Site Summary - Cairo Giza Pyramids including the Queens Pyramids and the Sphinx.Cairo Museum. Site Summary - Middle Egypt Beni Hassan and Amarna, Tuna el Gebel & Ashmounien. Site Summary - Luxor Karnak and Open Air Museum, Hatshepsut, Valley of the Kings (3 tombs), Mountain Walk, Colossi of Memnon, Deir el Medina, Hathor Temple, Ramose, Userhat, Khaemhet, Nefertari, Queens Valley, Dendera, Esna and Edfu.

Day 1- Friday 26th February 2010 - London/Cairo

Fly London to Cairo with EgyptAir and on arrival we check-in to the first-class Movenpick Hotel at Giza for two nights on room and breakfast basis.

Day 2- Giza

To the Giza plateau, the Great Pyramids, Queens Pyramids and time to see the  images of women on entry to some of the mastaba tombs which may include Meresankh, Iymery, Neferbauptah, Nefermaat and Debhen, then to the mighty Sphinx enclosure. In the afternoon we will take a grand tour of the Cairo Museum looking at some of the artifacts relating to our forthcoming tour. (B)

Day 3- To Minya

We head south for Minya stopping at the rock-tombs of Beni Hassan to view the stunning murals of warriors, sporting events, crafts and daily life. On arrival in Minya we check-in to the medium-class Mercure Etap El Minya for two nights on room, breakfast and dinner basis. In the afternoon we head off to visit the site of Tuna el Gebel. Time permitting we will end our day at the site of Ashmounien. (BD)

Day 4- Nefertiti at Amarna

A very special day as we meet with Barry Kemp on site in Amarna. We will enter the Royal Tomb of Akhenaten and then head in to the city. We study the State Palace, Royal Residence, and the Sanctuary of Aten. Then to Nefertiti’s summer residence the Northern Palace and the Northern Tombs. (BD)

Day 5 - To Ancient Thebes

We start at the rock-tombs of Beni Hassan to view the stunning murals of ordinary women engaged in crafts and other activities of daily life, warriors and sporting events.Later we continue our journey south by train to Luxor and on arrival check-in to the first-class Old Winter Palace Garden Pavilion Wing or similar on room and breakfast basis for six nights. (B)

Day 6 - Luxor

This morning we take an in-depth tour of the majestic Karnak Temple where we will explore the legacy of Hatshepsut and much else before entering the open-air museum to see the lovely White Chapel, the Alabaster Chapel and of course the reconstructed Red Chapel of Hatshepsut (B)

Day 7 - West Bank I

This morning there is a chance to take an optional hot air balloon flight that will give fantastic views of Deir el-Bahri. After breakfast we will visit the Valley of the Kings and enter the tomb of Queen Tawosret and Sethnakht amongst others. We will also walk to the door of Hatshepsut’s tomb. Next, the walk over Meretsegar. to Deir el Medina. Then on to Deir el-Bahri, Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple with its Punt Colonnades relating to her expeditions abroad. Last the famous Colossi of Memnon taking special note of Tiye and Mutemwia. (B)

Day 8 - West Bank II

To the Workers’ Village of Deir el-Medina to look at the homes of the Artisans and their families. On to the Ptolemaic temple dedicated to Maat and Hathor. Then to the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu where we will look at the chapels of the Gods Wives of Amun. Lastly the Tombs of the Nobles to look at the striking female images in the tombs of Ramose, Userhat and Khaemhet (B)

Day 9 – Nefertari

Surely the stunning highlight of the trip a visit to The Queens Valley where we have a special permit to enter the Tomb of Nefertari perhaps the most famous of all Egyptian Queens. Principal wife of Ramesses II and often seen with the Pharaoh in artwork and sculpture. We will also enter the tombs of Queen Titi and young Princes. Later we will visit the Temple of Hathor at Dendera with its images of Cleopatra and her son Caesarion. (B) (See Notes).

AWT is an agent of Bales Worldwide Ltd.

DEPARTURE DATE Friday 26th February 2010 TOUR CODE AWDI260210 Basic Holiday Price: £2,185 Single Supplement: £260 Club Class Upgrade: £635 Luxor Ballon: £100 Edfu Excursion: £60 Land Only Discount -£240   AWT is making donations to the archaeological digs at both Amarna and Tell Edfu as part of this tour. If you wish to make a private donation to either of  these very worthwhile digs then please let us know and we'll provide you with more information.   THIS TOUR IS NOW FULL. AN ADDITIONAL DATE IN MID-SEPT 2010 IS CURRENTLY BEING SET UP - FOR WHICH WE ALREADY HAVE OVER 10 REGISTRATIONS. PLEASE REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TO BE GIVEN FIRST REFUSAL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Day 10 - Optional Edfu / Esna

Today could be your day to relax by the pool, soak up the sun and recharge the batteries before heading home. Of course, you could also join us on an optional excursion by road to Esna and Edfu, Egypt's most complete temple. For those on the optional excursion, lunch is included. (B)

 

Day 11 - Luxor/London

Fly Luxor to London with EgyptAir arriving later the same day. (B)

Expert: Lucia Gahlin's charm and enthusiam for Egypt is justifiably famous. Bringing sites to life with well chosen words and information, travelling with Lucia is always a pleasure. Her Daughers of Isis tour promises to be a highlight of 2010.