EGYPT & ITS HIDDEN RICHES

With Professor Bob Brier and
art historian Patricia Remler
February 27 - March 15, 2009

In the 5th century BC Herodotus wrote of Egypt that 'nowhere are there so many marvelous things...nor in the world besides are to be seen so many things of unspeakable greatness' - and this land still retains a wealth of cultural remains. The Sphinx, the Nile, ancient Luxor, the pyramids – these incredible monuments are visible reminders of Egypt's more than 3000 years of history. The ancient Egyptians established a glorious and long-lasting civilization whose achievements have ensnared the imagination of the world.

It's not just the Pharaonic monuments that attract travelers to this country - it's the legacy of the Greeks, Romans, and Byzantines, and the cornucopia of art and architecture accumulated from centuries of successive Islamic dynasties.

Join Far Horizons for a 17-day trip to Egypt that includes both well-known and little visited sites. Begin in Cairo to see the Pyramids and Great Sphinx. Then move south along the Nile to view the earlier pyramids of Sakkara, Meidum, and Dashur, and spend a full day in Tell el-Amarna, the city created in honor of Aten, the sun disc. Visit Beni Hasan, the burial place of military and regional rulers; Speos Artemidos, a rock cut temple for Pakhet; and Abydos and The Temple of Dendera. In Luxor we’ll view the spectacular artifacts in the city’s museum, and enjoy several private events. We will open the tombs of Horemheb and Nefertari for a private viewing, both closed to the public for almost a decade. And we will be hosted by the Institute director at the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute for a private tour and afternoon tea. As we move further south, we will stop to examine two remarkable sanctuaries – the Temple of Horus, the falcon-headed god, at Edfu and the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile-god Sobek. In Aswan, the unfinished obelisk and the temples on Philae Island are our destinations. Additional trip highlights are St. Catherine’s Fortress Monastery and a day of relaxation in Sharm el-Sheikh on the Red Sea.

ITINERARY: (B) breakfast, (L) lunch, (D) dinner

Day 1: Depart the USA for our overnight flight to Cairo.

Day 2: Upon arrival, transfer to the 5-star Hotel Marriott, built around a 19th century palace on an island in the Nile River, and our home for the next two nights.

Day 3: This morning we visit the Pyramids at the Giza Plateau. The Great Pyramid is one of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. The pyramid complex was the necropolis for the Old Kingdom royal families, and is dominated by the three magnificent pyramids. The Great Pyramid was built for Khufu (Cheops) in 2528 BC. His son Khafre (Chephren) created the second pyramid and the Great Sphinx and the valley temple next to it. The third and smallest of the pyramids was built for Khafre's son Menkaure (Mycerinus) and was once covered with costly pink Aswan granite. We continue on to the Solar Boat Museum that houses the 141-foot cedar boat meant to convey King Khufu to paradise. This magnificent vessel was discovered in 1954 in a rock-cut pit on the South side of the Great Pyramid. Gather this evening for our welcome dinner party in one of Cairo’s fine restaurants. (B/L/D)

Day 4: An early drive takes us south along the Nile to Middle Egypt. Begin at Dashur to see the newly opened Red and Bent pyramids of Sneferu, father of Khufu. Then on to Sakkara, site of the famous Step Pyramid of Djoser, forerunner of the great Giza pyramids . Our next stop is the Pyramid at Meidum, one of three constructed during the reign of Sneferu. Continue through the countryside to the town of Menya and the simple Hotel Aton, our home for the next three nights. (B/L/D)

Day 5: Originally stretching for nine miles along the Nile, Tell el-Amarna was created by the Pharoah Akhenaten and his Queen Nefertiti for the revolutionary religion that worshiped Aten, the disc of the sun and its life-giving force of light. Today will be spent exploring the ruined city. The tombs contain unique decorations that are unequalled anywhere else in Egypt. Many display the activities of the royal family not in the formal attitudes of worship repeated so often in other tombs, but in intimate and vivid detail as human beings engaged in everyday domestic affairs. Today covered by a cemetery, the Great Aten Temple was roofless to allow the rays of the sun god to flow into the sanctuary. We will walk the streets of the Central City, and through the Northern Palace, reputedly built for Queen Nefertiti. And we will view at least one of the Boundary Stelae (marking the city limits), one of which is almost 25 feet high and covers a nearby cliff. (B/L/D)

Day 6: Today we visit a number of different sites in the surrounding area. Carved into the hills along the east bank of the Nile are the tombs at Beni Hasan, dating from the Middle Kingdom. This necropolis was the burial place of military and regional rulers. The interior of the crypts portray colorful scenes from daily life – wine-making, acrobatics, dancing, military sports – and are well preserved. There are also scenes of making flour, baking bread, weaving cloth, and even a husband and wife on their wedding night! There are many animals portrayed - both those that were domesticated and those that were hunted. Nearby is Speos Artemidos, a rock cut temple for Pakhet, an aspect of the lioness goddess Sekhmet. It is here that the female pharaoh, Hatshepsut, made her declaration denouncing the Hyksos and telling of her mission to resuscitate the temples of Egypt. In the afternoon we visit el-Ashmunein, or Hermopolis, (Khmunu for the ancient Egyptians), the main cult center of Thoth, god of wisdom and writing and patron of scribes. We also visit Tuna el-Gebel which was the necropolis of Hermopolis. Here we see the catacombs, a Late Period temple and one of the boundary stelae of Tell el-Amarna. (B/L/D)

Day 7: Depart this morning to visit two very special sites - Abydos and The Temple of Dendera. Abydos, one of ancient Egypt’s most sacred ancient cities, was the cult center of Egypt’s most beloved hero and the central figure of the Osiris legend, and the lovely wall reliefs in the temples tell of this popular tale. There are many temples to Hathor, the cow-goddess who presided over love, music, dance and enjoyment, but the temple in Dendera is the best preserved. The building is richly decorated with 18 Hathor-headed columns supporting the roof of the hypostyle hall and a series of reliefs linking the traditions of Hathor with her husband, Horus. Dinner and overnight in the boutique al Moudira Hotel, designed with traditionally styled architecture incorporating beautiful pieces saved from old Egyptian buildings. Each of its 52 enormous bedrooms are individually appointed and hand-painted with unique designs. And the trompe-l'oeil architectural details and curtains painted on the walls add to the idiosyncratic charm of this hotel, our home for the next three nights. (B/L/D)

Day 8: The celebrated Egyptian city of Thebes, modern Luxor, was described by Homer as “the city of a hundred gates” because so many of its temples had the monumental entrances favored by contemporary Greek architecture. Thebes was twice the capital of ancient Egypt. It was from Thebes that Ahmose restored the unity of Egypt and inaugurated the New Kingdom. Today’s exploration includes spectacular Karnak and the Temple of Amon. Arguably the most remarkable religious complex ever built, it contains 250 acres of temples, chapels, obelisks, columns and statues built over a period of 2000 years and incorporating the finest aspects of Egyptian art and architecture. We will see the remarkable artifacts found in nearby excavations housed in the Luxor Museum. Then it’s on to the Chicago House, the permanent field base in Egypt for the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute, where we will be hosted by the Institute director for a private tour and afternoon tea. (B/L/D)

Day 9: Begin today on Luxor’s west bank, the royal necropolis of the Kings on the west bank of the Nile. Guarding the approach to the necropolis are two massive statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. Here we enter several tombs including the Tomb of Horemheb, closed to the public for almost a decade, which we have by special permission arranged to be opened for our group. King Horemheb was a general under the pharaoh Akhenaten who succeeded the king and became the last Pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty. Horemheb’s reign ended monotheism imposed by Akhenaten and reinstated worship of the great god Amun. Then we visit one of the smallest in the necropolis, the Tomb of Tutankhamun, undoubtedly the most famous of the Egyptian tombs because of the extraordinary discoveries made here in the early 20th century. Continue to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the female pharaoh, certainly the most beautiful architecture within the Valley of the Kings. The Valley of Queens was the burial place of the royal wives, concubines and daughters of the pharaohs, and the princes who died at an early age. The most renowned of these tombs was that of Nefertari, favorite wife of Ramses II. Normally closed to the public, we have special permission to enter to see the interior of the burial chamber, covered with scenes of exceptional quality and beauty. (B/L/D)

Day 10: This morning we begin our drive to Aswan, stopping along the way to explore two remarkable Ptolemaic sites: The Temple of Horus, the falcon-headed god, at Edfu and the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile-god Sobek. The Temple of Horus is the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt and the second largest after Karnak. Built from sandstone blocks, the huge Ptolemaic temple has a massive entrance pylon covered with traditional scenes of the king smiting his enemies before Horus. Kom Ombo is notable for its two sanctuaries. One is dedicated to the crocodile-god, Sobek, and the other to the falcon-god, Horus the Elder. There are clear depictions of ancient medical instruments on one wall. In ancient times, sacred crocodiles basked in the sun on the riverbank near here, and hundreds of mummified crocodiles were found in the vicinity. Upon arrival into Aswan, walk to the nearby Nubian Museum, opened in 1997. The recipient of the Aga Khan award for its stunning architecture, this new museum highlights Nubia, historically Egypt's gateway to the rest of Africa. Today, Nubia’s lands lie under Lake Nasser, submerged in 1971 when the Aswan High Dam was opened. Transfer to the Elephantine Island Resort Hotel, located on the island in the middle of the Nile River, and overnight for three nights. (B/L/D)

Day 11: The granite quarries of ancient Aswan lay beside the Nile, thus providing easy access to boats for transporting this prized building stone to sites downstream. A crack in the granite stopped the cutting of what would have been an enormous obelisk, estimated at more than 120 feet high, now known as the Unfinished Obelisk. The island of Philae was the center of the cult of the goddess Isis and her connection with Osiris, Horus, and the Kingship during the Ptolemaic period of Egyptian History. For over 50 years the island and its monuments lay half-submerged in water built up by the Aswan Dam, until the UNESCO rescue operations completely dismantled and rebuilt the temples and moved them to the nearby island of Agilika. This afternoon, embark by motorboat to see this spectacular temple complex, again standing proudly overlooking the Nile. Tonight we will enjoy a special dinner that includes a Nubian dance performance. (B/L/D)

Day 12: An early morning flight returns us to Cairo. This morning we will visit Ben Ezra Synagogue dating from the 10th century, Mohamed Ali Mosque and Abu Serga Church in Old Cairo. After lunch at the renowned Khan Khalili restaurant, run by the Oberoi chain and named for the famous Nobel Prize-winning writer who used to dine here almost every day, we will walk through the famous Khan el-Khalili souk, or bazaar, largely unchanged since the 14th century. Return to the Cairo Marriott Hotel and overnight. Dinner is on our own. (B/L)

Day 13: An early flight takes us to the lovely beach resort of Sharm el Sheikh. From the airport, we’ll board a bus and drive to St. Catherine’s. In 337AD Empress Helen ordered the construction of a sanctuary around the reputed spot of the burning bush. Continuous attacks of neighboring nomadic tribes led Emperor Justinian to convert the refuge into a fortress-monastery in 537 AD. It stands not only as one of the vivid links to early Christianity but as a monument to the vanished world of Byzantium. The mountain where Moses is said to have received the Ten Commandments shadows the monastery and late this afternoon, we will climb a stairway of nearly 4,000 steps for three hours to the 7,500-foot peak. Ancient chapels and structures honoring saints and the Virgin Mary appear all along the main route, including a stone-hewn arch where, long ago, a monk once sat and heard confession from the pilgrims. Overnight in the simple Wadi el Raha Hotel at the foot of the monastery. (B/L/D)

Day 14: St. Catherine’s has been a centre of Christian worship and thought for over 1600 years. Within its imposing walls rests a citadel like no other, incredibly rich in important religious and historical structures. Among its treasures is a library of ancient manuscripts and icons second only to the Vatican's, many chapels and bronze bells, and a beautiful 6th century church dedicated to the Virgin Mary. It is separated from the Burning Bush area and the Shrine of St. Catherine of Alexandria (the monastery’s patroness) by an impressive 17th century ikonostasis, a partition dividing the Sanctuary (altar) from the central Body of the building. The monastery also houses one of the richest collections of silver lamps, 5th – 6th century icons and Fatimide mosaics. After lunch, return to Sharm El Sheikh and overnight for two nights in the five-star Ritz-Carlton Hotel with rooms overlooking the Red Sea. (B/L/D)

Day 15: The day is free to relax and enjoy the sea. The hotel offers a spa and fitness center, a dive center, four outdoor swimming pools, snorkeling boat trips, and tennis and golf facilities. Lunch is on our own. Gather this evening for our final dinner party in one of the hotel’s fine restaurants. (B/D)

Day 16: A morning flight returns us to Cairo. Upon arrival, we will transfer back to the Marriott and enjoy lunch at the hotel. This afternoon we will spend some time in the stupendous Egyptian Museum, housing the world's greatest collection of Pharaonic antiquities including the amazing treasures from King Tutankhamen's tomb. Dinner is on our own. (B/L)

Day 17: Transfer to airport to board our flight back to the USA. (B)

OPTIONAL TOUR TO ABU SIMBEL

Day 17: Transfer to the airport for our early morning flight to Abu Simbel to view two magnificent temples. The first Temple was built by King Ramses II and is dedicated to the God Re-Hor-Akhty, Amon, Ptah, and proclaims the ruler as a diety. The Temple of Queen Nefertari was also built by Ramses II, dedicated to the Goddess Hathor and to his beloved wife Queen Nefertari. The temples were saved in the late sixties through a worldwide effort when UNESCO moved them to higher ground. In the afternoon, fly back to Cairo and overnight at the Marriott. Dinner is on our own. (B/L)

Day 18: Transfer to airport to board our flight back to the USA. (B)

(B) breakfast, (L) lunch, (D) dinner

STUDY LEADERS: Professor Bob Brier received his Ph.D from the University of North Carolina. He is not only one of the nation’s leading Egyptologists, but a brilliant lecturer and storyteller. He is professor of philosophy at the C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University and the author of several books including The Murder of Tutankhamen: A True Story (Berkley Books, 1998) and The Daily Life of the Ancient Egyptians (Greenwood Press, 1999). Professor Brier has served as director of the "Egyptology Today" program of the National Endowment for the Humanities, and as host of the Learning Channel series, The Great Egyptians. He has twice been selected as a Fulbright Scholar, and has received Long Island University’s David Newton Award for Teaching Excellence in recognition of his achievements as a lecturer. He is a wonderful teacher with a special flair for evoking the distant past in ways that make it seem vividly present.

Patricia Remler is an author, photographer, and art historian. She was the Researcher for four important Learning Channel documentaries - the three-part Pyramids, Tombs, and Mummies, the six-part series The Great Egyptians, the one hour Napoleon's Obsession: The Quest for Egypt, and the three-part dseries Unwrapped, The Mysterious World of Mummies. She is the author of Egyptian Mythology A - Z.

TRIP DATES: February 27- March 15, 2009

ABU SIMBEL EXTENSION DATES: March 15-16, 2009

TRIP COST: $11,495.00 (per person, double occupancy) includes round trip airfare from New York’s JFK to Cairo, Egypt and the Egyptian internal flights; all hotels; most meals (as listed in the itinerary); ground transportation; and entry fees.

COST DOES NOT INCLUDE: A separate donation check for $150.00 to “The Epigraphic Survey”; passport or visa fees; airport taxes; beverages or food not included on regular menus; laundry; excess baggage charges; personal tips; alcoholic drinks; telephone and fax charges; or other items of a personal nature.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $1,295.00 Should a roommate be requested and one not be available, the single supplement must be charged.

EXTENSION COST: $1,145.00 (per person, double occupancy) includes Egyptian internal flights; all hotels; most meals (as listed in the itinerary); ground transportation; and entry fees.

EXTENSION SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $155.00. Should a roommate be requested and one not be available, the single supplement must be charged.

FUEL SURCHARGES: Far Horizons must pass on price increases for uncontrollable charges such as flights and other services due to additional fuel charges.

DONATIONS CHECKS: Cost of the trip does not include the separate donation check for $150.00 to "The Epigraphic Survey". As a tour company that benefits from the historical, cultural and natural riches of our destinations, we have a policy of donating to scholars, archaeological and cultural projects, and museums in each of our destinations. This has created a bond with the academic community that allows you to gain an 'insider's view' of the work being done in each country. Please see information on the University of Chicago's Epigraphic Survey website.

NOTE ABOUT MEALS: As we will be visiting several out-of-the-way sites, some of our lunches will be picnics.

PRIVATE TOURS OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES: The private tours of archaeological sites and talks by specialists are scheduled in advance and include a donation to each. Specialists working at these sites are excited about showing their work to interested enthusiasts. However, please be aware that there may be times when the director or a member of the staff may not be onsite when our groups arrive due to other commitments.

REGISTRATION: A deposit of $500.00 along with a separate check for $150.00 to “The Epigraphic Survey,” is required along with your registration form. Final payment is due 75 days before departure. Upon receipt of your deposit and completed registration form, you will be sent a reading list and a clothing and equipment list. An information book designed for this trip, including maps of archaeological sites and articles of pertinent interest, will be sent upon receipt of final payment.

CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS: Cancellations received in writing at least 75 days before departure will result in an administrative fee of $250.00. Cancellations received less than 75 days before departure will not receive a refund. If for any reason you are unable to complete the trip, FAR HORIZONS will not reimburse any fees. It is strongly advised that you purchase travel protection that includes trip cancellation upon registering for the trip.

NOTE ABOUT ITINERARY CHANGES: Changes in our itinerary, accommodations, and transportation schedules may occur. A good book to read as well as a flexible attitude and a sense of humor are essential.

LIMITED TO 24 PARTICIPANTS

To register for this trip
Click the button above for a Printable Registration Form. Or click here.