5-Day MS Tamr Henna Nile Cruise in Luxor and Aswan

Overview

Experience the captivating beauty of Luxor and Aswan with a luxurious journey aboard the 5-star deluxe MS Tamr Henna Nile Cruise. Admire stunning sunsets from the large windows as you cruise along the Nile. While in Luxor, explore the east and west banks, where you'll visit iconic landmarks such as the Luxor and Karnak temples, the ancient tombs of the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, and the towering Colossi of Memnon. Continue your voyage to Aswan, where you'll discover the fascinating Kom Ombo and Edfu temples. In Aswan, explore the Philae Temple, marvel at the engineering feat of the High Dam, and see the famous Unfinished Obelisk. Enhance your Egyptian adventure by exploring other destinations with our Egypt travel packages, including the Unfinished Obelisk, located beside the granite quarry in Aswan.

Inclusion

Meet and assist services provided upon arrival and departure by Cairo Top Tours representatives.
Guest relations support available throughout your stay on board the cruise.
All transfers during Egypt Tours Packages conducted via a modern, air-conditioned vehicle.
Accommodation on the MS Tamr Henna Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan with a full-board option.
All Egypt Nile River Cruises as outlined in the itinerary are private.
Entrance fees included for all sites between Luxor and Aswan during the Egypt tours.
An English-speaking tour guide will accompany you during excursions aboard the MS Tamr Henna Nile Cruise.
Optional shopping tours available during sightseeing excursions in Luxor and Aswan (upon request).
All service charges and taxes are included.

Exclusion

International airfare is not included.
Beverages during meals are excluded.
Any extras not listed in the programme are not included.
Tipping or gratuities are not covered.

Itinerary

Our representative will greet you at the airport or hotel to welcome you, after which you'll be transferred to board the Nile cruise and begin your incredible vacation. Your first visit will be to Luxor Temple, constructed from sandstone sourced from Gebel el-Silsila, which has been used for the construction of various monuments in Upper Egypt as well as for restoration efforts, both past and present. This large ancient Egyptian temple complex is situated on the east bank of the Nile and is one of the two main temples on that side, the other being Karnak Temple, which is dedicated to the Theban triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu.

The Hypostyle Hall, covering 54,000 square feet (16,459 square meters) and featuring 134 columns, remains the largest room of any religious building in the world. In addition to the main sanctuary, there are several smaller temples and a vast sacred lake measuring 423 feet by 252 feet (129 by 77 meters).

As an optional experience, consider attending the Karnak Sound and Light Show, which is one of the top attractions to enjoy during your time in Luxor.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

After enjoying your breakfast, you'll visit the Valley of the Kings, the largest site housing numerous mummies of kings and queens. Its primary purpose was to safeguard the royal tombs of the pharaohs from the New Kingdom. While pyramids were the traditional burial places for royals and priests, they were vulnerable to theft and desecration, particularly during the Hyksos invasion.

Next, you'll explore El-Deir El-Bahari, the temple built by Queen Hatshepsut. The upper terrace of Hatshepsut's temple features a grand portico supported by two rows of columns, with the outer row consisting of square columns adorned with colossal Osiride statues of the queen.

You will then visit the Colossi of Memnon, two enormous stone statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III that stand before the ruins of his mortuary temple, which was the largest temple in the Theban Necropolis.

As an optional activity, you can take a hot air balloon ride for breathtaking views over one of the world's most historically rich cities. You'll see ancient temples, including the Statue of Thebes, illuminated by the morning sun.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

In the morning, you will visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, renowned for its unique double temple from the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. This temple is dedicated to Sebek (Suchos), the crocodile god, and Horus, the falcon-headed god. Kom Ombo is an agricultural town in Egypt, famous for its temple.

Next, you'll head to the Temple of Edfu, the large Ptolemaic temple dedicated to Horus. Edfu is celebrated for being the best-preserved ancient temple structure in Egypt, and the town is known for its agricultural products, particularly sugar cane and pottery. The temple was constructed during the reign of Ptolemy.

In the evening, you will enjoy a party aboard the Nile cruise.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

After enjoying your breakfast, you will set off to explore the attractions in Aswan. First, you'll visit the High Dam, which is crucial for the country’s electricity supply and flood protection. Completed in 1970 and officially inaugurated in January 1971, the dam stands 111 meters (364 feet) high, stretches 3,830 meters (12,562 feet) along its crest, and has a volume of 57,940,000 cubic yards.

Next, you'll explore the Philae Temple, built during Egypt’s Greco-Roman Period, dedicated to the deities Isis, Osiris, and Horus. The temple's walls feature intricate scenes from Egyptian mythology.

You will then move on to see the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan, one of the area's most significant archaeological sites. This unfinished obelisk offers valuable insight into the stone masonry techniques used by the ancient Egyptians.

As an optional excursion, you may choose to visit the Abu Simbel temples, two massive rock temples located in the village of Nubia. This complex is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Nubian Monuments."

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

After breakfast, you'll disembark from the Tamr Henna Nile cruise and be transferred to Aswan Airport or the train station.
Meals: Breakfast