Egypt

Faculty: Jim Foster
Meeting Time: W - 6:30 - 9:00 PM  

We will also be spending some days in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE.

This proposed Juniors’ Abroad trip will focus on providing foundational knowledge of the history and culture of Egypt. We will emphasize the place of Christianity in a Muslim world and archeology, such as the building of the Pyramids in Egypt. These are two diverse topics, but together they will provide an introduction to both ancient and modern Egypt. While the majority of Egyptians are Muslim, approximately 10% are Coptic Orthodox Christians.  Of special interest will be the visits to Coptic and Muslim Cairo. No study of Egypt would be complete without studying the Great Pyramids of Egypt. As one of the most recognized structures in the world, these ancient wonders of the world will provide a glimpse into ancient Egypt, their engineering practices and their religious practices.

Egypt also provides a fascinating and diverse landscape from the sand dunes of the Western deserts to the fertile Nile valley, to the Red Sea in Egypt.

Students will have opportunities to explore the history of Egypt with visits to the Pyramids of Giza and the Valley of the Kings in Luxor, visit Aswan, the temple complex of Abu Simbel and other archeological sites. In addition, we will take a cruise on the Nile, snorkel in the Red Sea.  In Dubai we will have the opportunity to experience a dinner in the desert, travel to the top of the tallest building in the world and visit one of the largest mosques in the middle east.

Preliminary Itinerary:

Day 2
After breakfast, transfer to Alexandria, check-in hotel and overnight

Day 3
After breakfast, visit the Kata Comb, Pompey's Pillar, Bibliotheca Alexandria Lunch in a local restaurant, free at leisure in the afternoon and evening.

Day 4
Check out after breakfast, transfer back to Cairo visit Khan El Khalili one of the oldest and most famous bazaars in Old Cairo.

Day 5
Check out after breakfast then start our visit, with an Egyptologist tour guide, to the Egyptian Museum, then visit the Coptic Quarter in old Cairo, visiting the very old Coptic churches. Islamic Cairo, see the Fortress of Salah el Din & Mohamed Ali Mosque Lunch at a local restaurant Then visit El Sultan Hassan, El Refaay & Ibn Touloun Mosques then transfer to the train station and overnight on board

Day 6
Breakfast on board train, upon arrival transfer to the hotel, Visit the Nubian Museum and the Unfinished Obelisk, Visit Nubian Village, overnight in the hotel.

Day 7
Follow the convoy to Abu Simbel, visit the temple, spent time at Abu Simbel and overnight. PM: Visit Sound & Light show in Abu Simble

Day 8
Return to Aswan, free afternoon and evening, and check in Nile Cruise. Free at leisure, dinner and overnight.

Day 9
After breakfast visit the High Dam, and Philae temple. Sail to Kom Ombo, visit the double Temple shared by “Horus & Sobek” the crocodile God. Sail to Edfu and overnight. 

Day 10
Visit the most complete and entirely Greek Temple of Horus in Edfu. Sail to Esna, sail again to Luxor and overnight.

Day 11
Disembark after breakfast then visit the west bank, visit the Necropolis of Thebes where we visit the tombs of the ancient pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings. Then continue tour to visit the temple of Hatshipsut and the Colossi of Memnon, check-in hotel and overnight

Day 12
Check out after breakfast then visit the east bank (Karnak and Luxor temples), lunch in a local restaurant, then transfer to Hurghada check in hotel Dinner and overnight.

Day 13
After breakfast, Free at leisure – Enjoy the beauty of the Red Sea Opportunity of swimming, snorkeling, diving and/or fishing, Dinner overnight at hotel.

Day 15
After breakfast transfer back to Cairo, upon arrival check-in hotel and overnight

Day 16
After breakfast begin our full-day tour with our Egyptologist tour guide. Visit the 4500 years old Giza Pyramids, the only remaining wonders of the ancient world. Also, see the Sphinx carved from a single stone representing a creature with a Pharaohs head and a Lion’s body. Lunch will be at a local restaurant. Then continue to visit runes of the ancient city of Memphis continue to visit the stepped Pyramid in Sakkara that is the oldest ever construction of hard rocks made by man, overnight in hotel.  

Day 17
After breakfast visit the Garbage city, Free at leisure.
Visit Sisters of Charity Orphanage (B)
Felucca sunset cruise

Day 18
(Breakfast box if needed) Early morning transfer to airport and Dubai

Day 19 Day tour of Dubai.

Day 20 Free morning, afternoon and evening four wheel drive desert tour.

Day 21 Day tour to Abu Dhabi.

Day 22 Free Day, an evening dinner cruise.

Day 23 Return to Portland.