5 Days Nile Cruise Luxor to Aswan

Welcome to Luxor

Discover the wonders of East Luxor including the immense Karnak Temple complex and the Luxor Temple on this first day. Karnak, constructed over 1500 years, featured a grand avenue of ram-headed sphinxes and colossal statues. Visit the sanctuary of Amun-Ra and neighboring small temples. Luxor Temple, constructed primarily by Ramesses II, has astonishing carved reliefs and the remaining part of the Avenue of the Sphinxes that once joined it with Karnak.

Thebes West Bank Safari

Exploring the West Bank of Luxor today includes the exquisite Queen Hatshepsut Temple at El Deir and the Valley of the Kings. At Deir El Bahari, view Hatshepsut’s dramatic terraced structure with its sanctuary and statuary dedicated to her patron god Amun. The Valley of the Kings holds over 60 magnificent royal tombs including that of Tutankhamun. Admire their vivid painted walls depicting the ancient Egyptian afterlife. Conclude at the Colossi of Memnon, two gigantic seated statues of Amenhotep III.

Temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo

After breakfast onboard, visit the rare Greco-Roman temple of Horus at Edfu, one of Egypt’s most completely preserved temples renowned for its sculpted entrance pylon and grand hypostyle hall. Continue sailing to Kom Ombo where two distinct temples were built side-by-side, one dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god and Haroeris the falcon god. Explore its well-preserved painted columns and twin sanctuaries before returning to the vessel.

Splendors of Aswan

In Aswan, visit the Aswan High Dam and Agilika Island to see the spectacular slender columns and carvings of the Temple of Philae dedicated to Isis. View an unfinished obelisk demonstrating the ancient stone-cutting techniques used to fashion these imposing monuments. Marvel at the immense stone carvings that adorned the magnificent temples and palaces of ancient Egypt. Bid farewell to your Nile voyage as your trip concludes.

Optional Abu Simbel Day Trip

For those wishing to extend their Egyptian adventure, an optional day trip to Abu Simbel can be arranged. This early morning excursion allows visitors to witness firsthand the engineering marvel that saved two massive rock-cut temples from inundation during construction of the Aswan High Dam. The towering facades of Ramses II and Nefertari are decorated with colossal seated figures and walls with finely sculpted hieroglyphics and relief carvings, transporting visitors back to ancient Egypt’s New Kingdom era of imperial power and grandeur. The optional trip to Abu Simbel provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to behold these architectural wonders. An afternoon return to Aswan marks the end of this unforgettable Egyptian voyage.