I knew this adventure would be impressive, but I was not prepared for the sheer magnificence of the historical sites, the ingenuity of the people, and the stories surrounding it all.
After arriving in Cairo early in the morning, we settled into our hotel rooms for our first night's stay. With a full day to rest and relax, followed by a nearby dinner and entertainment show, it was the perfect start to our Egyptian adventure. The next morning, we took a short flight to Luxor, where we boarded our ship for an incredible seven-night voyage on the legendary Nile.
Sailing the 135-mile ribbon of dark water from Luxor to Aswan showcased the most spectacular sites of ancient Egypt. All along the banks of the river, lush green vegetation served as a beautiful backdrop, and beyond it stretched mile after mile of desert sand.
In the Valley of the Kings, we visited several tombs, including those of King Seti I and Ramses II, as well as the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, magnificently carved into the mountainside. Our guide, Hassan, shared a handy tip for pronouncing her name: "Just think of Queen hot-chicken-soup." She built her temple to ensure that her life story was told and to assert her power. Her two-decade reign in the mid-15th century BCE was largely unknown until the 20th century CE because her successor (a male) worked to erase her memory. Stories like this one kept us enthralled throughout our journey.
In Edfu, horse-drawn carriages took us from the ship to the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in ancient Egypt. The desert sand that buried it over centuries protected its immense structure, leaving the carvings and inscriptions on its walls intact and spectacular! Our carriage ride back to the ship took us through a local community, where we observed daily life: residents in traditional abaya clothing, women fully covered, children playing in the streets, men discussing business, women carrying colourful baskets of vegetables and fruit, donkeys pulling carts full of goods, and no tourists in sight.
As we sailed toward Aswan, the ship hosted a galabeya party, a favourite event on Nile cruises. Many of us bought traditional Egyptian galabeyas—loose-fitting robes worn by both men and women for generations. The evening was filled with music, dancing, and plenty of fun.
Early the next morning, we drove to the airport for a short flight to Abu Simbel. Abu Simbel is an ancient temple complex, originally cut into a solid rock cliff in southern Egypt. It was built by Ramesses II, one of the greatest pharaohs, around 1264 BCE. In 1968, the entire complex was relocated to higher ground to avoid it being submerged by Lake Nasser, the reservoir created by the construction of the Aswan Dam. The face of the complex features four seated statues of Ramses II, 21 metres high, built to sow terror in the hearts of any approaching enemies. Inside the temple are more sculptures of other deities and another of Ramses himself. This temple is one of Egypt's most impressive sites. We were very fortunate that our tour included a short flight from Aswan, as many tourists must go by coach, making for a long, hot day. Arriving back in Aswan, we returned to our ship, marking the end of another spectacular day.
A relaxing day followed as we enjoyed a pleasant sail on the Nile onboard a felucca. A felucca is a traditional wooden, open-decked sailing boat with one or two sails, crewed by local sailors. While we were cruising, our guide pointed out the posh hotel where Agatha Christie wrote Murder on the Nile.”
The following day, a private motorboat took us to Elephantine Island to visit a Nubian village. After a short walk through the village, we arrived at the museum building where the Imam was waiting for us. A very engaging man, he demonstrated Nubian tools and kitchen utensils, straw hangings, and an old loom. We visited the school, where happy children were very grateful for the school supplies we brought from Canada.
On our final cruise day, an early morning hot air balloon ride was the perfect end to a cruise adventure unlike any other. The sun rose as we soared high above the Valley of the Kings and miles of desert below. The experience left us speechless.
As we bid adieu to our ship, our Egyptian adventure was far from over. The order of Egyptian itineraries can vary from tour to tour, but the beauty of Egypt is that it's small, ensuring that all important sites are experienced. Next year's Egypt tours, departing on February 11th and October 14th, begin with three nights touring in and around Cairo, followed by the cruise on the Nile, and finish with another three nights back in Cairo. From the pyramids of Giza and the new Grand Egyptian Museum to the El Khalili Bazaar, there is so much to look forward to. I highly recommend you join the Treasures of Egypt tour!
