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Home , Siwa Oasis

TRAVEL WITH FRIENDS IN 2011

Exploring : 5000 years along the Nile 4 – 22 November 2011(19 days / 18 nights) Tour Leader: Wendy Reade Exploring Egypt: 5000 years along the Nile

From the Mediterranean coast to the sub-Saharan , discover 5000 years of Egyptian history, archaeology and scenery during this magnificent 19 day journey with Egyptologist Dr Wendy Reade.

Begin and end in , where you will gaze in awe at the pyramids and sphinx of , discover the treasures of the Egyptian Museum, Tour leader and explore the famous Khan el-Khalili Bazaar and Islamic and Coptic areas of the old city. From Cairo travel south to the inspiring edifices Wendy Reade of Abu Simbel before embarking on the Sonesta Moon Goddess, for a BA (Hons), PhD four-night cruise in comfort and luxury along the Nile from to Wendy is an archaeologist . On the way, discover the opulence and majesty of Pharaonic and conservator who Egypt in the magnificent temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor, the has taught archaeological Ptolemaic temples of and and explore the burial science for the last complexes in the Valleys of the Kings and of the Nobles. decade and now teaches Other highlights include , where the great library has been Egyptian archaeology at spectacularly rebuilt, the poignant World War II site of el-Alamein the University of Sydney and three nights at the extraordinary Adrère Amellal eco-resort at and is Vice-President of the the Siwa Oasis. Near Eastern Archaeology Foundation. She has a PhD in Near Eastern and Egyptian archaeology. She has excavated at El Hawawish in Egypt with Macquarie University, amongst other sites, and is currently involved with excavations in Greece, Turkey, Jordan and Syria. She has published various articles on her research in these areas.

UNESCO library, Alexandria ITINERARY Thu 3 November 2011 Depart Sydney Suggested departure from Australia on Etihad flights via Abu Dhabi. Fri 4 November Arrive Cairo Midday arrival in Cairo. Transfer to your hotel located in the shadow of the Great Pyramids. Located on the banks of the Nile River, Cairo is Africa’s largest city, as well as the largest city in the Arab world. In the course of its thousand-year history it has been the capital of the great Egyptian dynasties of the Middle Ages, a British colonial enclave, and a modern industrialised city. Today it is a teeming, vibrant national capital with one of the world’s highest population densities per square mile. It dominates Egypt politically, economically, and culturally. Tonight join Wendy Reade and fellow travellers for a welcome dinner. (D) Step Pyramid at Saqqara Sat 5 November Cairo Excursion to Memphis, Saqqara and Dahshour. Memphis, south of modern Cairo, served as the capital of the Old Kingdom and most of the Pharaonic period. Legend has it that it was founded in about 3100 BC by King Menes, the ruler responsible for uniting Upper and Lower Egypt. Saqqara is one of the most exciting historical & archaeological areas in Egypt. The famous step pyramid of King Zoser dominates the site. It was the first pyramid to be built in , preceding those at Giza by over a century. It is the work of the famous architect to the , Imhotep. After lunch visit Dahshur which forms the southernmost area of the Memphite Necropolis and was only recently opened to the public after having been a military zone until 1996. It is most noteworthy for being the site that best demonstrates the change from the ‘step’ pyramid to the ‘true’ pyramid exemplified in the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid. (BL) Sun 6 November Cairo Spend the day visiting the pyramids of Giza. These were Old Cairo constructed for Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, and were one of the seven wonders of the ancient world – the only one to survive largely intact. The Sphinx, the most renowned and largest portrait sculpture in Egypt, is the most compelling symbol of the transformation of a from man to god. Also visit the Solar Boat Museum which houses the magnificent wooden funerary boat of Cheops. (BL) Mon 7 November Cairo – Abu Simbel Morning flight from Cairo toAbu Simbel. In Abu Simbel visit two temples constructed by Ramesses II which were moved to this site in 1964-1968 to avoid being flooded by Lake Nasser. The transfer, which preserved the alignment of the temples and re-inserted them into a man-made cliff face at their new location, was a major engineering feat, as remarkable as the temples themselves. The larger of the two temples is dedicated to the deified Ramesses II whose four great colossi spring out from the cliff face, dominating the temple facade. The smaller temple is dedicated to the goddess Hathor in the form of Rameses’ wife, Nefertari. (BLD) Cairo street scene Sonesta Moon Goddess

The Sonesta Moon Goddess sails between Aswan and Luxor on 4 night cruises. The four-deck ship offers 49 standard cabins with sliding glass doors opening to private balconies. All cabins feature direct-dial telephone, individual climate control, hairdryer, mini-bar, safe, television and movie program and bathrooms equipped with bathtubs. Facilities and services include restaurant, lounge, nightly entertainment, room service, outdoor swimming pool with sun deck bar service, jogging Abu Simbel track and gym.

Abu Simbel

Solar Boat Museum

Sunset in Cairo Tue 8 November Abu Simbel – Aswan Early rise if you wish to view the temples at sunrise. Transfer to the airport for the flight to Aswan. On arrival, transfer to the pier for embarkation on the Nile cruise. Aswan formed the southern frontier of Pharaonic Egypt and the gateway to sub-Saharan Africa. As such it was a land of garrisons and passing merchants where the cultures of the North and South blended and overlapped. On an afternoon felucca ride pass the marble mausoleum of the Agha Khan and Elephantine Island, site of the ancient city of Abu, Aswan’s predecessor. At the southern end of the island is the Nilometer, steep steps descending into the river. The walls were calibrated to record the height of the annual Agha Khan Mausoleum, Aswan flood and so indicate the likely crop yield. (BLD) Wed 9 November Aswan – Kom Ombo – Edfu Morning exploration of Aswan. Visit the Temple of Isis at Philae which was dismantled and reconstructed on the island of Agilkia during the construction of the Aswan Dam, one of the greatest engineering achievements of the 20th century. It provides irrigation and electricity for the whole of Egypt. Also visit the great quarries south of Aswan, which provided the distinctive red granite used in Egypt and see a huge unfinished obelisk. Return to the ship for lunch. Cruise to Kom Ombo to visit the riverside Temple of Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris, or Horus the Elder. The temple plan is similar to the plan of the temples at Edfu, although its dedication to two gods necessitated the division of the interior into Temple of Isis of Philae near Aswan Eastern and Western halves which mirror each other. The temple also has several small sanctuaries in the forecourt which contain crocodile mummies in clay coffins. (BLD) Thu 10 November Edfu – Luxor Today visit the Greco- at Edfu. The Temple of Horus, the falcon-headed god, was constructed in the 3rd century BC by Ptolemy III. It is a huge and remarkably complete temple elaborately decorated throughout, preserving valuable information on ancient Egyptian religion. In the afternoon sail to Luxor via the lock of . The bustling town of Luxor is centred around the magnificent Luxor Temple, an enduring symbol of its glorious past. (BLD)

Fri 11 November Luxor Elephantine Island, Aswan After breakfast cross the Nile to visit the sites on the West bank of the river where the Pharaonic necropolis was located. The decorated underground burial complexes in the – present a completely different style of funerary structure to the pyramids. Most are decorated with murals which chart the progress of a pharaoh into the afterlife, the gods he would meet and the ceremonies he would undergo. En route, pass the Colossi of Memnon, two huge seated figures which flanked the entrance to the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III. At Deir El Bahari, the partly rock-hewn Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut is a breathtaking sight as it rises from the desert in a series of imposing terraces. The temple was designed by Queen Hatshepsut’s architect Senenmut in the 18th Dynasty. Kom Ombo Temple of Sobek In the afternoon visit the two main temple sites on the East bank of the Nile, the Luxor Temple of , and the main temple precinct of Amun at Karnak, which give us our first taste of the enormous scale of Pharaonic temple architecture. Karnak is the largest religious enclosure in the world. Both structures are New Kingdom temples. The Karnak precinct is an immense complex connected by an avenue lined with fantastic ram-headed sphinxes to the jetty from which the god’s barge was launched to transfer him either to the Luxor temple or the west bank of the Nile. Dinner and overnight on board the ship. (BLD) Sat 12 November Luxor Disembark after breakfast and transfer to the hotel in Luxor. Edfu Temple of Horus Later in the morning return to the Valley of the Kings and visit three tombs including the tomb of Tutankhamun and the house of Howard Carter, best known for discovering the tomb. Visit the Ramesseum, a name given to the mortuary temple built by Rameses II in the 13th century BCE, by Jean-François Champollion after he visited the site in 1829 and identified the hieroglyphs making up Rameses’ names and titles on the walls. Travel to the south of the Valley of the Kings to the Tombs of the Nobles, made up of more than 400 tombs of Theban nobles and high officials. The tombs lie close to the surface of the hills overlooking the Nile. (BL) Sun 13 November Luxor Morning visit to Medinet Habu, the mortuary temple Luxor Temple of Rameses III, second only to Karnak in size and detail. Continue to the Luxor Museum with its artistic display of objects from the Theban region. Afternoon at leisure. You may want to visit the bustling markets. Tonight attend the sound and light show at Karnak and experience the beauty of the Temples of Karnak illuminated against the darkness of night as the pharaohs of the New Kingdom take you on a journey into Ancient Egypt. (B) Mon 14 November Luxor – Cairo – Alexandria Morning flight from Luxor to Cairo. Continue by coach to Alexandria stopping at one of the Coptic monasteries of Wadi Natrun – St Makkar, St Bishoi or Baramos y Syriens. The valley’s isolation made it an ideal retreat for early Christians escaping Roman persecution. Over the years they built many monasteries of which only four remain today. Arrive in Alexandria in the late afternoon. Alexandria was founded by and became the capital of the country for 1000 years. It was also the cultural capital of the eastern Mediterranean and was the centre of Egyptian (Coptic) and remains the seat of the Coptic patriarch. Little is exposed of the ancient city, which is buried beneath Islamic and European-style developments. It is Egypt’s second largest city and throughout its history Alexandria has had a certain glamour which is still evident today. (BLD)

Karnak aerial view Adrère Amellal

Medinet Habu, Luxor Adrère Amellal desert eco lodge is a timeless escape to ancient Egypt, freeing you not just from the mundane rituals of your daily routine, but from the clutches of the modern world as you know it.

Temple of Hatsheput It was built using all local design, manpower and materials, and everything that is eaten, (the menu is primarily vegetarian) is grown in the gardens. The 34 rooms and suites are simply furnished, but quality is of a high standard, so the thought of a palm- frond door shouldn’t put you off. Despite the lack of electricity, hot water is available thanks to a gas Ramasseum Aerial View heating system, and lighting at night is from lanterns and candles. There is no reception, air- conditioning or electricity. There is a pool, and less tangibly a feeling of total seclusion and peace. If you want some insight into what it feels like to be a Berber living in the , a stay at the Adrere Amellal is by far the easiest and the most pleasant way to get a taste. Temple of Oracle of Amun

Tue 15 November Alexandria On today’s tour of Alexandria, visit the Roman amphitheatre at Kom al-Dikka and the site known as the Pillar of Pompey. Continue to Kom al-Shawqafa, a subterranean system of catacombs dating to the second century AD which exhibit Egyptian, Greek and Roman elements in their decorative schema. On the peninsula between the harbours stands the fort of Qaitbey on the site of the renowned Pharos Lighthouse. After lunch explore the UNESCO Library of Alexandria. First founded in the 3rd century BC, it was the greatest library in the ancient world. The new library is striking in its architecture and a major library and cultural centre aiming to attract researchers from all over the world. (BL) Wed 16 November Alexandria – Siwa Oasis Today visit the archaeological site of Marina el-Alamein which was ‘accidentally’ discovered in 1986 when the site was being dug to build the Marina El-Alamein. Built during the Roman amphitheatre, Alexandria Ptolemaic period, work carried out on the site by Egyptian archaeologists and a Polish-Egyptian restoration mission have recovered a number of interesting finds, including a temple for the ancient Egyptian god Horus, a large number of houses and villas, a large market area and a cemetery. Stop at El-Alamein to visit the memorial to those who died in World War II, including the recently-opened Australian memorial which takes the form of an obelisk. After lunch travel west to the Libyan Plateau and the extraordinary Siwa Oasis which seems to spring out of nowhere, its lush, green orchards glistening like a mirage in the surrounding barren and inhospitable desert. On arrival visit the local markets. (BLD) Thu 17 November Siwa Oasis After breakfast, start your exploration of Siwa. Using the local mode of transportation (donkey drawn carts) tour the palm groves, the old Siwan village of Shali, visit the Mountain of the Dead riddled with tombs from the 26th Dynasty to Roman times and the temple of Alexander the Great. After lunch there is time to relax in the cool waters of the Fort of Qaitbey, Alexandria fresh water spring before visiting Cleopatra’s spring, and the Temple of Aghrumi, a walled hilltop town which protected the entire Siwan population for centuries. (BLD) Fri 18 November Siwa Oasis A day at leisure to enjoy the quiet surroundings and facilities of the hotel. (BLD) Sat 19 November Siwa Oasis - Cairo Return to Cairo via the coastal town of Marsa Matruh. The town was known to Alexander the Great who is said to have passed through it on his way to the oracle of Siwa. Later it served as a port for Anthony and Cleopatra’s doomed fleet. Today Marsa Matruh, with its long white beach, is a popular summer resort for Egyptians. Arrive in Cairo late in the afternoon. (BLD)

Wadi Natrun Deir as Suriani Monastery Sun 20 November Cairo Spend the day exploring Islamic Cairo. Following their conquest of Egypt in 641 BC, the Muslims built their city, Al-Fustat, on what is now the southern border of modern Cairo. Successive dynasties established their own capital, each one further to the northeast than the old, until Salah ad-Din built the impressive Citadel, standing on a promontory overlooking the city. Visit a selection of mosques such as the Sultan Hassan and Ibn Tulun mosques and the Al-Azhar mosque which is one of Islamic Cairo’s oldest mosques and the world’s oldest operational university. In the afternoon visit Cairo’s great souq, Khan el-Khalili, which was built in 1382 and was originally a hub for travelling traders in the Fatimid era. (BL) Mon 21 November Cairo Following the decline of the Pharaonic religions and before the arrival of , Egypt was a predominantly Christian Wadi Natrun St Bishoi Monastery country. Known today as Old Cairo, this ancient part of the city contains a bastion of Egyptian Christianity, known as Coptic Cairo. Start with a visit to the Coptic Museum and the Hanging Church, the most beautiful of Cairo’s churches with an ornately decorated interior. Visit also the oldest church in Cairo, the Church of St Sergius, and the Church of St Barbara as well as the Ben Ezra Synagogue, testament to the presence of Jews in this region. No visit to Cairo would be complete without a visit to the Egyptian Museum. This museum houses the most extensive and stunning collections of Pharaonic artefacts in the world. The lower floor of the museum contains monumental statuary from all over Egypt, with superb examples from every period, whilst the upper floors are dedicated to smaller items, including the museum’s most famous exhibit, the contents of the tomb of Tutankhamun. The rooms contain a magnificent collection of jewellery and, of course, there are the royal mummies. Tonight join Wendy Reade and fellow travellers for a farewell dinner. (BLD) Khan Khalili Bazarr, Cairo Tue 22 November Depart Cairo Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast with a transfer to the airport for an early afternoon departure on Etihad flights via Abu Dhabi to Australia. (B) Wed 23 November Arrive Sydney Evening arrival in Australia.

Alexandria Harbour TOUR PRICES ... YOUR HOTELS ... Per person, twin-share AUD 8,100 Single supplement* AUD 1,990 Deposit (per person) AUD 500 Final Payment Due 5 September 2011 *Single travellers may request to share. Please advise at time of booking. Mena House Oberoi TOUR CODE AGS EGYPT Cairo ««««« SUGGESTED AIRLINE Etihad Etihad has daily flights between Australia and Cairo: Economy class airfare from AUD 1,850 Business class airfare from AUD 7,690 Hanging Church, Cairo Fares current as at 9 May 2011. Taxes of approx. AUD 120 are additional. Seti Abu Simbel Please contact Renaissance Tours for Abu Simbel assistance. ««««

Sonesta Moon Goddess TOUR PRICES INCLUDE Cruise ««««« • Accommodation in centrally located 5-star hotels and eco-resort in Siwa with private facilities and daily breakfast (B) • Meals as per itinerary (L=Lunch, D=Dinner) including special welcome and farewell dinners • 4 night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor incl. full board and excursions • Transfers on arrival and departure if Sheraton Luxor travelling on group flights (Etihad) Luxor • Domestic flights Cairo – Abu Simbel ««««« – Aswan // Luxor – Cairo (20KG Khan Khalili Bazarr, Cairo luggage allowance) • Comprehensive sightseeing and visits to attractions with Wendy Reade and local guides including entrance fees as per itinerary • Lectures and talks with your tour Maritim Alexandria leader throughout Alexandria • Gratuities for local guides and drivers «««« and on Nile cruise • Visa for Egypt Adrère Amellal (eco resort) • Airport, port and hotel porterage Siwa Oasis (one piece per person)

DO NOT INCLUDE • Transfers on arrival / departure if not travelling on group flights • Drinks with meals, except Welcome and Farewell dinners • Items of a personal nature, including telephone, laundry, taxis etc. Marriott Cairo Hotel • Camera and video fees Cairo • Travel insurance ««««« Karnak Temple NB. Hotels of a similar standard may be substituted TERMS & CONDITIONS In addition to the above cancellation charges, Fitness and Participation the full insurance premium together with any While our tours do not require a special existing administration fees is also payable in level of fitness, for the overall benefit of How to Book the event of a cancellation by the Client. If the group, all tour members must possess Complete, sign and return the Booking Form the reason for cancellation is covered by the a moderate level of mobility, including the available from Renaissance Tours with your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim ability to: deposit of $500 per person. Upon receipt these charges. of your Booking Form and deposit, you will • negotiate airports and railway stations receive confirmation of your place from Forced Cancellations without wheelchair assistance Renaissance Tours. We reserve the right to cancel a tour for • use combined shower/bath facilities (it is any reason (such as failure to reach minimum impossible to guarantee walk-in shower Deposit / Final Payments tour participant numbers). Except for force facilities) Deposit (at time of booking) AUD 500 majeure or the Client’s failure to pay the final • undertake walking tour of 2-3 hours balance, we will not cancel a tour less than duration, including using stairs, walking Your deposit is used for airline and hotel 60 days before departure. Unless the Client over cobblestones and other uneven deposits and is non-refundable in the event fails to pay the final balance, we will return surfaces of your cancellation. Your final payment is all monies paid, excluding payment for travel • stand for long periods in museums and due 60 days before departure. Failure to insurance and administration fees. other sites make your final payment by the due date • embark / disembark coaches, trains and may result in cancellation of your booking No compensation will be paid in the event other methods of transportation without and loss of deposit. We reserve the right to of cancellation by Renaissance Tours. A full assistance charge a late payment fee in the event of late refund of monies paid for tour costs will be • handle your own luggage booking and/or payment to cover additional the full extent of our liability. Airlines may communication and other expenses. impose up to 100% cancellation charges. If you (or we) have any doubts about your ability to participate in your chosen tour, you Payment by cash, cheque, American Express, Passports, Visas and Vaccinations may be required to have a doctor’s appraisal. Diners Club, MasterCard and Visa is It is your responsibility to be in possession This would require a doctor to read the accepted. A 3% service charge applies for of a passport valid for 6 months after the itinerary of your chosen tour and provide payment by American Express and Diners date of your return to Australia. You are also you with a written confirmation of your Club. responsible for obtaining all necessary visas, ability to participate. Cancellation & Refunds inoculations and preventative medicines as may be required for the duration of the tour. Terms & Conditions You may cancel the booking at any time. Information about these matters or related You can find a copy of the full terms & Written notification is essential even if items is given in good faith but without conditions attached to the Renaissance Tours verbal notification of an intention to cancel responsibility on the part of Renaissance booking form. They can also be found on our has been given. Cancellation charges will Tours. website at: www.renaissancetours.com.au or be applied as shown below, calculated from we would be happy to post you a copy on the day written notification is received by Travel Insurance request. Renaissance Tours. In addition to the charges It is a condition of travel that you are shown below, airlines may impose up to covered by comprehensive travel insurance. 100% cancellation charges. You can make your own arrangements 60 days or more forfeit of deposit or your travel insurance can be arranged (includes any flight by Renaissance Tours. In either case all deposit paid) participants must provide the following 59 - 45 days 25% of tour cost information no later than 60 days prior to 44 - 31 days 50% of tour cost commencement of travel: 30 – 15 days 75% of tour cost • a copy of your travel insurance policy (or Less than 15 day 100% of tour cost details of master policy) The above cancellation charges include • the emergency telephone number of your applicable GST. insurance company • next of kin emergency contact

Kanark Temple Siwa Sand Dunes Front: Sphinx at Giza Back: Abu Simbel

TO BOOK ExPLORING EGYPT: 5000 YEARS ALONG THE NILE CALL RENAISSANCE TOURS ON 1300 727 095 EMAIL [email protected]

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