Stay : The Nile in Sandal
We propose you to discover Upper Egypt during a trip down the Nile by sandal. Along the Nile and on board of these elegant and mythical Egyptian sailboats, discover the villages and islands from Luxor to Aswan. You will visit the temples of Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo.
If the Dahabieh is a queen, the Sandal would be her little sister, mischievous and handy, to touch the secret banks of the sacred river. A well deserved reconversion for this boat whose job was to transport sandstone, limestone and granite for the eternal monuments as we know them.
Our stops and escapades in small villages, palm groves, gardens and markets will open the doors of an unknown Egypt, that of the countryside and the fellahs (farmers), living witnesses of an unforgettable past.
A "culture-nature-human" experience not to be missed!
Summary of the stay
Possible departure at these times
How to get there?
L'EGYPTE AUTREMENT
6 days
From 850 € / person
Detail of the stay : The Nile in Sandal - 6 days
Day 1: Arrival in Egypt
Steps: Louxor
Flight from Paris to Luxor or from another city.
Day 2: ICI LOUXOR
Steps: Louxor
Luxor
Visit of the Karnak temple, the first ancient shock through the maze of gigantic columns. Much more than a temple, it is a religious complex that has accompanied most of the dynasties, which have inexorably dreamed of enlarging the site to excess.
Departure due south by minibus to Aswan at the gates of Africa.
Aswan
Visit the island of Philae with its Ptolemy temple, located upstream from the cataract. Saved from the waters, it still looks great on its granite raft.
In the evening, discovery of the effervescence and scents of the colorful souk of Aswan.
Sailing to reach the west bank of the Nile, finally at peace on our exclusive shores. Dinner and night on board, in double cabin: enjoy the sweetness of Upper Egypt.
Option: It is possible to organize a visit to the Abu Simbel temples so fascinating on the shore of Lake Nasser: departure at 3:00 am, return at 11:00 am in Luxor, make your choice on the spot!
Day 3: Discovery of the ancient shores
By sail and on foot, we leave to discover the ancient shores.
It is first the chlorophyllous and cultivated shores that we notice in the shade of the palm groves. A whole traditional life flourishes around the crops and irrigation channels.
The navigation becomes delicious under the sun, half lying on the deck and rocked by the lapping of the river waves against the hull of the boat.
During our excursions, you will discover the colorful villages of the Nubians.
Day 4: FROM KOM OMBO TO SILSILLA QUARRIES
In the distance, the acropolis temple of Kom Ombo stands amidst palm trees.
Visit of the Ptolemaic temple where the crocodile Sobek holds a good place in the pantheon of the Gods.
Later, the reliefs of the ancient quarries of Silsilla, source of materials of many famous monuments, invite us to hike. Along the way, we discover the secret troglodytic temples and the traces of the ancient workers.
This is the region of the white villages, built by the Arabs who came at the time of the Fatimids. Cupolas and mosques stand, all dressed in white, in a striking contrast. It is also the country of camels... the market of Daraw is the most beautiful example, in a festival of noises and... smells!
Day 5: THEBES, EDFU AND VALLEYS OF THE KINGS
Steps: Louxor
Early in the morning, by minibus, direction the temple of Edfu. We remain astonished by penetrating inside these intact walls in bricks of terra cotta. The temple looks like a cathedral! In the secret rooms, imagine the priests preparing their idols with the sacred incense..
Transfer to Thebes, this pyramidal plateau facing Luxor which conceals the tombs of the Queens and Kings. Visit of some tombs dug in the rock, decorated with hallucinating paintings leaving only the limestone statues untouched!
We explore the site of Deir El-Medina, the valley of the craftsmen who contributed to the elaboration of the site. Their multicolored tombs tell the story of daily life. A touching humanity, less rigid than the royal and academic tombs.
We finally continue our archaeological exploration by the temple of Ramses at Medinet Abu. Admire its colors and its defensive portal of Persian inspiration!
Free evening to immerse yourself in the souk and the ruins, with the possibility of visiting, at night, the temple of Luxor.
Hotel.
Day 6: Return to France
Steps: Louxor
Transfer to Luxor airport. Return flight to Paris or other destination.
Night train option (with berths) for those who continue the adventure in Cairo. First class cabin, two berths, dinner served by a steward in the welcome car of the Egyptian Orient Express.
Ideas for holidays and week-end breaks Egypt
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