GUARANTEED DEPARTURE

16 days/15 nights

DEPARTURES:  Spring and Fall, timed to match the peak migrations.

GROUP TOUR DATES WITH PRICES AT CONCLUSION OF TOUR OUTLINE (Tour also available on any date as a private tour)

Egypt occupies a significant strategic geographical position as a bridge between continents offering migratory species the perfect route for their annual flights from Europe and Asia.

A wide variety of Egyptian habitats ranging from high rugged mountains to desert and tropical style jungle along the Nile basin, give it a unique character plus the diversity needed to attract an extremely wide range of bird life.

There are over 430 species of birds found in Egypt with about 150 being resident. The others are annual visitors from Europe and Asia with the primary migrations south in the fall and the return in the spring months. This program operates during the anticipated peaks of these migrations to afford birders a vacation with the maximum chance to view and photograph the widest variety possible.

Imagine being able to combine 5,000 years of human history with birding and conservation. On tap are visits to important antiquity sites and oasis in both upper and lower Egypt plus a visit to the Sinai peninsula with its beautiful beaches, incredible undersea life and bountiful collection of bird life.

Day 01:  (Friday) Depart New York's JFK airport on Egyptair flying non-stop to Cairo. (meals on the flight)

Day 02: (Saturday) Arrive Cairo. Be met and assisted through immigration and customs by our staff who will transfer you to your 5 star hotel.

VISAS: All travelers to Egypt must have a visa. Those traveling with USA or Canada passports can obtain theirs on arrival at Cairo. No photos, no forms and cost is about $18. Travelers with other passports should check with us whether you need one before arrival.

Day 03: (Sunday) A full day touring the ancient capital of Memphis, Sakkara with it's Stepped Pyramid, the earliest pyramid of all, the Seraphim (tomb of the bulls), and the Mastaba of Ti which features beautiful carvings of early Egyptian bird life, and Dahshur with it's "Bent" Pyramid, Black Pyramid and Red Pyramid (the Red pyramid is open for entry). O/N Cairo (B)

Day 04 & Day 05:  (Monday & Tuesday) This morning we drive to the oasis of El Fayoum. Located about 1.5 hours drive south of Cairo this is one of the greatest oasis areas in Egypt and a major winter home for migratory species. Fayoum is where the Greeks and Romans had their wineries and grew the grain for the empire. It also was an important part of Pharaonic history including a famous canal thought to have been built by the Biblical Joseph. O/N Fayoum (B)

Day 06: (Wednesday) We depart Fayoum early this morning for the Pyramids at Giza and the inscrutable Sphinx. In the afternoon we visit the Egyptian Museum and the Khan el Khalili bazaar. O/N Cairo (B)

Day 07: (Thursday) Staff transfers you to the airport, assists with checking in and you fly to Aswan. Arriving staff transfers you to your hotel. We will visit the Nubian Museum in the afternoon (or evening depending on the flight time). O/N Aswan (B)

Day 08:  (Friday) An optional tour to the Temples at Abu Simbel or a day to relax and enjoy Aswan. O/N Aswan (B)

Day 09: (Saturday) Today we visit the Granite quarries with it's Unfinished Obelisk, The temple of Philae and the Old Dam. O/N Aswan (B)

Day 10: (Sunday) Sail by Felucca (native sailboat) to visit the famous islands of the area. Kitchener's Island is a botanical garden that naturally attracts a number of species, filled with exotic plants and trees imported from all over the world. Elephantine Island is the largest of the Aswan area islands, and is one of the most ancient sites in Egypt, with artifacts dating to pre-dynastic periods. It is also a good place to spend leisure time, wandering among the Nubian villages where the people are friendly and the houses are often very colorful. Depart by train to Luxor about 5 PM, which affords an excellent opportunity to watch sunset along the river, the birds nesting for the night and the river traffic as lights come on at the approach of darkness. Arriving Luxor about 8 PM transfers you to your 5 star hotel, right on the Nile, facing the Necropolis of Thebes. (B,L)

Day 11: (Monday) This morning we depart early for the West Bank, The Necropolis of Thebes where we will visit the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon. Afternoon free at leisure. O/N Luxor (B)

Day 12: (Tuesday) The temples of Luxor and Karnak are visited this morning plus the Karnak Museum. In the evening we fly to Sharm el Sheikh, located at the southern extreme of the Sinai Peninsula, you are now in Asia. You will stay right on Naama Bay. O/N Sharm (B)

Day 13:(Wednesday) Depart in the morning for the Sinai Mountains. Drive to the important Biblical site of Wadi Feiran. This area is an oasis of greenery in an otherwise hostile environment and as such attracts a wide variety of species ranging from songbirds to predators.

"...a journey through Feiran is to pass through an entire chapter of the Old Testament itself..."

Few places are as steeped in Biblical mystery as the great Wadi Feiran-the Sinai's largest wadi and one of it's most archeologically important stretches of terrain. It was here, according to locals, scholars, and legend, that Moses struck a rock with his staff, bringing forth a spring so his people could drink. Feiran is also the site of Rafadim, the fabled oasis where the Hebrews camped and battled the Amelecites. You will also be introduced to Bedouin culture, one that has not changed for many centuries. Enjoy a BBQ lunch Bedouin style. Ride a camel if you like. From Wadi Feiran we drive to Mt. Sinai where we overnight at a small hotel. O/N St. Catherine's (B,L,D)

Day 14: (Thursday) Today you can rise early, about 3AM, climb Mt. Sinai and watch the sunrise from the crest or sleep in and the view the mountain from the base. You will also visit St. Catherine's Monastery. Located at the foot of Mount Moses, St. Catherine's was constructed between 527 and 565. It is built around what is thought to be Moses' Burning Bush. It is a spectacular natural setting for priceless works of art.

St. Catherine's is also a formidable fortification, with granite walls 40 to 200 feet tall, surrounded by gardens and cypresses. From St. Catherine's you will visit the Rock of Inscriptions, where travelers have left graffiti and directions for 8,000 years plus Ein Kudra, the traditional hazarot of the Children of Israel (Exodus) to the Gulf of Aqaba then back to Sharm el Sheikh to overnight at the Marriott. O/N Sharm (B)

Day 15: (Friday) This morning fly to Cairo where you will visit Gabal el Asfar. This is the huge reclaiming area for the cities sanitation system. Since it's start in 1923 this area has grown into one of the richest birding sites in Egypt. O/N Cairo (B)

Day 16: (Saturday) Staff will transfer you to the airport, assist with exit formalities and checking in for your international departure.

BIRDS OF THE PHARAOHS
SMALL GROUP TOUR DATES AND PRICES:

2007:

Feb. 16, Mar. 16:
$3995 p.p. dbl. occ.
Single supplement: $495
Triple reduction: -$20 p.p. trp. occ.

Nov. 30:
$3995 p.p. dbl. occ.
Single supplement: $495
Triple reduction: -$20 p.p. trp. occ.

Dec. 21:
$4795 p.p. dbl. occ.
Single supplement: $695
Triple reduction: -$20 p.p. trp. occ.

NOTE: Many hotels in Egypt have mandatory Christmas and New Years dinners/parties. These can range from $75 a person, per event, to over $200. These special dinners/parties are NOT included in this price as the hotels will not announce the rate until late fall of 2007.

2008:

Jan. 18, Feb. 15:
$3995 p.p. dbl. occ.
Single supplement: $495
Triple reduction: -$20 p.p. trp. occ.

Mar. 14 (Easter):
$4295 p.p. dbl. occ.
Single supplement: $595
Triple reduction: -$20 p.p. trp. occ.

Nov. 07, Dec. 05:
$3995 p.p. dbl. occ.
Single supplement: $495
Triple reduction: -$20 p.p. trp. occ.

Dec. 19 (Holidays):
$4795 p.p. dbl. occ.
Single supplement: $695
Triple reduction: -$20 p.p. trp. occ.

NOTE: Many hotels in Egypt have mandatory Christmas and New Years dinners/parties. These can range from $75 a person, per event, to over $200. These special dinners/parties are NOT included in this price as the hotels will not announce the rate until late fall of 2008.

Travel Agent Reservations

PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.
All tours booked with deposits paid are price protected against any increase in ground tour costs however airline or security tax increases plus any fuel charge supplements are not protected.

GROUP TOURS INCLUDE:
Guaranteed to operate with NO minimum but a maximum of 16 travelers. Round trip air from JFK (add on air from other U.S. cities available). All transfers by air-conditioned vehicle relating to the tour program starting with arrival to Cairo. Baggage handling of no more than 2 pieces of luggage per person however baggage and personal effects are at the owner's risk at all times during the tour. Hotels (based on double occupancy). Meals as outlined by B for Breakfast, L for lunch and D for dinner. Fees for visiting antiquity sites and museums. Services of an English speaking licensed Egyptologist. Service charges and taxes. Tips for ground personnel except guide.

NOT included are: Air ticket taxes or fuel surcharges, items of a personal nature such as tips for guide, entry visa (available at the airport on entry for USA and Canadian citizens. Other nationalities should check with the nearest Egyptian consulate), phone calls, laundry, bar bills, beverages during meals, any items not specifically covered in the included items.

E-mail us or call Toll Free in the USA/Canada 1 (877) 778-3497 for full details.

This tour is operated in conjunction with Conservation Outdoors Inc.  A USA based international scientific/charitable organization that operates wildlife conservation and habitat preservation programs in the Middle East and South America.  Profits go to assistance with maintaining habitat, educational programs, banding/rescue programs in the Middle East.

Postcards from Egypt