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March
23 - April 6, 2006
Call
for space availability
Tour
includes:
- Round
trip airfare from the West Coast
- Domestic
flights within Egypt
- Airport/hotel/port
transfers
- Astronomical
lectures and sky viewing activities
- Land
excursions via air conditioned motor coach
- Baggage
handling throughout Egypt
- Service
of English speaking guides and special Egyptologists throughout
the tour
- All
entrance fees
- On
Land: Daily Breakfasts and meals as mentioned in the itinerary
- Acommodations:
9 nights in 4 star hotels throughout Egypt
- Four
nights on board the All Suites, 100 passenger, Monaco
- All
Shore excursions with English speaking guides
- Meals:
All meals on board the Monaco
- Tea
& coffee with each meal on board the cruise
- One
bottle of water per cabin daily on cruise
- One
bottle of water per person with each meal on cruise
- Egyptian
entry Visa for US passport holders. (Holders of other countries
should consult their local consular authority.)
Guest
Lectures:
-
Mike Bennett - Director of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific
- Dr.
Michelle Thaller - Reserach Scientist, California Institute of
Technology
- Dennis
Mammana - Photographer, SkyScapes
- Dr.
Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer, SETI Institute
For
a general interest form, and registration, please contact MWT Associates
at tours@melitatrips.com
or visit their website at www.melitatrips.com
ITINERARY
March
23-24, Wednesday-Thursday — USA-Cairo
The Great Desert Total Solar Eclipse and Nile Voyage begins today
as your board the flight to Cairo, Egypt. Upon arrival in the land
of the Pharaohs, you are greeted and escorted to the Cairo Grand
Hyatt Hotel.
March
25, Friday — Cairo
You begin the adventure with 5000 years of art at the world-famous
Egyptian Museum of Antiquities. Your guided tour includes the treasures
of the tomb of Tutankhamen and the Mummy Room. Touring continues
through Medieval Cairo, the Citadel of Saladin, Khan El Khalil Bazaar
and the El Rifai Mosque where the Shah of Iran and Egypt's last
kings were buried. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant. (B/L)
March
26, Saturday — Cairo
Today step back to 2686 BC as you visit Memphis, Sakkara, and Zoser
I's Step Pyramid. Afterwards travel to the Great Pyramids and the
Sphinx at Giza. (B/L)
March
27, Sunday — Cairo-Alexandria
Across the Nile Delta in northern Egypt we head northwest to Alexandria,
where you explore the Greco Roman Museum, the Catacombs, and Roman
Amphitheater. More items from L'Orient, Napoleon's flag ship, will
be viewed at Qayet Bey Fortress, built on the same site of the ancient
wonder, the Lighthouse of Alexandria.(B/L)
March 28, Monday — Alexandria-Alamein
Continue to El Alamein, which is rich in WWII history, where you
visit the War Museum of the Battle of El Alamein. This afternoon's
astronomical lectures for tomorrow's total solar eclipse are planned.
(B/D)
March
29, Tuesday — ECLIPSE — Marsa Matruh-Alamein
Preparations for the eclipse will begin early as you journey to
the center line. A post-eclipse barbeque will be enjoyed on Marsa
Matruh's beach at sunset. (B/L/D)
March
30, Wednesday —Al Alamein-Luxor
Return to Cairo for a flight along the green Nile Valley in Upper
Egypt to Luxor (Thebes).Your two-night stay in Luxor will be at
the legendary Old Winter Palace, which was the exclusive resort
for Egypt's royalty. Later opened to the public, it served as the
gateway to the tombs. Howard Carter's first announcement of his
discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen was posted on the guests' bulletin
board at the Winter Palace. This afternoon enjoy a stroll through
Luxor's colorful market. The astrophotography session will be under
tonight's near new Moon at the Luxor Temple. (B)
March
31, Thursday — Luxor
Egypt's Temple of Amon-Ra, still the world's largest religious complex,
beckons today. The majestic avenue of ram-headed sphinxes leads
to this great temple of Karnak. This afternoon's lecture will be
on the Astronomy & Alignment of Ancient Egypt. (B)
April
1, Friday — Luxor, Board the MONACO
Today you will tour the magnificent tombs in the Valley of the Kings
and Queens, including the tombs of Ramses and the boy king, Tutankhamen's,
and the great temple of Queen Hatshepsut. This afternoon, you board
the elegant Monaco, home for the next 4 nights. (B/L/D)
April
2, Saturday — Edfu & Kom Ombo
Sail past Esna upstream to Edfu where a "caleche" ride
will take you through the town to the Temple of Horus. Return to
our ship to set sail for Kom Ombo. (B/L/D)
April
3, Sunday — Kom Ombo & Aswan
You explore the twin Temples of Haroeris and Sobek at Kom Ombo,
and then sail south to Aswan. After lunch you board a graceful felucca
and cruise among the islands, returning to your ship in time for
tea.(B,L,D)
April
4, Monday — Aswan
The trade center of the south, Aswan, is highlighted by a tour to
the High Dam. A boat ride takes you to the island Temple of Philae,
dedicated to the Goddess Isis. (B/L/D)
April
5, Sunday — Aswan-Cairo
An optional excursion to the Temple of Abu Simbel is offered this
morning to Upper Egypt and the visit the massive four 65-foot figures
of Ramses II. A flight back to Cairo with time for last minute shopping
at the Grand Bazaar and overnight. (B)
April
6, Wednesday — Cairo-USA
With memories of immortal Egypt, bid adieu as you depart for home.
(B)
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