4 nights Nile Cruise discovering upper Egypt from Luxor to Aswan

Day 1

You arrive at Luxor Airport and are met by your Journey to Egypt tour guide, who is holding a sign with your name. You begin your day of exploring by visiting the East Bank of the Nile, starting with the Temple of Karnak. This vast temple complex was built over a period of 1,500 years by many different pharaohs, each of whom wanted to leave their mark on it. You walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall, which is one of the largest enclosed spaces in the world. The hall is lined with 134 massive columns, which soar to 80 feet high. You continue to the Temple of Luxor, which was built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II. This temple is dedicated to the Theban Triad, which consists of the gods Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. You see the three large statues of Ramses II along the front of the temple pylons, as well as the Courtyard of Ramses II and the Colonnade of Amenhotep III. You walk in the shadows of these ancient monuments and marvel at the engineering feats that it took to create them.

After your visit to the temples, you board your Nile cruise boat. You enjoy lunch and dinner on board as you enjoy the overnight on the Nile River.

Day 2

Enjoy your breakfast on board, and then start your day with a visit to the West Bank of the Nile River and the Necropolis of Thebes, where you will see the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues of the pharaoh Amenhotep III. Next, head to the Temple of Hatshepsut, the temple was built by Hatshepsut, Egypt's first female pharaoh, and is renowned for its beautiful architecture and intricate carvings.

After the temple, continue to the Valley of the Kings, the burial ground of the pharaohs. For over 500 years, pharaohs and nobles were buried in this valley, including Tutankhamun (with extra charge), the "boy king." Enter the tomb of Tutankhamun (extra ticket) to see the treasures that were buried with him, including his famous golden mask.

In the afternoon, you will be enjoying lunch and dinner on board and relax with the sailing over the calm Nile River from Luxor to Edfu.

Day 3

Today, we will be visiting two amazing temples in Egypt. First, we will visit the Temple of Horus, which is dedicated to the falcon-headed god of the sky. This temple was built in 230 BC by Ptolemy III, and it is amazingly well-preserved and colorful. The temple reveals what temple worship in ancient Egypt was like, and it is a truly awe-inspiring sight.

After visiting the Temple of Horus, we will cruise to Kom Ombo. Kom Ombo is known as the "hill of gold," and it is home to a Greco-Roman temple dedicated to Haroeris (the sun god) and Sobek (the crocodile god). Sobek was a popular god in ancient Egypt, and he was sometimes considered the creator of the world. In the temple, you can see mummified remains of several crocodiles that once basked along the ancient Nile shore, just as their descendants do today.

After visiting the temple at Kom Ombo, we will cruise to Aswan. Aswan is a beautiful city located at the southern tip of Egypt. It is known for its stunning scenery, its ancient temples, and its Nubian culture. We will have the opportunity to explore Aswan on our own this evening, or we can join a guided tour of the city.

Day 4

Start your day with a ride on a motorized boat to Philae Temple on the island of Agilika. This sacred complex was dedicated to the goddess Isis and reflects a fusion of three great civilizations — Egyptian, Greek and Roman. The temple was dismantled and then painstakingly reassembled when the Aswan High Dam was constructed, so that it could be saved from flooding.

After visiting Philae Temple, proceed to the granite quarries and site of the Unfinished Obelisk. This monolith is one-third taller than any other ancient Egyptian obelisk, and it is a testament to the skills of Egypt's stonemasons. Take some time to explore the quarries and learn about how these obelisks were created.

In the afternoon, take a ride Like a Local around the Aswan Islands in a felucca. This traditional Egyptian sailboat is a great way to see the beautiful scenery of the Nile River and the surrounding islands. Enjoy a refreshing Scenic Sundowner as you sail along, and take in the stunning views of the desert sunset.

Day 5

Enjoy your breakfast on board and have some free time before our representative will be met to transfer you from the Nile Cruise to your informed destination.