Last week I dropped the first of two parts of your travel to Egypt. Egypt is number three on my list of travel destinations for 2025, and it is not too late (or too early) to put your travel plan in motion.
With last week's suggestions, you started your trip in Cairo and explored the city for a few days. Now you are ready to set off on your cruise of Egypt's Nile River, where you explore historic locations and see all the things for which Egypt is notorious.
Your cruise embarks in Luxor. Your first full day on the river takes you to see kings and queens. Begin the day with a visit to the Valley of Queens, home to the mummified remains of more than 30 queens and princesses, including Seti I’s Tomb, where you’ll enjoy rare access to the site.
Next, visit the tombs of ancient Egypt in the Valley of the Kings — one of the most famous archeological sites in the world. The spectacular rock-cut tombs located on the west bank of Luxor include that of the enigmatic King Tutankhamun, whose mummified remains are still here on display.
Afterwards, go to Deir el-Bahri to see the Temple of Hatshepsut, one of Egypt’s most successful pharaohs and the country’s first female ruler. Your day’s adventure concludes with an up-close view of the Colossi of Memnon — two gigantic statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III.
Once back on board your ship, relax on the Upper Deck and take in the amazing scenery or join the chef at an informal cooking class.
Day two - The city of Edfu is best known for one of Egypt’s most remarkably preserved temples, dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god. Built in 230 BC, it is the second-largest temple in Egypt and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with walls that display compelling details about the religion and language of the country’s Greco-Roman period.
After visiting Edfu, relax on board and take in the Nile River’s timeless landscapes as the ship continues onward to Aswan.
On your third day afloat you can have the morning to yourself in Aswan. But why not go to Abu Simbel? We'll reserve this excursion well in advance, as it involves an early morning flight over Lake Nasser to the more than 3,000-year-old Abu Simbel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dedicated to Ramses II, one of the most active of pharaohs, along with the smaller temple dedicated to his chief wife Queen Nefertari.
The front of the main temple has four gargantuan statues of Ramses II on his throne, each measuring nearly 70 feet high and discovered half buried in sand in 1813. Later in the afternoon, take a peaceful ride in a felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailboat, around beautiful Elephantine Island, which locals say is the home to legendary Egyptian god Khnumo.
Cap the day off with an optional late afternoon tea at the historic Old Cataract Hotel, a 19th-century Victorian Palace crafted in rose granite. Delight in an authentic “high tea” experience and revel in the stunning views overlooking the Nile and Elephantine Island.
After dinner tonight, continue to experience Egyptian magic with a traditional folkloric-style belly dance on board your ship.
What's in store for Day Four? Board a motorboat and cruise to the UNESCO-designated Philae Temple complex, boasting some of the most stunningly restored and preserved hieroglyphs in Egypt.
It was constructed between 380 BC and 362 BC and dedicated to the goddess Isis, the wife of Osiris and mother of Horus.
Next head to a colorful Nubian village on Hisa Island. Meet the warm and friendly Nubian people who will welcome you to their village. During the afternoon, cruise to the Great Temple of Kom Ombo, where its soaring columns dramatically rise above the Nile River.
Unique in Egypt, this temple is dedicated to two gods — the crocodile god, Sobek, sitting on the right; and the falcon-headed Haroeris, “The Good Doctor.”
After visiting Kom Ombo, relax on board and take in the Nile River’s timeless landscapes as the ship continues onward to Luxor. In the evening, join your crew outside in a celebration of local customs with the chance to don a Galabeya, traditional Egyptian attire, and toast to the rich culture and history of the Nile River Valley.
The sun rises on day five, a morning of scenic cruising along the glistening Nile. Relax on the Sun Deck as you cruise from Esna back to Luxor.
Once there, explore the Temple of Karnak, the largest religious complex in Egypt and one of the largest in the world, covering about 200 acres in a vast network of columns, hieroglyphics, obelisks, sphinxes and colossi.
The Hypostyle Hall is a great architectural marvel and filled with its roof blocks, supported by colossal 134 columns standing at 70 feet high, with 12 larger columns standing at 80 feet high lining the central aisle. This hall is still the largest room of any religious building in the world.
After visiting the temple, discover the art of papyrus making at a museum. Learn how the ancient Egyptians used this special plant that flourished in the Egyptian Delta and Nile River Valleyto make sails, cloth, food and especially paper for important documents and texts.
Afterwards, you will visit the Temple of Luxor, constructed over hundreds of years by Amenhotep III, Ramses II, Tutankhamun and other pharaohs. You can then head back to the ship to relax or visit the colorful Luxor Market where you can find eye-catching piles of spices, jewelry and clothing, and irresistibly fragrant incense and perfumes.
On your last day on board, set sail to Qena to explore its ancient Egyptian heritage. You’ll go to Dendara to visit the best-preserved temple in Egypt, the Temple of Hathor – the Goddess of Love, to whom the powers of joy, feminine love and motherhood were attributed.
The temple was built by Ptolemy and a group of Romans who worshipped her; so don’t miss the back of the temple where there is a relief depicting Cleopatra with Caesarion, her son by Julius Caesar, the Roman Emperor who brought us the months of July and August.
Following your visit here, sail back to Luxor.
AND now your trip comes to an end. Fly back to Cairo and there board your flights home. Or, avid traveler that you are, continue to explore Cairo, as there is still much you have not seen.
Better yet, extend your journey with an optional journey to Jerusalem. Why not make the most of your adventure? Click the green box to start the planning process.
'til next week.
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Contact Juliet: GLOBAL EXOTIC ADVENTURES
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