"Karnak ... it is a place that has been much written about and often painted; but of which no writing and no art can convey more than a dwarfed and pallid impression. To describe it, in the sense of building up a recognisable image by means of words, is impossible. The scale is too vast; the effect too tremendous; the sense of one's own dumbness, and littleness, and incapacity, too complete and crushing. It is a place that strikes you into silence; that empties you, as it were, not only of words, but of ideas ...".

Amelia B Edwards, from 'One Thousand Miles up the Nile'.

This 18 day study tour of Egypt provides an introduction to the archaeology and history of Egypt. Our tour begins in Cairo with a visit to the ruins of Memphis where to see the colossus of Ramesses II. At Saqqara we explore the 3rd Dynasty Step Pyramid of Djoser, the pyramid of Tety and the painted mastabas of the 6th. The next day we explore the Pyramids of Giza and see the superbly preserved complex of King Khufu. In the afternoon we explore the Valley temple of Khafre and get up close to the sphinx.

We fly to Luxor and spend 5 days exploring the wonderful monuments in the area. Our stay in Luxor begins with a visit to majestic Luxor Temple. We stroll through the Luxor markets looking for bargains. We visit Deir el Bahri, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty, see Howard Carter's House and explore the tombs in the Valley of the Kings.

We next spend a day at Karnak exploring the fascinating history of the temple and then see the fabulous collection of artefacts in the Luxor Museum. On the west bank of Thebes we visit the village of the workmen known as Deir el Medina, and see the wonderful painted tombs of the nobles. We also explore the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses II known as the Ramesseum.

We head north of Luxor to Abydos where we explore the magnificent painted temples of Sety I and Ramesses II. The following day we visit the recently restored Temple of Dendera, dedicated to the goddess Hathor. On our return to Luxor we join our luxury Nile cruise which will take us south toward Aswan.

Our stay in Luxor concludes with a visit to Medinet Habu, the grand mortuary temple of Ramesses III. We sail southwards on our cruise boat, stopping en route to see the intact Ptolemaic Temple of Horus at Edfu, and the ruins of the Temple of Sobek at Kom Ombo. In Aswan we sail a felucca round the beautiful islands and explore the romantic Temple of Isis at Philae. We then have an extended stay at the majestic rock cut temples of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel and see the Sound and Light Show. We return to Aswan where we see the granite quarries which include the remains of an abandoned obelisk, and visit the high dam.

We fly back to Cairo and then head north to Alexandria. We have two days in this historic city, exploring the modern library, Fort Qaytbey and the Museum of Classical Antiquities. We return to Cairo where we explore some highlights of the mediaeval Old City. This includes the Mosque of Sultan Hasan, the grandest mosque of the 14th Century. A day is then set aside to wander through the wonderful collection of artefacts in the Grand Egyptian Museum (or Cairo Museum if the GEM is not yet open) as we trace the history of Egypt through its sculpture and reliefs.

The beauty of the Nile at Luxor!

ITINERARY*

Day 1: Arrival in Cairo
You should arrive in Cairo and will be transferred to our selected hotel. The group can meet at 7pm and have dinner on the roof terrace of our hotel with magical views towards the pyramids. Overnight Cairo.

Day 2: Memphis - Saqqara
Today we visit the ruins of Memphis where we see the colossal statue of Ramesses the Great in the local museum. We then visit Saqqara where we see the remarkable 3rd Dynasty Step Pyramid of King Djoser. We also explore the well-preserved Old Kingdom mastaba tombs of Mereruka and Kagemni, and the 6th Dynasty Pyramid of King Tety. In the afternoon there is time to rest and relax. Overnight Cairo.

Day 3: Giza - fly to Luxor
We visit Giza where we see the Pyramids of the 4th Dynasty. This includes the Great Pyramid with an option to go inside. We then explore Khafre's impressive Valley Temple and see the Sphinx. In the afternoon we fly to Luxor. Overnight Luxor.

Day 4: Luxor Temple - Luxor markets - free time
In the morning, we visit Luxor Temple, located in the heart of the modern city. We explore this very beautiful monument including Ramesses II's dramatic scenes of the Battle of Kadesh on the front pylons. In the afternoon there is free time to relax or explore the markets of Luxor. Overnight Luxor.


Day 5: Carter's House - Valley of the Kings - Deir el-Bahri
In the morning, we visit Howard Carter's House. Now a memorial to Carter's life, we see the fascinating replica of Tutankhamun's tomb. Afterwards we head to the Valley of the Kings where we see three of the royal tombs of the New Kingdom (the real Tomb of Tutankhamun is an optional extra). In the afternoon visit the superb mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut of the 18th Dynasty. Overnight Luxor.

Day 6: Karnak Temple - Luxor Museum
The morning is set aside to explore the ruins of the Temple of Karnak. We visit the forecourt and Hypostyle Hall, before wandering around the impressive shrine. We see the festival hall of Tuthmosis III, and the small Temple of Ptah. In the afternoon we visit the Luxor Museum, which contains magnificent objects discovered in the local area, including objects from the tomb of Tutankhamun. A highlight is the cache of statues discovered in Luxor Temple. Overnight Luxor.


Day 7: Deir el-Medina - Tombs of the Nobles - Ramesseum
In the morning we visit Deir el-Medina, the ancient village of the workmen who cut the tombs in the Valley of the Kings. We explore the village and the superb painted tombs of Senejdem and Inherkau. We then see a number of the other painted tombs in the so-called 'Valley of the Nobles' including the 18th Dynasty tomb of Ramose. The afternoon is spent at the impressive mortuary temple of Ramesses II, known today as the Ramesseum. Overnight Luxor.


Day 8: Abydos
In the morning we drive north of Luxor (2 and half hours) to see the superb temple of Sety I at Abydos. This contains some of the finest art of the New Kingdom and is remarkably well preserved. Overnight Abydos.

Day 9: Dendera
After breakfast we head to Dendera to see the Ptolemaic temple of Hathor. Built by Ptolemy XII, it has recently undergone a remarkable process of restoration which has revealed the rich decoration of the building. We then head to Luxor where we join our Nile cruise boat. Overnight Nile cruise boat.

Day 10: Medinet Habu - Nile cruise
In the morning we see the monumental mortuary temple of Ramesses III known today as Medinet Habu. This is the best preserved of the royal funerary temples and contains superb painted scenes from the 20th Dynasty. In the afternoon we begin our luxury Nile cruise boat - we sail upstream towards Edfu. We relax and watch scenes of village life, fishermen on the river and birdlife en route. Our journey takes us through the lock at Esna in the evening. Overnight Nile cruise boat.

Day 11: Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples - Nile cruise
In the morning we see the remarkable Ptolemaic Temple of Horus at Edfu. Completed in the period of Cleopatra, Edfu temple is richly decorated with scenes and inscriptions. From here we continue our cruise to Kom Ombo, where the ruins of the Ptolemaic Temple of Sobek are dramatically set beside the River Nile. Overnight Nile cruise boat.


Day 12: Aswan - Felucca sailboat ride - The Island of Philae
We spend the day on a felucca sailboat exploring the beautiful islands of Aswan. This includes a stop to visit the Botanical gardens on Kitchener's Island. We then take a small motor boat to the beautiful ruins of the island of Philae, cult place of Isis. Overnight Nile cruise boat.

Day 13: Abu Simbel
We drive across the desert (3 hours with break) to Abu Simbel where we explore the stunning rock cut temples of Ramesses II. Carved into the Nubian sandstone, the two temples were moved in the 1960s with the construction of the Aswan High Dam. In the afternoon there is some free time to relax. You can see the beautiful Sound and Light Show at Abu Simbel in the evening. Overnight Abu Simbel.

Day 14: Granite Quarries - Aswan High Dam - fly to Cairo
This morning we return to Aswan where we visit the fascinating granite quarries of Aswan and see the remarkable unfinished obelisk which is still embedded in the bedrock. After lunch we see the Aswan High Dam, built in the 1960's and 70's to control the flooding of the Nile. We fly to Cairo. Overnight Cairo.

Day 15: Alexandria
In the morning we drive to Alexandria (2 and half hours). After lunch, we see the Library of Alexandria, a wonder of 21st Century architecture - this houses a fascinating collection of artefacts from the site. We then exploring the Kom es-Shuqqafa Necropolis. The tombs are grouped around a central rotunda and are famous for their relief sculpture which includes the funerary god Anubis dressed as a Roman Centurion. Overnight Alexandria.

Day 16: Alexandria
Today we visit the recently revamped Museum of Graeco-Roman Archaeology in Alexandria. It contains an astonishing collection of statues and stelae including many from recent underwater excavations. After lunch we visit the evocative Fort Qaitbey, built on the ruins of the famous lighthouse of Alexandria. Overnight Alexandria.

Day 17: Islamic Cairo
This morning, we drive back to Cairo (about 2 and half hours). In the afternoon we tour the Old City of Cairo and see the awe inspiring buildings of the medieval Islamic Period. Highlights include the monumental 19th Century Mosque of Mohamed Ali in the Citadel of Saladin and the impressive 14th Century Mosque of Sultan Hassan. There is time in the Khan el-Khalili markets for last minute shopping. Overnight Cairo.


Day 18: Grand Egyptian Museum
The day is set aside to visit the Grand Egyptian Museum (or Cairo Museum if the GEM is not open) concentrating on the New Kingdom remains. We see the statues and reliefs of the 18th Dynasty and Ramesside Period including the treasures of Tutankhamun. There is free time for exploring other parts of the museum's collection. Overnight Cairo.

Day 19: Depart from Cairo
We depart from Cairo.

* Please note that the Company reserves the right to make alterations to the itinerary in the period up to 60 days prior to a tour departure. The itinerary may also be subject to minor re-arrangement due to the scheduling of the operators and availability of access. If this occurs, the Company will endeavour to provide a comparable alternative.