Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival in Sohag and Transfer to Luxor Temple (11 Nov, 2023)

   • Welcome at Sohag Airport (or station or Hotel).

   • Transfer from Sohag and board the boat in Luxor.

   • Nile Cruise boat.

   • Installation in your cabins and welcome drink. Lunch on board.

   • Arrive in Luxor in the late afternoon and depart for a visit to Luxor Temple under the colours of the setting sun, with its imposing façade, colossal statues, beautifully sculpted frescoes, and the famous 22-meter-high obelisk (twin to the one on Place de la Concorde in Paris).

   Dinner and overnight on board.

2. Day 2: Karnak Temple and Sailing (12 Nov, 2023)

   • Breakfast on board and departure to visit The fabulous Karnak complex.

   • Departure in the middle of the afternoon to discover the historical treasures of Luxor to visit: The fabulous Karnak complex, an immense historic site covering around 60 hectares and containing remains dating from the 20th century to the 4th century BC.

   • Karnak is the largest historical religious site in the world, dedicated to the great god Amun, the patron saint of the city and of all Egypt in ancient times.

   • Return and lunch on board. Sailing south. A relaxing afternoon to take in the scenery of the banks of the Nile as they pass by with bewitching slowness. Tea service on the upper deck of the ship to admire, among other things, the spectacular crossing of the Esna lock.

   • Continue sailing to Edfu, 65km south of Esna (125km south of Luxor).

   Dinner and overnight on board.

3. Day 3: Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples (13 Nov, 2023)

   • Breakfast on board. Departure by horse-drawn carriage to visit the temple of Edfu, a prestigious site dedicated to the god Horus. It is a well-preserved complex with a harmonious structure.

   • Return to the boat and resume sailing for another 80 km to Kom Ombo in the late afternoon.

   • Lunch on board and an afternoon to relax and enjoy the picturesque and unusual scenery during the navigation. Tea service on the upper deck of the boat in the late afternoon.

   • On arrival at Kom Ombo, depart to visit the temple of Kom Ombo. It stands on a hill overlooking the Nile, offering a spectacular panorama. It exudes captivating charm thanks to the finesse of its columns and its frescoes under the colours of the sunset. An original and rare temple of its kind, it has two sanctuaries, one dedicated to Horus, the falcon god, and the other to Sobek, the crocodile god.
   • Return to the boat and continue sailing for around 45 km to Aswan.
   • Egyptian-style dinner on board and fancy dress party in the lounge bar. Night on board.

4. Day 4: Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk, and Felucca Trip (14 Nov, 2023)

   • Breakfast on board and departure to discover the historic sites of Aswan and its charming landscape. The temple of Philae: built on the fabulous island of Agilika, it is dedicated to the goddess Isis. It is characterized by its romantic setting, remarkable architecture, and refined frescoes.

   • The unfinished obelisk lies in the most heavily exploited granite quarry in the time of the Pharaohs. This obelisk was abandoned on its excavation site after the architects discovered a crack in the stone. Had it been completed, it would have been the most imposing of all, standing at 42 meters high and weighing 1,200 tonnes. It has given us a precise idea of the techniques used at the time to carve this kind of monolithic giant.

   • Return and lunch on board.

   • Mid-afternoon trip in a felucca on the Nile around Elephantine Island.

   • Free afternoon in Aswan.

   • Dinner on board and an evening of Nubian folklore in the lounge bar. Night on board.

5. Day 5: Aswan to Luxor via Elkab and Edfu (15 Nov, 2023)

   • Breakfast on board. Your cabins must be vacated, then travel to Luxor.

   • Transfer from Aswan to Luxor, 4 hours, 275 km, El-Hegz - Elkab - Edfu - Bassaw, 190 km from Aswan to visit the historic site of Elkab: it contains the remains of the political and religious capital of Upper Egypt in the 4th millennium BC and a necropolis with numerous tombs dating from the beginning of the New Kingdom, which are still in good preservation. It contains:

     • Tomb of Ahmes son of Abana.

     • Tomb of Renni.

     • Tomb of Setaoui.

     • Tomb of Paheri.

   • Arrival in Luxor late afternoon and Installation in your hotel.

   Night in your hotel.

6. Day 6: Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and Colossi of Memnon (16 Nov, 2023)

   • Breakfast on board

   • Departure to discover the wonders of the Theban necropolis on the left bank of the Nile:

     • The Valley of the Kings: a must-see and world-famous site, home to the eternal dwellings of the great pharaohs of the New Kingdom.

     • The Temple of Queen Hatshepsut: an exceptional architectural style for its time. It consists of three superimposed terraces. The whole complex backs onto the Theban Mountain.

     • Photo stop in front of the Colossi of Memnon: two giants sculpted in sandstone quarries. Each is 17 meters high.

   • Lunch on board.

   • Transfer to Sohag, arrive in Sohag, Installation in your hotel and take your room.

   Night in your hotel.

7. Day 7: Excursions to Abydos and Dendera (Optional) (17 Nov, 2023)

   • Breakfast on board (Or Breakfast Box)

   • Morning departure from your hotel in Luxor in an air-conditioned vehicle to visit:

   • Abydos

     • Abydos lies 160 km north of Luxor (100 km north of Dendera). Abydos was a sacred Pharaonic city where, according to Osirian legend, the tomb of Osiris is located. The myth of Osiris was so widespread that thousands of pilgrims came to Abydos to pray and be cured. It contains the fabulous temple of Seti 1, father of Ramses 2, and is characterized by its homogeneous architecture, highly refined sculptures, and well-preserved colours.

   • Dendera Temple of Hathor (Optional, 125 € per person)

     • The historic site of Dendera lies 60 km north of Luxor. This temple is one of the latest architectural achievements and the best-preserved of Egypt's monuments. Begun in the Greek period and completed in the Roman period, it is dedicated to the goddess Hathor as a cow. She is the goddess of love, beauty, music, and joy. The Temple of Dendera is characterized by its astronomical ceiling and its spiral staircase leading to the terrace where several chapels can be found, including the famous Chapel of the Zodiac.

   • Return back to your hotel.

   • Have a delicious lunch.

   Night in your hotel.

8. Day 8: Departure from Sohag International Airport (18 Nov, 2023)

   • Breakfast

   • Check-out from your hotel.

   • Transfer to Sohag Airport for international departure.