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DESERT TRAVEL WITH AWT
If you've not travelled in the desert then you may be understandably nervous about what it may entail. Our vehicles are comfortable 4WD Toyota Land Cruisers with a maximum of four passengers in each and typically one member of staff in the front. Desert Camps are under canvas, mattresses are provided, and food is prepared by our own travelling cook - though this will be basic but wholesome - all supplies have to be carried with us and perishables are consumed first. This is adventure travel but it is designed to be comfortable and above all, safe.
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Day 1 – Mon 8th Mar 2010 - To Egypt
We fly to Luxor with EgyptAir from London Heathrow and take our private transfer to the Old Winter Palace, Garden Pavilion on a room and breakfast basis, for a night of luxury before we begin our adventure.
Day 2 – Tue 9th Mar - The First Oasis
The tour is full board from this point until we reach Cairo. We begin heading west towards our first destination, the Oasis of Kharga. Here we visit the Roman fortifications at Dush, the hill-top fortress of Qasr el Ghueita and the charming Persian Period Hibis temple. Our overnight is the Pioneer Hotel where we have a chance of a refreshing swim. (B/L/D)
Day 3 – Wed 10th Mar - Kharga to Dakhla
We are heading west today and deeper into the desert. Dakhla, one of the largest oases, is rich in archaeology and we start with Balat and the Mastaba tomb of Khentika. Next we head to the buried temple of Ain Birbiya and the small temple of Amun-Nakht before our final planned stop of the day, the temple at Deir el Hagar where we see the Rohlf expedition graffiti. We check into the Desert Lodge hotel for one night. In the evening, there is a walk to the beautiful ruined town of el Qasr with its ancient winding streets and carved door lintels. (B/L/D)
Day 4 – Thu 11th Mar - Abu Ballas
Today, we enter the desert proper, abandoning roads, hotels and villages and head for Abu Ballas. This site was once used a staging post with water for raiders coming out of the desert to lay waste to oases settlements. Today, only a mountain of ceramics remains. Continue south westerly towards Gilf Kebir for our overnight camp. (B/L/D)
Days 5 to Day 9 – Fri 12th Mar - Tue 16th Mar - The Deep Desert
Our tour takes us along the western side of the Gilf and eventually up onto the plateau itself. Along the way we will see spectacular scenery, fascinating natural phenomena, wildlife and plants - some of which are unique to this island in the desert. Our tour includes the Kemal el Din monument and the Clayton Craters, the Wadi Sura, the Cave of the Swimmers and The Mestakawi cave. Our ascent of the Gilf takes us along the Wadi Abd el Malik before we descend to the desert again at the northern extremity.
As we head north, into the Great Sand Sea, we will see the famous silica glass fields, product, perhaps, of an ancient meteor explosion just before impact. We head North East towards Ain Dalla, site of many a meteorite find. (B/L/D)
Day 10 – Wed 17th Mar Ain Dalla
We arrive in Ain Dalla for a stop at the spring then continue on to our camp in the spectacular White Desert. We overnight in the White Desert. (B/L/D)
If you would like a feel for desert travel with AWT then take a look at the video below. This was shot on an Eastern Desert Survey expedition and the footage is courtesy of David Rohl, who is leading November 2009's Eastern Desert tour.
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Because of the distribution of passengers in the 4WD Landcruisers this tour will depart with 12 or 16 passengers. All vehicles are forward facing with a maximum of 4 passengers, one driver and one member of staff per vehicle.
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Departure Date: |
8th March 2010 |
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Tour Code: |
AWGK080310 |
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Basic Holiday Price: |
£2,585.00 |
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Single Supplement: |
£230.00 |
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Day 11 – Thu 18th Mar - White Desert
Drive through White desert, Black desert, and explore Crystal Mountain before arrival at Bahariya and the charming Qasr Bawiti hotel where it's time to freshen up and have a relaxing evening in the gardens. (B/L/D)
Day 12 – Fri 19th Mar - Cairo
We enter the Wadi Hitan Protected Area and visit the Wadi itself, also known as Wadi Zeuglodon (The Valley of the Whales). We journey on to Cairo and the luxurious surroundings of the Movenpick hotel at Giza. (B/L)
Day 13 – Sat 20th Mar - The Giza Plateau
A trip to Egypt with Colin Reader is not complete without a visit to the Giza Plateau and the Sphinx. Today, those with the energy will enjoy Giza with Colin. Much of the day, however, will be at leisure and a chance to catch up on some very well earned rest. (B)
Day 14 – Sun - 21st Mar - Homeward Bound
We take our private transfer to Cairo Airport for our international flight home. (B)
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Expert: Colin Reader is a geologist with a passion for Egyptology and a particular interest in the geology making him the ideal expert for this journey. Colin's insights into the geology of Egypt have lead to real re-awakening of interest in Egypt's more distant past. | |