See below the Egyptian Odyssey itinerary for importantNotes
This 14-day tour, led by Dr Suzanne Onstine, Associate professor of Egyptology at the University of Memphis, was designed to provide a unique opportunity to learn the fundamentals of the ancient Egyptian language while touring Egypt. Join Museum Tours and Dr. Onstine February 12 - 25, 2023, for $4,350 per person.
Day 1, Sunday, Feb 12 - Cairo We will be met at Cairo Airport by a Museum Tours facilitator, who will assist with baggage, customs, and passport control. We'll then be driven by private bus to the Steigenberger Pyramids Hotel. There will be a one-hour orientation. Hotel– Steigenberger Pyramids
Day 2, Monday, Feb 13 - Cairo This morning there will be three hours of classroom instruction. After lunch we will head for the ancient capital of Memphis with its magnificent and beautiful Colossus of Rameses as well as other inscribed monuments. After two hours on site, we will return to the hotel for one hour of class. Hotel, B, L - Steigenberger Pyramids
Day 3, Tuesday, Feb 14 - Cairo After breakfast we will head to the Giza Plateau where we will spend the entire day. Of course, we will visit the Pyramid of Khufu, and the ageless Sphinx of Khafra with its valley temple. But our study will involve visits to a number of private tombs, including the Tombs Qar and Idu, where we will study the inscriptions. This evening there will be a one-hour class Hotel, B, L - Steigenberger Pyramids
Day 4, Wednesday, Feb 15 - Cairo/Luxor We will visit the ancient necropolis at Saqqara for the entire morning. Sites include: the Step Pyramid of Djoser, causeway of the Pyramid of Unas, and the Mastaba tombs of Meruka and Khagemwy. After lunch we will return to the hotel for a two-hour class. Afterward, we will drive to the airport for out flight to Luxor, where we will transfer to the Pavillon at the Winter Palace. Hotel, B, L - Winter Pavillon Hotel
Day 5, Thursday, Feb 16 - Luxor There will be a three-hour class at the hotel in the morning. We will spend the afternoon at Karnak Temple, the world's largest temple complex, studying and translating the inscriptions. We will concentrate primarily on the 19th dynasty inscriptions in the large columned hall. Hotel, B, L - Winter Pavillon Hotel
Day 6, Friday, Feb 17 - Luxor We will spend the morning at Luxor temple studying the 18th and 19th dynasty inscriptions. In the afternoon we will have a three-hour class back at the hotel. The evening will be spent at the Luxor Museum studying and translating some of the many inscriptions it contains. Hotel, B, L - Winter Pavillon Hotel
Day 7, Saturday, Feb 18- Luxor Today we will drive to the West Bank to visit the Ramesseum, the mortuary temple of Rameses II, or the temple of Hatshepsut at Dier el Bahri, where we will study some of the ceremonial and historical inscriptions. Finally, we will stop for a brief visit at the Colossi of Memnon, the giant statues of Amenhotep III, before we return to our hotel for our three-hour afternoon class. Hotel, B, L - Winter Pavillon Hotel
Day 8, Sunday, Feb 19 - Luxor We will return to the West Bank to visit Medinet Habu, the best preserved of the New Kingdom temples where we will study ceremonial as well as historical inscriptions. There will be a three-hour class back at the hotel. Hotel, B, L - Winter Pavillon Hotel
Day 9, Monday, Feb 20 - Luxor We will re-cross the Nile to visit the Valley of the Kings, where we will visit several of the most interesting tombs open to the public. The tombs we will visit will be based on small crowds and appropriate inscriptions. The remainder of the morning will be spent visiting several of the Nobles' Tombs on the West Bank. We will have a three-hour class in the afternoon. Hotel, B, L - Winter Pavillon Hotel
Day 10, Tuesday, Feb 21 - Luxor Today we board our bus for a visit to El Kab, site of many early New Kingdom tombs. Here we will explore the famous Tomb of Amose, son of Ebana, and translate the historical inscriptions it contains. We may also visit other tombs from this period. There will be a one-hour class in the evening. Hotel, B, L - Winter Pavillon Hotel
Day 11, Wednesday, Feb 22 - Luxor We will return to Karnak Temple for the entire day, with an emphasis on translating the historical inscriptions contained in the Annals of Thutmose III. There will be a one-hour class at the hotel in the evening. Hotel, B, L - Winter Pavillon Hotel
Day 12, Thursday, Feb 23 - Luxor/Cairo This morning is free until we transfer to the airport and fly back to Cairo where we will check into our downtown hotel. The rest of the day will be spent at the Egyptian Museum studying and translating inscriptions of your choice. Hotel, B, L – Steigenberger Tahrir Square
Day 13, Friday, Feb 24 - Luxor Our last day in Egypt will be spent in the Egyptian Museum studying and translating inscriptions. Hotel, B, L – Steigenberger Tahrir Square
Day 14, Saturday, Feb 25 - Cairo/Home You will be transferred to the Airport for your flight home. (B)
Important Notes Regarding Hieroglyphic Egypt.
Hieroglyphic Egypt has only one departure date for the 2022-2023 season. It begins on February 12, 2023.
Due to the special nature of this tour, there is no possibility to make this a private tour.
Due to the special nature of this trip, Museum Tours' regular accommodation plans and meal plans have been standardized. Therefore, we will not be able to accommodate deviations from the group pricing.
Items on the itinerary, including the specified hotels and sites visited are subject to change subject to Museum Tours, and Dr Onstine deciding any change would benefit the group and notice of any change may not be given prior to the groups arrival in Egypt.