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15 Days The United Arab Emirates & Egypt With Oman's Musandam Peninsula Tour Package This is a wonderful tour that combines United Arab Emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai with the classic highlights of Lower and Upper Egypt. These destinations are attracting more interest than we've seen in years; this fantastic combo showcases the fascinating contrasts between the traditional and ultra-modern that is so distinctive of the UAE, along with the breathtaking monuments--soaring pyramids, resplendent tombs, ornate temples--along the River Nile. Adding to the exotic appeal is a 2-night stay on Oman's ruggedly beautiful and remote Musandam Peninsula, a huge pale limestone massif with steep strata-crossed cliffs plunging into the sea. The peninsula has remained geographically and culturally isolated from the rest of Arabia and receives few visitors from outside the Gulf region. Tour Itinerary Day 1 Arrival in Abu Dhabi Today we arrive in Abu Dhabi, UAE, the largest of the Emirates, and make our way to its ultra-modern capital on the Arabian Gulf. The United Arab Emirates is a group of seven sheikhdoms that united into a federation in 1971. The Emirates covers a total area of just 83,600 sq km (32,600 sq miles), and its population of more than 2 million comprises over 70 nationalities. One of the fascinating aspects of the UAE is that expatriates vastly outnumber citizens. The economy functions entirely on the skills and labour of peoples as diverse as Americans, Pakistanis and Filipinos. This multi-ethnic transience, combined with the sheer modernity of the area and strict religious codes, produces a uniquely dynamic society. Overnight in Abu Dhabi. Dinner if required. Day 2 Abu Dhabi: City Tour Although Abu Dhabi city was founded in the late 18th century, the city exploded with oil wealth in the 1960s and the city was entirely rebuilt. There are almost no buildings in the city more than 30 years old. However, Abu Dhabi's citizens are very proud of their fabulously rich city with its broad avenues and futuristic buildings. The city's architecture is an intriguing interpretation of Islamic designs crafted in modern materials. Today we will see the magnificent waterfront corniche and visit the whitewashed Al-Husn Palace, the oldest significant building in Abu Dhabi. The oil industry has turned this piece of desert into one of the worlds' most technically advanced cities. Abu Dhabi is situated among a group of islands and this afternoon we will take a cruise along the corniche to view the spectacular city skyline. Overnight in Abu Dhabi. Breakfast and dinner. Day 3 Abu Dhabi - Dubai: City Tour This morning we depart Abu Dhabi and drive to Dubai, one of the most futuristic cities in the world. Dubai is a dynamic city-state at the heart of the UAE. Although it is not the largest of the emirates, Dubai is one of the wealthiest and most varied. World famous as a duty free shopping centre, it is on the basis of trade (not just oil) that Dubai has built its wealth. Today we will tour Dubai city to observe the city's layout and modern architecture. This city has many fine mosques, and today we will stop at the elegant Jumeirah Mosque, a landmark of Dubai. This beautiful mosque is a spectacular example of modern Islamic architecture. Another of our stops will be the Emirates Towers, two of the highest buildings in the Gulf and the most prestigious buildings on Dubai's skyline. One cannot miss the Burj Al Arab Hotel, built in the shape of a billowing Arabian dhow sail and dominating the Dubai coastline. This is one of the world 's most spectacular and incomparably luxurious hotels. Although an ultra-modern city in many respects, much of Dubai's heritage has been retained. We will visit the Dubai Museum, housed in the restored Fort Fahidi. Inside this mud-walled fort dating back to the early 19th Century, the displays chronicle the long history of the Arabian Gulf. From the museum we will explore the 'Creek' area and see the old houses in the Bastakia quarter. A visit to this district is a step back in time to the days before electricity and air-conditioning, where wind towers cooled traditional courtyard houses. Many of the old wind tower houses were built by the wealthy merchants of the past, and Old Dubai was famous for these towers lining the Creek on both sides. We end our day with a journey across the Creek by water taxi, known as an "abra". The abra is a wonderful vantage point from which to see the modern and old buildings sitting along the Creekside. On the other side of the Creek we will set out on foot to navigate through the bustling alleys towards the spice and gold souks. Overnight in Dubai. Breakfast and dinner. Day 4 Dubai: At Leisure Dubai's culture is firmly rooted in the Islamic traditions of Arabia, where global trade routes cross legendary tradition. Courtesy and hospitality are among the most highly prized of virtues. Today you can continue to explore this fascinating city with some free time on your own, giving you the chance to further witness the contrast between the past and present. You may choose to return to the Creekside and the souks, or enjoy some shopping in one of the many malls. A POPULAR OPTION today is lunch at one of the restaurants at the Burj al Arab Hotel; however, reservations must be made well in advance. Please review the hotel website (www.jumeirah.com) for the various restaurant options and contact them directly to book. It will likely be too late if you wait until after your arrival on tour. Overnight in Dubai. Breakfast and dinner. Day 5 Dubai - Sharjah - Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE - Khasab, Oman From Dubai we travel north by road to the third largest of the emirates, Sharjah. Spread out along the Khalid Lagoon, Sharjah is an old trading centre with a laid-back feel. Here we will see the King Faisal Mosque, the largest place of worship in the UAE, capable of holding up to 3,000 people in prayer. Travelling north we enter into the emirate of Ras Al-Khaimah, the agricultural centre of the UAE. The old town, built around the harbour, is a charming place to wander. North of the town we visit an archaeological site that spreads out around the so-called "Queen of Sheba's Palace". We cross the border into Oman (have your passports handy!) and travel via a panoramic coastal road overlooking the Gulf of Arabia and the Straits of Hormuz. Our destination is Khasab, local capital of the Governorate of Musandam, the "Norway of Arabia". The Musandam Peninsula is completely separated from the main body of Oman by a stretch of land belonging to the UAE. Musandam has developed distinct language dialects and cultural mores. A huge pale limestone massif with steep strata crossed cliffs descending into the sea, the peninsula has remained isolated from the rest of Arabia and is still very remote. The area is sparsely populated by the Shihuh tribe, who for centuries have been carving a precarious existence from the seas. Some villages can only be accessed by boat. On arrival we have a city tour, including the restored Portuguese Fort of Khasab, a museum where many Omani handicrafts items are displayed. We will also pass by the prehistoric rock carvings depicting camels, ships and warriors in the neighbouring village of Qadah. Overnight in Khasab. Golden Tulip Resort. Breakfast and dinner. Day 6 Musandam Peninsula: Dhow Cruise Mountains dominate the Musandam landscape as they rise straight from the sea creating a fjord-like coastline (hence the Norway comparison) that is unique in the region. This coastal zone, along with many offshore islands and inlets, abound with wildlife, including seabirds, dolphins, and whales. This morning we board our traditional Omani Dhow on which we sit comfortably on cushions and carpets while feasting our eyes on the striking scenery. A dhow trip to the "fjords" offers an insight into its fantastic landscape. We cruise to Sham Fjord or Khwar where calm, turquoise waters contrast with the creamy white limestone cliffs. During the cruise we explore small fishing villages and Telegraph Island. The British, in their inimitable fashion, arrived on this lump of rock back in the mid-19th century, staying 5 years. They were laying a telegraph cable from India to Basra in Iraq. Taking the cable "round the bend" of the Gulf gave rise to the expression, since living on Telegraph Island in the heat of summer must have made them crazy. There is a possibility to see dolphins today. We will stop for swimming and snorkelling (equipment available) in the clear waters. Lunch and refreshments are served on board. We return to our hotel (+/- 16:00). Overnight in Khasab. Golden Tulip Resort. All meals. Day 7 Khasab, Oman: Mountain Safari - Dubai, UAE This morning, using 4x4 vehicles, we depart on a panoramic journey into the barren interior. We drive to Jebel Harim, translated as the 'Mountain of Women' (2087m / 6,900 ft), the highest mountain in Musandam. This tour will give you an opportunity to enjoy the dramatic scenery of Musandam's mountains, speckled with fossils dating back several million years. On the way we pass the Bedouin village of Sayh, situated at 1100m (3,600 ft) above sea level and a peaceful village where one can absorb the unique beauty of Musandam. We drive to Rowdah village where one can see the pre-Islamic graveyard, and continue to Khawr Najid for a stunning view to the Indian Ocean side. Our last destination is Khalidyah Park, a woodland of mainly Acacia and Sisyphus trees, home to butterflies, birds and grazing animals. Later this afternoon we return by road to Dubai. Overnight in Dubai. Breakfast and dinner. Day 8 Dubai, UAE - Cairo, Egypt Today we fly to Cairo and transfer to our hotel located in Giza (near the pyramids). Overnight in Cairo-Giza. Pyramid Park Hotel (or similar). Breakfast and dinner. Day 9 Cairo: Memphis & Saqqara, Great Pyramids & the Sphinx This morning we travel to Memphis and Saqqara, chronologically the two most important sites in all of Egypt. Memphis was the capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom (ca 2700-2180 BC), and Saqqara was used as a burial place for residents of Memphis including kings, princes and nobles. Our drive this morning takes us past some small, colourful villages and plantations in the fertile Nile Valley. At the ancient city of Memphis we will see several statues in a garden-like setting, including the colossal statue of Rameses the Great. You will have ample opportunity to photograph the statue from the gallery's mezzanine. From Memphis we travel a short distance to Saqqara, the ancient burial site. On the site, considered by many archaeologists to be one of the world's most important excavations, is the Step Pyramid, constructed by Imhotep in the 27th century BC. The pyramid is part of the tomb complex of Zoser, the first Pharaoh of the Old Kingdom. The pyramid began as a simple mastaba, or long, flat tomb building. Over the course of time, Imhotep added to this mastaba five times--the pyramid eventually measured 62m (203 feet) in height! After lunch we pay a visit to the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx. These Pharaonic monuments have come to symbolize Egypt's glory and mystery. Impressive in their grandeur, the pyramids are estimated to have been constructed over a period of 20 years using more than 100,000 labourers each year. The Great Pyramid of Cheops, constructed from over two million stone blocks, is 135m (443 feet) high! The stone for the Pyramid complex -- Pyramid of Cheops, Pyramid of Chefren and Pyramid of Mykerinos--was quarried from nearby hills south of Cairo. You may enter one of the pyramids through a long, narrow passageway and explore the deep inner chambers (for an extra cost of approx USD 4.00). Later we see the Sphinx. This feline-human was named by the Greeks because it resembled the mythical winged monster with a woman's head and lion's body. Legend has it that this "Sphinx" proposed a riddle to the Thebans and killed all who could not guess the correct answer! The Sphinx was carved from one solid piece of limestone and measures 50m (164 feet) in length and 22m (72 feet) in height. Overnight Cairo-Giza. Breakfast and dinner. Day 10 Cairo - Luxor: Karnak Temple This morning we fly to Luxor in Upper Egypt. On arrival we enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the streets of Luxor to visit one of the most fantastic archaeological sites in the world: Karnak Temple. Karnak was built, added to, dismantled, restored, enlarged and decorated during its colourful history of over 1,500 years. At certain points in Egyptian history, this temple was the most important in all of Egypt. When we arrive at the temple you will be awed by the grandeur of the tremendous pylon gateway and the Avenue of 1,000 Sphinxes that originally ran all the way to the Nile and Luxor Temple! We will have a guided tour of the complex, massive by any standard. Our carriage ride continues through the town of Luxor and surrounding countryside. This is one of the best ways to see local town and village life in Egypt where we see the "fellahin" (farmers) at work. Overnight in Luxor. Breakfast and dinner. Day 11 Valley of the Kings Early this morning we cross the River Nile to the West Bank, where the wealth of antiquities is outstanding. The ferry is usually crowded with locals going about their daily business. On the other side we will meet our transport for our excursion into the Valley of the Kings. Our preferred method of travel today is by donkey. We can arrange taxis for those who do not wish to travel in this manner. After we "saddle-up", we begin our trek through the New Gourna Village and into the countryside. En route we will pass residences and farms where we will gain an insight into how the rural Egyptians live and work. Our first stop today is at the Colossi of Memnon. These two huge statues sit side by side; they originally flanked the entry to the funerary temple of Amenophis III. The Colossi were named from a legend explaining the phenomenon of the dawn. Excellent photo opportunities exist here with you on your donkey and the Colossi in the background. We continue from here along the road leading into the hills. From where the road forks, we travel along the stony pathway toward the cliff ridge. Our donkey ride from here on offers breathtaking views of the Nile valley below. At some points, we make brief stops for photographs and to give our donkeys a rest; there are also some parts of the trail that we have to walk as the burden to the donkey would be too much. Today it is very important to prepare yourself for the sun's intense rays. Please remember to wear a hat; have adequate sunblock; and always cover your shoulders, arms and neck. When we arrive at a ridge overlooking the Valley of the Kings, we will dismount from our donkeys and walk the remainder of the way down into the valley. It is a short but steep walk; a good pair of running shoes or lightweight hiking boots will be required. Once in the isolated valley dominated by large pyramid-shaped mountains, we will have a guided tour of three of the many tombs that are here. The valley was the burial ground for pharaoh kings throughout the New Kingdom. Note that some of the tombs have steep stairways and all are dark inside. It is a good idea to have a small flashlight with you today for a closer inspection of the interior of the tombs. When we have finished the guided tour of the Valley of the Kings, we return to our resting donkeys. We then proceed to the ridge again, and turn toward the funerary temple of Queen Hatshepsut--the first woman to rule as pharaoh! After our tour we return by donkey through the countryside to the river. Today we may be invited into a village home for some tea before returning to our hotel. Tonight you may choose to visit the Sound and Light show at Karnak Temple (optional). Overnight in Luxor. Breakfast and dniner. Day 12 Luxor - Kom Ombo - Edfu - Aswan Today we travel by road to Aswan stopping at Edfu and Kom Ombo en route. As the largest and most completely preserved Pharaonic temple, albeit Greek-built, Edfu is dedicated to the god Horus. Construction of this temple began under Ptolemy III Euergetes I in 237 BC. We will allow time to explore this massive and impressive site, enclosed bywalls and flanked by two large pylon gateways. Here we will also be able to see a Nilometer--an ancient technique of measuring the Nile's water fluctuations and setting the level of taxes! We will also make a stop and visit the Temple of Kom Ombo. In ancient times, Kom Ombo was strategically important as a trading town on the caravan route from Nubia to Cairo. Kom Ombo, actually two temples in one, is dedicated dually to Haroeris and Sobek, respectively the god of the sky and the crocodile-headed god. Here we are able to see the remains of a mummified crocodile. Crocodiles no longer exist in the Egyptian part of the River Nile, but in Pharaonic times they lived here in great numbers and were worshipped as gods! From Kom Ombo we continue to Aswan. This evening we will attend the fascinating Sound & Light Show at Philae Temple. The temple is situated on an island, and we have to take a boat to get to the site. Since early this century, the site of Philae was flooded for six months each year. An incredible restoration programme was undertaken in the 1960s and the temple was moved stone by stone to a higher elevation. Our show this evening is an extraordinary voice-and-light walk through the site's temples, with full narration explaining the legend of Isis to whom the temple is dedicated. Overnight in Aswan. Basma Hotel (or similar). Breakfast and dinner. Day 13 Aswan: Monastery of San Simeon & Elephantine Island Today we travel by small boat across the River Nile to the west bank. From here we travel by camel across the sandy desert to the Christian Monastery of St Simeon. Riding a camel is one of the most invigorating, exciting ways to see Egypt. Before we begin this easy trek our Tour Leader and camel trainer will teach you the technique of riding a camel! This is a journey that can be undertaken by anyone at any age (one rider per camel). Our trek is about 45 minutes to the monastery. Those who prefer not to ride can stay with the boat and rejoin the camel riders for our trip to Kitchener's Island. Dating from the 6th century, and in use until the 13th century, the Monastery of St Simeon is one of the best preserved Christian sites in Egypt. The monastery, built on two plateaux, is surrounded by a high wall. Inside we will see the chapel, living quarters, kitchen and dining areas, wine press, bake area and storerooms. On our tour we will also see the remains of some Coptic frescoes--depictions of Christ and saints as well as many geometric patterns. From the monastery we continue on our camel journey for another 15 minutes back to the bank of the Nile. From here we board our boat and ride among the islands dotting the Nile. Up the hill, above the river, is the Mausoleum of the Aga Khan, spiritual leader of the Ismailis, a Shi'ite sect based principally in India but with followers around the world. The tomb is an elegant pink granite structure of late 1950 origin. The main island is called Elephantine Island because many of the rocks look like elephants bathing in the Nile. We will arrive at the beautiful Kitchener's Island where we will have time to stroll through the rich botanical gardens with trees, plants, and bushes. Overnight in Aswan. Basma Hotel (or similar). Breakfast and dinner. Day 14 Aswan - Abu Simbel - Cairo Today we fly to Abu Simbel--the imposing rock temples of Rameses II and his queen Nefartari. In the 1960s Abu Simbel became the focus of world attention as the controversial construction of the High Dam threatened the temples. In a large-scale world relief, funded mainly by UNESCO, the temple was delicately disassembled with the aid of laser technology and shifted to a site on the banks of the artificially formed Lake Nasser. Over its nine years of relocation, the site's team of archaeologists managed to create an artificial mountainside to house the temples. We have a guided tour of this site, including the interior of the colossal temples. The Temple of Rameses II, with its immense statues of the Pharaoh seated on his throne, is one of the classic images of the power of the Pharaohs. Inside the temple you will see well-preserved wall decorations and several murals. There is a wonderful relief of Rameses presenting captives to various gods, including himself! At the Temple of Hathor, which is colonnaded with six statues of Rameses and his wife Nefartari, we will see the temple hall and the sanctuary. We also gain insight into the reconstruction process by visiting the interior of the artificial mountain. After our tour we continue our flight to Cairo. Overnight in Cairo (Heliopolis). Breakfast and dinner. Day 15 Departure Departure from Cairo. Breakfast if required. RHLAH S'IDAH ! Save time, money and stress! For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our United Arab Emirates vacation specialist. Contact : Travelwizard.com Phone: 1-800-330-8820 or 1-415-446-5252 11/09 |
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