We end the day with a sun-downer from your accommodation overlooking the Philae temple – another landmark of the region.

 

 

Let’s enjoy sightseeing in and around Aswan. Since you are staying with a view of Philae Temple anyway, it is time now to visit it.

After breakfast you just have to travel a short distance to reach Philae by boat. Built during the reign of Ptolemy II (Egypt's Greco-Roman Period), the Temple of Isis at Philae is dedicated to Isis, Osiris, and Horus. The temple walls contain scenes from Egyptian mythology of Isis bringing Osiris back to life, giving birth to Horus, and mummifying Osiris after his death.

Take 1.5 hours to wander around.

Let’s hop from one island to the next – Elephantine is our next destination.

The island of Elephantine is one of major Aswan attractions floating on the Nile. The island in 12000 meters situated in the center of the Nile. It had an important strategic position of protecting the southern borders of Ancient Egypt, and during the 6th dynasty which meant

more than 3000 B.C, ancient Egyptian kings constructed a fortress on the island. In addition it was the cult center of god Khnum and the dwelling of his temple.

After a short break, immerse yourself in the world of a souk. Aswan Souk is a colorful bazaar that offers Egyptian and African goods, Locally known as Sharia as- Souq, it is the cheapest place to buy souvenirs in Aswan.

Treat yourself to a special end to the day and visit the Old Cataract Hotel for a sundowner.

Built in 1899, under the impulse of Thomas Cook, The Old Cataract opened in January 1900. It is an architectural jewel. The exterior is typical of the late Victorian era, while on the inside the hotel exudes a rich arabesque feel with lavishly decorated Moorish furniture and wood carvings.

 

 

After breakfast check-out at Eco Nubia and start your way to Luxor by car (distance to travel direct 240 km)

This will be on your way: The temple of Kom Ombo is unique for its dedication to two different deities: the local crocodile-headed god Sobek, and the first "god of the Kingdom", the falcon-headed god Horus the Elder (also called Haroeris). This double dedication was deliberate. Edfu is an Egyptian city, located on the west bank of the Nile River between Esna and Aswan, with a population of approximately sixty thousand people. Edfu is the site of the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus and an ancient settlement, Tell Edfu.

About 5 km south of Edfu are remains of ancient pyramids.

The modern town of Esna is famous among tourists for its barrage bridges built on the Nile River by the British in 1906 and the “Electricity Bridge” built in the 1990s. Arrival to Luxor in the evening.

 

 

For an early morning adventure, see the world from above. Hot Air Balloon is an amazing way to see world’s largest open air museum.

Pick-up from your hotel, the Balloon ride takes 45 minutes then you ill be transferred back to your hotel. Notes: *The Balloon is scheduled to take off between 3.00 till 4.00 am in summer and between 4.00 till 5.00 am in winter. In any case after a proper breakfast you visit that “open air museum” on the ground.

 

Luxor Temple, Ipet-resyt “Southern Sanctuary” to the ancient Egyptians, was so called because of its location within ancient Thebes (modern Luxor). It is located around three kilometers to the south of Karnak Temple, to which it was once linked with a processional

way bordered with sphinxes. The oldest evidence for this temple dates to the Eighteenth Dynasty (c.1550–1295 BC).

Ipet-resyt, unlike most other ancient Egyptian temples, is not laid out on an east-west axis, but is oriented towards Karnak. This is because Luxor Temple was the main venue for one the most important of ancient Egyptian religious celebrations, when the cult images of Amun, his wife Mut, and their son, the lunar god Khonsu, were taken from their temples in Karnak, and transported in a grand procession to Luxor Temple so they could visit the god that resides there, Amenemopet. This was the Opet Festival.

The Karnak Temple Complex is home to three main temples, several smaller enclosed temples, and a number of outer temples - combining the achievements of many generations of ancient builders over a period of 1500 years.

Around thirty different pharaohs contributed to the building process of this site, enabling it to reach a size, complexity and diversity not seen elsewhere. It was after all the New Kingdom's most sacred site.

The Ancient complex covers a total area of 2 sq. km, and its name "Karnak"means "fortified settlement" in Arabic. The temple of Amun, the complex's main structure, is the largest place of worship ever built. It is surrounded by two other gigantic temples, dedicated to Amun's wife, Mut and his son, Khonsu, respectively Although it might seem badly ruined today, there are still many features to Karnak that make it one of the largest and most impressive of all ancient sites in Egypt.

 

After breakfast you follow again the footsteps of history. The West Bank of Luxor is one of the most important archaeological sites in the World. It’s approximately nine square kilometers encompass the Famous Valley of the Kings, the breathtaking tomb of Queen Nefertari at Valley of the Queens, Temples of ancient Egyptian Pharaohs and the most striking of them the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Habu Temple and huge number of Nobel Tombs and more. The ancient Egyptian saw the sun sets at the west, that’s way they buried their dead generally at the West Bank of the Nile and they call the West Bank, the city of the dead. The Valley of the kings was part of the ancient city of Thebes and was the burial site of almost all the kings (pharaohs) of the 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties (1539–1075 bce), from Thutmose I to Ramses X. Located in the hills behind Dayr al-Baḥrī, the 62 known tombs exhibit variety both in plan and in decoration. King Tutankhamun is said to be one of the most important pharaohs to ever lived. He became a king while still a child after the demise of his father Ramses I. He died after an accident and was buried with a lot of precious treasures. His tomb was discovered by Howard Carter in 1922.

All the treasure found in his tomb can now be viewed in the Egyptian Museum In the evening 1 h flight back to Cairo.

 

Situated in the heart of Maadi, Villa Belle Époque allows visitors to relive the comfort & elegance of a bygone era while enjoying every modern amenity. Villa Belle Époque was built in the 1920s, and recently refurbished to reflect its colonial origins. Occupying a 1300 square meter plot, the hotel, its swimming pool, sundecks and patios are surrounded by lemon, mango, olive and guava trees, intermingled with centennial palms. Richly, yet understatedly decorated with a period feel and embellished with works of contemporary Egyptian art, Villa Belle Époque offers guests a unique experience of history and art.

 

 

After breakfast you are off to more miracles. Every visitor to Egypt should visit the pyramids at least once.