£3,400 (deposit £300). This includes: air travel (economy class) on scheduled Egyptair flights (Boeing 777); accommodation as described below; all breakfasts, lunches (some picnics) and dinners with wine (when available), water and coffee; travel by air-conditioned coach and 4x4; all admissions; all tips for waiters, drivers, guides; all taxes; the cost of the Egyptian visa (if flying with the group); the services of the lecturer. Single supplement £320. Price without flights £3,010.

Cairo (2 nights): a new boutique hotel in a restored villa in a quiet but central district; Ain Sokhna (1 night): 5-star hotel by the sea; St Catherine’s (2 nights): the monastery’s own guesthouse, basic but ideally located; Nuweiba (2 nights): a 5-star beach resort hotel with well-equipped rooms; Cairo Heliopolis (1 night): an international 5-star hotel.

Required for most foreign nationals. If you are flying with the group we arrange for it to be issued on arrival; if you are flying independently we can arrange a visa on arrival, with a transfer, for a charge. All passports must be valid for 6 months from entry into Egypt.

This is a strenuous tour with distances covered by 4x4s, much of it off-road, and a couple of (optional) long walks. It is not suitable for anyone with any walking difficulties or back problems. At times participants will be far from modern medical facilities. All cars are new 4x4s, driven by desert specialists who are excellent drivers and mechanics. Average distance per day: c. 83 miles.

We regret that applications from people aged 81 or over at the time of the tour will not be accepted.