2023 ENCHANTING EGYPT (MARCH 22-30, 2023)

Brand g Vacations invites you to join them for an inclusive, all LGBT+ journey beginning in Cairo and culminating with a spectacular Nile River cruise from Luxor to Aswan. Combine with their 6-day Jordan add-on for a 14-day vacation.

THIS great land’s ancient past lives on in its majestic monuments and relics created by one of the most impressive civilizations history has seen. This rich history has created a tapestry of cultural and archaeological treasures unmatched anywhere—so much so that the country is home to an estimated third of the world’s antiquities. Travel the mighty Nile on the luxurious Sanctuary Nile Adventurer as it flows through the heart of Egypt.

The Sanctuary Nile Adventurer is widely regarded as one of the best boutique ships on the epic Nile, and named as one of National Geographic’s “Journeys of a lifetime.” The ship has been decorated in a modern, comfortable style and provides a taste of genuine 5-star luxury on a timeless river.

Luxury Level: ***** Five Star Activity Level: Moderate to High Guest Count: 60

Full day tour of The Grand Egyptian Museum (if open).
Temple of Sakhara.
The Great Pyramids and the Sphinx, the only Ancient Wonders of the World still standing.
Tour and dinner in Cairo’s Khan El Khalili Bazaar.
Luxor’s Karnak Temple complex.
The Valley of the Kings.
Valley of the Queens and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
Temple of Edfu.
Abu Simbel Temples Excursion from Aswan.

Arrival and departure airport transfers.
Welcome reception in Cairo.
3 nights hotel accommodation in Deluxe City or Museum View Rooms at the Ritz Carlton Nile Hotel including breakfast.
Private charter flights – Cairo-Luxor/Aswan-Abu Simbel/Cairo.
4 nights deluxe cruise accommodation.
Gourmet dining with all meals included during your cruise.
Unlimited local wine, local beer, soft drinks, juices, tea, coffee and mineral water during meals on cruise.
All tours as described in the program with our own English-speaking Egyptologists throughout the entire trip.
All admissions for the sightseeing stated in the program.
One night accommodation in Standard Room at the Intercontinental CityStars Cairo Hotel including breakfast.
Luggage porterage at airports and hotels.

ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGES STARTING FROM— $6,699.00

MARCH 22, 2023 (DAY 1)

CAIRO, EGYPT

Arrive at the Cairo airport where you will be met by a Brand g representative and transferred to the Ritz Carlton Nile Hotel your home for the next three nights. Meet your fellow travelers at an evening welcome reception and dinner at the hotel.

MARCH 23, 2023 (DAY 2)

CAIRO, EGYPT

This morning, following breakfast we meet our guides to begin out full day tour.

The Great Pyramids of Giza are the only present-day survivors of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, built more than 4,500 years ago as giant tombs for the mummies of the pharaohs Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, who were a father, son and grandson. The pyramids are truly monumental in scale, with the largest, Khufu’s, constructed from over two million blocks. The pyramids were not built by slaves but by Egyptian peasants, whose labor in building the pyramids paid their taxes to the Pharaoh, who also fed, clothed and housed them.

Nearby sits the enigmatic Sphinx with the body of a lion and the face of a man wearing a royal head cloth, which workers may have based on King Khafre to guard his enormous funerary monument. About a thousand years after the Sphinx was built it was covered in sand until a young prince had a dream in which the Sphinx told him that if he cleared the sand away, he would become Pharaoh. This story is told on the ‘Dream Stela’ that was placed between the Sphinx’s paws by King Tuthmose IV.

After, we enjoy lunch at the 9 Pyramids Lounge at the Giza Plateau. This restaurant on the southern side of the Pyramids, comprises five indoor and outdoor spaces on an area of 1,341 square metres: a grand tented lounge, a relaxing outdoor majlis and three outside courtyard terraces. The wooden structure and its subtle hues blend in with the surroundings. The food includes classic mezze, such as baba ghanoush and stuffed vine leaves; grills, such as shish taouk and kofta; and Egyptian specialities, such as the pastry feteer meshaltet and Umm Ali for dessert.

After lunch, we visit Sakkara, which is the former necropolis (cemetery) for the ancient Egyptian city of Memphis and the place where the very first pyramids were built as tombs for kings. Instead of the smooth sides featured on other pyramids, the pyramids here feature six steps on the outside, representing the pharaoh’s stepladder to heaven. Discover the famous Step Pyramid of King Zoser, the first pyramid ever built and the world’s oldest freestanding stone structure. Admire the beautiful tomb art at Sakkara, which gives great insight into the lives of the ancient Egyptians.

Dinner tonight is on your own.

MARCH 24, 2023 (DAY 3)

CAIRO & GIZA, EGYPT

Today, after breakfast, we set off for an incredible tour of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) Complex^*—a cultural hub that includes one of the largest museums in the world displaying the heritage of a single civilization. The Museum contains over 100,000 artifacts, reflecting Egypt’s past from prehistory until the Greek and Roman Periods. As you enter the museum, you can’t miss the colossal statue of King Ramses II, nor the 87 huge royal artifacts exhibited at the grand stairs. These stairs lead up to an impressive 28-meter-high glass facade overlooking the pyramids of Giza. The GEM also hosts over 5,000 artifacts from the tomb of the golden Pharaoh Tutankhamun.

Lunch today is included at Le Pacha 1901, which is one of Cairo’s landmark dining and entertainment venues. Originally a paddle boat from the turn of the century, Le Pacha was transformed into a nostalgic and magical location to reflect on Cairo’s glorious history.

In the evening, enjoy a unique cultural tour, which takes you from one end of the Khan El-Khalili Bazaar to the other, recalling a time when the area was the heart of the old walled city of Cairo.

The ancient thoroughfare, leading you along some of the most traditional parts of the bazaar where life has hardly changed for centuries, runs from the massive fortified Fotouh Gate to the beautifully-designed Zuweila gate. This stretch contains more listed buildings per meter than any other street in the world. In this part of the bazaar, where Egyptians themselves go to bargain for everyday items, your guide enthralls you with explanations of passing licorice-tea-sellers, spice markets with obscure roots and magical powders, black-swathed women, and brightly-painted donkey-carts overflowing with watermelons and mangos.

Continue on to El-Khayameyya Street. This portion of your walk, in the very oldest part of the Khan El-Khalili bazaar, is devoted to the workshops and stalls of traditional appliqué craftsmen. Their art, unique to Egypt in the Middle Eastern region, began as a means of decorating the brightly-colored hangings used to make traditional tents. These are now seen all over the country adorning temporary tents for weddings, funerals and festivals. Printed hangings in the same traditional designs are used nowadays for commercial purposes, but the craftsmen in El-Khayameyya continue to keep the old traditions alive.

We end our tour with dinner at a local restaurant. Please note that alcohol is not served here. After we return to the Ritz Carlton for another restful sleep.

^*note the opening of the GEM has been delayed for a considerable time, and we cannot guarantee that it will be open for this trip.

MARCH 25, 2023 (DAY 4)

LUXOR , EGYPT (EMBARKATION)

This morning, following breakfast, we transfer to Cairo International Airport for the included flight to Luxor. Upon arrival we transfer to the Nile River, where we’ll check in to the 5-star deluxe Nile Adventurer cruise boat.

Lunch will be served on board in the main restaurant. After lunch, you will have the opportunity to visit Luxor Temple as well as the strikingly graceful Temple of Karnak. The temple of Karnak was known as Ipet-isu—or “most select of places”—by the ancient Egyptians. It is a city of temples built over 2,000 years and dedicated to the Theban triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. This derelict place is still capable of overshadowing many wonders of the modern world and in its day must have been awe-inspiring.

Tonight, you will be greeted by your Boat Manager while you enjoy freshly prepared canapés with some complimentary Egyptian wine and local beer, followed by a gourmet dinner menu.

MARCH 26, 2023 (DAY 5)

LUXOR, EGYPT

After a delicious breakfast buffet on board, we’ll visit the West Bank of Luxor to explore the tombs in Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. At the Valley of the Queens, the highlight is visiting the beautiful tomb of Queen Nefertari, Ramses II’s beloved wife. It is said to be the finest tomb in Egypt, with vividly-colored work and a ceiling painted with stars, giving an idea of how other, now faded, tombs would have looked in their day.

Our morning visit also includes the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. And, on the way back to the river Nile, we will pass by the famed Colossi of Memnon, known in Ancient Greek times for their haunting voices at dawn.

Enjoy lunch on back on board the Nile Adventurer and an afternoon of sailing to relax. In the evening, a gourmet dinner will be served in the ship’s dining room.

MARCH 27, 2023 (DAY 6)

EDFU/KOM OMBO, EGYPT

Enjoy breakfast on board, followed by a visit to the Temple of Edfu. Lunch will be served on board while cruising to Kom Ombo. After lunch, visit the temple of Kom Ombo – dedicated to the crocodile-god Sobek. The temple stands at a bend in the Nile where, in ancient times, sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank.

Return to your Nile Cruise boat where afternoon tea will be served in the lounge. You will also have the chance to take part in an Egyptian cooking demonstration while the boat is sailing to Aswan. Tonight’s entertainment will be an “Egyptian Night” costume party for all guests, with a chance to dress up in traditional Egyptian “galabeyyas”. Dinner will be a lavish buffet of Egyptian specialties.

MARCH 28, 2023 (DAY 7)

ASWAN, EGYPT

A breakfast buffet will be served on board, after which you will have the morning at your leisure.

Enjoy lunch on board, followed by a short motorboat ride to visit the majestic Philae Temple on the Island of Agilika. Next, we proceed to the Granite Quarries, which supplied the ancient Egyptians with most of the hard stone used in pyramids and temples, and still hold a huge unfinished obelisk. You will also have a chance take a ride on a felucca (a typical Egyptian sail boat) around Elephantine Island, Lord Kitchener’s Botanical Gardens, and the Agha Khan Mausoleum (weather permitting, life jackets will be provided).

Afternoon tea will be served in the lounge. Tonight’s farewell dinner will be a gala dinner, with white-gloved waiters serving gourmet cuisine. Enjoy a Folkloric show and a Dervish show after dinner.

MARCH 29, 2023 (DAY 8)

ASWAN/ABU SIMBEL TEMPLES/CAIRO, EGYPT

Following breakfast on board cruise, disembark and transfer to Aswan airport for our 40-minute flight to Abu Simbel.

The two temples of Ramses II at Abu Simbel are each fronted by colossal statues up to 20 meters (66 feet) high, and are famed as the most impressive monuments remaining of Ancient Egypt. Recently, the temples were threatened by the waters of Lake Nasser, and with the help of a UNESCO campaign they were cut into blocks, raised piece by piece and reassembled in a new position higher up the hillside.

After our visit, we will return Aswan airport for our onward flight to Cairo. Upon arrival to Cairo, you will be met and assisted then transferred by your to your hotel.

MAARCH 30, 2023 (DAY 9)

CAIRO, EGYPT

Today you will be transferred from the hotel to the Cairo airport for your international flight home, or onward to the Jordan post-trip extension.

The Nile Ritz-Carlton, Cairo carries a rich legacy of tradition and luxury. Overlooking the Nile River lies the iconic luxury hotel, offering leisure and business travelers an opulent retreat in the heart of Cairo. The hotel marries the “bucket-list” city with world-class services; offering splendid amenities including more than nine distinctive restaurants and bars, a lavish spa and unprecedented service promising you an unforgettable getaway.

The elegantly appointed rooms are designed to pamper your senses with the finest amenities. Overlooking either the legendary Nile or the historical Egyptian Museum.

The Deluxe City and Museum View Rooms measure 474sqft and feature King or Twin beds and free wifi.

Dates of included stay: March 22-25, 2023

Additional pre-program nights available upon request.

The elegant Sanctuary Nile Adventurer has has 28 Standard Cabins, two Junior Suites and two Presidential Suites. Decorated in a contemporary style, the ship’s design combines modern Egyptian culture with seven thousand years of heritage. Add gourmet cuisine as well as sightseeing experiences with the country’s most experienced Egyptologists, this is a taste of genuine 5-star luxury on a timeless river.

The Sanctuary Nile Adventurer seamlessly blends contemporary Egyptian culture with authentic character, a blend of East and West. The extensive sun deck areas, with their elegant teak floors, include private cabanas around the pool area, the perfect spot for relaxing while taking in the scenery.

Dates of included stay: March 25 – 29, 2023

Situated in the Heliopolis neighborhood next to Stars Centre Mall. This 5-star hotel is a 20-minute drive from Cairo Airport and offers two outdoor pools with private cabanas, in addition to kids pool, a fitness center, and a variety of cuisines at over 10 restaurants.

Classic standard room come with city or pool/garden views. They come equipped with air conditioning and a minibar, a flat-screen TV, coffee/tea making facilities, and wifi.

Dates of included stay: March 29 – 30, 2023

Additional post-program nights available upon request.

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS

Experience the best of Jordan with Brand g Vacations. Witness the ancient ruins of Jerash; the historic Biblical sites of Bethany and Mt. Nebo; cross Wadi Rum by 4×4; explore fascinating Petra; and relax in the restorative, mineral-rich Dead Sea.

6-day fully escorted tour, with the services of local guides and Brand g hosts throughout the trip.
5 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches and 5 Dinners.
Two beverages per included lunch and dinner (alcoholic or non-alcoholic).
Meet and greet airport arrival transfer at Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport.
2 nights hotel accommodation at the 5-star Amman Fairmont Hotel.
Full-day tour of Jerash and Amman.
Full-day tour including Bethany, Mt. Nebo, and Madaba.
2 nights accommodation at the Movenpick Resort Hotel Petra.
Full-day tour of Petra.
Full-day tour including Wadi Rum and Aqaba.
1 night accommodation at the Kempinski Ishtar Resort Dead Sea.
All admissions for the sightseeing stated in the program.
Portage at airports and hotels.
Economy class flight from Cairo to Amman to begin Jordan program.

Visit the ancient Roman city of Jerash.
Enjoy commanding views of Amman from the Citadel.
Retrace biblical history in Bethany and Mt. Nebo.
Marvel at the incredible mosaic works of art in Madaba.
Explore the UNESCO World Heritage site of Petra.
See the 7 Pillars of Wisdom in Wadi Rum.
Indulge in a fresh seafood lunch at the Red Sea in Aqaba.
Take a mud bath at the Dead Sea.

Double Occupancy (per person) $3,999*

Single Occupancy $5,199*

^*Pricing is per person, based on occupancy listed above and includes early booking savings of $500 per person in effect through May 31, 2022.

A deposit of $250 per person is required to secure a reservation. Pre-paid gratuities of $140 per person are additional. Final payment coincides with the Egypt program final payment date which is November 22, 2022. All reservations are subject to Brand g’s Terms and Conditions.

Day 1: March 30, 2023 – Amman, Jordan

Arrive in Amman, where our Brand g representatives will meet you and transfer you to your luxurious hotel, the Fairmont Amman. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel.

Day 2: March 31, 2023 – Amman/Jerash/Amman

After breakfast at the hotel, we’ll drive to Jerash, a third-century city decimated by invasion and earthquake, often called “The Pompeii of the Middle East.” Explore the massive ruins, which are spread over a large area crisscrossed by colonnaded streets. The pavement still shows the grooves of chariot wheels. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a delicious local lunch nearby before returning to Amman.

Back in Amman we visit the Citadel, offering commanding views of the city. With evidence of occupation since Neolithic times it is considered to be among the world’s oldest continuously inhabited places. On our way back to the Fairmont Hotel, our local guide will point out other important landmarks.

After some time to relax and refresh, we’ll enjoy dinner at a restaurant situated in one of Jordan’s prime ministers beautiful former residence.

Day 3: April 1, 2023 – Amman/Bethany/Mt Nebo/Madaba/Petra

Our full-day tour begins after breakfast and check-out from the Fairmont Hotel. The first stop on our journey is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Bethany, the site which is believed to be the location where Jesus of Nazareth was baptized by John the Baptist. It features Roman and Byzantine remains including churches and chapels, a monastery, and pools in which baptisms were celebrated.

Next we drive to Mount Nebo, where the Bible says Moses glimpsed the Promised Land — which he would never enter. It is here that he spent his final days. Follow mountain-fringed King’s Highway through the beautiful Gorge of Amman to Madaba.

After lunch, we see Madaba’s sixth-century mosaic map of Jerusalem and the Holy Land; comprised of two million pieces of colored stone, it depicts villages as far away as the Nile delta. Visit the Madaba School of Mosaic, dedicated to preserving and restoring the ancient mosaics found throughout Jordan, especially on the Madaba Plateau.

From here we continue to Petra and check in to the Movenpick Hotel. Tonight, we enjoy dinner together at the hotel.

Day 4: April 2, 2023 – Petra

After a nourishing breakfast at the hotel, we spend a full day exploring the “Rose-Red City” of Petra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site sculpted from a mountain range by the Nabataeans in the third century BC. Visit the Temple of Winged Lions, the Corinthian Tomb and the Palace Tomb. Other major sites include the Treasury, the baths, markets and storerooms.

You’ll have time for lunch before some time to continue exploring this magnificent site at your leisure. Perhaps take a hike to the Monastery, which boasts incredible views of the rose-red canyons below.

Later, return to the Movenpick for some time to refresh before another festive included dinner.

Day 5: April 3, 2023 – Petra/Wadi Rum/Aqaba/Dead Sea

This morning following breakfast, we drive to Wadi Rum, a striking desert-scape also known as the “Valley of the Moon.” Traverse the desert by 4×4 in the place where Prince Faisal Bin Hussein and T.E. Lawrence based their headquarters during the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans in World War I, their exploits intrinsically woven into the history of this amazing area. See the Seven Pillars of Wisdom along with many other interesting sites.

Next, we venture on to Aqaba, where we’ll enjoy a delicious fresh seafood lunch on the shores of the Red Sea. After, we continue our journey on the Desert Highway, reaching the scenic shores of the Dead Sea around sunset. After a few breathtaking photo stops, we check in to the beautiful Kempinski Ishtar Resort for dinner and a restful night complete with incredible views over the sea.

Day 6: April 4, 2023 – Dead Sea/Amman

Enjoy your morning with a leisurely breakfast, then take advantage of the spa or take a mud bath and float in the buoyant, mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea. At check-out time, we make the short journey back to Amman’s Queen Alia International Airport for your flight home.

<- SWIPE FOR MENU ->

2023 ENCHANTING EGYPT (MARCH 22-30, 2023)

Brand g Vacations invites you to join them for an inclusive, all LGBT+ journey beginning in Cairo and culminating with a spectacular Nile River cruise from Luxor to Aswan. Combine with their 6-day Jordan add-on for a 14-day vacation.

ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGES STARTING FROM— $6,699.00

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS

Experience the best of Jordan with Brand g Vacations. Witness the ancient ruins of Jerash; the historic Biblical sites of Bethany and Mt. Nebo; cross Wadi Rum by 4×4; explore fascinating Petra; and relax in the restorative, mineral-rich Dead Sea.

THIS TOUR IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO BOOK!
CLICK BELOW TO FILL OUT OUR RESERVATION FORM

AND DON'T FORGET TO SELECT THE
2023 ENCHANTING EGYPT

STAY IN TOUCH

<- SWIPE FOR MENU ->

2023 ENCHANTING EGYPT (MARCH 22-30, 2023)

Brand g Vacations invites you to join them for an inclusive, all LGBT+ journey beginning in Cairo and culminating with a spectacular Nile River cruise from Luxor to Aswan. Combine with their 6-day Jordan add-on for a 14-day vacation.

ALL-INCLUSIVE PACKAGES STARTING FROM— $6,699.00

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS

Experience the best of Jordan with Brand g Vacations. Witness the ancient ruins of Jerash; the historic Biblical sites of Bethany and Mt. Nebo; cross Wadi Rum by 4×4; explore fascinating Petra; and relax in the restorative, mineral-rich Dead Sea.

THIS TOUR IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO BOOK! CLICK BELOW TO FILL OUT OUR RESERVATION FORM

AND DON'T FORGET TO SELECT THE2023 ENCHANTING EGYPT

STAY IN TOUCH

THIS TOUR IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO BOOK!
CLICK BELOW TO FILL OUT OUR RESERVATION FORM

AND DON'T FORGET TO SELECT THE
2023 ENCHANTING EGYPT