Best Ancient Egyptian Monuments to Visit by Boarding a Nile Cruise
Egypt, the land of the ancient Pharaohs, is a wonderland of temples and tombs that awe visitors worldwide. When it comes to seeing Egypt’s ancient and historical treasures, the Nile River cruise is an excellent option. As you sail down the Nile, you’ll be drawn into a rich tapestry of story, intrigue, and the rise of human civilization.
A trip down the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, Egypt’s eternal heavenly towns is the pinnacle of an authentic Egyptian vacation, and it has been so since Victorian times. Walking along the Nile at a leisurely pace offers a glimpse into the country’s past as it was seen by the earliest explorers who came to see the ancient Egyptian ruins. This isn’t simply a trip across the country; it’s a journey across centuries of human history, culture, religion, and architecture.
On a luxury Nile cruise Luxor Aswan, you’ll be able to see all of Egypt’s most popular tourist destinations. Relax on the sundeck to see a wide variety of animals, including hippos, turtles, fish, and birds which call the river and its banks home. Also, look out for the Nile crocodile.
On a Nile river trip, there are a number of fascinating attractions, three of which are described here.
- Valley of the Kings:
In Luxor, where some of our Nile river cruises begin, the Valley of the Kings is an early excursion. In addition to the Giza Pyramids, this was the final resting place of Egypt’s 18th, 19th, and 20th-century pharaohs. Among the Valley of the Kings’ 63 tombs is Tutankhamun’s, which Howard Carter uncovered in 1922 and has since become the most famous. It’s a sight to behold the bright murals in so many tombs. When visiting the neighbouring temple, check out the Queen Hatshepsut statue and relief in the nearby Deir el-Bahari.
- Temple of Kom Ombo:
Kom Ombo Temple is the first stop on your trek down the Nile River. Kom Ombo was a Ptolemaic temple devoted to the gods Sobek, the crocodile, and Horus, the falcon (Haroeris). Admire its many intact halls and courts and wall carvings and statues, and then return to the boat as you sail towards Edfu. A horse-drawn carriage ride through the town of Edfu will take you to the Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient sanctuaries.
- Temple of Edfu:
The best-preserved structure in all of Egypt is the Temple of Edfu. The roof is intact at this temple site, unlike other temples where you can only see columns and walls. With its enormous walls and oppressive gloom, you can get a real sense of how the temple might have looked in its prime.
The Ptolemaic dynasty built Edfu between 237 and 57 BC, making it younger than Karnak and Luxor. It was built in honour of the falcon god, Horus, who was said to have fought the god Seth at the location. As well as depicting combat scenes and life in Egypt throughout the Greco-Roman period, the inscriptions on the walls of the temple display a wealth of information.
Early Christians removed some of the temple’s ornaments when all other faiths were outlawed in Egypt; scorch traces may be seen where images were destroyed. Egypt’s history and evidence of previous civilizations are what enthrals visitors to the country.
