Ancient World tours

Day 1 – London/Luxor   Fly London to Luxor with EgyptAir and on arrival transfer for one night at the friendly medium-class Mercure Egotel.   Day 2 – Dush   We board our Landcruisers, cross the Nile and head west for the Great Oases. Today we will visit the great fortress and temple at Dush, the beautifully decorated hill top ruins at Ghweeta and the remains of Zayan. Arrive in Kharga and check into the comfortable Pioneer Hotel for two nights. (BLD)

Day 3 – Kharga Oasis

We are accompanied today by the charming director of Kharga Museum and will explore the wonderfully situated forts and tombs at Ain Labeka, the unique early Christian necropolis at Bagawat, the unusual and often overlooked temple of Nadura and the 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 graffi ti on the way. Next to the tomb of Kitnes in Bashendi, the Old Kingdom town at Ain Asil and the superbly excavated mud brick mastabas at Balat. 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) The most complete itinerary of the Egyptian Oases available taking in an incredible wealth of legendary and rare sites and never losing focus on oasis life itself.

Day 5 – Dakhla Oasis

A truly amazing day will take us to the extensive towns of Amheida and Asmant where Ancient Egypt overlaps the early Christian world. We will view a temple of Amun still buried in the sand, a sprawling multi period necropolis and fi nally by special permission the absolutely stunning decorations of the tombs of Bir Shagaala. Time for a dip in a natural hot spring this evening. (BLD)

Day 6 – The White Desert

An early start to visit the excellent Roman Temple of Deir el Hagar and we continue to modest Farafra Oasis and the hauntingly beautiful White Desert. There is a choice tonight of camping in the desert or returning to Farafra and a local hotel. (BLD)

Day 7 – Bahariya

We reconvene and continue north to Bahariya Oasis where we will investigate Gebel Dist where giant dinosaur fossils were found and explore the Roman walls and wells and traditional gardens of Bahariya before checking into a comfortable local hotel for two nights. (BLD)

DEPARTURE DATE 21st January 2008  TOUR CODE Z8102 29th September 2008  TOUR CODE Z8126   Basic Holiday Price: £1,695 Single Supplement: £242    Book 21st January tour  Book 29th September tour   Download PDF Dossier

Day 9 – Siwa

This morning we take the old road to Siwa, a long but manageable journey. Highlights will include the cliff cut tombs of beautiful Areg Oasis and the fascinating 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)

Day 10 – Siwa Oasis

A full day in Siwa visiting the famous temple of the Oracle, the colossal ruins of Umm Beida, the intriguing tombs of Gebel Mawta, the Spring of the Eye and the local museum and ruined fortress town of Shaali all with the local guardian of Siwa. Tonight there will be more music, Siwa style. (BLD)

Day 11– Matrouh

We depart Siwa at a leisurely pace and visit some of the numerous tombs at Bilad Rum as well as the unusual Doric Temple. We head north to the Mediterranean and one night in the pleasant town of Matrouh at the medium-class Beau Site Hotel where we will enjoy our fi nal dinner together. (BLD)

Day 12 – Cairo

We return to Cairo via one of the monasteries at Wadi Natrun and a fi nal night at the fi rst-class Sofi tel Sphinx. (BL)

Day 13 – Cairo/London

After breakfast we transfer to the airport for the EgyptAir fl ight to London arriving later that same day. (B)

Expert: Michael Ackroyd has travelled the Egyptian Oases numerous times and has a deep understanding of the many layered history and archaeology of the Western Desert.