Dear Photo Traveler:

I am very excited to announce my newest photo tour to Egypt and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. This one-of-a-kind trip is organized specifically for photographers and will capture the very essence of Egypt and Jordan. We retrace the historical route of the Exodus and the ancient trade routes from the time of Moses.

Our tour begins in Cairo, one of the most exciting cities in the world.  We will view the golden treasures of King Tut; photograph an old camel market and local bazaars. We will ride a camel into the desert to photograph the pyramids and sphinx in the morning light.

The tour also includes a 5-day, 4-night Nile River cruise aboard a luxury boat including shore excursions with our own English-speaking private guide. We will make stops in Aswan, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Luxor.

We enjoy a scenic boat crossing of the Red Sea to the port of Aqaba in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Nothing can prepare us for our visit to Petra, known as “The City as Old as Time”. Along our travels we will make photo stops at crusader castles, biblical sites, and an ancient Roman city.   You will also experience the hospitality of the people who welcome us to their country.

If you are interested in taking this photographic tour, please let me know at your earliest convenience. I will be happy to answer any question that you might have concerning this tour.

Sincerely,

 Marty Malgieri

DAY 1

Evening departure from Philadelphia via Lufthansa Airlines Flight #427  Departing 6:25P.  Meals served on board.

DAY 2

After a short stop in Frankfurt, we transfer to Lufthansa flight #582 and continue on to Cairo. Upon arrival approx 3 PM in Cairo, we transfer to our hotel situated within walking distance to the pyramids.
CAIRO: GRAND PYRAMIDS HOTEL (D)

DAYS 3 & 4

We have two full days in Cairo.  Our Egyptian adventure begins with a camel ride to photograph the Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza. We visit the Egyptian Museum to view   the treasures of King Tut, the mummy shaped coffins made of Gold and the world famous portrait mask. We visit a local camel market, and Saladin’s citadel.   

DAY 5

Today we travel to Alexandria.  Stops will be made to photograph the many wonders along the way. Late afternoon return to Cairo. CAIRO: GRAND PYRAMIDS HOTEL (B L D)

DAY 6

This morning we have an early morning flight to Abu-Simbel to visit the twin temples of Ramses II and his Queen Nefertari. These magnificent temples were saved from the rising waters of the Nile. They were dismantled stone by stone and reassembled 90 feet above the rising waters of the Nile due to the construction of the Aswan High Dam. After our tour, we fly back to Aswan and transfer to our cruise ship. After lunch we enjoy a Felucca (sail boat) ride on the Nile.

DAY 7

Today, we have a tour of Aswan. We visit and photograph the magnificent Philae temple, the high dam and the unfinished obelisk.  We return to our cruise ship for lunch.  We sail to Kom Ombo to tour the Kom Ombo temple complex.

DAY 8

 Today we cruise to Edfu to tour and photograph the temple of Horus. This temple is the best preserved temple complex in Egypt.  It has a colonnade of 32 columns covered with reliefs and a falcon made of black granite. Continue our cruise to Luxor.

DAY 9

After breakfast we visit the   Valley of Kings. We view the famous tombs of King Tut and Ramses VI. After lunch we photograph the temples of Karnak and Luxor.  From the middle kingdom onwards, each pharaoh tried to outdo the other by making Karnak more magnificent. The entrance is through a long avenue of Sphinxes. In the evening there is an optional sound and light show at Karnak.     

DAY 10

Today we have a morning flight to Cairo.   The balance of the day is free to shop and wander through the famous Khan El Khali bazaar.
CAIRO:  GRAND PYRAMIDS HOTEL (B L D)

DAY 11

This morning we have a scenic desert drive through the Sinai (6 hour drive with lunch en route) to visit St Catherine Monastery, site of where God spoke to Moses through the burning bush.  The isolated monastery contains a remarkable collection of the 6th century Greek icons and treasures. Tour the unrestricted portion of the monastery and live its ancient history.

Day 12

The morning is at leisure. The adventurers can climb the mountain and enjoy the sunrise. It was on this mountain that Moses received the Ten Commandments. The mountain rises to 7,497 feet. After lunch we transfer to Nuweiba for our ferry crossing of the Red Sea to the port in Aqaba, Jordan.  Upon arrival, we are met and assisted through customs and immigration procedures.  After all formalities we transfer to our hotel.

DAY 13

Today we have an early morning departure to Wadi Rum, a vast, silent, magnificent moonscape landscape of pastel-colored desert.  The desert of Wadi Rum was used as the desert filming location for the film Lawrence of Arabia. We enjoy a 3 hour jeep safari and a one hour camel ride in the desert of Wadi Rum. After lunch at Al Zawaydeh camp, we drive to the oldest archaeological site in Jordan, the   Rose City of Petra.   

Day 14

Today we have a full day tour of Petra.  We begin our trip through the “Siq”, a walkway cut through solid rock to reach the Treasury.  The Nabateans carved the capital from the living rock of the surrounding mountains.  Among the monuments we visit are Pharaoh’s Castle, the Triumphal Arch, the Amphitheater and the magnificent Monastery. Lunch will be serviced in Petra.

DAY 15

Morning departure from Petra to Karak, the largest crusader castle in Jordan.  After our visit to Karak, we drive to the lowest point on Earth, the Dead Sea (400 meters below sea level). Our stay at the Dead Sea is at the super Deluxe 5 star Movenpick Radamis complex.   Lunch will be served in Karak.

DEAD SEA: MOVENPICK RADAMIS (B L)

DAY 16

DAY 17

Morning photo tour of Jerash,   the best preserved ancient Roman City. This golden archaeological treasure with its magnificent colonnaded street, amphitheater, temples and the vast Roman Forum, shines in the morning sunlight. After lunch in Jerash, we continue to the mighty Crusader castle of Ajlun.

DAY 18

Morning photo tour to the fabulous desert castles of Jordan. The castles visited are Amra, Kharaneh and Azrak, which was the headquarters of Lawrence of Arabia. We have lunch at Azrak. Afternoon at leisure.

DAY 19

This morning we have an early morning airport transfer for our Lufthansa Fight #693, departing at 3 AM arriving in Frankfurt at 6:30 AM. Transfer to Lufthansa Flight

#426, departing at 1:40 PM, arriving in Philadelphia at 4:40 PM same day.

COST FOR THE ENCLOSED TOUR:

Please call (215) 969-1589 for specific costs and details.

This tour is based on 6 participants. If the number is 4-5 persons, a surcharge of $400.00 will be necessary in order to run the tour.

NOTE; Any member occupying a single room, whether by choice or circumstances Will be charged the single supplement..

NOTE:  Since this special tour is offered to a very small group of travelers (6) and is offered as a special cost, therefore,   no group airfare is offered.   The traveler will be provided with air-fare information. Once this information is provided,  it is up to the  individual traveler  to make their own reservation.

TOUR COST INCLUDES

Accommodations at hotels mentioned or in similar class.

• Meals as listed.
• Transfers and sightseeing by air conditioned motor coach
• All hotel taxes and service charges.
• Tips and gratuities to porters, waiters and bellboys.
• The handling of one regular size piece of luggage per person
  
  

TOUR COST DOES NOT INCLUDE

Departure taxes and visa fees (A VISA IS REQUIRED FOR INDIA)
Meals, other than those listed,
beverages such as mineral water, alcohol
or personal items such as laundry, telephone calls etc.
Entrance and photography fees to monuments visited
Tips and gratuities to driver and helper
(Suggested approx $7.00 per day for driver, $5.00 per day for helper), 
Services not mentioned in the itinerary.

CANCELLATION FEES (LAND ONLY)     

60 – days ------ $100.00         
59 - 45 days ----- $150.00 
44 - 22 days------ 35%            
21 - 14 days ----- 50%     
13 - 1 day ------- 100%

CANCELLATION: AIR PORTION
Subject to airline policy

CANCELLATION INSURANCE IS RECOMMENDED. YOU MAY USE ANY COMPANY THAT OFFERS THIS SERVICE. IN CASE OF A CLAIM, THE TRAVELER NEEDS TO CONTACT THE INSURANCE PROVIDER DIRECTLY.

Responsibility:

MARTY’S PHOTO TOURS, its officers and directors, and all of their agents act only as agents for the passenger with respect to transportation and hotels and exercise every care possible.  However, we can assume no liability for injury, damage, delay, loss, accident, or irregularity in connection with the services of any airplane, ship, motor coach or any other conveyance used in carrying out the arrangements of this tour.  We cannot accept any responsibility for the losses or additional expenses due to delay or change in air or other services, weather, strike, war, sickness, quarantine, acts of God, or other causes beyond our control.  All such losses or expenses will have to be borne by the passenger, as tour rates provide for arrangements only for the time stated.  We reserve the right to cancel any tour prior to departure in which event the entire payment will be refunded with no further obligation or liability on our part.  The right is also reserved to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour; to substitute accommodations, carriers or another qualified leader; to alter the itinerary of the program at any time when deemed appropriate or advisable without penalty or liability.  No refunds will be made for the unused portion of any tour unless arrangements are made in sufficient time, in our sole judgment, to avoid penalties.  The airlines concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time the passengers are on board.  The sole responsibility of any airline used for this tour is limited to that set out in the passenger contract evidenced by the ticket.  The services of any IATC or ATC carrier may be used in connection with this tour.
All costs are based on rates of exchange as of June 10, 2008 with a minimum 6 paying participants and subject to change.
The undersigned has read the schedule of activities for the “CASTLES, PALACES AND MUD-WALL VILLAGES OF RAJASTAN” November 1-16,, 2008 and recognizes and accepts any risks thereof.  The undersigned also understands and hereby agrees for and behalf of himself, his dependents, heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns to abide by the conditions set forth under RESPONSIBILITY above, and to release and hold harmless MARTY’S PHOTO TOURS.  from any and all liability for delays, injuries or death or for loss of or damage to his property however occurring during any portion, or in relation to, the “CATLES, PALACES AND MUD-WALL VILLAGES OF RAJASTAN”  of Nov. 1 to 16th, 2008” .

RESERVATION FORM (Click here to print form)