Egypt Extension 
6 Day Tour
June 10-15, 2007

Day 16: Red Sea, Nuweiba
Our time in Jordan ends as we head south from Petra into ancient Midian, where the fugitive Moses settled for forty years, and we arrive at Aqaba, Biblical Ezion Geber, on the Red Sea or Gulf of Aqaba. We board a catamaran ferry and cross over water that possibly covered Pharaoh’s army over three millennia ago. Disembarking at Nuweiba, Egypt for a relaxing afternoon at our hotel and optional swimming in the Red Sea. Many call Egypt part of The Holy Land as Abraham, Joseph, Jacob, Israel, Moses, Aaron, Joshua, Jeremiah, Joseph, Mary and Jesus lived there.

Day 17: Mount Sinai
We drive a short distance to the traditional Mount Sinai or Mount Horeb, the Mountain of God, where Moses received the Ten Commandments, Jewish Laws, and Tabernacle Plans. Elijah fled from Jezebel and King Ahab to a cave there. For those who are able, the group will ascend to the 7,507 foot summit of the second highest mountain in Egypt either by camel or by walking. After a terrific view of the Sinai desert and hidden patches of grass used by grazing flocks, we descend back down the mountain. At its base our day ends with a tour of St. Catherine Monastery which stores some of the oldest manuscript copies of the Greek New Testament in existence today.

Day 18: Sinai Desert, Cairo
We leave Mount Sinai for our long drive in an air conditioned motor coach across the Sinai Desert, or Wilderness of Shur, the path the Israelites possibly used when fleeing Egypt during the Exodus. Our visits along the way are at the traditional stops of the Israelites at the Oasis of Elim, the site of many springs and palm trees, and Marah Springs, where bitter waters were turned sweet for Israelite consumption. We continue on and cross under the manmade Suez Canal connecting the Gulf of Suez with the Mediterranean Sea. Passing through the Southern edge of the Land of Goshen where Joseph settled his family and Hebrew brethren, we arrive in the capital Cairo for three nights stay. After dinner we see the Sound and Light Show at the Giza Pyramids.

Day 19: Pyramids, Sphinx, Egypt Museum
This day is spent at Cairo with first crossing the Nile River, the centerpiece of Egypt’s long history. We see busy boat traffic, then lush vegetation, palm trees and hearty crops created by millenniums of irrigation knowledge and methods. Suddenly the vegetation stops and is contrasted by totally barren desert and the presence of the majestic 10 Pyramids of Giza. These were built as early as 2560 BC and have intrigued engineers ever since on how they did it. The Great Pyramid of Khufu, or Cheops, originally at 482 feet, was the tallest human structure on the Earth until the 1800’s AD. It is the only remaining structure of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Renovations now allow entrance to this ancient tomb in the heart of the Pyramid through ventilated original tunnel shafts. Next to the Pyramids, we visit the famous Sphinx statue with a lion’s body and human face. This mammoth statue was carved out of the original bedrock as early as 2550 BC. Though the Sphinx has been covered numerous times by the desert sand, it is completely exposed today for our enjoyment. In the afternoon we return to the city to enter the Egyptian Museum and tour the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts in the world. Realistic statues of Pharaohs are there with eyes that make them look alive. Ancient weapons of war and expensive items laden with gold, gems and ivory are on display, plus many well preserved mummies. Most of the items were recovered from Pyramids and tombs.

Day 20: Memphis, Sakkara, Abusir, Dahshur, Abu Ghauob
The final day of touring in Egypt brings us to the nearby ancient capital of Memphis that dates back to 3100 BC. We see a Sphinx carved out of Alabaster Stone and the famous Colossus of Ramses. Our bus then takes us to neighboring Sakkara where we view the Step Pyramid built in 2650 BC which is the oldest of the 97 Pyramids found in Egypt. The morning is finished with visits to the many Pyramids and tombs at Abusir, Dahshur and Abu Ghauob. We arrive back in Cairo for an afternoon of sightseeing, shopping, and free time.

Day 21: Cairo
We leave the ancient sites in our memories and return to modern times by departing from the Cairo airport for our return flight home

Price Per Person (based on double occupancy):
$550.00 - rates based on minimum of 10 passengers

Single Supplement: $65.00

Price Includes:  Lodging in 4 star hotels, full time tour escort, breakfast & dinner daily, gratuities ($35.00), Egypt visa & border taxes, all guides entrances and transportation as appear on itinerary, services of long distance deluxe motorcoach as appear on itinerary.

Not Included:  Return flights from Cairo (subject to availability at time of booking), air taxes (based on airfare purchased), lunches, optional travel insurance.