ancient world tours

2015-16THE EXPERTS IN WORLD HERITAGE TRAVEL

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“WELCOME TO OUR 2015 -16 BROCHURE”

Peter AllinghamManaging Director

Ancient World Tours was 21 in April this year and the idea behind the company has never changed - to provide something a little more in-depth than the average guided tour and, above all, to provide unrivalled access to some of the world’s most fascinating sites.

This year, our tours feature entry into the spectacular tombs of Seti I, Nefertari and Amenhotep I I I (‘Luxor with Alan Lloyd’, 5th Oct, 8 days) as well as explorations of live excavations in Luxor and Sakkara (‘Horizons of Eternity,’ 27th Sept, 8 days). We feature a conference week in Luxor (Feb 1st, 8 days) where site visits include Hierakonpolis, Kom el Hetan and the tomb of Sennenmut. The illustrated talks will keep you up to date with many of the latest developments in Egypt. This is followed by ‘Luxor Explorer’ (8th Feb, 8 days) which includes the tomb of Seti I and rarely visited sites further afield including Medamud and Abydos.

The wonderful ‘Nefertari and Nefertiti’ tour (8th April, 11 days) led by Dr Bill Manley takes in the fascinating archaeology between Giza and Luxor by road. Visits include Amarna and the incomparable Meir.

Outside Egypt we have exciting tours to Morocco (16th April, 12 days) with Colin Reader, Sudan with Aidan Dodson (The Land of Kush, 7th Jan, 11 days) and Crete with Dylan Bickerstaffe (‘Land of the Keftiu’, 13th May, 12 days) - all run in the inimitable AWT style!

A ‘flagship’ tour this year is the amazing ‘Golden Age’ Long Cruise (14th Sept, 14 days) aboard the sumptuous S/S Misr. This is a unique opportunity to travel the entire length of the Nile from Aswan to Cairo in the company of Professor Kent Weeks. There are just 24 cabins on this astonishing cruiser, so please don’t wait to book!

We look forward to travelling with you over the next year. We never stop finding new sites to visit and new angles to cover. We also never miss out on the ‘classics’. With our expert guides and visiting archaeologists, it’s no wonder that we remain the leading archaeological travel company in Egypt.

DEPARTURE DATE CODE TOUR TITLE PAGE

14 September 2015 AWGA 140915 The Long Cruise ‘Golden Age’ 6-927 September 2015 AWHE 270915 Horizons of Eternity 10-1305 October 2015 AWAL 051015 Luxor with Alan Lloyd 14-17

07 January 2016 AWLK 070116 The Land of Kush - A Sudanese Journey 18-21 01 February 2016 AWLC 010216 Luxor Conference 22-2508 February 2016 AWLE 080216 Luxor Explorer 26-2908 April 2016 AWNN 080416 Nefertari and Nefertiti 30-3316 April 2016 AWMO 160416 Morocco - A journey through time 34-3713 May 2016 AWCR 130516 Crete - Land of the Keftiu 38-40

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The following abbreviations apply for included meals throughout the brochure and can be found at the end of each day’s itinerary. B = Breakfast L = Lunch D = Dinner

Brochure design: www.mikeshepherdimages.com Printer: www.hhreedsprinters.co.uk Photography: Mike Shepherd and Janet Shepherd. With grateful thanks to: Dyan Hilton and Aidan Dodson for their images of Sudan, Dylan Bickerstaffe for images of Crete and Karanis. Susanne Bickel ©Univ. Basel, M. Kacicnik. Laurent Bavay © Victor Dupuis. Pyramid of vizier Khay ©Bavay/ULB

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Group SizesWe limit the size of our groups, unless very particular circumstances dictate otherwise. You will be informed before booking a tour if this is the case. On average the group size will be 10-15 passengers with a maximum of 20. If a group does not meet the minimum required number of participants, we will contact you two months prior to departure; to offer either: a private version of the tour, an alternative tour, or your money refunded.

First-class GuidesOur first-class guides will accompany a tour throughout and may occasionally give some background information and point out places of interest using the sound system on the bus, road travel is considered to be a quiet time to enjoy the ever changing scenery. There will be no music or lengthy lectures!

LecturesOur accompanying expert will of course arrange informal talks at various times throughout the tour. Some of these may be illustrated talks in a hotel meeting room and some will be informal groups at the hotel bar.

THE EXPERTS IN WORLD HERITAGE TRAVEL

On the Road with AWTOur coach journeys in Egypt are accompanied by an AWT steward who is there to ensure that the time spent travelling is as comfortable as possible. On arrival in Egypt we will give you a complimentary bottle of water, wet wipes and cleansing gel. Thereafter, the steward will be dispensing cold water and soft drinks at local rates, and will help you with any other requirements.

Tours to the West Bank in Luxor will begin and end with a private motor launch journey across

the Nile to join our coach.

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LunchesSome lunches are included on day trips, and if we are travelling long distances we may have packed lunch boxes provided by our hotel. While staying in more remote areas dinner is often included. All the restaurants we use have been chosen for their hygiene, quality of the food and the friendliness and service of the staff.

Pre-departure PreparationOn booking you will receive a confirmation invoice with tour details. About 2 weeks before departure you will receive your flight e-tickets and an itinerary.

Hotel and Flight UpgradesBusiness Class flight upgrades are available on most tours. Hotel upgrades may also be available.

Holiday ExtensionsNearly all AWT tours can be extended either before or after the holiday. Maybe a few more nights in Cairo? An extra week in Luxor or Aswan?

THE AWT E-MAIL NEWSLETTERSign up with AWT on our website and receive our regular newsletter giving you updates on tours and events. To register go to the website; www.ancient.co.uk and follow the ‘Contact Us’ link. If you book an AWT holiday and supply your e-mail address on the booking form, we will then automatically add it to our private database.

CONTACTING AWT

Join us on Facebook for regular updates. Just search for ‘Ancient World Tours’

Follow us at: @AWTours

Independent Traveller and Group TravelAWT Independent Traveller is a service for those clients who prefer not to travel with an open group but rather as individuals. AWT will be delighted to help you create your dream holiday and make all the arrangements. We’ve had plenty of experience at looking after the most discerning travellers. We run regular group departures for a variety of societies, special interest groups, schools, family parties, museums and fine arts organisations. We will help create exactly the right holiday for you and your party. We work with some of the most prestigious organisations, both in the UK and abroad, who regularly return to AWT.

The cost of your holiday can be land only, include flights, transfers and accommodation, or absolutely everything including sightseeing and guides. Our service is tailored to your individual requirements. If you wish, we can help produce your literature, itineraries and marketing material.

Booking Your Own FlightsFrom Overseas or the UK, substantial discounts apply if you book your own flights to and from our tours and join in the country of operation. ‘Land Only’ prices are shown for each tour. Remember, you must make sure you have a flexible ticket or your own insurance to cover a refund in the case of a tour being cancelled due to insufficient numbers.

Passport InformationPassengers must carry passports valid for 6 months from their return date. Holders of passports which are not British should take particular care as visa requirements may differ, and it is most important that your passport contains the correct visa for your journey.

website www.ancient.co.uke-mail info@ancient.co.uk

Telephone UK 0333 335 9494 Int +44 333 335 9494

Ancient World Tours PO Box 12950, London W6 8GY UK

ASWAN TO CAIRO ABOARD THE LUXURY

STEAM CRUISER THE S/S MISR

DEPARTING 14th SEPT 2015

‘THE GOLDEN AGE’THE LONG CRUISE

Exclusively chartered for AWT

WITH KENT WEEKS Expert: Kent Weeks is one of the most celebrated archaeologists in the world for his work on the Theban Mapping Project and his re-discovery of KV5, the largest tomb ever found in the Kings' Valley. Kent’s enthusiasm for his subject and ability to communicate with depth and humour makes him a star expert.

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Fly London to Luxor with EgyptAir and on arrival take our private transfer to the Old Winter Palace, Garden Pavilion Wing, for one night on room and breakfast basis.

Day 2 – To AswanWe set off by road to Aswan and en route visit the temple of el Tod, founded as a temple to the war god Montu. Next, the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best preserved cult temples in Egypt. Lunch will be picnic boxes provided by the Old Winter Palace. On arrival in Aswan we board the S/S Misr. This elegant, 5-star steam vessel, fully restored and air-conditioned, still retains its 19th century character and will be our home for the next twelve nights on full board basis. (BLD)

Our luxury boat, the S/S Misr built in 1918 and once owned by King Farouk has just 24 cabins including 8 suites, silver-service dining, international gourmet cuisine and the friendliest, most efficient staff on the river. This wonderful itinerary sailing the length of the Nile will be remembered for years to come. No galabeya parties; no musak; no other groups – just our own like-minded travellers enjoying the beauty of the River Nile.

Day 3 – Abu SimbelThis morning, there is the opportunity to take the optional excursion, by air, to the great Temple of Abu Simbel. A guided tour of the two spectacular temples built by Ramesses I I saved by UNESCO in the 1960s. This afternoon we take a launch to the Old and Middle Kingdom Nobles’ Tombs of Kubbet el Hawa. This evening we will visit the Nubia Museum displaying some wonderful pieces from the area. (BLD)

Day 1– Monday 14th September 2015

Day 4 – Island of IsisTo the Temple of Isis at Philae saved by UNESCO in the late 1970s. We also visit the Open-Air Museum of the Unfinished Obelisk to view the abandoned worksite of this flawed sculpture. We sail to Kom Ombo to visit the Ptolemaic Temple of Haroeris and Sobek before continuing to Luxor. (BLD)

Day 5 –The West BankWe visit the Valley of the Kings where we have entrance tickets to three of the tombs that are open on the day. Next, to the Ramesseum, the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses the Great and the inspiration for Shelly’s ‘Ozymandias’. On to the impressive Mortuary Temple of Ramesses II I at Medinet Habu. We return to the boat for lunch and later we plan to visit Luxor Museum and Luxor Temple. (BLD)

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THE GOLDEN AGE

Day 6 – The Temple of AmunAfter tea and coffee we make an early start to be at Karnak for sunrise. We walk straight to the Sacred Lake where the reflections of the temple in the water make for stunning photography. We return to the boat for breakfast while we sail towards Qena. On arrival in Qena we travel by road to the Temple of Dendera. The columns and ceilings of this lovely temple are newly cleaned and we can now see many vivid painted scenes. (BLD)

Day 7 – CruisingToday we are sailing all day as we head to Sohag. We pass through the swing bridge at Nag Hamadi before we arrive at the barrage where we continue through the great lock. Today we may take a tour of the Misr’s engine room and kitchen. A wonderful day to relax and enjoy travelling on the Nile. (BLD)

Day 8 – Mystical AbydosThis morning we travel by road to Abydos. Here we see some of the finest reliefs in Egypt and the famous ‘King List’ carved on the walls in the Temple of Seti I. We walk to the Osireion, regarded as the burial place of Osiris. Then we cross the desert sands to the Temple of Ramesses I I. Here we see wonderful scenes of the Battle of Kadesh on the outer walls and some well preserved colourful scenes inside the temple. We return to the boat for lunch and sail towards Asyut. (BLD)

Day 9 – CruisingToday is a wonderfully relaxing day as we sail from Sohag to Minya. Time to sit back and enjoy the scenes of daily life acted out on the banks of the river. The pace of life unchanged for centuries, we sail past villages and farmland all the while watching the birdlife on sand banks and islands. A day for binoculars, cameras and books. (BLD)

Day 10 – AmarnaA highlight of any trip through Middle Egypt is the chance to explore Amarna, the amazing capital city of Pharaoh Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti. We visit the Royal Tomb for Akhenaten himself and the Southern Tombs, where we see the unfinished Tomb of Ay. Time also for the central city, palaces, private houses and the Great Temple of Aten. We spend the day at this incredible site and lunch will be provided by our own chefs from the Misr. (BLD)

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Day 11 – Beni HassanThis morning we head to the superbly decorated Middle Kingdom tombs of the local governors of Beni Hassan with vivid murals depicting daily life. The view from the tombs is memorable for showing the contrast between the fertile banks of the Nile and the desert that falls so close to the river. We then head to the rarely visited rock-cut Fraser Tombs that date back to the 5th and 6th Dynasties. Returning to the boat for lunch we cruise towards the city of Beni Suef. (BLD)

THE GOLDEN AGEDEPART 14th September 2015

Standard Tour Price: £4,180Cabin upgrades available

Price without International Flights: £3,730

Optional: Abu Simbel by air £195 pp

TOUR CODE: AWGA 140915

Day 12 – Faiyum PyramidsWe begin our day exploring Meidum with its tower-shaped pyramid and the brick built mastabas nearby. Time to enter the pyramid or ‘Mastaba 17’ for those who wish. Next, the mud brick pyramid of Amenemhat I I I at Hawara, site of the fabled Labyrinth as described by Herodotus. This is also the location of Petrie’s excavation in the Roman cemetery where he discovered the famous Faiyum Portraits. Over lunch we sail on towards Cairo for our overnight mooring and final destination. (BLD)

Day 13 – GizaWe start at the Giza Plateau and the Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure, as well as an in-depth look at the satellite pyramids, boat pits, the mortuary temple of Khafre and the mighty Sphinx. Time is allowed for those who wish, to enter the Solar Boat Museum, or enter a pyramid. We return to the cruiser for lunch. Later we view the amazing collection at the Museum of

Egyptian Antiquities. Our guide will take us on a chronological journey covering 3,000 years, with free time to view the Tutankhamun Treasures or perhaps take an optional visit to the Mummy Room. This evening we have a farewell dinner and a chance to say goodbye to all the staff and friends on the S/S Misr. (BLD)

Day 14 – Sunday 27th Sept 2015After breakfast we transfer to the airport for our EgyptAir flight to London arriving early afternoon. (B)

From Cairo to the Faiyum we investigate the most famous pyramids and include some of the lesser known and more remote pyramid fields in Egypt.We have a special AWT permit to visit South Sakkara, where we meet up with the French Archaeological Mission to see all the latest work on site.

Staying on the Shore of Lake Qarun for two nights allows time for a visit to the incredible World Heritage Site of Wadi el Hitan, the vast open air museum also known as the ‘Valley of the Whales’.

HORIZONS OF ETERNITYDEPARTING 27th SEPTEMBER 2015

This ever popular tour is back with new sites and

new discoveries.

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Day 1 – Sunday 27th September 2015Fly London to Cairo with EgyptAir and on arrival we take our private transfer and check in to the first-class Movenpick Hotel at Giza for three nights on room and breakfast basis.

Day 2 – The Giza PlateauOur first day begins with the short ride to the Giza Plateau to explore the Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure as well as the satellite pyramids, mortuary temples and causeways before we head to the Mortuary Temple of Khafre and the Sphinx. For those who wish, there will be time to enter a pyramid and the Solar Boat Museum to view the boat of Khufu. After our in-depth tour we return to the hotel at lunchtime. The rest of the day is free to enjoy the hotel amenities. (B)

HORIZONS OF ETERNITYDEPARTING 27th SEPTEMBER 2015

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Day 3 – SakkaraToday we meet up with our four-wheel drive vehicles and driving team then head to South Sakkara. We have an AWT special permit to visit this site where we will explore the vast and unique mastaba of King Shepseskaf of the Fourth Dynasty and the kings’ pyramids of the late Fifth and Sixth Dynasties. These include that of Pepy I I, last king of the Old Kingdom and Pepi I. We have arranged to meet with Philippe Collombert of the French Archaeological Mission at Sakkara who have been working at the site for many years. Philippe has agreed to guide us round the project site and show us all new discoveries. If you were at the AWT conference in June 2013 you will remember his fascinating talk on this very subject. We will then drive to Abu Sir with its pyramid complexes of the Fifth Dynasty before continuing to the Sakkara Palm Club for lunch. After a rest we head to North Sakkara where we visit the Imhotep Museum

before exploring the Step Pyramid Enclosure. Here we find not only the Pyramid of Djoser but also Old Kingdom Pyramids with Pyramid Texts and mastaba tombs with fine reliefs. We also include tickets for entry to the Serapeum, the galleries of the tombs of the ‘Apis Bulls’. (BL)

Day 4 – FaiyumOur first stop this morning will be Dahshur where we see the fascinating Red and Bent Pyramids. Time to enter the Red Pyramid for those who wish, before we continue to Lahun to see the Pyramid of Senwosret I I. On to the Pyramid of Hawara where we see the site of King Amenemhat II I’s Mortuary Temple and the ‘Labyrinth’ described by Herodotus. This is the site where Petrie unearthed the famous Roman Period portrait mummies. We have a picnic lunch before continuing to our hotel, The Auberge, on the shore of Lake Qarun where we check in for two nights on half board basis. (BLD)

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HORIZONS OF ETERNITYDEPART 27th September 2015

Standard Tour Price: £2,575Price without International Flights: £2,135

Single Supplement: £175

TOUR CODE: AWHE 270915

Day 5 – Temples and CitiesToday we visit some important sites on the North Shore of the Lake. First to Qasr el Sagha, an incomplete temple dating to the Middle Kingdom where we can explore a fortress and nearby village. Then to Dimai, believed to have been founded by Ptolemy I I when the city would have been closer to the shore and served as a port. Once again our driving team prepare a picnic lunch for us and then we head to Karanis, one of the largest Greco-Roman cities in the Faiyum. Here we see temples dedicated to the crocodile god, granaries and the homes of the many residents of this community. We return to our comfortable hotel for dinner and overnight. (BLD)

Day 6 – Wadi el HitanWe set off for the Wadi el Hitan Protected Area to visit the Valley of the Whales. This World Heritage Site has well laid out trails and is one of the most significant fossil sites in the world. Studies of fossils here confirm that the whales of today’s oceans evolved from an existence on land. We see fossil remains of mammals and vegetation dating back thirty million years. We have a picnic, visit a Saharan waterfall in Wadi el Ryan and continue to Meidum.

A chance to enter this spectacular pyramid and for the adventurous time to enter the mastaba tomb known as ‘Mastaba 17’. Entry is via the ancient robbers’ tunnel and is not for the faint-hearted. We then drive to Cairo, say farewell to our driving team and check in to the Movenpick Hotel for two nights on room and breakfast basis. (BL)

Day 7 – Cairo MuseumAfter breakfast we head to the city and the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities. After a guided tour we have plenty of time to search out artefacts from areas that we visited earlier in the week. Study the most famous collections such as Tutankhamun, the Tanis Treasures and the Amarna collection. There is an optional ticket available for those who wish to enter the Mummy Room. We return to the hotel at lunch time and this afternoon is free. Time for shopping or just relax at the hotel at the end of a busy week. (B)

Day 8 – Sunday 4th October 2015Take our private transfer to Cairo Airport and fly Cairo to London arriving early afternoon. (B)

Alan Lloyd is currently President of the Egypt Exploration Society, Professor Emeritus, Department of History and Classics at University College of Swansea.

He is the author or editor of many publications on Egyptological and Classical subjects, most recently ‘A Companion to Ancient Egypt’ and ‘Ancient Egypt: State and Society’ (Oxford University Press, 2014).

This is undoubtedly the perfect tour to see many of the most spectacular sites in and around Luxor. We visit Abydos and Dendera in the north, through to Edfu and Esna in the south, looking at all the latest conservation work undertaken at these stunning temples. Back in Luxor, a highlight of the trip will be the special AWT permit to enter the tomb of Amenhotep II I in the Western Valley of the Kings.

DEPARTING 5th OCTOBER 2015 LUXOR WITH ALAN LLOYD

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Day 1– Monday 5th October 2015We fly from London to Luxor with EgyptAir, and on arrival we take our private transfer to the Old Winter Palace, Garden Pavilion Wing, for seven nights on room and breakfast basis.

Day 2 – LuxorOur tour begins with a morning visit to the Luxor Museum to look at some of the finest Egyptian sculptures to be found anywhere in the world. We continue to the Mosque of Abu Haggag to see the column capitals erected by Ramesses I I, now conserved and on view, and also enjoy the chance to look down into Luxor Temple itself from the outer court of the mosque. We also take a look at the Sphinx Avenue and enter the temple for a guided tour. We return to the hotel for a free afternoon, but we will have a meeting later when Alan will present his first talk ‘The Egyptian Temple: Concept and Practice.’ (B)

Day 3 – Abydos and DenderaToday we head north to Abydos where we see some of the finest reliefs in Egypt; which have retained their original colours to a remarkable degree. We also see the famous ‘King List’ carved on the walls in the Temple of Seti I, which enables us to gain an insight into the predecessors with whom the king wished to be associated. We also take a look at

the intriguing Osireion, modelled on the burial place of the mortuary god Osiris, before walking across the desert sands to the Temple of Ramesses II, a counterpart to that of his father Seti to the south. Here we see on the outer walls one of several relief sequences representing Ramesses’ alleged triumph over the Hittites at the Battle of Kadesh and some well-preserved painted scenes inside the temple.

Next we visit the Greco-Roman Temple of Hathor at Dendera where we are now able to see the newly cleaned and restored ceilings, walls, and columns. Of particular interest here are the scenes on the back wall of the temple representing Cleopatra VII and her son Caesarion engaged in ritual activity. We have a lunch box from the hotel today. (BL)

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LUXOR WITH ALAN LLOYD

Day 4 – Edfu and EsnaHeading south from Luxor we spend the morning exploring the vast Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best preserved cult temples in Egypt with its scenes of battles between Horus and Seth. After our picnic lunch, again provided by the hotel, we drive to the Ptolemaic-Roman Temple of Esna dedicated to the god Khnum, the ram-headed creator god. Much of this complex still lies hidden under the modern town, but its extraordinary position down in a hollow illustrates the way in which collapsible Egyptian villages made of mud brick

grew up around stone-built temples in both ancient and modern times. The temple has a lovely hypostyle hall with 24 columns, each with unique floral capitals. This temple contains some of the most difficult hieroglyphic texts in existence and contains the name in hieroglyphs of Decius, the last Roman Emperor currently known to have his name recorded in this way. (BL)

Day 5 – West Bank IToday we take our private launch across the Nile and then drive to the Colossi of Memnon. Much work is being undertaken at the site by the Sourouzian expedition with spectacular results. Next, we visit Deir el-Medina to look at the private homes and beautifully decorated tombs of the artisans and craftsmen who built the tombs in the Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Queens. We walk to the Hathor Temple, later converted to a Coptic monastic site and still covered with Coptic inscriptions. Next, to the ‘Great Pit’ nearby which has played a major role in the history of the site.

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LUXOR WITH ALAN LLOYDDEPART 5th October 2015

Standard Tour Price: £2,270Without International Flights: £1,830

Single Supplement: £130

TOUR CODE: AWAL 051015

Day 6 – The Temple of AmunToday we examine the reliefs and inscriptions at Karnak Temple. We have included tickets for the Open Air Museum and visit the newly cleaned Khonsu Shrine. Next, to the Mut Temple with its profusion of statues in the form of the lioness Sekhmet. Time to walk around the sacred lake and the small Ramesses III temple with some lovely military scenes surviving on the outer walls. We will be back at the hotel by lunchtime. We have a free afternoon, but later today Alan will give his final talk ‘Pharaoh; the Man in the God’. (B)

Day 7 – West Bank IIOnce again we take our private launch across the Nile to the West Bank and then we head straight to the Valley of the Kings where we have three tickets

We move on to the Temple of Seti I where we look at some beautiful reliefs and texts before continuing to Medinet Habu, the Mortuary Temple of Ramesses II I, with superb reliefs depicting his triumph over the Sea Peoples. We have a relaxing lunch at the Moon Valley Restaurant before we visit some of the finest of the Nobles’ Tombs. First, we go to Ramose, Governor of Thebes, where we see the crossover between classical and Amarna style reliefs and then to the smaller tombs of Userhat and Khaemhat. Our last visit of the day will be to the richly decorated tombs of Rekhmire and Sennefer. This evening Alan will present another talk entitled ‘Death in Ancient Egypt’. (BL)

for tombs open on the day. Then we move to the quieter West Valley, the resting place of the later kings of the Eighteenth Dynasty. Here, we enter the tomb of Ay (really the tomb of Tutankhamun), and, if possible, we take a look at what may well be the entrance to the unfinished Theban tomb of Akhenaten. The highlight of the morning will be the special AWT private permit to enter the tomb of Amenhotep III. This tomb known as WV22 has been restored and has some amazing decoration. We take lunch at the Moon Valley Restaurant before visiting Hatshepsut’s Temple. Our last stop will be at Dra’ Abul Naga to enter the small but beautiful tombs of Roy, Shuroy and Amenemopet. (BL)

Day 8 – Monday 12th October 2015After breakfast we take our private transfer from the hotel to Luxor Airport for our EgyptAir flight to London arriving early afternoon. (B)

DEPARTING 7th JANUARY 2016 It is a little-known fact that there are more pyramids

in Sudan than in Egypt. For over two millennia, Nubia,

ancient Kush - now split between modern Egypt and

Sudan - was subject to Egyptian influence or occupation,

and when, in the late eighth century BC, the tables were

turned and the Kushites took over Egypt, they were

fully Egyptianised. They compounded this by henceforth

adopting the pyramid for their royal tombs. Although

soon chased out of Egypt by the Assyrians, the Kushites’

compound Egyptian-African culture endured until the

fourth century AD. This tour is accompanied by Dr Aidan

Dodson, who is an expert on the Third Intermediate Period,

during which Nubian kings ruled Egypt for over a century.

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Dr Aidan Dodson is a Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Archaeology & Anthropology at the University of Bristol, was Simpson Professor of Egyptology at the American University in Cairo for Spring 2013, and is the Chairman of Trustees of the Egypt Exploration Society. Aidan has been leading tours to the Nile Valley for some 25 years.

THE LAND OF KUSH - A Sudanese journey

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Day 1 –Thursday 7th January 2016Today we board our Turkish Airlines flight from London Heathrow to Khartoum via Istanbul arriving early on Friday morning. We meet our guide and take our private transfer to the Corinthia Hotel.

Day 2 – KhartoumOn arrival we check in to the Corinthia Hotel for a one night stay on bed and breakfast basis. We have the morning to rest and in the afternoon we undertake a short tour of Khartoum. We first visit the Sudan National Museum, which contains a wide range of archaeological material from sites throughout the Sudan, including a number of small temples rescued from the Second Cataract forts before they were inundated by Lake Nasser. We will also visit the Blue Nile Sailing Club, with the historic gunboat Melik, part of Lord Kitchener’s forces deployed against the Khalifa in the late 19th century. We then cross the confluence of the Blue and the White Nile, to reach Omdurman, the old

capital of Sudan, where we see the Mahdi’s tomb from the outside and the Khalifa’s House Museum. Finally, we visit an old fort on the banks of the Nile, where there is also the old paddle steamer Bordein, another veteran of Kitchener’s campaign. Late afternoon we return to our hotel. (B)

Day 3 – Pyramids of NuriAfter breakfast we begin the journey northward through the Western deser t, stopping for an al fresco lunch on the way. In the afternoon we rejoin the Nile at the small town of Merowe, and proceed north to visit the pyramid field of Nuri, founded by Taharqa, and the burial place of many of the Nubian rulers who followed the 25th Dynasty evacuation of Egypt. We then cross the Nile and check in to the Nubian Rest House, at the foot of Jebel Barkal, the holy mountain of Amun. Dinner and overnight at this charming property built in local style with large domed en suite rooms facing on to a lush garden. (BLD)

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Day 5 – The Third CataractToday we drive north to the Third Cataract, where granite outcrops cause rapids and made it an important ancient boundary. We can walk up the hill to the ancient Ottoman Fort from where we have beautiful views of the cataract. A little further north, we will cross the river by ferry to visit the temples of Sedeinga and Soleb, built by Amenhotep III, and en route between them, the stelae and rock-chapel at Jebel Dosha. We then return to camp. (BLD)

Day 6 – Nubian Villages and Old DongolaThis morning we drive south, through Nubian villages where some houses are painted and decorated with colourful patterns and flowers, before reaching the site of Old Dongola (nowhere near ‘new’ Dongola!). Here we see the remains of a Christian Cathedral and several churches situated on the banks of the Nile, before continuing to Karima, where we spend the night back at the Nubian Rest House. (BLD)

Day 4 – Kerma to TombosToday we cross the Nubian desert to reach the site of Kawa, with temples of Tutankhamun and Taharqa; a short drive north takes us to Kerma where we visit the majestic East and West Defuffas, respectively mortuary and civil ritual structures built by the Kerma Culture that dominated much of Upper Nubia down to the 16th century BC. Then to Tombos, with the ancient granite quarries and the remains of a statue of King Tanutamun, plus stele carved on the rocks by Egyptian occupiers. We spend the night in our pre-set camp, among the granite boulders on the edge of the desert. (BLD)

The pre-set camps are prepared prior to the group arrival. They include large igloo tents with camp beds, foam mattresses, sheets and blanket, with one small table and two folding chairs for every tent. For the meals, we have a big restaurant tent. Two canvas-screened showers and toilets complete the set-up.

THELAND OF

KUSH

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THE LAND OF KUSHDEPART 7th January 2016

Standard Tour Price: £3,675

Single Supplement: £480

TOUR CODE: AWLK 070116

Day 7 –The Holy Mountain of AmunJebel Barkal dominates the landscape for many miles, and from at least the New Kingdom was sacred to Amun. We visit a site-museum and temple ruins, including the huge temple of Amun, recently discovered to have been begun as a temple of the Aten! Amongst them is a rock-cut chapel of Taharqa, with well-preserved reliefs. After lunch we proceed to the cemetery of El-Kurru, where were buried some of the Nubian rulers of the period prior to the 25th Dynasty and all but one of the Nubian kings who ruled Egypt during the 8th and 7th centuries BC. We enter the decorated burial chambers of King Tanutamun and Queen Qalhata, a wife of Taharqa. Finishing the day at a fascinating petrified forest, we then return to Karima. (BLD)

Day 8 – The Bayuda DesertCrossing the Nile once more, we enter the Bayuda Desert, where we follow the Wadi Abu Dom to visit the monastery at Ghazali. The Bayuda desert is an area bounded by the loop that the Nile forms between the 4th and the 6th Cataracts and is characterised by dramatic black basalt mountains – former volcanoes. After a picnic in the desert, we will continue to rejoin the Nile, and after crossing it, drive to the permanent tented camp of Meroe, with a beautiful view of the 40+ pyramids that lie just over a mile away. The Meroe camp has spacious twin bedded tents that are tastefully furnished, equipped with electricity and set up on

permanent concrete bases. Each tent has its own brick-built private plumbed bathroom, with wash-basin, shower and toilet and has a veranda with two comfortable chairs. A restaurant building provides breakfast, lunch and dinner. (BLD)

Day 9 – Royal Necropolis and City of MeroeThe royal necropolis of Meroe is about 3 km from the Nile, and comprises two groups of pyramids belonging to the kings, queens and some princes of the final phase of the Kushite civilisation, running from the 5th century BC to the 4th century AD.

Each pyramid has a funerary chapel, decorated in relief with offering scenes reminiscent of those of Egypt. After lunch back in camp we visit the ruins of the royal city. Overnight at our camp. (BLD)

Day 10 – Naga and Mussawarat TemplesWe drive south to visit Naga, located about 30 km to the east of the Nile. An important trading junction, also equipped with a number of temples, dedicated to Amun and the local deity Apedemak (1st century AD). Next, to Mussawarat, a ceremonial centre with connections to elephants, who can be seen in both two and three dimensions. We then drive on to Khartoum, to check in to the Corinthia Hotel for one night. (BL)

Day 11 – Sunday 17th January 2016We leave the hotel and transfer to Khartoum Airport for the Turkish Airlines flight to London arriving later the same day. (B)

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A rare chance to visit the sites of the Hierakonpolis Expedition, the Belgian Mission in the Theban Necropolis, The University of Basel Kings’ Valley Project and the amazing Temple of Amenhotep III at Kom el Hetan.

We also include a special AWT permit to enter the incredible tomb of Sennemut at Deir el Bahri as well as other newly opened temples and tombs.

LUXOR CONFERENCE1st FEBRUARY 2016

Join us and some of the Egyptologists and their support teams currently at work on precious sites in Upper Egypt.

Based at the Old Winter Palace, Luxor, we have organised this week so that we have illustrated lectures with the latest news on the excavations. Then we visit the actual sites to see how work is progressing.

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Day 1– Monday 1st February 2016Fly London to Luxor with EgyptAir and on arrival we take our private transfer to the first-class Old Winter Palace, Garden Pavilion Wing, for seven nights on room and breakfast basis.

Day 2 – Welcome to LuxorOur conference opens with welcome tea and coffee in the Horus room set in the gardens of the Winter Palace and we will hear first from a guest speaker from the Ministry of Egyptian Antiquities. This will be followed by Hourig Sourouzian who will tell us all about the latest work at Kom el Hetan. Hourig will be joined by colleague Nairy Hampikian who will tell us about protection of this precious site. After a lunch break we will visit Luxor Museum and Luxor Temple, including the Avenue of Sphinx and the Mosque of Abu Haggag. (B)

Day 3 – Tombs and TemplesWe take our private motor launch across the Nile to the West Bank, and on arrival head to the village of Deir el Medina, where we look at the private homes and the beautifully decorated tombs of the artisans and craftsmen who built the tombs of the great pharaohs. We have included a visit to the lovely tomb of Pashedu, the Ptolemaic Temple and the Great Pit. We move on to Medinet Habu, Mortuary Temple of Ramesses I I I before walking to the small but newly restored temple of Qasr el Aguz. This afternoon, Director of the University of Basel Kings’ Valley Project, Susanne Bickel, will reveal all the work being undertaken by the project since discovery of the tomb, now known as KV64. After refreshments we will hear from another member of Susanne’s team. (B)

Hourig Sourouzian

Susanne Bickel ©

Tomb of Pashedu

Winter Palace

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LUXOR CONFERENCE

Day 4 – West Bank ProjectsAgain we cross the Nile to the West Bank and today we head to Kom el Hetan the vast temple of Amenhotep III that is currently undergoing extensive excavation. We will meet with Hourig Sourouzian who will show us around the site and give us all the latest information on recent finds. Next, we head to the Kings’ Valley where we have tickets for three tombs open on the day. We will meet up with Susanne Bickel who will walk us through the side valley being investigated by the team. We will see the position of non-royal tombs and learn how the tombs in this area were looted, forgotten and re-found. Next, we visit a local project in New Qurna, the Balady Handicraft Centre, where local ladies have an opportunity to learn to weave and embroider in traditional ways. We have lunch at the Moon Valley Restaurant. Then we will meet up with Dr Kent Weeks to see his continuing work with a library on the West Bank, the first library of its kind in Upper Egypt. (BL)

Day 5 – The Temple of AmunA full morning at Karnak, the Precinct of Amun and we explore all the major features of the temple including the spectacular Seti war reliefs, the Sacred Lake, the Festival Hall, the vast Hypostyle Hall and the newly cleaned Khonsu Temple. We include entry to the lovely Open-Air Museum with the newly reconstructed chapels of Hatshepsut. Next, the newly opened Temple of Mut, the consort of Amun, with time to walk around the kidney shaped sacred lake and the small Ramesses III temple. After a lunch break at the hotel we will meet for two fascinating talks. First we will hear from Laurent Bavay of the Belgian Mission in the Theban Necropolis who will tell us about his work that has led to finding and conserving the remains of a pyramid on the West Bank. After refreshments we will hear from Renee Friedman, Director of the Hierakonpolis Expedition, who will report on her latest seasons work so that we are ready for our visit of the site tomorrow. On booking this tour AWT will automatically provide your subscription to be a Friend of Hierakonpolis for the year. (B)

Susanne Bickel © Kent Weeks

Balady Handicrafts

Laurent Bavay ©

Kom el Hetan Mut Temple

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LUXOR CONFERENCEDEPART 1st February 2016

Standard Tour Price: £2,485Price without International Flights: £2,045Single Supplement: £145

TOUR CODE: AWLC 010216

Why not stay on for ‘Luxor Explorer? ’at an additional £1,995 (See page 26)

Day 6 – HierakonpolisWe see the cemetery of the predynastic rulers of this vast site and the graves of the menagerie of animals they kept, as well as the remains of the food factory and the brewery that serviced their funerary cults. We also visit the ceremonial enclosure of Khasekhemwy, known locally as the ‘Fort’, the oldest freestanding monumental mud brick structure in the world. We will see the niched ‘palace-façade’ still showing traces of white plaster after four and a half thousand years. A rare chance to see first-hand the ongoing conservation project at the site and learn about the plan to stabilise the South Wall. Our driving team will prepare a picnic lunch for us back at the dig house where we can look at the latest finds and learn first hand how the team studies the wide range of materials coming from the excavations. We drive back to our hotel mid-afternoon. (BL)

Day 7 – West BankAgain we cross the Nile to the West Bank where we visit Deir el Bahri and the magnificent temple of Hatshepsut before we have another AWT special. We have a private permit to enter the tomb

of Senenmut, architect of Hatshepsut’s temple. This rarely opened tomb, although unfinished, has an astronomical ceiling with star maps. Next, we plan to meet up with Laurent Bavay at his site at the tombs of the Nobles. We see for ourselves the remains of the pyramid close to the tomb of Amenhotep, a deputy overseer of seal-bearers. Laurent will explain his work at the site before we visit the nearby tomb of Sennefer, known as the ‘Tomb of Vines’. Then to the richly decorated tomb of the Vizier Rekhmire. We have arranged lunch at the Moon Valley Restaurant before we return to the Asasif Tombs of Pabasa and Kheruef. Our day ends at Dra Abu el-Naga where we enter the brightly coloured tomb-chapels of Roy and Shuroy and the newly opened tomb of Amenemopet. (BL)

Day 8 – Monday 8th February 2016After breakfast we take our private transfer to the airport for our direct EgyptAir flight to London arriving early afternoon. (B)

Renee Friedman Tomb of Roy Tomb of Amenemopet

Tomb of Sennefer

Laurent Bavay ©

Hierakonpolis ‘Fort’

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LUXOR EXPLORERDEPARTING 8th FEBRUARY 2016

This is ‘The Tour’ if you want to join us on a visit to the wonderful tomb of Seti I in the Valley of the Kings. Based at the Old Winter Palace we include day trips to sites further afield that have recently undergone much restoration, such as Medamud, Abydos, El Kab and Esna. This is a great week to follow on from the Luxor Conference with plenty of time to see much new conservation work, f irst-hand.

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LUXOR EXPLORERDay 1 – Monday 8th February 2016We fly from London to Luxor with EgyptAir, and on arrival we take our private transfer to the Old Winter Palace, Garden Pavilion Wing, for seven nights on room and breakfast basis.

Day 2 – AbydosOur tour begins with a full day trip to the most ancient historic site in Egypt, Abydos. We enter the Temple of Seti I to see some of the finest reliefs ever found, including the famous ‘King List’, before exploring the Osireion believed to be the symbolic tomb of Osiris. Then we take the short walk across the desert sands to the remains of the Temple of Ramesses I I where we see scenes of the battle of Kadesh and some vivid colour reliefs. We will meet up with the local inspectors working at Abydos and then we cross the desert to the site of Um el Qaab and the 5,000 year old tombs of the earliest

pharaohs, including Den and Djer. We then visit the massive mud-brick funerary enclosure of Shunet el Zebib and the site of Kom el Sultan with its vast mud-brick walls. We have a picnic lunch provided by our hotel before returning to Luxor. (BL)

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LUXOR EXPLORER

Day 3 – Dendera and MedamudToday we head north again but this time we visit Dendera with its Greco-Roman Temple of Hathor where we are now able to see the newly cleaned and restored ceilings, walls and columns. Of particular interest are the scenes on the back wall of the temple representing Cleopatra VII and her son Caesarion. We have a lunch box from the hotel today. Next, we head to Medamud where we have a special AWT permit to visit the Temple of Montu which was once linked by canal to Karnak Temple. Originally excavated in the 1920’s the site has undergone much restoration in recent years. (BL)

Day 4 – Seti IThis morning we will take our private launch across the Nile and drive to the Valley of the Kings. We have three tickets for tombs open on the day. However, the highlight will be the private AWT permit that we have obtained to enter KV17, the Tomb of Seti I. One of the best decorated tombs in the valley, the colours and reliefs are stunning. Next, we visit the Mortuary Temple of Seti I with elegant reliefs depicting both Seti I and his son Ramesses I I. We lunch at the Moon Valley Restaurant before heading to the rarely visited Khoka Tombs built for Neferonpet, also known as Kenro, and Nefersekheru. Our final stop will be at the Ramessuem, Mortuary Temple of Ramesses I I where we see the toppled colossi and fine reliefs. (BL)

Day 5 – SailingA magical time on the River Nile in traditional, classic feluccas. A day for cameras and binoculars, with time to enjoy a quieter pace of life sailing through the lush green Nile Valley. We will be passing scenes unchanged for hundreds of years. We have arranged a deluxe, Egyptian three course lunch on board during our trip. A truly relaxing way to peruse the villages and abundant birdlife along the riverbanks. (BL)

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LUXOR EXPLORERDEPART 8th February 2016

Standard Tour Price: £2,485Price without International Flights: £1,995

Single Supplement: £145

TOUR CODE: AWLE 080216

Day 6 – The Road SouthWe drive to the Ptolemaic-Roman Temple of Esna, dedicated to Khnum, the ram-headed creator god. The temple lies in a pit well below the levels of the modern day town and has a lovely hypostyle hall with 24 columns each with unique floral capitals. We find here a relief of Khnum at the potter’s wheel fashioning mankind and thanks to the recent cleaning and restoration it is now possible to see some colour reliefs. El Kab is our next stop where we enter the 18th Dynasty tombs of Ahmose, son of Ebana and Pahery, the Mayor of Nekheb. Then to the small Tuthmosis IV and Amenhotep I I I temple built for Hathor and Nekhebet before continuing to Vulture Rock where we see many ancient inscriptions. We have a lunch box picnic before making our last stop at el Tod, another rarely visited temple dedicated to the war god Montu. (BL)

Day 7 – West Bank IIOnce again we take our private launch across the Nile to the West Bank and then we visit the Valley of the Queens to see the tombs of the princes and royal children. Then we plan to walk over the

mountain from Deir el Medina to the Temple of Hatshepsut. A rare chance to view the Nile Valley and the temples at Deir el Bahri from the hills above. After refreshments at the rest house in front of this grand temple we have a guided tour of the site. We lunch at The Moon Valley Restaurant and then visit the Merenptah temple with its informative museum with displays of many artefacts found on the site. Finally to Deir el Shelwit, the small Temple of Isis, built by the Romans which has recently been cleaned and has some unusual decoration. (BL)

Day 8 – Monday 15th February 2016After breakfast we take our private transfer from the hotel to Luxor Airport for our EgyptAir flight to London arriving early afternoon. (B)

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From the wind swept plains of Amarna to Egypt’s most glorious tomb, this tour looks at the women behind (and sometimes on) the throne of Egypt.We include a spectacular highlight – a special AWT private entry to the fabulous tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens in Luxor. We also spend time travelling through Middle Egypt learning about the life of Nefertiti in her home at Akhetaten.

NEFERTARI AND NEFERTITI DEPARTING 8th APRIL 2016

Expert: Bill Manley, Egyptologist, university lecturer, museum curator and best-selling author is currently working on a book of

Ancient Egyptian Art. Bill wrote his doctoral thesis on royal inscriptions from the dynasty of Akhenaten and Tutankhamun, making him the perfect expert for this tour to Amarna. His specialist output includes articles on Egyptian and Coptic texts.

Day 1 – Friday 8th April 2016Fly London to Cairo with EgyptAir and on arrival we check in to the first-class Movenpick Hotel at Giza for two nights on room and breakfast basis.

Day 2 – GizaWe begin at the Giza plateau where we explore the Great Pyramids and the complex of temples and tombs round them, before heading to the Sphinx and Valley Temple. In the afternoon we take a grand tour of the Cairo Museum looking at some of the artefacts relating to our forthcoming tour. This evening Bill will present a talk about pyramids and what they meant to the people who built them. (B)

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Day 3 – To Middle EgyptToday we head south for Minya and the fabled city of Amarna. En route we stop at Meidum to consider the meaning of its unusual pyramid, as well as the fascinating ‘Mastaba 17’, either of which can be entered by the more adventurous. Then to the lovely Middle Kingdom tombs of Beni Hassan with their striking paintings. On arrival in Minya we check in to the medium-class Nefertiti Hotel for two nights on a full board basis. Tonight Bill will talk about the celebrated ‘Hymn To the Aten’, and the stelae which mark the boundary of Amarna. (BLD)

We will enter the Southern Tombs including the unfinished tomb of Ay with the ‘Hymn to the Aten’, the central area, Royal Archive, and the Sanctuary of Aten. We look at the Northern Palace, residence of the queens and princesses, and the Northern Tombs cut high into the cliffs. This evening Bill will chat about the hugely important letters found in the Royal Archive at Amarna. (BLD)

Day 4 – Nefertiti at AmarnaTo Tell el Amarna for a tour of the fascinating remains of an ancient city. We travel along the Royal Wadi to the tomb of Akhenaten, where we find extraordinary scenes of triumph and tragedy, including Nefertiti and the royal princesses in mourning.

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NEFERTARI & NEFERTITI

Day 5 – MeirFirst to Tuna el Gebel, where we find the Tomb Chapel of Petosiris with its exciting and unusual decoration and then to the resting place of one of the more unfortunate women of Ancient Egypt, Isadora. We see the Roman Well and one of the famous boundary stelae of Amarna. We enter the baboon and ibis catacombs dedicated to Thoth, god of all understanding. Next, to the governors’ tombs at Meir set in a spectacular location in the cliffs above the Nile Valley. Our final stop will be the White Monastery originally founded in 442 AD where we can discuss its magnificent library of unique Christian manuscripts. We continue to Sohag, and on arrival check in for one night on board the M/S Hotep, a floating hotel moored on the banks of the Nile. (BLD)

Day 6 – The Wonders of AbydosFirst to Akhmim, ancient Ipu, and the magnificent statue of a queen, Meritamun, which stands to a height of 35 feet. Then we head to Abydos to the Temple of Seti I, with the finest reliefs anywhere in Egypt. We discuss the famous ‘King List’ and study the mysterious Osireion. Then cross the desert sands to the Temple of Ramesses I I. After a picnic lunch we drive to Dendera and the Ptolemaic Temple of Hathor, to see the newly cleaned and restored walls and ceilings, and the only depiction of Cleopatra VI I with her son Caesearion to be found in Egypt. We continue to Luxor and check in to the Old Winter Palace, Garden Pavilion Wing, for five nights on a room and breakfast basis. (BL)

Day 7 – The West Bank IWe take our private launch across the river and head to the Valley of the Kings where we have tickets for three tombs. Next, to Deir el Medina, where we explore the ‘jewel box’ tombs alongside the village of the workmen who built the tombs of the pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings. We enter the Ptolemaic Temple of Hathor which was later converted to the Church of St Isidore the Martyr, and take a look at the New Kingdom shrines and the ‘Great Pit’. Lunch at the Moon Valley Restaurant before continuing to Hatshepsut’s temple at Deir el Bahri. We move on to the Tombs of the Nobles to view wonderful artwork in the tombs of Ramose, Userhat and Khaemhat. Finally, the Colossi of Memnon taking special note of Tiye and Mutemwia. In his talk this evening Bill will introduce us to some well known villagers on the West Bank through 2,000 years, from Pharaonic until Christian times. (BL)

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NEFERTARI AND NEFERTITIDEPART 8th April 2016

Standard Tour Price: £2,900Price without International Flights: £2,460

Single Supplement: £300

Optional Edfu excursion: £85 pp

TOUR CODE: AWNN 080416

Day 8 – KarnakWe head to Karnak, the world’s largest religious complex. Looking at the main elements and some hidden gems, including the newly restored Khonsu Temple. In the Open-Air museum we see the magnificent White Chapel, the Alabaster Chapel and of course the reconstructed Red and White Chapels of Hatshepsut. Next, the newly opened Temple of Mut, consort of Amun, with its sacred lake and temple of Ramesses I I I. We return to the hotel for a lunch break before walking to Luxor Temple. We enter the Mosque of Abu Haggag to see the column capitals erected by Ramesses I I, then enter the temple itself for a guided tour. This evening Bill will talk about tomb-robbery, and dramatic events which took place over 3,000 years ago in the sites we are going to visit tomorrow. (B)

Day 9 – NefertariWe cross the river once again and head to the Temple of Ramesses I I I at Medinet Habu, where we see a royal palace along with a temple and scenes of royal festivals as well as battles. A short distance away we find the village of Jeme, which lasted for 2,000 years inside the temple precinct. Nearby we enter the small Ptolemaic temple of Qasr el Aguz which has some fascinating reliefs. Next, to the Ramesseum, Mortuary Temple of Ramesses the Great. After lunch at the Moon Valley Restaurant we enter the Queens’ Valley

and the stunning highlight of the trip. We have a special permit to enter the Tomb of Nefertari, perhaps the most famous of all Egyptian Queens, principal wife of Ramesses I I and often seen with the Pharaoh in artwork and sculpture. This tomb is spectacular and it is a rare and extraordinary privilege to enter it. We also have time to enter the other open tombs in the Valley of Queens and Princes before returning to our hotel. (BL)

Day 10 – Optional EdfuToday could be your day to relax by the pool or join us on an optional excursion by road to the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus at Edfu, Egypt’s most complete temple. We will also visit the fascinating site of el Kab with several historically important tombs, where we can discover the famous marine Ahmose at his tomb, as well as a Ptolemaic Temple and rock inscriptions at ‘Vulture Rock’. For those on the optional excursion, a packed lunch is included. (B)

Day 11– Monday 18th April 2016Fly Luxor to London with EgyptAir arriving later the same day. (B)

This exciting journey in four-wheel drive vehicles will lead us from the bustling city of Marrakech through the High Atlas and the Anti Atlas Mountains to the Sahara. Leaving the tarmac for many hours we follow ancient trade routes to some lesser known areas of this beautiful country. We will look at ancient rock art, astounding geology and the Berber lifestyle along the way.

DEPARTING 16th APRIL 2016 MOROCCO A journey through time

Expert: Colin Reader is a chartered geologist who has been studying the geology of North Africa and the Levant to understand its influences on the region’s early cultures. Today, we often regard the geology of a region as simply part of the ‘stage dressing,’ but it’s clear that for early cultures, the landscape had ritual importance.

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Day 1 – Saturday 16th April 2016Fly London to Marrakech with British Airways and on arrival we take our private transfer and check in to the Meridien Hotel for two nights on room and breakfast basis.

Day 2 – MarrakechThis morning we visit the ruined El Badi Palace home to Sultan Ahmed el Mansour in the sixteenth century, with time to climb the ramparts allowing for great views across the city. Next, to the Saadian Tombs, hidden away by Sultan Moulay Ismail in the early 1600s these tombs were only rediscovered by a French aerial survey in 1917. On to Bahia Palace built in the 1860s, where we see beautiful carved stucco work and painted wooden ceilings that are remarkably well preserved. Our last stop will be at Maison Tiskiwin which houses a private collection of Moroccan and Saharan artefacts. After lunch we have free time to enjoy the gardens and pool of the hotel or wander the souk. (BL)

Day 3 – The High AtlasWe load up our four-wheel drive vehicles to begin our journey. We leave the plain and cross the Pre-Cambrian strata of the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka pass at a height of 2260 metres and then head to Telouet on the old caravan route from the Sahara to Marrakech. We stop for lunch and explore the crumbling ruins of the Kasbah Telouet. Then to the Salt Mine famous for its pinkish

coloured salt and prized for its medicinal properties. Our next stop is at Ait Ben Haddou, now a World Heritage Site, where we enter the Kasr within the giant fortification. We continue on to Ouarzazate where we overnight in a comfortable Riad style hotel. (BLD)

Day 4 –The Draa ValleyOur first stop today will allow the opportunity to examine an extensive Stromatolite field. Passing Gebel Kissane we descend through Cambrian strata into the Draa Valley at Agdz and view the vast palmeries with millions of date-palm trees. We leave the tarmac road and head to the site of Foum Chenna where we find many images of men on horseback in Libyco-Berber style. We see hunting scenes, warriors and animals pecked in the dark coloured rock, many dating back around 1500 years. We continue to Zagora and spend the night at a fine Riad set in spacious grounds. (BLD)

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MOROCCO

Day 5 – M’HamidThis morning we follow a desert track to Ait Ouazik crossing an Ordovican landscape where we will see rock art of the Tazina style that dates back five thousand years. Polished boulders scattered over a large area reveal finely crafted engravings of oryx, antelope, rhino, ostrich, giraffe, geometric designs, spirals and hoop nets. We head back to the main road and continue south to M’Hamid. We overnight at Chez le Pacha hidden in the palm garden of Ouled Driss close to the town of M’Hamid, once an important marketplace for nomadic and trans-Saharan trade. (BLD) Day 7 – Salt Flats and Fossils

A long drive today over rough desert tracks to Foum-Zguid making several stops en route. At the salt flats of the now dry Lake Iriki we have time to look at fossil beds and discuss the largely Paleozoic geology of the area and maybe even experience mirages. Just 15 to 20 years ago shepherds still brought cattle to this lake in the wet years but now all we see are salt pans and dried watercourses. We take lunch in Foum-Zguid and overnight at a local hotel built in traditional style. (BLD)

Day 6 –The SaharaAfter breakfast we head off-road across a desert wilderness known as the hammada ‘the black desert’ towards the most dramatic dunes in the entire region at Erg Chigaga. These dunes rise in three hundred metre crescents and fill the horizon. We have a picnic lunch and time to wander in this great sand sea, home to the Ait Atta Berber nomads. We spend the night in traditional tented accommodation at a bivouac in the Erg Chigaga. This one night we have communal toilet and shower facilities and we have dinner in a large dining tent and enjoy the real desert experience of sitting on the dunes under a brilliant star lit sky. (BLD)

Day 8 – Rock ArtWe head west to visit several rock art sites. During the course of the day we will visit sites at Ait Ouabelli, Aman Ighriben and Oued Mestakou. These sites have many carvings of animals including elephant, rhino, antelope, gazelle and long horned cattle all of which lived in this part of Africa at the time of drawing. Scattered on boulders, in wadi beds, ridges and on high cliff walls we will spend the day walking, searching and exploring. We will also examine marks on a number of rock outcrops: are these evidence for glaciation of this region hundreds of millions of years ago? We return to our comfortable hotel for overnight. (BLD)

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MOROCCO- A journey through timeDEPART 16th April 2016

Standard Tour Price: £2,550Single Supplement: £205

TOUR CODE: AWMO 160416

Day 9 – Road to TaroudantFirst we stop at the unusual dripstone formation, Messalit falls or ‘mud falls’, known locally as the sea caves. As we follow the route of the River Tata through Berber villages, we pass from a Paleozoic into Pre-Cambrian landscape and enjoy the breath taking geology. The intensely folded rocks and their distinct stratification make this a stunning landscape. After leaving Igherm in the Anti Atlas, we descend into the lush plain in the heart of the fertile Souss Valley, famous for its orange groves, leading us to Taroudant. We have a look at the town with its circuit of ancient walls and ramparts often referred to as little Marrakech. We check in to a quiet Riad set in a plantation that was once a pasha’s estate. (BLD)

Day 10 – OukaimedenAfter breakfast we travel through a valley set between the Anti Atlas on the south and the High Atlas to the north passing acres of Argan trees that produce the expensive delicacy known as Argan Oil. The landscape continues to surprise as once again we climb a spectacular mountain pass ascending through Cambrian and remnant areas of Pre-Cambrian terrain. We stop at a high point for coffee to admire the views looking back over the lowland we have just left behind. Lunch is at Oukaimeden, a ski centre in the Gebel Toubkal National Park. Here we find some unique rock art showing weapons, including shields and daggers, axes and spears and many small circular hollows known as cup marks possibly dating back to 500 AD.

On arrival in Marrakech we say good bye to our driving team and check in to our hotel, The Meridien, for two nights on room and breakfast basis. (BL)

Day 11 – MarrakechToday is a free day to enjoy the delights of the hotel or take on some more city sightseeing. An easy stroll leads to Menara Gardens and then perhaps continue to the hectic Jemaa el Fna for some last minute shopping and street entertainment. (B)

Day 12 – Wednesday 27th April 2016We take our private transfer to Marrakech airport for our flight to London. (B)

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CRETE - LAND OF THE KEFTIUDEPARTING 13th MAY 2016

An exploration of the rugged and beautiful island inhabited by the people the Egyptians knew as the Keftiu – the Cretans. We will see the palaces, towns, temples, peak sanctuaries, villas, tombs and sacred caves from this Bronze Age culture which Arthur Evans dubbed ‘Minoan’. In addition to several museums, we will see Roman cities, Byzantine churches, medieval villages, Venetian fortresses, and historical monasteries – all set in the picturesque Cretan landscape.

Expert: Dylan Bickerstaffe is well known for his publications, lectures, and TV work on Ancient Egypt, and has travelled widely in Crete to pursue a long-standing fascination with the links and parallels – but also the unique aspects – of the local Bronze Age ‘Minoan’ culture.

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Day 1 – Friday 13th May 2016Flight from London to Heraklion, Crete and on arrival check in to the Aquila Atlantis Hotel for five nights on half board basis.

Day 2 – Iconic TreasuresWe start the day at Heraklion Museum where we find Egyptian artefacts. Then we go to the house at Nirou Hani, with many classic Minoan features before a lunch stop at a sea shore taverna. Two ritual caves follow, the Skotino and Eileithyia. The latter of these was mentioned by Homer as was Amnisos where we will see the famous ‘Villa of the Lilies’. (BD)

Day 3 – The Palace of MinosFirst to the greatest of the Cretan palaces, Knossos, which was partly restored by Arthur Evans, to give a vivid impression of the unique Minoan architecture. We have time to explore the courts, magazines, lustral basins, and staircases. Next, to Arhanes where we visit the temple site at Anemospilia where evidence showed that a human sacrifice immediately preceded destruction. Following a lunch break we visit the local museum, and then continue to the Minoan villa at Vathypetro. We also hope to view the late Minoan cemetery at Phourni if conservation work allows. (BD)

Day 4 – Phaestos, Hagia Triada, and GortynToday to the Minoan palace at Phaestos, which controlled the Messara plain. Nearby we see the Royal Villa and town site of Hagia Triada. Then to the early Minoan Tholos tomb at Kamilari. After a lunch break we head to the Roman City of Gortyn,

where we seek out the Egyptian temple before visiting the tomb of Christian martyrs in nearby Ayii Dheka. Finally to the tombs and citadel at Prinias, ancient Rhizenia. (BD)

Day 5 – Mount IdaA pleasant drive takes us to the Minoan villas at Tylissos, pausing en route to view the Minoan villa and farm at Sklavokambos, Gonies. The scenery is spectacular as we continue into the central Mount Ida range to view the sacred Idean cave – one of the reputed birthplaces of Zeus. We hope to visit the Minoan town of Zominthos. (BD)

Day 6 – To the EastWe take the coastal road to the east of the island. First stop is at the site of the Minoan town of Gournia, a warren of narrow, cobbled streets and a small palatial and ritual area in the centre. Stunning views over the Gulf of Mirabello, and a lunch break at the Platanos Taverna. We will make a stop to explore the unusual oval Minoan House at Hamezi before continuing to Siteia where we will check in to the Lassion Golden Bay Hotel for three nights on half board basis. (BD)

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CRETE DEPART 13th May 2016

Standard Tour Price: £2,685

Single Supplement: £220

TOUR CODE: AWCR 130516

CRETE

Day 7 – Ports and PeaksWe start the day at the site of the Minoan palace at Petras. Continuing east we view the tranquil Toplou Monastery, housed within a fortress-like exterior before we reach the coast. Next stop is at the ruins of the Hellenistic coastal city of Itanos. We have a lunch break at a taverna before we explore the extensive ruins of the Minoan port-town of Paleokastro. Our driver will then drop those doing the climb to the Peak Sanctuary of Petsofas and return to Paleokastro for the others to view the Folk Museum. Later we return to Siteia. (BD)

Day 8 – Zakros PalaceA visit to Siteia Archaeological Museum where we see local finds including the Paleokastro ‘kouros’ figure made from hippopotamus ivory, followed by a visit to the artisans’ houses in Trypitas. We travel past Minoan sanctuaries, in a surreal landscape of purple to red earth. We will drop off those wishing to walk down the Gorge of the Dead to the Minoan palace at Kato Zakros, probably the main port for Egypt. Those who stay on the bus will have a little longer on site. We return to Siteia and explore the harbour and the Venetian fort. (BD)

Day 9 – Unsung WondersToday we enter the impressive Minoan Tholos tomb at Platiskino, then the Venetian villa at Etia, and the deserted Medieval village at Voila. We pass Makrigialos, head west, through Ierapetra, and stop at a taverna in the pretty village of Myrtos. Next, we climb to the Minoan villa of Myrtos Pirgos before checking in to the Blue Bay Hotel in Elounda, for the next three nights on half board basis. (BD)

Day 10 – From Palace to RefugeTo the Minoan palace at Malia to see recent excavations. Then we leave Hersonissus for the Lasithi Plateau, and enter the Dhiktean Cave, another reputed birthplace of Zeus. We pause in Tzermiadho for a break before taking the steep drive to the little Nissimos Plateau dropping off those making the trek to the Minoan Refuge of Karfi. Those remaining can opt for the short climb to the Trapeza Cave or just relax in Tzermiadho before we return to Elounda. (BD)

Day 11 – Local GemsA relaxing start to the day looking at the Byzantine frescos in the Church of Panayia Kira near Kritsa. We also explore the ruins of the Doric city of Lato. Returning to Ayios Nikolaus, we visit the Archaeological Museum. We also make the boat trip to the Venetian fortress and former leper colony on Spinalonga. (BD)

Day 12 – Tuesday 24th May 2016This morning we travel to Heraklion Airport for our flight back to the UK. (B)

The Persian Kingdom was one of the greatest powers of the ancient world and our popular classic tour of Iran offers the chance to see some of the stunning sites in this wonderful country. Archaeological highlights include Persepolis, Pasargadae, Susa, Kermanshah, Kangavar, Tepe Sialk and much more. Enjoy the beautiful city of Isfahan known as ‘Half the World’ and the fine medieval city of Shiraz known as ‘City of Roses and Nightingales’.

Overwhelming hospitality, ancient sites, wonderful Islamic architecture, spectacular scenery, and the treasures of Teheran, all feature on this trail of delight through the wonders of Persian and Islamic Iran.

At time of printing FCO advice is against all but essential travel but we are hopeful this will soon change and that we will be able to set a date for our tour of this fascinating and beautiful country.

If you are interested, please register your details with us, either by phone or email, so that you are among the first to know.

THE MAGIC OF PERSIA

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Passport,Visa and Immigration RequirementsIt is the personal responsibility of the passenger to make sure his or her passport is valid and contains the necessary visa and travel documents for his or her journey. As visas are issued within a time limit we strongly advise that no visas are obtained prior to eight weeks before your departure date. We emphasise that your specific passport and visa requirements, and other immigration requirements, are your responsibility and you should confirm these with the relevant Embassies and/or Consulates. We do not accept any responsibility if you cannot travel because you have not complied with any passport, visa or immigration requirements.

HealthHealth authorities change vaccination requirements as the need may arise and it is advisable to check the up-to-date position before departure. We suggest that you contact the Medical Advisory Service for Travellers Abroad (MASTA) on their travellers’ premium rate health line telephone number 09068 224100 (http://www.masta.org). MASTA will provide you with written advice on both health matters and Foreign Office travel advice. In the interest of our passengers we now have a no smoking rule on all private transportation for accompanied groups.

Special Needs/Pre-existing Medical ConditionsThe nature of our holidays means that there is inevitably a significant amount of embarkation and disembarkation from vehicles, the negotiation of steps, etc. Travellers who will require assistance or who are not independently mobile should contact us before booking to discuss their precise requirements with us so that full advice can be given. The essence of group travel is the provision of equal amounts of assistance, attention and advice to all members of a group and this may not always be possible if individual travellers require increased assistance.

Health and Safety StandardsWe take health and safety abroad very seriously and have specially appointed staff who assess and monitor the safety standards for all aspects of your holiday, including the hotels, transportation and sightseeing we feature in the brochure. Many of the properties have been personally visited by Voyages Jules Verne employees and they, together with hotel managers and our overseas agents, review and monitor the health and safety provisions. Many of the destinations we feature are less developed countries and health and safety does not conform to British standards. Bearing this in mind, we recommend that you take a few sensible precautions at your hotel (such as checking where the nearest fire exit is and exercising caution when entering the swimming pool).

Cost of Holiday Includes:a) Transportation - All travel by economy class air services (from UK back to UK), cruiseboat, rail and coach as indicated. b)Transfers -Transportation between airports, hotels and cruiseboats (and vice versa). c)

Accommodation - In twin or double bedded rooms (or cabins/berths on cruiseboats) with private bath or shower and toilet (where available). Single accommodation is not available in some of the places we visit. The right is reserved to substitute hotels for those named in the brochure when necessary. Single rooms: Whilst the facilities in these rooms are comparable to those of the twin or double bedded rooms, it should be noted that single rooms may not always be in the same area of the hotel as the twin or double bedded rooms and may tend to be on the small side. d) Meals - For ease of reference, meals included in any given itinerary are specified each day. e) Sightseeing - Excursions are detailed in the itineraries (except optional excursions), including guides, cars, coaches and entrance fees for places visited. f) Gratuities -Tipping is included in the cost of your holiday only for included services on holidays accompanied by a tour manager (porterage, transfers, hotel and restaurant staff and included sightseeing). Personal tipping, as always, must remain a matter for the discretion of the individual. Tipping is not included for, extensions, unescorted holidays and Tailor Made holidays.

Cost of Holiday does not Include:Passport and visa charges, insurance, optional excursions, personal items such as wine, spirits and laundry, or any government taxes or compulsory charges introduced after the publication of this brochure.

Brochure AccuracyAll the information in our brochure has been thoroughly checked before going to press in June 2015. However we realise that there may be subsequent changes due to circumstances beyond our control and occasionally a holiday may not operate as planned. An airline may change its flight schedule half way through the season thereby upsetting the whole itinerary which we hastily have to amend or a hotel may be taken over or even closed down unexpectedly causing us difficulty in finding one of a comparable standard. Government action has been known to affect holidays in certain areas and the weather can be unpredictable. Should there be any changes within a holiday on which you are booked to travel, we shall do our best to keep you informed of the situation prior to departure. We reserve the right to alter any of the prices and services offered in our brochure at any time prior to the issue of our Confirmation Invoice when a contract will exist. Any such changes will be advised at the time that you make your booking.

Validity of BrochureThe programme of travel in this brochure operates from September 2015 to May 2016. Bookings for departures after this date will be treated as advance registrations. The validity of this brochure expires on the publication of the Company’s relevant regional brochure for 2016/17.

International Air Transport AssociationThe itineraries in this brochure use the regular airlines of IATA as appropriate.

IMPORTANT HOLIDAY INFORMATION AND BOOKING CONDITIONS

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Tour PricesAll prices listed in the brochure are correct at the time of printing and are per person price based on twin share accommodation including excursions, meals, and international flights unless otherwise stated.

The following terms and conditions (‘booking conditions’) form the basis of your contract with Voyages Jules Verne. Please read them carefully as they set out our respective rights and obligations. By asking us to confirm your booking, we are entitled to assume that you have had the opportunity to read and have read these terms and conditions and agree to them. Except where otherwise stated, these booking conditions only apply to holiday arrangements which you book with us in the UK and which we agree to make, provide or perform (as applicable) as part of our contract with you. All references in these booking conditions to ‘holiday, ‘booking’, ‘contract’, ‘package’, ‘tour’ or ‘arrangements mean such holiday arrangements unless otherwise stated. In these booking conditions, ‘you’ and ‘your’ means all persons named on the booking (including anyone who is added or substituted at a later date) or any of them, as the context requires and ‘lead name’ means the person who makes the booking. ‘We’, ‘us’ and ‘our’ means Voyages Jules Verne.

1. The Booking AgreementAny contract between you and us is subject to these Booking Conditions. The contract shall be governed by and construed in accordance with English law and is subject to the jurisdiction of the Courts of England and Wales. Alternatively it shall be governed by and construed in accord ance with the law of Scotland or the law of North ern Ireland and shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the Courts of those countries respectively if you are domiciled there.

2. Your Financial ProtectionThe Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992 require us to provide security for the monies that you pay for the package holidays booked and for your repa triation in the event of our insolvency.

We hold an Air Travel Organiser’s Licence issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (ATOL number 0132, Kuoni Travel Ltd). When you buy an ATOL protected flight or flight inclusive holiday* from us you will receive an ATOL Certificate. This lists what is financially protected, where you can get information on what this means for you and who to contact if things go wrong. For further informa tion visit the ATOL website at www.atol.org.uk *The air inclusive holidays and flights we arrange are ATOL protected providing either the person who pays for the booking is present in the UK when the booking is made or the first leg of any flight or flights we arrange for you commences in the UK.

We, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL Cer tificate, will provide you with the services listed on the ATOL

Certificate (or a suitable alternative). In some cases, where neither we nor the supplier are able to do so for

reasons of insolvency, an alternative ATOL holder may provide you with the services you have bought or a suitable alternative (at no extra cost to you). You agree to accept that in those circumstances the alternative ATOL holder will perform those obligations and you agree to pay any money outstanding to be paid by you under your contract to that alternative ATOL holder. However, you also agree that in some cases it will not be possible to appoint an alternative ATOL holder, in which case you will be entitled to make a claim under the ATOL scheme (or your credit card issuer where applicable).

If we, or the suppliers identified on your ATOL certificate, are unable to provide the services listed (or a suitable alternative, through an alternative ATOL holder or otherwise) for reasons of insolvency, the Trustees of the Air Travel Trust may make a payment to (or confer a benefit on) you under the ATOL scheme. You agree that in return for such a payment or benefit you assign absolutely to those Trustees any claims which you have or may have arising out of or relating to the non-provision of the services, including any claim against us, the travel agent (or your credit card issuer where applicable). You also agree that any such claims may be re-assigned to another body, if that other body has paid sums you have claimed under the ATOL scheme.

We are also a member of ABTA (ABTA Number V1661). When you buy a package holiday that does not include a flight, protection is provided by way of a bond held by ABTA The Travel Association. Please go to www.abta.com for a copy of the guide to ABTA’s scheme of Financial Protection.

If you book arrangements other than a flight or package holiday (e.g. accommodation only), the financial protection referred to above does not apply.

3. To Make a BookingTo make a booking please telephone us on local call 0333 335 9494 (+44 333 335 9494) at which time you will be asked to send the appropriate non-refundable deposit of £400 per person or full payment (A higher, vari able deposit may apply to certain programmes. Details will be advised at time of booking). Pay ment may be made by credit/debit card or by cheque. Cheques should be made payable to Voyages Jules Verne. On receipt of your deposit, we will send you a confirmation/invoice.

4. Tour BalanceThe balance due must be paid to us at least 61 days before you travel. If this is not done then we reserve the right to cancel your holiday and make cancellation charges. If you ask us not to cancel your potential liability to pay charges will increase according to the scale set out below. Your failure to pay the balance in these circum stances could result in cancellation charges of up to 100% of the final invoice. If you book 61 days or less before departure, then the full amount must be paid when you book. Balance payments made by credit card (e.g. MasterCard, Visa Credit) and non-UK debit cards are subject to a 2% transaction charge. There is no transaction charge if you pay by UK debit card (e.g. Maestro, Visa Debit).

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IMPORTANT HOLIDAY INFORMATION AND BOOKING CONDITIONS

5. To Change Your BookingChange or addition to your booking: If you want to change any part of your holiday arrangements after the invoice has been issued, we will do our best to make the change, but it may not be possible. Any request for changes must be made by the person who made the original booking. We may ask you to put these in writing.If it is possible to make the change, it will be sub ject to an administration charge of £30 per per son, and payment of any further costs incurred as a result of the change such as the cost of re placement visa, re – ticketing costs of scheduled transport, costs associated with changed group numbers. Scheduled airlines normally regard name changes as a cancellation and rebooking, and any alteration may incur a 100% cancella tion charge in respect of the air fare. If it is not possible for us to make changes for whatever reason, you have the choice of proceeding with the holiday as originally booked, or of cancelling and paying cancellation charges in accordance with the scale shown below. If any change can be made, you must check whether it will invali date your visa or insurance cover, in which case it may be necessary to take out alternative, ad ditional or new cover depending on the circum stances. Please note that it will not be possible to make changes within 28 days of your scheduled departure date.

Name Spellings: It is essential that the names of all passengers you give us at the time of book ing are exactly the names (including forenames) that are shown on those persons’ passports. In many cases, and in order to guarantee your special airfare, tickets must be issued within two weeks of your date of booking and any subsequent changes, including changes to the spelling of names, amendments and cancella tions, will incur costs up to the full value of the air ticket, regardless of the time period.

Name Changes: (where you transfer your booking to another person): These may be made up to 7 days prior to departure but will similarly incur the costs of changing the name on the air ticket in addition to the full cost of the holiday and any other alteration charges equivalent to what it may cost us at the time, provided that any requisite replacement visas can be obtained. If not, normal cancellation charges will apply. The cost of new visas and insurance (where applicable) will also be payable. An administration charge will be made of £50 per person for requests made more than 61days before departure, and £100 per person within 61 days before departure.

6. To Cancel Your BookingShould you wish to cancel your tour, you should notify us directly in writing as soon as possible.

The scale of cancellation charges detailed is calculated according to the number of days prior to departure that written notice of cancellation is received by us:

Prior to Departure Date: Cancellation Charges

More than 60 days Deposit only42 – 60 days 50% or deposit, whichever is higher33 – 41 days 60% or deposit, whichever is higher15 – 32 days 90% of final invoiceLess than 15 days 100% of final invoice

7. Cancellation of Tours by UsTours are based on an economic minimum number of passengers (usually 10). Should this not be reached, we reserve the right to continue to operate (with local guides instead of a tour manager if one has been advertised) or up to 8 weeks prior to departure to cancel this tour – in these circumstances we would not be liable to pay you any additional compensation.

Your rights following cancellation by us: In the circumstances of cancellation of a tour or holiday by us we will offer you the choice of an alternative tour of equivalent quality (if avail able) or a tour of lower quality if you require it (if available) in which case we will refund to you the difference in price between the original booking and the tour of lower quality; or we will make you a prompt refund of any monies paid by you to us under the original booking.

In the unlikely event that it is necessary for us to cancel or significantly alter a tour in other circum stances, we will offer compensation to you as detailed below:

Period prior to departure date when cancellation is notified to you:Period prior to departure date Compensation

More than 61days £1061 – 42 days £2041 – 15 days £3014 – 0 days £35

We are not liable to pay compensation to you where:a. the package is cancelled because the number of persons who agree to take it is less than the minimum number of persons required as set out above and you are informed of the cancellation in writing at least 61 days prior to the departure date of your tour or holiday or:

45

b. the package is cancelled by reason of unusual and unforeseea ble circumstances beyond our control, the conse quences of which could not have been avoided even if all due care had been exercised.

If you choose not to accept our offer of compen sation as specified above you may either refer your claim for compensation to a Court or to arbitration as set out below.

8. Changes to the Scheduled ProgrammeThe tours scheduled in our brochure are planned many months in advance and sometimes changes may be necessary although we would normally expect to be able to provide you with the services confirmed by us in respect of your original booking.

The arrangements featured in our brochure are by their very nature complex with services from many different airlines, hotels and transportation companies. Due to demand for flights, hotels and accommodation and transportation over which we have no control, it is not always possible to guarantee flight or other transport departures, the aircraft type or other type of transportation, or accommodation. Flight or other transportation timings and carriers are stated to you for guidance only. Final details will be shown on your tickets or sent with your Joining Instructions, approximately two weeks prior to travel. We reserve the right to make changes. We will make every effort to provide as much advance notification as possible but we feel it is only fair to warn you of possible variations. Where these are significant you may be entitled to compensation as set out above.

Force majeure changes or cancellationWe may have to make changes to your tour or holiday in the event of force majeure and if we have to cancel or change your tour or holiday in any way because of this, we will not be liable to pay compensation to you. Force majeure is for example, circumstances where performance and/or prompt performance is prevented by war, threat of war, riot, civil disturbance, natural or nuclear disasters, industrial dispute (defined below), terrorist activity, fire, or adverse weather conditions. Industrial dispute is defined as a dispute between a person, other than ourselves, supplying services comprised in a package holi day and (a) his employee and/or (b) any other person whose services affect the performance of the package holiday, which we cannot reason ably be expected to overcome by substituting comparable alternative arrangements.

Airline Carriers: In accordance with EU regulations we are re quired to advise you of the actual air carrier oper ating your flight/connecting flight/transfer. We do this by listing carriers to be used or likely to be used on the relevant brochure pages and/or your holiday confirmation invoice.

Any changes to the actual airline after you have received your tickets will be notified to you as soon as possible and in all cases at check – in or at the boarding gate. Such a change is deemed to be a minor change.

Border Crossings: In some countries lengthy delays may be experi enced at border crossings between two countries. Such delays are subject to the discre tion of the national or local authorities regulating the border crossing. We cannot offer any accurate estimate of the length of such delay and if you require further information you should make your own enquiries.

River Boats and Cruises: All itineraries that include river and coastal cruis ing are subject to amendment according to river or sea conditions at the time of travel which includes water levels (high and low), weather conditions such as fog and technical issues with locks, bridges and the vessels themselves. Where such variations affect the itinerary a re placement programme by land will be arranged. Most waterways are controlled by statutory au thorities who can also impose restrictions without notice.

9. Important NotesAccommodation Outside the UK: The standard of accommodation, whether in hotels or on rail, ship or boat, will vary according to the standards available in the country in which the accommodation is being provided and should be judged by the standards of that country. In some countries the standards will be basic and not of the level associated with a conventional package holiday.

If you are in any doubt about the suitability to your own requirements of the facilities, transportation, accommodation or con ditions prevailing in any country through which the tour passes, then you should make written enquiry with us as we cannot be held responsible for failure to meet your requirements if these are not made known to us.

Whilst every effort will be made to meet reasonable requests, they cannot be guaranteed.

Hotel rooms are generally available between noon and 3pm for check-in and are to be va cated between 10am and noon irrespective of your arrival or departure times, details of which will be confirmed by your hotel. Hotels will gener ally make provision to secure your luggage until rooms are available.

On occasion it may be pos sible to obtain day-rooms subject to availability and extra payment.

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IMPORTANT HOLIDAY INFORMATION AND BOOKING CONDITIONS

Special Requests: Any special request or requirement which is es sential to your booking (such as specific dietary requirements, wheelchair assistance or special facilities for certain medical conditions) must be made known to us in writing before you book.

We will contact our suppliers and the request will only become a term of your contract with us if we confirm in writing that the request can be met and your booking proceeds on that basis. We are also happy to pass on any other reason able requests that you may have such as desired location of hotel rooms or airline seats or other requirements as to meals, but they cannot be guaranteed and will not form part of our contract. No compensation will be payable if such re quests are not fulfilled.

Locally Booked Excursions/Activities: Whilst you are away you may be offered the op portunity to buy optional excursions and activi ties. These are provided by independent local companies, which are neither owned nor con trolled by Voyages Jules Verne, and for whom we act only as an agent. If you decide to buy an excursion or activity, your contract will be made with the local company which provides it and it will not form part of your package with Voyages Jules Verne. The contract may be subject to the excursion/activity provider’s terms and condi tions, some of which may exclude or limit its liability to you, and will be governed by local law and jurisdiction. We accept no liability for any breach of contract or negligent act or omission of any excursion/activity provider. Some excur sions/ activities may contain an element of risk or require a good level of physical fitness, and, if in doubt, you should make direct inquiries with the local provider before deciding to buy and check that you are covered by your insurance policy.

Behaviour: If in our reasonable opinion or in the opinion of any airline pilot, hotel manager, tour leader or other person in authority, your behaviour is caus ing danger, damage to property or persistently affecting the enjoyment of others, we reserve the right to terminate your holiday. Should this hap pen, no refund or compensation would be paid.

10. Fitness to TravelIn making your booking, you confirm that you and all of your party are fit to take this tour, and that you have declared to us any disability or special need which is likely to affect the progress of the tour or the enjoyment of other travellers.

If we reasonably feel unable to properly accom modate the particular needs of the person con cerned, we must reserve the right to decline their reservation or, if full details are not given at the time of booking, decline the reservation when we become aware of these details. Should you or any of your party require a carer or assist ance with mobility, then you accept responsibility for including a suitably qualified person in your booking.11. Prices & Rates of ExchangeNo Surcharge Guarantee - The price of your tour which we confirm to you at the time of booking, including any increases or reductions applied at that time, is fully guaran teed and is not subject to any surcharges.

What the price includes or does not include: Details of the items included or not included in the price are stated on the page of the brochure, leaflet or advertisement by which the price of the tour and the itinerary are published. Please therefore refer to the details separately stated on that page.

Air Passenger Duty: UK airport departure tax is included in all the prices shown.

12. Voyages Jules Verne’s Responsibilitya. Where you do not suffer personal injury or death, we accept liability should any part of your holiday arrangements booked with us not be as described in the brochure from which you have made your booking and not be of a reasonable standard. We will pay you reasonable compensation (lim ited to a maximum of three times the amount paid) unless there has been no fault on our part or that of our suppliers and the reason for the failure in your holiday arrangements could not have been foreseen or avoided by us or our sup pliers even if all due care had been exercised. We will use this maximum sum to assess the appropriate sum due to you in the circumstances of your particular complaint.

b. Should you suffer death or personal injury as a result of an activity forming part of your holiday arrangements booked with us, we accept re sponsibility unless there has been no fault on our part or that of our suppliers and the cause was your own fault, the actions of someone uncon nected with your holiday arrangements or one which neither we nor our suppliers could have anticipated or avoided even with the exercise of all due care. Where such death or personal injury arises in the course of air travel, rail travel, sea travel or hotel accommodation, the amount of compensation you will receive is limited in ac cordance with the provisions of any applicable International Conventions (the 1999 Montreal Convention, the Warsaw Convention as amend ed by the Hague Protocol in 1955, the 1961 Berne Convention, the 1974 Athens Convention and the 1962 Paris Convention as amended). Copies of these Conventions may be obtained by writing to us, please allow at least 28 days for the provision of such information.c. Should you suffer death, personal injury or illness as a result of an activity not forming part of holiday arrangements, booked with us, we give you advice, guidance and, at our discretion, financial assistance where appropriate up to a limit of £5,000. The financial assistance to en able legal action to be taken against the person responsible for your death, personal injury or illness. Should you recover any costs against a third party in respect of such legal action or be insured in respect of such costs and recover the same via insurers any costs actually incurred by us for which you are given assistance shall be recoverable from any costs recovered by you. Further, the financial assistance is per booking form, not per person. Any request for assistance under this section must be made within 90 days of the incident occurring.

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13. ArbitrationShould you have a problem, you must notify the Tour Manager/local representatives/local agent who will do whatever he/she can to help you there and then; you may be asked to complete a customer complaint form at the time.

In the unlikely event that you are not satisfied with the actions taken to deal with your complaint and you wish to take the matter further, you must put your complaint in writing to us within 6 weeks of your return giving all the details. We promise to deal with any dispute fairly and promptly within the terms of these conditions. Disputes arising out of, or in connection with this contract which cannot be amicably settled, may (if you so wish) be referred to arbitration under a special scheme which, though devised by arrangement with the Association of British Travel Agents, is admin istered quite independently by the Chartered lnstitute of Arbitrators. The scheme (details of which can be obtained from ABTA) provides for a simple and inexpensive method of arbitration on documents alone with restricted liability on the customer in respect of costs. The scheme does not apply to claims for an amount greater than £5,000 per person. There is also a limit of £25,000 per booking form. Neither does it apply to claims which are solely or mainly in respect of physical injury or illness or of the consequences of such injury or illness. The rules of the Scheme provide that the application for arbitration must be made within 9 months of the date of return from the holiday but in special circumstances it may still be offered outside this period.

14. Flights & AirlinesWe reserve the right to amend the carrier, type of aircraft or timings on any of the itineraries. When you travel with an airline, scheduled or other wise, the Conditions of Carriage of that airline apply. Some of these will limit or even exclude liability. These conditions are the subject of Inter national Agreements between countries. We can normally advise you of the Conditions, or copies can be made available upon request.Voluntary Denied Boarding: On rare occasions passengers at the airport may be approached by the airline and offered, with appropriate compen sation, a move to a later flight. If this is accepted you should be aware that as a result you may incur additional costs for separate transfer ar rangements at your destination.

Flight Delays: Flight timings are provided by air lines. They are subject to air traffic control restric tions, weather conditions, the need for constant maintenance and the ability of passengers to check in on time. There is no guarantee that the flights will depart at the time shown either in the brochure, on your invoice or on the tickets. The timings are estimates only. When booking con necting flights, rail or car parking or indeed any arrangements that rely on flight timings, you are strongly advised to allow for possible variations.

In the event of a flight being delayed: Be it out ward, onward or homeward, the relevant airline will make arrangements, dependent on the time of day and duration of the delay.

Direct Flights: Where a flight is described as direct, this means that no change of aircraft is necessary. Stops may be made en route for re-fuelling or to pick up/set down passengers. We do not however provide details of such stops where applicable in our documentation.

Air Travel: Airline schedules are quoted as known at the time of going to press, but are subject to possible alterations. Details in respect of flight timings, duration of flights and points of stop-over en route will be sent with your confir mation invoice and with your final travel docu ments.

Community List: In accordance with EU di rective (EC) no. 2111/2005, Article 9, we are required to bring to your attention the existence of a ‘Community List’ which contains details of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban within the EU Community. The Community List is available for inspection via www.dft.gov.uk

15. Brochure Descriptions & PricesImportant Notice: Unfortunately, it is inevitable that some of the prices and details contained within our brochures may have changed since the brochures were printed. We must reserve the right to make such changes. You will be informed about any changes to any of the relevant details within this brochure when you book and before you enter into a contract with us as part of our commitment to quality customer service.

We reserve the right to change any of the services or facilities or prices described in the brochure at any time before a contract is made between us. If there is any change we will tell you before you enter into a contract.

Voyages Jules Verne is a trading name of Kuoni Travel Limited. Registered in England No. 395623. Registered Office: Kuoni House, Deepdene Avenue, Dorking, Surrey RH5 4AZ.

www.ancient.co.ukAWT is an agent of Voyages Jules Verne. These Air Holiday packages are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. VJV’s ATOL No. 0132

VOYAGES JULES VERNE

Ancient World Tours PO Box 12950, London W6 8GY UK

Tel: 0333 335 9494+44 333 335 9494

email info@ancient.co.uk

www.ancient.co.uk