Movenpick MS Royal Lily Christmas Nile Cruise

Have breakfast on your Nile cruise, and start your day of the Luxor West Bank tour with your private Egyptologist guide and driver. The Valley of the Kings will be your very first destination, and it is a very awe-inspiring place, with pharaohs of the New Kingdom making their tombs in the depths of the mountains of Thebes. So far, 64 royal tombs have been discovered, with the most popular being the burial of Tutankhamun; still, the tomb remains intact with its rich collection of gold, silver, and jewelry intact.

Keep on with your Luxor day tours by visiting the grandiose Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, called El Deir El Bahari. Constructed on a massive limestone rock, this architectural masterpiece is a tribute to the second female pharaoh in Egypt, and features some terraces, columns, and intricate reliefs that narrate about the reign period and the divine conception.

Your sightseeing also entails a visit to the giant statues of Amenhotep III, which are the Colossi of Memnon. These two tall pillars were once the guideposts to his great mortuary temple, and are the only parts of that great complex that survive. Take some memorable shots and listen to the myths about their ancient singing in the morning.

Having made your final visits on the West Bank, you find yourself on the cruise ship and begin sailing towards Esna to Edfu. Enjoy a new lunch on board, then free time to relax and have afternoon tea on deck. During the night, experience a wonderful dinner and spend the night on the Nile in Edfu on your cruise.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

A Nile cruise is perhaps the most restful and the most engaging method of sightseeing ancient Egyptian Wonders. Some of the most vivid pitfalls on the way are the twin gems of Edfu and Kom Ombo, where one can acquire a different perspective of the world of the pharaohs. The one-day sightseeing trip to these temples is a blend of history, religion, a picturesque cruise, and the atmosphere of life on the river. 

Breakfast is usually served on deck or in the dining room, allowing you to watch the sunrise over the water before embarking on your amazing tour in Edfu.

The first is the visit to Edfu, which has one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt. The temple is devoted to the falcon-headed god Horus, and it was constructed in the Ptolemaic era; it is almost preserved in its original state compared to other ancient places.

The entrance is defended by towering pylons that are carved with the scenes of Horus overcoming evil.

Gigantic columns are adorning the halls of hymasts, and some of the paint remains. The interior sanctuary, with the location of the sacred barque there reveals some insight into the pharaonic rituals.

As you pass through the temple, the guides tend to narrate the myth of Horus and Seth and bring the reliefs on the walls to life.

Then the Nile cruise will arrive at Kom Ombo to visit the second temple in the day, as opposed to any other temple in Egypt, Kom Ombo is devoted to two gods at the same time, i.e., Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. The twin-likeness is observed in all places: twin doorways, twin sanctuaries, twin halls.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Not only does a Nile cruise allow one to sail through scenic locations, but it also experience memorable tours to the ancient Egyptian marvels. When your cruise arrives at Aswan, one of the most beautiful and most historically important cities of the country, you will be able to start on a full-day trip that will include not only archeology and engineering wonders but also local culture and comfort, and the services of your Nile cruise.

Your day begins with a freshly prepared breakfast on the cruise ship, surrounded by serene views of the Nile. The peaceful morning atmosphere is the perfect start before heading out to explore Aswan’s top landmarks.

The High Dam is the first place to visit, and it was built during the 1960s under the leadership of President Gamal Abdel Nasser. The dam transformed the destiny of Egypt; it not only turned the lives of the Nile floods annually but also generated hydroelectric power, besides being an engineering marvel. Through its panoramic perspective, Lake Nasser, which is the massive reservoir reaching deep into the desert of Nubia, can be admired.

Then you will travel by motorboat to Philae Temple, which is devoted to the goddess Isis. The complex of temples was on the Island of Philae, but it was rescued by the High Dam and moved to the island of Agilika, with a lot of care, during an international UNESCO rescue operation.

Then you will go to the granite quarries of Aswan, where ancient Egyptians obtained the material for temples and statues nationwide. This is the Unfinished Obelisk, which was ordered by Queen Hatshepsut.

Had it been finished, the largest obelisk in existence would have been raised, of more than 1,000 tons. The cracks found in the process of carving led to its being left there, and provide modern visitors with unusual access to the techniques of stonework in the ancient period.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Once you have enjoyed breakfast, you will disembark your Nile Cruise and transfer in a vehicle from Cairo Top Tours to any drop-off point you choose.
At this point, your Movenpick MS Royal Lily Christmas Nile Cruise ends.
Meals: Breakfast