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Day 1 – London/Cairo
Fly London to Cairo with EgyptAir and check-in for four nights at the well situated fi rst-class Sofi tel Sphinx Hotel, Giza on bed and breakfast basis. The hotel has all the usual amenities.
Day 2 – Memphis/Giza
We start this fascinating tour with a full exploration of the great capital of Memphis and Mit Rahina where there is much more to see than just the famous statue of Ramesses. We proceed to the Giza plateau and the Great Pyramids, one of which may be entered, and then on to the Valley Temple of the Sphinx. We will explore many rarely visited parts of the site culminating of course in the Great Pyramid itself. (B) |
Day 3 – Sakkara/Dashur
Today we examine the huge multi layered site of Sakkara taking in the full span of Ancient Egypt as our Egyptologist interprets both the major landmarks and also many unusual parts of the great necropolis. The new Imhotep Museum is also visited before we continue to the wonderful pyramids at Dashur, one of which may be entered. (B)
Day 4 – Heliopolis/Museum
Few visitors ever venture to the ruins of Heliopolis, the great ancient capital, set among the suburbs of the modern city, and yet there is much to see and evaluate. Following this we take an extensive tour of the Cairo Museum with particular reference to objects connected to the tour itself as well as time to view the treasures of Tutankhamun, Amarna, Tanis and many others. (B)
Day 5 – Mansoura
Today we head for the Delta and explore the rarely seen sites in the vicinity. There are Ptolemaic temples, Old Kingdom mastabas, a temple of Amasis, Roman A very unusual tour with an outstanding young academic taking in Cairo and Alexandria and many rarely visited and important sites in the fertile Delta. structures, and much more besides set among the cultivation. Ayman is the very best person to unravel the complexities of the history and archaeology of the region. We check-in for two nights at the pleasant Ramada Hotel in the city of Mansoura where Ayman teaches at the local University. (BD)
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Day 6 – Bubastis/Tanis
We will explore another great capital today among the mighty ruins of Tanis, some of the most impressive in all Egypt. The huge Ramessid Temple of Amun and shattered fragments of colossal statues are awe inspiring. Later we continue with the drive to Bubastis of the cats, home to the Old and New Kingdom vaulted catacombs that were once full of feline mummies. We return to our hotel in Mansoura for a second night. (BD)
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Day 7 – Buto/Sais
We depart from the Delta via yet more of the ancient capitals
of Egypt. Ayman will help interpret the scant but fascinating ruins of the once great city of Sais and we will fi nish the day with a look at the superbly excavated Buto. We drive to Alexandria and check-in for one night at the famous Cecil Hotel set on the lovely corniche. (B)
Day 8 – Alexandria
We fi nish at the last fl owering of Ancient Egypt in the fi nal capital at Alexandria. The celebrated sphinxes and columns recovered from under the sea are well displayed and we visit the excellent museum and the catacombs of Kom es-Shoqafa. Later this afternoon we return to Cairo and a fi nal night at the Sofi tel Sphinx Hotel after a truly unique tour. (B)
Day 9 – Cairo/London
After breakfast transfer to the airport for the EgyptAir fl ight to London arriving early afternoon. (B)
Expert: Ayman Wahby Taher is a lecturer in Egyptology at the University of Mansoura. Prior to this he worked for the Supreme Council of Antiquities. |