Spend 21 thrilling days visiting the pyramids, the sphinx, the temples and tombs of Luxor and Abu Simbel, Tutankhamen’s treasures, the mummies of the Pharaohs, Petra, Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jericho, the Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee and so much more!

Plus you have the option of being an archaeologist for a week in Israel, as well as an extra week touring Turkey.

Proposed Itinerary

Tuesday April 15 Depart 8:05am on Singapore Airlines flight SQ 222 from Sydney for Cairo via Singapore. Flights from Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth at no extra cost. International travellers can join us in Cairo for the land price only. Price on application.

Wednesday April 16 Transfer to the Sheraton Gezirah Hotel. After a good sleep, take an air conditioned bus to visit the Pharaonic Village where ancient Egypt comes to life. See the replica of Tutankhamen’s tomb. Return to the Cairo Museum with its fabulous collection of treasures from tombs and temples, and see the mummies of the great Pharaohs of Egypt.

Thursday April 17 See Memphis, the capital of Ancient Egypt, then the Step Pyramid of Saqqara and the three great pyramids of Giza. The ancient re-assembled funeral boat of Khufu, then on to the sphinx. Visit a papyrus factory.

Friday April 18 Over the desert by bus to the Faiyyum, Egypt's largest oasis, to the 12th dynasty pyramid of Hawarra, built with mud bricks and straw. Kahun a 3,500 year old city where Israelite slaves were employed.

Saturday April 19 Free day in Cairo.

Sunday April 20 Flight to Luxor, visit the Temple of Luxor and and in the afternoon the massive temple of Karnak with its huge hypostyle columns, obelisks and reliefs.

Monday April 21 The Colossi of Memnon and the Temple of Medinet Habu. Visit an alabaster factory and the Temple of Hatshepsut, then on to the Valley of the Kings and the tomb of Tutankhamen.

Tuesday April 22 By bus to the huge temple of Edfu and the crocodile temple of Kom Ombo. At Aswan visit the Temple of Philae and the granite quarries, and the unfinished obelisk of Hatshepsut.

Wednesday April 23 By bus to the Temple of Abu Simbel, cut out of the cliff face for Rameses II. Return to Cairo by Egypt Air. In the evening see the impressive Sound and Light Show at the pyramids.

Thursday April 24 By bus under the Suez Canal and across the Sinai Desert in the footsteps of the Exodus. Through Eilat and Aqaba and on to Petra.

Friday April 25 Walk, or ride a horse to the Siq, through the clefts in the rock that lead into the rose red city of Petra. See El Gazneh, the temple cut out of the cliff face, the theatre, if energetic climb to the High Place or walk to the newly discovered temple.

Saturday April 26 Free day in Petra

Sunday April 27 North to the Dead Sea and the hot pools where Herod eased his aching limbs. Cross over the Jordan River into Israel, up to Jerusalem to the Dan Panorama Hotel. Visit the Mount of Olives for a superb view of the Temple Arena, then the Garden of Gethsemane and Mount Zion.

Monday April 28 Through the Damascus Gate to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, then along the Via Dolorosa to the Pool of Bethsheba, and the Western Wall where the Jews pray for their holy city. On to the City of David and Hezekiah’s Tunnel.

Tuesday April 29 The Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, then the Herodion where Ehud Netzer recently found the tomb of Herod. In the afternoon to the Garden Tomb and the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls are on display. The Israel Museum is closed.

Wednesday April 30 Along the highway to Caesarea. Herod's harbour was a world wonder. See his recently excavated hippodrome and palace, and the inscription of Pontius Pilate. On to Megiddo of Armageddon fame, the baptismal site on the Jordan River, and an enjoyable stay in the luxury hotel overlooking the Sea of Galilee.

Thursday May 1 Sail across the Sea of Galilee for a tour of the kibbutz at Ein Gev to see how a kibbutz functions. Circle the lake, stopping at Kursi and the fortress city of Hazor before returning to see the boat from Jesus' day excavated from the bottom of the lake near Ginnosar. On to the synagogue at Capernaum, the church of the loaves and fishes.

Friday May 2 The wedding village of Cana, then to Nazareth to visit the Church of the Annunciation and walk through the bazaar. Explore Beth Shearim's burial catacombs. Return to Jerusalem.

Saturday May 3 Free day in Jerusalem. You may wish to visit the Great Synagogue.

Sunday May 4 Down the road to Jericho, then to Qumran and the cave where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Take a swim in the Dead Sea where you cannot sink, then explore the ruins of Masada. Those going on to the dig will transfer to the dig accommodation, while the others remain at Dan Panorama Hotel before leaving for the airport early next morning.

Monday May 5 Transfer to Tel Aviv airport for flight to Singapore via Istanbul.

Tueesday May 6 Depart Singapore for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth. (Times will vary slightly according to destination - details on enquiry).

ONE WEEK TOUR OF TURKEY

Monday May 12 Fly to Izmir, bus to Pergamos. Overnight in Izmir.

Tuesday May 13 Take an air-conditioned bus to Ephesus, the hot pools of Pammukale, and Laodicea.

Wednesday May 14 See Philadelphia, Sardis, back to Izmir to fly to Ankara.

Thursday May 15 Travel to the Hittite haunts of Alaca Huyuk and Hattusis, the Hittite capital, then to Cappadocia.

Friday May 16 Visit the weird "fairy chimneys" and rock-cut churches of Cappadocia, return to Ankara and fly to Istanbul.

Saturday May 17 Free day in Istanbul. A day cruise on the Bosphorus can be arranged.

Sunday May 18 See the fabulous Topkapi Palace, Hittite and Roman Museums, and Hagia Sophia. o/n Istanbul.

Monday May 19 Fly out to Australia or elsewhere.

Be an archaeologist

As an optional extra, join David Down and the Archaeological Diggings team and be an archaeologist for a week. Monday May 5 - Sunday May 11 Work on our own dig site each day (except Saturday which is a public holiday in Israel). Accommodation, breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus transport to and from the dig site, are provided. Some side trips may be organized depending on interest. The dig cost includes all dig fees, accommodation, meals, transfers, transport and extra sightseeing.

Cost for the dig only: $950 (subject to modification).

Monday May 12 Early morning transfer to Tel Aviv airport for your flight to Singapore via Istanbul. (Stopover in Istanbul and/or Singapore can be arranged). Depart Singapore for Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth. Arrive Sydney 7pm Tuesday.

What the tour includes

The tour price includes all air and land travel costs involved in the itinerary as well as admission fees to all sites visited as a group. First class, twin-share hotel accommodation is provided, with private bathroom. All breakfasts and dinners on the tour are included, as well as hotel tips, porterage, visas and airport taxes while with the group. Cost of drinks (including bottled water), passports, travel insurance, all photographic expenses, including camera tickets at museums etc and personal items are not included in the tour price.

(All prices subject to modification before departure).

Middle East Tour Price

(All prices subject to modification before departure)

The dig in Israel only: $950

Turkey Tour Price $1,985 (Single extra)

If you cannot take the whole tour, then join us for part of the tour, eg. two weeks in Egypt and Petra, two weeks in Israel including the dig or just come to Turkey. Price on application.

Reserve your place now!

Our tour groups are small and friendly. Since places on the tour are limited, you are advised to make your plans early and contact us as soon as possible. A deposit of $A150 is required with your application, along with a photocopy of the front page of your passport. The deposit is refundable, except for a $A20 cancellation fee. Full payment is required eight weeks before departure. Please phone/write/email for more information. Our brochure containing tips on travelling in the Middle East is available for anyone and is sent to all applicants.

This is your opportunity to visit all the major historical and archaeological sites in Egypt with David Down, editor of Archaeological Diggings, Australia's top magazine of ancient history and archaeology. David has been visiting the Middle East for over 30 years. He has lectured around Australia, and will give on-site explanations of the history of each site and a description of the archaeological discoveries made there.

Extra travel

We will travel on flexible excursion tickets (group discount) with Singapore Airlines. Tickets can be cancelled or dates changed at any time though some charges may apply. At your own cost you can go on to Europe or America before or after the tour, providing you return to Australia within one year of your departure. You may also have a 3 day stopover in Singapore at your own expense on the return journey. Our travel agent can arrange for transfers and accommodation at quality hotels close to the city centre. Travellers from other countries may join the tour in Cairo for the tour cost, less the price of the Australian air ticket.

Our travel agent is:
Jacqui Haynes
SPD Travel Service
Locked Bag 2014
Wahroonga
NSW 2014
Phone: (02) 9847 3203 Fax (02) 9847 3300.

Travel in Egypt between Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel is mostly by air. On the ground we will have our own comfortable, air-conditioned coach and you will stay in luxury hotels which include buffet breakfasts and dinners that cater for a wide variety of tastes.

All cost of travel outside the itinerary is the responsibility of the applicant. The itinerary is subject to change as circumstances may make necessary, and extra costs for such changes are the passenger's responsibility. Prices quoted are based on air fares, taxes and foreign exchange in effect 1 Sep 2007 and are subject to any change that may become effective at a later date. No refund can be made for any services offered on the itinerary but not used.

More information? Phone now on
(02) 1800 240543
Fax: 02 9012 0082

or write to Diggings (Australian office)

If you would like to receive information about travel in the Middle East, please send us your name and address, using the form below.