Day 1 - Monday 19th January 2026

We fly London Heathrow to Cairo and on arrival and on arrival we transfer and check in to the Crowne Plaza Hotel at West Giza for seven nights on room and breakfast basis.

Day 2 - Tuesday 20th January - Dawn of History Day at Saqqara

We begin our tour with a full day at Saqqara – the monumental cemetery of the world’s oldest capital city.  Here we visit the little Imhotep Museum, with an extraordinary display of some of the oldest treasures discovered at Saqqara – even the embalmed body of an Old Kingdom pharaoh. Then, of course, we take time to explore the true icon of early civilisation – the Step Pyramid complex of king Djoser. Beside it, we experience the dawn of history at two other remarkable sites: Inside the pyramid of king Unas we witness the ‘big bang’ of writing – the Pyramid Texts that erupt through his burial chambers. Then, the beautiful tomb of Mehu is an early witness to the life and afterlife of the Ancient Egyptians. After a delicious lunch at the nearby Sakkara Palm Club, we explore the tomb of Ptahhatp – politician, philosopher and the world’s earliest published author! Nearby, breathtaking subterranean vaults for the burials of the Apis bulls take us deep into the heart of the religious life of Memphis. Finally, we take in exquisite artwork in the tombs of Mereruka and Kagemni, beside the pyramid of king Teti. This evening, after a relaxing break, Bill will give us a first talk, with time for questions (BL)

Day 3 - Wednesday 21st January - Great Pyramids Day at Giza

We spend a day with the world’s greatest ancient monuments – the Great Pyramid of king Khufu, and the Great Sphinx. First, of course, the Great Pyramid itself, with a chance for those who wish to buy optional tickets and climb its astounding galleries right up to the burial chamber. Outside, we experience the streets of the dead in the royal cemeteries that have stood here for forty-six centuries, including visits inside the exquisite tomb of queen Meresankh and the fascinating tomb of the Old Kingdom official Idu/Qar. Lunch at a local restaurant on the desert edge includes priceless views across the whole Giza plateau, before we tour the imposing valley temple of Khufu’s son, Khafra. Here we can end our visit next to the ‘father of terror’ – the mighty Sphinx himself. This evening Bill will give us a second talk, with time for questions.(BL)

Day 4 - Thursday 22nd January - The Greatest Museum in the World

Our adventure continues with a full day at the mind-boggling Grand Egyptian Museum. Filled to the brim with priceless treasures, from the furniture of queen Hetepheres – some forty-six hundred years old – to the Satrap Stela of Ptolemy I – inscribed in the aftermath of the death of Alexander the Great. The galleries seem to go on and on, as though you need endless time to visit here. Indeed, you can experience this amazing building in your own time, with Dr Manley on hand to answer any questions you may have. Lunch will be by your own arrangement in one of many excellent restaurants and cafes in the majestic main atrium. (B)

Day 5 - Friday 23rd January - Arabic Day in Mediaeval Cairo

Our day in Cairo itself – Africa’s largest city, and one of the foremost centres of Islam and Arabic culture – begins at Salah ad-Din’s splendid Citadel, which dominatesCairo’s skyline. Here we visit the magnificent ‘alabaster mosque’ of Mohamed Ali, and take in views across Mediaeval Cairo. Nearby, we experience some of the city’s finest mosques from different periods, with beautiful calligraphic decoration, including the mosque and madrasa of Sultan al-Muayyad, the towering interior of the mosque of Sultan Hassan, and the more recent splendours of al-Refa’i mosque. We take lunch at a sumptuous restaurant on al-Mu’izz Street in Cairo’s bustling heart, before we walk to Cairo’s finest neglected jewel – The Museum of Islamic Art . Here we have time to savour its extraordinary collection of beautiful treasures, from breathtaking gold-work to exquisite miniature books. (BL)

Day 6 - Saturday 24th January - Coptic Day in Old Cairo

Today we explore ‘Coptic Cairo’, to experience how native Egyptian culture reasserted itself in art and writing following the deprivations of Roman rule. We start at the ‘Hanging Church’ of St Mary (so-called because it is suspended between two towers of the Roman fortress of Babylon), the informal seat of the Coptic Pope. From there, we visit the fourth-century church of St Sergius, with a lovely crypt said to be built where the Holy Family stayed after fleeing from king Herod. A short walk then brings us to the synagogue of Ben Ezra and its Jewish Museum. After a delicious lunch locally in Old Cairo, we actually view some of the imposing towers of Roman Babylon, before we explore together the peaceful galleries of the Coptic Museum and take some time to discuss its collection of Coptic texts – which bring the story of writing in the native Egyptian language to a close after four-thousand years. This evening, Bill will give us his third talk, with time for questions. (BL)

Day 7 - Sunday 25th January - Ancient Writing Day in Downtown Cairo

This morning, we head to the celebrated Egyptian Museum, in downtown Cairo, for a guided tour of this historic building. Among the collection of ancient treasures, we pick out some outstanding examples of early writing, not least the famous palette of king Narmer, which marks the very beginning of history. We take lunch in al-Azhar Park with grand views across Cairo, before we head to the mediaeval capital, Fustat, and visit the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation. Here you can view the display of royal mummies from the Valley of the Kings – incredibly, still with us after thirty-five hundred years – and also explore its beautifully arranged gallery of masterpieces from every era of Egyptian history, such as the magnificent collection of writing and artworks from the tomb of the bureaucrat and scribe, Sennedjem. (BL)

Day 8 - Monday 26th January - Home, or the Extension to Alexandria

For those returning home today, there is a private transfer to Cairo International Airport for your homeward flight. (B)

We are delighted to be able to offer a three night extension to Alexandria with Bill Manley to continue the theme of this tour. The cost will be £1,780.00 per person. If you are interested please email or phone to book this extension.

Day 8 - Monday 26th January - Coptic Monasteries in the Valley of Salt

For those taking the Extension and travelling to Alexandria, we check out after breakfast and travel with lunch boxes via the so-called Valley of Salt – the birthplace of monasteries and home to many of the influential ‘Desert Fathers’. Here we visit the monastery of Abba Bishoi, dating from the fourth century but thriving still today as a Coptic monastic community. Later, we arrive at the greatest pilgrimage site in the Roman world – the church at Karm Abu Mina. Built beside the burial place of the martyr St Mena, this site was endowed by Constantine the Great and many later emperors, and today houses remains of both St Mena and St Mark – the two foundational figures in Egyptian Christianity. In the late afternoon, we check into the 5-star deluxe Helnan Palestine Hotel – beside the fairytale Montaza Palace – for two nights on room and breakfast basis. (BL)

Day 9 - Tuesday 27th January - Caesar and Cleopatra Day in Alexandria

We have a full day to explore this wonderful, bustling, historic city on the Mediterranean Sea. First, we experience the ruling elite of Egypt during the Roman Empire in the beguiling catacombs of Kom al-Shuqafa, and the world-famous lecture theatre and college halls at Kom al-Dikka, the largest archaeological site in Alexandria. We include lunch at a local restaurant before we have a visit of the Graeco-Roman Museum – another of Egypt’s often neglected jewels. (BL)

Day 10 - Wednesday 28th January - Rosetta Stone Day in Rashid

After breakfast, we drive to the mediaeval port city of Rashid, better known to history as Rosetta. Here we explore the Mameluke citadel of Qait Bey, one of the great mediaeval fortresses of the Mediterranean world, and see where one of the world’s most celebrated pieces of writing actually came to light – the Rosetta Stone, of course. We also make time to experience the handsome seaside city itself, visiting one of its painstakingly restored Ottoman houses and walking through the local market, before we set off back to Cairo, complete with lunch boxes from our hotel. On arrival, we check in to the Meridien Hotel at Cairo International Airport for one last night on room and breakfast basis. (BL)

Day 11 - Thursday 29th January - Home

After breakfast, we take the short walk to the Airport for our homeward flight. (B)