Archeology can be a real gem, as evidenced by this recent offer for wealthy tourists. The society The Luminaire organizes a six-day trip that allows its customers to discover the site where excavations are underway to find Cleopatra’s final resting place.
From 16,650 dollars (15,564 euros) per person, this trip offers participants the opportunity to observe the excavation and restoration work carried out in the ancient passages of the Great Temple of Osiris, located in Abusir, about fifty kilometers west of Alexandria. Tourists thus have a first glimpse of the modern methods used, in particular the “advanced robots” who create digital maps of the area and produce 3D replicas of sculptures.
Since 2005, a team of archaeologists has been carrying out explorations in search of Cleopatra’s tomb. Last year, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced that the archaeological team led by Kathleen Martinez had discovered a tunnel carved into the rock, about 13 meters deep. Excavations of this 1,300 meter long tunnel revealed a huge religious site containing three shrines, a sacred lake and more than 1,500 objects, such as busts, statues, gold coins, as well as a huge collection of coins representing Alexander the Great, Queen Cleopatra and the Ptolemies.
Partially flooded, part of this tunnel collapsed. According to the archaeologist, Cleopatra’s tomb could be accessible through these flooded passages. “Among the twenty temples that I have studied in the region of Alexandria, none brings together as many favorable conditions as the temple of Taposiris Magna [Grand Temple d’Osiris]. Further excavations, including underwater exploration, are needed to confirm that this is indeed Cleopatra’s tomb.”specifies Kathleen Martinez. “If this turns out to be true, it will be the discovery of the century. »
This six-day trip also includes expeditions to other locations, as well as stays at two five-star hotels – the Four Seasons Hotel Cairo at Nile Plaza and the Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano. The Luminaire offers a behind-the-scenes look at the latest discoveries at Saqqara, Egypt’s largest archaeological site, on a private tour. Visitors will also have the privilege of discovering the Grand Egyptian Museum before its official opening.
Those who can pay a little more will have private access to the Oracle Temple of Amun in the remote UNESCO-protected oasis of Siwa, as well as a stay at an “off-the-grid hideaway”, according to the website. The Luminaire. According to the travel agency, the ideal time to undertake this trip to Egypt is between September 2023 and May 2024.
