Amelia Peabody in Egypt – Crocodile on the Sandbank, 3-day Tour

Morning

‘The massive bulk bursts suddenly on one’s sight…it fills the sky. And the colour! Mellow gold in the sunlight against a heavenly blue vault.’

So says Amelia when she first experiences the Great Pyramid of Khufu, the last of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing to this date.

We will pick you up from your chosen location in Greater Cairo, or Cairo International Airport and travel in luxury air-conditioned vehicle to Giza, where there will be several options to visit the Pyramids and the Sphinx. Perhaps on horseback or camel? Or maybe more sedately in a horse and carriage.

Afternoon

‘I admired, I desired – I lusted after pyramids!’

This afternoon we will visit Sakkara, the vast, ancient burial ground serving the ancient city of Memphis.  You will have the opportunity to visit the famous step pyramids, one of which, the Djoser Step Pyramid, is the oldest complete stone building known in history.

We will also visit Abu Sir, an extensive necropolis of the Old Kingdom period with 14 pyramids on site, and the Dahshur pyramids which were an extremely important learning experience for the Egyptians. It provided them with the knowledge and know-how to transition from step-sided pyramids to smooth-sided pyramids. Ultimately their breadth of experience would allow them to build the Great Pyramid of Giza.

We will return you to your hotel.

‘Not that the place wasn’t fascinating; it contained many marvellous things.’

Morning

This morning we will visit the Egyptian Museum, where Amelia was impressed by the exhibits but not the dust and the clutter. The museum is home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian antiquities with c120,000 items, including the famous Tutankhamun mask.

Afternoon

This afternoon you have free time. Optional tours are available – why not visit Khan Al Khalili, the ancient Egyptian Souq, or the Citadel, both visited by Amelia and Evelyn? Or you can rest before your long day tomorrow.

‘Below me a panorama of desert rolled away to the blue curve of the river, with the western cliffs beyond like ramparts of dull gold.’

Today we have an early start to visit Beni Hassan, an ancient cemetery site; the Royal Tomb of Akhenaten, the heretic pharaoh; and Amarna, the extensive Egyptian archaeological site that represents the remains of the capital city established and built by the Pharaoh Akhenaten.

Much of the action in the book takes place in this atmospheric location. You will be able to see the tombs where Amelia, Evelyn and the Emerson brothers had their camps, and feel the ancient atmosphere.

Amelia says it best:

‘I seemed to see the ruined walls rise up again, the stately villas in their green groves and gardens, the white walls of the temples, adorned with brilliantly painted reliefs, the flash of gold-tipped flagstaffs, with crimson pennants flying in the breeze.’

Once you have finished exploring this fascinating area and immersing yourself in ancient Egypt, we will set off for Cairo and return you to your preferred location within Greater Cairo.