Red Sea – Liveaboard HIGHLIGHTS : Red Sea Voyage of Discovery Voyage of Discovery

Southward, Sharks, Wrecks, Mantas, Dolphins Southward, Sharks, Wrecks, Mantas, Dolphins Wonders of Ancient Egypt, Pyramids, Sphinx, Wonders of Ancient Egypt, Pyramids, Sphinx, Luxor & Aswan Temples, Valley of the KingsTemples, Valley of the KingsTemples, Valley of the KingsTemples, Valley of the Kings

Dates: 16th Oct – 5th Nov 2021 - Trip Code: RE21 Tour Leader: Ron Hunter Cost: $AU 5,990 plus airfares 8-days Red Sea Luxury Liveaboard, up to 24 Dives, Nitrox Cairo,

dayLuxor & Aswan Tours, Escorted by Egyptologist

5- Nile River Sailing Voyage, Hot-Air Balloon Flight

Day 1 / 2: Sat 16 Oct SYD 21:45 (MEL 22:15, 21:00 BNE, 22:20 PER) EK415 05:15 DXB, Dubai, DXB 08:10 EK923 10:25 CAI, Cairo Egypt. (D* B* L*) Day 2: Transfer from Cairo Airport to Great Pyramids Inn at Gizo overlooking the Great Pyramids. Afternoon at leisure, or after lunch, we strongly suggest you visit the GEM (Great Egypt Museum) for ½ day tour. There is another full day scheduled GEM tour during our time in Cairo, but we believe this magnificent new museum will demand much more time to enjoy. This evening enjoy drinks on the Hotel’s roof terrace, whilst watching the Pyramids light show.

The pyramids were built as burial places and monuments to the Pharaohs. As part of their religion, the Egyptians believed that the Pharaoh needed certain things to succeed in the afterlife. Deep inside the pyramid the Pharaoh would be buried with all sorts of items and treasure that he may need to survive in the afterlife The earlier, “step” pyramids, have large ledges that look like giant steps. Archaeologists think that the steps were built as stairways for the Pharaoh to use to climb to the Sun God. Later pyramids have more sloping and flat sides, representing a mound that emerged at the beginning of time. The Sun God stood on the mound & created the other Gods & Goddesses

There are around 138 Egyptian pyramids. Some of them are huge. The largest is the Pyramid of Khufu, also called the Great Pyramid of Giza. When it was first built it was over 145 metres tall! It was the tallest man-made structure for over 3800 years and is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It's estimated that this pyramid was made from 2.3 million blocks of rock weighing 6-million tonnes

Scientists estimate it took at least 20,000 workers over 23 years to build the Great Pyramid of Giza. Because it took so long to build them, Pharaohs generally started the construction of their pyramids as soon as they became ruler Days 3, 4 & 5: We will be breaking our large contingent into two or three smaller groups, each smaller group will be escorted by a certified tour guide and Egyptologist, ensuring everyone gets the most out of each tour option as possible Day 3: Full Day Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) Tour. The construction of GEM started in 2004; 5 Square Kilometres in area, costing over $US 1 Billion, scheduled to open early 2021.

Much of Egypt’s treasures of antiquity has been stored away due to lack of exhibition space.

Massive amounts of ”treasure” was stolen from the tombs and taken to England in the 1920s. Much of these artefacts of Egyptian antiquity will be repatriated to their rightful home, and put on display at the GEM

Day 4: We will have the choice of three full-day tour options today. These will need to be booked in advance, and once again smaller groups of 6 or 7 persons accompanied by a guide on each one. Having looked at what’s available here is some of the best tours to select from:

• ONE: Depart hotel around 08:00, a morning visit to the Monastery of Saint Simon, also known as the Cave Church of Zabbaleen. It is located in the Mokattam Mountain, a short drive through the so called “Garbage City’ – an area of Cairo that houses a large population of garbage collectors, known locally as Zabbaleen. The afternoon is a Cairo Food Tour: Lunch at own expense will be part of the adventure. To enjoy the real taste of Egypt, you have to try the best Egyptian food. Discover off-the-beaten-track hidden gems, the real Egypt that is not covered in any guidebook. Experience life in real Egyptian old sites, and become an Egyptian food expert, whilst learning to spot the fake stuff from the real thing. Voted one of the best things to do in Cairo. Return to our hotel around 17:00

• TWO: Day Tour to ALEXANDRIA visit the library of Alexandria; the biggest library in the world – now with 8 million books. Here is the statue of Alexander the Great and the statue of Ptolemy the first, which was found underwater nearby.

Visit the Roman Amphitheater with the display of the sunken monuments of Alexandria. Look at the traditional markets; where everything and anything is sold including traditional Egyptian sweets & treats. Here there is Baroque Architecture, Italian & French styles.

Optional lunch at modern Fish Restaurant, or a famous, traditional Alexandrian food place called Mohamed Ahmed’s. The Queen of Spain and many of the rich & famous eat here. Or take a break in a good quality coffee shop or at a traditional shisha cafe. Opposite is the corniche & the old harbour where you can see the old fishing boats, men fishing & traditional fishermen making nets. Photos taken here are amazing.

Next is Quaitbay Castle, built on the same site as the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the seven wonders of ancient world. This is a great photo stop.

• THREE: Full day Cairo Tour: Cairo Museum (original one), Siouk, Bazaar

Day 5: Half day Cairo Tour (B) Pyramids and Sphinx of Giza, these are located right near our Giza Hotel, so we will spend as much time here this day, before returning to our hotel, picking up our bags & transferring to the nearby, newly built Sphinx Airport for the flight to the next stop on our Egypt Odyssey, the ancient city of Luxor

Checkout of Hotel, transfer to Sphinx Airport, Giza SPX Afternoon MS 00 Afternoon LXR, Luxor, Egypt, Transfer to Luxor Hotel (B) Day 5 thru Day 13: We will have 3-nights in luxurious Luxor Hotel, 4-nights sailing on a traditional Dahibeya sailboat down the River Nile, and 1-night in luxurious Aswan Hotel.

Whilst in Luxor, on the Nile and at Aswen, we will enjoy guided tours to the following sites. Karnak Temple: One of the largest temple complexes in Egypt and extended by several pharaohs including Rameses II situated on the East bank of Luxor Also at Luxor there is opportunity for one of two early, think 04:30, starts, to enjoy a Hot-Air Balloon Flight over the Temples. This optional extra adventure takes about 5-hours, with a flight time of 45-mins to 2-hrs. Needs to be booked in advance. Cost is around $AU 250 Luxor Temple: Home of the Thebian Triad, Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. It was the main temple complex when Luxor was the central capital of Egypt, it is situated on the East bank at Luxor. Valley of the Kings: Burial ground for some of the most famous pharaohs of Egypt including Tutankhamen, situated on the West bank at Luxor.

Valley of the Queens: Burial ground for queens, consorts and royal children including one of the most beautifully decorated tomb ever discovered - Queen Nefertiti, wife of Rameses II, and The Tombs of the Nobles: Over 100 royal dignitaries and scribes’ tombs depicting everyday life in great detail & design, both situated on the West bank of the Nile at Luxor.

Medinet Habu: Royal palace with inscribed reliefs depicting the advent and defeat of the Sea People built for Rameses III, situated on the West bank of Luxor. Hatshepsut Mortuary Temple: Breathe-taking temple carved into the rock face at Deir el Bahari for the female pharaoh Hatshepsut, situated on the West bank of Luxor. The Workers Village: Deir el Madina was home to the artisans who worked on the tombs in the Valley of the Kings during the New Kingdom, situated on the West bank of Luxor.

Abydos: One of the oldest cities in ancient Egypt famous for its memorial temple of Seti I, containing the Abydos King's List. It is a chronological list showing cartouches of most dynastic pharaohs of Egypt. Dendera: It is one of the best-preserved temple complexes in Egypt, famous for its sculptured Dendera zodiac and the reliefs of Cleopatra VII. Colossi of Memnon: These are two massive stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III which stood at the entrance to his temple before the temple was destroyed. For the past 3400 years they have stood in the Theban necropolis, across the River Nile from Luxor.

Aswan:

Philae Temple: Magnificent temple complex dedicated to the goddess Isis and set on an island in Aswan. Saved by UNESCO when the new High Dam was being built. Abu Simbel: Two massive rock temples carved from the mountainside during the time of Rameses II and dedicated to himself and his wife, Nefertiti.

Day 14: Depart Aswan around noon on Air-con Bus transfer 5/6-hours to Port Ghalib, board home for next 7-nights, the beautiful “Emperor Asmaa” (B, D) Fri 29 Oct - Wed 03 Nov “Emperor Asmaa” 3 to 4 dives per day (B, L, D) “Emperor Asmaa” 3 to 4 dives per day (B, L, D) “Emperor Asmaa” 3 to 4 dives per day (B, L, D) “Emperor Asmaa” 3 to 4 dives per day (B, L, D) “Emperor Asmaa” 3 to 4 dives per day (B, L, D) “Emperor Asmaa” 2 dives today, average 21 to 24 for the week (B, L, D) 4th Nov ’21 Disembark “Asmaa” at Port Ghalib, Air-con Bus transfer to Marsa Allam (B) Marsa Allam RMF 11:55 MS185 13:20 CAI 16:15 EK922 DXB 21:35 EK416 (B, L*D*) 5th Nov ’21 19:40 SYD +1 day (B* L*) 5th Nov 23:20 MEL, 22:40 BNE, 17:20 PER

INCLUDED:

• Transfer Cairo Airport to Giza Hotel• 3-nights Giza Hotel accommodation (B)• 2 and ½ days of Escorted Cairo Tours• Transfer Luxor Airport to Hotel• 3-nights Luxor Hotel (B)• 2 full days Escorted Luxor Tours (B)• Transfer Luxor to Esna• 4-days of escorted shore excursions and

tours along River Nile• Full day Escorted Tour from Aswan to

Abu Simbel• 1-night Aswan Hotel (B)• Luxury air-con Coach transfer Aswan to

Port Ghalib• 7-nights onboard Red Sea Luxury

Liveaboard (B, L, D)• 21 to 24 guided SCUBA dives• SCUBA cylinders and weights• NITROX for certified NITROX Divers• Red wine with dinners onboard in Red Sea, for certified PADI Red Wine Imbibers• Transfer from Port Ghalib to Marsa Alam airport• Services of Quest Tour Leader

Budget For:

• International and within Egypt flights• Hot-Air Balloon flight at Luxor• Meals and drinks other than specified• Entry to attractions other than those specified, Budget circa $AU250 cash (EGP 2500)• SCUBA and Dive Gear hire (must be booked in advance)• PADI Red Wine Imbibers Courses*: Sipper, Drinker & Cellar Master, *Bribes required• Tips and Gratuities

Red Sea Sharks (from Marsa Ghalib) - Open itinerary We recommend that you have at least 30 logged dives to join this trip. Most dives will involve going to depth and drift diving in unpredictable and occasionally strong currents, therefore this itinerary is not for inexperienced divers.

If you are an Open Water Diver, many dives on this itinerary are below 18m therefore we recommend taking your PADI Advanced Open Water course or Deep Diver training on board to maximise your enjoyment from the trip. Divers may find some dives challenging and may be asked by the Cruise Director to skip dives that are not suitable for their diving experience All diving is made from zodiacs to give precise entry and exit points. No night dives are allowed in the Marine Parks.

Looking for some shark action? We know the best time to have the best chance to see those sharks in action! Explore the majestic Red Sea during the warm summer months of May to November, with our much-anticipated Red Sea Sharks itinerary offering flexibility and focus for 'action' dives. These months are best-known for the variety of sharks visiting some of the remote offshore reefs. But be prepared to change diving plans at the last minute because we go where the action is. Our guides select the best possible action sites to visit based on their immense local knowledge and on insider-data on recent activity including a variety of Red Sea sharks, dolphins and anything else that chooses to join the party. Some of the sites we might visit are St John's, Rocky, Daedalus and Elphinstone. However, please remember that the focus of this trip is not about where we go but about what we want to see...sharks! To that end, if we've had better shark sightings at, say, The Brother's Islands, then we'll head off there to catch the action! As always reefs we can visit may be restricted by weather conditions.

As you may be visiting some of the remote offshore Red Sea reef systems many of these may have deep drop offs and be exposed to strong currents so be prepared to spend some time waiting 'in the blue' or in the shallows looking for those unmistakable shapes and shadows.

There are no guarantees in life, but one thing is for sure, this itinerary will give you the best chance of close encounters of the 'sharky' kind. Please note: Due to weather and diving conditions, it's not always possible to visit each dive site. Your Cruise Director and Captain will decide the best ones to visit at the time of diving.

View videos of the tour

1. Walking Tour of Pyramids Giza

2. Ancient Monuments of Egypt3. Tutankhamun

4. Top TEN Treasures of Egypt

5. Dahabiya Sailboat Cruise on Nile River6. Red Sea Voyage - Diving

Dates: 16th Oct – 5th Nov 2021 Cost: $AU 5,990 plus airfares THE FINE PRINT

• Tour is costed at $AU 1:00 = EU 0.62 and $AU 1:00 = $US 0.70• Hot-Air Balloon Flight is optional extra• Tour routes, particularly Aswan to Abu Simbel, & to Port Ghalib, have been

safe to travel for many years, if conditions change, we may have to alter the Abu Simbel Tour, & fly (extra cost) Aswan to Port Ghalib instead of by Coach

Pa yment schedule and other important stuff:

D ue to there being a number of suppliers / operators providing services on this tour, we wi ll need an initial deposit of $AU 2,000 per person, this is due with your booking and sh ould accompany your filled out booking form, along with a photocopy of your passport (must have at least 6 months validity at final date of travel).

Pl ease include your various airlines frequent flyer membership & numbers, as well as your p referred cabin class: 1. Eco nomy, or 2. Premium Economy, or 3. Business Class

We start looking at airfares around end of March 2021, to allow us to take advantage for you of any specials. We suggest either not booking flights until we are confident conditions, with regard to “Covid ’19” will alow the tour to proceed, or paying a bit extra and book fully refunbale flights. Airfares flying Emirates to Cairo & Egypt Air for internal flights, were around $AU 2,200 as at May 2020

First progress payment of AU$2,000 will be due before 1st May 2021

Final balance* of approximately* AU$2,000 will be due before 1st August 2021

* All costings are in $AU at an exchange rate of: $AU 1:00 = EU 0.62 & $US 0.70Final balance adjusted to reflect exchange rates at various payment dates

Covid 19: The tour going ahead in 2021 is contingent upon the following conditions: 1: Airlines are flying to and within destination 2: Transit countries are not in lock-down: 3: There is no current Government advice saying “NOT to Travel to Egypt” 5: First review date will be 1st October ‘20, then every 3-months to 1st July ‘21 6: It is essential that you visit www.QuestTours.com.au for updated Booking Conditions

COVID19From the Emperor Fleet to Quest Tours: There’s no need to repeat how unprecedented theCovid 19 pandemic is. The effects are everywhere, all of our lives have been disrupted.

We will get through this. The Emperor family have all stepped up to ensure we’ll be there to provide you with some great diving in the future. We’re all uncertain about when “normal”will return but we all know it will. So, we understand there is no way anyone wants to pay a deposit for a holiday, when they can’t be sure it’ll happen as planned.

Our solution is to let you hold spaces on our boats for FREE – no holding deposit needs to be sent to us with your booking, just an agreement to be fair with each other.

Once the travel bans are lifted and “normal“ service returns, we’ll ask you to pay our low deposit of EUR 300 AUD 500 per person and then the final balance at the normal time. Should Covid 19 conditions dictate that you can’t travel as planned, then no harm done,we’ll just cancel your place and hope to be of service to you at some other time.

As our lives have been “paused” by Covid 19, many 2020 bookings have re-booked for late 2020 & into 2021: we hope this offer helps you plan ahead and hold your place with no risk.

Quest Tours: Whilst we at Quest Tours do require deposits to book onto the tour, no funds whatsoever will be remitted to any of the operators, until it is certain the tour is proceeding

Red Sea Egypt Itinerary Day by Day 2021

1. Sat 16 Oct SYD 21:45 EK415 05:15 DXB, Dubai2. Sun 17 Oct DXB 08:10 EK923 10:25 CAI, Cairo Egypt. Transfer to Great Pyramids Inn

at Gizo overlooking the Great Pyramids3. Mon 18 Oct Full day Grand Egyptian Museum Tour(B)4. Tue 19 Oct Full day Cairo or Alexander Tours (B)5. Wed 20 Oct Half Day Tour, Gizo Pyramids and Sphinx Tour

SPX ??:?? MS ?? ??:?? LXR, Luxor, Egypt, Transfer to Luxury Hotel, Luxor (B)6. Thu 21 Oct Full Day Luxor Tour incl. opportunity for Hot-Air Balloon Flight (B)7. Fri 22 Oct Full Day Luxor Tour incl Hot-Air Balloon Flight pick least wind day (B,)8. Sat 23 Oct LXR transfer to Esna, board Dahabiya, 5-day Nile cruise to Aswan (B, L, D)9. Sun 24 Oct Onboard Dahabiya for 5-day Nile cruise (B, L, D)10. Mon 25 Oct Onboard Dahabiya for 5-day Nile cruise (B, L, D)11. Tue 26 Oct Onboard Dahabiya for 5-day Nile cruise (B, L, D)12. Wed 27 Oct Disembark Dahabiya at Aswan, 7am Bus 9-hour Tour ABU-Simbel (B, L,

packed lunch from boat) Overnight Luxury Hotel, Aswan13. Thu 28 Oct Around noon Depart Aswan Air-con Bus transfer 6-hours to Port Ghalib,

board home for next 7-nights, the beautiful “Emperor Asmaa” (B, D)14. Fri 29 Oct “Emperor Asmaa” 3 to 4 dives per day (B, L, D)15. Sat 30 Oct “Emperor Asmaa” 3 to 4 dives per day (B, L, D)16. Sun 31 Oct “Emperor Asmaa” 3 to 4 dives per day (B, L, D)17. Mon 01 Nov “Emperor Asmaa” 3 to 4 dives per day (B, L, D)18. Tue 02 Nov “Emperor Asmaa” 3 to 4 dives per day (B, L, D)19. Wed 03 Nov “Emperor Asmaa” 2 dives today, average 21 to 24 for the week (B, L, D)20. Thu 04 Nov Disembark “Emperor Asmaa” at Port Ghalib, transfer to Marsa Allam (B)

Marsa Alam, RMF 11:55 MS185 13:20 CAI 16:15 EK922 DXB 21:35 EK416 (L*D*)21. 05 Nov 19:40 SYD +1 day (B* L*)

Codes-Meals included: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, Code with* = in-flight meal