Luxor West Bank

Luxor has a more relaxed vibe and is a classic site for a reason. Once known as Thebes, it was the capital of the ancient kingdom. It is today the world's greatest open-air museum, home to some of Egypt's most famous temples, tombs and monuments that we will will visit: King’s Valley, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari & Nobles  - a unique feature not typically included in most sightseeing programs to Luxor’s West Bank area - displaying daily life activities from thousands of years ago. 

Lunch in a local restaurant. Drive back to the hotel for an afternoon break.

Early evening tour to Luxor Temple located in the heart of Luxor. The temple is fully lit in the evening which gives a great perspective on ancient Egyptian art. This evening guided tour will bring out highlights you do not see during the day.

The day will end in a nearby cafe for a taste of local cafe culture. 

Overnight in Luxor.

Luxor / Esna

A classic site – the most impressive temple of Egypt, and undoubtedly the most famous, will be our first stop of the day – yes, before breakfast. Why? Because there is nothing more magical than not being with thousands of tourists in ancient sites. This is when the energies are the most perceptible. But we promise you that after that visit, we will enjoy breakfast – before transferring to Esna to visit the temple, the last Egyptian one to be decorated with hieroglyphic texts, very well preserved and with amazing colors for a visit and spending the next 4 days on our Dahabya.

Lunch on board while sailing.

Afternoon will be spent in a neighboring village, enjoying modern rural life and taking a stroll in the village.

Dinner on board.

Overnight Dahabya.

Edfu

Our favorite type of activity: Chillax on board and enjoy breakfast & lunch. Meanwhile, the boat will be sailing towards Edfu, while we enjoy the slow flow of slow travel, the gorgeous sceneries, and the pleasure of sailing. 

After lunch, we will visit the Edfu temple, dedicated to the god Horus, one of the best preserved in Egypt and which took 200 years to be built. 

Overnight docking on a Nile Island for quietness & serenity away from all the Cruise traffic.

Overnight Dahabya.

 Silsila / Faris

This morning we will have the chance to walk through another village and visit a traditional farmer’s mud house. We will have breakfast with a farmer's family this morning in their house. Have no fear, the families we work with on this feature are given a hygiene course at Aswan to make sure the food is cooked well and follow hygiene standards like hotels and cruise ships. In our opinion, there is no better way to connect with a country than to meet its people – and to relate.

Sailing towards Silsila quarries and visit Horemheb temple that is overlooked by most tourists and circuits. We will also hike to the hilltop to enjoy a breathtaking view of the Nile valley. 

Afternoon visit to the town of Faris where we walk through fields and visit local craftsmen. This is a catered experience, designed by our partner in Egypt. It is one of their signature experiences – and who can miss out on a signature catered experience far from touristic crowds?

Overnight on Dahabya.

Kom Ombo / Aswan

And another early morning visit – because history and archeology can curve up an appetite like no other. We will spend the early morning visiting Kom Ombo (Golden hills) temple, the shrine of the crocodile god, uniquely located. Built in the Ptolemaic period, it is located on the bank of the Nile and offers a beautiful landscape. 

We will also stop at the Nile Crocodile museum annexed to the temple.

Back on board for breakfast while sailing where another very local adventure awaits with in the Camel market in Daraw, Egypt’s main domestic animal trading center. Here we see all livestock trading. Please note however that if we are in the area on a day when the market doesn’t operate, we will do something else.

On that night, we reach our final destination, Aswan, where we dock by the Nubian village.

Overnight on Dahabya.

Aswan

Check out after breakfast and head to Philae temple, Unfinished Obelisk & High Dam.

The temple of Philae is dedicated to Isis, mother of Horus and Osiris’s wife. The temple was moved from its original location in the 1960’s to protect it from the rise of the water after the damn was built. It is the most important temple dedicated to Isis, and one of the most beautiful of Egypt. 

Lunch in a local restaurant.

Drive to the hotel for check in.

Evening tour to Aswan market street.

Dinner in a local restaurant.

Overnight hotel in Aswan

Aswan

Visit of Abu Simbel temples, built to worship Ramses II as a god following his death. This temple is famous the world over for its 4 gigantic statues of Ramses II. 

Drive back to Aswan. Free afternoon.

Overnight hotel at Aswan.

Aswan / Cairo

Transfer to Aswan airport for domestic flight to Cairo or connecting international flight.