Overview

The Nile was the lifeline of ancient Egyptian civilization and today the banks of the river are dotted with ancient tombs and temples.

Lying 420 miles south of Cairo, Luxor is the most dramatic historical site in Egypt – and is often referred to as the world’s greatest open-air museum. Luxor is the modern-day name for Thebes, the ancient capital city of the New Kingdom Pharaohs. Today, Luxor is home to more than half of Egyptian antiquities and is a must-see destination for any visitor to Egypt.

Aswan is the “Jewel of the Nile”. Pink and grey granite thrusts upward through the Nubian sandstone, forming mountains, cliffs, and jagged outcrops. The Nile runs clear and cold here, and endless waves of golden sand swirl against its banks.

Highlights

Cruise down the Nile River, stopping to sightsee along the way.
Tour Luxor Temple & the Valley of the Kings.
Explore the temple complex of Edfu in a horse-drawn carriage.
See the majestic Abu Simbel Temples up close.
Boat to the archeological ruins of Elephantine Island.

Day 1 :

Arrive in Luxor & Sightsee

Welcome to Egypt! You'll spend your first day exploring Luxor. On a guided tour, you'll tour Karnak Temple, one of Egypt’s largest surviving temples, and the famed Luxor Temple founded around 1400 BCE. Check into your hotel and get some rest. You'll spend the night in Luxor before the cruise begins the following day.

Day 2 :

Cruise to the Valley of the Kings & Deir el-Bahri

This morning you'll board a boat for the cruise down the Nile River. You'll stop to visit the Valley of the Kings and see rock-cut tombs for kings and powerful nobles (including Tutankhamun) from the 16th to 11th century BCE. Then continue to the Colossi of Memnon to see the ruins of Amenhotep’s memorial temple. What remains are two imposing statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that were erected to guard the temple's entrance. Head next to Hatshepsut Temple. The memorial of Queen Hatshepsut is the focal point of Deir el-Bahri, a complex of mortuary temples and tombs. Enjoy dinner on the boat as the cruise continues toward Edfu.

Day 3 :

Explore Edfu & Continue to Aswan

The next stop on your Nile cruise will be to see the temples at Edfu and Kom Ombo. Your guide will explain the significance of these temples in further detail on a horse-drawn carriage tour. The Temple of Horus at Edfu was constructed between 237 BCE and 57 BCE. It is one of the best-preserved shrines in Egypt, and inside you can still make out many of its inscriptions. The Temple of Sobek and Haroeris at Kom Ombo was dedicated to the crocodile god (Sobek) and falcon god (Haroeris). Many of the walls of its courts, halls, sanctuaries, and rooms are still intact, along with wall carvings and statues. You'll cruise onward to Aswan in the evening.

Day 4 :

See the Abu Simbel Temples & Boat to Elephantine Island

Today you'll visit the magnificent Abu Simbel Temples, a pair of temples built by the Egyptian king Ramses II, who reigned from 1279 to 1213 BCE. These massive rock-cut temples are truly incredible to see in person: despite their relatively remote location, they're one of the most popular sites in the country. Then you'll head back to Aswan and enjoy an afternoon trip to Elephantine Island, traveling to the famous archeological site on a traditional wooden sailing vessel. Return to Aswan in the later afternoon, check into a hotel in town and enjoy one last Egyptian dinner before flying out the next day.

Day 5 :

Visit the Philae Temple & Depart

There's still a bit of time for sightseeing before the trip comes to a close. Visit the Aswan High Dam, built in the 1960s and completed in 1970. It was an engineering marvel at the time, as it increased Egypt's cultivable land by 30 percent and doubled its electricity supply. Alternatively, visit Philae Temple, where construction began in 690 BCE. Then you'll head to the airport to catch your flight. Safe travels!