Amarna Archaeological Expedition: 9-Day Middle Egypt Deep Dive

US$6400

Varies by group size

Home » Egypt Private Tour Packages » Egyptology Tours » 9-Day Amarna Archaeological Expredition: The Heretic Pharaoh’s Legacy

Expert-Led Amarna Archaeological Expedition Into Middle Egypt

This intensive, 9-day journey is designed for those captivated by Pharaoh Akhenaten and the revolutionary Amarna period. This isn’t just a tour—it’s an Amarna Archaeological Expedition. We travel beyond the main Nile corridor to sites rarely seen by visitors. Led by a specialist Egyptologist, we ensure you gain an unparalleled, deep historical dive into Middle Egypt. Prepare to explore the remnants of Amarna, as well as the important precursor tombs at Beni Hassan. This is truly the most focused and academic of all Archaeological Expeditions Egypt offers.

Tour Itinerary

Archaeological Route: 9 Days Unraveling the Amarna Revolution

H3: Days 1-3: Capital and Preparatory Sites (Cairo & Saqqara)

1st day (Arrival in Cairo): Arrive in Cairo and meet your dedicated Egyptologist guide. Transfer to your hotel. Evening lecture focusing on the religious shift from Amen to Aten.
2nd day (Necropolis Study): Explore Saqqara, focusing on later monuments and examining the transition from Old to New Kingdom belief systems that set the stage for Amarna.
3rd day (Cairo Museums): Intensive thematic study at the NMEC and GEM. We focus specifically on New Kingdom artifacts, early Tutankhamun items, and materials that immediately post-date the Amarna period.

H3: Days 4-6: The Heretic City (El Minya & Tel El-Amarna)

Day 4 (Travel to El Minya): Drive south to Middle Egypt. Check into your boutique hotel. Your Egyptologist will conduct an afternoon site preparation lecture on the history and layout of the Heretic City.
5th day (Tel El-Amarna Expedition): Dedicate a full day to exploring the vast, windswept ruins of the capital Akhetaten. Visit the Northern Tombs, the Great Temple, and the site of the main city center with your guide. This is the core of your Amarna Archaeological Expedition.
Day 6 (Beni Hassan): Visit the striking rock-cut tombs of Middle Kingdom nobles nearby. These tombs provide essential contextual information on regional administration and art style leading up to the Amarna era.

H3: Days 7-9: Thebes and the Aftermath (Luxor & Departure)

7th day (Thebes Arrival): Drive south to Luxor. Check in and review the historical evidence of Amarna’s intentional destruction.
Day 8 (West Bank Reaction): Visit the Valley of the Kings. We focus on the tomb of Tutankhamun and other immediate post-Amarna pharaohs who led the religious restoration. This highlights the speed of the shift back to orthodoxy following the Amarna Archaeological Expedition.
9th day (Final Study & Departure): Early morning visit to Karnak Temple, specifically looking for evidence of dismantled Akhenaten structures (talatat blocks). Transfer to Luxor Airport for flight back to Cairo and international departure.

Tour Inclusions

Tour Inclusions for Your Amarna Archaeological Expedition

Expert Guidance & Education

Dedicated, Private, Licensed Egyptologist Guide accompanying the group for the entire 9-day itinerary.
All specialized permits and entrance fees for archaeological sites, including the remote sites in the El Minya region necessary for this Amarna Archaeological Expedition.
Daily lectures and in-depth discussions led by your Egyptologist.

Accommodation & Travel

8 nights of accommodation in high-quality hotels.
Private ground transportation in modern, air-conditioned vehicles for the entire duration of the trip, including the crucial El Minya drives.
One domestic flight: Luxor to Cairo (or equivalent route).

Meals & Services

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included daily.
Mineral bottled water provided during all tours and transfers.

Tour Exclusions

Tour Exclusions for Your Amarna Archaeological Expedition

International Flights: Roundtrip airfare to and from Cairo, Egypt (CAI).
Entry Visa: The required entry visa for Egypt (obtainable upon arrival).
Tipping: Gratuities for your Egyptologist guide, driver, and hotel staff.
Optional Activities: Any specialized tomb entry fees or extra shows not explicitly listed in the detailed Amarna Archaeological Expedition itinerary.
Personal Expenses: Laundry, alcoholic beverages, and items of a personal nature.
Travel Insurance: Comprehensive travel insurance (highly recommended).

Tour Highlights

Trip Highlights of Your Amarna Archaeological Expedition

Amarna Site Access: Experience a full-day, dedicated Amarna Archaeological Expedition to Tel El-Amarna, the revolutionary capital built by Akhenaten.
Specialized Itinerary: Unique focus on Middle Egypt, including the critical rock-cut tombs of Beni Hassan, which are seldom included on standard tours.
Egyptologist Specialization: Guided throughout by an Egyptologist with research expertise in the New Kingdom and Amarna periods.
Contextual Learning: Trace the historical narrative from the pre-Amarna administration through to the Theban reaction and the religious restoration.
Archaeological Insights: Learn firsthand about the ongoing digs and the challenges of studying a site like Amarna that was intentionally dismantled.
Premium Travel: Private vehicle transport for the crucial Middle Egypt leg and high-quality local accommodations.

Prices

Price is quoted per person in USD

Solo Traveler: $ +70% of adult rate
2 to 3 people: $6400
4 to 6 people: $6250
7 to 15 people: $6150

Feel free to share your comments with us so we can make your tour tailored to your liking by adding or removing tours from the itinerary to suit your preference and requirements.

Book with confidence

Flexible Booking

Book as soon as possible with the assistance of our knowledgeable staff.

Secure Payment & Deposits

Make monthly little deposits for your Holiday Package. Final Payment due 20 days prior.

Expert-Led Assurance

100% let by a licensed Egyptologist, not a no local guide. Guaranteed expertise

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Prices: Prices are quoted in US Dollars per person per trip except during Christmas, New Year & Easter holidays.

Price varies depending on your group size

0 – 05.99 Free of Charge
6 – 11.99 pay 50% of the tour price
12+ pay full tour price per adult person.
Notes: Child pricing applies to children who share rooms with their parents (Max 2 Children in one Room)

A great day!!!!

Thank you Hamada for an incredible day! Thank you for the stories and the history, you are so knowledgeable and we didn’t feel rushed at all or like we missed out on things, will definitely be recommending this tour to everyone 🙂

Amazing layover Tour

We had 12 hour layover in Cairo, and our guide Hani waited patiently for us when we had a few visa issues entering the country! We got on our tour, and had the best experience ever! We saw the pyramids, the sphinx, Islamic Cairo and rode through the city! We

Big tick off our bucket list!

Booked the evening before and were able to do everything we hoped to in a day, with a knowledgeable guide & at a reasonable price! Lunch was included and absolutely delicious! Learnt about the history of Egypt, which was the most important part of sightseeing in Cairo/Giza. Hamada also gave

Great guided tour of pyramids

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Amazing experience

My husband and I had a ten-hour layover in Cairo and luckily found Egypt Fun Tours while researching tour companies online. The owner, Hamada, picked us up from the airport and brought us around Cairo. He took us to see the pyramids, which was a memory I will never forget.

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An enjoyable drive from Cairo to Alexandria. It was an enriching trip. I learnt so much history about the ancient civilisation. The tour guide explained the history of each site we visited. There is so much to see. I would definitely highly recommend visiting Alexandria. It’s rich in history. The