Bloomsbury Summer School (text)

Fascinated by ancient civilisations?

We offer anyone with any level of knowledge, inspiring short courses on ancient Egypt and other areas of the ancient world.

BSS in Egypt 2026

BSS in Egypt is a very special learning experience — courses taught in Egypt, offering a programme of classes and visits to archaeological sites, often including sites that are usually closed to visitors but are opened specially for BSS by the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Our 14 BSS in Egypt courses to date have been directed by Prof. Barry Kemp, Mr John Romer, Dr Robert Morkot, Dr Stephen Harvey, Dr Peter Lacovara, Dr Bill Manley, Dr Bernadette Brady, and Dr Anna Stevens. We usually base ourselves in one hotel for the entire course. Thus far, our courses have taken place in Cairo, Minya, Sohag, Luxor, and Aswan. Why not join us next spring in Luxor?


Monday 27 April to Monday 4 May 2026


READING HIEROGLYPHS: THE DUTIES OF THE VIZIER

Course Director: Dr Bill Manley (Egiptología Complutense)

A NEW course taught in Luxor by renowned Egyptian-language teacher and BSS favourite, Dr Bill Manley. Enjoy daily classes for reading hieroglyphs plus visits to ancient sites, including the tomb of king Thutmose III, which is ordinarily closed to visitors.

Note, you can study the Duties of the Vizier at Intermediate or Advanced level, but this course is not suitable for beginners in hieroglyphs.

Combining a relaxing stay and classes in the historic Marsam Hotel, on the iconic West Bank, with visits to the finest sites around Luxor, here is a very special opportunity to discover ancient Egypt. Bloomsbury Summer School has a long-standing and enviable reputation for acclaimed ancient language courses at UCL in London, and we are thrilled that Bill Manley is going to teach a brand-new course for BSS in Egypt — focusing on the monumental text known as the Duties of the Vizier, in the magnificent New Kingdom tomb of Rekhmira. Our trip includes a private opening of the tomb of Rekhmira’s king, Thutmose III, plus a special ticket to the peerless tomb of king Sety I. Even our meals together provide a unique opportunity to chat about all things ancient Egyptian with fellow enthusiasts.


Course Director info Itinerary
Course fee per person:
£3,295 (Single Supplement: £130)
SAVE £100 WITH THE EARLY BIRD RATE IF YOU BOOK BEFORE MIDNIGHT ON 31 OCTOBER!
Recommended reading
Collier, M. and Manley, B. (2003) How to Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs. Revised Edition. British Museum Press.
This is the required course book, and you must bring a copy to each class the first or second edition is equally useful).

The following book is not essential but you may find it helpful to bring a copy with you, if you happen to have one:
Faulkner, R. O. (1962) A Concise Dictionary of Middle Egyptian. Griffith Institute.


Course fee inclusions and exclusions

Price includes:

  • All hotel nights (7 nights at the Marsam Hotel in an en suite room and including breakfast)
  • All airport transfers, including meet-and-assist services on a private basis for separate arrivals
  • All tours and transfers as detailed in the itineray above including entry fees to all sites, museums, guiding, and coach transportation
  • Visits as indicated in the itinerary, including entry fees to sites and museums, guiding, and transportation
  • Guiding headsets
  • A private opening and a special ticket as indicated in the itinerary
  • Daily hieroglyphs reading sessions led by Dr Bill Manley

Meals and drinks as follows:

  • Breakfast daily in our hotel
  • Welcome Dinner on Day 2 and Farewell Dinner on Day 7
  • 6 lunches in restaurants
  • Refreshments at each hieroglyphs reading session
  • Unlimited water with meals and on the coach transportation
  • Tips for the bus driver, archaeological sites guards, porters, waiters, and others providing ad hoc service during the course

Price DOES NOT include:

  • Airfare*
  • Travel insurance
  • Entry visa for Egypt (obtainable on arrival in Egypt for most countries)
  • Meals or drinks not noted in the itinerary
  • Goods or services not specified as included in the per person course price
  • Tip for our Egyptian tour guide
  • The optional hot-air balloon trip
  • Any other costs for goods or services not indicated asincluded in the per person course price

* Participants are responsible for their own airfare to and from Luxor. Should you require assistance booking flights, our Egyptian Travel Coordinator, Galal Alsenusy and his team can organise this for you. For details please email: alsinusygalal@yahoo.com



How to book

To make your booking and deposit payment (£700 per person 2026) , please fill in this form:

Payment Information:

Bank: Arab African International Bank

Address: Khaled Ebn El Waleed St., Luxor, Egyp
Currency: GBP†
Account Name: Golden Gates Travel
Account Number: 1178056410010401
Swift Code: ARAIEGCXXXX
IBAN Number: EG130057013101178056410010401

IMPORTANT: It is critical that you instruct your bank that payment must be Pounds Sterling, NOT Egyptian Pounds. All fees must be paid by the sender. As a reference, please use: BSS2026 + your surname. The balance is due on 27 February 2026.

† For payment in USD or EUR, contact us.

If required, the recipient's address is as follows:

Golden Gates Travel
47 Musab Bin Omair St.
Luxor, Egypt

GGT is IATA protected (No. 90266293)

BSS welcomes neurodivergent participants. We want your time with us to be comfortable, enjoyable, and inclusive, and will do our best to accommodate any additional needs.

For any further queries, please contact Dr Kathryn Piquette: