Egypt - Cruising the Nile

Today catch an early flight to the world-renowned Nubian site of the temples at Abu Simbel, 140 miles south-west of Aswan. Miraculously rescued from Lake Nasser’s rising waters after the creation of the High Dam and rebuilt on the western bank, the two massive rock temples of Ramesses II and his favorite queen, Nefertari, were originally carved into the mountainside in 1244 BCE to honor the deified royal pair and to awe the Nubians.

Today we transfer to our Nile Cruiser, and enjoy a lunch together on board. This afternoon we enjoy a tour by felucca around Elephantine Island with views of the Botanical Garden and Agha Khan’s Mausoleum.

Today we explore the Quarries, acknowledged as archaeological sites in their own right and the source of quality stone for the construction of ancient Egypt’s decorative monuments. We continue to the atmospheric ruins of Philae, the Ptolemaic island temple dramatically rescued from the rising waters of the lake. A labyrinthine complex of chapels and shrines – which were originally dedicated to the goddess Isis – this was the Byzantine Empire’s last bastion of paganism.

Today we sail to Edfu via Kom Ombo. We disembark to visit the partially-restored remains of Kom Ombo’s Ptolemaic temple standing dramatically above the Nile. Back on board, we have several hours to enjoy our vessel’s sundeck and pool, as well as the ever-changing panorama of everyday life along the Nile.

We go ashore to the Temple of Edfu, a beautiful Ptolemaic temple dedicated to Horus, the avenging falcon god. A late construction built between 237 and 57 BCE, this is one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient monuments. Back on board we have lunch and proceed to Luxor via Esna Lock. Modern Luxor, on the Nile’s east bank, has grown up around the ruins of great complexes. Optional tour to visit Luxor Temple where clever lighting highlights the many hieroglyphics.

This morning we travel to the Colossi of Memnon, and at nearby Deir el-Bahari we visit the impressive colonnaded Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, mortuary temple of the only female Pharaoh. Next we visit the Valley of the Kings. Here on the west bank is the necropolis area reserved for royal burials from around 2100 BCE, but it was the Pharaohs of the later New Kingdom period, who chose these once remote desert valley sites for their grand rock-cut tombs. Of over 60 tombs discovered in the Valley of the Kings, only a small number are open to the public and we enter a selection of these, including the elaborately decorated tomb of Seti I, which details the opening of the mouth ceremony. This afternoon we head to Karnak, where we hear the story and spectacle of the immense sanctuary of the sun-deity Amun-Re. Reached via the famous Avenue of Sphinxes, this is a dazzling maze of monumental gateways, obelisks, pillared halls and subsidiary shrines

Today we set sail from Luxor towards Qena. We disembark the ship and drive to the site of Abydos, one of the oldest cities in ancient Egypt notable for the memorial temple of Seti I. We then journey to Dendera, through a landscape of villages of baked mud houses and the lush cultivated banks of the Nile. Dendera is home to an important temple complex whose main feature is the remarkably well-preserved Temple of Hathor, goddess of love, music and wine. On the still-intact ceiling is a circular plaster cast of the beautiful Zodiac of Dendera, displaying the hours of the day and night as well as the journey of the sun, moon and stars across the sky. We return to our ship for dinner, and travel to Nag Hammadi.

Today we head towards Sohag via Abu Homar’s Lock, visiting the Red and White Monasteries. Built from remnants of Pharaonic temples, these have amazing murals.

Today you can spend the day relaxing as the ship sails towards Tel el Amarna, cruising through Assiut’s Lock en route. After lunch, we visit The Monastery of the Holy Virgin Mary, also known as the Muharraq Monastery, or simply the Burnt Monastery, which lies on the path of the flight of the Holy Family in Egypt.

We sail to Tel el-Amarna, which is generally thought to be the most significant city site surviving from ancient Egypt. The original name of the city was Akhenaten, the ‘Horizon of the Aten’, a title corresponding to the actions of the so-called ‘heretic Pharaoh’ Akhenaten. The city itself was abandoned after the Pharaoh’s death, only 20 years or so after its creation. Here, we visit the tombs of important priests Meryre and Panehesy as well as the Royal Tomb of Akhenaten, Nefertiti’s Palace, and the Temple of Aten.

We visit the West Bank of the Nile, visiting Tuna El Gabal and the ruins of a major Egyptian city, El-Ashmunein. We also visit the four best preserved of the 39 stone-cut tombs of Beni Hassan on the East Bank of the Nile. Some of the Middle Kingdom tombs in the cliffs bear their original inscriptions, as well as painted scenes of ancient life.

We sail to Beni Suef and begin at the Pyramid of Meidum, which was originally a seven-stepped pyramid before being enlarged to an eight-stepped pyramid. Eventually, the steps were filled in and a smooth outer facing turned it into a true pyramid. We then continue to the Pyramid of Amenemhat III which was built in Hawara. The pyramid is 48 metres high and was originally cased in limestone.

Today is spent sailing from Beni Suef to Cairo. Enjoy the chance to relax before the bustle and chaotic charm of the city begins.

Today we move back in time as we visit the only surviving representative of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: the Great Pyramid, as well as the other Pyramids at Giza and the Great Sphinx. Next, we tour nearby Memphis, which was founded over 5,000 years ago and the first capital of a united Egypt, it has revealed many major archaeological finds. At the necropolis of Sakkara, we visit the museum and tour the 3rd Dynasty Pharaoh Djoser’s distinctive Step Pyramid complex. This, the oldest pyramid, pre-dates the famous Giza pyramids by almost three centuries and was the first monumental building constructed completely from stone. We also explore the smooth-sided Pyramid of Teti, a Sixth Dynasty King.

This morning, we visit the Citadel – the medieval Islamic stronghold of Salah el-Din. After lunch we explore the Museum of Antiquities in Tharir Square, Cairo (up until the new GEM in Giza opens), where the world’s most extensive exhibition in pharaonic artefacts can be seen. Among the treasures on display are the solid gold mask of Tutankhamun and the Narmer Palette. Our day ends with a we walk through the Khan el-Khalili Bazaar, whose warren of cobblestone lanes and alleys are lined with colourful shops. A farewell meal follows this evening.

Today we depart Cairo and make our independent onward journeys.