3 Days Luxor and Aswan Tour

This itinerary is designed to give you a condensed but comprehensive tour of the highlights of Upper Egypt. It is a fast-paced journey, but it allows you to see the most iconic temples and monuments in a short amount of time.

Day 1: Luxor (The World’s Greatest Open-Air Museum)

This day is dedicated to exploring the magnificent temples and tombs of ancient Thebes, split into the East and West Banks of the Nile.

• Morning (West Bank): Start your day early to beat the heat and crowds. Your guide will take you to the West Bank of the Nile.
  • Valley of the Kings: This is the most famous site on the West Bank, where pharaohs from the New Kingdom were buried in rock-cut tombs. You will visit several of the most impressive tombs with your guide.
  • Temple of Hatshepsut: Admire the unique architecture of this beautiful terraced temple, built by one of Egypt’s most successful female pharaohs.
  • Colossi of Memnon: Make a brief stop to see the two massive statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III, the only remaining parts of his mortuary temple.
• Afternoon (East Bank): After lunch, you will cross back to the East Bank.
  • Karnak Temple Complex: This is the largest religious building ever constructed. Walk through the vast hypostyle hall with its 134 towering columns and explore the many sanctuaries and obelisks.
  • Luxor Temple: This temple is particularly beautiful at sunset and when it is illuminated at night. It’s a key site for understanding the Opet festival of ancient Egypt.
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
• Overnight in Luxor.

Day 2: Luxor to Aswan (En Route Temples)

Today is a travel day that includes sightseeing between Luxor and Aswan.

• Morning: After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Luxor. Your driver and guide will take you on a scenic drive south to Aswan.
• En Route Temples: Along the way, you will visit two well-preserved temples.
  • Temple of Edfu: This temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus, is one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt. You will typically take a horse-drawn carriage from the main road to the temple entrance.
  • Temple of Kom Ombo: This unique temple is dedicated to two gods: the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris (Horus the Elder). It is a double temple with two mirrored sections.
• Late Afternoon: Arrive in Aswan, check into your hotel, and enjoy lunch.
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
• Overnight in Aswan.

Day 3: Aswan Highlights and Departure

This day focuses on the key sites in Aswan, followed by your departure.

• Morning: Your guide will pick you up for a tour of Aswan.
  • Aswan High Dam: A modern marvel of engineering, the High Dam has had a profound impact on Egypt, controlling the Nile’s annual flooding and providing electricity.
  • Unfinished Obelisk: Visit the ancient granite quarry where this colossal obelisk lies unfinished in the bedrock. It provides fascinating insight into the techniques used by ancient Egyptian stonemasons.
  • Philae Temple: Take a short motorboat ride to Agilkia Island to visit this beautiful temple complex dedicated to the goddess Isis, which was relocated to save it from the rising waters of the Nile.
• Optional Activity: A felucca ride on the Nile is a popular and relaxing way to see Aswan’s islands and scenery.
• Departure: After your tours and lunch, you will be transferred to Aswan International Airport for your flight back to Cairo or other destination.
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.

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