Fr. Shayne Duvall 11-Day Journey to Ancient Egypt, November 4 - 14, 2024

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. Visit St. Catherine’s Monastery, Mt Sinai, 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!

- Fr. Shayne Duvall

DAILY ITINERARY

DAY 01 NOV 04: BEGINNING OF YOUR TOUR Depart from Louisville for an overnight flight to Cairo, Egypt.

DAY 02 NOV 05: CAIRO, EGYPT Arrive in Cairo, where you will be met by your tour representative and transferred to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 03 NOV 06: 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.  Mass will be arranged in Cairo at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Dinner and overnight in Cairo. Lunch included.

DAY 04 NOV 07: 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, take a mesmerizing visit to see the Royal Mummies at the Museum of Civilization. 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. Visit Zeitoun Coptic Church, where Our Lady appeared to thousands of Christians. The latest apparition was on 16 Dec 2009 at Virgin Mary & Archangel Michael Church). Mass will be arranged in Cairo at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Dinner and overnight in Cairo. Lunch included.

DAY 05 NOV 08: ASWAN/NILE CRUISE Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before transferring to the airport for a flight to Aswan. Take in the views and marvel at the high dam, one of the world’s largest embankment dams, stretching two miles across the Nile. Delight the senses and savor the unique experience of shopping at the spice market near the Nile River Valley.  In the afternoon, step aboard the Movenpick for relaxing afternoon on the famed Nile River. Mass will be arranged in Aswan at St. Mary Catholic Church. Dinner and overnight aboard the Movenpick. Lunch included.

DAY 06 NOV 09: 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 Movenpick. Lunch included.

DAY 07 NOV 10: EDFU After breakfast, disembark the Movenpick 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 Movenpick. Lunch included.

DAY 8 NOV 11: 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. Mass will be arranged in Luxor at the Franciscan Catholic ChurchFlight from Luxor to Sharm El Sheik via Cairo Airport. Transfer to hotel in Sharm El Sheik for dinner and overnight. 

DAY 9 NOV 12: MOUNT SINAI/ST CATHERINE After breakfast, depart for your 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. Mass will be arranged in Sharm El Sheik at the Virgin Mary Catholic Church. Dinner and overnight in Sharm El Sheikh.

DAY 10 NOV 13: 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. Dinner and transfer to SSH airport. 

DAY 11 NOV 14: SHARM EL SHEIKH/USA – Return flight home with your luggage packed with keepsakes and your heart full of memories.

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

PRICING:

• $5,695 per person based on double occupancy.
  
• Single room supplement - $1395
• $500 per person with registration to secure space.
• 50% of the total amount is due on or before June 4, 2024
• Balance due on or before September 4, 2024

FLIGHT SCHEDULE: Updated 09/13/24

• UA6138  04NOV  SDF IAD    0240P 0419P 
• LH 419    04NOV  IAD FRA    0550P 0725A  
• LH 580    05NOV  FRA CAI    0230P 0745P  
• SM 007  13NOV  SSH CAI     0630P  0800P
  
• LH 581   14NOV  CAI FRA     0140A 0520A  
• LH 430   14NOV  FRA ORD   1045A 0125P  
• UA3531  14NOV  ORD SDF   0605P 0830P

* 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 ninety 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 departure city listed in the itinerary. All group seating is assigned by the airline and cannot be changed by Signature Tours. Seat changes can only be made during check-in at the airport. 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. Frequent flyer, TSA Precheck, and Global Entry numbers can only be added at check-in.

LAND ONLY: Participants who wish to arrange their own air should choose the Land Only option. $1000pp will be deducted from the standard tour price when selecting this option. Participants arranging their own air should notify Signature Tours at least 6 months prior to the departure date. Land Only Passengers arriving with or before the group are welcome to join the group bus at no additional charge. For those not traveling with the group, Signature Tours can provide contact information to arrange a private transfer.

VISA: A visa is required for entry into Egypt. Visas are handled by Signature Tours upon arrival. Land Only passengers not arriving on group flights are responsible for securing their own visa unless ground transportation is arranged through Signature Tours.

GROUND/TRANSFERS: The group will be met on arrival by a Signature Tours representative and transferred to the hotel/airport. Land Only participants not traveling with the group are responsible for scheduling ground transfers.

DAILY MASS: Daily Mass will be arranged in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and Sharm EL Sheik.

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

CRUISE: Movenpick Cruise. All outside cabins. Guided Shore Excursions. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included on the cruise.

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, including wine and beer at dinner. 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 Click Here to enroll in the plan.
* Travelex Insurance Services, Inc CA Agency License #0D10209. Insurance coverages underwritten by Zurich American Insurance Company (NAIC # 16535).

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