The most popular of the Nile Cruises - an itinerary which allows you to explore the treasures of ancient Egypt with enough time to admire the views and soak up the atmosphere.
Day 1: Luxor
Arrival private transfer from Luxor airport directly to your ship. Embarkation, - Dinner & Overnight.
Day 2: The West Bank
After breakfast leave by coach to visit the West Bank, the land where the sun sets and the place designated as a burial ground by the ancient Egyptians. Visit two or three tombs in the Valley of the Kings and at least two more in the Valley of the Queens and marvel at the intricate murals. The tombs are open according to a system of rotation, to minimise damage caused by visitors, and there is an additional charge for visits to the Tomb of Tutankhamun and Ramses VI. Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, the only woman to reign as a Pharaoh, its terraces and colonnades stark against the hills, and the Colossi of Memnon, a pair of enormous statues, some 18 metres high, which once guarded the mortuary temple of Amenophis III. Set sail for Edfu. Relax during the sailing while enjoying the five o’clock tea served on the sun deck or the lounge bar Captain Cocktail Party before dinner at 19.30 P.M, Overnight in Edfu.
Day 3: Temple of Horus at Edfu
After breakfast visit to Edfu including Temple of Horus, the falcon God, whose battle with his evil uncle, Seth, is told in vivid pictures inscribed on its walls. Lunch on board, sail via Kom Ombo to Aswan. Relax during the sailing while enjoying the five o’clock tea served on the sun deck or the lounge bar. Dinner Galabeya Party. Overnight in Aswan .
Day 4: Aswan & Philae
After breakfast visit the High Dam, the construction of which was finished in 1971, creating Lake Nasser, the world’s largest reservoir. See the ancient granite quarries and the Unfinished Obelisk before continuing to the Island of Philae, with its Temple of Isis, the divine mother of all the gods, set in a stunning location surrounded by water. It was relocated during the building of the High Dam. Lunch. Sail on the Nile in a traditional felucca around Elephantine and Kitchener’s Island. Nubian Show,Dinner & Overnight.
Day 5 : Botanical Gardens by Felucca
Set sail on a 2-hour private felucca tour of Aswan’s Botanical Gardens, and explore Kitchener Island with an Egyptologist. Land on the lush shores of the garden isle, whose 16.8 acres (6.8 hectares) of palm trees, sandalwood and exotic plants were first planted by a legendary British military leader. Learn the story of the island in a small botanical museum, and relax on this tranquil and shady Nile oasis. Overnight in Aswan.
Day 6: Optional trip to Abu Simbel
Optional excursion to Abu Simbel with its magnificent temples dedicated to Ramses II and Queen Nefertari with their colossal statues and well-preserved reliefs. This site is all the more impressive for the fact the temples were relocated in a massive salvage operation during the building of the High Dam. Lunch and dinner on board.
After lunch, sail to Kom Ombo to visit the temple dedicated to the two gods, Haroeris and Sobek, the crocodile Nile god. This was a place where crocodiles used to bask in the sun, although since the building of the dam they are no longer found on this stretch of the Nile. Sail to Edfu. Dinner on board & Overnight in Edfu.
Day 7: Karnak & Luxor
After breakfast, sail to Luxor and visit the most magnificent of the Nile temples, the stunning Temple of Karnak, constructed over a vast area during a period of some 1300 years. It incorporates three separate temple enclosures and highlights include the Great Hypostyle Hall with its gigantic pillars, and the Sacred Lake. An avenue of Sphinxes links this temple to the Temple of Luxor, the next stop on your itinerary, also dedicated to the Theban triad of the gnod, Amun, the ‘unseen one’, his wife Mut, goddess of the heavens and their son Khonsu. The reliefs here are remarkably clear, partly due to the fact that it lay buried undersand for thousands of years. Lunch & farewell dinner on board. Optional excursion to Sound & Light Show at Karnak Temple.
Day 8: Disembarkation at Luxor
Breakfast followed by disembarkation at Luxor and private transfer back to the Luxor airport.
Please note above itinerary subject to change due safety of the passenger, in case of bed weather conditions or any security restriction.
Diamond Star will not be held responsible for such changes.