Today, you will enjoy a traditional Horse and Carriage ride to visit the Edfu Temple, consider the best-preserved cult temple in Egypt. This is partly because it was built later during the Ptolemaic era from 237 to 57 BC. Despite its later date, it reflects traditional Pharaonic architecture and so provides an excellent idea of how all the temples once looked.
Return to your Nile Cruise and sail to Luxor via Esna, it is common to have to queue to proceed through the Esna lock, however this is a great opportunity to check out the process from deck with a cool drink in hand, and listen to the shouts of the many captains as they navigate their way through the various small boats of merchants selling their wares. Settle back into the comforts of your cruise ship and make the most of the incredible views across one of the world’s greatest rivers.
Upon arrival to Luxor, you will head out to visit the complex of Karnak Temple, the largest religious building ever built in Egypt. Entering the temple through the sphinx avenue, built by Ramesses II, you come to the immense pylon entrance. Inside the huge courtyard are three chapels dedicated to the gods Amun, Mut and Khonsu. Entering the remarkable Hypostyle Hall with 134 towering columns, each carved with scenes of gods and pharaohs, and hieroglyphic inscriptions adorn the outer walls.
Continue to Luxor Temple, enter the temple through the great pylon with two enormous statues of Ramses II still stand, along with a pink granite obelisk (its mate stands in the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France). Move on to an enormous interior courtyard, where the Abu Haggag Mosque once stood atop the ruins of the temple. Return to your Nile Cruise and overnight in Luxor.
In the evening, you can enjoy the Karnak sound and light show at night (optional)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner