Private 5 Days Dahabeya Sandal SOTHIS II from Esna

Step aboard the Sandal SOTHIS II and embark on a voyage of discovery along the timeless waters of the Nile. With three luxurious double cabins, each boasting its own private bathroom, this traditional sandal promises a journey of unparalleled comfort and elegance.

As you set sail, you'll be enveloped in a sense of wonder and adventure, captivated by the beauty of Egypt's ancient treasures that unfold along the riverbanks. The gentle breeze whispers secrets of a bygone era, while the rhythmic sway of the sandal lulls you into a state of tranquility.

Indulge in moments of serenity as you watch the world drift by from the comfort of your elegantly appointed cabin, where every detail is designed to evoke a sense of timeless luxury. Share intimate conversations under the stars on the expansive deck, or simply bask in the beauty of the Nile's ever-changing landscapes.

With every passing moment aboard the Sandal SOTHIS II, you'll forge memories to last a lifetime, each one filled with the magic and romance of Egypt's storied past.

• 3 double cabins with private bathroom

Included

• Meet and assist service upon arrival & departure
• All transfers by a modern air-conditioned deluxe vehicle
• Accommodation on board 5-star Dahabiya on full board basis
• All Nile Cruise excursions as mentioned in the itinerary
• Entrance fees to all sights between Luxor and Aswan
• Egyptologist guide during your excursions
• All service charges and taxes
• All The prices are per person and in us dollars ​

Excludes

• Visa to Egypt
• Any other optional tours if required
• Tip.

Itinerary 

Day 1:

• We arrived in Luxor in the morning and checked into the Steigenberger Hotel, Winter Palace.
• Lunch.
• Visited the East Bank, which includes the Temple of Luxor and the Karnak Temples.
• Dinner.
• Visited the Mummification Museum.
• Felucca ride. Temple of Luxor: The Temple of Luxor sits on the east bank of the Nile River, founded in 1400 BC. It was built to worship "Amun-Ra, his wife Mut, and their son Khonsu". The temple was constructed during the reigns of the 18th and 19th Dynasties of Egypt and encompasses various civilizations: Pharaonic, Roman, Coptic, and Islamic. It also includes the Avenue of the Sphinxes connecting it to the Karnak Temple. Karnak Temples: A complex of temples, buildings, and columns, construction and expansion of the temple occurred from the Pharaonic era to the Roman era. Covering an area of approximately 63 acres, it is the largest temple in the world and holds numerous artifacts spanning Egypt's history. Returned to Dahabeya after concluding the East Bank visit for dinner.

Mummification Museum: Located in Luxor on the Nile Corniche north of the Luxor Temple, the museum aims to showcase ancient Pharaonic mummification techniques applied not only to humans but also to various creatures like cats, fish, and crocodiles. It also displays the tools used in the mummification process.

Day 2:

• Hot air balloon ride at dawn.
• Packed breakfast.
• Visited the West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
• Traveled to Esna by air-conditioned tourist car (50 kilometers).
• Nile sailing and overnight stay in the reservation village.
• Lunch.
• Dinner. Hot Air Balloon Ride: A breathtaking journey through the skies of Luxor, lasting approximately 45 minutes, offers a bird's eye view of the city's archaeological landmarks, the enchanting banks of the Nile, and the lush agricultural fields. Valley of the Kings: Used for 500 years to construct tombs for pharaohs and nobles of the New Kingdom, the valley now boasts 63 discovered tombs of varying sizes, from simple pits to intricately designed burial chambers containing over 120 burial rooms. Temple of Hatshepsut: Also known as the "Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut," this temple, built around 3500 years ago, stands out with its unique architectural design compared to temples on the east bank of the Nile. Consisting of three successive levels on open terraces, it is truly a marvel of ancient engineering.

Day 3:

• Sailing to the village of Al-Kab.
• Breakfast.
• Visiting the Al-Kab tombs.
• Sailing by felucca.
• Lunch.
• Visiting the Temple of Edfu, then returning to sail and spending the night in Jebel al-Silsila or Basaw.
• Dinner.

Al-Kab Tombs: A significant historical site housing remnants of an ancient civilization dating back to ancient times through the Byzantine era. It includes Middle Kingdom tombs and remnants of buildings and temples dedicated to the worship of "Nekhbet," the high goddess of Egypt.

Temple of Edfu: Also known as the Temple of Horus, it is the second-largest temple in Egypt after Karnak. It took about 180 years to build, and its walls are adorned with important inscriptions about language, myths, and religion during the Hellenistic period in Egypt.

Day 4:

• Breakfast.
• Visiting the Temple of "Horus the Beloved."
• Walking to the village of Faras.
• Lunch.
• Sailing and spending the night on an island.
• Dinner.

Temple of Horus the Beloved: The central gateway leads to a carved entrance surrounded by royal names of Horus the Beloved, which leads to a hall opening into the holy of holies. Inside are seated statues carved in rock of the temple's seven deities: the crocodile god Sobek, the protective goddess Taweret, the revered king Horus the Beloved, and others.

Day 5:

• Breakfast.
• Visiting the Temple of Kom Ombo.
• Sailing to the village of Drau.
• Exploring the village landmarks (camel market, livestock).
• Lunch.
• Sailing and visiting the island of Herdiab.
• Swimming on the island.
• Sailing to Aswan.
• Visiting the Botanical Island.
• Nubian Village.
• Dinner.

Temple of Kom Ombo: This temple was established during the reign of Ptolemy VI for the worship of the gods Sobek and Horus, but its decoration was completed during the Roman era under Emperor Tiberius. It contains the same characteristics found in other Egyptian temples of the Ptolemaic era in terms of design, architecture, and decoration.

Botanical Island: One of the most important tourist attractions in Aswan and one of the oldest gardens in the world. Located on an entire island, it houses numerous rare trees and plants, spread over 17 acres, divided into seven sections of rare and perennial plant life.

Nubian Village: Situated on the west bank of the Nile in Aswan, this village is one of the oldest and most distinguished Egyptian villages. It is characterized by Nubian houses, ancient Egyptian markets, and magnificent Nubian temples.

As we embark on the sixth day:

• Visiting the Abu Simbel Temple at dawn.
• Packed breakfast.
• Lunch.
• High Dam.
• Temple of Philae Island.
• Dinner.
• Donkey ride.
• Travel.

Abu Simbel Temple: An archaeological site located on the western bank of Lake Nasser, approximately 290 kilometers south of Aswan. The construction of the magnificent temple at Abu Simbel, west of Aswan, took about twenty years during the reign of Ramesses II (1265 BCE) and was dedicated to the gods Amun-Re, Ra-Horakhty, Ptah, and Ramesses himself. It is one of the most magnificent temples built during the reign of Ramesses II and one of the most beautiful in Egypt. It features four colossal statues of the pharaoh, each reaching a height of 20 meters, with a double crown symbolizing his rule over Upper and Lower Egypt.

High Dam: A water dam on the Nile River in southern Egypt, built during the era of Gamal Abdel Nasser and owned and operated by the Aswan High Dam Authority. The Soviets contributed to its construction. The dam has greatly helped in controlling water flow and mitigating the effects of Nile floods. It is used to generate electricity in Egypt, with a length of 3600 meters, a base width of 980 meters, a top width of 40 meters, and a height of 111 meters. The dam's body comprises 43 million cubic meters of cement, iron, and other materials, and it can accommodate a water flow of up to 11,000 cubic meters per second. Construction of the dam began in 1960.

Philae Island Temple: An island in the middle of the Nile River and one of the strongest fortresses along Egypt's southern border. The Nile splits into two opposite channels in Aswan, and the Temple of Philae was originally located on Philae Island but was relocated to Agilika Island following the construction of the High Dam. The Greek name "Philae" means "the beloved," while the Arabic name refers to the presence of the legendary figure Anas, found in the tales of "One Thousand and One Nights." The ancient Egyptian and Coptic name is "Byalck" or "Byalakh," meaning "end" or "boundary," as it was the southernmost border of Egypt. Worship complexes were dedicated to the goddess Isis, although the island also contained temples for Hathor, Amunhotep, and other deities.