Day 6: Aswan – Kom Ombo – Edfu – Esna - Luxor
Overnight - Sofitel Winter Palace
This morning you are assisted with your checkout and then you will begin your drive to ancient Thebes (Luxor). You have two drive options on this day, and we strongly recommend the latter option. You can choose to take the direct desert highway that will get you to Luxor in about four hours, or you can spend most of the morning and early afternoon driving by the Nile while stopping at 1 or more of three of Egypt’s most amazing ancient temple complexes. The Temples at Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna are the only stops on most luxury cruises between Aswan and Luxor for very good reasons.
You can also ask your Egyptologist Tour Director to customize your journey and only stop at one or two of the three temple complexes. We believe that the Temple of Horus at Edfu is a must while in Egypt – it is quite possibly the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt. The Temple at Kom Ombo, although not as well preserved, is also fascinating with its detailed reliefs and the fact that it was dedicated to two Gods, the crocodile-headed Sobek and the falcon-headed Horus. Although unique in many ways, the Temple of Khnum at Esna can be left out by all but the most ardent archaeology loving explorers. It is a smaller site with 24 beautifully carved pillars and a similarly detailed ceiling and requires driving across the Nile (adding about 45 minutes of driving between Aswan and Luxor) to its west bank and then descending, and later ascending, about 30 feet of stairs.
Arrive at your boutique luxury hotel at Luxor and you are assisted with your check-in. This luxury hotel has played host to various members of royalty and other dignitaries. Agatha Christie also stayed here and wrote part of her book while she was in residence. As at Aswan, the hotel’s common areas, hallways, and dining venues can be very cold during winter, especially December through February.
Welcome to ancient Thebes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you have chosen to take the quicker route to Luxor, your Egyptologist Tour Director and vehicle are available to you for explorations in the Luxor region this afternoon.
This morning you are assisted with your checkout and then you will begin your drive to ancient Thebes (Luxor). You have two drive options on this day, and we strongly recommend the latter option. You can choose to take the direct desert highway that will get you to Luxor in about four hours, or you can spend most of the morning and early afternoon driving by the Nile while stopping at 1 or more of three of Egypt’s most amazing ancient temple complexes. The Temples at Kom Ombo, Edfu and Esna are the only stops on most luxury cruises between Aswan and Luxor for very good reasons.
You can also ask your Egyptologist Tour Director to customize your journey and only stop at one or two of the three temple complexes. We believe that the Temple of Horus at Edfu is a must while in Egypt – it is quite possibly the best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt. The Temple at Kom Ombo, although not as well preserved, is also fascinating with its detailed reliefs and the fact that it was dedicated to two Gods, the crocodile-headed Sobek and the falcon-headed Horus. Although unique in many ways, the Temple of Khnum at Esna can be left out by all but the most ardent archaeology loving explorers. It is a smaller site with 24 beautifully carved pillars and a similarly detailed ceiling and requires driving across the Nile (adding about 45 minutes of driving between Aswan and Luxor) to its west bank and then descending, and later ascending, about 30 feet of stairs.
Arrive at your boutique luxury hotel at Luxor and you are assisted with your check-in. This luxury hotel has played host to various members of royalty and other dignitaries. Agatha Christie also stayed here and wrote part of her book while she was in residence. As at Aswan, the hotel’s common areas, hallways, and dining venues can be very cold during winter, especially December through February.
Welcome to ancient Thebes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you have chosen to take the quicker route to Luxor, your Egyptologist Tour Director and vehicle are available to you for explorations in the Luxor region this afternoon.