The green, ramshackle capital sprawls around a harbour on the east coast of South Andaman and is the administrative nerve centre of the islands. There’s plenty to see in town relating to the islands’ colonial past plus a couple of interesting museums, and as this is the only place to change money, reliably access the internet and book (and wait for) onward transport, most travellers will spend at least a couple of days here. If you want to experience the more natural beauty of the Andamans – above and below the water – book a ferry and move on to Havelock or one of the other islands.
Mythologicaly, the name Andaman was presumed to be derived from Hanuman, who was known to the Malays as Handuman. Since Prehistoric times, these islands were the home of aboriginal tribes. The tribes of, the Andaman group of islands are the Great Andamanese, Onges, Jarawas, and Sentinatese, all of Negrito origin, while the tribes of Nicobars are the Nicobarese and Shompens, both of Mongoloid stock.
The first settlement by the British took place in 1789, which was later abandoned in 1796. The second settlement was basically a penal settlement, taken up in 1858, after the First War of Independence, followed by the settlement of convicts, Moplas, some criminal tribes from Central and United Provinces, refugees from erstwhile East Pakistan, Burma and Sri Lanka as well as ex-servicemen.
About Cairo
Upon arrival, the choreographed chaos here hits you like a ton of bricks. It doesn’t take long, however, to acclimatise to Cairo’s wall of noise, snarl of traffic, cry of hawkers and blanket of smog, and get drawn into the hypnotising charm of this pulsating metropolis. Known to its nearly 20 million residents as Um ad-Dunya (Mother of the World), modern Cairo is a hotchpotch of recent growth barely superimposed on a dense bed of history.
Wander down to Islamic Cairo and you’ll be sucked in through the looking glass to a bygone medieval era. Head out west to Giza’s famed pyramids and the time warp sets you back a full 4000 years. Meanwhile, the city’s main museum bursts at the seams with the priceless wealth of ancient Egypt’s antiquities. But the real allure of Cairo lies somewhere in the quiet moments in between: sipping a sugary shai or puffing leisurely on a sheesha while watching the life of the city whirl past as it has for eons.
Tour Inclusions
EGYPT
02 Nights Accommodation in Cairo
03 Nights Accommodation on board of Nile Cruise – Aswar – Luxor
02 Nights sleeper train Cairo/ Aswan – Luxor/ Cairo
Daily Breakfast in Cairo
Meals on Half Board Basis on Sleeper Train
All Transfers in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan (Apt/ Hotel – Cruise and V. V)
Meals on Full Board Basis on the Nile Cruise
All Sightseeing in Cairo – Luxor – Aswan mentioned in the tour program (including Transfer + Entrance Fees)
Egypt Visa Fee
Port Blair
01 Night Hotel Accommodation in Port Blair
Return Airport Transfers in Port Blair
Half Day Sightseeing in Port Blair
Lunch, Dinner & Breakfast at the Port Blair Hotel.
Supplements:
Entrance fee inside the great Pyramid (US$ 23.00 per person), second or third Pyramid (US$ 7.00 per person).
Solar Boat in Pyramids’ area (US$ 10.00 per person).
Entrance fee inside the Mummies’ room in the Egyptian Museum (US$ 23.00 per person
Rates Exclude:
Lunch during the sightseeing tour in Cairo.
Entrance inside the Pyramids and visit of the Solar Boat in the Pyramids area.
Entrance of the Mummies room at the Egyptian Museum.
Any expenses of personal nature and tips.
Beverage during meals.
Tips (not obligatory, but highly expected).
Itinerary sample
29 Nov 09
Delhi to Port Blair
S2 319 29NOV DEL CCU 0605 0815
S2 319 29NOV CCU IXZ 0910 1110
Arrive Port Blair. Meet our representative at the Airport. Transfer to the Hotel in Port Blair. Relax & Refresh.
Proceed for a Sightseeing tour in Port Blair.
Overnight at the Hotel in Port Blair.
30 Nov 09
Port Blair to Chennai
IT 3632 30NOV IXZ MAA 0720 0930
Own Arrangements
Tuesday 01 Dec 09
Cairo
EY 269 01DEC MAA AUH 0445 0740
EY 653 01DEC AUH CAI 1005 1215
Arrival at Cairo International Airport, greeted by our representative who will assist
the group through immigration and customs formalities.
Transfer by our deluxe coach to your hotel for check-in.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Wednesday 02 Dec 09:
Cairo
Full day visit of the Great Pyramids of Giza, Sphinx, the Egyptian Museum and
Khan El Khalili Bazaar.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Thursday 03 Dec 09:
Cairo/Sleeper train to Aswan
After visits free time (own arrangement), till transfer to Cairo station to board the
sleeper train to Aswan.
Dinner and overnight on board.
Train departs Cairo at 20:00. and arrives Aswan at 08:15. (next day)
Overnight stay at the Train.
Friday 04 Dec 09
Aswan/Nile Cruise
Arrival at Aswan station, greeted by Travco representative. Visit the Philae Temple, High Dam and unfinished Obelisque.
After visits transfer to your Nile cruise for check-in.
Overnight stay at the Cruise.
Saturday 05 Dec 09
Nile Cruise
Sail to Kom Ombo, visit Kom Ombo Temple.
Sail to Edfu and visit Edfu Temple.
Sail to Luxor.
Overnight stay at the Cruise.
Sunday 06 Dec 09
Nile Cruise
A.M. Visit Valley of Kings, Queen Hatchepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon.
P.M. Visit Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple.
Overnight stay at the Cruise.
Monday 07 Dec 09
Nile Cruise/Luxor/Sleeper train to Cairo
Check-out after breakfast.
Free day at leisure (own arrangement) until transfer to Luxor station to board the sleeper train to Cairo.
Dinner and overnight on board.
Train departs Luxor at 21:30. and arrives Cairo at 6:45 a.m. (next day)
Overnight stay at the Train.
Tuesday 08 Dec 09
Cairo/ Final Departure
Arrival Cairo station, greeted by our representative. Transfer to Cairo International Airport for final departure.
EY 654 08DEC CAI AUH 1320 1845
EY 218 08DEC AUH DEL 2205 #0300
Toll No - 7827734555
