


Cleopatra's Egypt
From £4,645
Summary
A journey into the Hellenistic and Roman Kingdom
Travel in the footsteps of Alexander, Cleopatra, Julius Caesar & Mark Antony as we explore the monuments of Alexandria, capital of the Ptolemies, one of the great cities of the Hellenistic and Roman world. Near Alexandria on the edge of the western desert, we visit the 6th century Christian pilgrimage town of St. Menas, and Abusir, which in recent years has been a focus for the search for Cleopatra’s tomb.
In modern Cairo, the Roman Babylon, we visit not only Roman and early Islamic remains but delve back further in time to the early Pharaonic monuments at Saqqara and Giza, including a visit to the Grand Egyptian Museum.
The sites we explore on this memorable tour will bring the world of Cleopatra’s Egypt vividly back to life.
Tour highlights:




- See the grand gallery as well as the royal burial chamber of the Great Pyramid of Khufu
- Visit the recently reopened step pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara
- Experience the vibrant bustle of Coptic and Islamic Cairo
- Explore the fascinating remains of Ptolemaic and Roman Alexandria
Today's Price
£4,645
Deposit: £500 Single supplement: £660
Includes flights
Enhance your experience
Whether you want to add extra nights on either side of your tour, you want to upgrade your flight or hotel room, or you are hoping to enjoy a door-to-door airport transfer, we can help.
To add special extras to your tour, call our Specialist Sales Executives to discuss your needs on 01722 713800.
Meet your Experts
Tony O’Connor
Andante Guide Lecturer
Tony O'Connor is a specialist in the Roman Empire, who has excavated widely across Britain, Europe and North Africa. He is particularly passionate about Roman North Africa, having excavated in Libya for many years.
Your itinerary
Day 1 - London - Cairo
We depart from London and arrive in Cairo – this buzzing, energetic metropolis that is Egypt’s extraordinary capital and a city that Egyptians admiringly refer to as ‘the Mother of the World’.
A snack will be provided in the hotel room due to late arrival.

Hotel | Cairo Marriott Hotel |
---|
Cairo Marriott Hotel
Our hotel is situated on Gezira Island in the affluent, Zamalek district of Cairo. This is a quieter, suburban part of Cairo with tree lined streets and up market restaurants. The island was once dominated by large, opulent ornamented villas that were erected in the 19th and early 20th century and the Marriott hotel itself began life as a visitor’s palace, created specifically for the grand inauguration celebrations of for the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. There are plenty of landmarks on this island, from the Cairo tower and Opera house, to the hotel itself and the area offers all the charm of an island oasis as well as the culture of a large city. This is a large hotel which has been extended over the years, but there is still evidence of its neo classical architecture which sits at its core and it retains its 19th Century Egyptian designs, with plush public rooms, high ceilings and chandeliers. Onsite you will find an outdoor swimming pool, gym, a number of restaurants and cafes, 24hr reception with a currency exchange, 6 acres of landscaped gardens and even its own retired cruise boat which is now a bar. Oh, and of course the casino if you are feeling lucky! There is also a modern spa, where you can get massages and treatments for an extra fee. The rooms are large and well-appointed and are equipped with safe, air conditioning, soundproofing, a minibar and tea/coffee making facilities. Some rooms have balconies, while others have views out to the Nile, or across the city. Wifi is also available in the rooms.
Day 2 - Giza & Cairo
This morning we visit the pyramid complexes on the Giza Plateau, including the Great Pyramid – a true wonder of the ancient world, where atmospheric passageways lead to the breath-taking grand gallery and royal burial chamber. We also explore the Valley Temple of Khafra and the enigmatic Great Sphinx, whose limestone form has occupied this spot for more than 4,000 years. In the afternoon we enjoy a visit to the Museum of Antiquities in Tharir Square, Cairo (up until the new GEM in Giza opens), where the world’s most extensive exhibitions in pharaonic artefacts can be seen. Among the many treasures on display are the solid gold mask of Tutankhamun, and the Narmer Palette, thought to depict the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt.

Hotel | Cairo Marriott Hotel |
---|---|
Meals included | All meals included |
Cairo Marriott Hotel
Our hotel is situated on Gezira Island in the affluent, Zamalek district of Cairo. This is a quieter, suburban part of Cairo with tree lined streets and up market restaurants. The island was once dominated by large, opulent ornamented villas that were erected in the 19th and early 20th century and the Marriott hotel itself began life as a visitor’s palace, created specifically for the grand inauguration celebrations of for the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. There are plenty of landmarks on this island, from the Cairo tower and Opera house, to the hotel itself and the area offers all the charm of an island oasis as well as the culture of a large city. This is a large hotel which has been extended over the years, but there is still evidence of its neo classical architecture which sits at its core and it retains its 19th Century Egyptian designs, with plush public rooms, high ceilings and chandeliers. Onsite you will find an outdoor swimming pool, gym, a number of restaurants and cafes, 24hr reception with a currency exchange, 6 acres of landscaped gardens and even its own retired cruise boat which is now a bar. Oh, and of course the casino if you are feeling lucky! There is also a modern spa, where you can get massages and treatments for an extra fee. The rooms are large and well-appointed and are equipped with safe, air conditioning, soundproofing, a minibar and tea/coffee making facilities. Some rooms have balconies, while others have views out to the Nile, or across the city. Wifi is also available in the rooms.
Day 3 - Cairo
This morning we discover the rich Islamic culture and history of Egypt at the spectacular Sultan Hassan Mosque, the Al Rifau Mosque and the bustling and vibrant Khan al Khalili. After lunch, we explore the Coptic culture and history of Egypt at the Museum of Coptic Art, and visit one of Cairo’s oldest churches, the ‘Hanging Church’.

Hotel | Cairo Marriott Hotel |
---|---|
Meals included | All meals included |
Cairo Marriott Hotel
Our hotel is situated on Gezira Island in the affluent, Zamalek district of Cairo. This is a quieter, suburban part of Cairo with tree lined streets and up market restaurants. The island was once dominated by large, opulent ornamented villas that were erected in the 19th and early 20th century and the Marriott hotel itself began life as a visitor’s palace, created specifically for the grand inauguration celebrations of for the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. There are plenty of landmarks on this island, from the Cairo tower and Opera house, to the hotel itself and the area offers all the charm of an island oasis as well as the culture of a large city. This is a large hotel which has been extended over the years, but there is still evidence of its neo classical architecture which sits at its core and it retains its 19th Century Egyptian designs, with plush public rooms, high ceilings and chandeliers. Onsite you will find an outdoor swimming pool, gym, a number of restaurants and cafes, 24hr reception with a currency exchange, 6 acres of landscaped gardens and even its own retired cruise boat which is now a bar. Oh, and of course the casino if you are feeling lucky! There is also a modern spa, where you can get massages and treatments for an extra fee. The rooms are large and well-appointed and are equipped with safe, air conditioning, soundproofing, a minibar and tea/coffee making facilities. Some rooms have balconies, while others have views out to the Nile, or across the city. Wifi is also available in the rooms.
Day 4 - Saqqara - Memphis
We start our day with a visit to Saqqara, a vast necropolis to the ancient Egyptian capital of Memphis. We discover the incredible Step Pyramid of Djoser and the smooth-sided Pyramid of Unas, the Mastaba of Mereruka, the Serapeum, catacombs for the sacred Apis bulls and resting place of the body of Alexander the Great on its journey to Alexandria. We also visit the Imhotep Museum, home to unique exhibits found during excavations nearby. After lunch we visit Memphis which served as the country’s capital during the Old Kingdom. Today this bustling ancient city is reduced to an open-air museum, its highlight the extraordinary fallen colossus of Ramesses II.

Hotel | Cairo Marriott Hotel |
---|---|
Meals included | All meals included |
Cairo Marriott Hotel
Our hotel is situated on Gezira Island in the affluent, Zamalek district of Cairo. This is a quieter, suburban part of Cairo with tree lined streets and up market restaurants. The island was once dominated by large, opulent ornamented villas that were erected in the 19th and early 20th century and the Marriott hotel itself began life as a visitor’s palace, created specifically for the grand inauguration celebrations of for the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869. There are plenty of landmarks on this island, from the Cairo tower and Opera house, to the hotel itself and the area offers all the charm of an island oasis as well as the culture of a large city. This is a large hotel which has been extended over the years, but there is still evidence of its neo classical architecture which sits at its core and it retains its 19th Century Egyptian designs, with plush public rooms, high ceilings and chandeliers. Onsite you will find an outdoor swimming pool, gym, a number of restaurants and cafes, 24hr reception with a currency exchange, 6 acres of landscaped gardens and even its own retired cruise boat which is now a bar. Oh, and of course the casino if you are feeling lucky! There is also a modern spa, where you can get massages and treatments for an extra fee. The rooms are large and well-appointed and are equipped with safe, air conditioning, soundproofing, a minibar and tea/coffee making facilities. Some rooms have balconies, while others have views out to the Nile, or across the city. Wifi is also available in the rooms.
Day 5 - Cairo - Alexandria
This morning we depart Cairo and travel to the Mediterranean coast and Alexandria, founded by Alexander the Great and the capital of the Ptolemy dynasty. Famous for its library, Alexandria was one of the greatest cities of the Hellenistic and Roman world. After check-in at our hotel we National Museum of Alexandria with its excellent collection of Greaco-Roman material. After lunch we visit Fort Qaitby, built on the site of the Pharos of Alexandria, one of the wonders of the ancient world.

Hotel | Steigenberger Cecil Alexandria |
---|---|
Meals included | All meals included |
Steigenberger Cecil Alexandria
Sitting opposite the corniche and within walking distance to some of Alexandria’s best sights (the Biblioteca is a 20 min walk from here), this hotel is a classic. Famously featured in Lawrence Durrell’s ‘Alexandria Quartet’ books and as the backdrop to the last scene in ‘Ice Cold in Alex’, the hotel plays its own part in Alexandria’s history. Somerset Maugham, Winston Churchill and Al Capone have all enjoyed the hotel’s hospitality and the British Secret Service maintained a suite of rooms here for their operations. Built in 1929 the hotel has undergone many changes but still retains its old-world charm. Whilst the hotel exterior resembles something akin to a castle with crenellations and turrets, the interior is more conservative, with décor designed to reflect a comfortable, turn of the century European hotel. Some of the rooms have julienne balconies and there are various other French influences around the hotel. There is a bar and restaurant, the Monty (named after Field Marshall Montgomery who stayed here), and Le Jardin, a Mediterranean restaurant, which overlooks the promenade. The hotel also has a cafe, where you can enjoy snacks all day. Rooms are equipped with a safe, flatscreen TV, minibar, tea/coffee making facilities and air conditioning. There is Wi-Fi in the hotel, however the signal is strongest in the common areas. Rooms do have a wired connection which is free, but this is not always ideal when using a smart phones.
Day 6 - Alexandria
We spend the day in Alexandria exploring the major monuments of the ancient city. We visit the Catacombs of Kom el-Shoqafa an underground labyrinth of decorated tombs from the Roman period, we also visit Pompeys Pillar, the site of the Serapeum, the temple dedicated to the god Serapis and his consort Isis and one of the most important temples of the Hellenistic world. We explore part of the civic centre of Roman Alexandria at Kom al Dikka, with its major monuments including an Odeon type building and a fine house, the Villa of the Birds. We finish our day at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, the modern Library, here we will see superb mosaics recovered from the royal palace of the Ptolemies.

Hotel | Steigenberger Cecil Alexandria |
---|---|
Meals included | All meals included |
Steigenberger Cecil Alexandria
Sitting opposite the corniche and within walking distance to some of Alexandria’s best sights (the Biblioteca is a 20 min walk from here), this hotel is a classic. Famously featured in Lawrence Durrell’s ‘Alexandria Quartet’ books and as the backdrop to the last scene in ‘Ice Cold in Alex’, the hotel plays its own part in Alexandria’s history. Somerset Maugham, Winston Churchill and Al Capone have all enjoyed the hotel’s hospitality and the British Secret Service maintained a suite of rooms here for their operations. Built in 1929 the hotel has undergone many changes but still retains its old-world charm. Whilst the hotel exterior resembles something akin to a castle with crenellations and turrets, the interior is more conservative, with décor designed to reflect a comfortable, turn of the century European hotel. Some of the rooms have julienne balconies and there are various other French influences around the hotel. There is a bar and restaurant, the Monty (named after Field Marshall Montgomery who stayed here), and Le Jardin, a Mediterranean restaurant, which overlooks the promenade. The hotel also has a cafe, where you can enjoy snacks all day. Rooms are equipped with a safe, flatscreen TV, minibar, tea/coffee making facilities and air conditioning. There is Wi-Fi in the hotel, however the signal is strongest in the common areas. Rooms do have a wired connection which is free, but this is not always ideal when using a smart phones.
Day 7 - Alexandria – Abu Mena & Abu Sir
We start the day with a visit to the beautiful Ptolemaic catacombs at Mustapha Kamil and the in the afternoon we travel west of Cairo to visit the Coptic pilgrimage centre of Abu Mina, dominated by the remains of the 6th century church dedicated to St. Menas. Afterwards we travel on to Abu Sir, ancient Tapaposiris where the Ptolemaic temple and a funerary monument modelled on the Pharos were built on a ridge between lake Mareotis and the Mediterranean.

Hotel | Steigenberger Cecil Alexandria |
---|---|
Meals included | All meals included |
Steigenberger Cecil Alexandria
Sitting opposite the corniche and within walking distance to some of Alexandria’s best sights (the Biblioteca is a 20 min walk from here), this hotel is a classic. Famously featured in Lawrence Durrell’s ‘Alexandria Quartet’ books and as the backdrop to the last scene in ‘Ice Cold in Alex’, the hotel plays its own part in Alexandria’s history. Somerset Maugham, Winston Churchill and Al Capone have all enjoyed the hotel’s hospitality and the British Secret Service maintained a suite of rooms here for their operations. Built in 1929 the hotel has undergone many changes but still retains its old-world charm. Whilst the hotel exterior resembles something akin to a castle with crenellations and turrets, the interior is more conservative, with décor designed to reflect a comfortable, turn of the century European hotel. Some of the rooms have julienne balconies and there are various other French influences around the hotel. There is a bar and restaurant, the Monty (named after Field Marshall Montgomery who stayed here), and Le Jardin, a Mediterranean restaurant, which overlooks the promenade. The hotel also has a cafe, where you can enjoy snacks all day. Rooms are equipped with a safe, flatscreen TV, minibar, tea/coffee making facilities and air conditioning. There is Wi-Fi in the hotel, however the signal is strongest in the common areas. Rooms do have a wired connection which is free, but this is not always ideal when using a smart phones.
Day 8 - Alexandria – Cairo - London
This morning we journey back to Cairo and transfer to the airport where we take our flight home.

Meals included | Breakfast, Lunch |
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I loved the tour, the hotels were fabulous the sights we saw were amazing, the historian and tour guide were great and the other people in the group were lovely. Guest Cleopatra's Egypt , January 2022
This was a really enjoyable tour. Tony and Galal made it so interesting by telling us all about the sites and the relevant history. It was great to have such a small group, as we all got on well and the tour felt more personal. I had a most enjoyable week. Guest Cleopatra's Egypt , January 2022
Tour dates & prices
Included in your cost:
- Expert Guide Lecturer
- Professional Tour Manager
- Local travel aboard a private air-conditioned coach
- Meals as per the itinerary, tea or coffee with dinner
- Accommodation
- Entries to all sites as per the itinerary
- All taxes & gratuities
- Field notes
Tour Departure | Tour ID | Departure date | Return Date | Guided by | Price | Deposit | Single supplement | Offer | Availability |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
30 January 2023 | ACEG230130 | 30 January 2023 (Monday) | 6 February 2023 (Monday) | Tony O’Connor | £4,790 (inc. flights) |
£750 | £795 |
£4,340 save £450 |
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