The Discovery Journey to
Egypt & Kenya
Savor some of man and nature’s greatest creations on a cultural and wildlife safari to Egypt and Kenya. Beginning in Cairo, discover the majesty of the Sphinx, Pyramids and treasures of the Pharaohs. Then
it’s on to Kenya to experience exciting wildlife viewing at such incredible locations as Samburu, Lake Nakuru and the legendary Maasai Mara. Return to Cairo with a chance to discover the lifeblood of Egypt on an optional Nile cruise.
Days 1/2 - New York/Cairo
Board your overnight flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, you are escorted to you luxury hotel built around an ancient palace in the heart of the city. CAIRO MARRIOTT. (Meals Aloft,D)
Day 3 - Cairo
Your journey through time begins with a visit to Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt. See the Alabaster Sphinx and the towering statue of Ramses II. Continue on to the necropolis of Sakkara where 14 pyramids were built, including one of the world’s oldest stone structures. Enjoy lunch at the Mena House in the shadow of the pyramids. This afternoon visit the most famous of all Egyptian monuments – the Sphinx. Plus, witness Cheop, the largest and oldest of Giza’s pyramids. Tour the nearby Solor Boat Museum to see Cheop’s 142-foot long wooden funerary boat. CAIRO MARRIOTT. (B,L)
Days 4/5 - Cairo/Nairobi
Explore the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and see the world’s richest collection of pharaonic treasure, including the famous Mummy Room. Your afternoon is free to explore on your own or relax at your hotel. This evening, you are transferred to the airport for your overnight flight to Nairobi, where your Classic Escapes professional naturalist and drivers/guides will escort you to your elegant Victorian hotel. In the afternoon, enjoy a visit to Karen Blixen’s home (author of Out of Africa) and hand-feed the rare Rothschild’s Giraffe at the Giraffe Center. THE STANLEY HOTEL. (B, Meals Aloft)
Days 6/7 - Mount Kenya Safari Club/Samburu National Reserve
Begin your exploration of Kenya as you drive to Samburu National Reserve. Stop for lunch at the legendary Mount Kenya Safari Club, set high on the slopes of Africa’s second highest mountain. Continue past the equator to Samburu, home to wildlife species rarely found elsewhere in Kenya: Grevy’s Zebra, reticulated giraffe, gerenuk and Beisa oryx. Enjoy morning and afternoon wildlife viewing and at night the rhythmic performance of local Samburu dancers as they leap high into the air. Learn about the latest research at Save the Elephants, founded by renowned conservationist and elephant researcher Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton. Your luxury thatch-roof bedrooms face the Uaso Nyiro River. SAROVA SHABA LODGE. (B,L,D Daily)
Days 8/9 - Lake Nakuru National Park
Drive to the Great Rift Valley, a geological fault-line that stretches round one-sixth of the Earth’s circumference and is visible from space. This spectacular landscape is over 2,000 feet deep and 30 miles wide, with bubbling springs and geysers. Explore Lake Nakuru National Park, an alkaline lake that is world-renowned for its flamingos – at times hundreds of thousands of these exotic birds give the lake a pink shimmering glow. The park boasts a huge variety of animals, including leopard, buffalo, waterbuck, baboon, Rothschild’s giraffe and rhino. Birding is prolific with over 450 species in the park. Meet with American Mary Wykstra from the Cheetah Conservation Fund Kenya, who will discuss their efforts to save this magnificent animal. Your lodge is situated within the park with panoramic views of the lake. SAROVA LION HILL LODGE. (B,L,D)
Days 10/11/12 - Maasai Mara/Northern Serengeti
Set out on your drive to the Maasai Mara, Kenya’s most famous reserve, with its classic savannah grasslands, plentiful animals and spectacular vistas. Experience exciting wildlife viewing crossing the dreamlike endless plains, home to lion, cheetah, elephant, leopard, rhino, giraffe, zebra and hippo. Look for over 500 resident bird species, including larks, sunbirds and the Lilac-breasted Roller. The drama of the migration unfolds here, as each year up to two million wildebeest, thousands of zebra and an escort of carnivores crosses the plains following the rains and succulent new grass. Visit a school, duties permitting; enjoy a lecture by a Mara ranger. Exciting optional activities (at additional cost) include a hot air balloon ride, fishing excursion to Lake Victoria or visiting a Maasai Village. Enjoy the romance of a by-gone era in your luxury tented camp. MARA SAROVA. (B,L,D Daily)
Day 13 - Maasai Mara/Nairobi
Enjoy one last morning wildlife drive. Fly back to Nairobi and on to your hotel where the rest of your day is at leisure to relax poolside or shop at the African marketplace. THE STANLEY HOTEL. (B)
Day 14 - Nairobi/Cairo
Early this morning, fly back to Cairo where you are escorted to your hotel. This afternoon embark on a tour of Old Cairo. It is believed there was a settlement here as early as the 6th –century B.C. Home to Egypt’s oldest synagogue, visit Ben Ezra and take a short walk to the first Muslim settlement of Egypt, the ruins of Fustat and the first mosque in Africa, the Mosque of Amr. Enjoy lunch and lively bartering at the famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Visit Beit Al Sehemy, a restored traditional home from the Islamic period. This evening gather for your farewell dinner. SHERATON HELIOPOLIS HOTEL. (B,D)
Day 15 - Cairo/New York
This morning, transfer to the airport for your return flights home. (B, Meals Aloft)
Optional Post-Extension to the Upper Nile
Fly to Aswan and enjoy a night here and a felucca ride to the Botanical Island and to a Nubian village on Elephantine Island. Next day, board your luxury cruise ship to begin your adventure on the Nile, the lifeblood of Egypt. Highlights include visits to Edfu, Kom Ombo and the Unfinished Obelisk. Arrive Luxor and visit the Temple complex of Kamak. Cross the Nile by ferry to Luxor’s west bank to explore the ancient city of Thebes, the Valley of the Queens and Nobles and the Colossi of Mennon. Disembark the ship and fly to Abu Simbel, two massive temples dedicated to Ramses II and his legendary wife Nefertari. These architectural wonders are also wonders of modern engineering as they were relocated to their present site. Fly back to Cairo for one last night before returning home.
Your Journey Includes:
- Roundtrip air transportation between New York and Cairo. All other flights as specified.
- Superior accommodations throughout as indicated or similar.
- All meals as specified.
- On extension: 4-Day/5-Night Nile cruise aboard the deluxe cruise ship.
- Professional Egyptologist escort with a minimum of 6 travelers.
- Sightseeing in Egypt by private car or motorcoach. All wildlife viewing by private minibus, driven by a naturalist driver/guide. A window seat is guaranteed.
- Lecture by researcher of Save the Elephants while in Samburu.
- Lecture by Mary Wykstra of the Cheetah Conservation Fund Kenya while in Lake Nakuru.
- Lecture by Mara ranger (duties permitting).
- Complimentary bottled water and set of field glasses in vehicles.
- Organization escort will accompany the group with a minimum of 6 travelers.
- Professional naturalist in Kenya with a minimum of 10 travelers.
- All applicable hotel/lodge taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
- All park entry fees.
- Complimentary backpack, baggage tags and passport wallet.
2008
|
Price Main Trip |
Single Supplement Price/Main |
Optional Extension |
Price Extension |
Single Supplement Price/Ext |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mar 2 - 16 |
$5,995 |
$795 |
Upper Nile |
$1,895 |
$795 |
May 4 - 18 |
$4,995 |
$795 |
Upper Nile |
$1,895 |
$795 |
Sep 7 - 21 |
$5,995 |
$1,295 |
Upper Nile |
$1,895 |
$795 |
Oct 26 - Nov 9 |
$5,995 |
$1,295 |
Upper Nile |
$1,895 |
$795 |
*Prices do not reflect applicable taxes.