Cost: $2, 349, which includes breakfast, most lunches, and some dinners. Single supplement of $500.
NOTE: it is essential that participants get in a $200 deposit by August 15 to hold their reservations, as we are traveling during the most popular season. Those who delay risk losing their place, and put the whole program in danger of cancellation. They should specify at that time if they wish to reserve the two post-program nights in Cairo. Participants receive their full deposit back should the Vergilian Society cancel the program. Final payments are due October 15. For information on how to sign up and pay please contact the secretary of the Society at vergsoc@yahoo.com. If the program fills early participants can receive an early go-ahead to purchase airfare before prices rise.
Itinerary overview:
1 night in Giza, 1 night on the train, 2 nights in Luxor, 4 nights on the Nile boat, 1 night on the train, 2 nights in Cairo. Optional extension of 2 more nights in Cairo.
Fri Dec 26: Participants depart for Cairo from various U.S. locations.
Sat Dec 27: Participants arrive in Cairo and are met at airport and brought via van to hotel at Giza near the pyramids. Class on Archaic and Old Kingdom history, burial, and art; sound and light show at Giza Pyramids (the Sphinx speaks).
Sun Dec 28: visit to Sakkara to see Step Pyramid of 3rd dynasty King Zoser, the tombs of Vizier Ti and of Mereruka, the small pyramid of Unas, and the new Sakkara museum. Opportunity to buy a short camel ride. Lunch at Sakkara. Afternoon at Giza to visit the Great pyramid, the sphinx and Valley temple, and the Solar Boat museum. Overnight train to Luxor, departing Giza station at 8 p.m., dinner and breakfast on board.
Tues Dec 30: Visit by private bus or van from Luxor to the Ptolemaic temple of Hathor at Dendera with the large relief sculpture of Cleopatra. Return in afternoon, Class on the New Kingdom, time to stroll the waterfront and shops of Luxor or to preview Luxor temple and museum on your own.
Wed Dec 31: View Luxor temple of Amenophis III, and the fine modern Luxor museum, lunch on board our Nile boat, afternoon visit to the gigantic temple of Karnak, built largely by Ramesses II and his father Seti, set sail on our Nile boat, dinner on board.
Thu Jan 1: on the Nile, classes on the Ptolemies. Visit to Edfu temple, sacred to Horus, principally the work of Ptolemies III and VI.
Fri Jan 2: on the Nile, classes on the later Ptolemies, Visit Kom Ombo temple to Horus and Sobek the crocodile (principally the work of Ptolemy VI).
Sat Jan 3: arrival in Aswan, visit Philae Temple to Isis (built primarily by Ptolemy XII and his daughter Cleopatra). We take a felucca (small sailing boat) to the botanical gardens on Elephantine Island. Class on Alexandria. Overnight on board.
Sun Jan 4: early morning departure by private van to Abu Simbel (3 hours each way) to visit the cliff temples of Ramesses and Nefertari (dynasty 19) raised when Lake Nassar was created. Overnight train to Cairo.
Tue Jan 6: the Egyptian Museum in Cairo with its fabulous collection of artifacts. Time for a bit of shopping in Old Cairo.
Wed Jan 7: departure (most flights leave in the wee hours of the morning). Arrangements can be made for those interested in two extra no-host post-program days to visit Coptic Cairo, including churches dating to the 6th century (St Sergius, St. George, St. Barbara), a synagogue, and the outstanding, recently renovated Coptic museum, and Islamic Cairo, including the mosque of Ibn Talun and an 18th Islamic century house museum.
Applications:
Mail in Application
Application via the Internet
Pay with a credit card