Eternal Egypt - The Nile, the Oases of the Western Desert, and the excavations
at Tel El Amarna

Itinerary

Day 1

Check in at Heathrow for British Midland flight to Cairo. Transfer to the Pyramid Park Intercontinental.  Overnight Cairo.

Day 2

Drive up to the Giza Plateau and the Pyramids. This afternoon visit the Egyptian     Museum with its famous 'Gold Room' housing the treasures from the tomb of Tutankhamen. Dinner and overnight Cairo.

Day 3

Today we start journeying south towards Middle Egypt with sites which the casual tourist would never reach. We begin with a visit to the strangely beautiful but partially collapsed pyramid at Meidum, thought to have been built for Huni, the last Pharoh of the Third Dynasty. Continuing south, we shall also visit the important Middle Kingdom tombs at Beni Hasan. The 39 cliff-hewn tombs overlook the river valley with truly magnificent views. Three of those open to the public are beautifully decorated in characteristic mortuary art depicting colourful scenes of daily life, recreation and military activities. Time permitting, we shall also visit the Temple of Speos Artemidos, a rock cut temple built by Queen Hatshepsut and dedicated to the Goddess Pakhet, with inscriptions on the façade which famously denounce the Hyksos. Overnight in the town of Menya, overlooking the Nile.

Day 4

Today we shall spend a full day at the fascinating archaeological site of Tel al-Amarna, where Cambridge archaeologists led by Professor Barry Kemp are working to explore and preserve the ancient city. Amarna was the short-lived capital built by the 'heretic' Pharaoh Akhenaten and it was here that he pursued his vision of a society dedicated to the cult of one god, the power of the sun (the Aten). Of particular interest are its North palace, and the superb wall-reliefs at the North Tombs. We shall also visit the expedition house where the archaeologists live, for a chance to see what they are working on and ask questions. Return to our hotel in Menya for overnight.

Day 5

Leaving Middle Egypt early this morning, we continue 250 miles south by road to Luxor, where we join our 5* cruise ship, the Movenpick Radamis I. After lunch visit the East Bank, with the Temple of Karnak, Avenue of the Sphynxes and the Temple of Luxor with its grand colonnades. Overnight on board.

Day 6

After breakfast, visit the West Bank, The Valley of the Kings and Queens, Colossi of Memnon and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Short mid-day cruise to Edfu via the lock at Esna, where we shall have lunch onboard and a relaxing afternoon.

Day 7

This morning we shall visit the Temple of Horus, best preserved of all large Egyptian temples. After lunch, enjoy a relaxing sail south along the Nile, passing quaint villages, before reaching Kom Ombo, where we shall have a late afternoon visit to the temple to Sobek and Haeroris. Sail onwards to Aswan for dinner and overnight.

Day 8

After breakfast we visit the High Dam, with spectacular views of Lake Nasser, the Temple of Philae and the unfinished Obelisk of Queen Hatshepsut. Weather permitting, this afternoon we shall sail on the Nile by traditional Egyptian felucca (sailboat) around Kitchener Island. Dinner on board in Aswan.

Day 9

After an early breakfast, we disembark our cruise ship and start the journey north towards Luxor. Enroute we shall visit Gabel Silsila, a quarry site dating from at least the 18th Dynasty, where material was removed to build monuments at Dendera, Thebes, Karnak,  Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo. Many of the talatats used by Akhenaten were quarried from here, and used in buildings at Luxor and Amarna. The area is littered with ancient graffiti, which Professor Smith is currently researching at Oxford University.  Continuing northwards, we shall stop at Esna, Ancient Isna, which under the Greeks and Romans became the capital of the Third Nome of Upper Egypt. Here we shall visit the remains of the Temple of Khnum, built by the Roman Emperor Claudius in the 1st Century. We continue further northwards until we arrive at Luxor and check into the Meridien Luxor for dinner and overnight.

Day 10

Drive into the western desert to the oasis of Kharga. Visit the intriguing necropolis of Bagawat with over 250 early Christian tombs and chapels. Afternoon visit to the Temple of  Hibis one of two built by the Persians. Overnight at the Pioneer Hotel.

Day 11

Visit to Qasr Dakhla, a mediaeval fortified town at the rich oasis of Dakhla before continuing on to the oasis of Farafra. Overnight at the Bahariya Hotel.

Day 12

Visit the Bahariya museum and see the sun set over the White Desert, surrounded by eerie landforms. Overnight Bahariya Hotel.

Day 13

Full day drive along the southern tip of the Qattara Depression to the historical oasis of Siwah that was the site of the ancient Oracle of Amun. Overnight at the Paradise Hotel.

Day 14

Full day of exploration of Siwah Oasis - the Temple of Amon, Jabel Al-Mawta, Cleopatra's Bath, Shali City, Fatnis Island, Birket Siwa and the traditional Siwan House Museum. It is in Siwah that Alexander, around 331 B.C., was deemed a god by the oracle Jupiter Ammon. Overnight at the Paradise Hotel, Siwah.

Day 15

Drive to the Mediterranean Coast and to El Alamien to visit the Commonwealth grave sites. Continue to Alexandria for dinner and overnight.

Day 16

This morning we explore Alexandria, famed city of the Hellenistic world, and capital of Cleopatra. Visit the library, the catacombs and Faros Island, site of the Lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Continue on the Desert Highway to Cairo. Overnight Pyramids Park.

Day 17

Transfer to Cairo Airport for flight to London.

Note about Nile Cruise: Due to weather conditions on the Nile, the order of sightseeing during the Nile cruise may be changed at late notice.

Note about Hotels: The hotels that we use in this tour are for the most part extremely comfortable, and some are luxurious. In El Minyah and the Western Desert we shall be staying in the best available hotels however the focus is really on the sightseeing in these destinations rather than the hotels, which are adequately comfortable but not grand or stylish.

Tour Details

DATE:

15 - 31 March 2012

PRICE:

£2895 from London

INCLUDES:

Airfare from London, twin or double bedded rooms/cabin, with bathroom, and all excursions with local guides, UK departure tax, transfers, full board, all visits and entrance fees, expert leaders. Single supplement £750. (Can be joined without flight).

NOT INCLUDED:

Regional connecting flights if not departing from London, UK passenger service charge, security tax, insurance, foreign departure tax, fuel surcharges, group visa, drinks, & tips to drivers & local guides.

ACCOMMODATION:

3-5 star. 4 star hotels except in the oases where we use the best available (comfortable but not luxurious), 5 star Nile cruise ship.

FITNESS LEVEL:

Moderate/Active - We have graded the fitness level required for participation in this tour as Moderate/Active. This is a very full itinerary, with long days and lots of travelling using different modes of transport, including coaches, ships and four-wheel-drive vehicles. At times we will be far from first world medical assistance. There are no hikes in this tour however in order to see all the sites some long walks on uneven ground and up and down steps are required, at a moderate pace. Whilst sightseeing we may be on the go for several hours at one time, without the guarantee of somewhere shady to stop and rest. In March the weather is usually very pleasant but at times the heat can be oppressive. It is important that everyone is able to keep up with the group as the sites will be busy. For this reason we feel this tour is unsuitable for the frail or for anyone who routinely uses a walking frame or a wheelchair. If unsure, please check with us.

Trip Lecturer

This tour is accompanied by Professor Mark J Smith, Professor of Egyptology, University College Oxford.

Mark is Lady Wallis Budge Fellow in Egyptology, and his research interests include the study of Egyptian religion including Coptic Christianity and Egyptian language and texts, especially demotic. Mark has worked at Luxor and his current projects include the edition of historic graffiti at Gebel Silsila, the stone quarry for the building blocks used at Luxor and Amarna, and a study of Egyptian mortuary rituals in the Graeco-Roman period.

Fast facts

• Sovereignty: Egypt is a Semi-Presidential Republic
• Language: Arabic
• Currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP or E£)
• Timezone: Egypt is 2 hours ahead of the UK (3 hours in summer)

• Immunisations: The World Health Organisation recommends that all travellers are immunised against diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella and polio, as well as hepatitis B.

  *Note this advice is intended to be a guide only, as we are not qualified to give out medical advice. Travellers should always consult their own GP before they travel to get up-to-date information which is relevant to their own circumstances.

• Visas: A visa is required by most nationalities. Citizens of UK, USA, Australia, New Zeland and most Western European countries can obtain a visa on arrival for US$25. Check with us if unsure.
• Flying time: 5 hours to Cairo, direct from London.
• Will my phone work: Egypt uses the 900 MHz bandwidth so almost all UK phones will work there as long as your provider has authorised its use abroad.

Extensions in Egypt

We recommend a four-night extension to Sharm el Sheikh or Hurghada on the Red Sea after your tour, where you can relax at the beach, snorkel with tropical fish or visit the world's oldest functioning monastery, St Anthony's. Visit our tailor-made Egypt and Middle East pages for inspiration on other exciting extensions which we can design to fit with the dates of this tour. After all, you're already there!