Hidden treasures of ancient Egypt tour, Small group tours in Cairo, Aswan, Abu Simbel Cruise, Luxor, Egypt group tours, Egypt travel packages

Egypt's Hidden Treasures is one of the most exciting tours Indus Travels have ever had the pleasure of offering. Through very special arrangements with Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities we have arranged visits many of the most fabulous sites in Egypt which, because of their fragile nature, are normally closed to visitors. Follow in the footsteps of the pharaohs, uncover the secrets of the pyramids, visit ancient temples and cruise down the Nile on this once in a life time tour of Egypt.

This is a unique tour customized for passionate travelers who want to see beyond and above and are eager to discover all aspects of the very sophisticated and complex Egypt of Pharaohs.

Because of the unique nature of this trip and the cost of the special arrangements, there is a minimum requirement of 10 participants. In order to insure an exceptional experience for everyone.

Tour Itinerary:

Day 01: CAIRO ARRIVAL.
Arrive in Cairo, where you will be met by a our local representative who will assist you with your visa, baggage and customs. Our bus will then take you to the Mena House Hotel located near the pyramids. There will be an evening reception before dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at Hotel - Mena House Hotel (Garden wing -pyramid view)
Mena House Oberoi, in the shadow of the Great Pyramids in Cairo has enchanted guests since 1869. Located in forty acres of jasmine scented gardens, Mena House Oberoi has played host to kings and emperors, Heads of State and celebrities. Its royal history is reflected in luxurious interiors that are embellished with exquisite antiques, handcrafted furniture and rich textiles.

Day 02: CAIRO.
This morning you will visit the Giza Plateau exploring the Great Pyramid and the surrounding area. Then it's down to the Valley Temple of Khafra where we will have a private tour inside the Sphinx complex (Closed to public). After lunch near our hotel we will have a private tour of the village and necropolis of the workers who built the pyramids. (Closed to public)
Overnight at Hotel - Mena House Hotel (Garden wing -pyramid view)

Day 03: CAIRO .
Today we will drive south to visit Saqqara, where we will see inside the Step Pyramid and then, A short drive will take us to the Serrapeum (Closed to public). Burial place of the Apis bulls from the New Kingdom through the Ptolemaic period. After lunch at the Saqqara Palm Club we will visit the Memphis outdoor museum.
Overnight at Hotel - Mena House Hotel (Garden wing -pyramid view).

Day 04: CAIRO - LUXOR.
Transfer to Cairo Airport and take your flight from Cairo to Luxor. The flight duration is approximately 1 hour. On arrival check in at hotel. After a free afternoon we will take horse drawn carriages to an early evening Tea at Chicago house (Closed to public).
Overnight at Hotel - Winter Palace Pavilion.

Day 05: LUXOR - NILE CRUISE.
Morning visit the great temples of Karnak and Luxor on the East Bank to marvel at the achievements of one of the earliest civilizations. Evening at leisure.
Overnight Nile Cruise.

Day 06: NILE CRUISE.
The morning will be spent on the West Bank, where we will visit the ancient workers village at Deir el Medina. Then we will drive to the Valley of the Kings. Here we will visit the tomb of Tutankhamun, the tomb of Seti I (Closed to publicand KV 5, the tomb of the sons of Rameses II (Closed to public). Afternoon embark Nile Cruise. Evening at leisure.
Overnight Nile Cruise.

Day 07: NILE CRUISE.
Visit the Nile-side Temple of Horus at Edfu, the falcon god, built in 230 BC by Ptolemy III. Later visit a unique Greco-Roman temple dedicated to two gods: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, the sun god at Kom Ombo. Enjoy an evening of entertainment including local music.
Overnight Nile Cruise.

Day 08: NILE CRUISE.
Visit the Aswan High Dam (completed in 1971); the Old Dam (completed in 1902) and the ' unfinished obelisk', lying in situ since the days of the pharaohs. You will also visit the Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, a structure rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser at the time of the High Dam's construction. Evening Sail around the picturesque island of Aswan Nile in a traditional felucca.
Overnight Nile Cruise.

Day 09: ASWAN - LAKE NASSER CRUISE (FRIDAY).
This morning we board our cruise boat (either the Prince Abbas or the Eugenie, depending on the sailing schedule a the time of the trip). After lunch on board we will take a short motorboat ride to visit Kalabsha Temple before we set sail.
Overnight aboard Eugenie Lake Nasser cruise boat for three nights.

Day 10: LAKE NASSER CRUISE.
Today we will visit Wadi el Sabua temple as we continue sailing on Lake Nasser toward Abu Simbel. The temple is noted for its avenue of sphinxes, and was partly carved directly into the rock.
Overnight Lake Nasser Cruise

Day 11: LAKE NASSER CRUISE - ABU SIMBEL.
We will continue sailing to Abu Simbel, visiting Amada (the oldest surviving Nubian Temple, containing some of the best preserved Nubian reliefs) and Dakka, dedicated to the god Thoth, along the way. Upon our arrival at Abu Simbel in the afternoon, we will explore the temples of Ramses II, this monument was moved at the time of the building of the Aswan High Dam.
Overnight Lake Nasser Cruise

Day 12: ABU SIMBEL (FLIGHT) - CAIRO.
After breakfast on board we will fly to back to Cairo. Later take full day optional trip to Alexandria.
Overnight at Hotel - the Semiramis Intercontinental (Nile side)

Day 13: CAIRO.
The entire day will be spent at the Egyptian Museum, where we will see the treasures of Tutankhamun and the Royal Mummy room. Join us for our farewell dinner this evening.
Overnight at Hotel - Semiramis Intercontinental Cairo

Day 14: CAIRO DEPARTURE.
This morning you will transfer to the airport for your flight home.

-- END OF OUR SERVICES --

NOTE: Though we have made preliminary arrangements for the ten special events listed in the itinerary as (Closed to public), circumstances prior to, or at the time of, our visit may require us to modify the itinerary and sites visited. Every effort will be made to ensure that all special sites will be available to us and we will notify tour participants as soon as possible if there are any changes. The direction of sailing on Lake Nasser may be reversed depending upon the boat schedule at the time of the tour.

TOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES:
-	Accomodation at Deluxe hotels.
-	Daily buffet breakfast.
-	4 nights onboard Deluxe Eugenie Lake Nasser Cruise.
	3 nights onboard Deluxe Eugenie Lake Nasser Cruise.
-	All meals onboard cruise.
-	Return private airport transfers.
-	Sightseeing as per detail itinerary.
-	Tours and excursions by AC Deluxe Coach
-	Farewell dinner at the Semiramis Intercontinental Hotel
-	Professional, English speaking Egyptologist & Tour Director.
-	Portrage at hotels and airports.
-	All presently applicable taxes.

TOUR PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
-	Domestic airfare Cairo/Aswan Abu Simbel/Aswan Luxor/Cairo: U$D 350.00 per person
-	Meals at hotels except those listed in above inclusions.
-	Expenses of personal nature such as tipping, porters, laundry, telephones, etc.
-	International Flight charges if any.
-	Optional tours.
-	Tips
-	Visas

(Small Group Guaranteed Departure)

Tour Length			13 Nights/ 14 Days.
Visit			Cairo (Arrival) - Luxor - Luxor–Aswan Cruise - Aswan–Abu Simbel Cruise - Cairo (Departure)
Starts On			CAIRO \| October 06, 2011
End On			CAIRO \| October 19, 2011
Prices			Starting At USD $ 5,885* Only.

Tour Highlights - The treasures of Egypt have beckoned travellers for many centuries evoking images of powerful dynasties swept away by the sands of time. Explore ancient tombs and temples which give visitors a glimpse of ancient Egyptian civilization. Egypt's Hidden Treasures is one of the most exciting tours Indus Travels has ever offered. You will have the privilege of visiting some hidden treasures, normally closed to common tourists. Stay in Deluxe hotels and cruise lake Nasser for 3 nights.
You will have the privilege of visiting some hidden treasures, normally closed to common tourists.
-	Amazing private tour of the sphinx complex at the Valley temple of Khaffre - Closed to public.
-	One of the greatest discoveries of Dr. Zahi Hawass - The pyramid builders tomb where the world can see the names and faces of the ordinary Egyptians who made the monuments of Giza a reality - Closed to public
-	The Serapeum - the strangest monument of Saqqara - The eerie underground burial chamber of the Sacred Apis bulls.
-	The Chicago House - The mission of the Survey since its founding in 1924 has been to produce photographs and precise line drawings of the inscriptions and relief scenes on major temples and tombs in Luxor for publication.
-	The tomb of Seti I; whose reign is known for high achievements in art and culture, and his tomb was one of the hallmarks of his building projects, with highly refined bas-reliefs and colorful paintings.
-	The unique tomb of Ramses II sons - Ramses the Great indeed had an enormous family. We are told that Egyptologists know the names of 52 of his sons, we know already the name of 5 of them buried here.
-	The Senemut tomb who was an 18th dynasty ancient Egyptian architect and government official. He may also have been the lover of the female Pharaoh Hatshepsut although this is speculative.
-	The Nefertari tomb; the favorite Queen of Ramses II, is known from myriad of her representations in the temple reliefs and colossi of the great king The dedication to her, jointly with the goddess Hathor, of the small rock temple to the north of the great temple at Abu Simbel, shows how great her influence with Ramses II must have been.

Place	Nights	Deluxe Hotels	Room Type
Cairo	03	Mena House Oberoi	Pyramid View room
Luxor	01	Winter Palace	Pavilion Wing
Luxor – Aswan Cruise	04	Sonesta St. Geroge	Deluxe Cabin
Aswan – Abu Simbel Cruise	03	Eugenie Lake Nasser Cruise	Standard Cabin
Cairo	02	Semiramis Intercontinental Cairo	Nile Side room

TOUR DATES & PRICES:
* Per person on twin sharing
October 06 - 19, 2011
Per/person in double sharing room:	5885.00 USD
Per/person in single room:	7885.00 USD
* Prices are Based on Per Person on Twin Share Basis.