Day 1: Arrival to Aswan
At Aswan Airport, a representative from the RTS agency will be there to welcome you. They will transfer you to a and assist you with check-in. You will also discuss with them the start of your journey the next day. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Aswan
After breakfast, at agreed upon time your guide will wait for you and together, you will head to the port and take a motorboat to visit the Philae Temple on Agilkia Island. The temple was relocated here after the construction of the Aswan High Dam and the creation of Lake Nasser, making it one of the most beautiful and well-preserved Egyptian temples. It is dedicated to the goddess Isis. After the tour, you will return to Aswan, where the RTS agency representative will assist you in boarding the Nile cruise boat. Following lunch on the boat and some relaxation, your guide will meet you at the hotel reception at the agreed-upon time. In the afternoon, you will experience the beauty of the Nile on your guided tours. First, you will sail on a felucca (traditional sailboat) to Kitchener’s Island with a botanical garden established in 1860. Here, you will explore lush tropical vegetation and mighty trees that provide shade from the strong sun. After the tour, you will sail to the pier of the Old Cataract Hotel just in time to enjoy traditional English tea at five (not included in the price) on the hotel’s terrace while observing the sunset. Then, you will be transferred to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay.
Day 3: Aswan – Lake Nasser Cruise
After breakfast, your guide will be waiting for you at the agreed-upon time and will drive you to the Aswan pier on Lake Nasser. They will assist you with boarding the cruise boat. You will begin your journey with a cruise to the temples on New Kalabsha Island near Aswan for your first encounter with the sights of the Nubian Kingdom. There are two temples on the island and a kiosk, all relocated there before the flooding. In contrast to the tourist-crowded temples, you will be able to enjoy the peace and delve deeper into the life of the pharaohs by observing rich reliefs. The most famous of the three temples is the Kalabsha Temple, the only free-standing Nubian temple dedicated to the god Mandulis, the Nubian god of the sun. The temple boasts columns, reliefs, and statues depicting pharaohs, gods, and goddesses from Egyptian mythology. The other smaller temple, Beit al-Wali, is carved into the rock and was built in honour of Pharaoh Ramesses II. The temple’s interior features exceptionally well- preserved colourful paintings. The Kiosk of Qertassi was originally located at the entrance to a quarry and was visible from afar. It is dedicated to the goddess Hathor, the protector of miners and quarry workers. After the visits, you will return to the pier, where your private cruise boat on Lake Nasser will await you. After the tour, you will have lunch on the boat and continue cruising on the lake. In this part, the lake narrows, and from the deck, you can admire the beautiful colours and views of the desert shores of the lake. Dinner and an overnight stay on the boat.
Day 4: Lake Nasser Cruise
During the cruise to the Lion’s Valley (Wadi el-Sebua), you can observe the awakening of the lake at sunrise. Then, a hearty breakfast awaits you while relaxing on the deck and enjoying the picturesque nature. On the way, you will cross the Tropic of Cancer, and after lunch, you will explore three temples in the Lion’s Valley with your guide. These include the smallest temple on the shore, the Temple of Maharaqqa, then the moderately sized Temple of Dakka on a hill with a magnificent view, and the largest and best-preserved Lion Temple dedicated to the sun god Amon, which you will ascend via a staircase lined with sphinxes. After the visits, you will continue cruising on the lake while admiring the sunset. Dinner and an overnight stay on the boat.
Day 5: Lake Nasser Cruise
On this day, you will continue sailing towards Amada, enjoy breakfast, and relax on the deck while enjoying the breathtaking views. With your guide, you will visit Amada, the oldest Nubian temple dedicated to the sun god Amon. The temple features numerous colourful reliefs depicting the lives of pharaohs and hieroglyphic inscriptions of Amenhotep II’s military campaigns in Asia. After the visit, you will continue sailing and admire the lake and its shores. Lunch, dinner, and an overnight stay on the boat.
Day 6: Lake Nasser Cruise – Abu Simbel
On the last day aboard the boat, on the way to Abu Simbel, you will have the opportunity to admire the fortress of Qasr Ibrim, built in the 8th century BCE. It is the only ancient monument that survived the flooding of the Nile and remains in the same location, although it used to be on a 70-meter hill before the dam’s construction, and now it is on an island. After lunch, you will continue sailing and soon witness the stunning view of the Abu Simbel temples from the lake, just as Ramesses II envisioned. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served on the boat.
Day 7: Abu Simbel – Aswan
Following an early breakfast, at around 08:00, you will disembark and drive along the desert highway to Aswan. To conclude your journey through the Nubian kingdom, you will visit the Nubian Museum, which will provide further insights into this ancient civilization. Afterwards, a motorboat will take you to a small island with a Nubian restaurant for lunch. Following lunch, you will be transported to your hotel, which is located on an island in the middle of the Nile. A representative from the RTS agency will assist you with the hotel check-in. You will have free time to enjoy the view of numerous sailboats cruising along the Nile and witness the final sunset. Dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8: Departure from Aswan
After breakfast, check out from the hotel (no later than 11:00) and enjoy some free time until your departure to the airport (typically 3 hours before your flight). At the agreed-upon time, a representative from the RTS agency will be waiting for you at the hotel reception. You will be driven to the airport, where they will assist you with the check-in for your flight.
This marks the conclusion of your trip with a flight to your chosen destination.
*Please note that we reserve the right to make programme changes due to public transportation schedules, weather conditions, and other circumstances beyond our control.
