Ancient World tours

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.   SCA Permit: The Tomb of the Children of Ramesses II - KV5

Day 1 - London to Luxor

Fly London to Luxor and on arrival we take our private transfer and check-in to the Old Winter Palace, Garden Pavilion Wing, for two nights on room and breakfast basis. This wonderful traditional hotel is the address in Luxor and has been the haunt of the rich and famous since it’s opening in 1886.

Day 2 – Tue 2nd Nov – To an Antique Land

After breakfast we take our private launch to the West Bank to board our vehicle. A very special morning ahead as we drive to the Valley of Kings with entry to three tombs. We will discuss the best options depending on open tombs when we arrive. Then a highlight of this tour, we have special permits to enter KV5 ‘The Lost Tomb’ with Kent himself and Merenptah which is also closed to the public. KV5 is still being excavated and we have a chance to see latest the developments. Our full morning ends with lunch at the Africa restaurant. After lunch we head to the workmen’s village – Deir el Medina – to see the Ptolemaic temple of Hathor, the adjacent temple remain of Amenhotep of the Garden and the beautiful tombs of the workmen themselves. We return to the splendours of the Old Winter Palace for an informal reception in the Royal Bar. (BL)

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Day 3 – Wed 3rd Nov - Kharga Oasis

Today we pack up our bags and load them onto our four-wheel-drive vehicles and head west, away from the Nile Valley and towards our first Oasis, Kharga.  We will take time to look at the Roman Fortress (Qasr Dush) and Temple of Osiris at Dush – most of which is Roman in date. It was at this site that the SCA discovered the ‘Dush Treasure’ which now lies in the Cairo museum. Next, we head to the wonderful decorated hilltop ruins of Qasr Ghueita. This site was used extensively by the Romans as we can see from the extensive temple, but was originally founded in the Middle Kingdom. Our final stop today is Qasr el-Zayyan with its Ptolemaic-Roman Temple and imposing fortress walls. We check-in for one night at the comfortable Pioneer Hotel. This evening there will be a talk with Kent at the hotel. (BLD)

Day 4 – Thu 4th Nov – The Road to Dakhla

Leaving Kharga we take the desert road to Dakhla. Our first visit will be to the uniquely traditional village of Bashendi were we will look at the Roman Tomb of Kitnes with depictions of the desert-gods Min, Seth and Shu. The village was allegedly founded by an Indian ‘Pasha Hindi’ and his domed tomb is also to be found here. The tomb is real, the story of the village name romantic but probably inaccurate! On to the Old Kingdom town of Ain Asil and the magnificent mud brick mastabas at Balat where we will enter the burial chamber of Kentika. We check-in for two nights at a lovely ‘eco hotel’, The Desert Lodge. This wonderfully situated hotel has stunning views across the desert especially at sunset from the roof top. This evening we will have an informal lecture meeting. (BLD)

Day 5 – Fri 5th Nov – Dakhla Explored

After breakfast we set off to see Amheida and the extensive Roman ruins that cover a vast area. Then to the Roman Temple of Deir el Hagar (Monastery of Stone) which was erected during the reign of Nero and surely visited by every traveller to this oasis since. We will see Roman cartouches, Coptic murals and graffiti from nineteenth century adventurers too. Then before returning to the Lodge we will wander the streets of the medieval village of el Qasr within easy walking distance of our accommodation. This charming town has beautiful covered streets and ornate carved doorways. We return to the Lodge for lunch and then an afternoon of leisure. Take a walk in the desert, head in to town or just relax by the Lodge’s very own hot spring in the garden. (BLD)

Day 6 – Sat 6th Nov – Return to Kharga

This morning we start our journey back to Kharga stopping on the way at some unusual sites. First we will travel to Ismant to see the ancient town of Kellis, which is still being excavated. Many Greek and Coptic Papyri have been discovered here. We continue to Ain Birbiya and the buried temple of Amun Nakht built under the Emperor Augustus. This is being excavated slow, top down, as it has been entirely buried by the sands of the desert. Back in Kharga we will explore the early Christian Necropolis at Bagawat where the famous Athanasius, author of the Athanasian Creed, was once banished as well as the infamous heresiarch, Nestorius. Next we visit the lovely Persian Temple of Hibis where a strange mix of ancient Egyptian reliefs and Persian motifs adorn the walls. We check-in to Pioneer Hotel for one night (BLD)

Day 7 – Sun 7th Nov – Back to the River

We have a long day in the desert today as we head north east out of Kharga. We’re heading towards Asyut but just before reaching it we turn south to Sohag and our overnight at the basic but comfortable Safir hotel on the banks of the Nile. Time to relax and unwind as the sun sets over the river. This evening there will be a talk with Kent about the sites we’ll be seeing over the coming days. (BLD)

Day 8 – Mon 8th Nov – The Glories of Abydos

We start our day with the short journey to Akhmim, ancient Ipu, and the magnificent statue of Meritamun which measures over 35 feet in height.

From here we head south towards Abydos and one of the glories of ancient Egypt, the temple of Seti I. The raised relief decorations in this temple are the best in Egypt and there are many vibrant colours too. We will explore this lovely temple fully, including the famous King List. Leaving the back of the temple and passing the Osirion, in the Egyptian mind a candidate for the birthplace of the world, we head out into the desert for a few minutes to the temple of Ramesses II. There are more remarkable colours here.

Leaving Abydos behind we drive along the banks of the Nile before arriving at Dendera and the temple of Hathor. Built in the Ptolemaic period, this lovely temple features great views from the roof as well as the only depiction of Cleopatra VII with her son Cesearion. We continue our journey to Luxor checking into the Old Winter Palace once more on a room and breakfast basis. (BL)

DEPARTURE DATE Mon 1st November 2010  TOUR CODE AWKK011110   Basic Holiday Price: £2,422 Single Supplement: £236 Land Only Discount: £330   Meals As indicated B/L/D = Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner as indicated on the daily itineraries.    Book tour

Expert: Professor Kent Weeks is one of the most famous archaeologists in the world. His work at KV5, the largest tomb ever found in the Valley of the Kings, has made him an international figure. His enthusiasm for his subject and ability to communicate with depth and humour makes him a very popular speaker.

Day 9 – Tue 9th Nov – The Precinct of Amun

We have an early start today to arrive at the temple for sunrise. Normally, AWT groups have the first hour alone in this enormous temple and the light for photography is wonderful. We will explore the temple in full making special diversions to the Khonsu temple and the temple of Ptah. We will also focus on the wonderfully lit Seti War reliefs. The coach will return to the hotel at around 0930 but those who wish to take coffee at the cafeteria and continue to explore for the rest of the morning are very welcome. There are no further activities today until a late afternoon lecture and a gentle walk to the beautifully lit Luxor temple. (B)

Day 10 – Wed 10th Nov – A Day (Almost) at Leisure

A day off on an AWT holiday is rare but, by now, you’ve earned it. Kent will be giving a talk this afternoon and there will be an expedition to the lovely Luxor museum this evening where some of the finest pieces of art in the world are to be found. (B)

Day 11 – Thu 11th Nov – Mortuary Temples

Our excursion begins with the romantic crossing of the Nile by private motor launch to meet our vehicle for the day. This morning we will concentrate on the great Mortuary temples visiting Medinet Habu, the mortuary temple of Ramesses III where plenty of original colours are still to be found. Next we head a little south to the Seti I mortuary Temple which is less visited than the others but interesting nonetheless. We finish the morning at the Ramesseum wherein lies the colossal fallen statue that was the inspiration for Shelley’s Ozymandias. We have a relaxing lunch planned at the excellent local Africa restaurant before continuing to the Valley of the Nobles and the tombs of Ramose, Userhat and Khaemhat. We return to the hotel on our motor launch. In the late afternoon, we will take to the waters again for a relaxing sail on feluccas as the sun starts to sink below the Theban hills. (BL)

Day 12 – Fri 12th Nov – She Who Loves Silence

Today will be a very full day indeed – and a fitting way to finish this magnificent tour. We cross the river and return to the Valley of the Kings where we will select three easy tombs to visit. Leaving the valley by a special path, we ascend towards the peak of Meretsegar, She Who Loves Silence, and the spectacular views of the entire west bank. We will pass the ‘Way Station’ where the workers who dug the tombs in the valley checked in and out. We will head a little way down to see the wonderful views of Deir el Bahri from above before heading towards Deir el-Medina, retracing the steps of the workmen themselves. Just before arriving at Deir el Medina we will stop to see the small shrine to Meretsegar and the god Ptah. After lunch we visit the final group of two lovely tombs in at the Nobles Valley, those of Rekmire and the spectacularly coloured Sennefer. There will be an informal farewell drink in the Royal Bar of the Winter Palace tonight. (BL)

Day 13 – Sat 13th Nov - Luxor to London via Cairo

An early start as we board our flight to Cairo for the connection to London arriving later the same day. (B)

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