Day 1 – August 1: Arrival in Luxor

• Welcome to Thebes: Your celestial and historical journey begins with a warm meet-and-assist service upon arrival at Luxor International Airport, the gateway to ancient Thebes.

• Private Transfer & Settle In: Enjoy a smooth, private transfer to your carefully selected Luxor hotel. Check in and take the remainder of the day to relax and acclimatize after your travels.

• Optional Evening: The evening is yours to enjoy at leisure. You may choose to attend the optional Karnak Sound & Light Show, a dramatic introduction to Egypt’s pharaonic legacy under the stars.

Day 2: Temples of Karnak & Luxor

• Temple of Karnak: After breakfast, delve into the staggering Temple of Karnak, the largest religious complex ever built. Walk through the awe-inspiring Great Hypostyle Hall, a forest of 134 colossal columns, and explore the sacred lake and towering obelisks built over two millennia.

• Luxor Temple at Sunset: In the late afternoon, visit the elegant Luxor Temple as the setting sun casts a golden glow on its majestic colonnades and statues. Appreciate its graceful riverside setting and the long avenue of sphinxes that once connected it to Karnak.

Day 3: West Bank Wonders → Embarkation

• Valley of the Kings: Cross the Nile to the West Bank to explore the legendary Valley of the Kings. Descend into several of the ornately decorated royal tombs, where vibrant wall paintings depict the pharaohs’ journey to the afterlife.

• Temple of Hatshepsut & Colossi of Memnon: Continue to the unique, terraced Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, built into the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari. Pause for photos at the towering Colossi of Memnon, the sole remnants of Amenhotep III’s mortuary temple.

• Embarkation & First Sail: After your tours, transfer south to Esna to board your traditional Dahabiya sailboat. Settle into your cabin, enjoy a welcome lunch on board, and begin your gentle sail southward, spending your first serene night on the Nile.

Day 4 – August 2: 🌑 Eclipse Day on the Nile

• Morning Sail & Anticipation: Enjoy a leisurely morning sail on the peaceful Nile as anticipation builds. An optional professional astronomy briefing will prepare you for the celestial event.

• 🌑 The Total Solar Eclipse Experience: Your Dahabiya will moor at an exclusive, pre-selected viewing location within the prime path of totality near Luxor. With safety eclipse glasses provided, you will witness the moon completely cover the sun for a historic 6 minutes and 23 seconds—the longest duration anywhere on Earth in the 21st century. Experience the surreal daytime twilight and drop in temperature in complete comfort from the open deck.

• Celebration Dinner: As daylight returns to normal, a special celebration dinner will be served on board, allowing you to share this unforgettable experience with fellow travelers under the stars.

Day 5: El Kab & Edfu

• El Kab (Elkab): Disembark after breakfast to explore the ancient site of El Kab, once an important provincial capital. Visit its impressive mudbrick enclosure walls and several well-preserved rock-cut tombs from the New Kingdom, adorned with vivid scenes of daily life and religious rituals.

• Temple of Horus at Edfu: Sail onward to Edfu, where a traditional horse-drawn carriage takes you to the magnificent Temple of Horus. This incredibly intact Ptolemaic temple is the largest of its kind, offering a complete and awe-inspiring vision of ancient Egyptian mythology and architecture.

• Evening Sail: Return to your Dahabiya and continue sailing south. Enjoy dinner on board as you watch the sunset over the riverbanks before mooring for the night at El Ramadi.

Day 6: Village Life & Gebel El Silsila

• Bassaw Village: Disembark for a morning visit to Bassaw Village, an authentic Nile-side community. Walk through lush fields of sugarcane and date palms, interact with friendly locals, and gain insight into the traditional agricultural rhythms of rural Egypt.

• Gebel El Silsila Quarries: Sail to the historic Gebel El Silsila quarries, the primary source of sandstone for great temples like Karnak. Explore the dramatic cliffs, ancient quarry marks, and rock-cut shrines (speos) dedicated to Nile deities.

• Scenic Evening Sail: Enjoy lunch and a relaxed afternoon sail, arriving to moor near the picturesque Beshir Island for a tranquil dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Kom Ombo • Nile Swimming • Arrival to Aswan

• Kom Ombo Temple: Visit the unique Temple of Kom Ombo, perfectly situated on a high dune overlooking a broad bend in the Nile. This symmetrical “double temple” is dedicated to both Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris (Horus the Elder). Don’t miss the adjacent Crocodile Museum.

• Herdiab Island Swim Stop: Enjoy some leisure time with a stop at Herdiab Island, a serene sandy spot in the Nile. This is your chance for a safe and refreshing swim in the river’s clear, calm waters—a quintessential Egyptian experience.

• Final Sail to Aswan: Return to the Dahabiya for lunch and begin your final sail towards Aswan. Soak in the last panoramic views of the Nile Valley before arriving in the evening for your farewell dinner on board, docked in Aswan.

Day 8: Aswan Wonders → Departure

• Disembarkation & Philae Temple: After breakfast, disembark from your Dahabiya. Take a motorboat to Agilkia Island to explore the exquisite Temple of Philae, a romantic complex dedicated to the goddess Isis that was meticulously relocated to save it from the waters of the Aswan High Dam.

• Optional Add-On – Abu Simbel: For those extending their journey, an optional visit to the monumental rock-cut Temples of Abu Simbel is highly recommended (additional cost).

• End of Services: After your visit, you will be transferred to Aswan Airport for your onward departure flight, concluding your epic expedition that bridged the wonders of the cosmos with the grandeur of ancient civilization.

What’s Included

✔ 2 nights in a handpicked hotel in Luxor
✔ 5 nights aboard a luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruise (private cabin)
✔ All entrance fees to sites as per itinerary
✔ Private air-conditioned transfers
✔ Professional Egyptologist guide throughout
✔ Special Eclipse Day amenities: Safety glasses, exclusive viewing location setup, optional astronomy briefing
✔ Celebration dinner on Eclipse Day

What’s Not Included

✘ International flights
✘ Egypt entry visa
✘ Drinks during meals
✘ Tips for guide, driver & dahabiya crew
✘ Optional tours and activities (e.g., Karnak Sound & Light Show)

Optional Add-On

Abu Simbel Journey by Road – €90 per person
Visit the monumental temples of Ramses II and Nefertari, masterpieces of ancient engineering aligned with solar phenomena.