80 th Anniversary El Alamein Battlefield Tour 20 th – 29 th October 2022
Day 1 Flight to Cairo, Greeted and escorted to our hotel in the pyramid district of Cairo, overnight in Cairo.
Price per person: TBC Single Supplement: TBC Deposit £ 250 per person Price includes: Airport transfers All transport in air-conditioned buses. Mineral water while travelling All 4/5 Star hotels. All meals (see itinerary, B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner) All entrance fees to museums and ancient sites Campaign booklet Battlefield Guide (Steve Hamilton) Not included in Price: Hotel services (i.e. telephone, room service, laundry etc) Social drinks Any Optional tours (i.e. Pyramid Light Show) Passports must be valid for a minimum 6 months. For those wishing to arrive early or depart later arrangements can be made for sightseeing or other activities.
El Alamein - the battle that turned the tide in North Africa. See the actual battlefield where the 8th Army won undying fame. Tel el Eisa fought over time and time again by the Australians in July 1942. The original railway station, from which the battle takes its name, plus every other major part of the battlefield. Almost eighty years have not yet eradicated traces of the fighting join us on a memorable tour of this famous battlefield and see the actual ground where numerous Victoria Crosses were won. Stand on the Alamein Memorial and see the 7,000 graves with the battlefield beyond. An ideal relaxing "take it easy" tour and an opportunity for the ladies, to see places other than battlefields.
Day 2 The day begins with a visit to the Pyramids and Sphinx, we then drive to the world-famous Cecil Hotel in Alexandria where we stay for one night. (B L D) Day 3 Tour of Alexandria city including visits to Hadra and Chatby war cemeteries where casualties of both world wars are buried, the Beys castle on the Corniche and site of the famous Alexandria Lighthouse, your chance to have an "Ice Cold in Alex" We then drive to our hotel at Burg el Arab (where Monty had his headquarters) for three nights. (B L D) Day 4 On the anniversary of the start of the battle we visit the El Alamein battlefield which includes the sites of six Victoria Cross actions. Tel el Eisa (Arthur Gurney) Springbok Road and Ruwesait Ridge (Keith Elliott and Charles Upham). Miteirya Ridge (Percy Gratwick and William Kibby). The famous Qattara Track, Bab el Qattara, the minefields and see where Lt-Col Vic Turner fought his VC action near the Rahman Track. Lots to see during a busy day. Picnic on the battlefield. (B L D)
Day 5 Today is dedicated to all those who fought and died at El Alamein as we attend the 80th Anniversary Memorial Service. We shall also visit the El Alamein war museum, El Alamein War cemetery where 4 Victoria Cross recipients are buried, lunch in a local El Alamein restaurant. We will also visit the German and Italian Cemeteries at Tel el Eisa. (B L D)
Day 6 Drive to Mersa Matruh via Sidi el Rahman, El Daba and Fuka where the Indian Brigade fought a famous rear-guard action and the SAS/LRDG attacked the German airfields. Mingar Qaim scene of the famous 1942 New Zealand "breakout" and Sidi Hemza where Adam Wakenshaw’s action was rewarded with a posthumous VC. Free time in the town. Check into our hotel for two nights. (B L D)
Day 8 Return to Cairo via the desert road and site of Monty's first battle in the desert at Alam Halfa fought in August/September 1942, check into hotel for two nights. Opportunity to see Pyramid light show. (B L D) Day 9 A day relaxing or join us as we visit the Cairo Pharaoh Museum, the original Old War Horse Memorial Hospital, the French Napoleonic Memorial and Cairo war cemetery. In the evening we have our dinner while cruising on the Nile. (B L D)
Day 10 Return flight to the UK or other destination. (B)
Day 7 Today is dedicated to the 1915/16 Senussi War. We shall also visit the Wadi Majid, Djebel Medwa and Halazin battlefields where British and ANZACS troops fought in World War 1. Picnic lunch on the beach at Matruh and visit to the Rommel Museum. Opportunity to stay at the hotel relaxing on the beach or shopping in Mersa Matruh or maybe both. For those wishing to visit Sollum war cemetery this can be arranged from here. (B L D)