Egypt through the Ages

Egypt through the Ages
A unique overview of the major Pharaonic and Islamic sites
January 17-February 2, 2023 (17 days | 16 guests) with Egyptologist Okasha El Daly

ITINERARY
(B)= Breakfast, (L)= Lunch, (R)= Reception, (D)= Dinner 

Tuesday, January 17, 2023: Depart home

Wednesday, January 18: Arrive Cairo, Egypt | Private transfer to hotel in Giza
You will be met upon arrival at Cairo’s airport and transferred to Giza’s historic Mena House, a palatial hotel set amid 40 acres of gardens, with magnificent views of the adjacent Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops). Gather for dinner at our hotel. Overnight at the 5-star Marriott Mena House hotel (Pyramid View rooms) for four nights. (D)

Thursday, January 19: Giza Plateau | Welcome dinner
Spend the morning exploring the Giza Plateau, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu; Eastern Cemetery, with its vibrantly decorated mastaba of Meresankh III; mortuary temple of Khufu; timeless Sphinx; and nearby Valley Temple of Khafra. After lunch at a nearby restaurant we return to our hotel. This evening we gather for a welcome reception and dinner with our AIA lecturer/host and local tour manager/guide. (B,L,R,D)

Friday, January 20: Egyptian Museum or Grand Egyptian Museum
We will spend a full day visiting the historic and renowned Egyptian Museum (formally known as the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities) to see treasures of the pharaohs, including magnificent artifacts from the royal tombs of Tanis. Alternatively, if the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) is open, we will spend a full day there instead to see Tutankhamun’s funerary collection, the reconstructed 4,000-year-old Khufu ship, colossal statues of Ramesses the Great, and more. (B,L,D)

Saturday, January 21: Saqqara
This morning we visit the Imhotep Museum on our way into the extraordinary necropolis at Saqqara, where we see the Step Pyramid of Djoser; the pyramid and causeway of Unas; the mastaba of the “two brothers,” Nyankhkhnum and Khnumhotep; and (pending permission) the newly discovered, closed-to-the-public, 5^th-dynasty Tomb of Wah Ti. After an outdoor lunch at Saqqara Palm Club, we return to the Mena House hotel for an afternoon at leisure to relax, enjoy the pool, and perhaps have a drink while gazing at the Great Pyramid. Gather for dinner at our hotel. (B,L,D)

Sunday, January 22: Medieval Cairo: Museum of Islamic Art, walking tour
This morning your luggage is transferred to our hotel in Medieval (Old) Cairo while we visit the Museum of Islamic Art, considered the world’s largest museum dedicated to Islamic art. Its collection of more than 100,000 artifacts ranges from textiles and carpets to ivory, ceramic, wood, metal, glass, and much more. Then we take a walk through the bustling streets of Medieval Cairo, admiring magnificent Islamic architecture that is embellished with exquisite mashrabiya (woodwork) façades, painted mosaics, and decorative domes. Your AIA Egyptologist, Dr. El Daly, is an expert on the reuse of Pharaonic stonework in Christian and Islamic buildings, examples of which we will see. Over many centuries Fatimid, Mameluke, Circassian, Ayyubid, and Ottoman rulers all enhanced the character of this historic center by building splendid mosques, sabils (water fountains), kuttabs (Qur’anic schools), madrassas (schools), houses, and wekalas (trade complexes). Enjoy lunch and browsing in Khan el-Khalili, the famous souq (bazaar), before arriving at our nearby hotel for some time to relax before gathering for dinner. Overnight at the boutique, 17–suite Le Riad hotel for two nights. (B,L,D)

Monday, January 23: Medieval Cairo: National Museum of Egyptian Civilization, Hanging Church, Mosque of Ibn Tulun, Gayer-Anderson Museum
Start the day with a visit to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC), which opened in 2017, housing materials from all periods of Egyptian archaeology, including the Gallery of the Royal Mummies. With our expert guide we learn about key historical phases, starting with the Predynastic and ancient Egyptian eras, and continuing through Greco-Roman, Coptic, Islamic, and modern times. NMEC is located in the heart of Al-Fustat, the oldest Islamic capital of Egypt. Next we see the nearby Coptic Hanging Church, also called the Suspended Church or Al-Moallaqa. This unique church got its name from the fact that it was built over the southern gate of the Roman Fortress of Babylon, which became the church’s foundation. After lunch overlooking the Nile, we visit the 9^th-century mosque of Ibn Tulun, both Cairo’s largest mosque in terms of land area and its oldest mosque in its original form; and the adjacent Gayer-Anderson Museum, a superb example of 17^th-century domestic architecture, with splendid furniture, carpets, curios, and other objects. Return to our hotel and pack for tomorrow’s early flight before gathering for dinner. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, January 24: Fly to Luxor | Karnak Temple | Luxor Temple
Transfer early this morning to the airport for our flight to Luxor. A short drive through town brings us to Karnak, the world’s largest temple complex (built over the course of two thousand years), where a generous amount of time is scheduled for exploring. Our visit will include Karnak’s Open Air Museum, which has on display many newly reconstructed buildings. Check-in to our elegant, historic hotel on the east bank of the Nile and enjoy lunch and some time at leisure to relax and enjoy the gardens and pool. Before dinner we visit the adjacent Luxor Temple, which is illuminated to striking effect. Overnight at the 5-star Sofitel Old Winter Palace hotel (quiet Luxury Garden View rooms) for two nights. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, January 25: Valley of the Kings | Deir el Bahari | Luxor Museum
In the Valley of the Kings, our morning exploration includes several royal tombs, including the legendary Tomb of Tutankhamen and the spectacular Tomb of Seti I. Continue on to the stunning mortuary temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari, including the Third Terrace Sanctuary of Amun with its beautifully preserved painted decoration. After lunch we return to the east bank of the Nile and visit the small, but excellent, Luxor Museum. Return to our hotel and then gather for dinner. (B,L,D)

Thursday, January 26: Valley of the Queens | Deir el Medina | Esna | Embarkation
Spend the morning in the Valley of the Queens, where we gain access to the touching Tomb of Khaemwaset, a young son of Ramesses III; and the Tomb of Nefertari, often called the most beautiful tomb in Egypt. Continue on to Deir el Medina, the ancient village of the workers who built the pharaohs’ tombs, where we visit the beautifully preserved Tomb of Sennedjem and the recently restored Ptolemaic Temple of Hathor. Our last visit on the west bank is the tomb of Ramose.

Drive to Esna and visit the recently restored temple of Khnum, with its wonderful astronomical ceiling and previously unknown names of ancient Egyptian constellations. Afterward, we embark our sailing vessels, traditional Nile sail boats called dahabiyas, which will be our homes-away-from-home for the next three nights. Our group will sail aboard two of these smaller-sized vessels that will travel together and avoid the crowds cruising in a convoy of large Nile riverboats. Enjoy a late lunch as we sail up the Nile. The afternoon is at leisure until we gather for dinner onboard. Overnight aboard an eight-cabin dahabiya for three nights. (B,L,D)

Friday, January 27: El Kab | Edfu | Sailing the Nile
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast onboard before visiting El Kab, one of the oldest settlements of Upper Egypt and a famous necropolis with remarkable tombs of nobles and army generals. Continue to the city of Edfu for a tour of the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus, Egypt’s most complete and best-preserved temple. Return to our dahabiyas and relax as we sail up the Nile, stopping at a village community to learn about daily life and farming. This evening enjoy an onboard dinner of Egyptian specialties presented with a performance of local music and dancing. (B,L,D)

Saturday, January 28: Gebel el-Silsila | Kom Ombo | Sailing the Nile
Set out this morning to visit Gebel el-Silsila, located at the narrowest point along the entire length of the Nile. It was the location of a major New Kingdom sandstone quarry and workshop, where artifacts and tombs have been discovered. Sail onward to the twin Temples of Sobek and Horus at Kom Ombo, including a visit to the magnificent (though small) Crocodile Museum. Continue cruising to Aswan, and partake in a final gala dinner onboard. (B,L,D)

Sunday, January 29: Aswan | Disembarkation | Philae | Nubia Museum
Disembark this morning at Aswan and visit the ancient granite quarry with its unfinished obelisk. Set out on a short boat ride to the island of Philae for a visit of the Temple of Isis, which has been called Egypt’s most beautiful temple. After lunch we check-in to our beautiful, recently renovated hotel on the Nile. This afternoon, visit Aswan’s elegant Nubia Museum, which exhibits many of the more than 3,000 artifacts recovered during the excavations of Nubian sites that were threatened by the construction of the High Dam. We return to our hotel and gather for dinner. Overnight in the Nile wing of the 5-star Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan hotel for three nights. (B,L,D)

Monday, January 30: Elephantine Island | Aswan
Embark feluccas (small, traditional sailing vessels) and visit the Tombs of the Nobles, dating from the Old and Middle Kingdoms; as well as St. Simeon Monastery, which was constructed in the 7^th century. Then take a motor boat ride through the Nile cataract for lunch at a Nubian restaurant. This afternoon we visit Elephantine Island, where a 1^st-dynasty fortress was built to defend Egypt’s southern frontier and which was the main cult center of the god Khnum, his wife, and his daughter. Return to Aswan for a walk through its souq (bazaar), the most charming and traditional in Egypt, featuring interesting Nubian ethnographic items such as baskets, pottery, and scarves that are unique to the Aswan area. We return to our hotel and gather for dinner. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, January 31: At leisure in Aswan | Farewell dinner
Today is at leisure, to relax at our luxurious hotel overlooking the famous cataracts of Aswan. Enjoy a final lecture with generous time for Q&A with both your AIA lecturer/host and tour manager/local guide. This evening we gather for a farewell reception and dinner at our hotel. (B,L,R,D)

Wednesday, February 1: Fly to Abu Simbel | Fly to Cairo
Transfer to the airport early this morning for a short flight to Abu Simbel, where we visit the two world-famous, rock-cut temples of Ramesses II, built to honor himself and his queen, Nefertari. Moved when the Aswan High Dam was built, they are a marvel of ancient and modern engineering. Then fly to Cairo and check-in to our luxurious airport hotel, which features fully sound-proofed rooms. Dinner is at our hotel. Overnight at the 5-star Le Méridien Cairo Airport hotel. (B,L,D)

Thursday, February 2: Fly home or continue on the optional extension
Check out this morning and enter the airport (our hotel has direct access to Terminal 3 via footbridge, as well as a free shuttle to Terminal 2) to catch flights homeward. Or, continue on the Siwa Oasis and Alexandria extension. (B)

Optional, Post-Tour Extension
The Siwa Oasis & Alexandria
February 2-8, 2023 (7 days | 16 guests) with Egyptologist Okasha El Daly

Thursday, February 2, 2023: El-Alamein War Museum and cemeteries | Marsa Matruh
Depart Cairo, driving north and then along the Mediterranean to the seaside resort town of Marsa Matruh, stopping along the way at El-Alamein. Two major battles were fought here in 1942 between British and Axis forces, and the Allies won a decisive victory in November of that year, preventing Germany from penetrating any farther into Egypt. We will visit the War Museum, which is an excellent introduction to WWII’s North Africa campaigns as well as the Battle of El-Alamein itself, plus the Italian and German military cemeteries. Continue on to Marsa Matruh, which boasts a beautiful, 4.5-mile white sand beach and turquoise waters. Alexander the Great is said to have stopped here on his way to Siwa Oasis (our destination tomorrow), and Cleopatra reputedly came here to bathe. Marsa Matruh was also an important stopping point for trade in the ancient Mediterranean. Just offshore is Bates’s Island, which has provided much evidence for 2^nd millennium B.C. trade between the Levant, Cyprus, Greece, and Egypt. Time-permitting, we will visit Marsa Matruh’s recently opened Archaeological Museum, which exhibits artifacts excavated locally and highlights the role of the city as an ancient trading hub. Check-in to our hotel on the bay of Marsa Matruh, and gather for dinner. Overnight at the 5-star Carols Beau Rivage hotel. (B,L,D)

Friday, February 3: Siwa Oasis
Drive south through miles and miles of sand until suddenly a huge lake appears, surrounded by date palms. Here at Siwa Oasis we find our unique and beautiful eco-lodge, built of kershef (a mixture of mud and rock salt) in the indigenous style, which has been featured in many international publications. At night it is lit by hundreds of beeswax candles and oil lamps, and a flat-edged pool bubbles up from Roman springs. Float in the lake, which is as salty as the Dead Sea and said to be good for the skin. Dinner is served under the stars. Overnight at the 4-star Adrère Amellal Desert Eco Lodge for two nights. (B,L,D)

Saturday, February 4: Siwa: Oracle of Amun, Gebel Al Mawta, Shali
The town of Siwa is Egypt’s most remote oasis town, located on the northwest edge of the Great Sand Sea. The very traditional Siwans have held fast to their own distinct Berber culture and language, and are known for their exquisite jewelry and crafts. In the 4^th century B.C., Alexander the Great visited this area to consult the Oracle of Amun, which is said to have confirmed that he was a god and a king of Egypt. We visit the ruins of the oracle temple; Gebel Al Mawta (Mountain of the Dead), a small hill with rock-cut tombs that have wall paintings and date from the 26^th dynasty and the Ptolemaic and Romans periods; and Shali, the old village of Siwa, with houses dating back to the 13^th century. Return to our eco-lodge for dinner. (B,L,D)

Sunday, February 5: Drive to Alexandria
We depart Siwa Oasis this morning, driving north through the desert and east along the Mediterranean Sea for about 6.5 hours, to reach the port city of Alexandria. Founded in 332 B.C. under the reign of Alexander the Great, Alexandria was the capital of Egypt until A.D. 642. An important center of learning in the ancient world, today the cosmopolitan city has a more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern feel. Check-in to our historic hotel, which overlooks the Mediterranean, and gather for dinner. Overnight at the 4-star Steigenberger Cecil Hotel for two nights. (B,L,D)

Monday, February 6: Alexandria: National Museum, Kom al-Dikka, Bibliotheca Alexandrina
This morning is dedicated to exploring some of the jewels of Alexandria beginning with the Alexandria National Museum, whose exhibits span the city’s history from antiquity to the modern period. In recent years many significant finds have been recovered from Alexandria’s harbor through underwater archaeology, and we will see some of these portions of monumental sculpture and architecture at Kom al-Dikka, where we will also see the ruins of the Roman amphitheater (the only one in Egypt). This afternoon we visit the architecturally stunning Bibliotheca Alexandrina, a recently completed modern interpretation of the famous ancient library. Here, in addition to the innovative building, are extraordinary documents and artifacts, and an excellent museum that displays finds made during the construction of the Library, including a superb mosaic. Return to our hotel and gather for dinner. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, February 7: Alexandria | Cairo
This morning we tour the impressive tombs in Alexandria, such as Kom el-Shuqafa, that reflect both Pharaonic and Roman architectural elements and painting styles; plus we see Pompey’s Pillar, a 3^rd-century pink granite column set amid the remains of the acropolis of the Serapeum. At mid-day we drive to Cairo and check-in to our luxurious airport hotel, which features fully sound-proofed rooms, direct access to Terminal 3 via footbridge, as well as a free shuttle to Terminal 2. Dinner is at the hotel. Overnight at the 5-star Le Méridien Cairo Airport hotel. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, February 8: Fly home
Check out this morning and enter the airport to catch flights homeward. (B)