Summer Solstice 2010 Tour of Egypt!

Many people have asked me about leading a tour to Egypt. This is something I have done in the past, and have always enjoyed. Taking a group to Egypt is a very different experience than traveling there for the purpose of simply pursuing my research, though equally rewarding. It is always a joy to share my insights firsthand in this timeless land. It may sound like a cliché, but I surely believe that once you travel to Egypt, your life and worldview will never be the same. Those who have been to Egypt and experienced the wonders of antiquity are invariably eager to return. The best way to travel to Egypt is with those who are knowledgeable in the subtleties and nuances of the ancient mysteries and their true interpretation. Anyone can give you the straight party line (the classic Egyptology 101 introduction), and that is what most trips offer. To go beyond the standard views is infinitely more valuable, exciting, and enriching.

My own research, along with that of my colleagues and associates, on the age and meaning of the Great Sphinx, pyramids, and other monuments of Egypt, questions much of classical Egyptological dogma. On a trip to Egypt it is a shame, even a crime, to only receive the most simplistic (and often incorrect) explanations while being herded from temple, to pyramid, to tomb like sheep. This, in my opinion, is unacceptable. I believe in using the classical Egyptological views (in which I am well versed) as a springboard and counterpoint for a deeper understanding of the significance, meaning, and importance of ancient Egypt. On a trip with me, you will be introduced to the full spectrum of thought and opinion regarding the interpretation of the mysteries (and I do not use this word lightly) of ancient Egypt.

In order to maximize the experience of all participants, I have convinced my colleague and friend, the world-renowned "rouge Egyptologist" John Anthony West, to team up with me for the trip. John Anthony West is one of the most experienced guides to Egypt (he authored The Traveler's Key to Ancient Egypt), and he is also a major scholar (perhaps best known for his insightful book on Egypt titled Serpent in the Sky) as well as a prolific writer otherwise (short stories, essays, plays, and a novel). It was John Anthony West who first introduced me to the Great Sphinx in 1990. He and I were subsequently featured in the NBC documentary hosted by Charlton Heston, The Mystery of the Sphinx.

We are now in the very early stages of planning a spectacular 10-day tour of Egypt focused on the summer solstice (June 21st) of 2010. He and I have never before done a public tour together, and honestly I doubt that we will ever do one again after this trip (we have very busy lives), so to travel with both of us together may literally be a once in a lifetime opportunity. I am very excited about the prospect and I hope you will be too.

To make this trip happen, we need enough participants. If you would like more information or think you might be interested, please email me at schoch@bu.edu. Right now I am simply collecting names and contacts of potential travelers who are interested in receiving more details about the trip as it develops. (I hope it goes without saying that there is no commitment at this point, and I will not give your information to anyone else.) If there is enough interest, then we will make more detailed plans; so please do let me know if you think you might want to attend.

The tentative itinerary is:

On the first day guests will arrive in Cairo and settle into The Mena House, a 5-star hotel located on the perimeter of the Giza Plateau. A group dinner that evening will allow everyone to "meet and greet" each other, at which point John Anthony West and I will offer a presentation about the Plateau and our work there, as well as what everyone can expect in the days to follow. Throughout the trip we will be lecturing on site and during our travels (on bus, boat, and plane), and always available to answer your questions.

The following day (the Summer Solstice) we will tour the Plateau, taking in the Great Sphinx, the Sphinx Temple, the pyramids, and the solar boat. I am hoping to arrange for an early morning Solstice Sunrise Celebration at the paws of the Sphinx, as well as a special Solstice Sunset dinner (sunset on the Giza Plateau is gorgeous, and on the solstice the sun sets directly behind the Sphinx and between the two major pyramids). During the course of the day, we will also have the chance to take in camel rides (rather touristy, but fun) and other typical Egyptian treats. The following day, we will travel by bus to Saqqara and visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser (Zoser) and nearby ancient structures.

After seeing the sights in the Giza/Cairo area, our group will fly to Luxor to visit ancient Thebes, including the Temple of Luxor (we will visit it in all its glory, illuminated at night), the huge religious complex of Karnak, and the West Bank (including the Valley of the Kings – viewing the interiors of selected tombs, Hatshepsut’s magnificent temple, the Ramesseum, and other sites).

After our Theban explorations, from Luxor we will board one of the famous boats that ply the Nile and take a 3- or 4-day cruise upriver (south) to Aswan, including stops at the temples of Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo (Temple of Sobek and Haroeris), and Philae (Temple of Isis). At Aswan we will have the opportunity to visit the ancient granite quarries and view a huge (137 feet long) obelisk that was never completed. Aswan itself is a wonderful place to relax and breathe in the vibrance of Upper (Southern) Egypt.

After our tour of Upper Egypt, we will fly back to Cairo for a day or so. We will return to Giza and have some private time inside the Great Pyramid for a culminating period of meditation and reflection. There will also be time to enjoy the bustling city. Those who wish, can take in some shopping at the famous Khan el Khalili markets in old Cairo before having our final dinner together and flying home.

Again, this is a very rough itinerary!

I am currently ball-parking this tour at $5,200 per person. This price will be fairly all-inclusive, including roundtrip airfare from JFK (those flying into Cairo separately will receive a reduced rate for the in-Egypt tour alone), all accommodations, the Nile cruise, entrances to all the temples and locations, and a majority of the meals. John Anthony West and I will be your personal tour guides, and we will be with you for the entire trip.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Robert Schoch