By any measure, Senenmut was an extraordinary ancient Egyptian. He was High Steward, Overseer of Works, along with some 90 other titles during the exceptional reign of Hatshepsut. He owned two tombs, had more statues made than any other non-royal individual, and his name is attested more often than are many pharaohs. His apparent rags-to-riches rise through the ranks, intimacy with the Female Pharaoh, and sudden disappearance have all ensured his fame. To celebrate the publication by AUC Press of a major new biography of Senenmut [https://aucpress.com/9781649033086/], travel the length of Egypt in his footsteps with the author – Dr Campbell Price.
Day 1
- Saturday 6th November 2027
We fly London Heathrow to Cairo and on arrival and on arrival check in to the Meridien Hotel at the airport for one night on room and breakfast basis.
Day 2
- Sunday 7th November – to Aswan
After breakfast we head to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. We visit the main gallery and the textile hall with plenty of time to view the ‘Royal Mummies’ in the purpose-built Royal Mummies gallery, including the mummified body perhaps to be identified as Hatshepsut. Lunch will be at own arrangements at one of the food outlets before we head back to the airport for our flight to Aswan – the land of gold. We check in to our local hotel for two nights on room and breakfast basis. B
Day 3
- Monday 8th November – The Island of Isis
This morning to Elephantine Island for a guided tour of the vast ruins of ancient Yebu. We see the temples of Khnum and Satet, the shrine of Heqaib, and many other monuments covering the whole span of Ancient Egyptian history, from earliest times through to the Roman Empire. After a lunch break at our hotel, we make the short journey to the granite quarries where Senenmut oversaw works to view the famous Unfinished Obelisk, widely believed to have been commissioned by Hatshepsut. Next, to the Island of Isis where we visit Philae Temple dating from the Ptolemaic Period where we explore the elegant colonnade and sanctuary, the Kiosk of Trajan, Hadrian’s Gate, the Temple of Hathor, and much more. B
Day 4
- Tuesday 9th November – Silsila to Thebes
We board our coach armed with lunch boxes and head to Luxor making a couple of important stops on the way. Our first call will be at Gebel Silsila Quarry. On both sides of the Nile these massive quarries that, initiated by Hatshepsut, provided the sandstone for some of the great monuments in Karnak and Luxor temples. On the West bank we will visit some of the shrines, including that of Horemheb, and view many rock-cut stelae. Next, the Ptolemaic-Roman Temple of Esna where conservation work has been underway for some years. The ceilings have been cleaned, and the inner wall paintings now reveal features that had been lost for some time. The unusual, varied column capitals are being restored to their former glory. Late afternoon we arrive in Luxor and check in to the Hilton Luxor Resort and Spa, for three nights on room and breakfast basis. BL
Day 5
- Wednesday 10th November – The West Bank
An exciting day as we head to Deir el Bahri and the magnificent Temple of Hatshepsut, ancient ‘Djeser Djeseru’ (‘Holy of Holies’). This is Senenmut’s most famous work as architect, and we can still make out the vestiges of his presence here. This morning we have two very special private permits: the first being entry to the ‘Lower Tomb’ of Senenmut himself (TT353) with its astronomical ceiling. We also have permission to walk up to and enter his lesser-known ‘Upper’ tomb chapel high in the cliff face (TT71). We witness the panoramic views of Deir el Bahri and beyond to Karnak. We have a relaxing lunch at our local restaurant before heading to the Valley of the Kings for the afternoon. Your ticket allows entry to three tombs of those open on the day. You will also have time buy extra tickets for the tombs of Seti I and Tutankhamun. BL
Day 6
- Thursday 11th November – The Temple of Amun
This morning an in-depth tour of the great Temple of Karnak. Karnak was the centre of Senenmut’s operations and we will pay attention to areas in which he was active and in which his monuments have been found. We return to our hotel for a lunch break and this afternoon visit Luxor Temple and Luxor Museum. B
Day 7
- Friday 12th November - To Abydos
After breakfast we set off for Abydos and enroute we make a stop at Dendera Temple to view the beautiful painted ceilings. Arriving in Abydos by lunchtime we have arranged a meal at the House of Life Hotel where we will check in for one night on half board basis. Later we make the short journey to the Temple of Seti I and pay special attention to the famous Kings List. We also take time to walk to the Temple of Ramesses II before returning to our hotel for dinner. BLD
Day 8
- Saturday 13th November – Hawawish
An exciting day as we drive to the remote site at el Hawawish. We make the climb up some one thousand steps to enter some amazing rock-cut tombs dating back to the Old Kingdom. We also make a stop at Sohag Museum to look at some delightful pieces collected from the local area. We travel with lunch boxes from our Abydos Hotel today. Continuing our journey to Asyut on arrival we check in to our local hotel for two nights on full board basis. BLD
Day 9
- Sunday 14th November – Hatshepsut at Speos Artemidos
An exciting day as we head north to visit the remote site of the rarely visited rock – cut temple Speos Artemidos. This unfinished temple built by Hatshepsut stands in a remote desert wadi. Nearby we visit the vividly decorated tombs of Beni Hassan. We travel with lunch boxes today. We return to our hotel for our final night in Middle Egypt. BLD
Day 10
- Monday 15th November – Meir to Cairo
Travelling with our lunch boxes supplied by the hotel we set off for Cairo. On our way we make a stop at the necropolis of Meir where we can enter rock-cut tombs dating from Old and Middle Kingdom set high in the cliff face. These impressive but little-visited tombs belong to some of the high officials who likely inspired Senenmut and his programme of monumentalisation. As we pass nearby, we take time to visit the lovely Mallawi Museum with its collection of finds from Middle Egypt. Our journey continues to Cairo and on arrival we check in to the Crowne Plaza Hotel for two nights on room and breakfast basis. BL
Day 11
- Tuesday 16th November – The Grand Egyptian Museum
A full day at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Plenty of time to view all the galleries at your own pace. Lunch is own arrangements in one of the many food outlets and cafes on the main ground floor reception and shopping area. Several little-known pieces from the reign of Hatshepsut are now on display. B
Day 12
- Wednesday 17th November - Homeward bound
Early this morning we take our private transfer to Cairo Airport for our homeward flights. B
Dr. Campbell Price is Curator of Egypt and Sudan at Manchester Museum, one of the UK’s largest Egyptological collections. He studied Egyptology at the University of Liverpool, where he is now an Honorary Research Fellow, and has undertaken fieldwork in Egypt at Saqqara, Zawiyet Umm el-Rakham, and the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. Campbell is currently the Chair of Trustees at the Egypt Exploration Society, a UK-based charity that supports Egyptian heritage. He has published widely on ancient Egyptian material culture, including Golden Mummies of Egypt (Manchester Museum & Nomad Exhibitions, 2020) Brief Histories of Ancient Egypt and most recently, ‘Senenmut, High Steward and Favorite of Hatshepsut’ [https://aucpress.com/9781649033086/]. He has lectured internationally and regularly contributes to TV and radio.
If you want to visit Giza and Saqqara, why not add these extra two nights with exciting excursions
Escorted throughout by our local guide in private vehicles this optional excursion is ideal for first time visitors to Cairo. Or maybe a return visit to see the latest changes. Email or phone for details.
Day 12 – Wednesday 17th November – The Great Pyramid
After breakfast we visit the Giza Plateau to view the pyramids of Khufu Khafre and Menkaure. Time for those who wish to buy extra tickets to enter the Great Pyramid. A look at the mighty sphinx before heading to lunch at a restaurant with the most amazing views of the pyramids. We tour the site in our private VIP buggy therefore avoiding the local on-site bus system. We return to the hotel mid-afternoon. BL
Day 13 – Thursday 18th November – Saqqara
An amazing final day in Egypt as we head to Saqqara where we plan a full day to explore this vast complex. We visit the Imhotep Museum and include entry to the Step Pyramid, the Unas Pyramid and the Old Kingdom mastabas of Mereruka, Ptahhotep and Kagemni. We also enter the mastaba tomb of Mehu with its brightly coloured reliefs. We walk to the vast, evocative underground galleries of the sacred bulls at the Serapeum. We take a refreshing lunch break at the Sakkara Palm Club halfway through the day. BL
Day 14 – Friday 19th November – Home
Early this morning we take our private transfer to Cairo Airport for our homeward flights. B
B = Breakfast BL = Breakfast and Lunch BD = Breakfast and Dinner BLD = Breakfast Lunch and Dinner
