Gay Tours: Escorted vacation to Egypt with Nile cruise for gay and lesbian travelers

The WONDERS of EGYPT!
Featuring a Nile Cruise Aboard Our Exclusive "Dahabiya"

February 18 - 28, 2011

Egypt is a glorious open-air museum of astounding temples and monuments. We take in the full measure of Egypt’s epic 5,000-year-long story from the Great Pyramids to the legendary Nile, where we cruise in the wake of the Pharaohs on our very own Dahabiya. The grand-scale Temple of Karnak, the famed tomb of young Tutankhamen, and the haunting mortuary temple of Ramses the Great are among the wonders of our inspiring journey.

Undoubtedly, sailing the River Nile in style is something you’ll never forget! This is a traveler’s dream journey—exploring by a 14-passenger Dahabiya, the traditional two-masted yacht of the Nile. We discover the great monuments of ancient Egypt that line this legendary river valley from Luxor to Aswan, as well as fascinating out-of-the-way sites. Ours is an intimate Nile experience, with behind-the-scenes visits to villages, lovely picnics on sandy riverbanks, and our crew guiding us to dock the traditional way, under oar. Our sailboat recalls a nostalgic era of travel, yet it has all of the modern comforts.

Trip Highlights
* 3-night cruise on our exclusive 14-passenger Dahabiya for extraordinary Nile-side temples from Luxor to Aswan
* Valley of the Kings -- Abu Simbel -- the Great Pyramids at Giza
* Expert Egyptologist accompanying us
* The Egyptian Museum in Cairo
* Luxor Museum
* Optional hot air balloon and camel rides

Day 1 - Arrival in Luxor - Friday, February 18, 2011
Upon arrival at the Luxor airport, you will be met and transferred to our beautifiul hotel -- one of the most attractive, unique and stylish in Egypt. Our Trip Orientation meeting early this evening is followed by a Welcome Dinner.

Welcome drink and dinner included

Day 2 - Luxor's East Bank
We will begin our explorations with the stupendous Karnak Temple, the largest ancient religious site in the world. The complex, with its forest of stone columns, was built by over 30 different pharaohs, starting from 1600BC, making it one of the most special sites in the world.

Then we move on to the excellent Luxor Museum, which stands on a promenade overlooking the Nile River and contains one of the best displays of antiquities in Egypt. Among the most striking items on show are grave goods from the tomb of Tutankhamun and a collection of 26 exceptionally well preserved New Kingdom statues that were found buried in a cache in nearby Luxor Temple in 1989. The royal mummies of two pharaohs - Ahmose I and Ramesses I - were also put on display in March 2004.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

Day 3 - Luxor's West Bank
Very early this morning you will have the option for an amazing experience to awaken your senses -- a sunrise balloon ride on Luxor’s West Bank, taking in the sites from quite a different and wonderful perspective.

Luxor, the former Thebes and ancient Egypt's New Kingdom capital, is home to a plethora of Egypt’s historical sites. Today we will visit two of these: the Valley of the Kings, where Howard Carter made his epic discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamen in 1922, and Hatchepsut’s Temple.

The 63 burial chambers in the Valley of the Kings were constructed over a period of 500 years (16th to 11th centuries BC) for the kings and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom. A handful of the tombs are open today, including King Tutankhamun’s. You will be amazed by the vivid paintings found within! (Note: there is a separate admission fee for King Tut's tomb.)

The mortuary temple of Queen Hatchepsut was carved into the West Bank Mountains in a contemporary fashion. Inside the hieroglyphics recite the tale of her divine birth and expedition to the lands south of modern day Egypt.

The afternoon is yours to visit more sites, perhaps do some shopping, or maybe you'll just wish to enjoy the ambience of our lovely hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch included

Day 4 - Dahabiya embarkation / Edfu Temple
W e will now head south by private transport to our privately chartered Dahabiya in Esna. The term Dahabiya means "golden boat," as they were once the preserve of the royals and were common on the Nile in 19th and early 20th centuries. Now it’s our opportunity with a beautiful Dahabiya all to ourselves! Our home for four nights, the Dahabiya features seven en-suite cabins, a lounge, and a top deck perfect for relaxation, sunbathing, and just soaking up the Nile scenery as we glide gently past riverbank villages and countryside.

With a shallow draft, these vessels navigate not only on the main river but also in the canals threading through its banks. This allows us some opportunities that the large ships don't have: we can visit Silsila Temple and stop at village markets.

We’ll enjoy lunch on board as we sail to Edfu, home of the Temple of Horus. Once obscured by layers of sand and silt, this temple is a relatively recent discovery and features a completely intact roof and amazing wall carvings.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Days 5-6: Dahabiya Sailing
This is what holidays are all about! Days of easy-going sailing, enjoying the scenery, and coming to the realization that you really are cruising the Nile! Of geological and Egyptological significance, we make a stop at Silsila with its gorge and ancient quarries. Together with their associated monuments they make for an interesting visit on the river journey through Upper Egypt. Along the way we also visit the only temple in the region devoted to two different gods. The Temple of Haroeris and Sobek with its crocodile-headed gods is located in the town of Kom Ombo, known for its sugar cane and its friendly Nubian hospitality. The cruise ends as we make our way to Aswan, the meeting point of Egyptian and Nubian cultures. We will dock outside of Aswan for our final evening on the Dahabiya.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included each day

Day 7 - Disembark Dahabiya / Abu Simbel
After disembarking from our Dahabiya near Aswan we will travel farther south by road to Abu Simbel, home to one of Ramses II’s greatest masterpieces. Ramses II, known as the Great Builder, requested this temple with its colossal statues be built into the face of a mountain, aligned with the rising sun. Standing unscathed for millennia, our modern technology eventually threatened its existence. To combat the effects of the Aswan High Dam, a team of archaeologists raised the entire temple 61 meters, trumping the engineering genius of Ramses II. You will have the option of visiting this masterpiece either this afternoon or during sunrise the next morning. Additionally, you can visit the temple for a sound and light show in the evening (extra cost applies).

Overnight in Abu Simbel.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included

Day 8 - Aswan
This morning we return to Aswan for some sightseeing, including the controversial Aswan High Dam. The afternoon will have free time to follow your own interests. Perhaps you'd like to visit the majestic Philae Temple set on its own island. Also on offer are the wonderful new Nubian Museum, the Granite Quarries, and camel rides. Or maybe you'll just want to relax by the pool at our luxury 5-star hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch included

Day 9 - Islamic Cairo
This morning we fly to Cairo to begin our discovery of this amazing city. We will have a tour of the famed Egyptian Museum which speaks for itself – home of the treasures of King Tutankhamun (the Boy King), the Royal Mummies room, and over 120,000 other artifacts from the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms to keep you awe-struck. Also in store for us is an evening walking tour of Islamic Cairo. We'll enjoy strolling through the beautifully renovated area between Bab al Fetouh and Bab al Zuweila in the Khan al Khalili Bazaar area. Khan al Khalili dates back to 1382, home to caravanserai and madrassas. Nowadays, the souk is known for its array of textiles, perfumes, and jewelry on offer but still holds onto its Islamic past with dozens of beautiful mosques scattered within the market area. If you enjoy haggling, you'll be in heaven here!

This evening we have a wonderful dinner together at one of Cairo’s excellent downtown restaurants.

Breakfast, Dinner included

Day 10 - The Pyramids at Giza / Egyptian Museum
And finally . . . we will visit the only remaining monument of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – the Great Pyramids at Giza which epitomize the mystery of ancient Egypt. They were already 2000 years old when Alexander the Great’s army swept through in 332 BC. You will have the opportunity to explore these wondrous tombs of the Pharaohs dating back to the 25th century BC. For the more adventurous, you may explore the inner chambers of one of the pyramids. We will also visit the lion-headed Sphinx.

Later, we will tour the necropolis of Saqqara, the oldest complete hewn-stone building complex in history. The Step Pyramid at Saqqara was designed by Imhotep for King Djoser in approximately 2650BC and still evokes awe in today’s visitors.

In the evening we will gather for a Farewell Dinner at one of Cairo’s trendy restaurants.

Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner included

Day 11 - Departure, Monday, February 28, 2011
You will be transferred to the airport for your homeward-bound flight -- no doubt with some amazing stories to tell when you get back!

Breakfast included

{Please note: The above itinerary represents our best intentions for this 11-day tour through Egypt. We reserve the right to modify some of the itinerary details if circumstances dictate.}

OUR TOUR LEADER
We are very pleased to have Jaymie DiSaia, one of our favorite tour leaders, for this wonderful trip. Jaymie is originally from Providence, RI, but now considers herself a member of the Middle Eastern community. She has led dozens of trips in the region. While living and working in Egypt and Jordan for the past three years she has immersed herself fully into the local customs, culture, and history. Her favorite times are spent wandering the back streets of Cairo or sipping Bedouin tea with friends in Petra. She has developed a strong sense of belonging and a passion for the region and is excited to share it all with you. Jaymie gets high marks from our past guests!

OUR DAHABIYA
Our journey through Egypt will include three private nights on a luxurious Dahabiya. We will travel north to south on this hand-crafted ship, stopping periodically to visit local markets and stunning temples. The boat is outfitted with seven air-conditioned cabins (three doubles and four twins), inlcuding one suite. Each cabin features one double bed or two twin beds as well as a private bathroom with toilet and fresh-water shower. The suite features a sitting area, spacious bathroom, double bed, and private wrap-around balcony at the rear of the vessel.

When not relaxing in your cabin, you can visit the lounge or sit on the top deck and take in the scenery. All meals will be cooked on board in the fully equipped kitchen by our private chef and served on the top deck. We'll enjoy Egyptian and international dishes as well as barbeques and picnics on the riverbank. All meals are included, along with tea, coffee, and soft drinks. As an added bonus, our private Egyptologist will be on the Dahabiya with us for the duration of the cruise.

The boat is outfitted with a state-of-the-art generator that produces virtually no noise. The generator will be used as the source of electricity on the boat, powering the lights, air-conditioning, and televisions. In case the wind is insufficient, we will use a motor to sail.

The Dahabiya is the perfect way to travel the Nile as it offers all the amenities of the larger cruise ships but in a discrete and intimate environment.

LAND ACCOMMODATIONS
Following is a description of the delightful hotels we intend to use on this tour. They all have a flair of the Orient which sets them apart from the usual mass tourism properties. We reserve the right to make changes to these accommodations if necessary.

Luxor
The only luxury establishment on the Nile's west bank, this small property is one of the most beautiful and original hotels in the entire Middle East. A pink Oriental palace of domed suites set between sugarcane fields and desert not far from the Madinet Habu Temple, the hotel is stylish yet unpretentious. The wooden Mashrabiya porticos and other design elements were sourced from abandoned 19th-century Egyptian houses. The suites, connected by gardens, terraces, and shaded courtyards, have wrought-iron beds, inlaid Damascene tables and other pieces from the owner's collection of colonial and Oriental antiques. Walls feature Ottoman- and Pharaonic-themed murals, and some rooms have private fountains and ceilings with colored glass skylights. There is a heated pool and a Moroccan-style hammam for spa treatments.

Abu Simbel
Our chosen hotel is in a unique location that enjoys spectacular views of Lake Nasser and is just a few hundred yards from the great temple of Ramses II. With its chalet-style rooms, Nubian style domes, waterfalls, gardens, and great views, this is the best hotel at Abu Simbel. The property has a lovely swimming pool overlooking the lake and the desert mountains.

Aswan
Locations don't get much better than this: Our selected hotel has the northern end of an island in the middle of the Nile all to itself. You cross from downtown on the hotel's free launch and stroll up from the picturesque little dock through the gardens. The hotel was extensively renovated in 2007, and the main building features huge windows and sleek modern decor in the large, light lobby. The pool area, which features a bar, kitchen, and barbecue, is commodious. At the top of their 14-story tower is another bar, the view from which is spectacular -- from tiny falucas flitting across the Nile and the green of the island to the golden sands of the desert around the Tombs of the Nobles and the mausoleum of Aga Khan.

Cairo
Located on Gezirah island right in the middle of the Nile River this elegant luxury hotel, designed with innovative and fun decor, is blessedly away from the city's traffic. The outdoor heated swimming pool with its infinity design offers a great Nile view. This is also the only Cairo hotel with direct and private access to a quiet and peaceful promenade on the Nile. You might enjoy the nice spa here as an indulgent finale to your trip with its hammam, jacuzzi, and massage services. Chic, earth-tone guest rooms offer views of the Nile, a private balcony, double glazed windows, wireless Internet connection, and LCD cable television.

TOUR COST
On most Venture Out tours, the price of the trip depends on the final number of people who sign up. This way we are generally able to offer slightly lower pricing if we get a higher number of guests enrolled on the trip.

$3,295 (13-14 participants)
$3,395 (11-12 participants)
$3,495 (8-10 participants)

Suite Supplement: $420 ($210 per person) for the double suite on the Dahabiya

Single Supplement: $825 (hotels and Dahabiya)
Single Supplement: $620 (hotels only)

Please note: There is a limit of 2 rooms available for a single supplement on the Dahabiya portion of the tour.

Tour Cost Includes:
* 10 nights' very comfortable accommodations (7 in hotels; 3 on the Dahabiya)
* All meals except 1 lunch and 2 dinners; water included at group meals
* Welcome drink
* Tour Leader accompanying the group throughout the trip
* Professional Egyptologist's services for all sights visited
* Entrance fees at sights mentioned in the itinerary
* One-way air ticket from Aswan to Cairo
* Ground transportation in Cairo and around Luxor, Aswan, Abu Simbel
* Individual airport transfers in Luxor at the beginning and Cairo at the end

Tour Cost Does Not Include:
* Airfare to/from Egypt
* Visa for Egypt (can be obtained upon arrival)
* Tipping to Tour Leader and Egyptologist
* 1 lunch and 2 dinners
* Any extra hotel nights that may be needed or desired
* Optional activities, such as hot air ballooning, camel ride, etc.
* Beverages other than water at group meals
* Personal expenses such as phone calls, room service, minibar charges, laundry, etc.

Please note: A tipping pool will be collected on the first day of the tour. The amount per person will depend on the number of guests enrolled on the trip. Please figure approximately $150. It will cover all drivers, hotel staff, Dahabiya crew, security, airport representatives, and other incidentals along the way. Tipping to your Tour Leader and Egyptologist will be separate.

Deposits / Final Payments:
As this trip involves a private boat charter and a domestic flight -- and since the tour takes place during peak season -- we have more stringent deposit and payment terms for this tour than on our other tours:

Initial deposit: $500 per person payable at time of enrollment
Second deposit: $800 per person due September 18, 2010
Final balance is due November 18, 2010

ITINERARY CHANGES
While as accurate as possible at the time of printing, this itinerary should be considered an approximate indication of the schedule and scope of activities, trip routing, and meals, rather than an inflexible schedule of events; it is subject to change due to circumstances beyond our control. This trip is subject to the Limitation of Liability and all the Terms and Conditions as detailed in the Trip Enrollment Form.

To realize the maximum enjoyment from your Venture Out trip, you must remember that it is an adventure. The essential requirements are flexibility, a sense of humor, curiosity and enthusiasm about new peoples and places, and an openness to the unexpected. With a spirit of adventure and positive attitude, we’re sure you will have a very special travel experience. If you are uncertain about the level of comfort, difficulty, or any of the activities described in this itinerary, please call Venture Out at 1-888-431-6789 to discuss your concerns.

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