Affordable Nature
Egypt

Behold the mysteries of ancient Pharaohs and pyramids on an adventure to the heart of Egypt along the Nile. Towering monuments, majestic statues and colorful art depicting life that existed centuries ago are part of the everyday landscape and will fill you with a sense of wonder and awe.  Experience the romance of desert sands and brilliant sunsets while unlocking the secrets of exotic rulers, crocodile and falcon gods, and the huge paws of the Sphinx. Cruise the Nile River aboard the luxurious M/S TI-YA. Indiana Jones should have been so lucky.

Days 1/2 - New York/Cairo
Board your overnight flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, you are met and escorted to your hotel built around an ancient palace in the heart of Cairo. Your evening is at leisure to enjoy the capital of Egypt, which lies at the center of all routes leading to, and from three continents – Asia, Africa and Europe. Your evening is at leisure.  CAIRO MARRIOTT HOTEL. (Meals Aloft)

Days 3/4 - Cairo
Spend the morning touring the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, home to the world’s richest collection of Pharaonic treasures, including the famous Mummy Room.  Then, visit Egypt’s Islamic treasures including the medieval fortress of Salah El Din and the stunning Alabaster Mosque before shipping in the bustling Khan El Khalili Bazaar. Next day, explore the largest and oldest of Giza’s pyramids, the Great Pyramid of Khufu, also known as Cheops, built between 2589 – 2566 B.C. One of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, Cheops represents a phenomenal effort in the technical accomplishment of pyramid construction. Gaze in awe at the Sphinx, a symbol of strength and wisdom that is over 150 feet long, including 50 foot paws.  Speculation over its age and secrets has stirred the hearts of scholars, poets and adventurers throughout the ages. CAIRO MARRIOT HOTEL. (B Daily)

Day 5 - Luxor/West Bank
Cross the Nile to Luxor's West Bank to the historic city of Thebes. In the Valley of the Kings and Nobles go into amazing tombs then explore the Valley of the Queens and the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Enjoy lunch at the new Al Moudira Hotel, designed by incorporating vintage artifacts from old Egyptian buildings and handicrafts from local artisans. Afterwards, board your home for the next four nights, an elegant cruise ship that will stylishly deliver you down the Nile. View the Luxor Museum's many outstanding collections this evening, including the Luxor Cache's recently discoverred artifacts found under the Luxor Temple. M/S TI-YA. (B,L,D)

Day 6 - Luxor/Kom Ombo
Optional activity (at additional cost): view the Nile from a balloon high in the sky this morning! Return to the Valley of the Kings to behold rarely visited tombs in the Valley of the Monkeys; reboard in time to pass through the Esna lock as you continue your leisurely cruise down the Nile. M/S TI-YA. (B,L,D)

Day 7 - Edfu/Kom Ombo
Edfu, completed in 57 B.C., awaits you this morning and is a splendid example of late temple architecture in honor of the falcon-headed god Horus. Next, visit Kom Ombo, an unusual double temple built in the 3rd-century dedicated to the crocodile god, Sobek, and the falcon god, Haroeris. M/S TI-YA. (B,L,D)

Day 8 - Aswan
View The Unfinished Obelisk which has provided insights into early construction methods. Go by boat to the Temple of Isis at Philae on the island of Agilkia, built during the 3rd-century B.C. Agilkia became its new home when the Aswan High Dam was built in 1971. Afterwards, set sail aboard a colorful feluca around elephantine Island. Take a camelback trek across the desert landscape to the 7th-century Monastery of St. Simeon. M/S TI-YA. (B,L,D)

Days 9/10 - Luxor/Cairo/New York
Investigate the largest religious structure in the world, the Temple complex of Karnak complete with obelisks, pylons, courts, colonnades, halls, reliefs and sanctuaries. Visit the magical beauty of the Luxor Temple, once connected to Karnak by a two mile path lined with sphinxes illuminated by the glow of hundreds of lights. Then depart on your flight to Cairo, where the remainder of your day is at leisure. You may want to partake in adventuresome bargaining at the famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar. The next morning, bid farewell as you board your flight home. CAIRO MARRIOTT HOTEL. (B;B)

Optional Post-Extension to Jordan
Continue your journey through time in Jordan.  Fly to Amman, a bustling modern city with a 5,000-year-old history. Explore Jerash, renowned as the unique preservation and through scenic canyons of Wadi Mujib to the Crusader Castle at Kerak. Continue to the ancient metropolis of Petra, cut from the red sandstone in the harsh desert cliffs of southern Jordan. Discover soaring temples, elaborate royal tombs, a Roman theater, burial chamber and one of the most elegant remains of antiquity, the Al Khazneh, carved into a mountain during the 1st-century B.C. Your adventure comes to an end at a resort overlooking the crystal waters of the Dead Sea.

Your Journey Includes:

• Superior accommodations throughout as indicated or similar.
• 5-Days/4-Nights Nile Cruise aboard a deluxe cruise ship.
• American breakfast in Cairo, all meals while on Nile Cruise and other meals as specified.
• Sightseeing in Egypt by private car or motorcoach.
• All applicable hotel taxes and gratuities for baggage handling.
• All entry fees.
• Complimentary baggage tags and passport wallet.

2008 Dates	Main Trip Price/Pers Land Only	Airfare	Single Supplement	Extension Price/Person	Single Supplement
Feb 24- Mar 4	$1,995	$1,100	$695	$1,695	$495
Apr 28- May 6	$1,995	$1,200	$695	$1,695	$495
Sep 15-23	$1,995	$1,200	$695	$1,695	$495
Oct 13-21	$2,295	$1,200	$695	$1,695	$495
Nov 3-11	$2,295	$1,200	$795	$1,695	$495

*Prices do not reflect applicable taxes.

For reservations or more information, please contact:
Classic Escapes Inc. at (800) 627-1244