Sacred Sites and Sacred Science - May 17th-May 31st, 2008

01st day: Sat, May 17th, Depart USA:

Depart USA to Cairo – Egypt. We typically arrange for 1/2-3/4 day layover in Amsterdam - to see some of that fair city, break up the long journey to Egypt and help to combat jet-lag.

02nd day: Sun, May 18th, Arrival to Cairo:

Arrival to Cairo international airport where you’ll be met Quest Travel representative who will assist you through immigrations and customs passports.

 

We depart by bus to the Mena House Oberoi hotel.

 

03rd day: Mon, May 19th, Sakkara:

We start our journey, with a visit to the magnificent site of King Zoser's Step Pyramid, the earliest of the major pyramids.

 

Careful exploration of important Old Kingdom noble tombs illuminate life in ancient Egypt, while visits to other Sakkara sites, will beging to reveal many of the primary themes of Egyptian sacred science: in particular the creation of the world, and the role of humanity within creation. Egypt’s incredibly complex mythology and its profusion of mysterious symbols can be seen as an ingenious method of expressing those twin, interlocked themes. At Sakkara we begin to see these themes in action. We will have lunch on the route back to our hotel at a typical Egyptian countryside restaurant and stop at a carpet factory which offers beautiful, hand-made, one-of-a-kind Flower of Life carpets designed especially for Spirit Quest Tours.

(B, L)

04th day, Tues., May 20th: ASWAN, Nile CRUISE:

Departure for Cairo Airport for our short flight to Aswan to board our PRIVATE dahabeya the luxurious Afandina. This gorgeous ship will be our home for the next week. The Afandina, boasting incredible materials, workmanship and design, is a truly worldclass experience that harkens back to an earlier era of travel.

 

After settling in, our lunch will be served. We then enjoy a felucca ride (a small delightful sailboat – peaceful and serene) before we have a chance to visit the Nubian Market of Aswan. Aswan, the gateway to Nubia and called “ The Pearl of Egypt” With its colorful Nubian bazaar, laid-back atmosphere, the warm and wonderful people and a lovely promenade along the Nile, Aswan is a favorite city in Egypt for many visitors. Dinner aboard. (B, L, D)

05th day, Wed, May 21st, ASWAN, KOM OMBO & EDFU:

In your honor, Quest Travel have obtained special arrangements to visit privately the relocated Temple of Philae, the delicate, elegant, quintessential feminine temple of Isis at sunrise, where we will share with you this graceful antiquity that was meticulously moved stone by stone from its ancient site (now submerged) to its new, higher, island home in the middle of the lake. Today it gives us – modern men/women of modern machines and incredible technical knowledge – great insight into what the ancient and intelligent peoples of the world could do with only simple technology and a will to create at their disposal. We continue to visit the fabulous & unique newly opened Nubian Museum with its wealth of history.

Return to our cruise for lunch & sail to Kmo Ombo. We stop at Kom Ombo, a famous healing temple in ancient days and now a gloriously picturesque edifice and energy-filled ruin overlooking a bend in the Nile. We continue sailing through the countryside of Egypt to Edfu. Open evening to experience the lounge or enjoy the solitude of cruising from the ship’s upper deck. (B, L, D)

06th day, Thur, May 22nd EDFU / LUXOR:

We take a carriage ride to and from the best-preserved temple in Egypt, the fabulous Temple of Horus – the falcon god. Consecrated to Horus, it is the embodiment of the principle of Resurrection. Back to our boat for breakfast we spend the rest of the day sailing on the Nile, waving at the villagers, farmers and fishermen as we slowly glide through the peaceful waters as we pass by the first Esna Lock. Overnight at Luxor (B, L, D)

07thday, Fri, May 23rd, Dendrah / Abydos temples:

We drive through the countryside of Egypt to Dendera Temple dedicated to “Hathour” Goddess of Love, music and Joy, we meditate in the Chapel of Nut. We then continue our drive to Abydos, one of the most spellbinding spots of Egypt, the Temple of Seti I, this temple marks the birth of what was to become the Ramesside style. Among the temple’s special features are the Seven Axial Chapels, whose relief’s number among the most beautiful in Egyptian art, and the ancient, enigmatic Osirion, home to the Flower of Life. No journey is completed without visiting Abydos. (B, L, D)

08th day, Sat, May 24th, THEBES & THE VALLEY OF THE KINGS:

Today is devoted to Thebes as we drive across the Nile to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the

Kings, where the great and mysterious funerary texts (“The Books of the Dead”) are exquisitely painted or carved into walls. We continue our visits to Madinet Habu called by the Egyptians themselves “The most splendid of all”), and the immense Colossi of Memnon. (B, L)

09th day, Sun, May 25th, . Karnak / Luxor temples:

This morning we visit the great Karnak temple at Sunrise to play in the energies of the vast overwhelming Temple of Karnak. Once connected to Luxor Temple, two miles away, by a long avenue of Sphinxes (still partially in tact), Karnak is dedicated to the Powers of Creation. Karnak is the theater in which humanity plays out its destiny. It is an incredible collage of Kings and Queens, Princes, Priests and their collective symbolism

We connect later this evening with our very especial visit as we view this magnificent structure Luxor temple under the stars. Here is where R.A. Schwaller de Lubicz developed his revolutionary Symbolist Interpretation, science; art, religion and philosophy are fused into one vast, coherent decoration. (B)

10th Day, Mon, May 26th, Luxor:

Early morning you will enjoy a Balloon ride over Luxor , a very unique way to see Luxor monuments and The Nile from above and to enjoy taking some wonderful pictures from there. Rest of day will be a free day in Luxor to explore more of its beauty and you can reconnect with sites where you may wish to spend more time alone. (B)

11th Day, Tue. May 27th, Luxor / Cairo:

We fly back to Cairo. Arrive and check into the hotel. Free time for shopping at the world-renowned ‘Souk” (market) called Khan El Khalili bazaar (B)

12th Day, Wed, May 28th, Cairo / Alexandria:

Following breakfast, we drive north of Cairo, to visit Alexandria, the second capital of Egypt lies on the Mediterranean Sea and is called “ The Doll of the Mediterranean” which was founded by Alexander the Great. We visit the gorgeous National museum, as well as the newly opened and world famous Alexandria Library, the second largest in the World. Lunch will be served in Alexandria at an incredible sea food restaurant before we drive back to Cairo. (B, L)

13th Day, Thurs. May 29th Islamic, Coptic and Old Cairo / Egyptian museum:

Today, we visit the oldest part of Cairo to enjoy the spirituality of Egypt and visit the St. Sergio church where the Holy family were hidden, The Jewish synagogue and then visit Rafaai mosque with its strong peaceful energy (and, if we're lucky, we'll have a private visit to the tombs of the last kings of Egypt- where the Imam will sing for us in Arabic). (B)

Late afternoon we depart for the famous Egyptian Museum, with a collection of relics dating back to 4,000 BC. There we will experience first hand the different periods of ancient Egypt and the individual artistic and architectural styles of each period. The highlight of this museum is the visit to the priceless treasures of Tut-Ankh-Amon. You will see first hand the intricate workmanship and the tiniest details of the contents of the luggage packed for this King to accompany him to the next World. Evening free. (B + L)

14th Day, Fri, May 30th: GIZA, PYRAMIDS, and SPHINX:

We end our journey to Egypt by visiting the Giza Plateau, paying our respects to the Sphinx at the Valley Temple. Open your heart and listen – Feel the energy of the spirits… we are off to discover some of the most awesome Wonders of the World. The Great Sphinx and the Pyramids of the Giza Plateau. We study them and pay particular attention to the Sphinx. Our Egyptian guide, who is an encyclopedia of Egyptology will give us detailed examinations of various Controversial theories surrounding these amazing structures including a private visit and initiation inside the Great Pyramid and the King’s chamber. We later visit the famous Mena Papyrus Gallery Institute, where we will see how hand made copies of old Egyptian art showing the tombs and temples are made. Tonight you will enjoy your farewell dinner at a very special place!!! (B + D)

15th Day, Sat, May 31st, Final departure:

Breakfast followed by transfer to Cairo International airport for your flight back home.

Egypt loves you!

(Itinerary is subject to change due to reasons beyond our control)

 

Optional Extension, Sat, May 31st to Wed, June 4th:

We'll take an additional three days to explore the stunning landscape of the Sinai - including Mount Moses, the lives of the Bedouin and St. Catherine's Monastery.

Accommodation:

Mena House Oberoi: May 18th – 20th

Private Dahabeya Cruise on the Afandina: May 20th – 27th

Le Meridian Pyramids Hotel: May 27th – 31st
St. Catherine Village Hotel: June 1st – 3rd (optional extension)

Land package Price based on 16 paying guests:

Per person in double: $4995

Includes all round-trip airfare between LAX and Cairo, all domestic travel and all tips

Supplement single: $795

Optional Extension to St. Chatherine's Monastery: $750

What’s included

International round-trip airfare between LAX and Cairo

Partial day mini-trip into Amsterdam

Domestic round-trip airfare between Cairo and Aswan

06 nights in Cairo, Mena House Oberoi & Le Meriden Pyramids hotel

07 nights Private Nile cruise on the dahabeya Afandina

03 nights in St. Catherine's Village in the Sinai (optional extension)

Daily buffet breakfast at hotels

Full board on Nile cruise, breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

All hotels taxes & services charges

Private meditation time at Great Pyramid / King’s chamber

Visit to Dendarah privately

Visit to Philae temple privately

Visit to Edfu temple privately

Visit to Abydos

All transfers from / to airports, hotels & Nile cruise in A / C bus

All entrance fees to all sites mentioned in itinerary

Private Quest Travel Spiritual Egyptologist & Guides

Farewell dinner

What’s excluded?

Entry visa to Egypt upon arrival at $25 per person

Travel & Health insurance

Tipping for guide

Optional tours not included

Terms of PAYMENT:

- $1000 upon sign-up as deposit

- Full payment due by March 17, 2008

CANCELLATION POLICY:

- If cancel 60 days prior to arrival date $300 for administration fees

- If cancel after 60 days prior to arrival date no refund will be made

Pre arrival or post departure nights if requested:

Double room: $170 including tax, services charges and buffet breakfast

Single room: $160 including tax, services charges and buffet breakfast

 

Airport transfers if requested for pre arrival or post departure:

$35 per person one-way airport to hotel or vice versa

 

This trip is limited to a maxiumum of 16 travelers. As of right now there are ONLY 2 SLOTS LEFT! SIGN UP NOW WHILE SPACE IS STILL AVAILABLE!