Travelers don't only want to understand the social, cultural and religious aspects of a society, but they want to discover that place in their consciousness. They want to become an intimate part of that experience. To "feel" it, not just "see" it. Most important, they want to travel with an understanding and believe in learning about the past and sharing a vacation of a lifetime. To be greeted with a warm friendly smile followed by "my brother" or "my sister" and then an embrace.

We at African-American Journeys are very excited and honored to share these special trips with you. Journeys that will be happenings; that reach across the waters, across the many miles and across cultural differences to extend a collective hand and hug of friendship.

• As a Division of RMC Travel, we have enormous buying power. And that buying power that is translated into outstanding value for your travel dollar.
• One of the key reasons for our continued growth is our reputation for delivering what we promise.
• The intangible element that keeps our clients coming back is a combination of carefully planned programs and services--plus our personal and untiring attention to detail - before, during, and after our tour departures.
• AAJ carries a One Million Dollar per traveler Errors and Omissions travel insurance policy for your travel protection.

Excellent value, reliability, and dedicated personal service -- it all adds up to unequivocal customer satisfaction, and repeat travel with us.

African-American Journeys is a division of RMC Travel, formerly known as The Cortell Group, one of the travel industry's most innovative companies. Under the leadership of its former Chairman and travel industry leader, Jules Cortell, and the company's President, Raymond Cortell, The Cortell Group developed and launched such travel concepts as the European Fly/Drive Holiday and London Theater Holidays. It also pioneered trekking programs for students, gay travel and many other types of programs that are a part of today's travel world. The Cortell Group's innovation and creativity also led to their early use of the Internet as a travel marketing and sales tool in 1986. As a division of RMC Travel, African-American Journeys reflects the company's innovative spirit, dynamism, and integrity.

That is what our company is all about -- heritage, knowledge, culture and fun. The development of self and spirit through the discovery of one's origins at special sites and countries scattered throughout our world. The difference between an "African-American Journey" and traditional tours is the difference between visiting a destination and experiencing it.

Brazil... a multicultural extraction of Africans, Europeans, Portuguese, Indians, and Asians all mixed in one pot, with the largest African population outside of Africa. Brazil is one of the countries that imported Africans as slaves to work the cocoa plantations in Bahia. On this journey, you will visit the slave dungeons underneath the city. Listen to the influence of the African hypnotic drums. Tour the squares in Pelourinho, formerly the whipping square of the slaves, which has been declared a historical treasure. In every square there are Bahiana women dressed in crisp white cotton and lace dresses with bouffant skirts. A colorful sash around the waist and their heads are wrapped with a twist of white cotton fabric. While in Rio de Janeiro, walk along the beach, view the mountains and take a cable car up to Christ the Redeemer who stands tall on top of Corcovado Mountain with a watchful eye over Sugar Loaf, the city and the harbor below. The African influence on this journey is powerful and seductive. The music, cuisine, dance, & mystical undertones all combine with the sun and the sea to make this a trip of a lifetime. But, there is no way you can sense Brazil without being there. Brazil makes up nearly half the total area of South America. It is blessed with many miles of unspoiled coastline, including some of the finest beaches in the world, magic places full of life where people come to socialize and have fun in a constant pursuit of leisure. Brazilians DO know how to hold a party. Music, cuisine, dance, mystical undertones all combine with the sun and the sea to make this a trip of a lifetime. This trip includes 5 nights in Salvador de Bahia and 3 nights in Rio de Janeiro. Tour dates: June 12-21, 2009 August 7-16, 2009 September 11-20, 2009 November 6-15, 2009 Inclusions: Round-trip transfers between airport and hotels Flight between Salvador de Bahia to Rio de Janeiro Accommodations in First Class hotels Hotel taxes & service charges at the hotel Portage at hotels and airports Welcome cocktail drink and tour briefing 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 3 dinners Sightseeing tours, as per itinerary, including entrance fees Local guides for sightseeing Added Features: Travel with other like-minded travelers Candomblé & Yorubá language study and presentation "Welcome to Bahia" dinner & show featuring the sacred dances of the Candomblé "Gafieira" farewell dinner in in Rio Featured Hotels or similar: Salvador Bahia:  Hotel Pestana Rio de Janeiro:  Hotel Miramar

Itinerary

Day 1. To Salvador de Bahia
Arrange your own flight reservations for the overnight trip to Brazil. (African American Journeys will be happy to assist you with your flight plans)

Day 2. Arrive Salvador de Bahia - Tour Begins (D)
Arrival in the morning in Salvador de Bahia. Please be in Salvador de Bahia no later than 11am in order to take your transfer. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by musicians playing the berimbau and Bahian women in traditional costume distributing Bonfim ribbons at the steps of your transfer buses. Depart for your reserved accommodations at the hotel. After checking in, you will have a welcome drink and a detailed briefing about the history, culture and night life that you will see during your stay in Bahia.

Time to relax before you depart on your coach for a special "Welcome to Bahia" Dinner and Show. The Bahia Folklore Company (Balé Folclórico da Bahia) is one of the most respected folklore dance troupes in the world. The company performs in the intimate Miguel Santana Theatre in the Pelourinho in a seamless presentation of the multiple African traditions that underpin Bahian culture. You will see the sacred dances of the Candomblé; puxada de rede, a song by fishermen in honor of Yemanjá, the goddess of the sea; maculelê, an acrobatic stick and sword dance with its origins in the cane fields; capoeira, a martial art/dance of Angolan origin and the samba de roda, a spinning, swirling version of this exuberant national dance. After the show dinner will be served in one of the many fine restaurants in the area. Return to your hotel.

Day 3. In Salvador de Bahia (traditional Candomblé excursion) (B)
This morning, you visit a traditional Candomblé house of worship, established at the turn of the century, a long way from the then center of the city. The expansion of the city has meant that the temple's grounds have been surrounded by the burgeoning metropolis but the temple maintains the traditional religious and social values of African daily life. Your visit will focus on the religious and social traditions of the temple. You visit the primary school whose curriculum includes Yorubá language studies, the study of the spiritual and medicinal properties of sacred plants, as well as the normal academic studies. Balance of the day and evening free for relaxing and shopping.

Day 4. Salvador de Bahia (B)
Enjoy breakfast before being met in the hotel lobby for your sightseeing tour of Salvador. Here you trace the African roots of Salvador on a city tour which combines the newer, modern section and the older Historical Center of Salvador, the largest and best preserved center of colonial architecture in Latin America. The area is home to many places of interest to those wishing to trace this underlying African influence. Take a casual stroll through the narrow, bustling streets lined with colonial buildings in pastel shades of an age gone by. Soak up the sights and sounds of this vibrant city. You visit the church of São Francisco with its exuberant 18-caret gold-leafed Baroque interior. A must see is the Afro-Brazilian Museum which traces the West African origins of the city. On display are superb wooden, sculptured panels of the orixá's by Salvador's most celebrated artist, Carybé. Conclude the morning tour with a visit to the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, the famous Black church, built with meager resources over a period of almost 100 years. Balance of the day to relax. Dinner on your own.

Day 5. In Salvador de Bahia (excursion to Cachoeira) (B/L)
You leave the city behind to explore the farming hinterland on the western side of the All Saints' bay. This is the land of sugar cane plantations, peaceful colonial towns and busy country markets, a day of insights into the life in rural Brazil. You drive north out of the city and then head westwards, stopping at busy country market town of Santo Amaro. You continue your drive westwards through rolling hills to Cachoeira, the jewel of the Bahian hinterland nestled in the deep valley of the Paraguaçu River. After lunch you take a walking tour of the town, with an opportunity to browse in some local wood carvers stores'. Like Salvador, Candomblé plays an integral part in the life of the town, epitomized by the Sisterhood of the Boa Morte, a sorority which traces its origins back to the time of slavery. You cross to the western bank of the slow moving river and visit the Danemann Cultural Center where you can also see world class cigars being expertly rolled. A journey back in time to the Brazil of yesteryear. Return to Salvador where the evening is free to try some of the local restaurants.

Day 6. In Salvador de Bahia (B)
A full day at leisure for taking optional tours, independent exploration, relaxing or beaching on your own.

Day 7. To Rio de Janeiro (B/D)
Transfer to the airport for your flight to Rio de Janeiro. Upon arrival you will be met at the airport and taken to your accommodations. The balance of the day on your own. Dinner this evening at your hotel.

Day 8. In Rio de Janeiro (B)
Morning sightseeing tour will show you the highlights of Rio. Start with a beautiful scenic drive along Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. Arriving at the bottom of the Corcovado hill you will embark on a comfortable train to climb the beautiful mountain, where the statue of Christ the Redeemer overlooks Rio and its famous beaches. Then continue for a panoramic tour of Rio's main beaches, Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, and inncludes a visit to the world famous Sugar Loaf Mountain in the middle of the Guanabara Bay. Free evening to explore Rio!

Day 9. In Rio de Janeiro (B/D)
A full day at leisure to explore this fantastic city, shop or take in the beach. Your farewell evening is at the famous Rioscenarium. Located in 3 floors of an old Brazilian colonial building, you will enjoy lively Brazilian music, which is awesome. Here you will enjoy three floors of fun. One of the amazing things about Rioscenarium is how spacious it is. Four buildings were joined to create it. The two top floors overlook the dance floor and stage at ground level, allowing you to talk to friends without shouting and still listen to the music. Antiques are everywhere. There are collections of all kinds - clocks, scooters, radios, mannequins - lining every wall and corner. Start with dinner specializing in local foods and delicacies. Then, sway to the Brazilian Big Band sounds of mache, bossa nova, samba, lambada and more, before returning to your hotel.

Day 10. To USA (B)
Early breakfast. Transfer to the airport for your flights home. Arrival the same day.

NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change due to conditions beyond our control. Prices are subject to change without notice until time of deposit. All dollar values not denoted otherwise are US Dollars.


Tour Pricing and Registration
Brazil Visa costs are separate and to be paid by the passenger. Prices indicated include a discount for payment by check. The prices in red brackets apply for payment using a credit card.

$2,599 [$2,673] per person, double occupancy, LAND ONLY

Please note that International airfare is NOT included. African-American Journeys will be happy to assist you with your flight plans.

Prepaid Gratuities for applicable guides, escorts, drivers, wait and hotel staff, portage, etc. - $150 [$158]

A Single Room is available throughout the tour for an additional cost of $889 [$936].

Reservation deposit is $300 [$315] per person.

Pre/post nights are available upon request. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
 

Come to the very cradle of civilization, where five thousand years of African grandeur wait to embrace you and welcome you home. Journey with us back through time to glimpse the glory and the mystery that was ancient Egypt. Experience the timeless wonder of the pyramids, and stand before the silent, watchful sphinx. Feast your eyes on pharonic gold and the priceless treasures of Tutankhamun. Walk in the majestic Valley of the Kings and in the teeming streets of Cairo, where ancient trades and customs endure amidst the clamor of modern commerce. Shop for silk and spices as you wander through the aromatic passageways of a Nubian bazaar. Cruise the fabled Nile. Visit the healing temple at Kom Ombo, the sacred temples of Isis and Hours and, most magnificent of all, the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a great woman of the Negro Eighteenth Egyptian Dynasty. Visit the newly open Nubian museum with all it history of the past, which highlights past Black African culture and leadership in Egypt. Though their story remains largely untold, so-called "black pharaohs" ruled ancient Egypt for nearly half a century. They played a major role in unifying the country and created glorious monuments, which still stand today. You'll enjoy five-star dining and deluxe hotel accommodations at the Mena House Oberoi in Giza, and you'll cruise the Nile from Luxor to Aswan aboard a luxurious Nile cruise ship. Renowned Egyptologists will travel with you to illuminate your journey. Tour dates: October 2-11, 2009 November 6-15, 2009 Inclusions: Round-trip flights from New York to Egypt Round-trip transfers between airport & hotel Inter-Egypt flights Airline & Hotel taxes Service charges at the hotels Accommodations in Deluxe hotels Porterage at hotels and airports 8 breakfasts, 4 lunches & 5 dinners Sightseeing tours as per itinerary including entrance fees Metaphysical Egyptologist as guide Deluxe Nile River cruise Added Features: Journey with other like-minded travelers Special farewell Egypt dinner A gala Nubian cruise farewell dinner party Featured Hotels or similar: Cairo: Mena House Oberoi Cruise: Sonesta Sun Goddess

Itinerary

Day 1. Depart for Cairo
Departure via your EgyptAir flight to Cairo.

Day 2. Cairo & Giza (D)
Upon arrival in Cairo in the early afternoon, you will be met at the airport by your special representative and assisted through immigration and customs. You will then be transported via motorcoach to Giza and the five-star Mena House Oberoi Hotel located at the base of the Great Pyramid. Welcome dinner at your hotel.

Day 3. Giza Pyramids, Great Sphinx (B)
Awaken early to see the sun rise on the Giza Plateau of the Pyramids & Sphinx as you hear the Muezzins calling the entire city to prayer at the distant minarets. At breakfast you will be joined by your Egyptologist and guides who will accompany you to the pyramids and the Great Sphinx where they will enlighten you with detailed examination of these towering monuments of antiquity and their rich history. At noon you will visit the famed Papyrus Gallery Institute, where skilled craftsmen make copies of the art and artifacts of the tombs and temples. Lunch is on your own. The rest of the day is free: Explore, shop or take a short ride into the mighty Sahara Desert on horseback or camelback. Dinner on your own.

Day 4. In Giza and Optional Excursion to Saqqara (B)
Morning at leisure for independent activities, with an optional tour to the Old Kingdom necropolis of Saqqara and King Zoser's Step Pyramid, built by Imhotep, the earliest of these major monuments. Other sites at Saqqara include the Pyramid of Unas, with its pristine hieroglyphic texts, and the Serapeum, tomb of the sacred Apis bulls. For those who choose this optional tour, lunch will be served at a typical countryside Egyptian restaurant. The group will also stop at a carpet factory before returning to the hotel to relax. For dinner this evening, try one of Cairo's exciting restaurants.

Day 5. To Luxor, and Embark on Cruise (B/L/D)
Departure for Cairo Airport and your flight to Luxor. Upon arrival in Luxor, you will be escorted to your cruise ship, the luxurious Sonesta Sun Goddess. After settling in, you will be served lunch on board. The afternoon will be devoted to the exploration of the magnificent temples of Luxor and Karnak (Sacred Lake, & Hypostyle Hall), the former built amidst the ruins of ancient Thebes and once connected to the colossal Temple of Karnak by a two-mile-long Avenue of Sphinxes. Dinner will be served aboard the cruise ship.

Day 6. Thebes and the Valley of the Kings (B/L/D)
The entire day is devoted to exploring Thebes. You'll ferry across the Nile to the West Bank where you will visit the Valley of the Kings (18th & 19th Dynasty). Here you will find the great funerary texts comprising of The Egyptian Book of the Dead, The Book of Going Forth by Day, The Book of Gates and others, exquisitely carved and painted on the tomb walls. Here also are the Colossi of Memnon and Queen Hatshepsut's magnificent temple at Deir el-Bahri, which in her own time was known as Djeser Djeseru, the "Splendor of Splendors." You return to the ship for lunch and departure for Edfu. The captain will host a welcoming cocktail party, which will be followed by dinner and a free evening as you cruise up the Nile.

Day 7. Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan (B/L/D)
After breakfast, you will visit the Temple of Horus, the falcon-headed god who embodies the principle of resurrection. The rest of the day is spent onboard, with a stop at Kom Ombo, the legendary ancient healing temple that overlooks a bend in the river before continuing on to Aswan, gateway to Nubia. Nubians are the people of northern Sudan and southern Egypt. With history and traditions, which can be traced to the dawn of civilization, the Nubians first settled along the banks of the Nile from Aswan. The colorful Nubian bazaar, the promenade along the Nile and the smiles of the Nubian people make Aswan a favorite city for many visitors to Egypt. "Egyptian Nights" is the theme of dinner and the evening's entertainment, and everyone is invited to don Egyptian galabas, which are available for purchase on the ship.

Day 8. In Aswan (B/L/D)
You take an early-morning boat ride to the island of Philae and the Temple of Isis, where your Egyptian host will share with you how this graceful antiquity was meticulously moved, stone by stone, from its original site (now submerged) to its new, higher island home in the middle of Lake Nasser. With its sculpted pylons and pillars gleaming white or yellow gold, it is set like a jewel in the black rock against the royal-blue lake. You will also visit the newly opened Nubian Museum which highlights past Black African culture and leadership in Egypt. After lunch you will enjoy a felucca ride (sailboats used on the Nile since antiquity) before returning to your ship for an evening of festivities and a gala Nubian farewell dinner party.

Day 9. To Cairo, Morning optional tour to Abu Simbel (B/D)
This morning there is a choice of two early morning activities. One will be to relax and take a late breakfast. Or take the optional tour to the Temples at Abu Simbel. Located near the southern border of Egypt with Sudan. The Great Temple is dedicated to Rameses II and Queen Nefertari, the love of his life. The temple's facade is dominated by four enormous seated statues of the Pharaoh, each over 67 feet high. The temples were shifted to higher ground in the 1960s as the waters of Lake Nasser began to rise following completion of the Aswan High Dam. Return to Aswan. We all then meet to visit to the spectacular. Later in the morning, transfer to the airport for return flight to Cairo. After checking into Mena House Hotel, you will visit the world-renowned Egyptian Museum, with its collection of relics dating back to 4000 B.C. The crowning jewel of the museum is the priceless treasure of Tutankhamun, where the curator will shed much light on the child king for you. Evening brings you to your gala farewell dinner and entertainment.

Day 10. To USA (B)
Early-morning departure to Cairo Airport for your return flight to New York via EgyptAir.

NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change due to conditions beyond our control. Prices are subject to change without notice until time of deposit. All dollar values not denoted otherwise are US Dollars.


Tour Pricing and Registration
Prices indicated include a discount for payment by check. The prices in red brackets apply for payment using a credit card.

$3,669 [$3,862] March & April departures per person, double occupancy, INCLUDING International Airfare

$3,849 [$4,052] October & November departures per person, double occupancy, INCLUDING International Airfare

Prepaid Gratuities for applicable guides, escorts, drivers, wait and hotel staff, portage, etc. - $175 [$185]

Egyptian Visa: $45 [$49]

International Air Taxes: $145 [$153]

Current Fuel Surcharges: $195 [$205]

A Single Room is available throughout the tour for an additional cost of $829 [$873]. - any departure

Reservation deposit is $300 [$315] per person.

Optional Excursions:

• Day 3 - Sahara Desert Horse or Camelback $20 [$21]
• Day 4 - Saqqara $60 [$63]
• Day 9 - Abu Simbel $426 [$448]

Pre/post nights are available upon request. Travel insurance is highly recommended.
 

If you plan to visit two of the world’s great cities in your lifetime, then they should be Paris & London. To take in all that they have to offer on this special journey that will not only give you an insight to a different journey taken by Africans as they left the Motherland, but also learn of many similar problems of racism, inequality and injustice that took place at all levels. Plus...combine this with traditional touring and excursions to cities that have incredible enduring appeal with a marvelous blend of Old World traditions and an ever trend-setting shopping and nightlife ... for a memorable journey of a lifetime! Paris, the "City of Lights," is enchanting at every turn, at any time, in every season. In its historic heart, there is the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the famous Champs-Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre Museum and the Eiffel Tower. Around every corner and on every narrow street you will find quaint and true splendor, and the character of the city. Paris simply glistens with riches to be explored. Highlight of your Paris stay will be a special "Josephine Baker" tour as you relive the places she frequented, where she lived, restaurants she ate in and even where she performed. Then board the Eurostar train to exciting London for the 2nd part of your adventure. London, a city that constantly delights with its mixture of imposing grandeur and exquisite detail, its distinctiveness and incredible variety. It is truly a place with something for everyone. The city buzzes with its pomp and pageantry, its well-known museums, and theatre. Buckingham Palace, St Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and more create an abundance of surprises waiting for you. Highlight will be an excursion to Brixton to experience the African culture of this London suburb. Tour dates: May 23-30, 2009 July 18-25, 2009 October 17-24, 2009 Inclusions: Eurostar rail trip under the English Channel from Paris to London Round-trip transfers between airport, rail stations and hotels Accommodations in First Class hotels Hotel taxes & service charges at the hotel Portage Welcome cocktail drink and tour briefing 6 Breakfasts & 3 Dinners Sightseeing tours, as per itinerary, including entrance fees Added Features: A welcome to Paris Dinner at the Eiffel Tower A special cruise on the Seine River Morning tour of Josephine Baker's Paris A special tour to Brixton Local Pub dinner in London A special Farewell Thames River dinner cruise of London Featured Hotels or similar: Paris:  Hotel Opera Cadet London:  Hotel Grange Strathmore

Itinerary

Day 1. Saturday: To Paris
Arrange your own flight reservations for the overnight trip to Paris with your return from London.
Note: African American Journeys will be happy to assist you with your flight plans

Day 2, Sunday: In Paris - Tour Begins (D)
Morning arrival in Paris. Please arrive no later than 10:30am at Charles de Gaulle Airport to be able to take your transfer. After clearing Immigration and Customs, you depart for your reserved accommodations at the hotel. The balance of the day is free to acclimate to the time change. Tonight your welcome to Paris will be special as you start with dinner at the Eiffel Tower with its magnificent views of the city. This will be followed by a glass-top, enclosed boat-ride on the River Seine, as glorious Paris takes on a new brilliance at night. The city’s monuments and sites shine with a delicate and ethereal beauty once the sun sets as you pass beneath many of the most beautiful bridges and watch the glittering Paris skyline.

Day 3, Monday: In Paris (B)
This morning’s sightseeing tour highlights the best of Paris including visiting the Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, the Sorbonne, the Pantheon, the intriguing Left Bank, Sacre-Coeur and a visit to the famed Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris’ greatest Gothic treasure. This evening why not try one of the wonderful local French restaurants.

Day 4, Tuesday: In Paris (B) - A special morning devoted to Josephine Baker's Paris
Today as a special treat, the morning will be devoted to discovering the world of Josephine Baker, including a presentation of her life in Paris. This is followed by a walk to see the hotel where she gave her last performance, the square named after her, and one of her favorite cafés. You will then take a metro (subway) ride to the 8th district to complete the tour with a visit to the Champs Elysées and the adjacent thoroughfares that Josephine Baker frequented. Sites will include the theater where she made her Paris début, the church where her funeral was held, the theater where she performed her first operetta, and one of her Paris residences. Then you will have time for a bite to eat at a local Parisian restaurant. The afternoon is at leisure for independent activities and shopping. Tonight maybe an optional sizzling cabaret show at one of the city’s great night spots like the Moulin Rouge or the Lido.

Day 5, Wednesday: To London (B)
Early morning transfer to Paris’s International Rail Station to board the ultra-modern Eurostar train which in just three hours brings you right into the heart of vibrant London. Transfer to your hotel to relax and explore a bit on your own. Why not take in the theater, as your Hotel Concierge will be happy to assist you with arrangements.

Day 6, Thursday: In London (B/D)
Morning city tour featuring Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace to witness the Changing of the Guard, and the Tower of London. Then you will travel to Brixton to explore what local Black Londoners call home. After your sightseeing tour, lunch is on your own before returning to your hotel in the late afternoon to relax. This evening, experience the “real” London as you have dinner in a local Pub.

Day 7, Friday: In London (B/D)
A full day at leisure in this sprawling city of amazing diversity. London is a great place for shopping and there is no language barrier. In the evening, you will have fun at a farewell dinner as you board a river dinner cruise for a memorable view of the city.

Day 8. Saturday: To USA (B)
After an early morning breakfast, transfer to Heathrow airport for your return flight, which arrives the same day.

NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change due to conditions beyond our control. Prices are subject to change without notice until time of deposit. All dollar values not denoted otherwise are US Dollars.


Tour Pricing and Registration
Please note that International airfare is not included. African-American Journeys will be happy to assist you with your fight plans Prices indicated include a discount for payment by check. The prices in red brackets apply for payment using a credit card.

$3,099 [$3,262]
Price per person, double occupancy, LAND ONLY

Please note that International airfare is not included. AfricanAmericanJourneys will be happy to assist you with your fight plans

Plus: Prepaid Gratuities for applicable guides, escorts, drivers, wait and hotel staff, porterage, etc. - $125 [$132]

A Single Room is available throughout the tour for an additional cost of $749 [$788].

Reservation deposit is $300 [$315] per person.

Pre/post nights are available upon request.
Travel insurance is highly recommended.

Call 888 747-8811 (toll free in the U.S.) or email us at AAJ@AfricanAmericanJourneys.com or info@Travelight.tv if you have any questions or would like to connect with us.
 

Follow in the footsteps of Nelson Mandela as you visit South Africa. Nobody belongs here more than you do! There is perhaps no other continent as diverse as Africa. As you journey there, you will see why Africa immediately--and permanently--carves a special place in your heart. This special tour will follow the footsteps of Mandela from Robben’s Island where he was incarcerated for 27 years to his miraculous rise to President of South Africa. Visit the Mandela museum in Soweto, a small township outside of Johannesburg where he lived. The tapestry of images which unfold are almost impossible to describe. From the "City of Gold" Johannesburg, to glamorous Cape Town, to Sun City, the "Las Vegas" style fun resort, this trip of heritage, folklore, customs and traditions will forge images and friendships that will last a lifetime. Make the ultimate journey... come to Africa. Tour dates: May 6-17, 2009 July 1-12, 2009 September 16-27, 2009 Inclusions: Interconnecting South Africa flights Round-trip transfers between airport and hotels Accommodations in 4 star hotels hotel taxes & service charges at the hotel Porterage at hotels and airports Welcome drink and tour briefing 9 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 4 Dinners Sightseeing tour as per itinerary including entrance fees Local guides for sightseeing Township Sightseeing tour Added Features: Travel with like-minded travelers "Welcome to South Africa" dinner "Walk to Freedom" Tour Visits to Townships Certificate to commemorate your visit to Cape Hope Special farewell dinner in Sun City Featured Hotels or similar: Cape Town: The Portswood Hotel Johannesburg: Garden Court Sandton Sun City: Sun City Hotel

Itinerary

Day 1. To South Africa
Arrange your own flight reservations for the overnight trip to South Africa (Cape Town).
Note: African American Journeys will be happy to assist you with your flight plans.

Day 2. To Cape Town - Tour Begins (D)
On arrival in Cape Town, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After checking in, you will have a "welcome drink" and a detailed briefing about the history, culture and night-life that you will be seeing during your stay in South Africa. This is followed by a welcome dinner at your hotel.

Day 3. In Cape Town (B)
This morning you will be collected from your hotel for a half day tour of Cape Town City including Table Mountain. Our day starts with unforgettable sweeping views of the fairest Cape (weather permitting) as you enjoy visibility over some 40 miles and take a close look at the city below through numerous telescopes. Descend from the upper Cableway station to an awaiting vehicle and continue to the heart of Cape Town’s city centre. A stop at Signal Hill enables you to view the city from high up, while the city orientation tour gives a good idea of what there is to see and do in Cape Town. A visit to the Castle provides an insight into the past, as does the visit to the Malay Quarter. Return to your hotel and dinner on your own.

Day 4. In Cape Town - Robben Island & "Walk to Freedom" Tour (B)
Depart for your full day Township and Robben Island Tour. The day starts with a morning tour that will offer a wealth of insight into South African history as you look at the legacy of the struggle and the promise of reconstruction. You will have an opportunity to talk to local people, visit their homes and enjoy time in a Shebeen as well as see the Bo Kaap, District Six and some townships. Lunch on your own on the V&A Waterfront. This afternoon you take a half- day cruise to Robben Island which includes a visit to the prison cells where Nelson Mandela and other freedom fighters were incarcerated. Return to Cape Town for an afternoon and evening on your own.

Day 5. In Cape Town - Cape Point and Wine Region Excursion (B/L/D)
Depart for a full day tour of Cape Point and the Wine region. Depart for Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve along one of South Africa's most scenic and popular routes, passing Hout Bay and enjoying the dramatic views from Chapman’s Peak Drive. Cape Point, where (by tradition) the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet, is the highlight where you will receive a certificate to commemorate your visit. Stop for a seafood lunch at a local restaurant. Continue to the spectacular vineyard covered valleys and along scenic country roads to Stellenbosch, the second oldest European settlement in South Africa which has some of the best preserved historical buildings in South Africa. The scenery is combined with a wine tasting and cellar tour plus the opportunity to purchase the local wines. Return to your hotel for dinner.

Day 6. To Johannesburg (B/D)
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Cape Town Airport to connect on your flight to Johannesburg. Upon arrival, you are met and transferred to your Sandton hotel, situated in the affluent northern suburbs of Johannesburg. After checking in, you will have time to freshen up before you depart on a city tour of Johannesburg to the “Top of Africa” for a panoramic view of the city. Continue through downtown Johannesburg past the Supreme Court, the old Stock Exchange and the Anglo American headquarters. Scattered between the high rise buildings, you’ll see traditional street vendors. Travel through the northern suburbs and Hillbrow before reaching the African Museum where the history and cultures of the South African “Rainbow Nation” are well represented. Return to your hotel for dinner.

Day 7. In Johannesburg with an excursion to Soweto (B)
Depart for your half day tour to Soweto, the South Western Township. Soweto is a sprawling metropolis ofmore than 3.5 million people, a city synonymous with South Africa’s turbulent past and its hope for the future. Soweto is a multi-cultural composite of South Africa today. Peek into the past, the hostels, Freedom Square, the struggle for liberty. Tread the paths to greatness taken by Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu. Stand on the only road in the world which carries the honor of the two recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize. Tour includes a full view of Soweto from the vicinity of the Chris Hani Hospital, visits to African merchants of traditional medicines, a typical four roomed dwelling, an informal settlement, a pre-school, a senior citizen center, affluent neighborhoods and a typical Shebeen (African drinking house). Lunch on your own before driving back to the hotel. Enjoy remainder of afternoon at leisure for independent activities. Dinner on your own.

Day 8. In Johannesburg with excursion to Gold Reef City (B)
Depart for Gold Reef City and a 3 hour guided tour which includes a ride on a sightseeing train, small crafts village and a trip down the Gold Mine, Level 5 (785 ft below the surface). See a 12.5kg gold ingot poured and be entertained by Siyagida African Dancers. The afternoon is free for shopping and exploring on your own. Dinner on your own at one of the many local restaurants.


Day 9. To Pretoria and Sun City (B)
Depart by coach to Sun City via Pretoria as you drive towards the beautiful Jacaranda City, Pretoria, home of the inauguration of President Nelson Mandela in 1994. Visit the Voortrekker Monument, Paul Kruger House and Melrose House. Stop at the impressive Union Buildings, site of Nelson Mandela’s Presidential inauguration and the current offices of President Thabo Mbeki. Continue through the countryside to Sun City Resort. Away from the routine hustle and bustle of life, the North-West Province is an escape route to the real Africa. Nature has blessed this Province with breathtaking scenic beauty, rolling fields of maize, golden sunflowers and vast plains of African bushveld. The long hours of daylight in the sun-kissed Province provides the ideal backdrop for enjoyment of outdoor attractions – superb game reserves, magnificent golf courses, water-sports and sporting facilities. Sun City is a spectacular recreational, entertainment and gambling resort. Take in a show. Try your luck at the casino or dance the night away at one of the super clubs. Dinner on your own.

Day 10. In Sun City (B/D)
Enjoy a full day to explore the wonders of Sun City. Late afternoon meet for a game drive in open 4x4 safari vehicles in the Pilansberg National Park, South Africa's third largest national park which is home to the "Big Five" (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino & buffalo) as well as a variety of other wildlife. After a game drive you will transfer to the BOMA (a reed enclosure) where you will enjoy a "Farewell Dinner" under a roof of African stars.

Day 11. In Sun City, To Johannesburg and USA (B)
Breakfast at your hotel. The morning is free to relax by the pool or do some last minute shopping before transferring to Johannesburg International Airport where you will depart for your return flight to the USA.

Day 12. USA Arrival
Morning arrival in USA.

NOTE: This itinerary is subject to change due to conditions beyond our control. Prices are subject to change without notice until time of deposit. All dollar values not denoted otherwise are US Dollars.


Tour Pricing and Registration
Prices indicated include a discount for payment by check. The prices in red brackets apply for payment using a credit card.

$3,399 [$3,578] May & July departures
$200 [$211] supplement for March & September departures

Price per person, double occupancy, LAND ONLY

Please note that International airfare is NOT included. AfricanAmericanJourneys will be happy to assist you with your flight plans.

Plus: Prepaid Gratuities for applicable guides, escorts, drivers, wait and hotel staff, porterage, etc. - $150 [$158]

A Single Room is available throughout the tour for an additional cost of $1,589 [$1,673].

Reservation deposit is $300 [$315] per person.

Pre/post nights are available upon request.
Travel insurance is highly recommended.

Call 888 747-8811 (toll free in the U.S.) or email us at AAJ@AfricanAmericanJourneys.com or info@Travelight.tv if you have any questions or would like to connect with us.

 

Come to the very cradle of civilization, where five thousand years of African grandeur wait to embrace you and welcome you home. Journey with us back through time to glimpse the glory and the mystery that was ancient Egypt. Experience the timeless wonder of the pyramids, and stand before the silent, watchful sphinx. Feast your eyes on pharonic gold and the priceless treasures of Tutankhamun. Walk in the majestic Valley of the Kings and in the teeming streets of Cairo, where ancient trades and customs endure amidst the clamor of modern commerce. Shop for silk and spices as you wander through the aromatic passageways of a Nubian bazaar. Cruise the fabled Nile. Visit the healing temple at Kom Ombo, the sacred temples of Isis and Horus and, most magnificent of all, the temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a great woman of the Negro Eighteenth Egyptian Dynasty. Visit the newly open Nubian museum with all it history of the past, which highlights past Black African culture and leadership in Egypt. Though their story remains largely untold, so-called "black pharaohs" ruled ancient Egypt for nearly half a century. They played a major role in unifying the country and created glorious monuments, which still stand today. TOUR INCLUDES: Round-trip flights from New York to Egypt Round-trip transfers between airport & hotel Inter-Egypt flights Airline & Hotel taxes Metaphysical Egyptologist as guide Accommodations Service charges at the hotel Meals as per itinerary (Daily Breakfast) Deluxe Nile River cruise Sightseeing tour as per itinerary Sightseeing entrance fees ADDED FEATURES: Special Farewell Egypt dinner A gala Nubian cruise farewell dinner party A Visit to the Nubian Museum in Aswan

Itinerary

Day 1. Wednesday, September 23 - Depart for Cairo
Departure via our EgyptAir flight to Cairo.

Day 2. Thursday, September 24 - Cairo & Giza (D)
Upon arrival in Cairo in the early afternoon, we will be met at the airport by our special representative and assisted through immigration and customs. We will then be transported via motorcoach to your hotel and your welcome dinner at our hotel.

Day 3. Friday, September 25 - Giza Pyramids & Great Sphinx (B)
Awaken early to see the sun rise on the Giza Plateau of the Pyramids & Sphinx as we hear the Muezzins calling the entire city to prayer at the distant minarets. At breakfast we will be joined by our Egyptologist and guides who will accompany us to the pyramids and the Great Sphinx where they will enlighten us with detailed examination of these towering monuments of antiquity and their rich history. At noon we will visit the famed Papyrus Gallery Institute, where skilled craftsmen make copies of the art and artifacts of the tombs and temples. Lunch is on your own. In the afternoon, depart for your tour of the city and the Egyptian Museum. Your first stop is the world-renowned Egyptian Museum, with its collection of relics dating back to 4000 B.C. The crowning jewel of the museum is the priceless treasure of Tutankhamun. Nearby a bust of the powerful Queen Tiye, King Tut's grandmother, suggests she was of Nubian ancestry. This unique museum, with well over 100,000 exhibits in 107 rooms and galleries, contains some of the world's finest ancient Egyptian relics. It has the power to hold visitors in quiet contemplation for hours. Don't forget to visit one of the favorite rooms that contain a large collection of mummies. Continue with a tour of Old Cairo, including the Church of St. Sergius on the site where the Holy Family lived in Cairo and Ben Ezra synagogue near the spot where pharaoh's soldiers found the infant Moses. Return to your hotel where the evening is free.

Day 4. Saturday, September 26 - To Luxor and start of cruise (B/L/D)
After breakfast, depart for the airport for your flight to Luxor, Upon arrival in Luxor, you will go from the airport and cross the Nile to the West Bank where you will visit the Valley of the Kings. Here in the Valley of the Kings you will visit selected tombs of the Pharaohs, vibrant with scenes of ancient daily life, as you'll as the magnificent Temple to Amun, built by Queen Hatshepsut. Return to our cruise ship to refresh ourselves. Meet to start your evening "Sound & Light tour" that will be devoted to the exploration of the magnificent temples of Luxor and Karnak, the former built amidst the ruins of ancient Thebes and once connected to the colossal Temple of Karnak by a two-mile-long Avenue of Sphinxes, still partially intact. Karnak is dedicated to Amon-Ra, the Poyour of Creation. The Temple of Amon is the largest columned temple in the world; the gigantic size of these columns is literally overwhelming. It was here that Hatshepsut erected two giant obelisks that rose to almost 100 feet: "To make the obelisks still more conspicuous] she had their tops encased in electrum, a metal costlier than gold. Electrum was a composition of silver and gold. Silver being rather rare in Egypt, it was more precious. Return to your cruise ship. After dinner, Depart Luxor

Day 5. Monday, September 27 - Cruising the Nile (B/L/D)
Relax and enjoy the beautiful Nile valley as you sail to Esna and cross the lock, sailing to Edfu this evening, the captain will host a you at a welcoming cocktail party, which will be followed by dinner and a free evening as you cruise, up the Nile. Arrive Edfu late evening.

Day 6. Sunday, September 28 - Cruising the Nile (B/L/D)
Depart in a horse-drawn carriage with driver to nearby Edfu, the temple of falcon-headed Horus, and one of the finest examples of Ptolemaic art in Egypt - perhaps one of the best preserved temples of the entire ancient world! Our Egyptologist will lead us through the various temples, pointing out the richly decorated important scenes related to the divinities associated with the cult of Horus. Return to the cruise ship. Continue sailing. Enjoy lunch on board. Later afternoon arrival and visit to Kom Ombo, a magnificent energy-filled edifice overlooking a bend on the Nile. This famous dual temple is dedicated to Sobek, (the Crocodile God), and Haroeris, Horus the Elder (the falcon-headed god and legendary Son of Osiris and Isis). Return to the cruise ship for dinner on board a special fun and exciting dinner and Galabaya Party. Arrive Aswan late evening.

Day 7. Tuesday, September 29 - Aswan and Cairo (B/D)
We awake to a glorious morning in Aswan, gateway to Nubia. After breakfast, disembark from your cruise ship and tour Aswan by taking an early-morning boat ride to the island of Philae and the Temple of Isis, where our Egyptian host will share with us how this graceful antiquity was meticulously moved, stone by stone, from its original site (now submerged) to its new, higher island home in the middle of Lake Nasser. And, onward to the unfinished obelisk located in the Northern Quarry which still lies where a crack was discovered as it was being hewn from the rock. Then visit the colorful Nubian bazaar, the promenade along the Nile and the newly opened Nubian Museum, which highlights past Black African culture and leadership in Egypt. Then onto an authentic Nubian village and enjoy dinner there. Take a late night flight back to Cairo and return to your hotel.

Day 8. Wednesday, September 30 - Aswan and Cairo (B)
After breakfast at your hotel, transfer to the airport for EgyptAir's direct flight to JFK.

Note: This tour is only open to Travel Agents and your reservation must be accompanied with your Travel Agency's name as well as a copy of your IATAN or ARC personnel listing and a copy of your IATAN photo ID that will be approved by EgyptAir


Tour Pricing and Registration (based on a minimum of 17 participants)

$1,395 per person, double occupancy, INCLUDING International Airfare from New York

Prepaid Gratuities for applicable guides, escorts, drivers, wait and hotel staff, portage, etc. - $75

Egyptian Visa: $45

International Air Taxes: $145

Current Fuel Surcharges: $195

A Single Room is available throughout the tour for an additional cost of $250

Reservation deposit is $300