THE TOUR

This tour explores the antiquities and natural wonders of the Oases of the Western Desert of Egypt. We start our trip at the newly opened Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo with its superb displays of Egyptian antiquities. We then travel to Alexandria where we explore the new Library of Alexandria and the revamped Graeco-Roman Museum. The following day we visit the Kom es-Shuqqafa Necropolis with its famous Roman sculptures. We also visit the beautiful mediaeval Fort Qaitbey, built on the ruins of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria.

We head west along the north coast of Egypt. We stop to see the ruins of Taposiris with its impressive ruins of the Ptolemaic Temple of Osiris. We then stop at El Alamein where we see the WWII Battle Museum and Cemetery. From here we head through the open desert to Siwa Oasis, famous for its Oracle temple visited by Alexander the Great. We explore the 13th century fortress of Shali and the ruins of Aghurmi village, site of the oracle temple, which has spectacular views over the Oasis.

We leave Siwa and head back to the Nile Valley. We proceed to the Fayum Oasis, a large natural depression to the west of the Nile Valley. Here we explore the ruins of the pyramid of Senwosret II at Lahun, and explore the newly opened subterranean chambers. The following day we visit the beautiful temple of Renenutet at Medinet Madi on the southern edge of the Fayum. We head by 4-wheel drive through stunning desert country to the 'Valley of the Whales', famous for its palaeontology museum and remains of primordial whales. We also explore the Temple of Sobek-Re at Qasr Qarun.

We head across the open desert, to Bahariya Oasis. We see Late Period painted tombs, the Temple of Alexander and relax in thermal hot springs. In Bahariya we also visit the recently discovered 'Golden Mummies' which are now on public display in the museum. Our journey then takes us south through the spectacular White Desert. This region is famous for its stunning rock formations, carved by the wind from the limestone over millions of years. We then head to Farafra Oasis. Here we visit the local hot springs and wander in the beautiful palm gardens.

In Dakhleh Oasis we explore the fascinating mediaeval town of Qasr, set in a stunning desert landscape. We explore the ruins of the Roman temple of Deir el-Haggar which was built by the Emperor Nero. We spend some time in the town of Mut and see the temple ruins. We also visit Balat where we see Old Kingdom mastaba tombs with painted tomb chambers and wander the ancient streets of the mediaeval town.

In Kharga Oasis we see the magnificent Late Period and Roman Temple of Hibis. It has been recently restored and looks stunning. We also see the Antonine temples at Nadura, and visit the well preserved Roman fortress of Qasr el-Ghueita which contains a temple to Amun. At the southern end of Kharga Oasis we visit Qasr Dush, the ancient settlement of Kysis. This Roman frontier fortress has a well preserved temple dedicated to Serapis. The tour concludes with some free time in Luxor before the tour ends in Cairo with a visit to the Khan el Khalili markets.

ITINERARY*

Day 1: Arrive Cairo
You arrive in Cairo. Overnight Cairo.

Day 2: Grand Egyptian Museum
Today we visit the recently opened Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo. This stunning building has a world-famous collection of artefacts. We explore the galleries of sculpture which provide an overview of ancient Egypt. In the afternoon there is free time to explore the collection further. Overnight Cairo.

Day 3: Bus to Alexandria - Graeco-Roman Museum of Alexandria - Library
In the morning we travel north by bus to Alexandria (3 hrs). In the afternoon we visit the recently refurbished Graeco-Roman Museum of Alexandria, home to a fascinating collection of sculpture from the later periods of Egyptian history. We also see the new Library of Alexandria, a wonder of 21st Century architecture, which houses a fascinating collection of artefacts from the site. Overnight Alexandria.


Day 4: Kom es-Shuqqafa Catacombs - Roman Theatre - Fort Qaitbey
The morning is spent exploring the remarkable remains of the Kom es-Shuqqafa Necropolis which was built in the Roman Period. 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. In the afternoon we see the Kom ed-Dikka Roman odeum and the evocative Fort Qaitbey, built upon the ruins of the famous lighthouse of Alexandria. Overnight Alexandria.

Day 5: Taposiris Magna - El Alamein - bus to Siwa Oasis
In the morning we head west by bus along the Mediterranean coast of Egypt. We stop to see the Ptolemaic Temple of Osiris at Taposiris Magna and the World War II battle site of El Alamein. Here we see the fascinating War Museum with its memorabilia of the famous battle and the Commonwealth War Cemetery. In the afternoon we continue our journey along the coast before heading inland to Siwa Oasis. Overnight Siwa.

Day 6: Siwa Shali Old City - Gebel Mawta tombs - Aghurmi Oracle Temple
We spend the early part of the day exploring the remains of the 13th Century mudbrick fortress of Shali with its labyrinth of multi-storey buildings. We then see the Gebel Mawta, the 'Hill of the Dead', a cemetery with painted tombs. After lunch we see the ruins of the Aghurmi where Alexander the Great consulted the Oracle of Amun. There are spectacular views of the Oasis in every direction. Overnight Siwa.

Day 7: Drive from Siwa to the Fayum oasis - Lahun
In the morning we head north of Siwa, crossing the open desert. We drive back along the coast to the Nile Delta and then head south to the Fayum Depression. In the afternoon we visit the ruins of the pyramid of Lahun. Recent restoration work now allows access to the subterranean chambers. Overnight Fayum.


Day 8: Medinet Madi - the 'Valley of the Whales' - Qasr Qarun
This morning we head to the southern part of the Fayum in 4-wheel drives to see the ancient site of Medinet Madi. The temple was constructed in the Middle Kingdom and added to by the Ptolemies. From here we head west into the open desert to the 'Valley of the Whales' where remarkable fossils of early whales have been uncovered. After lunch we see the impressive temple at Qasr Qarun. Overnight Fayum.

Day 9: Drive to Bahariya Oasis - Temple of Alexander and chapels - hot springs
In the morning we head across the desert to Bahariya oasis. We have a look at the remains of the small Temple of Alexander and the 26th Dynasty Chapels of Ain el-Muftella. In the late afternoon there is time to rest and relax as we visit to the Bir el-Ghaba hot springs on the edge of the desert. Overnight Bahariya.

Day 10: Painted tombs - Bus to Farafra - the White Desert
In the morning we visit the Bahariya Museum which houses the famous 'Golden Mummies' discovered in the 1990's. We then see the painted tombs of Zed-amun-ef-ankh and Bannentiu. We travel 90 km south to Farafra Oasis. En route we stop to see the stunning White Desert. This is an otherworldly region of wind-carved white rock formations. This forms a spectacular back drop as the sun sets when the landscape takes on a fantastic eerie appearance. Overnight option of camping in the desert or staying in a hotel in Farafra.

Day 11: Farafra Oasis - Bir Sitta hot springs
We spend the day exploring the natural beauty of Farafra Oasis and the surrounding desert. We take a walk in some of the nearby palm gardens and visit a hot spring at Bir Sitta. There is a chance to visit the Badr Museum gallery, go for a walk, or relax. Overnight Farafra.

Day 12: Bus to Dakhleh Oasis - Qasr Old City
This morning we drive to Dakhleh Oasis, a distance of 250km. The road passes through scenic desert country with dramatic landscapes and cliffs as we enter the Oasis. We have some lunch at Qasr and explore the Old City with its narrow winding streets and houses with carved wooden doors. The escarpment behind the city is spectacular! Overnight Dakhleh.


Day 13: Mut - Deir el-Haggar - Free Time
The morning is spent walking around the town of Mut and its surrounds. This includes the Old Citadel with its ruined houses and the small Ethnographic Museum. After lunch we visit the ruins of the Roman temple of Deir el-Haggar. This was built by the Roman Emperor Nero. We also see more of the stunning desert landscapes. In the afternoon there is time for a relaxing hot spa in the local sulphur springs. Overnight Dakhleh.

Day 14: Balat old city - Bashendi - bus to Kharga Oasis
We head east to the unspoiled village of Balat which retains much of its medieval character. From here we visit the fascinating mastaba tombs of the Old Kingdom at Qilat ed-Dabba. We next stop at the village of Bashendi where we see the tomb of a local Muslim Saint and the Roman Tomb of Kitnes. In the afternoon we head 190km east to Kharga Oasis where we check into our hotel. Overnight Kharga.

Day 15: Kharga Archaeological Museum - free afternoon
In the morning we visit the Kharga Archaeological Museum which preserves artefacts from the western desert. Highlights include the painted death masks found at Ismant el-Kharab in Dakhleh. The afternoon is set aside to relax or to explore Kharga Oasis, shopping in the main town for locally made handy crafts, or wandering around old Kharga town. Overnight Kharga.


Day 16: Hibis Temple - Nadura - Bagawat - hot spa bath
Today we explore some of the historic heritage of Kharga Oasis. In the morning we see the impressive Persian Period Temple of Amun at Hibis, set amongst a grove of palms. We then see the Roman Temple of Nadura located on a hill to the north of the town. After lunch we explore the painted Christian tombs at el-Bagawat. In the afternoon we relax in a hot spa bath. Overnight Kharga.

Day 17: Qasr el-Ghueita - Qasr ez-Zayyan - Qasr el-Dush
Today we explore some of the antiquities along the Darb el-Arba'en, the '40 Day Track' which leads south into the Sudan. We see the Late Period and Roman temple of Qasr el-Ghueita, located in an impressive fortress. Nearby is the picturesque Qasr ez-Zayyan Temple which lies half buried in sand. In the afternoon we head to the southern end of Kharga Oasis. Here we see the stark landscape of the Sahara and the romantic ruins of Qasr el-Dush, a frontier fort and temple at the southern frontier of the Roman Empire. Overnight Kharga.

Day 18: Bus to Luxor - Luxor Temple
We travel out of the Western Desert, climbing up onto the escarpment and heading east across the desert to Luxor. The landscape includes stark mountain plateaus and the broad sweep of the desert. After lunch we visit Luxor Temple to see the superb sculpture and reliefs as the sun goes down. Overnight Luxor.

Day 19: Free morning in Luxor - fly to Cairo - Khan el-Khalili markets
The morning is free to explore some of the remarkable monuments of Luxor. You could visit Karnak Temple, see the Temple of Deir el-Bahri, visit the Valley of the Kings, or go for a felucca ride on the Nile. In the afternoon we fly to Cairo. We stop to explore the Khan el-Khalili markets for last minute shopping.

Day 20: Fly to Australia
You connect with your flight to Australia.

* 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.

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