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Egypt - Off the Beaten Track
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£4,995
£5,245
Summary
The monuments of ancient Egypt are unmissable, but the best-known can be teeming with visitors. This tour takes you ‘off the beaten track’ to rarely-visited sites. Still spectacular, these sites are of the utmost archaeological importance. Geographically, culturally and historically comprehensive, this tour will take you all the way from Cairo to Aswan.
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Full Price
£5,245
Today's Price
£4,995
Saving
£250
Benefit from this limited time offer:
- Pay a low deposit of £99, was £500.
Single supplement: £850
Includes flights
Meet your Experts
Lucia Gahlin
Guide Lecturer
Lucia Gahlin is a specialist in the archaeology of Ancient Egypt and has been leading archaeological tours to Egypt for over 20 years. She is an Honorary Research Associate at University College London’s Institute of Archaeology.
Your itinerary
Day 1 - London - Cairo
We fly to Cairo from London. This is Egypt’s buzzing capital, which will be our base for the next three nights.
| Hotel | Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel and Spa |
|---|---|
| Meals included | Dinner |
Day 2 - Saqqara & Abusir
Our day begins with a visit to Saqqara, where we walk through the Step Pyramid Complex of Djoser, but our focus is on the lesser-visited parts of this sprawling necropolis. We discover the recently opened tomb of the nobleman Mehu, the mastaba tomb of Ti, and the New Kingdom temple tombs of Tutankhamun’s treasurer Maya and general Horemheb. We also visit the Serapeum, catacombs for the sacred Apis bulls. After lunch, we have a special permit to visit Abusir, the pyramids of the 5th Dynasty pharaohs, and the tomb of Ptahshepses. Tonight, there’s an optional Sound and Light Show at the Sphinx and Pyramids of Giza.
| Hotel | Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel and Spa |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 3 - Cairo
This morning we discover the rich Islamic culture and history of Egypt at the Museum of Islamic Art and the spectacular Sultan Hassan Mosque. After lunch, we explore the Coptic culture and history of Egypt at the Museum of Coptic Art, and visit one of Cairo’s oldest churches, the ‘Hanging Church’.
| Hotel | Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel and Spa |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 4 - Cairo - Minya
We drive south to Beni Hasan. After a picnic lunch, we visit the painted Middle Kingdom tombs of four of the region’s governors at a fascinating period of ancient Egyptian history. Afterwards, we make our way to Minya.
| Hotel | MG Nefertiti Hotel, Minya |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 5 - Tell el-Amarna
We spend a full day at the site of Tell el-Amarna, visiting the mudbrick remains of Akhenaten and Nefertiti’s ancient capital, their temples, palace and tomb; and also the decorated rock-cut tombs and mudbrick houses of their priests and officials. We take a break during this busy day for a picnic lunch.
| Hotel | MG Nefertiti Hotel, Minya |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 6 - Minya - Abydos
Our day starts at the rich and varied archaeological site of Tuna el-Gebel, home to one of Akhenaten and Nefertiti’s ‘boundary stelae’ carved into the limestone cliff. We also visit vast catacombs for ibis and baboons, associated with the god Thoth, and impressive tombs, including that of a High Priest of Thoth c300 BC – Petosiris, whose reliefs combine Greek and Egyptian artistic styles. After a picnic lunch, we drive south to Abydos.
| Hotel | House of Life Hotel, Abydos |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 7 - Abydos - Luxor
Abydos is one of Egypt’s most important archaeological sites. This morning we visit its most impressive monument, the temple built by the great Pharaoh Seti I, and completed by his son Ramesses II, its raised relief regarded as the finest in Egypt. We eat a picnic lunch en route to Dendera. This afternoon, we visit the Temple of Hathor. Its astronomical ceilings combine Greek, Roman and Egyptian ideas, and they have recently been cleaned to reveal vibrant colours. Afterwards, we travel onwards to Luxor.
| Hotel | Sofitel Pavillon Winter Luxor |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 8 - Luxor
This morning we begin with the Valley of the Kings, home to the decorated rock-cut tombs of New Kingdom pharaohs, exploring three of the lesser-visited of these tombs and enjoying a special visit to the Tomb of Seti I, which is regarded as the most impressive tomb in the valley. Following a local lunch, we complement our visit to the tomb of Seti I with a visit to his memorial temple (the ‘Qurna Temple’) nearby. Before heading back, we visit two of the Tombs of the Nobles – the vibrantly painted burial chamber of Sennefer and the intricately decorated funerary chapel of Rekhmire.
| Hotel | Sofitel Pavillon Winter Luxor |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 9 - Luxor
A visit to Luxor would not be complete without exploring Karnak. Here, we discover the lesser-visited parts of this vast site including the Open Air Museum and Temple of Mut. After a local lunch, we visit El Tod, where we find the remains of the rarely visited Temple of Montu – the falcon-headed god of warfare. Opt to take an optional stroll to Luxor Temple this evening.
| Hotel | Sofitel Pavillon Winter Luxor |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 10 - Luxor - Aswan
Today we drive south to Aswan, stopping at two sites en route. In the morning, we visit the nobles’ tombs at El Kab, including that of Ahmose, son of Abana, whose tomb inscription is the key primary source for the Theban expulsion of the Hyksos from Egypt in c1550 BC. We eat our picnic lunch en route to Gebel el-Silsila, a site rich in tombs and shrines, and evidence for ancient quarrying. The highlight here is a rock-cut temple known as the ‘Speos of Horemheb’.
| Hotel | Mövenpick Resort Aswan |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 11 - Aswan
We explore the lives of the ancient inhabitants of this frontier town, their houses, temples and tombs. In the morning, we visit the richly inscribed rock-cut tombs at Qubbet el-Hawa. The important local inhabitants buried here include Harkhuf, who was so proud of a letter sent to him by the boy-king Pepi II that he had it inscribed on the façade of his tomb. After a local lunch, we visit the settlement and temple site of Elephantine. This evening, there is an optional Sound and Light Show at the Temple of Philae.
| Hotel | Mövenpick Resort Aswan |
|---|---|
| Meals included | All meals included |
Day 12 - Aswan - London
We bid farewell to Egypt and catch our return flight back to London.
| Meals included | Breakfast |
|---|
Tour dates & prices
Included in your cost:
- Expert Guide Lecturer
- Professional Tour Manager
- Local travel aboard a private air-conditioned coach
- Meals as per the itinerary, tea or coffee with dinner
- Accommodation
- Entries to all sites as per the itinerary
- All taxes & gratuities
- Field notes
| Tour Departure | Tour ID | Departure date | Return Date | Guided by | Price | Deposit | Single Supp. | Offer | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 September 2021 | AEBT210926 | 26 September 2021 (Sunday) | 7 October 2021 (Thursday) | Lucia Gahlin | £5,245 (inc. flights) |
£99 |
£850 |
£4,995 save £250 |
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