Pyramid Explorer

DEPARTING 18th March 2024

This trip is first and foremost about pyramids but not just pyramids in isolation, pyramids as part of the ancient landscape. This approach has been influenced by Colin Reader’s background in geology and engineering but has been inspired by his interest in these incredible Pharaonic buildings.

Meidum Pyramid, Egypt, Ancient World Tours — Meidum Pyramid

We have special permits from the Ministry of Antiquities allowing an exclusive chance to visit the Sun Temples of Abu Ghurob.

And special permits for the remote site of South Saqqara, including Mastaba Faroun

Colin Reader is a chartered geologist whose studies have focused on issues as diverse as the age of the Great Sphinx, the geological evolution of the Egyptian landmass, pyramid building and ancient quarrying techniques. However, Colin stresses that Giza is the site where his interest in Ancient Egypt began. His book A gift of Geology: Ancient Egyptian Landscapes and Monuments, published by AUC Press, is now on sale.

Day 1 - Monday 18th March 2024

We take our direct flight from Heathrow to Cairo, where we check in to the Steigenberger Hotel at Giza. We are based at this hotel for seven nights on room and breakfast basis.

Day 2 - Tuesday 19th March - The Bent Pyramid

Our tour begins with the drive to Dahshur to explore Dahshur and two of the earliest ‘true’ pyramids dating from the Fourth Dynasty. First, we have entry to the Bent Pyramid where Colin will explain his theories on the building. Next, the Red Pyramid with plenty of time to enter and wander the perimeter. We have a lunch at the Saqqara Palm Club and then we will return to our hotel and the rest of the afternoon is at leisure. (BL)

Day 3 - Wednesday 20th March - Grand Egyptian Museum

A full day at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Time to explore this vast new Museum with plenty of time for lunch or refreshments on site. (B)

Day 4 - Thursday 21st March - Giza

This morning we make the short journey to the pyramids and explore the site including the causeways, mastaba tombs, the Sphinx and the Valley Temple. We include tickets for entry to the Great Pyramid of Khufu. Time to purchase any other tickets available on the day for those who wish. We also visit the Sphinx and Colin will give us his theories on the age of the Sphinx. We take plenty of time to investigate some of the little explored areas of this ancient site. We take a break and have lunch at a local restaurant with fine panoramic views of the plateau. We return to our hotel and the rest of the afternoon is free. (BL)

Day 5 - Friday 22nd March - South Saqqara

Today we board our four-wheel drive vehicles and head to South Saqqara. We have a special permit to visit this ‘closed’ site where we find Mastaba Faroun and the pyramids of Pepy I and II. After a refreshing lunch at Sakkara Palm Club, we drive to Abu Ghurob where we find the Sun Temple of Niuserre, dating from the 5th Dynasty. The huge altar carved from five blocks of white alabaster is an amazing site. The site is still be excavated and we will hear all the latest news from local inspectors. (BL)

Day 6 - Saturday 23rd March - The Step Pyramid

We have planned a whole day at Saqqara where we see the Pyramid of Unas, the pyramid of Teti and the Step Pyramid of Djoser which we can now enter. We visit beautiful Old Kingdom mastaba tombs and the New Kingdom Tombs of Horemheb and Maya. Colin will also point out lesser-known features of this vast site such as the dry moat, early dynastic tombs that have never been fully explored and the northern court of the Step Pyramid an area that has never been completely cleared. We have tickets for entry to the Serapeum, the vast galleries of tombs of the Apis Bulls. Colin will guide us through some of the more confusing aspects of this well-known site that still has many questions that still need answering. During the day we will have lunch at the Sakkara Palm Club. (BL)

Day 7 - Sunday 24th March - Meidum and Lahun

A grand finale to our pyramid adventure will be a visit to Meidum and Lahun. We drive south to the massive pyramid of Meidum with a chance to enter and descend to the impressive burial chamber. Colin will explain his theories on the building of this remarkable pyramid, and we will walk the site looking for clues and evidence to support his ideas. There will be time for the adventurous to enter the mastaba known as ‘Mastaba 17’ as numbered by Flinders Petrie in 1910. The sarcophagus with robber’s wooden mallet is still in situ and well worth the effort to view. On to Lahun and the mud-brick pyramid of Senusret II which we can now enter following recent restoration work. We travel with lunch boxes from our hotel today. (BL)

Day 8 - Monday 25th March 2024 - Home

After breakfast we take our private transfer to Cairo Airport for our direct flight to London Heathrow arriving early afternoon. (B)

Why not stay on and join the Temples and Tombs tour commencing 25^th March 2024.

We can arrange your internal flight to Luxor on the 25^th March with transfers throughout, plus you receive £500 discount on the tour price. (The discount does not apply to Land Only bookings). Call or email for details.

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