UNITY OF OAK PARK
presents
ENDURING EGYPT
January 25-February 5, 2012
Wednesday January 25 and Thursday, January 26
USA/Cairo Meals aloft
Depart the United States on Egypt Air non-stop from New Yorks'/JFK airport. Your flight approaches Cairo from the shimmering Mediterranean;
flying over mosques, citadels and minarets that hug the Nile River. Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to the Meridien
Pyramids Hotel; neighboring the Pyramids of Giza. The balance of the day is free.
Friday, January 27
Cairo B
You are in Cairo, the pulsating capital of Egypt. The Nile, Egypt’s vital artery runs through the heart of the city, leaving densely populated areas on
each bank. Cairo is a city of contrast; ancient and modern, want and plenty, where motorized vehicles, draft animals, cyclists and pedestrians vie for
space in the streets and domes, minarets, and modern buildings delineate the skyline.
The ancient monuments that stand at the outskirts of Cairo represent the most eloquent introduction to the World’s oldest civilization. We begin
chronologically with an exploration of the ruins of the original capital of ancient Egypt at Memphis and Saqqara - where the major tombs of
Horemheb and Maya have just been opened. On the Giza Plateau, you have an optional camel ride before our visit to the Great Pyramids. Icons
of antiquity, they embody the mystery and majesty of Egypt. We also visit the Sphinx.
Saturday, January 28
Cairo/Luxor BL
We depart the Meridien this morning for the Cairo Museum, which contains the world's greatest collection of Egyptian art and artifacts. The richness
of the collection is astonishing. We will have lunch at a local restaurant frequented by many people who spearheaded the revolution. In the
afternoon we'll visit Tahrir square and meet with someone from the Revolution. Late afternoon transfer to the airport for a short flight to Luxor
where, upon arrival transfer to the newly restored Garden section of the Historic Winter Palace Hotel, centrally located on the Nile in downtown
Luxor. The balance of the day is free.
Sunday, January 29
Luxor B
We have arrived in ancient Thebes, for several centuries the seat of the Middle and New Kingdom dynasties, and the virtual center of the ancient
world. The mysterious limestone mountains that rise up beyond the twisting, arid valley just above the Nile flood plain are honeycombed with
treasures and curiosities; a place of secrets and legends.
Today, you have an option of a full day excursion to Abydos and Dendera. Traveling North, we reach the town of Qena where we stop to visit the
newly restored Temple of Dendera. Dedicated to Hathor, Dendera is a fine example of Ptolemaic architecture. Its’ distinctive features include a
hypostyle hall with 18 Hathor-columns supporting a roof decorated with remarkable astrological scenes. After visit the Temple of Seti I at Abydos.
During his reign, Seti I encouraged an artistic and architectural revival which Abydos reflects especially today after an excellent restoration.
Considered one of Egypt’s most sacred cities, the temple is the cult center of its most beloved heroes – Osiris, Isis and Horus, and one of the most
beautiful in all of Egypt. After your visit, drive back to Luxor. In the evening visit the Luxor Temple illuminated at night. Or you may stay back
and enjoy the amenities of the hotel where there is a magnificent garden and swimming pool.
Monday, January 30
Luxor/Embarkation Nile Cruise BLTD
A highlight of the day's itinerary is a visit to the Valley of the Kings, which contains 64 tombs belonging to the pharaohs of the 18th-20th Dynasties.
The Tombs were hewn out of bedrock and decorated throughout with scenes of the journey of the sun-god through the underworld. We will also visit
the Temple of Hatchepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Nobles which contain scenes of everyday life in the New Kingdom, and the
Workers Village which was occupied by generations of laborers who toiled in the Valley of the Kings constructing tombs for the Pharaohs.
Returning to the East Bank we board our Nile Cruiser. The balance of the day is free.
Tuesday, January 31
Luxor/Edfu BLTD
Early morning, with perfect sun, visit Karnak Temple, the greatest shrine of antiquity, and a supreme manifestation of ancient Egypt’s power and
wealth. Karnak is a massive temple complex covering 200 acres. Upon our return, we begin sailing toward Edfu.
As we sail back through time, the pace of our tour changes - our river journey begins and we relax aboard the ship, observing the passing scenery of
the Nile’s timeless shore life. Along its' banks, the rural scenes differ little from ancient times; the farmer tends his land with a wooden plough, uses
his faithful donkey for transport, and although modern pumping devices are now used, so too is the ancient waterwheel driven by buffalo.
Wednesday, February 1
Edfu/Kom Ombo/Aswan BLTD
This morning we visit the Temple of Edfu; begun in 237 B.C. it is the best preserved ancient structure in Egypt; dedicated to the hawk-headed god
Horus, it is adorned with reliefs that rank among some of the finest in Egypt. From here we set sail for Kom Ombo - unique among Egyptian
temples, it equally honors two gods, Horus, the hawk god and Sobek, the crocodile god.
We embark on the last stage of our Nile cruise sailing for Aswan. To many visitors, Aswan is the loveliest of all cities along the Nile. Famous as a
spa at the turn of the century, vintage buildings adorn its Corniche and granite islands mark the Nile’s first Cataract.
Thursday, February 2
Aswan BLTD
This morning, when the sun is perfect, visit the Temple of Philae; dedicated to the goddess Isis and famed for its beauty and sanctity in GrecoRoman times. On its island, temples, kiosks, a colonnade, and sanctuaries rise proudly against the skyline. We will also visit the High Dam and
Granite Quarries. Late afternoon we sail by felucca (optional); visiting a Nubian Village and the Botanical Gardens.
Friday, February 3
Aswan/Cairo B
Transfer this morning to the airport for an optional air excursion to Abu Simbel, where the famed rock-cut temples surpass in size all other temples
in Egypt. The Temple of Ramesses II, the most impressive monument in Nubia, and the Temple of Queen Nefertari, his most beloved wife, were
saved from destruction by UNESCO. Or fly directly to Cairo where the afternoon is free. In any case you will be transferred upon arrival to the
Sonesta Hotel in Heliopolis where the balance of the day is free.
Saturday, February 4
Cairo BLD
Historic Cairo: A walk through the Islamic City. Part of our day is devoted to a walking tour through the Islamic section of Cairo. Immersed in
authentic Egyptian culture and society, experience the sights, sounds and smells of this Islamic city visiting off-the-beaten-path mosques, and other
notable Islamic monuments on the newly restored Al Muizz Street of Naguib Mahfouz fame, as well as see some newly restored Islamic Tombs,
which continue the Pharaonic tradition. Included in this day is the Khan al-Khalili Bazaar. Withstanding Egypt’s glories and declines since 1382, it
grew from a caravanserai to headquarters for merchants from all over the world—an open air museum that stands as a metaphor for Islamic life.
Enjoy dinner this evening in an Egyptian home.
Sunday, February 5
Cairo/USA
Transfer to the airport for your flight to the United States. As we leave Egypt we are captivated by a quote from Florence Nightengale”...One
wonders that people come back from Egypt and live lives as they did before."
Fuel your memories
Enrich your world perspective
Join Unity in Egypt this January
PRICES AND INFORMATION
Land and air from New York
based on double occupancy
$2,495
Single supplement
$495
Abu Simbel Extension $275
For more information please contact:
Richard Billings - Unity Church of Oak Park
708-848-0960 or
Temma Ecker at Journeys of the Mind, Inc.
383-8739 or [email protected]