Day 1: Arrival In Luxor + Embark On Your Sandal (Private Sailing Boat)
Arrival in Luxor, welcome and assistance by our local agent at the airport and transfer to the dock for immediate boarding on your Sandal Shabah to begin your private cruise on the Nile.
Meet the crew and have lunch on board (available if you arrive at Luxor airport before 2:00 PM).
Begin your private Nile cruise from Luxor, a city located in southern Egypt on the eastern bank of the Nile, full of archaeological sites. Founded more than four millennia ago, it was first called Uast, meaning 'scepter', then Thebes by the Greeks, and finally Luxor, meaning 'palace of a thousand doors', by the Arabs. In Greek times, Thebes was the capital of Ancient Egypt for almost 1500 years.
In the evening we recommend a visit to the magnificent Luxor Temple, open until 9:00 PM.
Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 2: Luxor
Breakfast on board.
Join your local guide at 9:00 AM for a visit to the Temple of Karnak (approx. 2 hours), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Considered one of the largest religious complexes ever built, it was dedicated to the god Amun, his consort, the goddess Mut, and their son, the god Khonsu. It took two millennia to build.
Return to the boat for lunch at around 12:00 PM, followed by an afternoon at leisure.
We suggest you to leave the boat at around 1:00 PM to visit the sites which are open until 4:00 PM.
Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 3: Cruise
Breakfast on board.
Depart for your next destination, Esna.
Meet your local guide on arrival for a visit to the Temple of Khnum (approx. 1.5 hours), dedicated to the worship of Khnum, Heka and Neith. Construction of this temple began under Ptolemy VIII and was completed during the Roman period, under Claudius and then Marcus Aurelius. It was visited by the French Egyptologist Jean-François Champollion in 1828. At that time it was used as a cotton warehouse.
Return to the boat for lunch.
Continue to El Hegz where you will dock for the night.
Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 4: Cruise
After breakfast at approximately 9:00 AM, your captain will take you to the fascinating site of El Kab (approx. 1 hour). This archaeological site, formerly known as Nebet, is famous for its ancient Egyptian remains. You will explore tombs from the Middle and New Kingdoms as well as temples dedicated to local deities. El Kab offers a fascinating insight into the life and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians.
Return to the boat for lunch and continue to Edfu.
On disembarkation you will meet your local guide at around 2:00 PM for a 1.5 hour visit to the Temple of Horus, dedicated to the worship of Horus, son of Osiris and Isis, the god of the sky, war and protection. Discovered in 1860 by the famous French archaeologist Auguste Mariette, it is the largest temple of the Ptolemaic Dynasty (305-30 BC) and the second most important sanctuary in Egypt after Karnak.
At the end of the visit, return to the boat to reach your next destination, El Fawazy.
Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 5: Cruise
Breakfast on board.
Sailing towards Ramadi.
Upon arrival on the island, you will start your day with a gentle walk accompanied by the captain (approx. 1 hour) to discover the rural life along the banks, with sugar cane and mango plantations.
Return to the boat for lunch, then continue to Wadi El Chott.
Accompanied by your captain, you will take a 2-hour walk in the desert, a peaceful moment to admire the beauty of this magnificent place, where you will discover vast expanses of sand and unique rock formations.
At the end of the walk, sail to Gebel Silsileh.
Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 6: Cruise
Breakfast on board.
In the morning, accompanied by your captain, disembark at Gebel Silsileh to visit the temple of Horemheb, a speos dedicated to Amun, Mut, Khonsu, Sobek, Taweret, Thoth and himself.
Continue with the exploration of the most important sandstone quarry of ancient Egypt (3000-30 BC). Since the Middle Kingdom, sandstone has been used for building facing. (Approximate visit time: 2 hours) Return to your Sandal and lunch on board.
Possibility to visit the charming village of Qarn El Dib (approx. 45 min).
Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 7: Cruise
Breakfast on board.
In the morning, arrival at Kom Ombo, nicknamed "New Nubia". This city, inhabited mainly by Nubians, was once a stopover for caravanners. Meet your local guide at 7:30 AM for a 1.5 hour visit to the temple of Kom Ombo, a remnant of Greco-Roman Egypt built by Ptolemy VI and embellished by his illustrious successors such as Augustus and Domitian.
Lunch on board.
Sail to Aswan, Egypt's river port located approximately 843km south of Cairo.
Meet your local guide at 2:00 PM, transfer by car and boat to Philae Island. Visit Philae Temple (approx. 2 hours), dedicated to Isis, the goddess of love.
Return to your sandal, dinner and overnight on board.
Day 8: Disembark In Aswan + Train To Luxor + Airport Transfer
End of your journey aboard the Sandal.
Disembarkation in Aswan, transfer to the train station for the Aswan/Luxor train which departs at 7:00 AM and arrives at Luxor station at 10:30 AM.
Meet our local agent and transfer to the airport or your hotel (approx. 30 min drive).
