4821 Lankershim Blvd. Suite F-479, Los Angeles, CA, 91601
Phone: 818-766-6850
Email: info@1000treks.com
New Year's in Egypt
Location: Egypt (Aswan, Abu Simbel, Luxor, Cairo, Giza, and optional Alexandria)
- FOR THE 19-DAY TRIP (INCLUDING CHRISTMAS IN THE HOLY LAND), CLICK HERE
***Cabins on the Nile Cruise are extremely limited and already selling out. Thus, this trip may close at ANY TIME, so a deposit is recommended ASAP to secure your spot***
- UPLIFT FINANCING AVAILABLE
Celebrate the most amazing New Year's Eve of your life!
We will start this 8-day adventure with a 5-star Luxury Cruise on the Nile River, sailing from Aswan to Luxor, stopping at ancient and unparalleled archeological sites. After 4 amazing days, we will then fly to Cairo where we will explore this unique city, and see the only one of the seven wonders of the ancient world that still exists: the Pyramids of Giza, and of course the enigmatic Sphinx. And to top it off, we will spend New Year's Eve looking at the fireworks show at the Pyramids!
HIGHLIGHTS:
- All stays in hand-picked 4-star and 5-star accommodations.
- Most meals included (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
- Go on a 4-day Luxury Nile Cruise.
- Visit Abu Simbel, the twin temples carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in 1,200 BC.
- Visit the majestic Philae Temple dedicated to the Goddess Isis.
- Visit the Kom Ombo Temple, built for the god Sobek, the crocodile-headed god of fertility and creator of the world.
- Visit the Temple of Horus, the most well-preserved temple in Egypt.
- See the tomb of King Tutankhamun.
- See the Colossi of Memnon.
- Visit the Karnak Temples, the largest place of worship ever built.
- Go on a hot air balloon ride over Luxor (optional).
- Tour the City of Cairo.
- Be one of the first people in the world to see the New Grand Egyptian Museum (scheduled to open in late 2023).
- See the famous Mask of King Tutankhamen.
- See the pyramid of Sakkara, the oldest pyramid in Egypt.
- See Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt.
- Attend the Pyramids Sound and Light Show on New Year’s Eve.
- Ring in the New Year at the Pyramids Fireworks Celebration!
- See the ancient city of Alexandria (short optional extension).
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26 – ARRIVE IN CAIRO AND TRANSFER TO YOUR HOTEL | FREE DAY IN CAIRO | OVERNIGHT IN CAIRO
Arrive at any time in Cairo. Your driver will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to our 5-star hotel. You may want to arrive early so you can rest or enjoy the amenities of the hotel.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hilton Cairo Heliopolis (5-Star)
MEALS: Breakfast
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27 – FLIGHT TO ASWAN | DAY 1 OF 4-DAY LUXURY NILE CRUISE | HIGH DAM | PHILAE TEMPLE
After breakfast at our hotel, we will be transferred to Cairo Airport for our flight to Aswan. Once we arrive in Aswan, we will be met and assisted by our tour guide then go on an exciting tour of the world-famous High Dam, an engineering miracle built in the 1960s.
Thereafter, we head to the island of Agilkia to visit the majestic Philae Temple dedicated to the Goddess Isis.
Later in the afternoon we will embark on our luxury Nile cruise for the next 4 days, 3 nights.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Blue Shadow Nile Cruise (5-Star Luxury) or similar.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 28 – DAY 2 OF 4-DAY LUXURY NILE CRUISE| ABU SIMBEL | KOM OMBO | TEMPLE OF HORUS
Early this morning at 4 AM we will go on a trip by private van to the impressive Temples of Ramses II in Abu Simbel (3-hour drive). The complex is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Nubian Monuments," which run from Abu Simbel downriver to Philae (near Aswan). With a qualified Egyptologist as our guide, we will enjoy a personalized visit to the temples of Abu Simbel. Our guide will explain the history behind this magnificent site, including how the temples were discovered by accident in 1813.
We return to our cruise ship and enjoy lunch while sailing to Kom Ombo. Upon arrival, we will be escorted by our Egyptology guide to visit the Kom Ombo Temple, built for the god Sobek, the crocodile-headed god of fertility and creator of the world.
We will then return to our ship and set sail towards Edfu. In Edfu we will visit the Temple of Horus, which is considered to be one of the most well preserved temples in Egypt.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Blue Shadow Nile Cruise (5-Star Luxury) or similar.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29 – DAY 3 OF 4-DAY LUXURY NILE CRUISE | VALLEY OF THE KINGS | TEMPLE OF QUEEN HATSHEPSUT | COLOSSI OF MEMNON
After breakfast we will start our magical tour in Thebes, the sacred land. We will start by exploring the west bank of Luxor including Valley of the Kings, which is considered the royal cemetery of the Theban kings and rulers of ancient Egypt, and the place where Pharaohs were buried, including the famous King Tutankhamun. We will proceed to visit the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari, considered one of the most wonderful examples of the Architecture in ancient Egypt, completely carved inside a mountain. At the end we will visit two colossal statues of Memnon (Colossi of Memnon).
We will return to our ship early in the afternoon for lunch and have the rest of the day and evening free to enjoy the pool and other amenities of the ship.
Tonight we will also have an incredible opportunity to see the Sound and Light show at the Temples of Karnak, which highlights the dramatic history of ancient Thebes (optional activity).
ACCOMMODATIONS: Blue Shadow Nile Cruise (5-Star Luxury) or similar.
MEALS: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30 –DAY 3 OF 4-DAY LUXURY NILE CRUISE | HOT AIR BALLOON OVER LUXOR | KARNAK TEMPLES | LUXOR TEMPLE | FLIGHT TO CAIRO
We will start our last day with a breathtaking a hot air balloon flight over Luxor (optional, extra cost). After breakfast, we will be accompanied by our guide to visit the Karnak Temples, the largest place of worship ever built. Its ancient name Ipet-isut means “the most sacred of places.” The temple, or, more correctly, the complex of temples, was built over more than 2,000 years by generation after generation of pharaohs. Within the complex, we will find the great “Hypostyle Hall,” which is an incredible forest of giant pillars.
After this, we will visit the Luxor Temple, which was built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II for rituals and festivals dedicated to the god Amen.
Later in the afternoon we will then be driven to the Airport for our flight back to Cairo and get transferred to our hotel in Cairo.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences (4-Star) or similar.
MEALS: Breakfast.
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 31 – GIZA PYRAMIDS AND SPHINX | SAKKARA | MEMPHIS | PYRAMIDS SOUND AND LIGHT SHOW | NEW YEAR'S FIREWORKS CELEBRATION AT THE PYRAMIDS
After breakfast at our hotel, we will go on a tour of the Giza Plateau, about 30 minutes from Cairo. Once in Giza, our Egyptologist guide will provide a fascinating introduction to each of the three pyramids: Cheops, Khafre and Menkaure, the only survivors of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. We will have free time to enter the burial chambers of the pyramids (optional).
When we are finished we will have the option to go for a camel ride by the Pyramids!
We will then continue across the plateau for a photo opportunity of the three pyramids rising from the sands with the Cairo skyline in the background, and after a short drive to the city side of the plateau we will find ourselves standing at the feet of The Sphinx, for thousands of years the enigmatic symbol of Egypt.
After our tour of the Giza Pyramids, we will drive to Sakkara, which was built in 2650 B.C., and is home to Egypt's oldest pyramid. Our guide will provide a brief history of the famous Step Pyramid and we will have free time to walk around.
Our final stop is Memphis, the ancient capital of Egypt. Here we will see artifacts from many of the great rulers of Egypt, including the fallen statue of Ramses II. After touring Memphis, we will have a chance to visit a Papyrus Institute to see how this famous artwork is made and have the chance to purchase genuine items if we wish.
In the evening we will indulge our senses with the Pyramids Sound and Lights Show, where we will see The Great Pyramids and The Sphinx awash in a colorful light and sound show, as we hear the stories of the kings who built them. We will then have dinner and come back to the Pyramids for the most memorable New Year's Evening of our lives, where we will see an incredible fireworks show with the Pyramids in the background!
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences (4-Star) or similar.
MEALS: Breakfast.
NOTE: THE FIREWORKS SHOW IS ONLY CONFIRMED CLOSER TO THE DATE. IN THE UNLUCKY EVENT OF THEM NOT HAVING IT THIS YEAR, WE WILL HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE CELEBRATION, LIKELY AT A ROOFTOP OVERLOOKING THE PYRAMIDS.
MONDAY, JANUARY 1 – CAIRO CITY TOUR | GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM | COPTIC CAIRO | BEN EZRA SYNAGOGUE | CITADEL OF SALAH EL DIN | KHAN EL KHALILI BAZAAR
Today we will do a Cairo city tour, which will include the new Grand Egypt Museum, the largest archeological museum in the world, which is set to open in late 2023. On January 1, 2024, we will be one of the first people in the world to see the greatest archeological museum of all times! The museum will house over 100,000 Egyptian artifacts, including the entire treasure of King Tutankhamen and his magnificent mask.
We will continue to the ancient sites and culture of Coptic Christians where we will learn about Christian life in Egypt, visit Abu Serga, where the Holy travel companions sought refuge, and Ben Ezra, one of the oldest synagogues in Cairo.
We will then visit the Citadel of Salah el Din and the Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque, and finish the day at Khan el Khalili Bazaar.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences (4-Star) or similar.
MEALS: Breakfast.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 2- FREE DAY AN DEPARTURE
After the best and most memorable New Year's of our lives, it is now time to go home. We will have a free day in Cairo if we would like to explore it more until your departure. Check out at the hotel is at 12:00 PM.
ACCOMMODATIONS: N/A
MEALS: Breakfast.
Transportation:
- All transportation to our scheduled activities in all countries.
- All transportation to and from Cairo International Airport as long as your flight is within the flight guidelines (see below)
Accommodations:
- 7 nights of accommodations in 4-star, 5-star at double-occupancy. Please see OCCUPANCY below.
- Hilton Cairo Heliopolis (5-Star)
- Blue Shadow Nile Cruise (5-Star Luxury).
- Hilton Cairo Zamalek Residences (4-Star).
(Accommodations may be changed with or without notice, due to logistics and availability. In the highly unlikely event of that occurrence, we will do our best to relocate to a similar hotel.)
Meals:
- Breakfast: 7.
- Lunch: 03 (on days 1, 2, and 3 of the cruise).
- Dinner: 03 (on days 1, 2, and 3 of the cruise).
Activities:
- Entrance to all activities, tours, & locations listed in the itinerary unless otherwise listed as optional.
Guides:
- English-speaking licensed local guides and 1000 Treks group leader.
Locations:
- Cairo
- Aswan
- Island of Agilkia
- Abu Simbel
- Kom Ombo
- Edfu
- Thebes
- Deir El Bahari
- Luxor
Sites:
- High Dam
- Philae Temple
- Temples of Ramses II
- Kom Ombo Temple
- Temple of Horus
- Valley of the Kings
- Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
- Colossi of Memnon
- Karnak Temples
- Hypostyle Hall
- Luxor Temple
- Giza Pyramids
- The Sphinx
- Sakkara
- Memphis
- Papyrus Institute
- The Grand Egypt Museum
- Coptic Cairo
- Abu Serga
- Ben Ezra Synagogue
- Citadel of Salah el Din
- Mohamed Ali Alabaster Mosque
- Khan el Khalili Bazaar
- International flights (see FLIGHTS below).
- Optional activities.
- Meals other than those specifically stated in the itinerary.
- Tips to guides, drivers, staff, etc.
- Souvenirs or anything extra you would like to get.
- Any activity not described in the itinerary.
- Double-occupancy: You will be paired up with someone of the same gender as a roommate, unless you have someone that you are already coming with.
- Single supplement (if you want a room for yourself): $1,595.00
- The last people to RSVP and pay the deposit MAY have to be put in triple-occupancy rooms (if we end up with an odd number of men or women).
International flights are NOT included (the domestic flights-Cairo to Aswan and Luxor to Cairo are). Flights are very easy to book on your own, and as some people choose to do side trips, it is best to allow you flexibility in booking these. Many travelers also use miles or other ways of making their flights free or saving money. So instead of including air, we give guidelines so you may book your own.
FLIGHT GUIDELINES
- Arrive in Cairo International Airport (CAI) on Tuesday, December 26, 2023 at any time. Check-in at the hotel is 3:00 PM. For this trip, it would be a good idea to arrive one day early to avoid any issues in case a connection flight is delayed. If you are not in Cairo by very early morning on the 27th, you will lose our flight to Aswan and it will be very difficult and expensive to catch the group once we leave on the cruise. We can book an extra night at the hotel for you upon request in advance.
- Leave Cairo International Airport (CAI) on Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at any time after 10:00 AM. Check-out from the hotel is at 12:00PM.
Price: $2,995.00
- In order to save you money, we don't add the cost of credit card processing to the price of the trip, so this price is for check, bank transfer, or any form of payment that does not incur a fee. We can take the deposit via credit card, but need the remaining balance to be paid by a direct form of payment. If you want to pay for the remaining balance with a credit card, we can accept it, but have to add a 5% fee.
- A deposit of $500.00 (non-refundable, but movable) starts your reservation. Once we receive your deposit, we'll send you a questionnaire and a contract that will need to be returned to us in 72 hours to guarantee your spot. You can read the contract in advance HERE.
- Once you return the filled-out questionnaire and signed contract, we will send you an invoice for the remaining amount. You will have until September 26, 2023 (three months before the trip) to finish making your payment.
- Once you are confirmed, your deposit becomes movable. That means, if you need to cancel your participation in the trip for any reason, you may request a credit for 100% of your deposit that can be applied to any 1000 Treks Trip which departs within one year of the departing date of the original trip.
- When you make your deposit, you will be asked for your email. MAKE SURE YOU LIST AN EMAIL YOU CHECK DAILY WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR PAYMENT. THAT'S WHERE YOU'LL RECEIVE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE, INVOICE, AND ALL THE EMAILS IN REGARDS TO THE TRIP.
CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR DEPOSIT.
- Full payment is only due by September 26, 2023, three months before the trip. You can make payments when and how you prefer so long as you are fully paid by the due date.
- If you make payments or pay in full before the due date, your payments (minus the deposit) are refundable before the due date. After that, all payments are entirely non-refundable.
- All trips are governed by our comprehensive contract. You should familiarize yourself with it prior to signing up for any of our trips. You can access it by clicking HERE or visiting https://www.1000treks.com/contract/. A link to the contract can also be found at the bottom of all our webpages under CONTRACT.
- Travel insurance is REQUIRED. You may purchase insurance with any company you wish, but we require that your policy covers personal injury, death, medical expenses, emergency evacuation and treatment, repatriation, and personal liability, with a minimum coverage of USD $200,000. You will be required to submit proof of insurance no later than (seven) 7 days prior to the start of the trip or you will not be allowed to participate in the Trip and will forfeit all your payments. Although not part of the requirement, we STRONGLY suggest that you get insurance right away (within 15 days of making your deposit), and that you buy a policy that will cover you in case you need to cancel your trip for any reason.
- Because of the adventurous nature of our trips, our itinerary and some locations are subject to change due to weather, tides, road conditions, logistics, and other unforeseen circumstances. It’s not likely, but it could happen. Whenever we make a change in the itinerary, we will do our best to maintain the integrity of the trip.
- A passport is required for all international travel. Your passport must be valid for 6 months after your return date. If you don't have a valid passport, or if your passport expires before 6 months after the date you will arrive back in the U.S., make sure to get started on a new one ASAP. Here's the link for the Department of State Passport section: http://travel.state.gov//content/travel/en.html
- As of the time of this posting, American citizens need a visa for Egypt, which is issued upon arrival at the entry point. In other words, if you have an American passport, you don't need to obtain a visa in advance. The rules may be different if you have a passport from a different country. Here is a link to the Egyptian Embassy, so you can check visa requirements. We also recommend that even American citizens periodically check to make sure visa requirements have not changed.
- If you need to take care of any of those issues, make sure to get on them ASAP so you don't get held up because of some unexpected delay. We've had people miss trips and lose money because they waited too long or had unexpected issues come up and couldn't take care of them before the trip started.
- Having a valid passport and all the required visas is your responsibility. Please make sure you have those, and any other necessary issues are resolved well ahead of time. 1000 Treks is not responsible for any problems resulting from you not taking care of issues ahead of time.
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