Ethiopia & Egypt
14 Days: Oct 31 - Nov 13, 2010   $5890
This description is for the 14-day tour of Ethiopia & Egypt, without Jordan. Click below to go to the descriptions of the other tours with the same Egypt core program:

Egypt & Jordan
12 Days: November 5-16, 2010   $5120

Ethiopia, Egypt & Jordan
17 Days: Oct 31 - Nov 16, 2010   $6590

Africa is not only where man was born, but where the first human empires arose. Those remarkable civilizations are preserved seemingly forever in the greatest Stone Cities mankind ever built.

Ethiopia, Egypt and Jordan are today where these amazing societies exploded, seemingly out of nowhere from the thousands of preceding years of loose bans of nomadic herdsmen. And as if recognizing their own greatness these societies erected gargantuan monuments to themselves that dwarf anything left by subsequent more modern societies. Their greatest achievements were the three Stone Cities of Lalibela (Ethiopia), Thebes now Luxor (Egypt), and Petra (Jordan).

EWT owner Kathleen Morgan has taken this journey several times before, and once again returns with a small group of enthusiastic travelers to the fantastic places of man's emergence from antiquity into empire.

There is of course much more to the touring than just the great stone cities, and a wonderful Nile Cruise is included in Egypt, while a comprehensive tour of Ethiopia's Historic Route is also included there.

The prices include: ** EWT owner, Kathleen Morgan, guiding throughout the entire program; ** Trained, professional local guides at each venue, including a certified Egyptologist; ** Private vehicles and personal transfers to/from the airport; **Luxury Nile Cruising, inclusive of all meals, teas and attractions; ** Meals as detailed in brackets following each day's description below; ** All entrance fees, VAT and other government taxes; ** Comprehensive pre-trip material with discount coupons for travel gear and equipment. Additional expenses not included: All international flights including those between countries, plus all necessary internal flights; The internal flight cost for this trip as of October, 2009, was $327 in Egypt and $390 in Ethiopia, some of which might be included in certain international air fares; - Meals not included; - All beverages; - Requisite visas and other travel preparations like inoculations; - Tipping.

Contact EWT for the best international air fares and for recommendations on how to use your frequent flyer miles.

Sunday, October 31, 2010
Whenever you arrive Addis Ababa, you'll be personally met and privately transferred to the Addis Ababa Sheraton Hotel. Touring of the city this afternoon includes the opulent St George's Cathedral built in 1896 in thanksgiving to the saint whose standard was carried into the Battle of Adwa, where Italy was defeated in its attempt to colonize Ethiopia. Also included is a visit to the Ethiopian National Museum. The museum is home to "Lucy," the 3.2 million year old hominid skeleton found in 1974 by American scientists. Equally interesting are the extensive exhibits of historical and cultural artifacts from all eras and corners of Ethiopia, and the impressive collection of modern and traditional Ethiopian art. Stops will also be made at the Trinity Cathedral Complex and Africa Hall, which houses the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Ethiopia's renown artist, Afewerk Tekle, designed three stained glass windows for the hall covering an area of 1600 square feet, depicting the sorrow of Africa's past, the struggle of the present, and hope for the future.  [b- - ]

Monday, November 1
Today begins a 4-day excursion into the famous Historic Route north of Addis. Following an early departure from the hotel, we take a quick flight to Bahir Dar on the southern tip of Lake Tana, Ethiopia's largest lake and source of the Blue Nile. Bahir Dar is widely considered the nation's prettiest city. The deep blue waters of the lake and the town's broad boulevards lined with palms and flowering trees create a feeling of a tropical resort. This morning we visit the Blue Nile Falls, known locally as Tis Isat, "Smoke of Fire." The river drops 150 feet, throwing up a constant spray of water before continuing its legendary journey to Khartoum where it converges with the White Nile from Uganda before winding its way through Egypt. After lunch we take small boats to explore centuries-old monasteries and churches built on islands in Lake Tana. Many of the monasteries and churches are richly decorated with ceiling frescos and wall paintings. Several continue to be lived in by orders of monks that have been here since the 14th century. Monks will guide us through various monasteries, displaying their local treasures including antique manuscripts and musical instruments, many which continue to be used today. Dinner and overnight at the Hotel Tana.  [b-l-d]

Tuesday, November 2
A short flight after an early breakfast brings us to the northern shore of Lake Tana and the ancient town of Gonder. Although centuries old, a section of the town has a modern European air with its central piaza and the 1930's-style Italian buildings constructed during Mussolini's occupation. In the 1630's, Emperor Fasilades banished most foreigners, raised the Orthodox Church to a position of primacy, and ushered in two centuries of prosperity. In 1636, Gonder became his capital and was transformed into a major cultural and trade center. Gonder during this time ended the lengthy myth and widely embraced legend of Prester John, when Portugese monks affirmed to Pope Alexander that Fasilades was not "white." Touring here includes a number of ancient castles. Meals and overnight at the Goha Hotel.  [b-l-d]

Wednesday, November 3
Our final morning flight north today brings us to one of the most wondrous sites of ancient times, the great stone city of Lalibela. Hidden within a small rural village lies a mediaeval king's marvelous creation: eleven monolithic churches, each hewn from a single mammoth block of stone, some almost completely hidden below ground level and some standing in open caves, all connected by a web of tunnels, narrow passages, galleries and grottos. The scope and majesty of the project overwhelms the visitor, who often finds it unbelievable it could have been completed in a single lifetime. But in the 12th century King Lalibela had a vision that God ordered him to build ten churches, all more spectacular than any yet seen on earth. According to beliefs still widely held locally, God directed the King where and how to build the complex, then sent a battalion of angels to help in the construction. When the last church was finished, Saint George appeared in full armour on horseback to demand a church of his own. St. George's Church is one of the most elegant, cut into the shape of a cross 40 feet below the surface and entered through an elaborate front door. Each of the other churches has unique and impressive features, including fragile windows, delicate moldings and stone carvings. As remote and forsaken as Lalibela seems to be, today, it takes little imagination to realize how awesome the complex was in early times, the greatest religious city in the world. Meals and overnight at the Roha Hotel.  [b-l-d]

Thursday, November 4
The morning is free for independent exploration of this amazing complex. A mid-afternoon flight returns us to Addis, and this evening we'll enjoy a traditional Ethiopian banquet. The unique Ethiopian society has its own wonderful food, music and libtaions, different from anything else found in Africa. Tonight you'll eat your dinner plate while listening to beautiful music that seems a mixture of sitar and violin. Overnight at the Addis Ababa Sheraton.  [b-l-d]

Friday, November 5
This morning the group tours the Mercato, reported to be Africa's largest market. Much of the market is a museum, and many antique items are still for sale. For the remainder of the day you're free to explore Addis on your own, with hotel checkout delayed until late this afternoon. The group then transfer to the airport for the 9:30p flight to Cairo, which arrives at 1:30a tomorrow morning.  [b-l-d]

Saturday, November 6
Following the late night arrival into Cairo, the group will be transferred to the beautiful Mena House hotel within site of the pyramids. Rooms will be immediately available for occupancy, and breakfast will be available later this morning. In the early afternoon the group meets our Egyptologist for a guided tour of the Pyramids & Sphinx of Giza. The evening is independent.  [b- - ]

Sunday, November 7
All day is spent touring Old Cairo. We begin with a guided visit to the old Coptic Church of St. George. The church is believed to have been built in the 7th century. In the 15th Century it was taken over by the Greek Orthodox. Visits are also scheduled to the Roman towers, the Babylon Fortress and the Hanging Church(Al Mu'allaka) which was dedicated to the Virgin Mary and built in the 3rd century. Despite its antiquity, it continues to be used by parishioners. Other ancient and restored churches can be visited in the area, including the famous St. Serguis church, reported to have been used by refugees fleeing King Herod. Finally, a visit is scheduled to the Ben Ezra Synagogue. Originally a church, the building was rebuilt by a Jerusalem Rabbi Abraham Ben Ezra in the 12th century. On our return to the hotel, you'll stop at the famous Khan El Khalili Bazaar (the old market), which is the main tourist bazaar. Its narrow passageways, lanes and alleys are lined with tiny shops, stacked floor-to-ceiling with caftans, brass, inlaid wood, leather cases, copper, goods, carpets, gold and silver jewelry and perfumes, a true tourist's Mecca. Return to the Mena House for an independent evening.  [b- - ]

Monday, November 8
The Nile cruise portion of the trip begins today with a morning flight to Aswan to board the M/S Iberotel Crown Princess, one of the finest ships sailing the river. After checking-in, the rest of the morning is spent visiting the Philae Temple which is near Aswan city. Through UNESCO efforts, the temple was saved from the inundation when the dam was opened. It was dismantled then reassembled on a higher hill. There may be time as well to visit the Kiosk of Trajan, a charming relic famous for its 14 pillars and The High Dam itself, a modern achievement of great magnitude in Egypt's history, built by the Russians in the 1960s. The dam continues to supply most of the country's electric power. After lunch on board, the afternoon touring includes a felucca trip to Kitchener's Island which contains the famous Khan Mausoleum. Dinner on board includes a Nubian folkloric show. Overnight aboard ship.  [b-l-d]

Morning Option to ABU SIMBEL. Most flights from Cairo to Upper Egypt leave in the morning, and the flights to Abu Simbel are the earliest. All tourists arriving Abu Simbel join government-organized tours. Afterwards there is time to explore the UNESCO museum before continuing on a 30-minute flight to Aswan scheduled to arrive in the early afternoon. This will give you plenty of time to visit the Philae Temple and enjoy the felucca trip before the Nile Cruise ship begins its evening sailing. Additional cost including air: $330 per person.

Tuesday, November 9
After further sailing during the night, this morning you'll visit Kom Ombo, with its fascinating temple that was dedicated to two gods at the same time, Sobek and Harories. The cruise continues over lunch, and in the afternoon you visit the Temple of Horus on Edfu Island. This is the best preserved Egyptian Temple from the early dynasties. The ship continues in the afternoon towards Luxor with a Captain's welcome cocktail party before dinner this evening. Overnight aboard the M/S Iberotel Crown Princess as it sails to what may be the most impressive Stone City on earth, the ancient Thebes now known as Luxor.  [b-l-d]

Tuesday, November 9
After further sailing during the night, this morning you'll visit Kom Ombo, with its fascinating temple that was dedicated to two gods at the same time, Sobek and Harories. The cruise continues over lunch, and in the afternoon you visit the Temple of Horus on Edfu Island. This is the best preserved Egyptian Temple from the early dynasties. The ship continues in the afternoon towards Luxor with a Captain's welcome cocktail party before dinner this evening. Overnight aboard the M/S Iberotel Crown Princess as it sails to what may be the most impressive Stone City on earth, the ancient Thebes now known as Luxor.  [b-l-d]

Thursday, November 11
Leave the cruise ship after breakfast for another comprehensive day of touring Luxor. After checking-in to the Sonesta St. George Hotel the morning will be spent on a guided tour of the fascinating Mummification Museum, a small museum that explains in great detail the process of mummification and its role in ancient Egypt. There are a number of actual persons and animals on display. The afternoon is spent at the Luxor Museum, another small but beautifully arranged museum that displays an impressive selection of rare artifacts from a variety of dynasties.  [b- - ]

Friday, November 12
This morning we fly back to Cairo and return to the Mena House for check-in. This afternoon we'll be accompanied by a certified Egyptologist to the amazing Egyptian Antiquity Museum, the most famous museum in the Middle East, the museum which which includes the fabulous treasures of King Tut-Ankh-Amon. The evening is independent.  [b- - ]

Saturday, November 13
Everyone will be personally transferred to the airport for their departure. Most returns to the U.S. will depart this morning..  [b- - ]

END OF EWT SERVICES