Discovery of Nubia: the forgotten kingdom

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Arrival in Aswan

  Arrival in Aswan. A pivotal city between Nubia and Africa, Aswan is carved by the Nile. You will find Nubian houses there, pretty islands all around the Nile, but also encounters! The Nubians are very hospitable and will welcome you with dignity. Your accommodation is on Elephantine Island, to allow you to meet people, but also to be far from the crowds and noise of Aswan.

• day 2

  Discovery of Elephantine Island

  Today, take a walk on the island. You will feel like you are in a village, among animals, children playing outside, and fields. This will be an opportunity for you to discover rural Egypt, but also to learn a little more about Nubian culture. Take the opportunity to visit the Nubia and Animalia museum, a museum set up in a typical Nubian house. Also take the opportunity to stroll in the garden and discover the island's school. In the afternoon, you can take a small boat - a felucca - to travel from island to island. The most famous is the Flower Island, where you will have a wonderful walk in its botanical garden. The vegetation is lush and you will be able to observe many species of birds. But it is also an opportunity to discover some lesser-known islands, such as Saluga Island, which is a nature reserve where you can observe birds and enjoy nature.

• day 3

  Discovery of the Temple of Philae

  7 km south of Aswan, discover the Philae Temple, one of the most extraordinary in Egypt. The atmosphere there is incredible, you will feel as if you are traveling back in time. It has been restored and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On the way, you can stop in small villages and discover rural Egypt.

• day 4

  Aswan - Abu Simbel and Lake Nasser

  On the way to Abou Simbel, you will discover – from afar, as the site is closed to the public – the fortress of Kasr Ibrim. Arrival in the late afternoon at Abou Simbel, which brings together temples built in honor of the great pharaoh Ramses II, facing the Nile. Bathed in dazzling light, this grandiose complex magnified the power of the pharaoh over the southern peoples, over whom Egypt asserted its supremacy. For your night, we suggest staying far from the crowds in an incredible eco-lodge – a unique change of scenery! Optional: In the evening, you attend a sound and light show at the temple.

• day 5

  Lake Nasser - Abu Simbel - Return to Aswan

  Get up early to enjoy the sunrise over the temple façade, adorned with its four colossal statues of Ramses II gazing at the desert, an inscrutable smile on their faces. Visit this unique and iconic site, then transfer to Aswan.

• day 6

  Aswan - Departure

  Last day in Aswan. Take the opportunity to make your last discoveries. Optional: we suggest sharing a meal with a Nubian family. The best way to discover a culture is to take part in it! For the duration of a meal, share and discover the daily life of your hosts.