Ancient World tours

Site Summary - Lower Egypt Cairo: Giza Pyramids, Sakkara, Ibn Tulun, Sultan Hassan, Egyptian Museum, South Sakkara, Abu Sir, Abu Roash. Alexandria: National Museum, Kom el Shuqafa, the Serapeum, Pompey's Pillar, Anfushi.  Site Summary - Upper Egypt Luxor: Valley of the Kings, Western Valley, Nobles Tombs, Ramesseum, Medinet Habu, Colossi of Memnon, Karnak (at dawn), Luxor Temple, Abydos, Dendera, Deir el Bahri, Asasif, Deir el Medina, Valley of the Queens, El Kab, Edfu, Kom Ombo. Aswan: Elephantine, Kubbet el Hawa, Philae, Abu Simbel (optional), Nubian Museum, Sehel Island.

Day 1 – Mon 14th Feb 2011 - Cairo

On arrival at Cairo Airport you will be met and transferred by private vehicle to the first-class Mena House Hotel at Giza. We will check-in to this lovely hotel overlooking the Great Pyramids for four nights on room and breakfast basis. All our rooms have pyramid views but there are upgrades available to the Old Building if required. Transfers from the airport will be arranged for all passengers on this expedition regardless of arrival date or time, as we recognise that some individuals will be flying in from different points of origin. 

Day 2 – Tue 15th Feb - Perfect Pyramids

A full day exploration as we begin with a visit to the Great Pyramids on the Giza Plateau. We will have time to view the three great pyramids and the sphinx up close. We will visit the mortuary temple and the causeway of Khafre too. For those that wish there will be time to enter the fascinating Solar Boat Museum or the Great Pyramid with an extra ticket that can be purchased locally. For a well earned rest we will drive to the Sakkara Palm Club where we will have a chance to freshen up and enjoy a local lunch (included). Later we make the short journey to Sakkara to visit Djoser’s Step Pyramid Complex. A brief stop at the informative new Imhotep Museum will give us much background detail on the site. Then we will view the Step Pyramid from the Heb Sed Court with time to wander before we enter the early mastaba tombs nearby. We return to our comfortable hotel for an evening at leisure. (BL)

Day 3 – Wed 16th Feb - Old Cairo and Museum

After breakfast we set out to look at Medieval Cairo. Our first stop will be the Ibn Tulun Mosque, which started construction in 876 AD upon what local legend holds is the hill where Noah’s Ark really came to rest. Arguably the oldest such structure in Cairo, it is perhaps the largest. Then to the Citadel and the one of the greatest of the city’s Islamic monuments the Mosque of Sultan Hassan. We shall stop for lunch, at the Citadel restaurant overlooking Al Azhar Park and the hills and city of Cairo. A modern building in a traditional style it offers an exotic atmosphere and great food. Our afternoon will be spent at the Egyptian Museum. After a guided tour walking us through all eras of Ancient Egyptian history, there will be plenty of free time to linger and marvel at the famous Tutanhkamun displays, the Tanis treasures and the Amarna collection. For an optional extra ticket, you can also enter the Mummy Room. At this point there is a chance to return to the hotel or take an optional excursion to the magical Khan el Khalili Bazaar, the main shopping area of Cairo. (BL)

Day 4 – Thu 17th Feb - South Sakkara & Abu Roash

A spectacular day travelling in four wheel drive vehicles exploring some remote sites rarely visited by other tourists. – unless, of course, they are with AWT. We have special permission from the SCA to visit South Sakkara. Here we will see The Middle Kingdom Pyramid of Khendjer and the fascinating 4th Dynasty structure, Masatabat Faraun, the Pharaohs Bench. This is an extensive site with many other small pyramids and mortuary temples including those of Pepi I and Merenre. We hope to visit the French excavations. We will take our lunch break at the Sakkara Palm Club (included). From here we will drive across the desert to the isolated site of Abu Sir with its ‘pyramid’ causeway, with scenes of an early expedition to Punt and its mastabas. Later we make the short drive north of Giza to Abu Roash for another visit on a special permit from the SCA. Here it is possible to climb down in to the heart of a stripped pyramid. This is the site of the pyramid of Djedefre, son of Khufu. Stones were carried away by daily caravans of 300 camels, to build nearby Cairo. We will take refreshments here after our tour as the view from this location of the desert and the Great Pyramids is stunning in the late afternoon light. We return to our Cairo hotel. Tonight we pack ready for an early checkout next morning. (BL)

Day 5 – Fri 18th Feb - Alexandria

Early this morning we begin our drive to the bustling city of Alexandria. Founded by Alexander the Great in 332 BC, it became the cultural centre of the Mediterranean region. Here we will explore some of the most famous landmarks of this exciting city. We will visit the gorgeous Alexandria Museum to view some of the local and most recent finds in the area. Later, we check-in to the historic Sofitel Cecil Hotel, right on the corniche, for two nights on room and breakfast basis. From here it is possible to see the Qaitbay Fort, built on the ancient Island of Pharos over the ruins of the world-famous lighthouse. This evening allows time for a stroll along the waterfront, perhaps to view the new Bibliotheca Alexandria or sample the local seafood in the famous Trianon Café, once the haunt of the poet Cavafy. (B)

Day 6 – Sat 19th Feb - Emperors and Ptolemies

We have much to see in Alexandria and we begin with the Catacombs of Kom el Shuqafa, the ‘Hill of Treasures,’ that were only discovered in 1900. This rock-hewn necropolis has tombs that date back to the time of the emperors Domitian and Trajan with classic funerary motifs of pharaonic Egypt. On to the site of the ancient Temple of Serapis and the famous Pompey’s Pillar towering over the Serapeum dating to the Ptolemaic period. Our last stop will be the Necropolis of Anfushi characterised by tombs whose walls are decorated with geometric motifs. Dating to the 3rd century AD, here we will find a vaulted tomb containing a large sarcophagus made of pink Aswan granite. A relaxing evening, with a chance to take dinner at our comfortable hotel or visit one of the excellent local seafood restaurants nearby. (B)

Day 7 – Sun 20th Feb - To Thebes

After breakfast we drive back to Cairo in time to take our short flight south to Luxor. On arrival we will take our private transfer and check-in to the first-class Old Winter Palace Garden Pavilion for five nights on a room and breakfast basis. Upgrades to the Old Building are available with a further upgrade to a Nile view also possible. Once we have had time to freshen up we will make the short journey to the lovely Luxor Museum. This museum has a wonderful collection of treasures, found locally, including perhaps the fi nest statue ever carved – that of Thutmoses III. (B)

Day 8 - Mon 21st Feb - To The West Bank

We begin our day by crossing the Nile in a motor launch – the traditional way to reach the West Bank. On arrival our coach will meet us and take us straight to The Valley of the Kings. Here we will have a ticket for access to three tombs. Advice will be provided on the highlights of some to assist you in making a decision on which tombs to visit. The choice is yours. We are delighted that we also have a special permit from the SCA to enter the normally closed tomb of Horemheb. This is a tomb of particular magnificence and with exception of a few short weeks in 2009 it has been closed to the public for many years. If anyone wishes to visit the tomb of Tutankhamun, to see his mummy on display, this requires a special ticket (at extra cost). We will also visit the less crowded and atmospheric Western Valley and enter the Tomb of Ay. Then we move to the Nobles’ Tombs of Ramose, Userhat and Khaemhat, much smaller than the Royal Tombs but stunning in their own way. Ramose, vizier and governor of Thebes at the time of the Amarna revolution, has some of the fi nest reliefs to be seen on the West Bank. Here you will also see the famous painted funerary scene with its grieving mourners. We have arranged a relaxing local lunch at the nearby Africa Restaurant. Refreshed, we head to the Ramesseum, the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses the Great, inspiration for Shelly’s Ozymandias. Next to Medinet Habu, most complete of all the mortuary temples still highly coloured in parts. On our way back to the river we take time to stop and admire the massive Colossi of Memnon. Our private launch returns us to our hotel as the sun sets over the Nile. (BL)

DEPARTURE DATE Monday 14th Feb 2011 TOUR CODE AWGE140211   Basic Tour Price: $5,525 Single Supplement: $668 Luxor Balloon: $150 Optional Abu Simbel: $280 Khan el Khalili: $25     How To Book This Tour

Day 9 - Tue 22nd Feb - Mighty Karnak

A very early start after early morning tea or coffee as we aim to be at Karnak Temple for sunrise and before the crowds of the day. The reflections across the Sacred Lake at this time of day are stunning and not to be missed. After we have had plenty of time for photos we will begin our guided tour walking through the many different stages of the temples history. We also have tickets for the Open-Air Museum and take time to look at the reconstructed White Kiosk of Senusret, Hatshepsut’s Red Chapel and many fine pieces of sculpture. You can return to the hotel with the coach for a late breakfast or if you prefer you can stay on at Karnak to explore further. Later this afternoon we will take the short walk to Luxor Temple for a guided tour as the sun goes down and the floodlights come on. (B)

Day 10 – Wed 23rd Feb - Mystical Abydos & Dendera

We head North to Abydos, a site that held mystical fascination for pharaohs from the earliest times. First we will walk through the magnificent temple built by Seti I with the finest reliefs in Egypt carved into its walls, including the famous ‘King List’. We look at the intriguing Osireion before walking over the desert sands to the smaller Temple of Ramesses II. Some wonderful coloured reliefs survive inside the temple and the outer walls have some lovely depictions of the Battle of Kadesh. We relax over a picnic lunch before heading homeward via the Ptolemaic Temple of Dendera. The columns and ceilings of this temple are being cleaned and it is now possible to see the lovely blue painted scenes – free of soot for the first time in hundreds of years. (BL)

Day 11 - Thu 24th Feb - Return to the West Bank

This morning there will be the chance to take an optional balloon flight over the West Bank. After breakfast we will once again cross the Nile by private launch and today head for Deir el Bahri with its Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the female pharaoh. View the ‘Punt Reliefs’ and walk the ramps to the highest terrace. A short walk away we find the Asasif tombs and we will enter the Tomb of Pabasa from the Late Period. Our last stop before lunch will be the Workmen’s Village of Deir el Medina, where we will enter the small but colourful tombs of the workers themselves. After visiting the tombs we wander past the central streets of the village to the Ptolemaic Temple of Hathor. After a well earned rest we have special permission from the SCA to enter the Tomb of Nefertari in the Queens’ Valley, surely a highlight of this whole tour. With time to enter the other tombs that are open to the public in the valley we board our coach and head for home. Lunch today will be a late one under own arrangements back at the hotel as the afternoon will be largely at leisure. (B)

Day 12 – Fri 25th Feb - Into Nubia

Today we head further south into Nubia for a short stay in Aswan, Egypt’s southernmost city. Our first stop will be at El Kab to view the New Kingdom tombs set in the cliffs. Then to the massive Ptolemaic Temple of Horus the Elder at Edfu, Egypt’s most complete temple, with many depictions of the struggle between Horus and Seth. We will have a picnic lunch provided by the Old Winter Palace to take with us on this journey. Our last stop before Aswan will be at the Temple of Haroeris and Sobek at Kom Ombo. Set on a bend in the river this temple has a stunning outlook and was known to be cult centre for crocodiles. On arrival in the lovely town of Aswan we check-in to the Movenpick Hotel for three nights on room and breakfast basis. (BL)

Day 13 - Sat 26th Feb - Living on the Nile

This morning we begin with a tour of ancient Yebu on Elephantine Island. We explore the Temple of Khnum and many other monuments dating from the Old Kingdom through to the Greco-Roman period. The site is still being excavated and more is being learnt of the historic site every year. Next we take a launch the short distance across the Nile to the rarely visited Tombs of Kubbet el Hawa, the tombs of Old and Middle Kingdom Nobles. Look for the record of a trading expedition to deep Nubia where a young Pepy II writes urging Harkhuf to bring back a ‘dancing dwarf’. After some free time at our hotel, for lunch or a rest we take a short coach journey and another boat ride, this time to the Island of Agilikia and the beautiful Temple of Isis at Philae. Saved from the rising waters of the High Dam in the 1970’s this temple was relocated to its present home under the guidance of UNESCO. Back to our hotel for a relaxing evening and a chance to explore the markets of old Aswan. (B)

Day 14 - Sun 27th Feb - Abu Simbel (Optional)

For those that want to venture even further south today, there is a chance to take the optional excursion to Abu Simbel. The guided tour leaves early in the morning and takes the short flight to Abu Simbel. There we will learn about this greatest of all monuments of Ramesses the Great. Dominated by four Colossi of Ramesses the site is just overwhelming. We will also take time to enter the smaller rock-hewn Hathor Temple of Queen Nefertari. Once the group has returned later in the day we will all visit the Nubian Museum and wander through the lovely gardens with its many locally discovered artefacts. Our final excursion of this holiday is rather special. We will take a private motor launch to Sehel Island. This wonderful place is covered in inscriptions recording the adventures of various Egyptians beginning and ending the journeys to Punt and beyond. Here, too, we find the moving ‘Famine Stelae’ as well as some spectacular views of Aswan and her beautiful islands. We return to the hotel, gently passing through reed beds for a spot of bird watching before returning to our hotel for a final sunset. (B)

Day 15 - Mon 28th Sept - Homeward Bound

This morning we begin our homeward journey after one of the most complete trips of Egypt possible. After breakfast we board our flight in Aswan and make the short journey to Cairo where you will be able to make your international connections. We will of course have representatives on hand in Cairo Airport to assist with these transfers and additional overnight accommodation is available in Cairo for those not wishing to depart for home on the same day. (B)

	Expert: Ed Johnson is a much loved and respected Egyptologist. His tours of Egypt are always lively, fascinating and filled with good humour and surprises and we are delighted that he is taking this amazing tour for us.
	Guide: Medhat Saad is AWT's most senior guide and one of life's great communicators. His knowledge is vast, his humour infectious and his contacts simply legendary.