THE CRUISE OF A LIFETIME
There is something very unique about a cruise on the river Nile, something few other cruises in the world are able to offer and certainly an experience that most people never forget. While it’s mostly about rest and relaxation,a Nile cruise is also about rejuvenation, exploration and inspiration.
Luxury cruise ships with sumptuously appointed suites and cabins, highly personalized service, fine cuisine and all-inclusive amenities,sail up the 220-kilometer stretch of the river Nile between Luxor and Aswan throughout the year. While the sizes of the ships tend to keep getting bigger, many people still prefer the smaller ones in order to enjoy the luxury, intimacy and the truly personalized service that the bigger cruise ships are unable to offer. In addition to the cruise which is a delight in itself, onshore excursions offer the opportunity to immerse yourself in some of the magic and mystery of one of the world’s oldest and greatest civilizations. With the help of an expert guide you can discover the lesser-known secrets surrounding many unforgettable historical sites that will make your journey a truly once in a lifetime experience.
Nile Cruises generally start out at ancient Thebes or Luxor as it’s known today. A representative will meet you at the airport and assist you through the procedures before driving you to your cruise ship. Depending on your time of arrival you may have time to take a leisurely walk around the city or even take a balloon ride for some breathtaking aerial views.
Crossing the river by ferry boat to the west bank you can enjoy a full day excursion to the legendary Valley of the Kings to see the tombs that were built for the pharoahs and powerful nobles of the New Kingdom. After seeing the tombs, you can move to the magnificent temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the “Foremost of Noble Ladies”, who came to the throne of Egypt in 1478 BC. Built into a cliff face that rises sharply above it, this remarkable colonnaded structure was known as “the Sublime of Sublimes” and is considered a marvel of New Kingdom architecture. Finally, before leaving the west bank, you can spend some time at the magnificent Colossi of Memnon – two massive stone statues of the pharoah Amenhotep III built in 1350 BC. After your day out on the west bank, spend a leisurely evening onboard ship or venture out to explore Luxor at night.
On Luxor’s east bank there are the temples of Luxor and Karnak. Built during the New Kingdom in 1400 BC, the Luxor temple was dedicated to the Theban triad of the gods Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. The obelisk that you see today in the Place de la Concorde in Paris was one of the two obelisks originally flanking the temple entrance. The Karnak temple complex is the second largest ancient religious site in the world and is often understood as being the Precinct of AmunRa because this is the only part of the temple most visitors see After visiting these two magnificent temples return to your ship to set sail for Edfu further up the river to the south.
On Luxor’s east bank there are the temples of Luxor and Karnak. Built during the New Kingdom in 1400 BC, the Luxor temple was dedicated to the Theban triad of the gods Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. The obelisk that you see today in the Place de la Concorde in Paris was one of the two obelisks originally flanking the temple entrance. The Karnak temple complex is the second largest ancient religious site in the world and is often understood as being the Precinct of AmunRa because this is the only part of the temple most visitors see After visiting these two magnificent temples return to your ship to set sail for Edfu further up the river to the south.
Wake up to find yourself in Aswan – one of the most beautiful cities in all of Egypt. Visit the famous Aswan High Dam, the Obelisk and the beautiful island temple of Philae dedicated to the goddess Isis. Built during the Ptolemaic dynasty, the Philae temple was originally located near the first cataract of the river but was dismantled and relocated to nearby Agilkia Island as part of the UNESCO Nubia Campaign protecting this and other important temple complexes before the completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1970. In the afternoon, you can sail around Elephantine Island on a “felucca”, a traditional wooden sailing boat with lateen sails, before returning to the ship for dinner.
If you have any energy left have a night on the town where you can relax on the terrace at the Sofitel Old Cataract Hotel with a panoramic view over the river or explore the Nubian market that stretches the whole length of the city
After an early breakfast prepare to enjoy what promises to be one of the absolute highlights of your vacation – a drive down to see the magnificent temples of Abu Simbel located on the west bank of Lake Nasser close to Egypt’s border with Sudan about 300 kilometers by road south of Aswan The Abu Simbel complex is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the “Nubian Monuments, “which run from Abu Simbel back down river to Philae. The twin temples were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of the pharoah Ramesses II in the 13th century BC as a lasting monument to himself and his queen Nefertari to commemorate his victory at the Battle of Kadesh. After the trip of a lifetime, return to your ship at Aswan and set sail back to Luxor to catch your flight home.
