Day 1: Luxor’s East Bank Wonders
Your amazing journey begins with a morning pickup from your Makadi Bay hotel. A private, air-conditioned car will transfer you to Luxor city to start your 5-day Nile cruise. Upon arrival in Luxor, your Egyptologist tour guide will greet you and accompany you to see the following incredible sites:
Karnak Temple
First, explore Karnak Temple, the world’s largest open-air museum and biggest temple complex. Built around 1500 BC, it features three large temples, smaller enclosed temples, and many more structures. These served as centers of devotion for various deities, including the Theban Triad.
After your morning tour, you’ll enjoy lunch. Afterward, you will board your 5-star luxury Nile cruise ship. In the evening, we will pick you up again for a special exploration:
Luxor Temple by Night
Witness Luxor Temple by Night, a true lunar miracle of Upper Egypt. Builders constructed this temple in 1400 BCE to serve as the home of the god Amun and the focal point of the Opet festival. This festival symbolizes the revival of royalty. Experiencing Luxor Temple illuminated at night is a highlight of your 5-day Nile cruise from Makadi Bay.
Lunch and dinner are included, and you’ll spend the night aboard the cruise.
Day 2: Luxor’s West Bank & Sail to Edfu
After breakfast on board, your private tour guide and air-conditioned vehicle will join you to continue your Makadi Bay trip. You’ll visit the fascinating sites on Luxor’s West Bank.
The Valley of the Kings
Your Makadi Bay Nile Cruise takes you through The Valley of the Kings, the residence of royal immortals from the New Kingdom of Egypt (1570–1070 BC). This site contains up to 63 exceptionally well-preserved tombs. Marvel at their incredible decorations, golden artifacts, and the mummies of the Ramses dynasty, Tutankhamun, and other notable figures.
Temple of Hatshepsut
Next, explore Hatshepsut Temple, also known as “El Deir El Bahari.” This is one of the best-preserved archaeological sites ever built. It showcases Queen Hatshepsut’s (1478–1485 BC) immense heritage and the ancient secrets of its construction. It stands as an outstanding example of the highest caliber of classical architecture.
Colossi of Memnon
Finally, you will travel between the Colossi of Memnon, two towering sculptures. These 18-meter (60-foot) tall statues resemble Amenhotep III (1386–1350). Although the pharaoh was killed in a significant earthquake, the statues were rebuilt in 27 BC and again in 199 AD.
In the afternoon, you will sail to Esna and Edfu. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included, and you’ll stay overnight in Edfu.
Day 3: Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples
Following breakfast on board, your Nile cruise departs from Makadi Bay, including an excursion to two more impressive temples.
Temple of Edfu
First, visit the Temple of Edfu. This great temple, built between 237 BC and 57 BC during the Ptolemaic era, recounts the belief that Horus, son of the mother deity Isis and ruler of the underworld Osiris, defeated his evil uncle Set here. Your 5-day Nile cruise from Makadi Bay will immerse you in the divine spirit that surrounds this sacred place.
Continue your trip to Kom Ombo to see the next temple.
Temple of Kom Ombo
Explore the Temple of Kom Ombo, also known as “the Hill of Gold.” Constructed during the Ptolemaic era between 205 BC and 180 BC, it stands as a highlight of your 5-day Nile cruise from Makadi Bay. It features a unique double design, divided into two identical parts: one for Sobek, the crocodile deity of fertility, and the other for the god Horus.
In the evening, you will arrive in Aswan. Dinner, lunch, and breakfast are included.
Day 4: Aswan’s Iconic Attractions
After breakfast this morning, you will continue your 5-day Nile cruise from Makadi Bay by visiting some of Aswan’s most well-known tourist destinations.
High Dam at Aswan
First, see the High Dam at Aswan. This modern marvel was built during the 1960s and 1970s. Its construction aimed to control the Nile floods, enhance hydroelectricity production, and increase water storage for agriculture. All these factors significantly boosted Egypt’s economy and positively impacted its culture.
The Unfinished Obelisk
Next, marvel at The Unfinished Obelisk. Queen Hatshepsut (1508–1458 BC) commissioned this impressive but incomplete monument in Aswan. It stands 42 meters tall and weighs 1200 tonnes. Unfortunately, the obelisk developed several fractures after construction and remains in its original location today.
Temple of Philae
Your five-day Nile cruise’s last temple stop is Philae Temple. Constructed in the Ptolemaic era between 380 and 362 BC, it is considered the last temple ever built. It served as the place of worship for Isis, the mother of Horus, the goddess of maternity, and the wife of Osiris, king of the underworld.
You will spend the night on the cruise. Dinner, lunch, and breakfast are included.
Day 5: Departure from Makadi Bay
heck out of the boat. You’ll then take a first-class train to Luxor. From Luxor, a private car will drive you back to your accommodation in Makadi Bay, concluding your memorable five-day Nile cruise from Makadi Bay.
