(content by Paul)
The Nile River has been a cultural hub in the Middle East for thousands of years. Cultures throughout history have used it for religious practices, trade, and transportation.
Today, this majestic river is also a main source of tourism for the area. People travel from all over the world to enjoy luxurious Nile cruise down the Nile River and use it as a natural guide for excursions. Keep reading to discover the top sites you should be adding to your itinerary on your next trip.
- Old Cataract Hotel
There are many reasons why the Nile River is a magical place, and every traveler who visits will have their own special reason. For murder mystery fans, one of those reasons is Agatha Christi’s famous novel “Death on the Nile”.
Back in the 1920’s, the mystery author came to stay at the Old Cataract Hotel and wrote her famous novel while gazing out her window at the Nile River. If you are an Agatha Christi enthusiast, you can book a tour and see the exact room she stayed in.
For those who aren’t avid readers and just want a luxurious excursion on shore, there’s a place at the hotel for you too. The restaurant and bar look out over the river and are great places to relax and soak in the atmosphere. However, if you aren’t a paying guest, be considerate and try not to wander around too much.
- Karnak Temple Complex
Second only to the ancient city of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, the Karnak Temple Complex is one of the largest ancient sites in the world. This once thriving city is located in Luxor and holds many of the most recognizable monuments to this day.
Hatshepsut erected an obelisk for herself that weighs 300 tons, stands 97 feet high, and has been the tallest monument there for 3,000 years. The Hypostyle Hall is an endless maze with its 134 pillars that are each 80 feet tall and are carved with detailed hieroglyphs. Some still have the faded paint on them that the ancients at the time used to recreate the stories of their mythology and daily lives.
- Abu Simbel
Even if they never go to Egypt, almost everyone on planet Earth will have seen Abu Simbel at least once in their lives. It is one of the most branded and recognizable pieces of Egyptian culture and is used in art, movies, shows, and even commercials.
These regal statues were made by Pharaoh Ramses II for himself and his wife Nefertari. They were created in the 13th century and moved to the small town of Aswan. Their original location would have put them in the path of the Aswan High Dam, and the statues would have been destroyed over time by water erosion.
- Temple of Hatshepsut
Hatshepsut is a unique figure in Egyptian history, but unfortunately much of her reign was subverted by those who came after her. The queen regent came to power in 1478 BC when she positioned herself as pharaoh and became a gifted tradeswoman and ruler.
Since having a female ruler went against the tradition of the time, many of the statues, paintings, and carvings of her were either altered or destroyed. The temple she erected for herself can be found in Luxor, just outside of the Valley of the Kings.
- Valley of the Kings
The Valley of the Kings is one of the most popular sites to visit in all of Egypt, second only to the Pyramids of Giza. It began as a burial site for the early pharaohs, and today a total of 63 tombs have been discovered. The largest tomb to date is the tomb of Tutankhamun, discovered by Howard Carter in 1922.
It can seem like a very haunting site, and you wind through the temples and tombs that are carved and painted with scenes of each pharaoh and their journey into the afterlife. Local Egyptians considered this area to be the “gateway to the afterlife”, and it has a great effect on how Egyptian mythology developed throughout the years.
- Luxor
The modern-day name for this city is Luxor, but ancient civilizations knew it as the city of Thebes. At the time, it was the capital of Egypt and a cultural hub for religion, culture, and trade. Just a few of the products that Egypt traded back then were gold, grain, papyrus, and linen.
Today, it is a perfect spot to start your cruise down the Nile River. You will be able to check numerous must-see attractions off your list all in one place. A few of these include the Karnak Temple Complex, the Valley of the Kings, and the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut.
- Pyramids of Giza
Last but certainly not least, the Great Pyramids of Giza! No trip to Egypt is complete without visiting this monumental site.
There are three pyramids in total. The two smaller pyramids are the Pyramid of Khefre and the Pyramid of Menkaure. These two don’t have tombs inside, but rather small tunnels that wind around inside and even go underground. The larger pyramid, the Pyramid of Khufu, was discovered to have a full tomb inside along with the many tunnels. Any artifacts found were removed long ago and taken to museums around the world.
A cruise down the Nile River is one of the easiest ways to visit all of Egypt Tours sites without having to scramble to find transportation and accommodations. On top of all the beautiful excursions mentioned above, Nile cruises also provide entertainment and events aboard the ship as well as pools, lounges, spas, and delicious food and drinks.
There are certainly travel destinations where it is better to DIY your itinerary, but with all the modern cities, ancient temples, and priceless monuments that Egypt has to offer, it can easily get overwhelming. Book your Cairo Nile Cruise today to ensure that you see all the rich culture, cuisine, and history that Egypt has to offer.
