Minarets and Menorahs 

Egypt , Palestine and Israel Tour All in 15 Days
( without international air fare )

Here's the best of Egypt & Israel in only 14 days : Join us for a journey to these ancient lands, and an unsurpassed array of sights, sounds and memories, from the ever mysterious Sphinx , to a Nile cruise, to a walk along the ancient byways of Jerusalem and much more, all arranged in every detail.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY

Day 1 - CAIRO - Tuesday- Weekly - Year Round
We'll arrive early in the day at London or Paris, where you'll proceed to board your connecting flight to Cairo. In Cairo our representative greets you at the airport, helps with formalities, and whisks you to your hotel .Complimentary visa is issued upon arrival for the following nationalities; American, Australian, NZ, EU , Canadian & Japanese, your passport must be valid and in order .

Visa will be issued upon arrival.
As you exit the gate, you will pass through a door or two , down some stairs , then walk for 2-5 minutes , until you pass the duty free shops, at the end of a wide corridor , you will see the security officers. There you will be met by a local representative, who will be holding a sign with the name you prefer to use for the sign .

Our local representative will then take your passport to obtain a stamp from the cashier / bank window and escort you to speak with the passport officer. He will escort you through another last check on your passport as you exit the passport control, into customs area, he will assist you in collecting your luggage and clearing customs . After exiting the terminal, our local representative will escort you (private vehicle) to the hotel

DAY 2 - CAIRO - (BL) - Wednesday
On your first full day in Egypt we show you the Egyptian Museum, including the Mummy Room and the fabulous treasures Tutankhamon, the Citadel of Saladin, and the Mohammed Ali Mosque, made of alabaster. Lunch is included at a charming local restaurant. After which we go on a treasure hunt and tour of the legendary Khan El Khalili bazaar district.

DAY 3- CAIRO - (BL) - Thursday
Today we go to the edge of the Sahara and Giza , we tour the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, stand at awe in front of the first known " Space Ship " that was built for Cheops to sail the skies ( entrance ticket is included for the Solar Boat Museum). Lunch is included at the Mena House.
In the afternoon, we head for "Old Cairo " , the Jewish Quarter that became later on the " Coptic Quarter " , visit the oldest known synagogue in Egypt " Beni Ezra" , then off to the treasure filled " Coptic Museum" , and El-Moalaka Church. We stop at the spot where legend has it that " Baby Moses " was found here by the the entourage of the Egyptian Queen . The Nile of course moved since then to the current location and away from Old Cairo .

Day 4 - Fayoum Oases - The Valley of the Whales - Friday
A True Gift from Joseph to the Mighty Pharaoh of Egypt As a token of gratitude for taking in the Israelites escaping the drought in Palestine.

The wilds of the desert begin right on the outskirts of Cairo, and continue for hundreds of miles to the east and west, through sands, rock, mountains, oases, and a surprising variety of scenery and inhabitants.

Join us for a day ranging across the desert like modern nomads. In place of camels, we’ll travel in comfortable, reliable four-by-four Toyota Land Cruisers. Your guide and drivers will meet you at your hotel, and soon you’ll leave bustling Cairo behind as you undertake the drive toward the Oasis of El Fayoum, 150 kilometers to the southwest. Hard as it is to believe, a great inland sea once covered these sands. It was a holy reserve of sacred crocodiles, symbolized by the god Sobek.

We’ll visit the temple of Kom Oshim, drive over ancient lake beds, and alongside the waters of today’s Fayoum Lake to reach the fishermen’s village of Chak Chouk. There we’ll stop for a lunch of fish caught fresh that morning. There will be time to wander the village lanes and discreetly watch the everyday activities of baking flatbread, irrigating crops from the lake’s waters, and bringing in the catch. We’ll also include the craft and pottery museum where the best works of local artisans are on display.

Then it’s into our four-by-fours again, for an off-road adventure! We’ll head alongside and across desert washes, between dunes, and over ancient lake beds for 35 kilometers to the Valley of the Whales. Incredibly, these great mammals once thrived in waters surrounded by sands. We’ll stop and gaze in amazement at their fossilized remains alongside smaller sea creatures that remain in stone.

In the evening, you’ll return to your hotel in Cairo.

You will enjoy your private : Land transportation in air-conditioned four-wheel-drive Toyota Land Cruiser. Services of your own private chauffeur and private English speaking guide .
Lunch is included today at a local seafood restaurant.

DAY 5 : CAIRO/ LUXOR- Nile Cruise (BLD): Saturday
Very early breakfast before we fly to Luxor , domestic air fare is always included , tax included.
We arrive Luxor (or Aswan depending on cruise confirmation & availability at the time of booking) , upon arrival we proceed to cross the Nile to visit the magnificent tombs in the Valley of the Kings , including that of King Tut , on to Valley of the Queens to tour the great funerary temples of Queen Hatshepsut., and then off to the Ancient Workers Village at Deir El Medineh, we'll have a brief stop at the Colossi of Memnon on the way back to board our Nile cruise , in time for lunch , a complimentary fruit basket awaits you in your cabin . In the afternoon get ready for the visits to Luxor and Karnak Temples. In the evening your guide will call on you to explore Luxor local markets riding in a horse-drawn carriage.

DAY 6 : LUXOR - Esna (BLD) - Sunday
We set sail to go through Esna locks. A grand day of sailing on the Nile , you'll see scenery that changed little since Biblical times. Cruise itinerary is subject to change without notice , subject to the weather , water level in the Nile and the wait time to get through the locks on the Nile.

DAY 7 : ESNA /EDFU (BLD) - Monday .
Sail further south to Edfu, climb aboard horse-drawn carriages, and clip-clop through town to the Temple of Horus, Egypt’s best preserved temple. Re-embarking, dock at Kom Ombo for the night.

DAY 8 : KOM OMBO (BLD) - Tuesday
Visit the twin temple at Kom Ombo then re-embark and sail to Aswan. Afternoon leisure cruise on the Nile by felucca. If you wish try your hand at camel riding, with our compliments ! We'll take a traditional caravan to enjoy tea with Nubian Villagers. We are proud to offer this opportunity for insight into local ways.

DAY 9 :ASWAN / CAIRO (B) - Wednesday
Today we visit Aswan dam, the unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple dedicated to the Ancient Goddess Isis: The Mystery of Isis

Two millennia ago the Mediterranean world was enthralled by the mystery of Isis:

"I, Isis, am all that has been, that is or shall be; no mortal man hath ever seen me unveiled."

Called Aset by the ancient Egyptians, the goddess was a Madonna in the Mediterranean tradition that stretches far, far back to the primitive Mother Goddess from Anatolia, home to some of the oldest human communities on earth. Because of her wisdom and skill at protection, she was admired as a good magician capable of healing the sick and protecting the dead in their journey to the Underworld.

Isis is portrayed regally, as a queen seated on a throne (which may be the meaning of her name), often holding her son Horus as a baby. Other images show her with broad, magnificent gilded wings able to protect the world. Isis, the great Mother Goddess. Come explore her mystery in timeless Egypt !

Heading back to the airport, we board your return flight to Cairo, and your hotel.

DAY 10 - CAIRO (B) - Thursday.
We've set aside this day at the midpoint of our journey for you to program as you wish . And there are so many choices! Perhaps you'll visit the Khan El Khalili bazaar with its spice merchants and craftsmen. The Pyramids of Dahshour. The Beni Ezra Synagogue. Or enjoy a day of rest.

DAY 11- Tel Aviv (B)- Friday
Our representative escorts you to the airport for your flight to Tel Aviv to start our Jerusalem Mini Package. You will be met by our Israel - based representative who will be at hand to assist with your transportation to your hotel in Jerusalem . You'll have the rest of this day to discover Jerusalem on your own. The crowds along Ben Yehuda Street, the new city Hall, the walls of the Old City illuminated at dusk, the gleaning Dome of the Rock. Jerusalem surpasses every expectation!

Day 12 - OLD CITY OF JERUSALEM, BETHLEHEM - Saturday (B)
Today ,we will follow in the footsteps of Jesus along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and through the colorful bazaars. In the after we are off to Mt. of Olives , and we'll depart Jerusalem to Bethlehem , birthplace of King David. Visit Rachel's Tomb and the Church of Nativity , before returning to Jerusalem.

Day 13 -Jerusalem - Sunday (B)
our visit to the Old City includes the reconstructed Jewish Quarter , including David’s City . Visit the newly excavated Cardo and continue to the Western Wall , the only remaining portion of the Second Temple. Nearby is the Dome of the Rock , one of the holiest places of Islam , on to the New City to visit the Israel Museum, Model and Yad Vashem

Day 14 - Jerusalem - Monday (B)
Full day at leisure Explore Jerusalem as you wish , or ask us for optional tour.

Day 15 - Departure - Tuesday (B).
Our representative escorts you to the airport . Bon Voyage .

Rates per person in USD $

High Season Supplement
Dec 15 - Jan 05 : and Easter Seasons ( Two weeks )
Passover Season : April 15-30
Please note that a 15 % supplement applies.

Deluxe :

• Cairo : Ramses Hilton. Sonesta. J. W. Marriott ( or similar)
  
• Nile Cruises :
  Monaco , Monte Carlo , Mojito , Beau Soleil , Florence, Royal Ruby , Adonis or similar
  
• Jerusalem : Regency ( modest 5 stars) or Deluxe Room at the Olive Tree Hotel ( superior first class yet great hotel, great location)
  
  

First Class :

• Cairo : Oases. Novotel. ( or similar)
  
• Nile Cruises : Nile Dream , Ruby or Similar
  
• Jerusalem : Superior Room at the Olive Tree Hotel ( superior first class yet great hotel, great location)

Upgrade to the Ultra Deluxe Nile Cruises:
Sonesta M/S Moon Goddess , Sonesta M/S Star Goddess, Sonesta M/S St. George ( all state   rooms are Junior Suites do offer private balconies) . The Ultra Deluxe all suites M/S Amarco :
Supplement : 20 % applies to be added to the deluxe rate

The all suites M/S Amarco

Your tour includes:

• All domestic airfares in Egypt; in economy class , tax included
  
• Air fare: Cairo / Tel Aviv in economy class, tax included .
  
  
• All transfers in Egypt and Israel, always on a private basis , private air-conditioned vehicle, private chauffeur .
  
  
• Hotel accommodations, including tax and service charges.
  
  
• Nile cruise; the sequence of sights visited between Aswan and Luxor is subject to change according to vessel requirements, and the cruise may begin in either Aswan or Luxor.
  
• Complimentary welcome drink upon arrival on board the Nile Cruise.
  
  
• Complimentary welcome fruit basket on board the Nile Cruise.
  
  
• Large bottle of water ( per person ) delivered to you cabin daily while you are on board the Nile Cruise.
  
  
• Tea or coffee an bottled water with each / every meal while you are on board the Nile Cruise.
  
  
• Meals as indicated in the tour itinerary: B = continental breakfast; L =set-menu lunch; D = set-menu dinner.- Guided sightseeing by private air-conditioned motor coach or car as per itinerary, including all entrance fees.
  
• Complimentary Lonely Planet travel guidebook to Egypt/Jerusalem.
  
  

• Complimentary visa for Egypt : issued upon arrival for the following nationalities; American, Australian, NZ, EU , Canadian, Mexican , Singaporean & Japanese, your passport must be valid and in order . For Israel , no visa is required for USA , Canadian and EU citizens, for other countries please check with the consulate nearest you .

DRESS CODE :

All of our Nile cruise vessels are fully air conditioned. Onboard dress is casual except at dinner, when smart casual is the rule. Lightweight cotton and other natural fiber clothing is best, with swimsuits and sun hats for the sundeck and pool. Bring a light sweater or light jacket for cool mornings and evenings, but most days are warm to hot, with very little rain. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for shore excursions.

Nile Cruise :
DINING NOTES
The set-menu meals included in your tour are indicated in the itinerary: B = Breakfast, (or cB, Continental Breakfast), L = Lunch, D = Dinner. On our luxury Nile cruise vessels, our spacious dining rooms accommodate all passengers at one seating, so there is no need to worry about making reservations , one less thing to worry about while you are on the Nile. Enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere with several different languages being heard at dinner.

Do we get sea sickness while sailing the Nile ?
This is river sailing, so do not expect any waves , no rough seas ! Your Nile cruises is actually a floating hotel that moves from place to place along the Nile. Actual cruising times are short and pleasant.