EGYPT • MAY 31 - JUNE 7, 2025

Cleopatra. Moses. King Tut. The Great Pyramid of Giza. The Sphinx. The Nile. Chariots and hieroglyphics. Have these words fueled a yearning to experience this land of legend and lore? If so, here is the ultimate opportunity to explore Egypt. This custom two-part package includes a five-day luxury Nile River cruise, regional flight from Aswan to Cairo, and three nights at the Fairmont Nile City hotel in Cairo. Egypt’s top sites (and secret spots) are included. Acrophobia (fear of heights) and taphophobic (fear of being buried alive) will certainly be tested. How so? One day guests soar in hot air balloons over the Nile and the Valley of the Kings, the next day they crawl underground inside one of the Great Pyramids. It’s pretty rad. Equally important is the group’s private Egyptologist. Not just any Egyptologist. One of the country’s very best who is extremely knowledgeable, charismatic, funny, and is easy to understand (critical). Now is the chance to fulfill that lifelong dream to discover the greatest civilization of all time.

EGYPT

Egypt is located in the northeastern corner of Africa. Its prime geographic location has provided an abundance of resources that have contributed to this civilization’s prosperity. Not only does it have the longest flowing river in the world, the Nile, it is also conveniently situated between Europe and Asia, the Mediterranean and Red Sea, and it is connected to Sub Saharan Africa through the Nile Valley. The country is at the center of the Arab world and controls the Suez Canal, which is the shortest sea link between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean.

From around 3100 BC to 525 BC, Egypt was the richest, most powerful empire in the world. As one of the world’s greatest civilizations, Egypt is known to have developed paper from the papyrus plant, their own form of writing (hieroglyphics), and advanced the studies of literature, science, and the arts. The inventions of agriculture, urbanization, religion and central government were also attributed to this civilization. The Ancient Egyptian Empire began to weaken in about 700 BC, and was then dominated by the Greeks, the Romans, Arabs, the Turks, the British, and other empires.

As its official name states, the Arab Republic of Egypt, Egypt considers itself an Arab nation. Today Egypt remains one of the world’s great tourist destinations and its economy depends on tourism. Some of their iconic monuments are the Giza Necropolis, the Great Sphinx, the ruins of Memphis, Thebes, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings reflect the legacy of this area. The pyramids of Egypt are the sole remaining Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still in existence.

Continent: Africa • Official Name: Arab Republic of Egypt • Capital: Cairo • Established: c. 3150 BC • Area: 386,900 sq mi • Highest Elevation: 8,625' (Mount Catherine) • Time: UTC+2 • Electricity: 220V • Population: 114,000,000+ (2024) • Primary Religion: Sunni Islam (90%) • Language: Arabic • Currency: Egyptian Pound ($1 = 47 EGP) • Driving Side: Right • Airport: Cairo International Airport (CAI)

NILE RIVER

The Nile River, or as it is commonly known, “the Nile”, is the longest river in the world, stretching an impressive 4,130 miles. Although often associated with Egypt, the Nile rises south of the Equator and flows northward through 11 African countries to drain into the Mediterranean Sea. Throughout history, the Nile has served as the basis for the evolution of advanced civilizations, primarily the development of Egyptian civilization, providing an unending source of substance from fresh water, food, transportation, and fertile land. Silt deposits from the Nile made the surrounding land fertile because the river overflowed its banks annually, leaving a thick moist mud, perfect for growing crops such as wheat, flax and papyrus. This was paramount to Egypt’s rise to wealth and power.

Even today, the Nile remains an invaluable source of life as it continues to serve as a source of irrigation, as well as an important transportation and trade route. 95% of the country’s population depend on its water and live within a few miles of the riverbanks. The river and its banks are filled with many varieties of wildlife, like freshwater fish, the African tigerfish, birds, turtles, snakes, hippos, rhinos, Nile monitors, wildebeests, baboons, and of course the fearsome Nile crocodile.

The Nile was also an important part of ancient Egyptian spiritual life. The ancient people believed that the Nile was the source of all life in Egypt and an integral part of the lives of the gods, all whom the Egyptians believed were deeply intertwined with the blessings and curses of the land. Their beliefs about life and death were centered around the Nile. The east was considered a place of birth and growth, while the west was the place of death. When people died, they were entombed west of the Nile, because in order to enter the afterlife, they had to be buried on the side that symbolized death.

Continent: Africa • Countries: Egypt, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Congo, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Eritrea • Length: 4,130 mi • Max Width: 1.7 mi • Primary Discharge: Mediterranean Sea

WEATHER AND CLIMATE

Egypt has a desert climate with warm sunshine all year round and very little precipitation. In June expect temperatures of hot - crazy hot with some humidity. Although the best time to travel is from September to April when temperatures are at their most pleasant, June has fewer tourists with less crowds (thank Seasick later).

June Cairo Averages - High Temp: 94°F • Low Temp: 72°F • Sea Water Temp: NA • Daylight Hours: 12.5 • Sunshine Hours: 12 • Rainy Days: 0 • Precipitation Totals: 0 in

June Luxor + Aswan Averages - High Temp: 106°F • Low Temp: 76°F • Sea Water Temp: NA • Daylight Hours: 12.5 • Sunshine Hours: 12 • Rainy Days: 0 • Precipitation Totals: 0 in

MS NEBU

The MS Nebu is one of the newest boats on the Nile. Guests can chill by the pool or at the bar on the sun deck when not sightseeing. There is no better way to experience one of the world’s oldest civilizations than to take a leisurely five-day cruise from Luxor to Aswan. Passengers will experience the breath-taking views of the Nile while visiting many of Egypt’s most famous historical attractions.

Type: Motor Ship (M/S) • Year Built: 2020 • Number of decks: 5 • Capacity: 84 passengers • Number of cabins: 33 • Number of suites: 7 • Elevator: Yes • Pool: Yes • Massage: Available • WiFi: Included

ACCOMMODATIONS

STANDARD SUITE
All suites are located on the main deck and upper deck. One king bed or two twin beds. Average cabin size: 301 sq ft (approximately 100 sq ft larger than “typical” ship).

NILE RIVER CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS

LUXOR TEMPLE: Constructed approximately 1400 BC, the large temple complex is located on the east bank of the Nile River in the city today known as Luxor (ancient Thebes).

KARNAK TEMPLE: The second most visited Egyptian site after the Giza Pyramids, the area features a vast mix of temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings. One famous aspect of Karnak is the Hypostyle Hall in the Precinct of Amun-Re, an area of roughly 50,000 sq. ft. with 134 massive columns arranged in 16 rows. 122 of these columns are 30' in height, and the other 12 are 70' tall with a diameter of over 9'.

VALLEY OF THE KINGS: Famous for the discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun, the World Heritage Site, stands on the west bank of the Nile, opposite Thebes. For a period of nearly 500 years from the 16th to 11th century BC, rock-cut tombs were excavated for the pharaohs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom.

HATSHEPSUT TEMPLE: Considered one of the "incomparable monuments of ancient Egypt", the mortuary temple is dedicated to Amun and Hatshepsut and is located beneath the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari on the west bank of the Nile.

KOM OMBO TEMPLE: Constructed during the Ptolemaic dynasty (180 BC to 47 BC), the building’s unique "double" design has courts, halls, sanctuaries and rooms duplicated for two sets of gods.

UNFINISHED OBELISK: The largest known ancient obelisk. If finished it would have measured around 137' and would have weighed nearly 1,200 tons, a weight equal to about 200 African elephants.

HOT AIR BALLOON

Seasick included a truly unique opportunity: a sunrise sky ride 1500' above the legendary Valley of the Kings. Take off from the western bank of the Nile River, glide over ancient civilizations, and gaze in awe.

EGYPTAIR

When the Nile River cruise ends, the crazy train doesn’t stop. Next up, the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, museums, and more. No additional cost for the one-way 90-minute flight from Aswan (ASW) to Cairo (CAI). Window seat please!

FAIRMONT NILE CITY

After five days of rummaging through the desert (and channeling the likes of Indiana Jones and Lara Croft), an amenity-laden property will be welcomed. Located on the banks of the legendary Nile River, the Fairmont Nile City brings superb style with authentic flair to the heart of Cairo. The hotel is home to the Willow Stream Spa, one of the largest and most luxurious spas in Egypt. The property also boasts the highest swimming pool in the city, Sky Pool, which offers some of Cairo’s top (get it?) Nile River views.

Year Built: 2009 • Year Renovated: 2019 • Number of Rooms: 542 • Floors: 25 • Pool: Outdoor • Spa: Yes • Onsite Dining: 6 options (+ room service) • Laundry: Yes • Breakfast: Included • WiFi: Included

ACCOMMODATIONS

DELUXE ROOM
These 355 sq. ft. to 409 sq. ft. rooms are available with a King or two Twin beds. Each guest room is a private sanctuary (important after playing in the desert sand) complete with Art Deco design elements and city or river views. Views are assigned at check in.

CAIRO HIGHLIGHTS

GIZA PYRAMID COMPLEX: Also called the Giza Necropolis, the site includes the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid of Menkaure, along with their associated pyramid complexes and the Great Sphinx of Giza. The Great Pyramid and the Pyramid of Khafre are the largest pyramids built in ancient Egypt, and they have historically been emblems of ancient Egypt in the Western imagination. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, it is by far the oldest of the ancient Wonders and the only one still in existence.

GREAT SPHINX: The limestone statue of a reclining sphinx (a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human) is the oldest known monumental sculpture in Egypt. It is believed to have been built by ancient Egyptians of the Old Kingdom during the reign of the Pharaoh Khafre (c. 2558 BC to 2532 BC).

MUSEUM OF EGYPTIAN ANTIQUITIES: Known commonly as the Egyptian Museum or Museum of Cairo, it is home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities. It houses over 100,000 items, with a substantial amount on display.

ISLAMIC CAIRO: Part of central Cairo around the old walled city and around the Citadel of Cairo which is characterized by hundreds of mosques, tombs, madrasas, mansions, caravanserais, and fortifications dating from the Islamic era. In 1979, UNESCO proclaimed Historic Cairo a World Cultural Heritage site.

KHAN EL-KHALILI BAZAAR: Shops typically sell souvenirs, antiques and jewelry, but many traditional workshops continue to operate in the surrounding area and the adjoining goldsmiths' souq, for example, is still important for locals. In addition to shops, there are several coffeehouses, restaurants, and street food vendors distributed throughout the market. One of the oldest and most famous coffeehouses is Fishawi's, established in 1773.

GRAND EGYPTIAN MUSEUM (GEM)

On January 5, 2002, the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak laid the foundation stone of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). After more than 20 years and $1,000,000,000 the GEM is finally nearing completion. What’s the big deal? Well, this archaeological museum is located about a mile from the Giza pyramid complex. More impressive is that the museum will host over 100,000 artifacts from ancient Egyptian civilization, including the complete Tutankhamun collection, and many pieces that have never been displayed for the public (ooooh). With 872,000 sq ft of floor space, it will be the world's largest archeological museum (Seasick has allocated a full day to ensure nothing is to be missed). It is being built as part of a new master plan for the Giza Plateau, known as "Giza 2030".

Estimated opening: Late Spring 2024

SAMPLE ITINERARY

PACKAGE INCLUDES

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS + TRANSFERS + HURGHADA HOTEL

USA - EGYPT FLIGHTS FOR 2025 ARE NOT YET AVAILABLE
RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS WILL BE ANNOUNCED Q3 2024

RECOMMENDED CAIRO TRANSIT HOTEL

Le Meridien Cairo Airport Hotel
Inbound: If applicable. Dates vary. Used as Cairo overnight in between USA - Cairo international flight and Cairo - Luxor flight.
Outbound: If applicable. Used as day hotel if Cairo - USA flight is late at night.
• Le Meridien Cairo Airport Hotel is connected to the Cairo International Airport (CAI) via a sky bridge.

Room types: Deluxe King or Twin (≈$180 Double Occ including taxes and fees)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

DEFINITIONS: “Company” is defined as Underwater Exposures, Inc. dba Seasick Productions, incorporated in terms of the laws of California, United States of America. "Company Affiliated Parties" is defined as the Company, Jamie Pollack, Shark Angels, David Haas, Haas Photography Inc., its directors, members, partners, employees, agents, consultants, suppliers, and contractors. “Guest” is defined as any person or persons placing a booking (whether provisional or confirmed) with the Company and who contracts with the Company for any of the Services together with his/her spouse, dependents and companions. “Services” is defined as the provision of accommodation, transport, transfers, scuba diving and snorkeling activities, tours or any other activities or services provided by the Company and the procurement by the Company of the provision of accommodation, transport, transfers, scuba diving and snorkeling activities, tours or any other activities or services by any Third-Party Contractors.

GENERAL: Price based on double occupancy group rate. Single supplement, extensions, additional services, and all other items not listed in itinerary are not included. All prices subject to change without notice. A $1,000.00 deposit per person is required with each Guest reservation. Company reserves the right, without advance notice, to make changes or cancellations, in part or in whole, as circumstances dictate. Any deposit or payment made to Company or any representative of Company shows acceptance and acknowledgement of the terms and conditions as stated herein.

CHANGES TO RESERVATIONS: Any request by Guest to amend or change a booking once it has been confirmed, may be accommodated by Company subject to availability. If Company is able to assist, a reasonable administrative fee may be charged. Any such administrative fees shall be invoiced to the Guest and must be settled as per the standard terms applicable to the booking. If the invoice is not paid within such time, Company may construe such non-payment as an act of cancellation on the part of the Guest and the provisions of the cancellation clause shall apply. All reservations, confirmed bookings, and Company’s services are non-transferable.

CANCELLATIONS TO RESERVATIONS: Refund (less cancellation fee) may be issued if reservation is cancelled four months prior to departure date and if another Guest can fill the vacancy. All authorized refunds will be assessed a $300.00 cancellation fee. No refund or credit will be made for Services not utilized by Guest. No cancellations shall be accepted within 30 days of trip departure.

FORCE MAJEURE: “Force Majeure Event” is defined as any event which is beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to a national strike, act of war, armed conflict, insurrection, civil commotion, terrorism or the threat of terrorism; any act of God including but not limited to epidemic, pandemic, lightning, earthquake, flooding, fire, cyclone, hurricane, typhoon, tidal wave, storm, volcanic eruption and other unusual and extreme adverse weather or environmental conditions; any event which falls within any of these categories that is suffered by Third-Party Contractors of the Company, who are involved in the receipt or provision of the Services; and or any other cause or contingency beyond the control of the Company. The Company shall not be deemed to be in breach of any of its obligations to Guest due to any Force Majeure Event. If the Company is affected by a Force Majeure Event, it may in its sole and absolute discretion, amend or cancel any of the Services or the remainder thereof, or to make any alteration in route, accommodation, transportation or arrangement in the event of the Services or any part thereof being rendered impossible, illegal or inadvisable.

GUEST INSURANCE: If scuba diving is a Service used by Guest, Company requires Guest to possess a dive accident insurance policy prior to using any of Company’s Services. If scuba diving is not a Service used by Guest, Company requires Guest to possess an international accident and medical evacuation insurance policy prior to using any of Company’s Services. Information on dive accident insurance can be found at the Divers Alert Network’s website: www.diversalertnetwork.org. In addition, Company recommends trip insurance in the event a Guest must cancel the trip. Information on trip insurance can be found at the Divers Alert Network’s website: www.diversalertnetwork.org or the DiveAssure website: www.diveassure.com.

RESPONSIBILITY: Company acts only as agents for the Third-Party Contractors providing transportation, accommodations, diving and other Services. All tickets and vouchers issued constitute the sole contract between the Guest and Company. Company or its representatives shall not at any time be responsible in any way for loss, injury, or damage arising from any Force Majeure Event, act of government, theft, sickness, customs regulations, delay, cancellation error, or any cause beyond its control. Company or its representatives accepts no liability for the consequences of the personal activities of any Guest who is personally responsible for decisions concerning health, safety, fitness for diving and snorkeling, or any other circumstances beyond its control.