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EGYPTIAN GEMS

DEPARTING 14th January 2024

Join Dr Campbell Price, Curator of Egypt and Sudan at Manchester Museum, as we visit some of the most interesting museums and archaeological sites to be found in Lower Egypt.

Based in Cairo we take time to explore the new and old museums in the city before spending a day at the vast site of Saqqara. On our visit to the Giza Plateau we have obtained a special permit to enter the Sphinx Enclosure so that we can stand at the paws of the Sphinx and view the Dream Stela up close.

SPECIAL PRIVATE PERMIT FOR ENTRY TO THE SPHINX ENCLOSURE

SAQQARA – ARGUABLY ONE OF THE LARGEST OPEN-AIR MUSEUMS IN THE WORLD

Sakkara, Egypt, Pyramid Explorer, Ancient World Tours SELLING

We travel in to the Faiyum to visit Senusret II’s mud-brick Pyramid at Lahun where we where we have tickets to enter the pyramid itself. We also visit the Pyramid of Amenemhat III at Hawara. It was here that Flinders Petrie unearthed the famous Roman Period portrait mummies and excavated the ‘Labyrinth‘ as described by Herodotus.

Hawara Pyramid, Egypt, Ancient World Tours — Dr Campbell Price

Campbell has also undertaken fieldwork in Egypt at Zawiyet Umm el-Rakham, Saqqara and the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. He is currently the Chair of Trustees at the Egypt Exploration Society, a UK-based charity that supports Egyptian heritage.

Day 1 - Sunday 14th January 2024

Fly London to Cairo with EgyptAir and on arrival we check in to the first-class Crowne Plaza West Cairo Hotel for six nights on room and breakfast basis.

Day 2 - Monday 15th January

Our day begins with a visit to the famous Citadel and the lovely Mohammad Ali Mosque. Next to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization at the ancient city of Fustat, Old Cairo. This new museum displays a vast collection of artifacts ranging from Prehistoric times to the current day. A new gallery is now residence to the Royal Mummies. After lunch at a local restaurant we head to The Egyptian Museum in Tahrir. (BL)

Day 3 - Tuesday 16th January

This morning we travel to the Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza for a full day at this amazing site. You will be able to have refreshments at the Museum and take plenty of time to explore the many galleries. (B)

Day 4 - Wednesday 17th January

Today, we return to GEM for a shorter visit for a final look at some or the rooms you may have missed. After free time at the museum for refreshments we will visit the Giza Plateau to visit the Pyramids and the Sphinx. Time to enter the Great Pyramid for those who wish. We have obtained a special permit from the Ministry of Antiquities to enter the Sphinx Enclosure, so that we can stand at the paws of the Sphinx, and view the Dream Stela up close. (B)

Day 5 - Thursday 18th January

Arguably one of the largest Open-Air Museums in the world, we will spend a full day at Saqqara. During the day we will view and enter the Step Pyramid, the Pyramid of Unas, Old Kingdom mastabas, New Kingdom tombs and the rock-cut galleries of the Serapeum. We have a lunch break at the Sakkara Palm Club. (BL)

Day 6 - Friday 19th January

An exciting day as we travel in to the Faiyum and Lake Qarun. We visit Senusret II’s mud-brick Pyramid at Lahun where we have tickets to enter the pyramid itself. We also visit the Pyramid of Amenemhat III at Hawara. It was here that Flinders Petrie unearthed the famous Roman Period portrait mummies and excavated the ‘Labyrinth‘ as described by Herodotus. We have lunch at the historic Helnan Auberge Hotel directly on the shore of the Lake. Finally, we explore the Ptolemaic and Roman ancient town of Karanis. (BLD)

Day 7 - Saturday 20th January

We check out of our Cairo hotel and drive to Alexandria on the Mediterranean coast. On arrival we visit the Graeco-Roman catacombs at Kom el Shuqafa. Next, the subterranean galleries at the Temple of Serapis and the famous ‘Pompey’s Pillar’. We travel with lunch boxes today. We check in to the deluxe Helnan Palestine Hotel at Montaza Park for one night on room and breakfast basis. (BL)

Day 8 - Sunday 21st January

Today we will visit the Royal Jewellery Museum to view a priceless collection of jewels from the Muhammad Ali Dynasty. Housed in the former Palace of a Princess this beautiful building is a delight. We also visit the National Museum with its collection of recent archaeological finds. On to Kom el Dikka with its elegant Roman Theatre and probable site of Alexandria’s ancient university. We have a break for lunch before driving back to Cairo. On arrival we check in to Le Meridien Hotel at Cairo Airport for our last night in Egypt. (B)

Day 9 - Monday 22nd January 2024

Monday 22nd January 2024. After breakfast we walk from the hotel to the airport Terminal via a pedestrian link. We fly EgyptAir on the direct flight to London Heathrow arriving mid-afternoon. (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 Zawiyet Umm el-Rakham, Saqqara 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.

B = Breakfast BL = Breakfast and Lunch BD = Breakfast and Dinner BLD = Breakfast Lunch and Dinner