Sun Festivals Abu Simbel

Ramses II built his temple at Abu Simbel so that the internal chamber would light up two times a year: once on the anniversary of his ascension to the throne (in February, around the 22nd), and once on his birthday (in October, around the 22nd).

Every year on the Sun Festival, crowds gather before sunrise to observe the stream of light gradually sneaking through the stone and enlightening the statuettes of Ramses, Ra and Amun in the central chamber. Only the statue of Ptah – the god of darkness – remains in the shade even on these two special days of the year

Day 1:

Upon arrival at Cairo airport you will take your flight to Abu Simbel, you will be meet and assist by NASCO Tours representative who will transfer you to your hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 2:

After breakfast you will be transferred to Abu Simbel temple to join the festivals before you take the way to Aswan. Return back to your hotel.

Day 3:

After breakfast you will check out and transfer to the Nile cruise for check in. Your first excursion will be to the High Dam, which before it was built the Nile would flood annually from the tropical southern rains. After your visit to the dam, you will visit the Temple of Philae and the unfinished Obelisk on the banks of the Nile. This is one of the most peaceful temples in Egypt, built to honor the Goddess Isis. After lunch and afternoon tea on board the cruise, you will spend the afternoon on a felucca ride around Kitchener Island. The felucca is the traditional wooden sailing boats seen on the Nile. Dinner on-board and overnight in Aswan.

Day 4:

Life on board the cruise continues today. After breakfast the boat will sailing to Kom Ombo, here you will visit the shared Temple of Sobek and Haeroris, some of the best preserved ancient temples in the country. The museum attached to these temples is also worth a visit. After the tour its back to the boat and sailing to Edfu, the boat will dock in Edfu overnight.

Day 5:

Day five of your Egyptian Vacation package has you visiting the Temple of Horus in Edfu. Constructed around the time of Ptolemy, it has provided today’s archaeologists with a huge amount of information about the development of modern civilization. Once this visit is complete, you will get back on board the boat in time for lunch. Afternoon tea will meld into dinner and there is an Oriental Show called “Gallabia Party” for the evening’s entertainment. Overnight in Luxor.

Day 6:

After breakfast on board the boat you will check out and be transferred by luxury van to visit the stunning West Bank of the Nile. The tour will take in famous Valley of the Kings, home to the tomb of Tutankhamen (or King Tut as he is known to many). Also included on the tour is a visit to the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, a wonderfully preserved temple on the banks of the Nile. We will take you to visit the East bank than you will be transferred to Luxor airport to take your flight to Cairo. Transfer to your hotel for overnight.

Day 7:

After breakfast you will be picked up for your tour the Giza Plateau where the Pyramids and Sphinx are located, a short distance out of Cairo. This is the highlight of your stay in Cairo visiting this remaining wonder of the ancient world, visiting the major sites as well as the Sphinx. After the Pyramids you will visit the Papyrus institute where a demonstration will introduce you to the art of papyrus making from reeds, a technique discovered by the ancient Egyptian. Then you will head to the Egyptian museum where the world’s largest and richest collection of Egyptian Antiquities can be seen. It has 120,000 items, with a representative amount on display, the remainder in storerooms. It houses the world’s largest collection of Pharaonic antiquities, and many treasures of King Tutankhamen. At the end of the day you will have a fantastic shopping session at Khan El Khalili, a shopper’s paradise and a photographer’s dream come true where bargaining is an art and expected when you are negotiating a purchase. Gold, silver and gems, bronze and copper, the smell of exotic spices, either goods, the aroma of brewed coffee sifting through elaborately carved wooden doors and coffee shops, the captivating sound of music and plethora of an unbelievable display of merchandise together with a multitude of colorfully dressed crowds bring to life scenes from A Thousand and One Arabian Nights. Return to hotel and overnight.

Day 8:

Check out from your hotel and transfer to Cairo International Airport to take your flight to your final destination.