This is the story of my River Nile Cruise that is a really suggestive way to visit Egypt. Walking through the mysteries of this land is a unique emotion, sometimes indescribable. An experience that must be done once in a lifetime. It is not a usual holiday, at least not those that allow you to relax in the shade of a palm tree. A myriad of sensations to live for which you must be ready and above all rested. Many excursions are held in the very first hours of the day, cooler, giving you never-before-seen sunrises that color unimaginable ancient scenes.
Choosing River Nile Cruise tour operator
For the River Nile Cruise this is a very important topic. You have to keep in mind that you will spend most of your time sailing so find the right compromise between a good badget and a tour operator that allows you to have a comfortable room, good food on board, good animation and obviously an excellent tour guide.
First Day of River Nile Cruise: Luxor Temples
east bank of nile
I flight from Italy to Luxor Airport and from where the transfer on board of River Nile Cruise. Here we met one person that we will never forget, Mohammed, the licensed Egyptologist tour guide that accompanied us along the way with his fantastic stories, his notable professionality and his simpathy. In Luxor we started with visit the east bank of Luxor:
- Karnak Temples where will see headed ram’s avenue
- Hatshepsut obelisk
- Ramses III temple
Second day of River Nile Cruise: The valleys of kings
west bank of nile
We started the second day with a felucca ride to reach the west bank of Nile where the Valley of the Kings is located, burial ground of the pharaohs, including the boy king Tutankhamun. Next, the lovely Temple of Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt’s first female pharaoh.
A felucca is a traditional wooden sailing boat used in the eastern mediterranean including around particularly along the Nile. It has been a very nice experience.
Third day of River nile Cruise: Edfu and Kom Ombo
the temples
The third day we visited the Temple of Horus, and then towards Kom Ombo (hill of gold) to visit the Greco-Roman temple dedicated to Haroeris (the sun god) and Sobek (the crocodile god), who was considered by some ancient Egyptians to be the creator of the world. Onboard features an “Egyptian Night” costume party, with a chance to dress up in traditional galabeyyas. It was so funny!
Fourth day of River Nile Cruise: Aswan and Abu Simbel temples
The site of Abu Simbel temples is one of the most recognizable ancient sites in Egypt. For 3.000 years, it sat on the west bank of the Nile River but the temple complex was dismantled and rebuilt on a higher hill to make way for the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s. In addition, Abu Simbel has a second, smaller, temple that may have been built for queen Nefertari. Sailing towards Aswan we crossed the dam lock and I can tell you it is a very nice experience.
top things to do in cairo
The Pyramids of giza
A description is not necessary. What I have to underline is the unique emotion that you feel when you can see them from the car that is taking you to the Giza Plateau to attend the light night show.
There is probably no other city in the world that can offer something like that: 4,000 year old complex of royal pyramids and temples. For thousands of years, the mysterious Sphinx has been looming over Giza, guarding the only remaining of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World.
The Egyptian Museum
In the centre of Cairo, just outside Tahrir Square, you will find the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities one of the many museums in the city.
Old cairo
Stretched for one mile, this side of Cairo is the oldest place of settlement and religious worship in the region, combining Islamic, Christian and Jewish histories. We were taken around during the night, your thought get confused.
Muhammad Ali Mosque
Memphis and Sakkara
Memphis was one of the oldest and most important cities in ancient Egypt, located at the entrance to the Nile River Valley near the Giza plateau.
Summarizing my River Nile Cruise
It is really difficult to transfer what it feels like visiting these places. I relived the same emotions regarding the photos, remembering the scents and flavors of this land. I can only strongly suggest to organize a River Nile Cruise and sharing your adventure.