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ASWAN AND UPPER EGYPT

Aswan is considered the most charming and peaceful place in Egypt. It combines natural beauty and fascinating archaeology and there's plenty to see. There are some rarely visited sites here too - and all in the company of the Editors of Ancient Egypt Magazine and their Egypt correspondent, Ayman Wahby Taher. 

Flights:

The standard tour is booked from London Heathrow, but it is possible to book flights direct with Monarch airlines from Manchester. We provide a discount of £240 on your ticket if you do that.

 

The recommended flights are;

MON4620 - 1st Feb 2010 - 0900 - 1615 - MAN/LXR

MON4621 - 8th Feb 2010 - 1730 - 2115 - LXR/MAN

 

Please note that the tour is subject to minimum numbers. If you book a flight via Monarch it is not refundable. If the tour is cancelled due to insufficient numbers then you may be left with a flight that you cannot use. It may be as well to book your flight with the main group via London and then, when minimum numbers have been achieved, we can release the London seat without penalty up to the 2nd November and you can then book direct with Monarch. We will keep you informed at all times.

Finally, if you are booking the Lake Nasser extension you will either need to fly in and out of London or extend at the end of the Lake Nasser trip by an additional three days in Luxor to catch the direct Monarch flight on the 15th. We can arrange all that for you, of course.

 

Day 1 – Monday 1st February 2010 - To Egypt

Fly London to Luxor with EgyptAir and one night at the Old Winter Palace, Garden Pavilion on a Room and Breakfast Basis.

 

Day 2 – Tue 2nd – The Road South

Today, we drive south to Aswan, visiting Mo’alla, Edfu and Kom Ombo en route. We arrive in Aswan and check into Movenpick Hotel on Elephantine Island. Formerly the Oberoi hotel, this landmark building has been refurbished to very high standard. There are plenty of amenities to enjoy at the hotel and some lovely views of Aswan. (BL)

 

 

Day 3 – Wed 3rd – The Old and the New

We start with a visit to the Aswan High Dam - and extraordinary construction which provides Egypt with so many benefits - and Egyptology with so many headaches. Our second visit is to the famous granite quarries of Aswan where we can see the Unfinished Obelisk. We return to the hotel to freshen up. This afternoon there is a peaceful visit to the island of Agilikia and the lovely temple of Philae. On our return, there is an optional visit to the beautifully presented Nubia Museum. (B)

 

Day 4 - Thu 4th - Temples and Tombs

New Kalabsha is rarely visited, which is a shame because it is a splendid building. Nearby, we find the kiosk of Qertassi and the remains of Gerf Hussain. Beit el Wali, with its fascinating wall reliefs is also within easy walking distance. After lunch, we set forth by Motor Launch to Qubet el-Hawa and the tombs of the Nomarchs. These splendid tombs have many an interesting features as well as spectacular views of Aswan. This evening there is an optional return to Philae for the Sound and Light show. (B)

 

 

Day 5 - Fri 5th - The Great Quarries

Gebel el-Silsila is not readily accessible to most travellers, which is a shame as it’s a great site! The huge quarries, from which much of the stone that build Karnak and Luxor temples was hewn, are extremely impressive. The rock-cut shrines and inscriptions are also fascinating and give an insight not only into the temple building skills of the Egyptians but also the hierarchy of architects and quarry masters. We’ll be providing a packed lunch on this day and we return to Aswan in the afternoon for some relaxation time. (B)

DEPARTURE DATE: 1st February 2010

TOUR CODE: AWAE010210
 

Basic Holiday Price: £ 1,694.00
Single Supplement: £ 212.00

Lake Nasser:             £ 679.00
Lake Nasser Single : £ 194.00

 

Abu Simbel by Air:    £154


 Book Tour

Meals as indicated - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner (B/L/D)

 

Day 6 – Sat 6th – From Sehel to Simeon

We take a motor launch to Sehel Island where many fascinating inscriptions from Egypt’s entire history await. The most important of which is the ‘Famine Stelea’. Do try to read one of the many translations available on the net. This lament of a pharaoh to the gods recounts stories of his people starving in the streets as the Nile inundations failed. Just north of Sehel is the ‘whirlpool’ believed by Herodotus to be the source of the Nile. We continue on to Elephantine Island and the temple of Khnum and other excavations. Here to is a small museum of artefacts from the Island. After lunch we cross the river by felucca to and climb the desert escarpment to the abandoned Coptic Monastery of St Simeon – a romantic site to end the day with. (B)

 

Day 7 – Sun 7th – Mighty Abu Simbel

Sunday is usually the quietest day at this splendid site. This is an optional excursion by air to this most impressive site where two spectacular temples built by Ramesses II never fail to impress. Those taking the Lake Nasser cruise extension will have plenty of time at this site later in the week. In the afternoon, the main group returns to Luxor by road, stopping at the New Kingdom tombs of el Kab. On arrival at Luxor we check into Old Winter Palace, Garden Pavilion, for our final night. Those staying on in Aswan will have a final night at the Movenpick before embarking the next day on their Lake Nasser cruiser, the M/S Nubian Sea, for a four night cruise on a full-board basis. (B)

 

Day 8 – Mon 8th – Homeward Bound

We are arranging private transfers for both the London and Manchester flights. The London flight gets in after lunch and the Manchester flight gets in around 2115.

 

 

 

Expert: Bob Partridge is editor of Ancient Egypt magazine and few people know as much of Egypt as well as Bob. With enthusiasm and charm, Bob will make this expedition lively, fascinating and full of good humour and fun.

 

Lake Nasser Extension

Those taking the extension are in for a complete change of pace with a relatively quiet few days with plenty of time to relax, read, enjoy great food, charming service and congenial surroundings. This is a very different pace from the last week and a great opportunity to re-charge the batteries.

 

Having said that, there are some great places to see along the way and the temples on the lake are generally only reachable by cruiser - so you see the sites with very few other people around.

 

The cruiser, the M/S Nubian Sea, is 5 star and prides itself on excellent food and top flight service. We have very good reports from our passengers and we know you'll enjoy this splendid trip.

Day 7 – Sun 7th – Relaxation in Aswan

For those taking the Lake Nasser cruise, the afternoon is at leisure at the Movenpick or in the bazaars of Aswan. Perhaps time for a further relaxing sail around the Islands of this most beautiful Egyptian town. (B)

 

Day 8 – Mon 8th – Lake Nasser

Today you embark on your splendid 5 star cruiser, the M/S Nubian Sea. There is no sight seeing today but plenty of time to relax and soak up some sun. We can, of course, arrange to transport you to anywhere in the area if there is something you would like to re-visit. (BLD)

 

Day 9 – Tue 9th – Lake Nasser

You have already seen Kalabsha and Beit el Wali but you can join the boat excursion to revisit these sites if you wish. The cruiser sails today over the blue waters of the lake to the overnight docking at Wadi es-Sebou. (BLD)

 

Day 10 – Weds 10th – Temples on the Shore

The day starts with a visit to Wadi es-Sebou temple and its avenue of sphinx. Here also is the impressive temple of Dakka, originally begun by the Meroitic dynasties of Sudan. We continue to sail onto Amada and the oldest of the Nubian temples which contains some lovely New Kingdom inscriptions and paintings. Our final visit is to the Derr rock-cut temple of Ramesses II. We overnight at Kasr Ibrahim. (BLD)

 

Day 11 – Thu 11th – To Abu Simbel

We start with an explanation of Kasr Ibrahim from the cruiser before heading south and the spectacular approach to Abu Simbel itself. There will be plenty of time to explore these two wonderful temples and, of course, there will be many fewer visitors there as only the cruiser passengers are there in the afternoons and evenings. Tonight there will be a sound a light show at the temples. (BLD)

 

Day 12 – Fri 12th – Homeward Bound

Our 0640 flight connects with the 0940 flight to London. If you wish to return to Manchester you will need either to return London and then fly on to Manchester or travel to Luxor and the Winter Palace, for a further three nights and take the direct flight on the 15th. Either way, we are flexible and can help you organise your ideal combination. (B)