Transfer to Nile Cruise & Aswan Tours

Aswan - A licensed tour guide from Sphinx Of Egypt Travel will greet and assist guests at Aswan Airport, railway station, or hotel, facilitating a transfer by air-conditioned car to a 5-star Nile Cruise for check-in before lunch. Note: If arrival in Aswan is early, the tour will commence immediately upon arrival, as cruise check-in is at 12:00, ensuring guests do not spend unnecessary time waiting in the lobby.

Aswan High Dam - Begin the tour with a visit to the High Dam, a significant water dam on the Nile River in southern Egypt, constructed during Gamal Abdel Nasser’s era with Soviet assistance. It has greatly influenced the Nile’s effects and is used for electricity generation in Egypt. The dam measures 3,600 meters in length, 980 meters at the base, 40 meters at the summit, and 111 meters in height, with a body volume of 43 million cubic meters of water per second. Construction began in 1960, with an estimated cost of one billion dollars, a third of which was forgiven by the Soviet Union. 400 Soviet experts contributed to its construction, completed in 1968, with the final 12 generators installed in 1970, and the dam officially opened in 1971.

Temple of Philae - Continue to the Graeco-Roman Temple. Philae Island, located in the middle of the Nile River, is one of the strongest forts along Egypt’s southern borders, dividing the Nile into two opposite canals in Aswan. The name Philae or Velay is derived from Greek, meaning “the beloved.” The Arabic name, Anas of existence, relates to the myth of Anas from the stories of One Thousand and One Nights. The worship group was dedicated to the goddess Isis, but the island also housed temples of Hathor, Amenhotep, and others.

Nubian Village - After lunch, relax and then head to the Nile to take a motorboat, sailing leisurely to enjoy the scenery en route to the Nubian Village on Soheil Island. Enjoy a welcome drink at a Nubian family’s home, engage with them, learn about their customs, and explore the village with the guide.

Abu Simbel Temples & Kom Ombo Temple

Abu Simbel Temple Complex - At around 4:30, the guide will pick up guests for a trip to Abu Simbel (group tour) - Private (Optional)

Abu Simbel is an archaeological site on the west bank of Lake Nasser, approximately 290 km southwest of Aswan. It is one of the “monuments of Nubia” on the UNESCO World Heritage List, extending from Abu Simbel to Philae (near Aswan). The twin temples were originally carved from the mountains during King Ramses II’s reign in the thirteenth century BC as a lasting monument to him and Queen Nefertari, commemorating his victory in the Battle of Kadesh. In 1960, the complex was relocated to an artificial hill above the Aswan High Dam reservoir to prevent submersion during Lake Nasser’s construction.

Temple of Kom Ombo - Arrive in Kom Ombo city to visit the dual temple of Sobek, also known as Kom Ombo Temple.

Kom Ombo Temple, located in Kom Ombo in the Aswan Governorate, southern Egypt, was established during Ptolemy VI’s reign to worship the gods Sobek and Horus. The temple area has recently been restored and renewed. Although established during Ptolemy VI Philomator’s reign, its decoration was completed in the Roman era under Emperor Tiberius. The temple shares design, architecture, and decoration features with other Ptolemaic Egyptian temples. However, it uniquely features local worship of two deities, Sobek and Horus with a falcon head, who coexisted for centuries without merging.

Edfu Temple & Arrive Luxor and Visit (Luxor Temple)

Temple of Horus - After breakfast, enjoy a horse carriage ride with the tour guide to visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu.

This temple is one of Egypt’s best-preserved attractions, built in the Ptolemaic Kingdom between 237 and 57 BC. Inscriptions on its walls provide valuable insights into language, myth, and religion during Egypt’s Hellenistic period. The engraved temple building texts offer details of its construction and preserve information about the mythological interpretation of this and other temples, such as the Island of Creation. Additionally, there are significant scenes and inscriptions from the sacred drama narrating the ancient conflict between Horus and Seth.

Luxor Temple - Late in the afternoon, arrive at the cruise dock for a transfer to enjoy Luxor Temple.

Luxor Temple is a vast complex of ancient Egyptian temples on the eastern bank of the Nile River in Luxor, formerly known as Thebes. Founded in 1400 BC, Luxor Temple was built to worship Amun-Ra, his wife Mut, and their son Khonsu, collectively known as the Theban Triad. Constructed during the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Dynasties, the temple’s most significant buildings were erected by Kings Amenhotep III (1397-1360 BC) and Ramses II (1290-1223 BC), who added the open courtyard, edifice, and obelisks. King Thutmose III (1490-1436 BC) also established shrines for visitors of the holy Theban Triad.

Balloon Ride, Luxor Tour & Departure Transfer

Colossi of Memnon - Begin around 5:00 am with a pick-up for an incredible 30 to 45-minute hot air balloon flight over Luxor’s west bank, offering an aerial view of the country’s landscape and famous landmarks. Witness the sunrise illuminating the sky of the open-air museum city (Luxor) over the great temples and mountains below.

Valley of the Kings - After breakfast and check-out, embark on an unforgettable day by driving to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings.

The Valley of the Kings, also known as “The Valley of the Kings,” is a valley in Egypt used for 500 years between the sixteenth and eleventh centuries BC to construct tombs for pharaohs and nobles of the modern state, spanning the Eighteenth to Twentieth Dynasties in ancient Egypt. Located on the west bank of the Nile River opposite Thebes (now Luxor), the Valley of the Kings is divided into two valleys: the Eastern Valley (home to most royal tombs) and the Western Valley. The last burial chamber, known as Cemetery 63, was discovered in 2006, with two additional entrances found in 2008.

Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari - Visit the Mortuary Temple of the famous Queen Hatshepsut at El Deir El Bahari, exploring her beautiful temple and intriguing story with her nephew.

The Temple of Hatshepsut, or the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, is a temple from Egypt’s Eighteenth Dynasty, one of the best-preserved temples built about 3,500 years ago in Deir el-Bahari, Egypt. Constructed by Queen Hatshepsut on the west bank of the Nile opposite Thebes (the capital of ancient Egypt and the seat of Amun worship) (now Luxor), the Temple of Hatshepsut is distinguished by its unique architectural design compared to Egyptian temples on Thebes’ eastern bank. The temple consists of three successive floors with open terraces, built of limestone, with limestone statues of the god Osiris and Queen Hatshepsut beautifully distributed in front of the second-floor columns.

Lunch at a local restaurant (optional).

Temple of Karnak - Return to the East Bank to visit the largest temple ever, Karnak Temple.

Karnak, or the Karnak Temple Complex, is a collection of temples, buildings, and columns, with expansion and construction processes continuing from the Pharaonic era, specifically the Middle Kingdom kings, to the Roman era in Luxor, Egypt, on the eastern coast. The temple was built for the divine triad Amun (Amun Ra in the modern era), his wife, the goddess Mut, and their son, the god Khonsu, each having a temple within the Karnak Temples Complex. The temple’s name is derived from the city of Karnak, a modern name distorted from the Arabic word Khurang, meaning the fortified village, given to many temples in the area during this period. Initially, the temple was known as “Bar Amun,” meaning the temple of Amun or Betamun, and during the Middle Kingdom, it was called Ibt Sut.

Luxor - Transfer to Luxor Hotel, Airport, or Railway Station.

• 3 nights aboard a cruise with a cabin full of amenities
• Daily buffet meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Comprehensive tour by air-conditioned vehicle
• Exhilarating hot air balloon ride included
• Private motor boat excursion
• Visit to the iconic Abu Simbel and Colossi of Memnon
• Services of a qualified Egyptology guide
• Traditional horse and carriage experience
• Free Wi-Fi up to 4GB
• Hotel/port pickup and drop-off convenience
• Meals commence with lunch on the first day and conclude with breakfast on the last day

• Gratuities
• entrance fees
• Any extras not mentioned in the itinerary

With Sphinx of Egypt Travel, savor the splendor of Egypt and the Upper Nile Valley from the deck of a Nile cruise vessel. Relish the riverside scenery and unearth historic treasures. Explore key tourist spots in Luxor and Aswan, including visits to significant Pharaonic landmarks such as the Temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu. Witness one of Egypt’s most magnificent temples with a trip to Abu Simbel, situated 285 km south of Aswan. Experience a local encounter by visiting a Nubian family on Suhail Island in Aswan. Indulge in the excitement of a hot air balloon journey over Luxor. Immerse yourself in an array of evening entertainment offerings, from a belly dancing performance, galabeya party, to a Nubian or disco event and more, during a 4 day / 3 night complete Nile cruise that starts with lunch on check-in and concludes with breakfast on check-out.

Note:★Optimal arrival time on the initial day is before 12:01 pm. ★The journey finalizes in Luxor on the concluding day around 4:00 pm, thus an evening departure is advised.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.