Champollion Nile Cruise 8 Days Luxor Aswan

Following a hearty breakfast, you will cross to the West Bank to uncover the mysteries of the "City of the Dead." Your guided tour focuses on the legendary Valley of the Kings, where you will enter three selected royal tombs to admire the remarkably vibrant ancient colors and intricate carvings. The exploration continues to the Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, a striking modernist architectural masterpiece built directly into the limestone cliffs. Your morning concludes with a visit to the Colossi of Memnon, two massive stone statues that have guarded the valley for millennia. In the afternoon, the vessel begins its graceful navigation south toward Esna, allowing you to experience the mechanical wonder of passing through the Esna Lock while enjoying tea on the deck. Dinner and overnight stay are on board while sailing toward Edfu.

The day begins with a nostalgic horse-drawn carriage ride through the local city of Edfu to visit the magnificent Temple of Horus, the most impeccably preserved ancient Egyptian temple in the land. After exploring its grand pylons and sacred chambers, you return to the MS Champollion for lunch while sailing toward Kom Ombo. Spend your afternoon relaxing on the sun deck, soaking in the "Visual Experience" of the fertile riverbanks. In the late afternoon, you will explore the unique Temple of Kom Ombo, a rare dual-deity sanctuary perfectly symmetrical and mirrored, dedicated to both the crocodile god Sobek and Horus the Elder. You will discover ancient medical instruments depicted in stone and visit the Crocodile Mummification Museum before returning to the cruise for dinner and evening entertainment.

Experience the absolute tranquility of the Nile as the MS Champollion reaches the beautiful city of Aswan. After breakfast, you will visit the High Dam, a 20th-century engineering masterpiece that tamed the Nile's floods and created the massive Lake Nasser. You will then take a motorboat to Agilkia Island to visit the magical Philae Temple, a complex dedicated to Isis that was meticulously relocated during a massive UNESCO rescue project. Your morning concludes at the Unfinished Obelisk, providing a fascinating look at ancient stone-cutting techniques in the granite quarries. After lunch on board, you will enjoy a peaceful Felucca ride, a traditional Egyptian sailing boat, which will take you through the Nile’s cataracts for a scenic tour around Elephantine Island. Dinner and overnight stay are in Aswan.

This day is designed for leisure or one of the greatest highlights in Egypt: an optional early morning excursion to the Abu Simbel Temples. Carved directly into the sandstone cliffs by Ramses II, these monumental sanctuaries were famously relocated by UNESCO and stand as a timeless tribute to ancient engineering. If you choose to stay in Aswan, you can enjoy the ship’s luxury facilities or take an optional afternoon visit to a traditional Nubian Village to meet friendly locals and learn about their vibrant heritage. The evening features a special Nubian-themed dinner on board, accompanied by cultural performances that celebrate the rich diversity of the southern Nile.

As the MS Champollion begins its return journey northward, you are granted a rare opportunity to view the Nile’s beauty from a completely new angle. After breakfast, enjoy the absolute peace of the sun deck—a perfect time for reflection, reading, or relaxing by the rooftop pool as the riverbanks glide slowly by. The ship will navigate back toward Kom Ombo and Edfu, allowing for second glimpses of the timeless rural landscape. This day is curated for wellness and relaxation, featuring afternoon tea on the deck followed by the famous "Galabia Party" in the evening, where guests dress in traditional Egyptian attire for a night of music and fun.

The ship arrives back in Luxor in the early morning hours. After breakfast, you have the opportunity for a deeper immersion into Luxor’s "hidden gems" that shorter cruises often skip. You may choose an optional visit to the Workers' Village at Deir el-Medina, where the artisans who built the royal tombs lived, or the Ramesseum, the monumental mortuary temple of Ramses II. Alternatively, spend your free time exploring Luxor’s vibrant spice markets for authentic souvenirs. The evening is dedicated to a final Farewell Dinner and a traditional Tanoura dance performance, marking the conclusion of your week-long royal retreat in a festive and elegant atmosphere.

On your final morning, you will enjoy a signature breakfast on board the MS Champollion before completing your check-out process. You can take a final moment to enjoy the view of the Luxor riverbank before our representative meets you for a final private transfer in a modern air-conditioned vehicle to the Luxor Airport or railway station for your departure. You leave with a rejuvenated spirit and a lifetime of memories, having lived the most complete and unhurried story of the Nile with the professional hospitality and disciplined luxury of Bastet Travel.