Day 1 – London/Cairo Fly London Cairo with EgyptAir and check-in for three nights at the famous Mena House Oberoi. This fi rst-class hotel offers all the usual facilities and sits in the shadow of the Great Pyramids.
Day 2 – Heliopolis/Museum To start our journey we visit the centre of the solar cult at Heliopolis with Ain Shams and the obelisk of Senusret I. Then the Egyptian Museum concentrating on the Amarna period, the Tutankhamun collection, the Yuya and Thuya burial and much more. (B)
Day 3 – Giza/Sakkara We start the day at Giza to explore the pyramids, mastaba tombs, mortuary temples and the solar boat museum. There will also be a chance to enter a pyramid. Then we move on to the mighty Sphinx enclosure and causeway.
Later we drive to Sakkara where we view some lovely finds in the new Imhotep Museum before exploring the wonderfully decorated Old Kingdom mastaba tombs. Our day ends with a walk round the Step Pyramid complex. (B)
This tour traces the Sun Cult from the pyramids through Tutankhamun’s treasures to the Valley of the Kings. However, the highlight of this tour is the in depth exploration of Amarna itself.
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Day 4 – Tuna el Gebel/Ashmunein Today we head south to Tuna el Gebel to visit the beautiful tomb of Petosiris, Isadora’s tomb, the vast well, the evocative Catacombs and take a look at Stele A. Then to Ashmunein to see the colossal Baboons of Amenhotep I I I , as well as the basilica and palace ruins. This evening we check-in to our regular base in Minya the medium-class Etap for three nights on half board basis. (BD)
Day 5 – Amarna We drive to Amarna and straight to the Royal tomb and others close by. Then to Stele ‘U’ and the best of the Northern Nobles’ Tombs, before viewing the desert altars. Then we visit the Northern Palace and North River-Side Palace, finishing with an exploration of a noble’s house. (BD)
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Day 6 – Amarna Another day at Amarna and this time a walk to the Workmen’s Village, before examining the best Southern Nobles’ Tombs. On to house and workshop of Thutmose before heading to the Central City with Small Aten Temple, Noble’s House, Archives, Royal House, Bridge & Palace, and Smenkhkare’s Hall. (BD)
Day 7 – Luxor Today we take the first-class train to Luxor and check-in for four nights at the Luxor Sheraton Resort on room and breakfast basis. (B)
Day 8 – West Bank First to the Western Valley to see the tomb of Ay then on to the King’s Valley to the tomb of Tutankhamun, followed by a very special visit to KV55, the ‘Amarna Cache Tomb’ and three tombs of your own choice. Then a visit to the workmen’s village at Deir el Medina and a look at two of the worker’s tombs. (B) |
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DEPARTURE DATE 5th September 2008
TOUR CODE Z8121
Dylan Bickerstaffe
Basic Holiday Price: £1,599
Single Supplement: £200
Pyramid view room from £60 per person
Nile view room from £80 per person
 Book tour
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Day 9 – West Bank Another trip to the West Bank to enter the Nobles’ tombs of Ramose, Khaemhet and Kheruef. Then to the Merneptah Temple followed by a look at the Colossi of Memnon. We fi nish the day at the site of Malkata Palace and view the massive banks of the great Lake Birket Habu. (B)
Day 10 – Karnak This morning we visit the colossal Karnak Temple paying special attention to any hidden Amarna relics and explore the many halls and avenues before we move on to the smaller but equally stunning Luxor Temple. These temples were once joined by a grand avenue of Sphinxes. We end with a tour of Luxor Museum and its many fine pieces. (B)
Day 11 – Luxor/London We fly home from Luxor to London with EgyptAir arriving early afternoon. (B)
Expert: Dylan Bickerstaffe is a popular author and lecturer, his special areas of research include the royal mummies, the Royal Cache and the end of the New Kingdom.
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