Reading Ancient Egypt Itinerary

Arrival at Cairo International Airport: Upon your arrival, you will be warmly greeted and assisted with the check-in process.

Afternoon: Join us for our introductory meeting titled "Ancient Egypt: A General Overview and Important Sites in Cairo." This session offers a comprehensive introduction to Egypt and its ancient history, highlighting key topics in the study of Ancient Egypt and outlining the main archaeological sites of historical significance. We will also preview the archaeological sites in Cairo, marking the first location we will visit.

6:00 / 7:00 AM: Breakfast

7:30 AM: Visit Sakkara: Explore the fascinating Zoser Complex, famous for its groundbreaking step pyramid, as well as the Unas Pyramid Complex, which includes the pyramid itself, the causeway, and selected tombs. You will also visit the New Kingdom Tombs, including those of Horemheb and Maya, offering insights into the rich history and burial practices of Ancient Egypt.

12:00 PM: Enjoy a special oriental lunch at Saqqara (Palm Club or other alternatives).

1:30 PM: Visit the Teti Cemetery (Tomb of Meroroka) and the Serapeum.

6:00 PM: Second Meeting and Workshop: "The Development of the Royal Tomb and the Pyramid Age." This workshop provides an in-depth exploration of the earliest Ancient Egyptian royal and individual tombs. Delve into the philosophy and evolution of pyramid construction during the Old Kingdom, alongside various studies focusing on the pyramids and their significance in ancient Egyptian society.

7:00 PM: Dinner and Cairo sightseeing in the Khan El Khalili and Azhar area.

6:00 / 7:00 AM: Breakfast

7:30 AM: Visit the Pyramids: Explore the cemetery, the iconic pyramids, the Sphinx, and the Khefren Mortuary and Valley Temple.

1:00 - 2:30 PM: Lunch in Memphis.

6:00 PM: Third Meeting and Workshop: "The Egyptian Museum." Discover the El Tahrir Museum, a vital venue for experiencing the essence of Ancient Egyptian civilization and engaging with the great pharaohs from the dawn to the conclusion of Egyptian history. This session will prepare you for your visit, focusing on how to appreciate the museum’s most significant artifacts and their historical contexts.

Dinner and overnight stay in Cairo.

6:00 / 7:00 AM: Breakfast and check out from the hotel in Cairo.

10:00 AM: Visit the Egyptian Museum.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch before starting the drive to El Minia.

Upon Arrival: Check in to your hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

7:00 PM: Fourth Meeting and Workshop: "El Minia." Explore the history of the El Minia region, focusing on the main sites, including Beni Hassan, and the art of the Middle Kingdom period.

Dinner.

6:00 / 7:00 AM: Breakfast

7:30 AM: Drive to Beni Hassan to visit the Beni Hassan tombs and Istabel Antar.

5:00 PM: Lunch

7:00 PM: Fifth Meeting and Workshop: “Mallawy Archaeological Sites.” Discover the history of the Mallawy region, the 15th nome of Upper Egypt, Hermopolis, and other significant sites in Mallawy.

8:30 PM: Dinner and free time, including sightseeing in Minia.

7:00 / 8:00 AM: Breakfast

8:00 AM: Drive to Mallawy. Visit the Mallawy Museum, explore the site of El Ashmunien (Hermopolis), and discover El Amarna, including the city, the northern tombs, the royal tomb, the southern tombs, and Tuna El Gebel.

Continue to Assiut for dinner and an overnight stay.

7:00 PM: Sixth Meeting and Workshop: "The El Amarna Age and the Ancient City of Akhenaton." Discover the history of Akhenaton and his religion, Aton and Atonism, as well as the main sites of El Amarna.

6:00 / 7:00 AM: Breakfast

8:30 AM: Drive to Abydos. Visit the temples of Seti I and Ramesses II.

7:00 PM: Seventh Meeting and Workshop: "Abydos: The City of Osiris." Explore Abydos, the first Egyptian royal cemetery, and delve into the significance of the temple of Seti I.

6:00 / 7:00 AM: Breakfast

7:00 AM: Check out of the hotel and drive to Luxor for a free day.

10:30 AM: Picnic Lunch

10:00 PM: Eighth Meeting and Workshop: "Luxor: The Capital of the Egyptian Empire." Explore the history of Thebes and visit the main sites on the eastern bank of the Nile.

6:00 / 7:00 AM: Breakfast

7:15 AM: Visit Karnak Temple

2:00 PM: Visit Luxor Temple

7:30 / 8:30 PM: Ninth Meeting and Workshop: "The West Bank: The City of the Dead." Explore the necropolis, ancient Egyptian cemeteries, and the books of the afterlife.

8:00 PM: Dinner and free time.

7:00 / 8:00 AM: Breakfast

8:15 AM: Drive to the West Bank

• Visit the Valley of the Kings
• Explore the Valley of the Queens
• Tour Deir El Medina
• Discover the Tombs of the Nobles

7:00 PM: Tenth Meeting and Workshop: "The History and Development of the Temples of Millions of Years."

Delve into the funerary temples of the New Kingdom, focusing on their names, functions, and main decorative programs.

6:00 / 7:00 AM: Breakfast and check out from your hotel.

7:45 AM - 12:30 PM: Visit the temples:

• Seti I Mortuary Temple
• Hatshepsut Temple
• Ramesium
• Medinet Habu

1:00 PM: Lunch and check into your Nile Cruise.

7:00 PM: Eleventh Meeting and Workshop: "The Graeco-Roman Period in Egypt."

Explore the Graeco-Roman history of Egypt, focusing on temples, new features, and significant scenes, including those from Dendera.

6:00 / 7:00 AM: Breakfast.

8:00 AM: Drive to Dendera to visit the Dendera Temple.

5:00 PM: Optional activities:

• Carriage tour in Luxor city
• Morning balloon tour
• Visit some Nile islands

9:00 PM: Twelfth Meeting: "The Graeco-Roman Temples of Esna, Edfu, and Kom Ombo."

Explore the Graeco-Roman history of Egypt, focusing on the temples, new features, and significant scenes at Esna, Edfu, and Kom Ombo.

6:00 / 7:00 AM: Breakfast.

Morning: Visit Edfu Temple and return to your Nile Cruise.

1:00 PM: Lunch on board.

Afternoon: Visit Kom Ombo and return to your cruise.

8:00 PM: Dinner on board.

9:00 PM: Thirteenth Meeting: "Aswan."
Explore the history of Aswan and the main sites in the city.

6:00 / 7:00 AM: Breakfast.

8:00 AM: Visit the Unfinished Obelisk and the High Dam, followed by a visit to the Philae Temple.

1:00 PM: Lunch.

7:00 PM: Fourteenth and Final Meeting: Concluding Workshop titled "Abu Simbel and Ancient Egypt: Last Remarks."

9:00 PM: Free time for sightseeing in Aswan city.

7:00 / 8:00 AM: Breakfast and check out from your Nile cruise.

11:00 AM: Drive to Abu Simbel.

Afternoon: Fly back to Cairo.

Evening: Check into your hotel in Cairo for dinner and an overnight stay.

Fly back to your home country