Egypt through the Ages

Egypt through the Ages:
A unique overview of the major Pharaonic and Islamic sites

January 16 – February 1, 2024 (17 days | 16 guests) with Egyptologist Okasha El Daly

ITINERARY

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

Tuesday, January 16, 2024: Depart home

Wednesday, January 17: 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 six nights. (D)

Thursday, January 18: 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 19: Egyptian Museum or Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) | Giza
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, colossal statues of Ramesses the Great, and more. Gather this evening for dinner. (B,L,D)

Saturday, January 20: Saqqara | Ramses Wissa Wassef Arts Centre | Giza
Today we visit the extraordinary and vast necropolis at Saqqara, where we see the Step Pyramid of Djoser (the earliest colossal stone building in Egypt); the pyramid and causeway of Unas; the mastaba (rectangular tomb) of the “two brothers,” Nyankhkhnum and Khnumhotep; and (pending permission) the recently discovered, closed-to-the-public, 5^th-dynasty Tomb of Wah Ti. After an outdoor lunch at Saqqara Palm Club, we return to Saqqara and see other recent tomb excavations (pending permission). On our way back to the Mena House hotel, we will stop briefly at the Ramses Wissa Wassef Arts Centre, a series of vaulted and domed mud-brick structures containing weaving workshops, showrooms, and a pottery and sculpture museum. Gather for dinner at our hotel. (B,L,D)

Sunday, January 21: Medieval Cairo: Museum of Islamic Art, walking tour, Bayt Al-Suhaymi | Giza
This morning we visit the Museum of Islamic Art, which houses more than 100,000 artifacts ranging from textiles and carpets to ivory, ceramic, wood, metal, glass, and much more. Then we have a guided walking tour through the bustling streets of medieval Cairo (“the city of 1,000 minarets”), admiring magnificent Islamic architecture that is embellished with exquisite mashrabiya (woodwork) façades, painted mosaics, and decorative domes. Your AIA lecturer/host, 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), ending with a visit to Bayt Al-Suhaymi (House of Suhaymi), a superb example of a wealthy private residence dating back to 1648 and beautifully restored in the late 20^th century. We return to our hotel before gathering for dinner. (B,L,D)

Monday, January 22: Medieval Cairo: Al-Fustat, Hanging Church, Coptic Museum, Sha’ar HaShamayim Synagogue | Giza
Start our day by visiting 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. Next, we visit the Coptic Museum to learn more about the history of Christianity in Egypt. After a lunch overlooking the Nile, we visit the only active synagogue in Egypt, Sha’ar Hashamayim. Return to our hotel and pack for tomorrow’s early flight before gathering for dinner. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, January 23: Fly to Luxor | Karnak Temple | Luxor Temple
Transfer early this morning to the airport for our flight to Luxor. Once in Luxor we take a short drive through town to Karnak, the world’s largest temple complex (built over the course of 2,000 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 (Luxury Garden View rooms) for two nights. (B,L,D)

Wednesday, January 24: 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 25: 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 26: 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 27: 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 28: Aswan: Disembarkation, Philae, Souq
Disembark this morning at Aswan and visit the ancient granite quarry with its unfinished obelisk. Board a motor boat for a short ride to the island of Philae to visit the Temple of Isis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been called Egypt’s most beautiful temple. After lunch we check-in to our recently renovated hotel with stunning views of the Nile. Tonight, we take a walk through Aswan’s 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 gather for dinner at the hotel. Overnight in the Nile wing of the 5-star Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan hotel for two nights. (B,L,D)

Monday, January 29: Aswan: Felucca ride to Elephantine Island, Nubia Museum, boat ride through Nile’s First Cataract, PM at leisure
After breakfast, we board a felucca (small, traditional sailing vessel) to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of 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. 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, and then take a motor boat through the Nile’s First Cataract to have lunch at a Nubian restaurant. We return to our hotel for the rest of the afternoon at leisure, gathering again for dinner. (B,L,D)

Tuesday, January 30: Fly to Abu Simbel
Today we transfer to the airport for our 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. We will not be rushed or worry about crowds, as most tourists do not overnight here. This evening at Abu Simbel we will enjoy one of the best sound and light shows in Egypt. Overnight at the 4-star Seti Abu Simbel Lake Resort (or similar). (B,L,D)

Wednesday, January 31: Fly to Cairo | Farewell dinner
Transfer to the airport early this morning for a short flight to Aswan, connecting to our flight to Cairo. Upon arrival, check-in to our luxurious airport hotel, which features fully sound-proofed rooms. Gather tonight for a festive farewell reception and dinner at our hotel. Overnight at the 5-star Le Méridien Cairo Airport hotel. (B,L,R,D)

Thursday, February 1: 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 to the Wadi El Natrun & Alexandria extension. (B)

Optional, Post-Tour Extension

Wadi El Natrun & Alexandria

February 1-5, 2024 (5 days | 16 guests) with Egyptologist Okasha El Daly

Thursday, February 1, 2024: Cairo | Wadi El Natrun monasteries | Alexandria
This morning we drive northwest of Cairo to Wadi El Natrun, located in the desert halfway between Cairo and Alexandria. This Wadi, with its 1,500-year-old monasteries, may be considered the historical center of Coptic Christianity and is on the Tentative List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After visiting one of the four active monasteries, we will enjoy a discussion with one of the monks, have lunch, and then continue driving to Alexandria. Check-in to our hotel and then gather for dinner. Overnight in the Nile wing of the 4-star Steigenberger Cecil Hotel for three nights. (L,D)

Friday, February 2: 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)

Saturday, February 3: Alexandria: Catacombs, Pompey’s Pillar
This morning we tour the impressive, 2^nd-century A.D. catacombs of Kom Ash Shuqqafa (also Kom el Shoqafa), the largest-known Roman burial site in Egypt. Its three tiers of underground tombs and chambers, accessed via spiral staircase, reflect Pharaonic, Hellenistic, and Roman architectural elements and painting styles. Continue on to see Pompey’s Pillar, a 3rd-century, pink granite triumphal column set amid the remains of the acropolis of the Serapeum. Return to our hotel and gather for dinner. (B,L,D)

Sunday, February 4: Alexandria | Cairo
Today 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)

Monday, February 5: Fly home
Check out this morning and enter the airport to catch flights homeward. (B)