Day 6 – Luxor
Today, explore the pharaohs' afterlife portals
on Luxor's west bank. Discover hidden
treasures in elaborate tombs adorned with
paintings. Visit Tutankhamun's tomb, the
Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Valley
of Queens, including private access to Queen
Nefertari's tomb.
Day 7 – Esna
Continue your journey on the Nile to Esna, a
quiet farming town with a lively market scene.
Explore the city's temple dedicated to the god
Khnum, admire the well-preserved hypostyle
hall and intricate carvings on towering
columns. Marvel at ancient wall paintings and
the last known hieroglyphic inscriptions
from 250 AD.
In the afternoon, walk past 19th-century
houses with elaborate mashrabiya and the
14th-century Emari minaret. Venture into the
covered street market to purchase fabric or see
an old mill pressing lettuce seed into oil.
Day 8 & 9 – Aswan
Your first day in Aswan starts with a visit to
spice-scented alleys and vibrant markets. The
market, or souk, displays unique textiles,
crafted pottery, and spices renowned for
curing everyday ailments. Then, head down to
the banks of the Nile and sail on a felucca
(sailing boat), viewing the Agha Khan
Mausoleum and Tombs of the Nobles. After,
you may decide to visit Abu Simbel and marvel
at Ramses II's statues, Queen Nefertari's Small
Clockwise: Minaret Nile
Riverbank Panorama, Esna;
Columns Inside Dendera
Temple, Qena; Man Selling
Lemons at Market, Aswan.
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Temple and the Temples of Philae.
On your second day, visit Kom Ombo, a small
town along the Nile. Pay a visit to a local
village and meet a traditional family and learn
about their traditional lifestyle. Explore a
school and continue to visit Philae Temples. In
the afternoon, see Kom Ombo's dual temple
dedicated to Sobek and Horus and discover its
Greco-Roman style and its duplicate
gateways, chapels, courtyards and columns.
Day 10 – Edfu & Luxor
Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, buried
under desert sands for 2,000 years. Ride a
horse-drawn calèche through village streets
to marvel at black granite statues of Horus.
Explore the colonnaded courtyard,
hieroglyphics, and lotus columns. Admire the
sanctuary's replica of Horus's sacred boat.
Day 11 & 12 – Cairo
Your journey concludes with a flight back to
Cairo for a final night in the ancient city.
During the day, explore the winding alleys of
Coptic Cairo and visit the Old Quarter, a
UNESCO site. Visit the Coptic Museum, Ben
Ezra Synagogue and the Hanging Church.
Explore the National Museum of Egyptian
Civilization in Fustat, overlooking Ain Al-Seera
Lake. Admire 50,000 artifacts, including
King Rameses II's bracelets, and visit the Royal
Mummies' Hall with mummies of Hatshepsut
and Thutmose III. End your tour by browsing
the souvenir shop before returning to
your hotel.
Petra
Amman
Jerusalem
Bethlehem
D ea d
S ea
JORDAN
ISRAEL
R e d
S ea
Cairo
Qena
Luxor
Edfu
Esna
Aswan
Kom Ombo
NILE
EGYPT
Istanbul
TURKEY
M e di te r r a n ean
S ea
London & Oxford
ENGLAND
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C r ui s e
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A ir
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O ve r night in Po r t
VIEW
VOYAGE
GETTING THERE: Consider our 12-day
Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary,
roundtrip Cairo, Egypt.
Journey along the Nile River
