From Aswan: 4-Day Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor with Guide
Cruise the Nile on a 5-star ship from Aswan to Luxor, stopping to see the sights of Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak Temple, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Valley of the Kings along the way. With full board, your meals are taken care of, and your own private guide will show you the best of ancient Egypt. Day 1: Start your ancient Egypt exploration in the beautiful city of Aswan. Your guide will pick you up from your Aswan hotel to escort you to Philae Temple. Known as the "Pearl of Egypt”, Graeco-Roman temples and colonnades, kiosks, and sanctuaries rise proudly against the skyline. Afterward, you’ll be dropped off at your cruise ship in time to enjoy lunch and the rest of the day to relax onboard. Day 2: Early in the morning, you have the option to take an optional guided tour to Abu Simbel or enjoy a free morning. The mighty temple built by Ramses II is a marvel of ancient engineering and also has a fascinating modern history. Enjoy lunch onboard as you begin sailing to Kom Ombo. Discover the temple dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon-headed god, with your guide. The layout combines two temples in one with each side having its gateways and chapels. After your tour of Kom Ombo, return to the ship for dinner and a relaxing evening as you sail overnight to Edfu. Day 3: After enjoying breakfast, your guide will meet you to visit the hidden gem in Edfu, Horus Temple, As the largest temple dedicated to Horus, one of Egypt's most important historic deities, statues of the falcon-headed god are found throughout the complex. The temple’s extensive wall carvings have provided valuable information to historians about the Hellenistic period of Egyptian history, and the exquisite reliefs give us insight into the religion, mythology, and way of life during the era. Day 4: After breakfast, you can leave your luggage at reception while you spend the day exploring Luxor. Start your tour on the West Bank at The Valley of the Kings where you will visit the royal tombs of pharaohs of the new kingdom. Wander through passageways decorated with reliefs and hieroglyphs and learn about the ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife. The next stop is the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. A keen admirer of Mentuhotep II's temple, Hatshepsut had her own designed to mirror it but on a much grander scale and, just in case anyone should miss the comparison, ordered it built right next to the older temple. Stop for a quick visit to the massive colossi of Memnon before enjoying a break for lunch in a local restaurant in Luxor. Then it's time to explore Luxor's East Bank. Start your tour with the biggest temple in Luxor, the impressive Karnak Temple. Home to three main temples, several smaller enclosed temples, and several outer temples, UNESCO-listed Karnak combines the achievements of many generations of ancient builders over 1500 years. Your next destination is the temple of Luxor, this beautiful temple was the main function during the annual Opet celebrations. Started by Amenhotep III and completed by Tutankhamun, Luxor Temple has a fascinating history throughout the ages. After your day in Luxor, your driver will drop you off at your accommodation in Luxor.