you and arrange a private transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.

Note: Optional tour to Nubian Village

You will sail on the Nile by a motorboat to the Nubian Village which is located on West Bank of the River Nile in Aswan and just opposite to Soheil Island and near the Aswan Dam, this fantastic tour to the Nubian Village lets you meet and impact with a Nubian family and to learn about their simple life style, culture and traditions and then you be transferred back to your hotel in Aswan.

Pick up: from 08:00am to 11:00am
Duration of the tour: 2 hours

Cairo
Accommodation: Barcelo Cairo Pyramids Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Today is yours to relax at leisure.

Cairo – Exit
Transfer via: Flight, arranged on your own
Meals: Breakfast

Time to say goodbye! Enjoy some leisure time before meeting your driver for the transfer to Cairo International Airport for your onward flight.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

City Hotel Name/Website Link Room Type No. of Nights
Cairo Barcelo Cairo Pyramids Hotel Standard Room 5
Nile River Cruise MS Medea Nile Cruise Standard Cabin 4
Aswan Tolip Aswan Hotel Standard Room 1

*Please note that single room supplement is $390 AUD in total.

A payment of $600 per person will secure your place in the group. In the reference line please state ‘ASH Tour 2023’.

Company: Odynovo Tours Pty Ltd
Web Address: www.odynovotours.com
BSB: 032 090
Account Number: 983 034
Bank: Westpac
Swift: WPACAU2S
Company Address: Suite 222, 3-9 Spring Street, Chatswood 2067

Please let Di know via email di@doctordi.com.au once you have paid your deposit.

Optional extras can be organised closer to departure date.

All costs are based on USD and not included in our quotation. Those highlighted are Di’s favourites!

Cairo
  1. Full day Alexandria Tour (Montazah gardens, Stanley bridge, Morsi Abu El Abbas Mosque, Quitbay forte and National Museum)
    –  9 people: $70 USD ($98 AUD) per person
    –  10 persons: $65 USD ($91 AUD) per person
  2. Dinner on board one of the floating restaurants in Cairo Nile (sailing trip for 2 hours, buffet dinner, oriental show with belly dancer)
    – 9-10 persons: $47 USD ($66 AUD) per person
  3. Pyramids Sound and Light Show with private transfers between hotel and theatre
    – 9-10 persons: $40 USD ($56 AUD) per person
  4. Half Day tour to the Pharaonic Village
    – 9-10 persons: $30 USD ($42 AUD) per person
  5. Visit Cave church in Cairo
    – 9-10 persons: $25 USD ($35 AUD) per person
  6. Professional photographers to take pictures at the pyramid area
    – $150 USD ($210 AUD) per day
Luxor
  1. Sound and Light Show at Karnak Temple
    – 9-10 persons: $40 USD ($65 AUD) per person
  2. Over-day visit to Abydos and Dandara from Luxor

    9-10 persons: $75 USD ($105 AUD) per person
  3. Luxor Hot Air Balloon with Transfers (join in) in early morning
    – $95 USD ($132 AUD) per person
Aswan
  1. Sound and Light Show at Philae Temple
    – 9-10 persons: $40 USD ($56 AUD) per person
  2. Day tour to Nubian Village
    – 9 persons: $30 USD ($42 AUD) per person
    – 10 persons: $25 USD ($35 AUD) per person
  1. Flight / Sightseeing / Meals NOT listed in the itinerary.
  2. Visa Application and Visa Fee are not included. Visa requirements vary from country to country. Some countries are visa free, or some require visitors to apply for E-visa / Visa on arrival or paper visa by themselves, so visa fee is not included.
    *Egypt Visa – Citizens of USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK and EU Nations can obtain a visa upon arrival at any of the Egyptian ports of entry. The Egyptian visa is simply a stamp (like a mail or postage stamp) that you can buy from the visa office located at the arrival hall at the port of entry just before the immigration booth. The visa stamp costs around $30 USD depending on the origin of the passport, payable in cash in Pounds Sterling, US dollars, or Euros. No Credit Card payment accepted.
  3. Mummy Room Visit in National Museum of Egyptian Civilizations not included.
  4. Gratuities
    The suggested gratuities of:
    – Tour Guide – $5-10 USD per traveller per day to the tour guide
    – Driver – $6-8 USD per traveller per day to the driver
    – Airport Traveller – $3 USD per traveller to our representative at airport/station if there is one.
    However, this is just a suggestion and gratuity is all depending on the services you receive.
  5. Travel Insurance – kindly note that the full coverage travel insurance from your country of origin should be purchased in advance on your own.
  6. Personal Expenses such as room service, internet charge, laundry, drink, fax, telephone call, optional activities, etc.
  7. Excess Baggage Charge – extra for overweight luggage will be subject to extra cost, please pay to the airlines directly upon checking in at the airport.
  8. Optional Activities either recommended by tour guides or out of your own interests.
  9. In-room WiFi some hotels only have free WIFI available in the lobby and some with free WIFI coverage in room.

*This is an excellent price for 12 days – other tours with a similar itinerary can be up to $6k.

Hypnosis sessions will be offered in several locations, in particular Abu Simbel and some Dawn Hypnosis as we watch the sunrise on the Nile.