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Page 2 |
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11-Day Program
A Itinerary
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This Tour is on Waitlist. - To See Our
Companion Tour C PRESS HERE |
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Day
5
Wed, March 29
B/L/D
Sallum – ECLIPSE DAY! |
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After an early breakfast
we’ll begin the 2.5-hour journey west to our specially selected
eclipse-viewing site outside the seaside town of Sallum, just 15
kilometers (9 miles) off the centerline. We’ll arrive in plenty of time to
set up equipment before first contact, and there will be ample food and
drinks available throughout the day. Our motorcoach will be on standby in
case of cloud cover.
After fourth contact, we’ll
return to our hotel to enjoy a celebration dinner. |
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FIRST
CONTACT |
(partial eclipse
begins) |
11:20:04 a.m. |
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SECOND
CONTACT
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(totality begins) |
12:38:02
p.m. |
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THIRD
CONTACT |
(totality ends) |
12:41:59
p.m. |
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FOURTH
CONTACT |
(partial eclipse
ends) |
1:59:54 p.m. |
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Duration of totality:
3 minutes,
56 seconds
Sun Altitude during totality: 62o |
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Egypt Weather Prospects
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by
Jay Anderson, Eclipse
Meteorologist
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The Mediterranean coast at Sallum is the sunniest climate along the
eclipse track save for dusty locations in the deserts of Libya and Niger.
At eclipse time the dry season is just beginning and Sallum averages about
9.5 sunshine hours per day. about 79 percent of the maximum possible. Rain
is reported on only one day in 10, and the average cloudiness for the
region is under 40 percent. Daytime temperatures average a comfortable
22°C (72°F) but can reach a blistering 42°C(108°F).
In March migrating
low-pressure systems move either along the coast of North Africa or
further inland, where they are known as Khamsin depressions. Approaching
lows bring southerly winds and sunny weather if they pass offshore and
dusty (but sunny) conditions if they move inland. Broken high and midlevel
cloud and occasional rainfall follow behind the low. If a strong cold
front comes with the depression, a severe dust storm lasting a few hours
is possible, though such dust storms are much less frequent than at sites
deeper with the Sahara. While these Mediterranean lows can make eclipse
observations a challenge, only three or four per month are expected on
average and extensive cloud is the exception rather than the rule. The
terrain at Sallum, which is dominated by a 400-meter ridge just west of
the town, will help modify some of the harsher effects of the passing
depressions. The excellent highway stretching parallel to the
Mediterranean coast will facilitate rapid movement to a new location if
cloudy skies threaten. |
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Day
6
Thu, March 30
B/L/D
Luxor / Temples of Karnak /Embark MS Salacia |
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After an
early breakfast we’ll drive back to Cairo International Airport for our
afternoon flight to Luxor, where we will visit the magnificent Temples of
Karnak. Built by 12th-dynasty kings at the beginning of the second
millennium BC, this massive complex was added to, rebuilt, and enlarged
for almost 1,500 years to honor the gods and the pharaohs.
Late this afternoon we’ll
board the elegant MS Salacia, one of the few vessels cruising the
Nile that meet US safety and health standards. After settling into our
staterooms, we’ll gather for dinner aboard ship. |
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Overnight: MS Salacia (4 nights) |
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Day
7
Fri, March 31
B/L/D
Valley of the Kings / Luxor Temple / Nile Cruise |
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Early this morning we will
board our motorcoach and cross the Nile to the West Bank. Passing by the
Colossi of Memnon - a pair of 75-foot-tall
statues towering over the plain - we will visit
the Valley of the Kings, site of some 62 excavated tombs, including the
famous Tomb of Tutankhamen. We’ll also stop at the Temple of Hatshepsut, a
monument partially cut from the hillside, which contains some renowned
reliefs depicting important events of Queen Hatshepsut’s life. Nearby, the
Valley of the Queens contains at least 75 tombs, including one of the
finest in Egypt - the tomb of Queen Nefertari.
Pending permission (the government rotates availability of tombs), we’ll
plan an optional visit into this exquisite site. |
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Later, we’ll tour Luxor
Temple, a perfectly preserved non-funerary temple of 1400 BC, which was
once connected to the temples of Karnak by an avenue of sphinxes. The
complex includes temples, chapels, statues, and obelisks, with many
depictions of festivals, ceremonies, and great deeds of gods and kings.
We will return to the MS
Salacia at midday for lunch and to begin our Nile cruise. We’ll pass
through the lock at Esna Barrage and continue south to Edfu. |
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| Back to Top |
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Copyright 2005 TravelQuest
International. All rights
reserved. 800-830-1998
Revised: October 25, 2005.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective companies or trademark holders. |
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