Legends of the Nile (2010)

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From $3995.00, per person, plus air and V.A.T., based on double occupancy.

Operated by Alumni Holidays International (AHI)

Journey to exotic Egypt, a land whose history stretches many millennia into the past. In Cairo, view royal mummies in the prestigious Egyptian Museum, shop the vibrant Khan el-Khalili bazaar and discover the religious heritage of Coptic Cairo. Journey to Sakkara, site of an ancient burial ground, and marvel at the Step Pyramid of Zozer. Admire the iconic Pyramids and enigmatic Sphinx of Giza. Fly to Luxor and discover the Luxor and Karnak temple complexes and the seemingly endless Valley of the Kings and Queens before embarking on a cruise of the Nile River. Continue to the Temple of Horus in Edfu, impressive Kom Ombo and the Philae Island temple complex in Aswan. Sail on a felucca boat around Kitchener’s Island, and visit the massive monuments of Abu Simbel.

Day 1 
Depart for Cairo, Egypt, aboardscheduled jet service. (Provided for Air Program participants only.)

Day 2
Arrive at the Cairo airport and transfer to the Semiramis InterContinental Cairo. (Transfer provided for Air
Program participants only.)

Day 3
Excursion: Egyptian Museum. See the world’s richest collection of Egyptian artifacts. Marvel at articles from Tutankhamen’s tomb and an exhibit of ancient mummies.

Attend a Welcome Reception and Dinner.

Day 4
Excursion: Sakkara and the Pyramids at Giza. Visit Giza to see the Great Pyramids, the mysterious Sphinx and the Solar Boat Museum. Continue to Sakkara, site of the oldest cemetery in Egypt and the Step Pyramid of Zozer.

Day 5
Excursion: Islamic and Coptic Cairo.
Experience Cairo’s Islamic and Coptic heritage. Visit the Royal Mosque of Al Rifai, then enjoy free time to explore the Khan el Khalili bazaar. Next, see the Hanging Church and the Ben Ezra Synagogue.

Day 6
Transfer to Cairo’s airport and fly to Luxor. Upon arrival, check in at the Sonesta St. George Hotel.

Excursion: The Temples of Karnak and Luxor.
Journey to see the amazing Karnak Temple, then tour the Luxor Temple. Begun in 1414 B.C. by Amenhotep III, additions were added through the centuries until 323 B.C.

Excursion: Luxor Museum.
Visit the Luxor Museum to see its historic treasures.

Day 7
Excursion: Luxor’s West Bank - The Valley of the Kings and Queens.
Travel to the Valley of the Kings and Queens, where tombs were designed to resemble the passage to the  underworld. View the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, then, marvel at the impressive Colossi of Memnon.

Embark the Sonesta St. George I.

Day 8
Today is spent cruising the Nile River.

Day 9
Excursion: The Temple of Horus at Edfu. Go ashore at Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus. Recognized by archeologists for its unique roof, the temple was completely buried until its excavation in the mid-19th century.

Excursion: Kom Ombo Temple. See the riverside Temple of Kom Ombo, a double temple shared by the gods Haroeris and Sobek.

Day 10
Excursion: The Temple of Philae and the Aswan High Dam. Sail to the island temple complex of Philae, dedicated to the goddess Isis. These impressive structures were reassembled on higher ground about 547 yards (500 m) from their original site, which was threatened by rising waters of the Aswan High Dam. See the dam itself, then conclude at the famous granite quarries to learn about the craft of stone cutting in ancient Egypt.

Excursion: Felucca Cruise.
Return to Aswan and drift peacefully on the Nile, powered only by gentle breezes.

Day 11
This morning, transfer to Aswan’s airport for the flight to Abu Simbel.

Excursion: Abu Simbel.
Marvel at the Temple of Ramses II, a massive monument commemorating triumphs over the Nubians, Hittites and Syrians. Equally fascinating is the neighboring Temple of Hathor, which honors Queen Nefertari. In the 1960s, both were relocated to this site—an artificial hill made from a domed structure—on the western bank of Lake Nasser.

Return to the airport for the flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, check in at the Holiday Inn City Stars.

Day 12 
Transfer to the Cairo airport for the return flights to your gateway city. (Provided for Air Program participants only.)

Your Northwestern Host

Leslie Donavan

Leslie Donavan (L82) is the President of the NAA. She is a past president of the NU Club of Chicago, as well as a past vice president of NAA. She has chaired both the Alumni Awards Committee and the NAA Nominating Committee, and has served on the Board of Directors of the NU Law School Board. She has chaired her law school class reunions numerous times, and is member of the Council of 100.

Leslie is the President and CEO of SAI, an international aquatics risk management and safety training firm headquartered in Champaign, Illinois. Previously, she was a partner in private law practice in Chicago, specializing in commercial real estate and general business law and President of Beyond the Pail, a handpainted metal company. She has also worked for United Airlines, Inc. and in the journalism and public relations fields. Leslie received her undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Leslie’s volunteer activities have focused on educational foundations, land use planning boards and bar association activities. She served as Brand Supervisor for the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic Winter Games of 2002, and she chaired the Board of Advisors of the Starfish Aquatics Institute.

Updated October 23, 2009.