All  

Inner mysteries of Egypt and the Nile - October 2023

Join Ancient Origins' exclusive tour of Egypt’s sacred past in October 2023, visiting some of the country’s most important ancient sites including:
Giza, Cairo, Saqqara, Luxor, El-Fayyum Oasis, Karnak, Edfu, Abydos, Dendera, Kom Ombo, the Valley of the Kings, Abu Simbel, and many more outstanding destinations in the land of the pharaohs! Enjoy unique special access to the enigmatic Sphinx monument and Great Pyramid during private visits..
Join us for an unforgettable experience, exploring the archaeology and history of Egypt.

THE SPLENDOURS
OF ANCIENT EGYPT


Explore the mysteries of Egypt on an exclusive 15-day, 14-night tour in October 2023 hosted by Ted Loukes. Included two private visits to the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx. A local expert in Egyptian history and archaeology will also be accompanying the group.

Ted Loukes is an independent researcher with a passion for ancient civilizations.
His fascination with Ancient Egypt began when he was ten years old with a visit to the British Museum and the Treasures of Tutankhamun, a fascination that has stayed with him.
In 2011, he started a blog focussing on various mysteries and unexplained stories, past and present, and came across the suggestion of a link between the pharaoh Akhenaten and the biblical Moses. This blog post grew into the beginnings of a book, and he knew he had to go to Egypt.
In December 2012 he arrived in Cairo, just in time for the prophesized end of the world. He was on a package tour, to be followed by a week on his own which included some time in Amarna. That was it, Egypt captured him, heart and soul.
He returned in 2013 to take photographs for his planned book about Moses and Akhenaten. After publishing Moses and Akhenaten : Brothers in Alms, in 2015, his passion for Egypt led to the creation in 2018 of GnT Tours.
His latest book Forty Days in Egypt in the Time of Corona was a result of getting stranded in Egypt as the world went into lockdown with Covid19.

Places to visit : Giza • Cairo • Saqqara • Luxor • El-Fayyum Oasis • Karnak • Edfu • Abydos • Dendera • Kom Ombo • the Valley of the Kings • Abu Simbel

Your qualified leader Ted Loukes will provide interesting theories and the latest research on the archaeological sites that will be visited.

Register your details to hold your place on this exclusive tour. To secure your place a deposit payment of US$1000 per person is required within 48 hours of completing the form. Payment details are noted at the end of the form.

ANCIENT ORIGINS TOUR OF EGYPT     October 13 - 27, 2023

15 DAYS/14 NIGHTS

MEETING PLACE CAIRO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Pick up point for the start of tour is the arrival lounge of Cairo International Airport. On arrival, all clients will be given transfers to the hotel in Cairo regardless of arrival time or date. At the end of the tour, clients will just make their own way from the hotel to the airport as it is connected to the building. They can then go at whatever time their flight is. Those who have late flights can always go back into the city if they want.

Day 1 – October 13, 2023
Arrive in Egypt
Arrive in Egypt. Pick up at Cairo International Airport and transfer to Giza hotel. Orientation in evening. First night in 5* Giza hotel (Steigenberger Pyramids).
Meals: D
Overnight in Giza Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel – Pyramid view upgrade
Day 2 – October 14, 2023
El Fayyum
Departure by bus for the el-Fayyum Oasis. In the morning travel by bus to the el Fayyum Oasis. Visit the Pyramid of Hawara, built for Amenemhet IV, and also the site of the fabled Egyptian Labyrinth, one of the most mysterious constructions of the ancient world finished by Amenemhet IV’s daughter, Egypt’s fabled first female king, Sobekneferu. Lunchtime at hotel. Free afternoon with lecture on the next day’s visit to Qasr el-Sagha temple. First night in el-Fayyum
Meals: B L D
Day 3 – October 15, 2023
El Fayyum
Journey by 4 x 4 vehicles north of the great Lake Birket Quran (the Lake Moeris of classical times) and arrive at the Qasr el Sagha temple. Made of polygonal blocks and cyclopean masonry, this mysterious megalithic structure is one of the remaining enigmas of ancient Egypt. We spend the entire day investigating the temple and the surrounding area looking for clues as to who built it, when and why. Experience the evening at the temple site before returning to the hotel. Second night in el-Fayyum.
Meals: B L D
Day 4 – October 16, 2023
Saqqara
In the morning leave el-Fayyum for Saqqara. See the enigmatic Serapeum, a labyrinth of underground catacombs housing gigantic sarcophagi said to have once contained the mummified remains of sacred Apis bulls. See evidence of the advanced technology used in the construction of these massive granite sarcophagi. Visit the Pyramid of Teti to see the Pyramid Texts recording the journey of the soul of the pharaoh to the afterlife and visit the Heb-sed court in front the Step Pyramid, built for the pharaoh Djoser around 2675 BCE. Journey on to Giza. Second night at Giza.
Meals: B L D
Overnight in Giza Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel – Pyramid view upgrade
Day 5 – October 17, 2023
Giza Pyramid and Sphinx
Private visit to the Sphinx enclosure to watch the sunrise between 5-7am. The Sphinx is one of the most iconic monuments in the world. It is the head of a pharaoh and the body of a lion, thought to represent Khafre, the builder of the Second Pyramid circa 2550 BCE. Afterwards view the exterior of the Great Pyramid, the panorama view, and the Valley Temple of Khafre. Private visit to the Great Pyramid at night. Third night at Giza.
Meals: B L D
Overnight in Giza Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel – Pyramid view upgrade
Day 6 – October 18, 2023
Grand Egyptian Museum
Visit the Grand Egyptian Museum. Depart to Cairo Airport for a flight to Aswan. First night in Aswan. Note, the museum is not yet open but hopefully it will be by October 2023. In case the Grand Museum is not open, we will provide visits to the Egyptian Museum and the Museum of Civilization, including the Mummy Hall.
Meals: B L D
Overnight in Movenpick Hotel, Aswan Island - Nile View upgrade
Day 7 – October 19, 2023
Abu Simbel
Drive by bus to Abu Simbel. On the way stop off to inspect a natural rock mesa on the edge of the Libyan Desert. Examine its geology and take in the ambience of the desert environment. In the afternoon visit the iconic rock-cut temple of Abu Simbel, built during the reign of Rameses II and moved to its current position during a mammoth engineering project following the building of the Nasser Dam in the 1960s. See also the rock-cut temple of his wife Nefertari. Second night in Aswan.
Meals: B L D
Overnight in Movenpick Hotel, Aswan Island - Nile View upgrade
Day 8 – October 20, 2023
Philae Temple & Unfinished Obelisk
Visit the Temple of Philae dedicated to the Goddess Isis. Later, visit the gigantic unfinished granite monolith still attached to the bedrock in a quarry. Examine the methods used to extract obelisks and statues from the living rock including the inexplicable scoop marks suggestive of the use of a lost technology. Felucca ride to Elephantine Island where you can see the ruins of the Khnum Temple. Free time in the evening for wandering in Aswan’s old markets. First night on Nile Cruise.
Meals: B L D
Overnight on 5* Nile Cruise Ship
Day 9 – October 21, 2023
Kom Ombo Temple
Sail north to Luxor. Disembark to visit the Temple of Sobek at Kom Ombo, built under the rule of the Ptolemaic kings circa 180–150 BC. Second night on Nile Cruise.
Meals: B L D
Overnight on 5* Nile Cruise Ship
Day 10 – October 22, 2023
Edfu Temple
Continue on Nile Cruise. Disembark during the day to visit the magnificent temple of Horus at Edfu, built during the Ptolemaic period circa 175 BC. Its walls contain the most complete accounts of the creation of the world and the coming of the gods during the age of zep tepi, the First Time. See the temple’s holy of holies which includes a wooden boat on which the God Horus came down from heaven. Third night on Nile cruise.
Meals: B L D
Overnight on 5* Nile Cruise Ship
Day 11 – October 23, 2023
Karnak Temple & Luxor Temple
Arrive in Luxor, ancient Thebes, the capital of Egypt in the south. Disembarkation, followed by a visit to Karnak Temple. Transfer to the hotel and check in for some rest. In the early evening visit the Temple of Luxor, illuminated by lights. Built during the New Kingdom period, 1575-1050 BCE, it marks the beginning of the newly reopened Sphinx Avenue, which has 1000 sphinxes - 800 on either side - lining the ceremonial site to Karnak temple. First night in Luxor.
Meals: B L D
Overnight in Sonesta St George - Nile View upgrade
Day 12 – October 24, 2023
Abydos Temple & Dendera Temple
Journey north by luxury bus to the Temple of Abydos, built for King Seti I around 1290-1279 BCE. See also the extraordinary ancient structure known as the Osireion, a subsurface temple located beyond the present temple and thought to be a symbolic representation of the Tomb of Osiris, god of the dead. See the building’s cyclopean masonry and polygonal walls similar to those of the Qasr el Sagha temple in the el-Fayyum Oasis and the Valley Temple of Khafre at Giza. Ponder on its immense age and unique construction. After lunch continue on to the Temple of Hathor at Dendera. Visit its underground crypts where strange reliefs indicate the use by ancient Egyptians of advanced technologies. Return to Luxor. Second night in Luxor.
Meals: B L D
Overnight in Sonesta St George - Nile View upgrade
Day 13 – October 25, 2023
Valley of the Kings, Ramesseum & Queen Hatshepsut’s Temple
Cross the Nile by boat and enter the Theban West Bank, the ancient Egyptian realm of the dead. Visit the Valley of the Kings and see the Tomb of Tutankhamun as well as other tombs decorated with reliefs showing the books of the underworld. Also visit the Ramesseum with its astronomical ceiling and colossal statues of Rameses II, as well as the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Stop off for photos at the Colossi of Memnon, gigantic statues of the pharaoh Amenhotep III dating to circa 1375 BCE. Third night in Luxor.
Meals: B L D
Overnight in Sonesta St George - Nile View upgrade
Day 14 – October 26, 2023
Habu Temple, Deir Medina & Howard Carter’s House
Visit the West Bank again to cover the rest of the important sightseeing which can’t be missed there, including the Habu Temple, Deir Medina, and Howard Carter’s House. In the early evening fly back to Cairo, transfer to a hotel in the Le Meridien Cairo Airport.
Meals: B L D
Day 15 – October 27, 2023
Cairo departure
Final goodbyes and transfer to Cairo airport.
Meals: B
Photos © Andrew Collins

ANCIENT ORIGINS TOUR OF EGYPT
14 NIGHTS/15 DAYS
October 13 – 27, 2023
Price per person based on double occupancy: $6,495 $5995
Please note prices are based on a single person sharing a room with another tour guest
Single occupancy supplement: $945
TOUR DEPOSIT $1000 PER PERSON
A deposit of $1000 per person is required to secure immediate booking. The remainder of
the payment will be required ten weeks before the start date of the tour.
* Travel with peace of mind, knowing that your payments are 100% financially protected in case any of our suppliers becomes insolvent, in which case you would receive a full refund.

Register your details to hold your place on this exclusive tour. To secure your place a deposit payment of US$1000 per person is required within 48 hours of completing the form. Payment details are noted at the end of the form.

TOUR DEPOSIT $1000 PER PERSON

A deposit of $1000 per person is required to secure immediate booking. The remainder of
the payment will be required ten weeks before the start date of the tour.

Any problems or queries contact  us here

CANCELLATIONS & REFUNDS:

1. Cancellations must be received in writing and will be processed according to the date the written notice is received. Although a verbal cancellation is appreciated, it will not be accepted as final notice. Departure is defined as the date of the first flight from travellers country, or the trip departure date as indicated on our Trip Schedule, whichever comes first. 1. Money will be refunded minus the following cancellation fees/penalties per person (unless different for a particular trip, then the special cancellation schedule of that trip will apply):
- From time of booking up to 90 days prior to departure $500.00 per person
- 89-60 days prior to departure $750.00 per person
- 59-31 days prior to departure 75% of total land cost
- 30-0 days prior to departure No refund

2. Aside from the above penalties, any additional penalties on airline tickets imposed by the airlines- in cases of cancellation or date changes after issuance of tickets - will be totally charged to the traveler. In addition, any costs involved in obtaining visas will also be collected from the traveler and cannot be reimbursed by Ancient Origins or its suppliers.

3. Hotel rooms booked on our tours are run of The House (ROH), any special rooms with views or upper floors will entail a supplement that clients will be responsible to cover.

PRICE PER PERSON INCLUDES

  • Financial trust account protection for all clients
  • Public liability insurance
  • Arrival transfers for all clients
  • Accommodation: 14 nights in luxury hotels including daily breakfast:
  • Three nights in 5* hotel Giza (Steigenberger Pyramids – Pyramid view upgrade)
  • Two nights in 5* hotel el-Fayyum (Helnan Auberge Fayoum Hotel)
  • Two nights in 5* hotel Aswan (Movenpick, Aswan Island - Nile View upgrade)
  • Three nights full board on 5* Nile Cruise
  • Three nights in 5* hotel Luxor (Sonesta St George - Nile View upgrade)
  • One night in 5* hotel Le Meridien Cairo Airport.
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner on all days (except arrival and departure)
  • Sundry tips (for local porters, local reps, etc.)
  • Professional local tour guide/escort
  • Tour leader
  • Private visits to the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx Enclosure
  • Domestic flights (Cairo - Aswan; Luxor-Cairo)
  • All sightseeing tours as per itinerary
  • All entrance fees as per itinerary
  • All transportation, including 4x4 vehicles for el-Fayyum Oasis expedition
  • Transfers at arrival and departure at all Egyptian airports (for domestic flights)
  • Entry to King Tut’s Tomb in the Valley of the Kings
  • All service charges and taxes

EXCLUDES

  • International flights
  • Entry visa for Egypt ($25 on arrival)
  • Travel insurance (mandatory)
  • Bottled mineral water (discouraging plastic waste)
  • Laundry
  • Personal items
  • Drinks during meals
  • Tips for the local tour escort

Final choice of accommodation is subject to change. We will choose hotels of a similar standard where hotel shown is not used.