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Wednesday 29 March 2006 |
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Wednesday 29 March 2006
Δt = 1.11 minutes
Saros 139 (-4)
Gamma -0.3475
Maximum eclipse is of duration 4m 7s at 10:11:18 UT at location 23.14°N 16.75°E. |
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A total eclipse of the sun will take place on March 29, 2006, and pass diagonally through central Africa and finally hitting the Mediterranean Sea at Saloum, Egypt, on the Libyan border. Few phenomena have so inspired and humbled humans throughout the ages as a total solar eclipse. Standing under the shadow of the moon as it races across the face of our planet is a rare and breathtaking experience. With fewer than 70 total eclipses per century, the chance to see one is a once-in-a-lifetime event. |
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Day 1 |
(March 25): Depart the USA for our overnight flight to Cairo. |
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Day 2 |
(March 26): Upon arrival, transfer to the 5-star Mena House / Le Meridien Hotel with views over the Great Pyramids, our home for the next two nights. |
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Day 3 |
(March 27): This morning we visit the Pyramids at the Giza Plateau. Lunch at a first class restaurant overlooking the Nile.visit to the Egyptian Museum where you find the greatest Collections of Egyptian antiquities in the world and the Home of King TUT treasures. |
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Day 4: |
(March 28): Drive by our 4 x 4 Jeep south towards the nearest of Egypt's oases to the Nile Valley, Al Fayoum where the lush greenery stretches along the placid shores of Lake Qaroon. We will visit three fascinating sites today. Begin on the northern edge of the Faiyum, at Kom El Atl, the ancient town of Bacchias. Founded during the Ptolemaic Period, this small community was once a border town on the desert road from Memphis to the Arsinoite nome. Kom Aushim, or Karanis, was one of the largest Greco-Roman cities in the Fayoum afternoon, driveby our 4 x 4 Jeep to the Mediterranean Sea to Alamain. During World War II, El Almain was the scene of a decisive and bloody battle – a battle that became a turning point of the war in northern Africa. Today, the War Museum in El Almain and British, German, and Italian monuments and cemeteries in the area commemorate the battle. We will stop to visit the museum before beginning our drive west along the Mediterranean coast towards Libya. Tonight we will stay the night at 5* hotel , Movenpick Or Hilton near the site of tomorrow’s eclipse. |
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Day 5 |
(March 29): Today is eclipse day! we turn east to the border with Libya where we will be in the direct path of the eclipse in the best possible view point. After viewing this unforgettable event, we drive to Siwa Oasis for two nights at the Siwa Safari Paradise Hotel . |
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Day 6 |
(March 30): Always more North African than Egyptian, Siwa today remains different from other Egyptian oases. Most Siwans are Berbers, descendents of Bedouins that roamed the coast from Tunisia to Morocco, the sook, or market place, is famous for its highly-prized nomadic jewelry. Set among thick palm groves and filled with walled gardens and olive orchards, the modern town encircles the remains of the ancient fortress of Shali. We will explore the town by our 4 x 4 Jeep and see several fascinating sites. The Temple to Amun dates from the 7th century B.C. In 331 B.C. after taking Egypt from the Persians, Alexander the Great consulted the oracle here to validate his status as the son of Zeus and thus the legitimate ruler of the country. Gebel El Mawta guards the northern entrance to the Oasis. Tombs from the Twenty-sixth Dynasty, Ptolemaic, and Roman periods are cut into the side of the mountain & overnight at hotel in Siwa. |
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Day 7 |
(March 31): Our drive through the sweeping sands towards Cairo will start for the way back.
Time for refreshment at hotel in Cairo./
The afternoon will be spent in the famous Khan el-Khalili souk, or bazaar, largely unchanged since the 14th century.Dinner will serve at the Khan El Khalili Oberoi restaurant there . Overnight in the Mena House / Le Meridien Hotel. |
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Day 8 |
( April 01 ): Aswan
Early morning transfer to Cairo airport for flight to Aswan. ( Duration of 90 min. )
Arrival to Aswan..
Meet & Assist at Aswan Train station. Optional Trip to Abu Simble
After noon view of Elephantine Island by felucca (sailing boat) and visit The Agha Khan Mausoleum.
Back to the ship for an open buffet dinner and over night. |
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Day 9 |
( April 02 ): Kom Ombo
A.M. Right after breakfast visit the High Dam and the temple of Philae.
Lunch and after noon sail to Kom Ombo
P.M. visit the temple shared by two Gods Sobek, the crocodile God of fertility, and Haroeris, the hawk headed god of the Underworld. Cruise to Edfu and overnight |
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Day 10 |
( April 03 ): Edfu
A.M. visit the temple of Horus, the Nile best preserved temple
P.M. Sail to Esna. Cross the lock.
Sail to Luxor and overnight |
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Day 11 |
( April 04 ) : Luxor
Sail to Luxor.
Disembarkation after breakfast.
Cross to the West Bank.
Visit the Necropolis of Thebes, and the famous Valley of the Kings, where 64 of Egypt's Pharaohs had their tombs carved out of solid rock.
The temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El-bahari, as well as the Colossi of Memnon. Transfer and Visit Luxor East Bank.
visit the temple of Luxor and the temple of Karnak, This group of temples was built over a period of approximately 1,500 years. Some of the most important additions made by Thutmose III, who ruled Egypt during the 1400s BC. Hieroglyphs discovered on the temple walls record the events of Thutmose's numerous military campaigns in Asia and Africa, by which he greatly expanded the Egyptian empire. Transfer to Luxor airport for flight back to Cairo .Duration of 60min.Arrive Cairo.Meet, assist & transfer to hotel near the airport for the overnight.Sheraton/Movenpick/Le Meridien.
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Day 12 |
(April 05) : Cairo
Pick up from the hotel,
Transfers to the airport of the final departure. |
