INCENTIVE EGITTO CAIRO E DESERTO

Transcription

1 INCENTIVE EGITTO CAIRO E DESERTO Welcome to Egypt! AHLAN WA SAHLAN! Egypt (Arabic: Misr / Másr) is a large country located in northeastern Africa with its capital - Cairo. Egypt also extends into Asia by virtue of holding the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt is bordered by Israel and the Gaza Strip to the north-east, by Jordan and Saudi Arabia to the east (across the Red Sea), by Sudan to the south and by Libya to the west. The country is bounded by the Mediterranean and Red Seas (to the north and east respectively) and geographically dominated both by the River Nile and its fertile well-watered valley, and by the Eastern and Western deserts. Egypt is perhaps best known as the home of the ancient Egyptian civilization, with its temples, hieroglyphs, mummies, and - visible above all - its pyramids. Less well-known is Egypt's medieval

2 heritage, courtesy of Coptic Christianity and Islam - ancient churches, monasteries and mosques punctuate the Egyptian landscape. Egypt stimulates the imagination of western tourists like few other countries and is probably one of the most popular tourist destinations world-wide. Climate Egypt is largely a desert, an extension of the great Sahara Desert that bands North Africa. Save for the thin strip of watered land along the river Nile, very little could survive here. As the ancient Greek philosopher Herodotus stated: "Egypt is the gift of the Nile". Generally, dry and very hot summers with moderate winters - November through to March are definitely the most comfortable months for travel in Egypt, although May is very good as the beginning of dry hot weather all over Egypt. Quick Facts Government Republic Currency Egyptian pound (EGP) (LE / E) Area total: 1,001,450 km2 land: 995,450 km2 water: 6,000 km2 Population: 78,887,007(July 2006 est.) Language Arabic (official), English and French widely understood by educated people Religion Muslim (mostly Sunni) 90%, Christian 10% Calling Code 20 Time Zone UTC +2 Day 1: Arrival to Cairo Situated on the River Nile, Cairo is famous for its own history preserved in the fabulous medieval Islamic city and in Old Cairo - and for the ancient, Pharaonic history of the country it represents. No trip to Cairo would be complete, for example, without a visit to the Giza Pyramids, to nearby Saqqara, or to the Egyptian Museum in the center of town. Though firmly attached to the past, Cairo is also home to a vibrant modern society. The city started to take its present form in 641, when the Arab general Amr ibn al-as conquered Egypt for Islam and founded a new capital called Misr al-fustat, the City of the Tents, in what is now Old Cairo. The Tunisian Fatimid dynasty captured the city in 969 and founded a new city, al-qahira ( The Victorious ) just north of al-fustat. Originally, Cairo was the designated name of the city on the eastern bank of the Nile, and this is where you'll find both the modern Downtown, built under influence of French architecture, today the center of commerce and popular life, as well as historical Islamic and Coptic sights. Outside the core on the eastern bank, you'll find the modern, more affluent suburbs of Heliopolis and Nasr City near the airport, and Ma'adi to the south. In the middle of the Nile is the island of Gezira and Zamalek, more Western and tranquil than the rest of the city. On the western bank is lot of modern concrete and business, but also the great Giza pyramids and, further to the south, Memphis and Saqqara. The city might seem like a lot to handle, but give it a try, and you might come to love it!

3 Cairo offers an incredible selection of shopping, leisure, culture and nightlife. Shopping ranges from the famous Khan el-khalili souk, (or bazaar) largely unchanged since the 14th century, to modern airconditioned centers displaying the latest fashions. All the bounty of the East is here particularly good buys are spices, perfumes, gold, silver, carpets, brass and copperware, leatherwork, glass, ceramics and mashrabiyas. Try some of the famous street markets, like Wekala al-balaq, for fabrics, including Egyptian cotton, the Tentmakers Bazaar for appliqué-work, Mohammed Ali Street for musical instruments and, although you probably won't want to buy, the Camel Market makes a fascinating trip.

4 Arrive in Cairo, Egypt On the group s arrival at Cairo International Airport, Egypt Incentive & Events/ ITTA representatives will meet the guests and will assist them with airport procedures, including immigration formalities and passport control. Guests could request a private immigration counter, in order to facilitate in getting the group through as quickly as possible. Meet and assist at Cairo International Airport Entry visa can be issued at airport Entry visa can be issued at airport upon arrival for most Nationalities only condition that passport should valid for a period of 2 month from the day of entry Egypt. Transfers from Airport to Hotel Egypt Incentive & Events/ITTA representatives will escort guests from the arrivals hall to the waiting coaches. Guests will be transferred to the hotel in deluxe, air-conditioned coaches and the approximate traveling time from the airport to the most of hotels is 45 minutes. Refreshments on the coaches Mineral water and refreshing tissues will be available on the coaches during the transfer to the hotel. Welcome drink You will then be taken to the hotel, where a special check in has been arranged. You will be greeted with a welcome Karkadeh (Hibiscus) or Lemon drink before having some time to freshen up & relax. The Hotel Sofitel El Gezira 5* Located in the heart of Cairo on Gezirah Island, in the city center 2 km from the Egyptian Museum, 15 km from the pyramids and sphinx, 19 km from the international airport of Cairo, the Sofitel Cairo El Gezirah offers you 433 rooms and suites overlooking the Nile and the major sites of Cairo city, a magical complex or restaurants, Spa, gardens and Casino. Facilities: 433 units overlooking the Nile & the major sites of Cairo city, including 5 royal suites, 10 panoramic suites,35 junior suites & 383 deluxe /club rooms. Wireless internet access free of charge all over the property. 8 restaurants & bars with indoor and outdoor seating over looking the Nile Buddha Bar Sud Restaurant Kebabgy Restaurant- Vendome Restaurant Windows On The Nile Lounge & Terrace-Café Sud- Sunny Bar (pool bar). Day 2 Cairo full day Breakfast can be taken at the hotel or we suggest you to have breakfast at Felucca on the Nile.

5 Traditional Egyptian boat under sails. Food to be catered from the hotel. The sailing duration is about one hour 8 persons per each felucca. After early breakfast we will visit Citadel of Salah Ed Din Citadel of Salah Ed Din (Saladdin Castle): Cairo is Islamic, though some areas are more so than others. Actually, this area is no more Islamic than Central Cairo, but as though walking through a time machine we are transported back to Cairo's past Islamic heritage, to a world of ancient mosques and 1,500 hundred year old markets to medieval forts and the citadel that was Salah Ed Din's. One should dress appropriately if visiting religious sites. Sultan Hassan Mosque The Sultan Hassan Mosque is considered stylistically the most compact and unified of all Cairo monuments. The building was constructed for Sultan Hassan bin Mohammad bin Qala'oun in the four main Sunni sects (Sunni rites, consisting of Shafite, Malikite, Hanefte and Hanbalite) has its own school while sharing the mosque. The cornices, the entrance, and the monumental staircase are particularly noteworthy.

6 The Pyramids: The Pyramids of Egypt are among the largest structures ever built and constitute one of the most potent and enduring symbols of Ancient Egyptian civilization. Most were built during the Old and Middle Kingdom periods. Giza - is the location of the Pyramid of Khufu (also known as the "Great Pyramid" and the "Pyramid of Cheops"); the somewhat smaller Pyramid of Khafre (or Kephren); the relatively modest-sized Pyramid of Menkaure (or Mykerinus), along with a number of smaller satellite edifices known as "Queen's pyramids" and the Great Sphinx. The Sphinx: The Great Sphinx of Giza is a half-human, half-lion Sphinx statue in Egypt, on the Giza Plateau at the west bank of the Nile River. The largest monolith statue in the world, it stands 73.5 m long, 6 m wide, and 20 m high. Commonly believed to have been built by ancient Egyptians in the 3rd millennium BC, it is the earliest known monumental sculpture. Lunch at Sakkara Country club A green oasis just bordering the desert, where lunch will be served. Very quiet area with possibility of having a quick dip in the club s swimming pool or to ride a horse from the stables. The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, known commonly as the Egyptian Museum is home to the most extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities in the world. It has 120,000 items, with a representative amount on display, the remainder in storerooms. The museum's Royal Mummy Room, containing 27 royal mummies from pharaonic times, was reopened in There are two main floors of the museum, the ground floor and the first floor. On the ground floor visitors will find an extensive collection of papyrus and coins used in the Ancient world, artifacts from the New Kingdom, the time period between 1550 and 1070 BC. These artifacts are generally larger than items created in earlier centuries. Those items include statues, tables, and coffins. If visitors follow these displays in chronological order they will end up on the first floor, which contains artifacts from the final two dynasties of Ancient Egypt. Some artifacts in this area include items from the tombs of the Pharaohs Tuhtmosis III, Tuhtmosis IV, Amenophis II, Hatshepsut, and Maherpen, and also many artifacts taken from the legendary Valley of the Kings. The majority of the world has come to know the tomb of King Tutankhamun better than any royal tombs because unlike the others, it was found mostly intact. Inside the tomb you will find a large collection of artifacts used throughout the King s life. These artifacts range from a

7 decorated chest, which was most likely used as a closet or suitcase, to ivory and gold bracelets, necklaces, and other decorative jewelry, to alabaster vases and flasks. The most well known artifact in King Tutankhamun s tomb is the infamous Gold Mask, which rests over the bandages that wrap around the King s face. In the evening we suggest having a dinner at: Cruising dinner with show on the Nile Maxim An elegant cruising restaurant. The cruise takes approximately 90 minutes. Dinner includes a salad buffet & a main course. Entertainment includes a belly dancer and a band playing modern music. Early dinner cruising at 07:30pm and late dinner cruising at 09:30pm Or dinner at Sangria restaurant A very nice restaurant overlooking the Nile, trendy & young atmosphere Free time in the evening. Overnight in the hotel. Day 3-4 Oasis Bahariya & White Desert Day 3 In the morning, after breakfast departure from the hotel to Bahariya Oasis by a/c bus via the Desert Road. It takes about 4 hours. Arrival & check-in to Minamar hotel (or Westerndesert hotel). In the afternoon, local tour by jeep: visit of the Temple Ain elmuftella, a Roman Water Source, the Tomb of Bannantiu, the Temple of Alexander the Great, the Museum of Bahariya where you will find the Golden Mummies, the English houses 'Gebel alingleez'. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel. Visit to Oasis

8 Day 4 After breakfast group will move to Bahariya White Desert by Jeep 4x4. First visit is to the Black desert and the dune area. Climb of a 50meter dune to watch the panoramic view. Lunch in El Heiz Oasis. On the route to Farafra clients will visit the Crystal Mountain, the area of the wonders with the desert roses. After visiting El Akabat group will head to the White Desert. There people will start exploring the formations and wind carved sculptor. In the evening - barbeque dinner and overnight in tents under the stars... Day 5 Early breakfast and departure to Cairo. Arrival to Cairo. Check in the hotel. Rest Gala dinner in the hotel (ballroom) or dinner outside Al Manesterly palace is situated in the south western corner at the end of Al Rawda Island. It is the remaining part of a development built by Hassan Fouad Al Manesterly Pasha 1851 His mosque where he is buried is situated near the palace. A terrace overlooking the Nile surrounds the building from the west and intersects in the end with the southwestern terrace. This dinner can be for pax. Serving Alcoholic drinks are subject to approval. Dinner at the Pyramids Drive to the Pyramids of Giza by private air-conditioned coach, till we reach a tent what would be created for the group, overlooking the magnificent Pyramids. The guests arrive at the main entrance of the tent to find a dancing horse, a Baladi Mizmar (traditional flute player). Who encourage the guests to join him and who in the end escort them inside the tent. Inside the tent guests can relax, enjoy the oriental background music, DJ is playing his music all through the night, except when other performers are in action, like folkloric show,.belly dance, live band, etc

9 Day 6 Departure day Breakfast in the hotel. Check out Special conditions Transfers, Tours & excursion Our transfer rates include: Private air-conditioned coach Assistance through customs and immigration formalities at the airport. Porterages at airport and hotels. Tours & excursion Tour rates are based exclusive on 8 pax including transportation, entrance fees to the sights and English speaking guide Transportation for dinner Round trip transportation for dinner by air-conditioned coach. Tips Tips for drivers, in restaurants, in hotels, in train, on the boat are excluded from prices and is a recommended subject to our guests. WE WORK TO MAKE YOU HAPPY!

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