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Sites
Kharga,Dush, Ghweeta, Zayan, Ain Labeka, Bagawat, Nadura, Dakhla, Bashendi, Tombs of Kitnes, Ain Asil, Balat, kentika, el Qasr, Dakhla, Amheida, Asmant, Temple of Amun, Deir el Hagar, White Desert, Farafra, Bahariya, Gebel Dist, Ain Muftillah, Temple of Alexander, Qasr Selim, Qarat Helwa, Qasr el Subi, The Golden Mummies, Siwa via Areg Oasis, Oracle Temple, Umm Beida, Gebel Mawta, Shaali, Balad el Rum, Doric Temple at Matrouh, Monastery at Wadi Natrun.
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Day 1 - London to Luxor
Fly London to Luxor with EgyptAir and on arrival check-in to the medium-class Swiss Inn for one night on room and breakfast basis.
Day 2 – Dush
We set off after an early breakfast and board our Landcruisers, cross the Nile and head west for the Great Oases. Today we will visit the great Roman fortress and Temple of Dush, built by Domitian and extended by Hadrian and Trajan who added the monumental gateway. Then to the beautifully decorated hill-top ruins at Ghweeta, famous for abundant vineyards often mentioned in the Theban Necropolis. Next, to the ancient town of Zayan with its Ptolemaic-Roman temple. After this full day we arrive in Kharga Oasis and check-in to the comfortable Pioneer Hotel for two nights. (BLD)
Day 3 – Kharga Oasis
Today will explore the wonderfully situated forts, tombs, ruined houses and temple at Ain Labeka. On to the unique early Christian Necropolis at Bagawat best known for the diversity of art and building styles with some vividly coloured surviving Coptic murals. A look at the unusual and often overlooked temple of Nadura and then the fine Museum itself which contains many interesting exhibits from Dush to Dakhla. (BLD)
Day 4 – Dakhla
This morning the short and lovely drive to Dakhla Oasis stopping to see the remnants of ancient graffiti on the way. At the village of Bashendi we will look at the Tomb of Kitnes with its depictions of the desert-gods Min, Seth and Shu. On to the Old Kingdom town at Ain Asil and the superbly excavated mud brick mastabas at Balat including the burial chamber of Khentika. Later we will wander the covered streets of the medieval village of el Qasr before checking into the superbly situated eco hotel, The Desert Lodge for two nights. (BLD)
Day 5 – Dakhla Oasis
A truly amazing day will take us to the extensive towns of Amheida and Asmant, also known as Smint, where Ancient Egypt overlaps with the early Christian world. We will view a temple of Amun still buried in the sand awaiting excavation, and wander around a sprawling multi-period necropolis. Time for a dip in the hotel’s natural hot spring this evening. (BLD)
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Day 6 – The White Desert
An early start to visit the excellent Roman Temple of Deir el Hagar where we will see art from all periods from Roman cartouches to Coptic murals and graffiti from the nineteenth century. This includes the explorer Edmondstone, who first discovered the temple, as well as the entire Rohlf’s expedition. We continue to the hauntingly beautiful White Desert with its wind eroded chalk monoliths. Tonight we stay in Farafra in a local hotel. (BLD)
Day 7 – Bahariya
We reconvene and continue north to Bahariya Oasis where we will investigate Gebel Dist, known locally as Magic Mountain where giant dinosaur fossils were found. We will take some time to explore the Roman walls and wells and traditional gardens of Bahariya. Today we will say goodbye to Salima Ikram who returns to Cairo. We check-in to a comfortable local hotel for two nights. (BLD) |
Day 8 – Bahariya Oasis
Our tour today takes in the lovely tomb chapels of Amasis at Ain Muftillah which dates from the Late Period. On to the temple of Alexander, thought to have been founded by Alexander himself when he passed through the Oases en-route from Siwa to Memphis. Time also to look at a variety of decorated tombs at Qasr Selim, Qarat Helwa and Qasr el Subi. Finally we will view the poignant and celebrated golden mummies. This evening there will be local music to enjoy.(BLD)
Day 9 – Siwa
This morning we take the old road to isolated and unique Siwa, a long but fascinating journey. Highlights on the journey will include spectactular sand dunes, the cliff-cut tombs of beautiful Areg Oasis and the intriguing Greco Roman temple and tombs on the eastern edge of the oasis before we cross the lake to the old town of Siwa and take two nights at the traditional Siwa Paradise Hotel.(BLD) |
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AWT is an agent of Bales Worldwide Ltd.
The air holiday show is ATOL protected by the Civil Aviation Authority and provided by Bales Worldwide Ltd. ATOL 2882. ATOL protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom. Bales Worldside Ltd is a member of ABTA. ABTA Number V7047.
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DEPARTURE DATE Mon 12th October 2009
TOUR CODE AWGO121009
Basic Holiday Price: £2,364
Single Supplement: £285
Club Class Upgrade: £600
Land Only Discount: £240
Meals
As indicated B/L/D = Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner as indicated on the daily itineraries.
 Book tour
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Day 10 – Siwa Oasis
A full day in the mystical oasis of Siwa visiting the famous Temple of the Oracle, consulted by Alexander the Great, the impressive colossal ruins of Umm Beida, the intriguing tombs of Gebel Mawta and the ‘Spring of the Eye’. We will walk round the ruined fortress town of Shaali built on a hill set inside a now crumbling and neglected protective wall. We will finish our day at the wonderful local museum situated in a traditional Siwan house filled with crafts and exhibits from a typical home and working garden. Tonight there will be more music, Siwa style. (BLD)
Day 11 – Matrouh
After breakfast we leave Siwa at a leisurely pace and visit some of the numerous tombs at Balad el-Rum as well as the unusual Doric Temple. We take the road north to the Mediterranean Coast and one night in the pleasant town of Matrouh at the San Giovanni Hotel or similar. (BLD)
Day 12 – Cairo
We return to Cairo via one of the monasteries dating back to the dawn of Christian monasticism in the famous Wadi Natrun. On arrival In Cairo we check-in to the first-class Movenpick Hotel, Giza. (BL)
Day 13 – Cairo / London
After breakfast we transfer to Cairo airport for the EgyptAir flight to London arriving later that same day. (B)
Expert: Salima Ikram of the American University in Cairo is a specialist on Classical and Near Eastern archaeological method and practice and is a familiar face from many a TV programme on the glories of Egypt. She has excavated extensively in the Western Desert. We are delighted that Salima is able to join us for the first week of this tour
Expert & Guide: Amgad Refai lives in Cairo and has travelled with AWT numerous times. Editor of ‘The Heritage of Egypt’ magazine he has researched many different aspects of both ancient and modern Egypt. Amgad is AWT's Desert Expert and accompanies the tour throughout. |