Luxor & Aswan 🏺
"Sail the Nile in opulence between temples of the Pharaohs."
With your generous budget, you can stay at the historic Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan and the Winter Palace in Luxor. These iconic resorts offer world-class service alongside immediate access to the Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple.
This itinerary balances the monumental scale of Pharaonic history with the indulgent relaxation of the Nile's most legendary luxury resorts. Experience a private, slow-paced journey through the temples of Luxor and the serene beauty of Aswan's cataracts.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1 · Grand Entry to Ancient Thebes
Morning — Arrival in Luxor; private transfer to the East Bank. Settle into the lush gardens of your colonial-era hotel.
Afternoon — Check into the historic Winter Palace. Relax by the tropical pool or take a private guided tour of the Luxor Temple as the sun begins to set.
Evening — Enjoy a formal French-Egyptian dinner at 1886 Restaurant (jacket required) followed by drinks on the Victorian terrace.
💡 Pre-booking a private airport transfer avoids the aggressive taxi negotiations at the terminal.
Day 2 · The Majesty of Karnak Temple
Morning — Visit the massive Karnak Temple Complex. Walk the Avenue of Sphinxes and marvel at the Great Hypostyle Hall.
Afternoon — Head to the Precinct of Mut or explore the Open Air Museum to see the exquisite Red Chapel of Hatshepsut.
Evening — Experience the Karnak Sound and Light Show, walking through the illuminated forest of columns.
💡 Hire an Egyptologist for Karnak; the history is too dense to navigate alone.
Day 3 · Secrets of the Pharaohs' Tombs
Morning — Cross to the West Bank to explore the Valley of the Kings. Entry includes three tombs, but add a ticket for Tutankhamun or Seti I.
Afternoon — Visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, a stunning colonnaded structure built into the limestone cliffs. Stop at the Colossi of Memnon.
Evening — Take a sunset Felucca ride on the Nile with a private chef serving traditional mezze.
💡 Start at 6:00 AM to beat the heat and the bus crowds from the Red Sea resorts.
Day 4 · Art and Queens of the West Bank
Morning — Explore Medinet Habu, the mortuary temple of Ramesses III, known for its remarkably preserved deep-relief carvings.
Afternoon — Visit the Valley of the Queens, specifically the breathtaking Tomb of Nefertari (the 'Sistine Chapel of Egypt').
Evening — Casual dinner at Al-Sahaby Lane for rooftop views of Luxor Temple.
💡 The Nefertari tomb ticket is expensive but absolutely essential for art lovers.
Day 5 · Journey South to Nubia
Morning — Private chauffeured transfer to Aswan via Edfu (Temple of Horus) and Kom Ombo (Double Temple of Sobek and Haroeris).
Afternoon — Arrive in Aswan. Check into the Old Cataract Hotel. Enjoy High Tea on the terrace where Agatha Christie wrote 'Death on the Nile'.
Evening — Stroll the Aswan Souq to shop for high-quality hibiscus, saffron, and Nubian spices.
💡 The drive allows you to see the rural Nile Valley life that you miss by flying.
Day 6 · Islands and Engineering Marvels
Morning — Visit the Unfinished Obelisk and the Aswan High Dam to understand modern Egyptian engineering.
Afternoon — Take a motorboat to Philae Temple, saved from the rising waters and located on a beautiful island.
Evening — Dinner at 1902 Restaurant, under the 75-foot dome of the Old Cataract.
💡 Philae is best visited in the late afternoon for the golden hour light on the stone.
Day 7 · The Heart of Nubian Culture
Morning — Visit the Nubian Museum, an architectural gem dedicated to the history of the Nubian people.
Afternoon — Enjoy a lunch of traditional Nubian 'Saniya' (oven trays) and visit the colorful houses of Elephantine Island.
Evening — Private dinner on an island beach or a candlelit terrace overlooking the Nile cataracts.
💡 Take a traditional wooden rowing boat to the botanical gardens on Kitchener's Island.
Day 8 · The Sun Temples of Abu Simbel
Morning — Early morning private flight/transfer to Abu Simbel. Explore the Great Temple of Ramesses II and the Temple of Nefertari.
Afternoon — Return to Aswan. Spend the afternoon at the hotel spa or the infinity pool overlooking the Nile.
Evening — Farewell dinner at a local riverside restaurant like Solayah.
💡 Flights to Abu Simbel save 6 hours of desert driving; book well in advance.
Day 9 · Serene Farewell to the Nile
Morning — Leisurely breakfast. Optional visit to the Monastery of St. Simeon or a final sail around the islands.
Afternoon — Final tea at the hotel and transfer to Aswan International Airport for your departure.
Evening — Departure.
💡 Ensure your airport transfer is scheduled 3 hours before flight time.