DATES AND PRICES OF
UPCOMING TOURS
UPCOMING TOURS
The island of Elephantine at Aswan
"O how I long to travel back,
And tread again that ancient track!
That I might once more reach that plain,
Where first I left my glorious train;
From whence th'enlightened spirit sees
That shady city of palm-trees".
C.J. Vaughan (1816-1897) from 'The Retreat'
SCHEDULE
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Hadrian's villa, Tivoli |
Fairy chimneys, Cappadocia |
The first date is the day you should arrive (accommodation included).
The last date is the final day (accommodation included).
Departure should be scheduled for the following day.
A 4-week sailing tour of Egypt led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: 3 week luxury Nile Dahabiya cruise from Minya to Aswan followed by 3 night Lake Nasser Cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel
1st - 29th February 2020 (arrive Cairo 1st Feb - depart Cairo 1st Mar)
SOLD OUT
EGYPT: A THOUSAND MILES UP THE NILE
A 4-week sailing tour of Egypt led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: 3 week luxury Nile Dahabiya cruise from Minya to Aswan followed by 3 night Lake Nasser Cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel
7th March - 4th April 2020 (arrive Cairo 7th Mar - depart Cairo 5th Apr)
SOLD OUT
MALTA AND SICILY: FROM PREHISTORY TO THE NORMANS
A 2-week tour exploring Malta and Sicily led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Valetta, Hagar Qim, Syracuse, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Palermo, Taormina
26th April - 9th May 2020 (arrive Luka Malta 26th Apr - depart Rome 10th May)
$4800.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $900 extra
SOUTHERN FRANCE: THE ANCIENT & MEDIAEVAL WORLD
A 3-week tour exploring southern France/Provence led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Arles, Nimes, Avignon, Pont du Gard, Vaison la Romaine, Carcassonne, Toulouse
12th - 30th May 2020 (arrive Nice 12th May - depart Paris 31st May)
$7900.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
CENTRAL ASIA: CITIES OF THE SILK ROAD
A 3-week tour of the archaeology of Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan/Tajikistan led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Ashgabat, Merv, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Penjakent, Dushanbe
3rd - 23rd October 2020 (arrive Ashgabat 3rd Oct - depart Dushanbe 24th Oct)
SOLD OUT
EGYPT: THE WORLD OF THE PHARAOHS
A 2-week tour exploring Egypt from Cairo to Abu Simbel led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Giza, Cairo Museum, Luxor, Edfu, 3 night Nile cruise Luxor to Aswan, Abu Simbel
22nd November - 5th December 2020 (arrive Cairo 22nd Nov - depart Cairo 6th Dec)
$4800.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $900 extra
A 4-week sailing tour of Egypt led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: 3-week luxury Nile Dahabiya cruise from Minya to Aswan followed by 3-night Lake Nasser Cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel
6th February - 6th March 2021 (arrive Cairo 6th Feb - depart Cairo 7th Mar)
$8600.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $3000 extra
NORTHERN GREECE: ALEXANDER'S WORLD
A 3-week tour exploring the archaeology of northern Greece led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Corfu, Dodona, Meteora, Dion, Vergina, Pella, Thessaloniki, Amphipolis, Philippi
6th - 25th May 2021 (arrive Athens 6th May - depart Athens 26th May)
$7800.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
THE GREEK ISLANDS: IN THE WAKE OF ODYSSEUS
A 3-week tour exploring the archaeology of the Aegean islands of Greece led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Athens, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, Delos, Naxos, Paros, Samos, Kos, Rhodes, Lesbos
26th May - 15th June 2021 (arrive Athens 26th May - depart Athens 16th June)
SOLD OUT
CENTRAL ASIA: CITIES OF THE SILK ROAD
A 3-week tour of the archaeology of Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan/Tajikistan led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Ashgabat, Merv, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Penjakent, Dushanbe
2nd - 22nd October 2021 (arrive Ashgabat 2nd Oct - depart Dushanbe 23rd Oct)
$7800.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
ETHIOPIA: HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY
A 3-week tour exploring ancient and medieval Ethiopia led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Addis Ababa, Lake Tana, Simien Mountains, Aksum, Lalibela rock churches, Rift Valley
7th - 26th November 2021 (arrive Addis 7th Nov - depart Addis 27th Nov)
$7900 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
EGYPT AND JORDAN: THE ANCIENT MIDDLE EAST
A 2-week tour exploring Egypt and Jordan led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Giza, Luxor, Edfu, 3 night Nile cruise, Abu Simbel, Amman, Jerash, Petra
27th November - 10th December 2021 (arrive Cairo 27th Nov - depart Amman 11th Dec)
$4400.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $900 extra
A 4-week sailing tour of Egypt led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: 3-week luxury Nile Dahabiya cruise from Minya to Aswan followed by 3-night Lake Nasser Cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel
5th February - 5th March 2022 (arrive Cairo 5th Feb - depart Cairo 6th Mar)
$8600.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $3000 extra
SOUTHERN GREECE: ARCHAEOLOGY & HISTORY
A 3-week tour exploring the archaeology of southern Greece led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Athens, Corinth, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Knossos, Phaestos, Santorini, Sounion
9th - 27th April 2022 (arrive Athens 9th Apr - depart Athens 28th Apr)
$7800.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
LEBANON, CYPRUS AND MALTA: IN THE WAKE OF THE PHOENICIANS
A 3-week tour of the archaeology and history of the Middle East led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Beirut, Byblos, Baalbek, Tyre, Kition, Kourion, Paphos, Valletta, Hagar Qim, Gozo
6th - 27th May 2022 (arrive Beirut 6th May - depart Rome 28th May)
$7800.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
CENTRAL ASIA: CITIES OF THE SILK ROAD
A 3-week tour of the archaeology of Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan/Tajikistan led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Ashgabat, Merv, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Penjakent, Dushanbe
24th September - 14th October 2022 (arrive Ashgabat 24th Sept - depart Dushanbe 15th Oct)
$7800.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
NORTHERN INDIA: THE ANCIENT AND MOGHUL WORLD
A 3-week tour of the archaeology and history of northern India led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Delhi, Agra, Gwalior, Amber, Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur
29th October - 18th November 2022 (arrive Delhi 29th Oct - depart Delhi 19th Nov)
$7600.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
EGYPT: THE WORLD OF THE PHARAOHS
A 2-week tour exploring Egypt from Cairo to Abu Simbel led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Giza, Cairo Museum, Luxor, Edfu, 3 night Nile cruise Luxor to Aswan, Abu Simbel
26th November - 9th December 2022 (arrive Cairo 26th Nov - depart Cairo 10th Dec)
$4800.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $900 extra
The last date is the final day (accommodation included).
Departure should be scheduled for the following day.
2020
EGYPT: A THOUSAND MILES UP THE NILEA 4-week sailing tour of Egypt led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: 3 week luxury Nile Dahabiya cruise from Minya to Aswan followed by 3 night Lake Nasser Cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel
1st - 29th February 2020 (arrive Cairo 1st Feb - depart Cairo 1st Mar)
SOLD OUT
EGYPT: A THOUSAND MILES UP THE NILE
A 4-week sailing tour of Egypt led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: 3 week luxury Nile Dahabiya cruise from Minya to Aswan followed by 3 night Lake Nasser Cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel
7th March - 4th April 2020 (arrive Cairo 7th Mar - depart Cairo 5th Apr)
SOLD OUT
MALTA AND SICILY: FROM PREHISTORY TO THE NORMANS
A 2-week tour exploring Malta and Sicily led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Valetta, Hagar Qim, Syracuse, Piazza Armerina, Agrigento, Palermo, Taormina
26th April - 9th May 2020 (arrive Luka Malta 26th Apr - depart Rome 10th May)
$4800.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $900 extra
SOUTHERN FRANCE: THE ANCIENT & MEDIAEVAL WORLD
A 3-week tour exploring southern France/Provence led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Arles, Nimes, Avignon, Pont du Gard, Vaison la Romaine, Carcassonne, Toulouse
12th - 30th May 2020 (arrive Nice 12th May - depart Paris 31st May)
$7900.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
CENTRAL ASIA: CITIES OF THE SILK ROAD
A 3-week tour of the archaeology of Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan/Tajikistan led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Ashgabat, Merv, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Penjakent, Dushanbe
3rd - 23rd October 2020 (arrive Ashgabat 3rd Oct - depart Dushanbe 24th Oct)
SOLD OUT
EGYPT: THE WORLD OF THE PHARAOHS
A 2-week tour exploring Egypt from Cairo to Abu Simbel led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Giza, Cairo Museum, Luxor, Edfu, 3 night Nile cruise Luxor to Aswan, Abu Simbel
22nd November - 5th December 2020 (arrive Cairo 22nd Nov - depart Cairo 6th Dec)
$4800.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $900 extra
2021
EGYPT: A THOUSAND MILES UP THE NILEA 4-week sailing tour of Egypt led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: 3-week luxury Nile Dahabiya cruise from Minya to Aswan followed by 3-night Lake Nasser Cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel
6th February - 6th March 2021 (arrive Cairo 6th Feb - depart Cairo 7th Mar)
$8600.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $3000 extra
NORTHERN GREECE: ALEXANDER'S WORLD
A 3-week tour exploring the archaeology of northern Greece led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Corfu, Dodona, Meteora, Dion, Vergina, Pella, Thessaloniki, Amphipolis, Philippi
6th - 25th May 2021 (arrive Athens 6th May - depart Athens 26th May)
$7800.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
THE GREEK ISLANDS: IN THE WAKE OF ODYSSEUS
A 3-week tour exploring the archaeology of the Aegean islands of Greece led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Athens, Crete, Santorini, Mykonos, Delos, Naxos, Paros, Samos, Kos, Rhodes, Lesbos
26th May - 15th June 2021 (arrive Athens 26th May - depart Athens 16th June)
SOLD OUT
CENTRAL ASIA: CITIES OF THE SILK ROAD
A 3-week tour of the archaeology of Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan/Tajikistan led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Ashgabat, Merv, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Penjakent, Dushanbe
2nd - 22nd October 2021 (arrive Ashgabat 2nd Oct - depart Dushanbe 23rd Oct)
$7800.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
ETHIOPIA: HISTORY AND ARCHAEOLOGY
A 3-week tour exploring ancient and medieval Ethiopia led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Addis Ababa, Lake Tana, Simien Mountains, Aksum, Lalibela rock churches, Rift Valley
7th - 26th November 2021 (arrive Addis 7th Nov - depart Addis 27th Nov)
$7900 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
EGYPT AND JORDAN: THE ANCIENT MIDDLE EAST
A 2-week tour exploring Egypt and Jordan led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Giza, Luxor, Edfu, 3 night Nile cruise, Abu Simbel, Amman, Jerash, Petra
27th November - 10th December 2021 (arrive Cairo 27th Nov - depart Amman 11th Dec)
$4400.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $900 extra
2022
EGYPT: A THOUSAND MILES UP THE NILEA 4-week sailing tour of Egypt led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: 3-week luxury Nile Dahabiya cruise from Minya to Aswan followed by 3-night Lake Nasser Cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel
5th February - 5th March 2022 (arrive Cairo 5th Feb - depart Cairo 6th Mar)
$8600.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $3000 extra
SOUTHERN GREECE: ARCHAEOLOGY & HISTORY
A 3-week tour exploring the archaeology of southern Greece led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Athens, Corinth, Mycenae, Olympia, Delphi, Knossos, Phaestos, Santorini, Sounion
9th - 27th April 2022 (arrive Athens 9th Apr - depart Athens 28th Apr)
$7800.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
LEBANON, CYPRUS AND MALTA: IN THE WAKE OF THE PHOENICIANS
A 3-week tour of the archaeology and history of the Middle East led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Beirut, Byblos, Baalbek, Tyre, Kition, Kourion, Paphos, Valletta, Hagar Qim, Gozo
6th - 27th May 2022 (arrive Beirut 6th May - depart Rome 28th May)
$7800.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
CENTRAL ASIA: CITIES OF THE SILK ROAD
A 3-week tour of the archaeology of Turkmenistan/Uzbekistan/Tajikistan led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Ashgabat, Merv, Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand, Penjakent, Dushanbe
24th September - 14th October 2022 (arrive Ashgabat 24th Sept - depart Dushanbe 15th Oct)
$7800.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
NORTHERN INDIA: THE ANCIENT AND MOGHUL WORLD
A 3-week tour of the archaeology and history of northern India led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Delhi, Agra, Gwalior, Amber, Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Udaipur
29th October - 18th November 2022 (arrive Delhi 29th Oct - depart Delhi 19th Nov)
$7600.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $1200 extra
EGYPT: THE WORLD OF THE PHARAOHS
A 2-week tour exploring Egypt from Cairo to Abu Simbel led by Dr Michael Birrell
Includes: Giza, Cairo Museum, Luxor, Edfu, 3 night Nile cruise Luxor to Aswan, Abu Simbel
26th November - 9th December 2022 (arrive Cairo 26th Nov - depart Cairo 10th Dec)
$4800.00 per person twin share (airfares not included), single supplement $900 extra
WHAT'S INCLUDED IN THE PRICE?
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Lunch in Luxor |
A felucca ride in Aswan |
The stated tour price includes:
3 to 4-star twin-share accommodation Bed & Breakfast
Domestic/internal flights
Ground transport
Museum entries
Site entries
Tour numbers are limited to 18 persons and the guides.
Please note that B.C. Archaeology reserves the right to make minor alterations to the itineraries in the period up to 60 days prior to a tour departure. The itinerary dates and prices may be subject to change due to the scheduling of the operators, availability of access and increases in taxes and levies.
Listed tour prices do not include the international airfares - we predominantly use Emirates Airlines for our international flights. Our issuing agent is Twin Wings Travel in Marrickville which gives competitive prices - they can be reached on 02 9550 9955. They can arrange to issue tickets for you - this will mean that you will travel and arrive with the B.C. Archaeology group. Business class airfares are usually available on request - an additional fee would be charged for this upgrade. You can also make your own flight arrangements, or use other Airlines if you like. It is recommended that you book your flights early to ensure that places are available - it is normally possible to choose an aisle or window seat upon booking.
As of 1st Jan 2020, the tour price will not include the cost of visas. Visas will not be arranged by or provided by the company. It is essential that the participant makes their own arrangements regarding visas. Information about relevant visas will be discussed at the tour meeting which is held around 8 weeks prior to the program. Failure to acquire and pay for the requisite visa will be the responsibility of the participant.
Tours do not include lunches or dinners. We generally go to small restaurants where you can order whatever you like a la carte (from the menu). Occasionally we have a picnic lunch and the price would then be split amongst participants. A rough guide for additional expenses would be about $800 per person. European destinations like Italy/Spain may be more expensive.
The tour price does not include the cost of travel/health insurance. The participant must purchase this separately - no one will be permitted to travel without proof of purchase of insurance. We do not permit the use of Travel Insurance provided by membership of a Creditcard. Neither B.C. Archaeology nor Dr Michael Birrell is responsible for your health or possessions.
You would be expected to tip the local national guides at the end of the tour program. A suitable tip for guiding would be $50 per person. All other tips such as porterage are covered by the tour cost.
Single supplement (otherwise known as "a room of one's own") is an additional $1200 per person. A single traveller will not be required to pay a 'Single Supplement' in the event that they end up having a room on their own. The tour company reserves the right to assign rooms if no prior arrangement has been made. Single travellers will share with a person of the same gender and, where possible, of a similar age.
3 to 4-star twin-share accommodation Bed & Breakfast
Domestic/internal flights
Ground transport
Museum entries
Site entries
Tour numbers are limited to 18 persons and the guides.
Please note that B.C. Archaeology reserves the right to make minor alterations to the itineraries in the period up to 60 days prior to a tour departure. The itinerary dates and prices may be subject to change due to the scheduling of the operators, availability of access and increases in taxes and levies.
WHAT ADDITIONAL EXPENSES ARE THERE?
 |
 |
Lunch in Tripoli |
Shopping at Philae |
Listed tour prices do not include the international airfares - we predominantly use Emirates Airlines for our international flights. Our issuing agent is Twin Wings Travel in Marrickville which gives competitive prices - they can be reached on 02 9550 9955. They can arrange to issue tickets for you - this will mean that you will travel and arrive with the B.C. Archaeology group. Business class airfares are usually available on request - an additional fee would be charged for this upgrade. You can also make your own flight arrangements, or use other Airlines if you like. It is recommended that you book your flights early to ensure that places are available - it is normally possible to choose an aisle or window seat upon booking.
As of 1st Jan 2020, the tour price will not include the cost of visas. Visas will not be arranged by or provided by the company. It is essential that the participant makes their own arrangements regarding visas. Information about relevant visas will be discussed at the tour meeting which is held around 8 weeks prior to the program. Failure to acquire and pay for the requisite visa will be the responsibility of the participant.
Tours do not include lunches or dinners. We generally go to small restaurants where you can order whatever you like a la carte (from the menu). Occasionally we have a picnic lunch and the price would then be split amongst participants. A rough guide for additional expenses would be about $800 per person. European destinations like Italy/Spain may be more expensive.
The tour price does not include the cost of travel/health insurance. The participant must purchase this separately - no one will be permitted to travel without proof of purchase of insurance. We do not permit the use of Travel Insurance provided by membership of a Creditcard. Neither B.C. Archaeology nor Dr Michael Birrell is responsible for your health or possessions.
You would be expected to tip the local national guides at the end of the tour program. A suitable tip for guiding would be $50 per person. All other tips such as porterage are covered by the tour cost.
Single supplement (otherwise known as "a room of one's own") is an additional $1200 per person. A single traveller will not be required to pay a 'Single Supplement' in the event that they end up having a room on their own. The tour company reserves the right to assign rooms if no prior arrangement has been made. Single travellers will share with a person of the same gender and, where possible, of a similar age.
WHAT DO I DO NOW?
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 |
A street at Leptis Magna, Libya |
The Trajaneum at Pergamum |
You will need to fill in the application form - this can be downloaded by clicking HERE
Cheques should be made out to 'B.C. Archaeology'. At present we do not take credit card payments, although direct deposits into our client travel account can be arranged. Please note that the payment of a deposit signifies your intent to travel on the specified tour. We stop taking deposits when our maximum number of participants has been reached because we are holding a position for each deposit. In the event that you change your mind about coming on the selected program, the deposit is not refundable but it can be transferred to another program. Please consider carefully before sending a deposit and returning the application form.
In the event that a particular tour is cancelled by the company, a total refund is assured.
Please send this form, together with a $500 deposit to:
B.C. Archaeology Travel,
P.O. Box 1236, Mittagong, NSW, 2575.
B.C. Archaeology Travel,
P.O. Box 1236, Mittagong, NSW, 2575.
Cheques should be made out to 'B.C. Archaeology'. At present we do not take credit card payments, although direct deposits into our client travel account can be arranged. Please note that the payment of a deposit signifies your intent to travel on the specified tour. We stop taking deposits when our maximum number of participants has been reached because we are holding a position for each deposit. In the event that you change your mind about coming on the selected program, the deposit is not refundable but it can be transferred to another program. Please consider carefully before sending a deposit and returning the application form.
In the event that a particular tour is cancelled by the company, a total refund is assured.