Sail the majestic Nile and discover the majestic antiquities of Egypt. You’ll enjoy abandoning the encumbrances of stop and go that accompanies air and land tours. Along the banks of the Nile, you’ll get real life feel of ancient rural Egypt. The cruise ship, also known as a floating hotel, will have all the amenities of comfort and luxury to ensure a dream vacation. Sit on the shaded decks and sip your favourite beverage while watching 6,000 years of timeless culture drift by.
Nile cruises offer an array of stay, but often range from three to seven nights. The briefer tours are usually operated between Aswan and Luxor, while longer stays travel further to Dendera. A complete 14 day tour may include several days around the city of Cairo. Most of the cruise ships will offer same accommodations as a land hotel, including good restaurants, swimming pools, hot tubs, discos and stores. The cuisine features a variety of local and international cuisine. Entertainment usually includes Nubian shows and belly dancers.
Whatever Nile cruise you book, there will always be a multilingual Egyptologist guide. These expert guides are well trained in the knowledge of Egypt and its ancient landmarks. Embark on a four day cruise that will take you through the East Bank, the West Bank, Edfu and Aswan. In Luxor, you’ll discover the Karnak Temple and the Luxor Temple. Luxor was previously known as ancient Thebes and houses monumental statues of ancient Egypt. During the Roman era, the temple was a fortress and home to the Roman government.
The following day you’ll sail to the West Bank to see the Necropolis of Thebes, The Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Valley of the Kings, and the Colossi of Memnon. The Valley of the Kings is an area hollowed out from the Theban Mountains and contains tombs of queens and kings. One of the known identified kings was Amenhotep III, and you’ll be able to enter the tomb areas with your guide. After touring, return to your ship for a relaxing dinner and show. Following the itinerary, cruise to Edfu for a visit to the Temple of Horus the following day.
The Temple of Horus is the best preserved ancient temple in Egypt and built during the reigns of six Ptolemies. There are numerous reliefs throughout the temple, including a relief of the Feast of the Beautiful Meeting. The pylons of the main temple feature scenes of the pharaoh in battle, and are approximately 188 feet high. The colonnaded courtyard has pared columns, and the gates lead to the great hypostyle hall.
Sailing on to Aswan, you’ll engage in a morning tour of the city with a visit to the High Dam, the magnificent Temple of Philae and an unfinished obelisk. The complex surrounding the Temple of Philae is a feast of architectural wealth. From the pharaohs to Caesar, ancient monuments encompass the area. Beyond the Temple of Philae, there are many small temples. All throughout the temples, there are ancient Greek inscriptions on the propyla.
For years, the magic of Egypt has captivated the world in mystery. Sailing along the Nile to discover this ancient civilization is an experience not to be missed.
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