The Archaeology of Upper Egypt
Summary
Upper Egypt, known historically as “Ta Shemau” or “The Land of Reeds,” stretches south from modern Cairo to Aswan. This region defined by the Nile River, with fertile green banks contrasting dramatically with the desert beyond, holds the greatest concentration of ancient monuments in Egypt. This specialized journey through Upper Egypt combines some of these most celebrated monuments with less common archaeological treasures offering perspectives beyond the typical tourist route. Travelling between Esna and Aswan in a traditional dahabiya, we are able to access several sites which are inaccessible by bigger boats and enjoy the slow pace and wonderful scenes of life on the river at close hand.
What to Expect
- Discover the ‘Valley of the Monkeys’ and the Tomb of Ay noted for its scenes of hunting in the marshes
- Enjoy special access to the Tomb of Amenhotep III, a huge tomb in a secluded part of the Valley of the Kings
- Explore Sehel Island where we find some of the earliest and best-preserved examples of ancient Egyptian writing
- Travel in a traditional dahabiya, much as Victorian explorers did over a century ago
