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Birding Egypt
Cairo / Fayoum / Luxor / Aswan / Sinai
Fully Escorted
15 days/ 14 nights
No minimum number of travelers, maximum of 16 on each tour
Operates weekly from November through March
Egypt occupies a significant strategic geographical position as a bridge between continents offering migratory species the perfect route for their annual flights from Europe and Asia.
A wide variety of Egyptian habitats ranging from high rugged mountains to desert and tropical style jungle along the Nile basin, give it a unique character plus the diversity needed to attract an extremely wide range of bird life.
There are over 430 species of birds found in Egypt with about 150 being resident. The others are annual visitors from Europe and Asia with the primary migrations south in the fall and the return in the spring months. This program operates during the anticipated peaks of these migrations to afford birders a vacation with the maximum chance to view and photograph the widest variety possible.
Imagine being able to combine 5,000 years of human history with birding and conservation. On tap are visits to important antiquity sites and oasis in both upper and lower Egypt plus a visit to the Sinai peninsula with its beautiful beaches, incredible undersea life and bountiful collection of bird life.
This tour is operated in conjunction with Conservation Outdoors Inc. A not-for-profit organization established to protect and study our fragile, global natural environment through education, ecotourism and scientific research aimed at shared solutions to a peaceful sustainable future with special attention to at-risk habitat and biota in developing countries.
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| Call (770) 565-9101 for more information or to book today! Mention code 6932685 | | Travel Egypt Inc | | Offer valid through 12/31/2008 | | | | Day | Destination | Description | | Day 1 | Cairo | (Saturday) Arrive Cairo. Be met and assisted through immigration and customs by our staff. Transfer to the Intercontinental Pyramids Park resort. With acres of open gardens this wonderful 5 star property is a birdwatchers gem. Overnight Cairo
VISAS: All travelers to Egypt must have a visa. Those traveling with USA or Canada passports can obtain theirs on arrival at Cairo. No photos, no forms and cost is about $18. Travelers with other passports should check with us whether you need one before arrival. | | Day 2 | Cairo | (Sunday) A full day touring the ancient capital of Memphis, Sakkarra with it's Stepped Pyramid, the earliest pyramid of all, the Seraphim (tomb of the bulls), and the Mastaba of Ti which features beautiful carvings of early Egyptian bird life, and Dahshur with it's Bent Pyramid, Black Pyramid and Red Pyramid plus the new Imhotep museum. Overnight Cairo (B) | | Day 3 | Cairo | (Monday) This morning we visit the Pyramids at Giza and the inscrutable Sphinx. In the afternoon we visit the Egyptian Museum and the Khan el Khalili bazaar. Overnight Cairo (B) | | Day 4 | Fayoum | (Tuesday) This morning we drive to the oasis of El Fayoum. Located about one hours drive from the hotel this is one of the greatest oasis areas in Egypt and a major winter home for migratory species. Fayoum is where the Greeks and Romans had their wineries and grew the grain for the empire. It also was an important part of Pharaonic history including a famous canal thought to have been built by the Biblical Joseph. We will overnight at King Farouks former hunting lodge, where he hosted Churchill and Roosevelt in WWII. Overnight Fayoum (B,D) | | Day 5 | Cairo | (Wednesday) We continue our tour of Fayoum then in the mid-afternoon return to Cairo and the comfort of the Fairmont Heliopolis hotel. Overnight Cairo (B) | | Day 6 | Aswan | (Thursday) Staff transfers you to the airport, assists with checking in and you fly to Aswan on a morning flight. Arriving staff transfers you to the Movenpick Elephantine Island resort. Elephantine Island is the largest of the Aswan area islands, and is one of the most ancient sites in Egypt, with artifacts dating to pre-dynastic periods. It is also a good place to spend leisure time, wandering among the Nubian villages where the people are friendly and the houses are often very colorful. We will visit the Nubian Museum in the afternoon (or evening depending on the flight time) and the famous spice market. Overnight Aswan (B) | | Day 7 | Aswan | (Friday) An optional tour to the Temples at Abu Simbel ($220 per person including transfers, flights, private guide, entry fees, service charges and taxes) or a day to relax and enjoy Aswan. Overnight Aswan (B) | | Day 8 | Aswan | (Saturday) Today we visit the Granite quarries with it's Unfinished Obelisk, the Temple of Philae and the Old Dam. Overnight Aswan (B) | | Day 9 | Luxor | (Sunday) Sail by Felucca (native sailboat) to visit Kitchener's Island, a botanical garden that naturally attracts a number of species. It's filled with exotic plants and trees imported from all over the world. Depart by train to Luxor about 5 PM, which affords an excellent opportunity to watch sunset along the river, the birds nesting for the night and the river traffic as lights come on at the approach of darkness. Arriving Luxor about 8 PM transfer to the Maritim Crocodile Island resort. Overnight Luxor (B) | | Day 10 | Luxor | (Monday) This morning we depart early for the West Bank's Necropolis of Thebes where we will visit the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon. Afternoon free at leisure. Overnight Luxor (B) | | Day 11 | Sharm | (Tuesday) The temples of Luxor and Karnak are visited this morning plus the Karnak Museum. In the evening we fly to Sharm el Sheikh, located at the southern extreme of the Sinai Peninsula, you are now in Asia. You will stay right on Naama Bay at the Sonesta resort. Overnight Sharm (B) | | Day 12 | Sinai | (Wednesday) Depart in the morning for the Sinai Mountains. Drive to the important Biblical site of Wadi Feiran. This area is an oasis of greenery in an otherwise hostile environment and as such attracts a wide variety of species ranging from songbirds to predators.
'...a journey through Feiran is to pass through an entire chapter of the Old Testament itself...'
Few places are as steeped in Biblical mystery as the great Wadi Feiran-the Sinai's largest wadi and one of it's most archeologically important stretches of terrain. It was here, according to locals, scholars, and legend, that Moses struck a rock with his staff, bringing forth a spring so his people could drink. Feiran is also the site of Rafadim, the fabled oasis where the Hebrews camped and battled the Amelecites. You will also be introduced to Bedouin culture, one that has not changed for many centuries. Enjoy a BBQ lunch Bedouin style. Ride a camel if you like. From Wadi Feiran we drive to Mt. Sinai where we overnight at a small hotel, St. Catherine's Plaza. Overnight Sinai (B,L,D) | | Day 13 | Cairo | (Thursday) Today you can rise early, about 3AM, climb Mt. Sinai and watch the sunrise from the crest or sleep in and the view the mountain from the base. You will also visit St. Catherine's Monastery. Located at the foot of Mount Moses, St. Catherine's was constructed between 527 and 565. It is built around what is thought to be Moses' Burning Bush. It is a spectacular natural setting for priceless works of art.
St. Catherine's is also a formidable fortification, with granite walls 40 to 200 feet tall, surrounded by gardens and cypresses. From St. Catherine's you will visit the Rock of Inscriptions, where travelers have left graffiti and directions for thousands of years plus view Ein Kudra Oasis, traditional hazarot of the Children of Israel (Exodus). Continue traveling East to the Gulf of Aqaba and stop for lunch at Habiba, a wonderful outdoor restaurant right on the shore of the Gulf. On a clear day you can see Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Then it's back to Sharm el Sheikh and a flight to Cairo. Arriving staff transfers you to the Fairmont Heliopolis hotel. Overnight Cairo (B, L) | | Day 14 | Cairo | (Friday) Visit Gabal el Asfar. This is the huge reclaiming area for the cities sanitation system. Since it's start in 1923 this area has grown into one of the richest birding sites in Egypt. Overnight Cairo (B) | | Day 15 | Cairo | (Saturday) Staff will transfer you to the airport, assist with exit formalities and checking in for your international departure. |
| | | | TOURS INCLUDE: GUARANTEED TO OPERATE WITH NO MINIMUM AND A MAXIMUM OF 16 TRAVELERS. Domestic flights in Egypt in coach (economy) class. All transfers by air-conditioned vehicle relating to the tour program starting with arrival to Cairo. Baggage handling of no more than 2 pieces of luggage per person however baggage and personal effects are at the owner's risk at all time during the tour. Hotels (based on double occupancy). 5 star Deluxe Nile cruise with upper decks, outside Nile view cabin, private bath, individual climate control (based on double occupancy). Meals as outlined by B for breakfast, L for lunch and D for dinner. Fees for visiting antiquity sites and museums. Services of an English speaking licensed Egyptologist. Service charges and taxes.
NOT included are: Items of a personal nature such as entry visa (available at the airport on entry for USA citizens. Other nationalities should check with the nearest Egyptian consulate), tips, phone calls, laundry, drinks with meals, any items not specifically covered in the included items.
Prices and itinerary subject to change without notice.
Single Price is for Single occupancy hotel rooms and cruise cabins based on a minimum of two travelers. Single travelers (one person on the tour) would have additional cost.
FREQUENT TRAVELERS: You are welcome to arrange your own international air or we can assist. Also if you are a member of any hotel chain frequent traveler program you are welcome to use your points for hotel rooms and the cost of the tour will be reduced accordingly OR if you want to accumulate points plus take advantage of membership hotel room upgrades let us know which program you want to use.
We contract with every major hotel chain including:
Egypt:
Basma: Aswan
El Salamlek Palace: Alexandria
Fairmont: Cairo (Heliopolis & Nile)
Four Seasons: Cairo (First Residence & Nile Plaza), Alexandria, Sharm
Helnan: Cairo (Shepheard), Fayoum (Auberge)
Hilton: Cairo - Nile Hilton & Ramses Hilton, Conrad
Hyatt: Cairo, Sharm
Intercontinental: Cairo (City Stars & Pyramids Park Resort)
Le Meridien: Cairo (Pyramids), Hurghada (Makadi Bay Resort)
Marriott: Cairo, Sharm
J.W. Marriott: Cairo
Maritim: Luxor, Sharm (Jolie Ville & Royal Peninsula)
Movenpick: Aswan
Oberoi: Cairo (Mena House)
Renaissance: Alexandria
Ritz Carlton: Sharm
Sheraton: Cairo, Luxor, Sharm, Alexandria, Hurghada (Soma Bay)
Sofitel: Cairo (El Gezirah), Luxor (Old Winter Palace), Aswan (Old Cataract)
Sonesta: Cairo, Luxor, Sharm, Taba
Steigenberger: Luxor, El Gouna
Prices are based on using the hotels shown. If you change hotels the tour price may change.
International air from JFK on Egyptair
International Air (by date of departure) Price
Low (01 Nov - 12 Dec, 25 Dec - 31 Mar) $ 875
Shoulder (01 Apr - 31 May, 16 Aug - 31 Oct) $ 950
Peak I (01 Jun - Jun 15, 01 Aug - 15 Aug) $1,215
Peak II (16 Jun - 31 Jul, 13 Dec - 24 Dec) $1,375
Ticket prices do not include air ticket taxes, fuel surcharges or security fees. |
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