‘There are very wonderful things to be seen in Egypt, are there not?’ So says Hercule Poirot, Agatha Christie’s famous Belgian detective, in her iconic novel, Death On The Nile.
On this unique and historic tour, you too can experience these wonderful things, in the style of the glamorous golden age of travel. Created by an Agatha Christie expert and a tour company with 32 years’ experience in Egypt, you can immerse yourself in Agatha Christie’s world in Aswan and Luxor. As well as the iconic Death on the Nile, Agatha Christie also wrote several other works based in Egypt. These include Death Comes As The End, set in ancient Luxor; a play about the heretic pharaoh Akhnaton; a short story titled Murder on the Nile; a Poirot short story called The Adventure of The Egyptian Tomb; and several poems.
Go back in time and experience the elegance and luxury of two of Egypt’s grand hotels, where Agatha wrote some of her most popular works. Cruise on the Nile in 5* luxury. Soak up the atmosphere and culture during this exceptional tour, with our specially trained guides and hosts. Every moment has been designed to maximise your comfort and safety. But most importantly, feel the joy of seeing the places mentioned in the stories and films of this wonderful author.
Arrive Aswan, champagne afternoon tea in the Old Cataract Hotel
We will pick you up from your preferred location in Aswan (internal flights can be arranged on request) and transport you to the famous Old Cataract Hotel.
‘Poirot thought of those words uttered in Assuan…’ (Death On The Nile)
‘She and her son were sitting in brightly painted scarlet basket chairs outside the Cataract Hotel in Aswan.’ (Death On The Nile)
Enjoy a delicious champagne afternoon tea, in the grand tour style.
‘The terrace outside the Cataract Hotel was softly lit.’ (Death On The Nile)
Enjoy your first night in this unique and famous hotel.
Aswan, Philae, Elephantine Island and the Aswan High Dam
‘Hercule Poirot decided to pass the remaining two hours before lunch on the island of Elephantine…’ (Death On The Nile)
Our first stop today is Elephantine Island. On the southern end of Elephantine Island you will find the site of ancient Abu, an important ancient trading town. You will also visit the Nubian villages of Siou and Koti making a peaceful change to the bustle of Aswan.
‘Mrs Otterbourne and her daughter had made the expedition to the Dam…’ (Death On The Nile)
Our second stop today is to Egypt’s modern example of construction on a monumental scale, the controversial Aswan High Dam and Lake Nasser, one of the world’s largest artificial lakes.
Our trip to the Aswan High Dam will be followed by lunch at a local restaurant.
‘Simon and Linnet Doyle set off on their expedition to Philae…’ (Death On The Nile)
After lunch we will take a short boat trip to visit Philae Temple. Built to honour the goddess Isis, this was the last temple built in the classical Egyptian style. Construction began around 690 BC, and it was one of the last outposts where the goddess was worshipped.
Abu Simbel Temple
‘Cornelia Robson stood inside the temple of Abu Simbel…’ (Death On The Nile)
Today we will travel by luxury air-conditioned vehicle to Abu Simbel Temple, a key location in the plot of Death on the Nile.
The four colossal statues of Ramses in front of the main temple are spectacular examples of ancient Egyptian art. By means of a complex engineering feat in the 1960s, the temples were salvaged from the rising waters of the Nile River caused by erection of the Aswan High Dam.
Carved out of a sandstone cliff on the west bank of the Nile, the temples were unknown to the outside world until their rediscovery in 1813
We will then return to the Old Cataract Hotel where you can enjoy your final night in this iconic location. Did you write a novel?
Morning – free time in Aswan (optional tours available), afternoon join 5* cruise ship
‘Her steps led her, as they did so often, to the Nile.’ (Death Comes As The End)
This morning you have free time in Aswan. Take an optional tour, stroll by the Nile, or simply relax in the beautiful gardens of the Old Cataract Hotel.
In the afternoon you will join your 5* cruise ship. Time of joining cruise may vary due to sailing times.
Cruising on 5* cruise ship
‘I was thinking of Egypt.’
‘Egypt?’ Mrs Allerton sounded doubtful.
‘Real warmth, darling. Lazy golden sands. The Nile. I’d like to go up the Nile, wouldn’t you?’
(Death on the Nile)
During our three-day cruise, we will visit the Temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu. Alternatively, relax on the ship and watch the world go by…
‘Do you remember water like molten silver gleaming?
And white sails that crept slowly past?
Stealthily, silently, as though they knew
They might disturb our sweet enchanted dreaming…’
(From poem The Nile, by Agatha Christie)
Cruise itinerary may vary due to sailing times.
Arrive Luxor
‘…for, as Mr Ferguson was saying at that minute in Luxor, it is not the past that matters but the future…’ (Death On The Nile)
Today we will arrive in Luxor and disembark from our cruise ship. The modern town of Luxor is the site of the famous city of Thebes, the City of a Hundred Gates. As well as Death On The Nile, most of Death Comes As The End is set around this ancient city. Although the mud-brick houses and palaces of Thebes have disappeared, its stone temples have survived.
One we have disembarked from the ship, you will spend the rest of the day in beautiful Luxor. Optional tours are available.
Tonight, you will stay in the Winter Palace Hotel in Luxor, another favourite of Agatha Christie.
Time for disembarking ship may vary due to sailing times.
Luxor and Karnak Temples
‘…for, as Mr Ferguson was saying at that minute in Luxor, it is not the past that matters but the future…’ (Death On The Nile)
Karnak Temple is featured in the 1978 Peter Ustinov film, as the location where a rock almost kills Linnet. As you will remember, in the book this takes place at Abu Simbel Temple.
Karnak is an extraordinary complex of sanctuaries, kiosks, pylons and obelisks dedicated to the Theban triad but also to the greater glory of pharaohs. The site covers more than 2 sq km; it’s large enough to contain about 10 cathedrals. At its heart is the Temple of Amun, the earthly ‘home’ of the local god. Built, added to, dismantled, restored, enlarged and decorated over nearly 1500 years, Karnak was the most important place of worship in Egypt during the New Kingdom.
Luxor Temple was built by Amenhotep but completed by Tutankhamun and Horemheb and then added to by Rameses II. The temple has been in almost continuous use as a place of worship right up to the present day. During the Christian era, the temple’s hypostyle hall was converted into a Christian church, and the remains of another Coptic church can be seen to the west.
Tombs of the Nobles
‘It was the Tomb of the great Noble Meriptah and her father was the mortuary priest responsible for its upkeep. All the estate and land was part of the endowment of the Tomb.’ (Death Comes As The End)
The Tombs of the Nobles were the burial places of some of the powerful courtiers and persons of the ancient city of Thebes. It hosts hundreds of tombs all embedded in the rock face, and very often richly decorated with frescoes depicting the working lives of their inhabitants. You will be able to see how Renisenb lived and the tomb she mentions often in Death Comes As The End.
Today marks the end of your journey into the world of Agatha Christie in Aswan and Luxor. We will transport you to your chosen location in Luxor, or why not extend your vacation? Many options and extensions are available.
Book a meeting with Literary Tours in Egypt and we’ll help you design your perfect holiday.
This is a completely free service and there is no obligation to book with us. We offer it because we want people to visit this wonderful country in the way that fits their own interests and requirements.
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