Welcome to Aswan
On the northern end of the First Cataract, marking ancient Egypt's southern frontier, Aswan has always been of great strategic importance. In ancient times it was a garrison town for the military campaigns against Nubia; its quarries provided the granite used for so many sculptures and obelisks.
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Aswan activities
Nile 4-Day Cruise from Aswan to Luxor, Private Guide Option
Scheduled privately guided tours on the cruise include the Valley of the Kings, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo and the beautiful Philae Temple in Aswan. Upgrade to a private tour, and you can plan your itinerary with your guide during the cruise. The deluxe Nile cruiser M/Y Mirage has an onboard restaurant, lounges and reading areas, a discotheque, swimming pool with jacuzzi, large shaded sundeck with bar, massage service, boutique, gift shop and laundry service. Evening entertainment may include Nubian music and dancers, a Galabayeh night and belly dancing. The cruiser's 58 air-conditioned cabins have private facilities and satellite TV. With all meals, accommodation and sightseeing included, your M/Y Mirage cruise on the Nile River makes your journey into ancient Egypt as relaxed and enjoyable as possible. You'll gain valuable insights into Egypt's ancient history and civilization on this laidback but informative cruise.Please note: Groups of travelers requiring different cabin types are required to make separate bookings in order to guarantee cabins of their choice
4-Day 3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor
Day 1: Departure from Aswan (Monday, Wednesday, or Friday) On arrival in Aswan, meet your local tour representative for the start of your tour. Visit the High Dam and Philae Temple. Overnight in Aswan with opportunity to disembark. Enjoy lunch on board, as well as afternoon tea, dinner, and an evening disco party. Day 2: Kom Ombo – (Abu Simbel Optional ) afternoon Navigation to Kom Ombo. Visit Kom Ombo Temple the only double Temple in Egypt shared by the crocodile headed God Sobek and the falcon headed God Haroeiris. Navigation to Edfu Overnight in Edfu Day 3: Luxor AM: Visit Edfu Temple the most well preserved Temple in Egypt dedicated to the Falcon God Horus Navigation to Luxor via Esna PM: Visit the fabulous Luxor Temple and the enormous Temple complex of Karnak. Among its splendours is the Hypostyle Hall, the largest of any temple in the world covering an area of 5356 sq. meters with its roof blocks supported by 134 colossal columns 70 feet high. Overnight in Luxor. Day 4: Luxor - Departure Disembarkation after breakfast AM: Visit the Ancient Theban Necropolis in the west bank of Luxor to see the Valley of Kings where more than 60 of Egypt Pharaohs have their resting place carved out of the mountain cliffs. Temple of Hatshepsut Visit the Colossi of Memnon, the only remains of the funerary Temple of Amenophis III. Transfer to Luxor Train Station, Luxor Airport, or a Luxor hotel for the end of the tour and your final departure no later than 2pm. Please note: this itinerary is subject to change for reasons beyond the supplier's control. Some of Nile cruises sail on the same Date or Early Morning of the next Day and the other Sail next Day afternoon.depend of the cruise Itinerary
Private Tour: Abu Simbel by Minibus from Aswan
On the short walk to the temple entrances, your guide will explain the history of the site, including details of the UNESCO-led relocation of the entire cliff face to higher ground, and how the temples were discovered by accident in 1813. Due to the large number of visitors to Abu Simbel, guides are not permitted inside either the Great Temple of Ramses II or the smaller Temple of Hathor. However, by using photos and illustrations, your guide will explain to you the structures and their interior artworks. You will then have free time to enter the temples and explore them at your leisure.As one of the few ancient Egyptian sites which largely escaped damage by past invaders, the interiors of Abu Simbel's temples are astounding. The scale of the buildings and their detailed decoration leaves most visitors in awe. The temples' attraction is further enhanced by their scenic location on the edge of Lake Nasser in the orange sands of the desert.After visiting the temples there may be time for a short visit to the small visitor's center which documents the UNESCO relocation project, before returning to the minibus for the drive back to Aswan. The drive is approximately three hours each way.
Nile River 5-Day Luxor to Aswan Cruise; Private Guide Option
Scheduled guided tours on the cruise include the Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Luxor Temples, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo and the beautiful Philae Temple in Aswan. Upgrade to a private tour, and you can plan your itinerary with your guide during the cruise.The deluxe Nile cruiser M/Y Mirage has an onboard restaurant, lounges and reading areas, a discotheque, swimming pool with jacuzzi, large shaded sundeck with bar, massage service, boutique, gift shop and laundry service. Evening entertainment may include Nubian music and dancers, a Galabayeh night and belly dancing. The cruiser's 58 air-conditioned cabins have private facilities and satellite TV, and you can choose from three cabin types (see below).With all meals, accommodation and sightseeing included, your M/Y Mirage cruise on the Nile River makes your journey into ancient Egypt as relaxed and enjoyable as possible. You'll gain valuable insights into Egypt's ancient history and civilization on this laidback but informative cruise.Please note: Groups of travelers requiring different cabin types are required to make separate bookings in order to guarantee cabins of their choice
7-Night Egypt Explorer Tour with Nile Cruise
Day 1: CairoToday, your driver will pick you up at Cairo International Airport. A welcome drink is included to mark your arrival.Overnight: 4- or 5-star hotel in Cairo (depending on option selected)Day 2: Cairo and Giza Pyramids (B)After hotel pickup at 9am, set off with your guide for Giza and the UNESCO-listed pyramids of Cheops, Chephren, and Mykerinus. Afterward, view the Great Sphinx, dating to the time of Chephren, and visit the Valley Temple, used in part as a pharaonic mortuary.Next, continue to the Egyptian Museum, home to thousands of ancient Egyptian artefacts, including Tutankhamun’s treasures and gold funerary mask.Overnight: 4- or 5-star hotel in Cairo (depending on option selected)Day 3: Cairo - Aswan (B, L, D)Today, transfer to Cairo airport for your flight to Aswan. On arrival, transfer to and board your Nile cruise ship in time for lunch on board.Later, enjoy guided tours to see the Aswan High Dam and Old Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk before an onboard dinner in Aswan.Overnight: 5-star Nile cruise shipDay 4: Aswan – Kom Ombo - Edfu (B, L, D)Enjoy breakfast on board, and if you wish, take an optional tour to Abu Simbel temple, and its neighbor, the Nefertari Temple.After lunch on your ship, sail to Kom Ombo and stop to visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the gods Sobek and Horus. This evening, cruise to Edfu with dinner on board.Overnight: 5-star Nile cruise shipDay 5: Edfu – Essna – Luxor (B, L, D) After breakfast, visit the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the god Horus. Then, sail to Esna Lock over an onboard lunch, and continue sailing to Luxor. Tonight, dinner is served on your ship.Overnight: 5-star Nile cruise shipDay 6: Luxor - West and East Banks - Cairo (B)Disembark after breakfast, and enjoy a guided tour of the Nile's West Bank including the Valley of Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon.Afterward, transfer to Luxor airport and fly to Cairo.Overnight: 4- or 5-star hotel in Cairo (depending on option selected)Day 7: Cairo (B)Following a hotel breakfast, perhaps choose to use your remaining time in Cairo on an optional tour. Perhaps take a 12-hour trip to Alexandria (additional cost) to discover this seaside city, seeing its 15th-century Qaitbay Citadel, spectacular new Alexandria Library, and Roman catacombs.Overnight: 4- or 5-star hotel in Cairo (depending on option selected)Day 8: Cairo (B)Depending on your flight departure time, enjoy breakfast at your Cairo hotel before a driver transports you to the airport for your flight.
Private Tour: Abu Simbel Flight and Tour from Aswan
The flight from Aswan to the small town of Abu Simbel takes only around 30 minutes. Your Egyptologist guide will meet you at the airport (if option selected) and accompany you to the famous temples of Ramses II and his favorite wife Nefertari. On the short walk to the temple entrances, your guide will explain the history of the site, including details of the UNESCO-led relocation of the entire cliff face to higher ground, and how the temples were discovered by accident in 1813. Due to the large number of visitors to Abu Simbel, guides are not permitted inside either the Great Temple of Ramses II or the smaller Temple of Hathor. However, by using photos and illustrations, your guide will explain to you the structures and their interior artworks. You will then have free time to enter the temples and explore them at your leisure.As one of the few ancient Egyptian sites which largely escaped damage by past invaders, the interiors of Abu Simbel's temples are astounding. The scale of the buildings and their detailed decoration leaves most visitors in awe. The temples' attraction is further enhanced by their scenic location on the edge of Lake Nasser in the orange sands of the desert.After visiting the temples there may be time for a short visit to the small visitor's center which documents the UNESCO relocation project.