Warrior Poet Society 11-Day Epic Journey to Ancient Egypt May 1 - 11, 2023

Questions? Email us at info@signaturetours.com

Explore the Great Pyramids of Giza and other treasures of Egypt as you piece together the life and times of one of the world's greatest ancient civilizations. Cruise the ancient Nile in style like the pharaohs once did, disembarking at iconic sites along your route. Discover the Aswan islands, The Valley of Kings, and tour the famous Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, home to artifacts recovered from the great Tutankhamun's tomb. This will be an amazing journey with incredible history at every turn!

- WPS

DAILY ITINERARY

May 1 – 11, 2023

DAY 01 (MAY 1): BEGINNING OF YOUR TOUR Depart from ATL for an overnight flight to Cairo, Egypt.

DAY 02 (MAY 2): CAIRO, EGYPT Arrive in Cairo, where you will be met by your tour representative and transferred to the hotel for dinner and overnight. 

DAY 03 (MAY 3): PYRAMIDS OF GIZA Begin the day with a visit to the infamous Pyramids of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Among the ruins, view the Pyramid of Menkaure flanked by the Pyramids of Queens. The iconic Sphinx, a massive monolith carved into the shape of a lion with the head of a man, rests in front of the Pyramid of Khafre. Khufu Pyramid, the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza complex, towers 481 feet above the plateau. After leaving the ruins of Giza, travel to Memphis, the capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom. The city was founded in 3200 BC by King Narmer and boasts some of the oldest structures and statues on earth. Next, journey to Saqqara Step Pyramid, the world’s first pyramid. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

DAY 04 (MAY 4): EGYPTIAN MUSEUM/CAIRO Step into history at the Egyptian Museum. Admire antiquities from Egypt’s Pharaonic period, dating back fifty centuries and including the fabulous treasures of King Tut-Ankh-Amon. Next, visit the Cairo Citadel, an imposing medieval fortress towering above the city. Explore the opulent Mohamed Ali Mosque, showcasing Ottoman architectural style from the early 19th century. Journey through the centuries with a visit to Old Cairo, a city dating back to the sixth century BC. The Hanging Church, perched above the Babylon Fortress, features intentional design elements from the seventh century and a long, fascinating history rooted in the third century. Then, visit Abu Serga Church, built on the site believed to house Joseph, Mary, and baby Jesus during their time in Egypt. Explore Ben Ezra Synagogue, Cairo’s oldest Jewish synagogue. Tradition holds that the building is located on the site where baby Moses was drawn out of the water by the pharaoh’s daughter. Dinner and overnight in Cairo.

DAY 05 (MAY 5): ASWAN/NILE CRUISE Take a flight to Aswan and step aboard the Sonesta for a luxury cruise on the famed Nile River. Enjoy a felucca boat cruise down the Nile to a traditional Nubian village on Elephantine Island. Visit the Aga Khan Mausoleum constructed of pink limestone and lined with crenelated parapets. See the high dam, one of the world’s largest embankment dams, stretching two miles across the Nile. Marvel at the granite quarries essential for the construction of the illustrious Egyptian obelisks. Continue to the majestic island of Philae, a sacred complex of monuments built for the worship of Isis. Savor the ancient artistry as you pass through the grand entryways, awe-inspiring colonnades, and various chambers of the sprawling temple complex. Dinner and overnight aboard the Sonesta.

DAY 06 (MAY 6): KOM OMBO Spend the day discovering Kom Ombo. Explore the Temple of Kom Ombo, a double temple dedicated to the worship of two gods—Sobek and Haroeris. Observe the stunning columns, unique inscriptions, and duplicate design features of this distinctive landmark. Continue cruising the Nile to Edfu. Dinner and overnight aboard the Sonesta.

DAY 07 (MAY 7): EDFU After breakfast, disembark the Sonesta to explore the Temple of Horus in Edfu. The temple, dedicated to the Egyptian god Horus, is one of the best-preserved monuments of ancient Egypt, showcasing traditional Pharaonic architecture and providing a wealth of information about ancient life through its inscriptions and reliefs. Sail to Esna and cross the lock en route to Luxor. Dinner and overnight aboard the Sonesta.

DAY 08 (MAY 8): VALLEY OF THE KINGS/LUXOR Travel across the Nile for a visit to the west bank. Admire the splendor of the Valley of the Kings. Many New Kingdom pharaohs and royalty were interred in extravagant tombs concealed by the mountains of this valley. Next, explore the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, the foremost female pharaoh. Marvel at the elaborate reliefs and exquisite architecture. Stand in the shadows of the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues of Amenhotep III built to guard his mortuary temple. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to the beautiful Luxor Temple, built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II. Walk along the Avenue of Sphinxes, an ancient pathway lined with large statues of human-headed sphinxes, once connecting the temple of Luxor to the temple of Karnak. Wander through the enormous Karnak Temple Complex, the religious hub of Ancient Egypt. Gaze at the vast array of temples, chapels, and statues constructed over a span of 2,000 years. Transfer to Sharm El Sheikh for dinner and overnight.

DAY 09 (MAY 9): MOUNT SINAI/ST CATHERINE Journey through the desert along the Red Sea to Sinai. Enjoy a retelling of the story of Exodus while taking in the beauty of the towering red-granite mountains including Jebel Musa, the traditional Mount Sinai. Stand in awe of the hallowed mountain where Moses encountered the living God and received the Ten Commandments. Tour St. Catherine’s, a monastery at the foot of the summit, which has been continuously inhabited for more than 17 centuries. Admire the vast collection of icons, mosaics, murals, and treasures showcasing brilliant artistry and veneration of the holy site. Dinner and overnight in Sharm El Sheikh. 

DAY 10 (MAY 10): SHARM EL SHEIKH Enjoy a day of leisure in beautiful Sharm El Sheikh. Take in the city at your own pace—perhaps a day at the beach or shopping for treasures while exploring some of the stunning religious buildings. Stroll through the Old Market searching for souvenirs and savoring the delights of the culture. Wonder at the exquisite Al Sahaba Mosque near SOHO Square, the leading shopping and entertainment center with an enchanting dancing fountain. Take time to visit the Heavenly Cathedral or Al Mustafa Mosque. The choice is yours! Dinner and overnight in Sharm El Sheikh.

DAY 11 (MAY 11): SHARM EL SHEIKH/USA – Transfer to SSH airport for your return flight to Istanbul We will stop in Istanbul for a long layover with a half-day tour of the city. Return to the Istanbul airport for your return flight home.  Arrive home MAY 12

NOTE: Schedule is subject to change due to various factors and your tour guide’s discretion.

PRICING:

• $5,295 per person based on double occupancy.  Book now as space is limited.
  
• Single room supplement - $1095
• $500 per person with registration to secure space.
• 50% of the total amount is due on or before December 1, 2022
• Balance due on or before March 1, 2023

FLIGHT SCHEDULE:

• TK  32   01MAY  ATL-IST   2025 1415
• TK 694  02MAY  IST-CAI   1835 2055
• TK 701  11MAY  SSH-IST  0040 0425
• TK  31   12MAY  IST-ATL  1345 1845

* Flight times, flight numbers, equipment, gates, and seats are subject to change. For the most current information check the airline website.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE REGISTERING

PASSPORTS: Passports must be valid with an expiration date of at least six months beyond the return home date of the tour. Participants with non-US passports are responsible for country-specific entry requirements. If you do not have a valid passport or need to renew your passport, enter "RENEWING" or "APPLIED FOR" when completing registration.

CANCELLATION POLICY: The $500 per person deposit is nonrefundable. Other payments exceeding the $500 per person are refundable in full up to sixty days prior to departure. After this date, refunds for unused accommodations and services will be limited to the amount received from and/or credited by all carriers, sightseeing operators, and hotels. All funds, including the deposit, are non-transferable.

AIR: The Standard Tour includes round-trip, economy-class airfare from the international departure city listed in the itinerary. Group airfares are based on contracted rates and are highly restrictive. Seats will be assigned by the airline at check-in, and specific seat requests cannot be guaranteed. Upgrades such as Comfort, Premium, Business, or First Class are not available with the standard tour. Participants who wish to upgrade or purchase a specific seat should choose the Land Only option when registering. Participants are responsible for providing frequent flyer numbers, TSA PreCheck, and Global Entry information upon check-in. Group fares do not permit schedule deviations. Participants who wish to deviate from the group schedule should choose the Land Only option. 

LAND ONLY: Participants who wish to arrange their own air should choose the Land Only option. $1000 will be deducted from the standard tour price when selecting this option. Participants arranging their own air should notify Signature Tours prior to the second payment date listed on the payment schedule.

GROUND/TRANSFERS: The group will be met by a Signature Tours representative and transferred to the hotel/airport. Land Only participants are responsible for scheduling ground transfers.

HOTELS: Superior first-class hotels throughout. Priced based on two people per room with a private bath and shower.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: A limited number of single rooms are available at additional supplement prices. Signature Tours and/or the group leader will make every attempt to pair single participants requesting a roommate. However, the single supplement fee will be charged for each person occupying a single room, whether by choice or circumstance.

MEALS: Breakfast and dinner are provided daily. Lunch is provided on days as noted in the itinerary. 

SIGHTSEEING: Entrance fees to all places listed in the itinerary are included, as well as an expert English-speaking guide.

LUGGAGE: Space is limited on the tour buses. Participants are allowed one suitcase weighing 50lbs or less and will be transported in storage under the bus. Participants are allowed one backpack/daypack or personal bag to carry on the bus during the tour. These requirements will meet most airline carrier restrictions. See the carrier website for airline-specific baggage restrictions and requirements. Medical devices are not included in these restrictions. 

TIPS, SERVICE CHARGES, AND TAXES: Tips, service charges, and taxes ARE INCLUDED in the selling price. Taxes, as imposed by national and/or local governments, that are not included at the time of booking are the responsibility of the participant.

NOT INCLUDED: Excess baggage fees, passport fees, visa fees, food or drink items not listed on the regular table menu for included meals, and items of a personal nature such as room service, laundry, etc. Any service not indicated in the itinerary and/or the above list of included features.

HEALTH REQUIREMENTS: This tour requires a substantial amount of walking. Many of the sites are not accessible by wheelchair, and the uneven terrain is not feasible for rollators. Signature Tours reserves the right to refuse individuals who may require special attention beyond what the tour guide and tour host can provide.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel Insurance is not included in the purchase price. For your convenience, we offer travel insurance through Travelex Insurance Services. For more information and rates, please review the product flyer or Click Here to enroll in the plan.

* Travelex Insurance Services, Inc CA Agency License #0D10209. Travel Insurance is underwritten by Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company, NAIC #22276. V94 

Signature Tours
PO Box 956817 Duluth, GA 30095
info@signaturetours.com