May 23 - June 4, 2009   

Cairo, Memphis, Joseph's Storehouses, Nile Cruise, Luxor, Karnak, Aswan, Mt. Sinai, Goshen
from a Christian Perspective

Introduction to Egypt

Day 1 • Overnight Flight 
Our life-changing journey begins this evening as we board our overnight flight to Cairo, Egypt.   

Day 2 •  Cairo
We arrive in the land of the Pharaohs, Jacob, Joseph and Israel during the famine!  Upon arrival at the airport we meet our guide and are immediately transported into Cairo, the capital of Egypt. We transfer to our hotel to settle in and start soaking up the atmosphere of this exciting city.
 

Day 3 •  Memphis, Sakkara, Joseph's Storehouses
We enjoy a day of touring in and around Cairo with a short bus ride to Memphis.  Founded around 3,100 BC, Memphis is the legendary city of Menes, the King who united Upper and Lower Egypt.  From a Biblical perspective, Memphis is most likely where Abraham lied to Pharaoh about his wife Sarah being his sister and where Joseph served as second in command.  While in Memphis we will view a very large and well-preserved statue of Ramses II.  Next is Sakkara, which is one of the most extensive archaeological sites in Egypt!  Sakkara is dominated by the Step Pyramid of King Zoser, dating back to 2700 BC. It is one of the oldest stone structures in the world!  Following an interesting stop to see how local Egyptian carpets are made, a short drive to the south finds us in Faiyum, the region created by the divinely inspired wisdom of Joseph. Here you will find ancient storehouses and a man-made lake created by a canal, who's construction was ordered by Joseph.  It was this lake that provided irrigation for a desert land and supplied the food needed to survive his prophesied seven year famine.

Day 4 • Transfer to Luxor, Nile Cruise
Early this morning we transfer to the airport for our flight to Luxor, where we check in to our 5-Star river cruise. We then set off to visit the Valley of the Kings (where many ancient pharaohs were buried) and the famous Temple of Hatshepsut, the princess who perhaps pulled baby Moses out of the Nile River. We visit a courtyard that was likely to be frequented by Moses during his days of princely training. Time will be allowed for those who wish to visit one of Luxor's famous perfume factory stores. We re-embark for lunch, enjoy the sundeck and pool before an evening tour of the famous Temple of Luxor, which was founded in the reign of Amenhotep III, grandson of the pharaoh of the Exodus.  Nile Cruise Boat

Day 5 •  Karnak, Esna to Edfu
After breakfast, visits include the Temple of Karnak (temple of the New Kingdom period) and the East Bank of the Nile. It was during this period that the bondage and Exodus occurred. Karnak second to Giza’s Pyramids, is one of Egypt’s most important Pharaonic sites. We board our ship for lunch and continue sailing towards Edfu, having dinner as we cross through the Esna lock.  Overnight on board. 

Day 6 • Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan
This morning after breakfast we visit Edfu, the location of one of the best preserved Egyptian Temples. This site was initially developed 1000 years before Abraham came to Egypt!  Lunch and sailing to Kom Ombo, where we visit the remains of Kom Ombo Temple, situated on the riverside. Unlike most, this temple is dedicated to two gods - the crocodile god of Sebek and the solar god of war, Horus the Great.  Overnight on board. 

Day 7 •  Aswan High Dam, Free Time, Abu Simbel Option
Our touring today is in and around the modern city of Aswan. Included will be a visit to the High Dam, built from 1960 - 1971, and a major factor in Egypt’s agricultural success. We then also spend time at Philae Temple on the Isi-Island. This complex was moved from up river due to the impending destruction upon the completion of the High Dam. This afternoon we disembark for free time to stroll through the city markets. 
An optional (half day including flights) tour is also offered to Abu Simbel, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Nubian Monuments."  Our Egyptologist guide discusses the relevance of this spectacular site from Egyptian history. We will also try to put in perspective the long history of Egypt. Here we visit the massive temple of Pharaoh Rameses II, perhaps the greatest builder of temples in ancient Egypt (13th Century BC) and a second one of Queen Nafertari, Rameses's most beloved wife. Overnight on board. 

Day 8 •  Coptic Cairo, Hanging Church & Alabaster Mosque
This morning we fly to Cairo and enjoy a full day of touring beginning with a visit to the Hanging Church - the most famous Coptic church in Cairo. The Hanging Church was named so as it was built by the Nile River over the Roman Gate of Babylon. During a walking tour, our guide will point out that this section of the old city was definitely the route taken by Abraham, Joseph, Moses and the family of Jesus - an inspiring thought. Next we visit the beautiful Alabaster Mosque of Muhammad Ali to better understand Moslem religious practices.  Completed in 1848, the Ottoman-style Muhammad Ali Mosque is the most noticeable in all of Cairo and has dominated the skyline for the past 150 years. A stop will be made at the papyrus factory store, where we see the process of creating lovely Egyptian art pictures.  

Day 9 • Cairo Pyramids & Tutankhamen’s Treasures
We begin our touring today with some sights of ancient Egypt - some of which date back to 1000+ years prior to Abraham. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet, is the most colossal pyramid ever built. Today we will also see the Sphinx and tour the Egyptian Museum, location of Tutankhamen's treasures and ancient remains. 

Day 10 • Marah, Amalekites, Mt. Sinai
Today we follow the southwestern route of the Exodus through the Wilderness of Shur. We learn of the terrain and the history of this region en-route as we stop at Marah (Springs of Moses), the Wilderness of Sin, and further to the south, the Oasis of Feiran. For those who are able, we climb a small hill to the ruins of an ancient chapel that overlooks the palm tree valley where Israel battled with the people of Amalek. One may have his picture taken with arms raised in remembrance of God's victory while Moses' arms were held high by Aaron and Hur.  Arriving in the late afternoon to the hotel at Mt. Sinai (Mt. Horeb), we have dinner and rest for our early morning activity.

Day 11 • Mt. Moses, Burning Bush, Goshen
Just into the new day, those who desire and are physically capable will depart for a memorable early morning hike up Mt. Moses. Whether you choose to ride a camel part way or not, stop at one of the stations to take in scenery along the climb to the summit (750 steps) for a sunrise to remember.  Once at the top, enjoy a time of praise and then depart down the mountain for breakfast.  A visit to St. Catherine's Monastery, claimed to be built around the area of Moses' Burning Bush, will be followed by a transfer to the Land of Goshen and overnight in Ein Sukhana.

Day 12 • Land of Goshen, Cairo 
After breakfast we begin our tour of the Land of Goshen, the Eastern Delta, a place associated with Joseph where the Israelites later grew, flourished, and were eventually enslaved after 430 years of peace. It is said that this happened when a new king arose over Egypt who did not know Joseph. We visit Tanis, one of the storied treasure cities of Rameses II, and the biblical areas of Succoth and Pithom. From here, Moses led them out on their wilderness journey to the promised land. This afternoon we transfer to Cairo for our last evening.

Day 13 • Homeward 
After breakfast at the hotel we will go to the Cairo Airport for our flight homeward.

Price Includes:  5 star Nile Cruise (4 nights and 3 meals per day), 5 star  lodging in Cairo, 3 star lodging in Mt. Sinai, air in Egypt, roundtrip air fare from NYC, fuel charges and air taxes (currently $455.00, subject to change, discount airfare available nation-wide), expert Biblical guides, admissions, baggage handling, sightseeing, breakfast & dinner daily on land portion. Gratuities in Egypt - $8 per day (land portion) and $11 per day (cruise portion).

Not Included: Lunches on land portion, Egypt visa (U. S. Citizens - $20 at arrival airport).