Tour Itinerary
Tour Itinerary for December 2012
(All activities listed below will happen, but maybe not necessarily in the order stated! Be prepared – spontaneous changes are part of the fun and surprise activities are guaranteed)
Day 1, Sat Dec 8th – Arrive Cairo/Welcome Dinner
Arrive at Cairo Airport where we will be met by our Quest Travel Tour Managers. They will assist us through customs before transferring us to our luxury accommodations at the Mena House Oberoi Hotel in Giza. This beautiful hotel is right next to the Pyramids which is a great introduction to your journey. We’ll have an opening circle and enjoy our first dinner together. From the moment you get off the plane you will have the feeling of de-stressing. You are on Egypt Time now and ahead of you is 14 days of wonderment, adventure, excitement, laughter, spiritual upliftment and relaxation. We’ll get together this evening before enjoying our first dinner together. (Dinner)
Day 2, Sun Dec 09th — Cairo / Egyptian Museum / Abu Sir
This morning we’ll drive to the South of Giza to Abu Sir where the, The Pyramids of Abu Sir originally consisted of fourteen pyramids from the 5th Dynasty. Only four are still standing. Of the four, the first encountered as you come from the main Saqqara complex, is the Pyramid of Neferefre. This pyramid was never finished and is in very poor condition.
The pyramid for Neferikare is the next, to the north. It also is unfinished and is still the tallest of the group. It stands 68m high. To the northeast is the Pyramid of Nieuserre which is famous for its Funerary Temple.
The funerary temple was built for Neferikare, but was used for Niuserre because Neferikare died prematurely. Further to the northeast is the tomb of Ptah-Cepses. This tomb is not in good condition. The columns with lotus capitals are the oldest discovered. The last pyramid in this complex is the Pyramid of Sahure and its Funerary Temple. These are not too badly damaged. A 240m ramp that connected the Valley Temple to this pyramid has been discovered during the excavation work in this complex. Some of the reliefs that were in the funerary temple have been removed and placed in museums. A few are still in the temple and are preserved quite well.
This early evening we have a private and exclusive visit to the Cairo Museum. Our Egyptologist will guide us through this famous museum with a collection of over 200,000 ancient Egyptian artifacts, dating back to 4,000 BC. Visiting the museum is an opportunity to see the statues and artifacts that originally were located in the temples, this paints a fuller picture when you go the temples, like seeing the original furniture designed for a house. There you will experience first-hand the different periods of ancient Egypt and the individual artistic and architectural styles of each period. One of the highlights of this museum is the visit to the treasures of Tut-Ankh-Amun. There will be time to explore the museum on your own. (Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 3, Mon Dec 10th – Cairo / Bahariya Oasis / White desert
Leaving Cairo behind, we head towards Bahariya Oasis, upon arrival after lunch we go to the hot springs, for a swim. Then we drive to watch the sunset over the desert.
As we travel to the dune area and the White Desert, along the way we visit the crystal mountain. In the White Desert, we explore the lime stone formations and the towering mountains. This is one of the most extraordinary and famous regions in the entire Sahara Desert: landscapes dominated by brilliant white limestone or “chalk” formations that are the remains of microscopic marine animals that were deposited here over 80,000,000 years ago when all this area was under water. When they emerged, the deposits were gradually eroded, carved and sculptured for millions of years by atmospheric agents, which gave rise to pinnacles (now known as “mushrooms”) whose shapes sometimes resemble mysterious animals, camels, sphinxes and human faces. Some of these monoliths which are dozens of feet high, soar toward the sky like massive peaks or towers, while others have a rounded shape. In the White Desert National Park there are three main springs surrounded by palm trees and luxuriant vegetation which provide water to the fauna of the region (foxes, gazelles, small rodents).
Tonight we sleep under a million stars as we camp in our tents in the White Desert. This truly is a special moment.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 4, Tues Dec 11th – White desert / Cairo
After breakfast, we drive back to Bahariya Oasis for lunch before we drive to Cairo. Check in Mena House Oberoi hotel.
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 5, Wed Dec 12th - Sakkara
Early this morning we visit Sakkara privately to view the Old Kingdom pyramids that rise on the west bank near ancient Memphis. About, 2630 B.C. Imhotep, architect to King Djoser (Dynasty III), masterminded the Step Pyramid at Sakkara. The world’s oldest freestanding stone structure, this pyramid consists of six tiers atop a mastaba, or low, oblong tomb, faced with cut stone.
We will also visit one of the carpet’s schools where Egyptian children make hand made carpets out of their own imagination.
This afternoon we take our Egypt Air flight to Aswan. Aswan city is considered to be everyone’s favorite Egyptian city. Beautiful and peaceful it is called the “Pearl of Egypt”. After arriving in Aswan we check into our hotel the Iberotel Hotel Aswan.
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 6, Thurs Dec 13th- Aswan / Abu Simbel
Drive to Abu Simbel, hewn out of a mountain for Ramesses II, this magnificent temple is both an ancient and modern engineering marvel. You will visit the Abu Simbel temples which are the symbols of an international salvage campaign in the 1960s to save these monuments from the rising waters of the mighty Aswan Dam. These temples are truly magnificent. See the Temple for Ramasses II and the beautiful temple for his beloved wife Nefertari. Enjoy your dinner in a peaceful atmosphere at Seti I Hotel.
(Breakfast, dinner)
Day 7, Fri Dec 14th – Nile cruise / Felucca ride
This morning, we drive back to Aswan and check into our deluxe Nile Quest cruise. The Nile Quest is a five star deluxe Nile cruise ship, offering 66 cabins and suites, several of which are junior suites and royal suites. All cabins are individually controlled air-conditioned. All Cabins and suites feature a private bathroom with a hydro-massage tub, DVD movie system and satellite TV with, a mini bar and a telephone. Nile Quest cruise includes a swimming pool, sun deck, a lounge, bar and a gift shop.
Around sunset, we take a felucca ride around the Elephantine Island to enjoy the Nile breeze.
You may then wish to visit the Nubian colorful Market of Aswan where we shall experience the essence of a traditional Upper Egypt market.
(Breakfast, Lunch Dinner)
Day 08, Sat Dec 15th – Philea / Kom Ombo / Edfu
We rise very early this morning and take a short coach ride to the lakeshore and transfer to motorboat. We travel on the Nile River to the island of Philae where we will visit the Philae Temple privately. In our private sunrise meditation and ritual we return to the source of all, the Great Mother, to receive the blessings of Isis at her beautiful island temple at Philae. This island represents a fusion of three great civilizations – Egyptian, Greek and Roman. The presence of Isis is felt very strongly in the inner sanctum, the Holy of Holies of her temple. We’ll take ample time here to experience the healing energy of Isis and her lovely island complex.
Around noon we sail on the Nile to visit Kom Ombo the Healing temple of Kom Ombo a glorious picturesque ruin along the banks of the Nile. This dramatic temple poised between the edge of the river and the encroaching desert sand was dedicated to two gods – Sobek the crocodile god of strength, fortitude, fertility and rebirth, and Horus the hawk-headed son of Isis and Osiris.
This evening we’ll enjoy the Captain’s cocktail party on our cruise boat and enjoy our welcome dinner.
As a special treat, later tonight we’ll visit “Privately and exclusively” for our group, Edfu temple as known as “Horus temple“ the Falcon God, the best-preserved temple of the ancient world. Here, we follow the pattern of the hero’s quest as we learn how Horus and his followers (the Shemsu Hor) conquered chaos, and we see the sacred marriage of the king and queen as the embodiment of Horus and the goddess Hathor. Look forward to a very powerful guided meditation in this temple. The side chambers of the temple show the complexity of the rites that include a healing chamber, a perfumery, and singer’s rooms. One chamber, called the House of Life, stored all of the sacred texts used in seasonal and daily rituals. We overnight on our cruise boat at Edfu.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 09, Sun Dec 16th- Edfu / Esna / Luxor
Free day to cruise on the Nile to Luxor and enjoy the countryside of Egypt. Laze by the pool and just relax. Watch the countryside slide by and see parts of Egypt that haven’t changed since biblical times. Around mid morning we’ll get together and have a meeting with our tour leader. We’ll pass this afternoon by Esna lock and then enjoy a magnificent Nile Sunset.
(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Day 10, Mon Dec 17th – Dendarah / Abydos
Today we will visit to the exquisite temple Dendera dedicated to Hathor, the goddess of abundance, love and joy. The temple is built with a zodiacal ceiling that recalls the origins of Egypt. On the rooftop where Hathor priests and priestesses gathered for their celebrations thousands of years ago, we reconnect to our destinies.
We then continue north to the temple at Abydos, dedicated to Osiris, and housing the nine great beings (the Ennead). This temple rests next to and above the most ancient Osirion, one of the premier power places on the planet. It includes a more recent temple built by Seti I, which contains the most beautiful bas reliefs of any temple in Egypt. It is at Abydos that we will find the exquisite flower of life.
Check into Sonesta St. George Luxor Hotel
(Breakfast, Lunch Box, Dinner)
Day 11, Tues Dec 18th Luxor Temple
Explore the exciting city of Luxor by day. Perhaps take a horse and carriage ride to the markets or just take time out to relax in the beautiful Sonesta St George Hotel. Maybe indulge your senses with a massage in their fabulous day Spa or go shopping for gold jewelry.
In the evening, we visit the Temple of Luxor. This temple really comes to life under lights at night. Feel the powerful energy within you as you wander through the ancient hallways touching the stones as you go. It was at the Luxor Temple where R.A Schwaller de Lubcz developed his ‘symbolist’ interpretation of ancient Egypt, and called it the “Temple of Man”.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 12, Wed Dec 19th – Karnak Temple
Today we tour Karnak, one of the largest temple complexes in the world. Karnak recalls us to the powerful acts of creation, of beginning anew, and of building on the divine plan. It has been home for more than 3,500 years to the living statue of the lioness goddess, Sekhmet. We will visit her temple and will use the powerful energy of Sekhmet to further awaken the spirit within through rituals and guided meditations. This will also be a time for thinking about our future and goals we want to create.
(Breakfast, Dinner)
Day 13, Thurs Dec 20th -West Bank / Cairo
This morning we make a sunrise pilgrimage to Deir el Bahari, the funerary temple of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut. We also visit the Necropolis of Thebes on the West Bank of the Nile. The West Bank holds the tombs of the pharaohs that are inscribed with sacred transformative texts, including the books of knowing light and dark, the book of what is in the underworld, the book of caverns, and naming and taming the hours of the night. Here are the tombs of Ramses VII and of the boy King Tutankhamun. We will also see the mortuary temple of Ramses III at Medinet Habu and the Colossi of Memnon.
In the afternoon we fly back to Cairo and check into the Mena House Hotel.
(Breakfast, Lunch)
Day 14, Fri Dec 21st - Giza Plateau/Sphinx / Great Pyramid
We begin our day very early with a special private and exclusive visit to the Giza Plateau, when the area is closed to the public so it will be just our group. Listen closely as you awaken and dress for Sunrise at the Valley Temple of Chephren on the Giza Plateau. As you reluctantly come alive, you will hear the incredible sounds of the entire city being called to prayer. Open your door and listen to the cacophony of sound– Feel the energy of the dawn spirits. We are off to discover some of the most awesome Wonders of the World to touch them and to feel them – the Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of the Giza Plateau. We study them and pay particular attention to the Sphinx. There is nothing more awe inspiring than to stand between the mighty paws of the Sphinx and gaze up at its wondrous face as the first rays of sunshine break over the horizon. We will greet the Sun with an ancient ritual just before dawn. Our guide, who is an encyclopedia of Egyptology, will give us detailed examinations of various controversial theories surrounding these amazing structures. After an invigorating Sunrise we are back to our hotel for an incredible buffet breakfast.
This afternoon at Sunset we return to the Giza Plateau to explore the Great Pyramid and its chambers.
After Sunset, we have a special private visit in the Great Pyramid where you can explore the chambers and if you so desire join in an uplifting meditation in the King’s chamber. Bring your crystals because we will be tapping into the energy and harmonic resonances of this mighty structure. Here, we unite our life story with the story of those who have come before us and those who will come after as we begin our journey to spiritual awakening and begin our transformation to more powerful awareness of our inner selves.
We will meet in the evening to share our thoughts of our Egyptian experience and celebrate our journey to awakening with a special farewell dinner.
(Breakfast and Farewell Dinner)
Day 15, Sat, Dec 22nd — Final Departure
Today we say our farewells and depart for our journey back home with many memories and new ideas and thoughts to accompany us.
(Breakfast)
