THE daughter of Egyptologist and best-selling author Robert Bauval has launched an exotic travel business in High Wycombe to give travellers breathtaking and unusual experiences in the Nile and Valley of the Kings.

Candice Bauval first saw the Pyramids when she was eight and developed a fascination for her father's birthplace. She has fond memories of visits at sunrise and sunset with her father and recalls the momentous occasion when he left her alone to soak up the atmosphere of a rare tomb called the Red Pyramid.

"It was thrilling and exhilarating and I want people taking part in my tours to have equally memorable experiences," she said.

The 27-year-old from Hillary Road, High Wycombe has pulled family strings to gain private access to famous sights as well as locations tourists don't normally visit. There are opportunities for guests of Ancient Sands' tour company to meet her father and share his extensive knowledge of Egypt and its mysteries.

The inaugural trip from May 4 to May 17 has many highlights including private viewing of the Egyptian Antiquities Museum which houses the famous Tutankhamen treasures, a dawn visit to the Pyramids and Spinx at Giza and an early morning boat ride to the ancient Temple of Isis on Philae Island.

Apart from a luxury cruise down the Nile and overnight stays in five star hotels, there is a horse and cart ride to Luxor Temple, trips to the Valley of the Kings, evening viewings of the Horus temple and an optional balloon ride over the Pyramids or flight to the Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel.

For years historians maintained that the Pyramids were grandiose tombs built by slave labour to commemorate dead Pharoahs. They were scattered over a large expanse of desert in what appeared to be a haphazard manner. Bauval, a trained engineer, concluded that the pyramid builders wanted the souls of their kings to have a direct route to the heavens and built the structures in line with the Orion star formation. His theories are controversial and often debated on radio and television.

The trip will be an ideal opportunity to see the star constellation and discuss the theories with their creator in the shadow of the world's wonders. His daughter's business journey began when she organised a birthday trip for a friend. It was so successful she hit on the notion of turning the experience into a business. Skills learned at university where she studied International Hospitality Management kept her grounded.

Before drawing up a business plan she used the internet for advice and information and was confident when she saw her bank manager that even if it turned out to be a Dragons Den' experience she could play with fire. She needn't have worried, the bank agreed the dream could be a reality.

Prior to setting up the company she sought comprehensive legal advice from a holiday specialist for her terms and conditions, secured ATOL membership and company and public liability insurance bonding.

"Doing it alone is tricky and I couldn't have done it without my friends. One, who has studied marketing and does public relations has given me plenty of advice. Another friend who is a designer worked on the website for me and a wonderful photographer we know has been brilliant. Everything has been done on a tight budget but I am very pleased how it worked out. I have taken my time and enjoyed the experience. I hope I am on my way to being a tycoon," she joked.

Planning for her August wedding to fiance Chris Newman has taken a back seat to the first Egyptian tour. It has equal priority with her big day and has been given just as much loving care. Initially tours will be limited to a few and will expand as the company grows. She has plans to join the first tour to make sure it runs smoothly but has also hired experienced local guides fluent in the language and culture. They will come in handy when it comes to bartering for carpets and souvenirs in the colourful markets.

The bank manager might frown. But profit has not been the driving force. "The tour is not cheap because I want it to be a luxury holiday. But I can assure you I am not making much profit. There is a special look which comes over people's faces when they see the Pyramids. I can't explain what it is like but they all have it. I can't wait to see that look on the faces of my guests. It will make me very happy and make it worth the effort."