19 Feb 8-Day Egypt Travel Itinerary
~ Days 1 & 2 ~
Aswan
Upon arriving at Cairo International Airport, we proceeded to the immigration counter for passport control, where we presented our passports and other relevant travel documents. The immigration officer verified our identity and the purpose of our visit to Egypt. After clearing immigration, we collected our luggage from the baggage claim area and proceeded to customs to board our next flight to Aswan.
On arrival in Cairo, we were met by our representative from Jordan Inspiration Tours, who met us in the customs hall to help us with formalities and then transferred us to our hotel in Aswan.
On the southern side of Egypt, you will find Aswan, an imaginary town initially known as Swenett. The city is renowned for its calm atmosphere, rich archaeological monuments, and stunning views of the Nile Valley. It is the ideal winter getaway because of its warm, year-round Aswan weather.
The city offers beautiful views and attractions especially if you decide to enjoy a felucca trip across the Nile (Egyptian sailboat). The river flows smoothly from Lake Nasser via several islands encircled by the flora and black rock. Discover the destination’s rich history and culture by sailing to historical locations, including Philea, the Elephantine Island, and Agha Khan Mausoleum.
~ Day 3 ~
Abu Simbel – Nile Cruise
Today we started early at 6 am for a three-hour drive to Abu Simbel.
Abu Simbel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient temple complex in southern Egypt, near the border with Sudan. It is one of the most iconic and impressive archaeological sites in the world, known for its massive rock-cut temples, intricate carvings, and rich history.
The temples of Abu Simbel were built during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century B.C. as a testament to his power and glory. The main temple, known as the Great Temple of Ramses II, is dedicated to the gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah. It features four colossal statues of Ramesses II, each over 20 meters tall, flanking the entrance to the temple. The temple’s interior is decorated with intricate carvings and paintings depicting scenes from Ramesses II’s reign and his military campaigns.
The smaller temple at Abu Simbel, the Temple of Hathor and Nefertari, is dedicated to Ramesses II’s favourite wife, Queen Nefertari, and the goddess Hathor. It features six statues, four of which depict Ramesses II and two of which depict Queen Nefertari.
Abu Simbel is notable for its impressive architecture, art, and unique relocation in the 1960s. Today, Abu Simbel remains one of Egypt’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting visitors from around the world who come to marvel at its grandeur and learn about its rich history. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of ancient Egypt and a reminder of the power and sophistication of one of the world’s greatest civilizations.
After an impressive morning of taking in the grandeur of Abu Simbel, we made our way to the port for our Next; we boarded our Nile River cruise boat, where we had our afternoon and evening meals and enjoyed some Nubian shows activities.
~ Day 4 ~
Kom Ombo - Edfu
At 4 am, we started sailing towards the shore of Kom-Ombo to see the double-built temple of the Falcon god “Haroeris” (the southern part) and the crocodile god “Sobek” (the northern part).
Kom-Ombo
Kom Ombo means “The Hill Of Gold“. The Temple of Kom Ombo is unusual but unique, standing in a beautiful setting on the Nile River as a double temple. Built approximately 180 years ago (B.C.) by the Ptolemaic dynasty, the temple is dedicated to the Crocodile God Sobek; in the northern part and the Falcon God Haroeris; in the southern region.
Kom Ombo is an ancient temple near Aswan in Kom Ombo, Upper Egypt. The temple is situated on the banks of the Nile River. As history dictates, it is dedicated to two gods: Sobek, the crocodile-headed god of fertility, and the creator of this world: Horus, the falcon-headed god of the sky and protector of the Egyptian pharaohs. The southern temple is dedicated to Sobek, while the northern temple is dedicated to Horus.
The temple is notable for its stunning reliefs and carvings, which depict scenes from ancient Egyptian mythology and daily life. The reliefs on the temple walls show various offerings to the gods, as well as scenes of battle and the triumph of good over evil. Today, Kom Ombo attracts visitors from around the world who come to marvel at its ancient architecture and rich history.
Edfu
From Abu Simbel, we cruised for nearly 3 hours to Edfu to explore the most complete and well-preserved temple in Egypt, flanked by beautiful granite statues of the falcon god Horus.
The Temple of Edfu is an Egyptian Ptolemaic temple (305-30 B.C.) that stands on the west bank of the Nile, flanked by beautiful granite statues of the Falcon God Horus. From the wall and doorways covered with relief, you will learn the story of Horus exacting his revenge on Seth for the murder of his father, Osiris, an event re-enacted annually in the temple.
The Temple of Horus is dedicated to the falcon-headed god of the sky and is one of the most impressive temples in Egypt. It was built over more than 180 years, with construction beginning during the reign of Ptolemy III Euergetes in 237 BC and completed during the reign of Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos in 57 B.C. Imhotep designed the temple, which is a masterpiece of ancient Egyptian architecture.
The temple is notable for its impressive façade, which features two towering columns and a massive entrance pylon adorned with reliefs and carvings. Here you will see the walls covered with scenes depicting the life and deeds of Horus, as well as various offerings made to the gods. The temple also contains several hidden chambers and passages, some of which were initially used by the priests to perform secret rituals.
Today, Edfu is a popular tourist destination, with visitors worldwide to see the stunning Temple of Horus and explore the city’s rich history. The temple has undergone extensive restoration work in recent years, ensuring that it will continue to be a source of wonder and inspiration for future generations.
~ Day 5 ~
Luxor East Bank
Today we continue our cruise to see two massive temples on the bank of the Nile River.
Karnak Temple
The Karnak Temple is an ancient temple in Luxor, on the east bank of the Nile River and is one of the largest temple complexes in the world, covering an area of over 100 hectares, and is considered one of the most impressive examples of Egyptian architecture.
The construction of the Karnak Temple began over 4000 years ago during the Middle Kingdom. Still, most of the structures that can be seen today were built during the New Kingdom (1550-1070 BC), when the temple complex was expanded and embellished by successive pharaohs. The complex consists of a series of temples, pylons, courts, and chapels, dedicated to various gods and goddesses of the ancient Egyptian pantheon.
The main temple at Karnak is dedicated to the god Amun, the king of the gods and the patron deity of Thebes. You can approach it through a long avenue of sphinxes, where the entrance is marked by a towering pylon decorated with elaborate reliefs and carvings. Inside the temple, visitors can see a series of hypostyle halls, each supported by dozens of massive columns, among the largest in the world. The halls are decorated with intricate carvings and reliefs depicting scenes from ancient Egyptian mythology and history.
Today, Karnak Temple is one of Egypt’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting millions of yearly visitors. The temple complex has undergone extensive restoration and conservation work in recent years. Visitors can explore its many structures and learn about ancient Egypt’s rich history and mythology.
Luxor temple
The second massive temple to see is the Luxor temple; its walls show celebrations of a festival that we held in that temple. Inside the temple was a mosque (Abu Al-Haggag) built on the remains of a church, and at the end of the temple were chapels built by King Thutmose III and Alexander the Great.
Luxor Temple is an ancient temple located on the east bank of the Nile River. It was built during the New Kingdom period (1550-1070 BC) and was dedicated to the Theban Triad of the god Amun, his consort Mut, and their son Khonsu.
The temple complex is known for its impressive architecture, including its massive entrance pylon, which stands 24 meters tall and is decorated with intricate carvings and reliefs depicting the pharaohs making offerings to the gods. Visitors can also see a series of massive columns, which support the roof of the hypostyle hall and are decorated with carvings of papyrus flowers and lotus buds.
Luxor Temple is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Egypt. Visitors come from around the world to marvel at its architecture and learn about ancient Egypt’s rich history and mythology.
Avenue of Sphinxes
One of the most impressive features of the Luxor Temple is the Avenue of Sphinxes, which once linked to the Karnak Temple, located over 2 kilometres to the north. The avenue was lined with over 1,300 sphinxes, each carved from a single block of stone and decorated with the head of the god Amun. Today, only a small section of the avenue remains, but it still gives visitors a sense of the grandeur and scale of the ancient temple complex.
~ Day 6 ~
Luxor West Bank
Next, we cruised to the west bank of the Nile to see the tombs of the great ruler Ramses II and the child King Tut Ankh Amon; Queen Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple called “the Holy of Holies.” The architecture done on these walls was admirable.
The West Bank of Luxor is home to the Valley of the Kings, the Valley of the Queens, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, and the Ramesseum. These sites date back thousands of years and are some of the best-preserved examples of ancient Egyptian architecture and art.
This area was vital in ancient Egyptian history, particularly during the New Kingdom period (1550-1070 BCE). Many of the pharaohs from this period, such as Tutankhamun and Ramesses II, were buried in the Valley of the Kings, and the Temple of Hatshepsut was built to commemorate the reign of one of the few female pharaohs in Egyptian history.
~ Day 7 ~
Alexandria
Today we drove approximately three and half hours from Cairo to Alexandria.
Alexandria is a city in northern Egypt with a rich and unique history, culture, and architecture; that was founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BCE and was once one of the most important cities in the ancient world. It was a centre of learning and culture, home to the famous Library of Alexandria, the most extensive library in the ancient world.
Apart from its history, Alexandria has a rich cultural heritage reflected in its architecture, museums, and art galleries. The city has a unique blend of Greek, Roman, and Egyptian influences, seen in its ancient monuments and modern buildings. You will also find a cosmopolitan and sophisticated atmosphere engulfed with people from many different cultures and backgrounds living and working in the city. This diversity is reflected in the city’s food, music, and art scenes, making it a vibrant and exciting place to visit.
~ Day 8 ~
Cairo
Cairo, the capital of Egypt, is a destination steeped in history and culture, famous for one of the Seven Wonders of this fantastic world, the Great Pyramid. It is also known as the “City of a Thousand Minarets” for its Islamic architecture. It houses some of the world’s most famous attractions, the Egyptian Museum, which is home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts, including the treasures of King Tutankhamun. Visitors can also explore the city’s Islamic heritage by visiting the medieval Islamic city of Cairo, which includes the Al-Azhar Mosque and the Citadel.
The city’s bustling streets impress you with markets selling everything from spices to textiles, while the city’s many cafes and restaurants offer a taste of traditional Egyptian cuisine.
Here we end our 8-Day tour of Egypt in Cairo.
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