Egypt
Egypt and the River Nile
If the words Nile Cruise conjure up images of Agatha Christie’s Poirot, then it’s time to discover how things have changed. Today, cruising the Nile is a mixture of breathtaking sights, sounds and culture combined with the ultimate in luxury accommodation and service. There’s no better way to soak up the atmosphere, make new friends, and relax and enjoy the hospitality for which the Egyptians are renowned than on a Nile Cruise.
Weather – the coolest time of the year to visit Egypt is during Dec-March when average daily temperatures are below 30 degrees centigrade.
With the northern stretch of the Nile now re-opened to navigation it is possible to cruise all the way from Cairo to Aswan. Most cruises however tend to be round trips from Luxor covering the southern Nile between Dendera and Aswan.
Cairo
Egypt’s vibrant capital spans the River Nile in the north of the country. Bringing together the ancient and modern Cairo is one of the Middle East and Africa’s largest cities. Visit the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities to see the world’s finest collection of ancient Egyptian artefacts. Another must see is the Citadel of Salah al-Din, and its famous Alabaster Mosque.
Alexandria
Not far from Cairo, on the Mediterranean coast, Alexandria is Egypt’s second largest city. It was one of the greatest and most prosperous of ancient cities famed for its lighthouse, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the great library. Dating back to 331 BC this, now modern, city has a rich history.
Giza
Located on the outskirts of Cairo, Giza is home to the World’s most iconic monuments, the Great Pyramids and the Sphinx.
Luxor
Is the site of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes which was the capital of Egypt during the Middle and New Kingdoms. Divided in two by the Nile, it is home to some of Egypt’s most stunning sights. Visit the tombs of the Pharaohs or the purpose built Luxor museum which includes famous artefacts. Modern day Luxor is also home to some fantastic restaurants, bazaars and Souks.
Edfu/Kom Ombo
Home to the very well preserved 2000+ year old temple of Horus, the Falcon headed God of the Sun and Plants. The temple at Kom Ombo further down the river was built to honour the crocodile-headed god Sobek.
Agilika and the Aswan High Dam
The Island of Agilika is home to the Temple of Philae, devoted to Isis. This is reached by motor boat.
The Aswan High Dam was built between 1960 and 1970 to control the Nile flood waters in order to protect the population and crops of the fertile Nile delta. The dam created the reservoir, “Lake Nassar” named after the former Egyptian President who masterminded the project, with a surface area of over 2,000 square miles. The dam towers over 111m high and almost 1000m wide.
Thebes and the Valley of the Kings
Cross to the western bank of the Nile to visit Thebes and the Valley of the Kings where you could visit the Tomb of Tutankhamun. Other sites not to be missed are the terrace temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, and the temples of Karnak and Luxor.
Karnak
The complex at Karnak is a vast open air museum and the largest ancient religious site in the world. It is a vast mix of decayed temples, pylons, chapels and other buildings. It is believed to be the second most visited site in Egypt after the pyramids at Giza. The the longevity of the usage of the site is what makes it all the more remarkable as over 30 Pharaohs contributed to its construction. A trip to the site can be completed by a sound and light show after dark
