Day 8: Oberoi Zahra Cruise
Overnight - The Oberoi Zahra
Your excursion will again be orchestrated very differently from the cruise’s itinerary. After breakfast a short drive will bring you to the Valley of the Kings. You will explore the most impressive tombs in the barren and scenic valley, and not have long waits under the desert sun like other visitors. Capacity is controlled at all Tombs and the popular standard Tombs are nice but not as impressive and have long lines. The handpicked tombs we take you to require individual entrance tickets and have, at most, very short lines.
Camera Photography can often be restricted at one or more Tombs without any prior notice. Some of the Tombs, such as the magnificent Tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens, currently do not permit any photography except with cell phones, but the option to even use your phone’s camera is subject to change at any time. Please note that photography rules are strictly enforced.
Your exploration will include the following premium attractions:
1: The Tomb of Ramses V & VI (KV9) – This 340-foot-long Tomb was started by Ramses V but later taken over by his successor, Ramses VI. The paintings, bas-reliefs and hieroglyphs covering the walls and ceilings are among the best preserved in the Valley, making for an incredibly colorful Tomb.
2: The Tomb of Tutankhamun (King Tut) (KV62) – This is one of the smaller Tombs in the valley. The Tomb was discovered in 1922 with all its treasures intact, and the majority of these artifacts are now the most impressive section of displays in the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. You will be able to see young King Tut’s mummified remains in the Tomb, and the glittering shrines in his burial chamber.
3: The Tomb of Seti I (KV17) – This is the longest Tomb in the valley at over 450 feet, and also one of the deepest. There are incredible decorations on the walls and ceilings, and its vivid colors are a delight to behold. A steep entry fee eliminates the long lines found for most tombs, and those who do not visit Nefertari’s Tomb in the Valley of the Queens usually feel that this was the most impressive Tomb that they have seen.
4: The Tomb of Nefertari (QV66) Valley of the Queens – On the way to the Valley of the Queens you will stop along the way at the Temple of Hatshepsut, as detailed below. Located a short distance away in the Valley of the Queens, Nefertari’s Tomb is, in our opinion, the most striking Tomb in the Luxor region, and among the least visited due to its entry fee. The 5600 square foot Tomb has amazing multicolored artwork on its polished stone walls, and the incredible beauty of the legendary queen is depicted in scores of paintings. Ramses II immortalized his beloved queen repeatedly, as in the awe-inspiring Temples at Abu Simbel, and the Tomb certainly achieves what it was intended to do.
Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. Before reaching the Valley of the Queens and Nefertari’s Tomb, you will stop along the way at this wonderfully restored temple complex. This impressive 3500-year-old structure is built on 3 levels reaching almost 100 feet at the top. During your travels your Egyptologist Tour Director will share some fascinating tales about Queen Hatshepsut, one of the smartest rulers of this ancient world.
Colossi of Memnon. The last stop on this exploration will be at these two massive 14 Century BC statues of King Amenhotep III. These ancient structures reach about 60 feet high and are estimated to each weigh about 720 tons. Unlike most visitors, you will visit these at the end of your exploration on this day so that you can be among the first to arrive at the Valley of the Kings in the morning.
We recommend that you spend this late afternoon on board the Zahra and enjoy its lavish facilities as your visit to the Luxor Temple will be much better on the next day – it is located a very short walk from your Luxor hotel.
Your excursion will again be orchestrated very differently from the cruise’s itinerary. After breakfast a short drive will bring you to the Valley of the Kings. You will explore the most impressive tombs in the barren and scenic valley, and not have long waits under the desert sun like other visitors. Capacity is controlled at all Tombs and the popular standard Tombs are nice but not as impressive and have long lines. The handpicked tombs we take you to require individual entrance tickets and have, at most, very short lines.
Camera Photography can often be restricted at one or more Tombs without any prior notice. Some of the Tombs, such as the magnificent Tomb of Nefertari in the Valley of the Queens, currently do not permit any photography except with cell phones, but the option to even use your phone’s camera is subject to change at any time. Please note that photography rules are strictly enforced.
Your exploration will include the following premium attractions:
1: The Tomb of Ramses V & VI (KV9) – This 340-foot-long Tomb was started by Ramses V but later taken over by his successor, Ramses VI. The paintings, bas-reliefs and hieroglyphs covering the walls and ceilings are among the best preserved in the Valley, making for an incredibly colorful Tomb.
2: The Tomb of Tutankhamun (King Tut) (KV62) – This is one of the smaller Tombs in the valley. The Tomb was discovered in 1922 with all its treasures intact, and the majority of these artifacts are now the most impressive section of displays in the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. You will be able to see young King Tut’s mummified remains in the Tomb, and the glittering shrines in his burial chamber.
3: The Tomb of Seti I (KV17) – This is the longest Tomb in the valley at over 450 feet, and also one of the deepest. There are incredible decorations on the walls and ceilings, and its vivid colors are a delight to behold. A steep entry fee eliminates the long lines found for most tombs, and those who do not visit Nefertari’s Tomb in the Valley of the Queens usually feel that this was the most impressive Tomb that they have seen.
4: The Tomb of Nefertari (QV66) Valley of the Queens – On the way to the Valley of the Queens you will stop along the way at the Temple of Hatshepsut, as detailed below. Located a short distance away in the Valley of the Queens, Nefertari’s Tomb is, in our opinion, the most striking Tomb in the Luxor region, and among the least visited due to its entry fee. The 5600 square foot Tomb has amazing multicolored artwork on its polished stone walls, and the incredible beauty of the legendary queen is depicted in scores of paintings. Ramses II immortalized his beloved queen repeatedly, as in the awe-inspiring Temples at Abu Simbel, and the Tomb certainly achieves what it was intended to do.
Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. Before reaching the Valley of the Queens and Nefertari’s Tomb, you will stop along the way at this wonderfully restored temple complex. This impressive 3500-year-old structure is built on 3 levels reaching almost 100 feet at the top. During your travels your Egyptologist Tour Director will share some fascinating tales about Queen Hatshepsut, one of the smartest rulers of this ancient world.
Colossi of Memnon. The last stop on this exploration will be at these two massive 14 Century BC statues of King Amenhotep III. These ancient structures reach about 60 feet high and are estimated to each weigh about 720 tons. Unlike most visitors, you will visit these at the end of your exploration on this day so that you can be among the first to arrive at the Valley of the Kings in the morning.
We recommend that you spend this late afternoon on board the Zahra and enjoy its lavish facilities as your visit to the Luxor Temple will be much better on the next day – it is located a very short walk from your Luxor hotel.