Nile River Cruise in Egypt

For two centuries, a cruise on a ship on the Nile has been one of the most fascinating journeys, which gives an opportunity to get acquainted with the amazing history and culture of Ancient Egypt. Cruises on the Nile became fashionable in the 19th century. Then these trips became very popular among the European aristocracy. 

The online travel guide Geomerid offers a program that combines a Cruise on the Nile, as well as self-guided tours of ancient attractions:

1. Aswan, the Temple of Isis
2. Abu Simbel, the Temple of Ramses
3. Kom-Ombo, Sobek Temple
4. Edfu, the Temple of Horus
5. Luxor. The Land of the Living: Karnak and Luxor Temples
6. Luxor. The Land of the Dead: The Valley of the Kings, the Colossi of Memnon, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Temple of Medinet-Abu, the Temple of Ramesseum

1. Aswan

The Nile cruise is best to start in Aswan, as it is easier to go with the flow. You can fly here by plane. Plan at least two days for Aswan. Spend one day on the ancient island of Philae, where the temple of Isis is located. This is the main attraction of Aswan. You can also go to the quarry to see the Unfinished obelisk and visit the Botanical Garden. The next day, take the bus south from Aswan to Abu Simbel.

2. Abu Simbel

The road from Aswan to Abu Simbel is very long (290 km, about 5 hours). Usually Europeans are taken there by sightseeing buses, but many come by regular buses. You need to leave as early as possible in order to have time to return to Aswan in the evening. If the cost of air tickets allows, then fly directly to Abu Simbel, and then go to Aswan. In Abu Simbel, see one of the most majestic temples of Ancient Egypt – the Temple of Ramses. It is located on the banks of the Nile, but because of the dam, this temple has become inaccessible as part of a cruise on the Nile.

3. Nile Cruise

Back in Aswan, board one of the dozens of cruise ships that line the riverbank in Aswan. You can even not buy tickets in advance. Enjoy the views of the coastal villages along which numerous feluccas sail. Usually a cruise on the Nile takes from 3 to 5 days.

4. Kom-Ombo Temple

The first stop of the Cruise on the Nile will be the temple of Kom-Ombo. The Kom Ombo Temple is located on the banks of the Nile, 50 kilometers north of Aswan. This is an unusual united temple, although it is more accurate to talk about two temples standing next to each other. The northern temple is dedicated to the Sun God Horus (in the image of a Falcon), and the southern one is dedicated to the Fertility God Sobek (in the image of a crocodile).

The temple of Kom-Ombo was built during the reign of Pharaoh Ptolemy VI, in the period 191-146 BC. Over the past 2 thousand years, the temple of Kom-Ombo was damaged greatly from floods and earthquakes, however, even now you can see a magnificent hypostyle hall with 15 very massive columns where scenes from the life of the Egyptian gods Osiris, Isis, Horus, Thoth, Sobek are carved.

5. Edfu Temple

The second stop of the Cruise on the Nile will be the temple in Edfu. The god Horus in the image of a Falcon killed Seth exactly at the place where the temple of Edfu is located. Initially, small temples dedicated to Horus were built here, but under the Ptolemies, in the period from 237 to 57 BC, a huge complex was built here, the second largest after the Karnak temple in Luxor The Naos (sanctuary) of a much older temple was preserved inside the Ptolemies’s temple.

The temple of Edfu is located a kilometer from the Nile, and several centuries after its construction it was almost completely covered with sand, only the entrance gate was visible. After the excavations, it became clear that teple was in complete safety. Considering the distance, it is better to take a carriage at the pier that will take you to the temple. This way you will have more time for sightseeing.

6. Luxor

On the third day of the Nile Cruise, the ship arrives in Luxor. There are a lot of attractions in this city. At least two days should be planned for sightseeing. In Egyptian culture, everything was connected with the cult of the dead, as well as with the Nile, which flows from south to north. The sun rises in the East, on the right bank of the Nile. Here, in the understanding of the ancient Egyptians, was the Land of the Living. The sun is setting in the West, this is the left bank of the Nile. Here was the land of the Dead.

7. Karnak and Luxor Temples

Two of the most majestic temples of Ancient Egypt are located on the right bank of the Nile, in the Land of the Living. In ancient times, they were united by the alley of sphinxes, which has been restored in some places. The territory of the Karnak and Luxor temples is huge. To visit them, you need to plan most of the day.

8. The left bank of the Nile - the Land of the Dead

On the Left Bank of the Nile is the Land of the Dead, where for thousands of years the Egyptians buried the dead. Several very important temples have been preserved here. The usual program on the left bank of the Nile Cruise includes a visit to the Valley of the Kings, the Colossi of Memnon, as well as the Temple of Hatshepsut. On your own, you can also visit the equally significant funerary temples of Medinet Abu, as well as the Ramesseum.