Cairo & cruise on the Nile: The Land of the Pharaohs (port-to-port)

Cairo, a city where the sands of time whisper tales of millennia, welcomes you with the majestic Pyramids of Giza, an enduring testament to ancient engineering marvels. As the backdrop of numerous films, including the 007 classic "The Spy Who Loved Me," Cairo offers a cinematic escape into a realm of mystery and intrigue. The climate, marked by sunny days and clear, starlit nights, sets a perfect stage for exploring this metropolis, where authenticity outshines the familiar tourist trails, offering a true gateway to understanding the depths of human endeavors across ages.

Originally known as Thebes, Luxor is often dubbed an “open air museum” for its deep history and breathtaking sights.Most ships dock on the east bank, where the city and the temples of Luxor and Karnak are. Across the water, on the west bank, the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings are both about 15-20 minutes from the port by car.Back in the city, you can visit the Luxor Museum, one of the finest dedicated to ancient Egyptian history. The collections focus on artefacts from the New Kingdom period and the surrounding Theban region. The museum is on the east bank, between Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple. Or, you can head down to the Luxor bazaars to try your own hand at haggling for some jewellery or perfume.A popular excursion from Luxor is an early-morning hot air balloon ride to take in views of the area’s sights as the sun rises.

The Temple of Horus is considered one of the most impressive temples along the Nile. It was built during the Greco-Roman era, but the builders took great care to preserve the ancient Egyptian way of constructing the temple, giving the unique ability to see what the surrounding older temples could have looked like if they were built 2,000 years later.  The Temple of Horus is considered one of the most impressive temples along the Nile. Although it was built relatively late in ancient Egyptian history (in the Greco-Roman period), the builders deliberately used traditional Egyptian architectural styles. Because of that, the temple is exceptionally well preserved and built in the same style as much older temples.This gives modern visitors a chance to see what older temples (like those from the New Kingdom or earlier) might have looked like in their prime.

The temple has a dual design to pay tribute to both Sobek and Horus. The inside is like a mirror, each side of the temple reflecting the same rooms and design for the two gods. It was also built during the Ptolemaic era and finished under Roman rule.The Crocodile Museum is also available to explore at Kom Ombo, where crocodile mummies are preserved. In ancient Egypt, crocodiles were both feared and revered by locals who offered them respect by mummifying them after death. The museum explores this tradition.The city is known for its incredible surrounding views, allowing guests to walk around and enjoy the sights or venture into the historical buildings. No bazaars are located in the city itself, but other cities such as Aswan, Abu Simbel, and Edfu offer some extra adventure with only a thirty-minute drive between them. 

The Temple of Horus is considered one of the most impressive temples along the Nile. It was built during the Greco-Roman era, but the builders took great care to preserve the ancient Egyptian way of constructing the temple, giving the unique ability to see what the surrounding older temples could have looked like if they were built 2,000 years later.  The Temple of Horus is considered one of the most impressive temples along the Nile. Although it was built relatively late in ancient Egyptian history (in the Greco-Roman period), the builders deliberately used traditional Egyptian architectural styles. Because of that, the temple is exceptionally well preserved and built in the same style as much older temples.This gives modern visitors a chance to see what older temples (like those from the New Kingdom or earlier) might have looked like in their prime.

The Temple of Philae is on Agilkia Island, which is only accessible by boat; it’s one of Egypt’s most beautiful temples and was relocated to its current location, stone by stone, to save it from flooding when the Aswan Dam was built. The Nubian Museum is also located here and houses artifacts and exhibits of Nubian heritage across thousands of years.  Aswan is also the home of the Unfinished Obelisk, which would have been the largest obelisk in the world if finished. Taking a visit to this monument will let you learn about what led to the project’s abandonment and see the marks left behind by ancient tools.Feluccas, traditional sailboats, are a popular way to explore Aswan. They offer panoramic views of Elephantine Island, Kitchener’s Island Botanical Gardens, and the lush riverbanks. Aswan's unique location at the first cataract of the Nile presents a striking contrast: the golden desert sands meet the flowing river, with ancient temples like Philae juxtaposed against modern structures such as the Aswan Opera House.A 30-minute drive from the city, the Aswan High Dam is a monumental engineering achievement that transformed Egypt’s agriculture and power supply by controlling the Nile’s floods and creating Lake Nasser, one of the world’s largest man-made lakes.While it brought economic benefits, the dam also caused the displacement of thousands of Nubians and submerged many ancient sites, sparking ongoing debate about its environmental and cultural impact.

Built during the Ptolemaic period, the Temple of Khnum is considered one of the best-preserved examples of ancient Egyptian architecture. Esna is also where you can most appreciate the beauty of the Nile valley, the narrow ribbon of greenery and farmland along the river, which contrasts with the arid deserts dominating the rest of the country.Esna’s historic market is one of the last remaining traditional markets in southern Egypt that still functions as part of everyday local life; it sells household goods, local crafts and bridal items.The El-Army Minaret is the only surviving structure from the old mosque of the same name, which was demolished and rebuilt in 1960. The mosque was constructed between 474 and 476, making it the first mosque constructed in the Esna area during the Fatimid era.Esna is best experienced when walking around and is known for its peaceful atmosphere, but historical monuments are only a short drive away from the port.

Originally known as Thebes, Luxor is often dubbed an “open air museum” for its deep history and breathtaking sights.Most ships dock on the east bank, where the city and the temples of Luxor and Karnak are. Across the water, on the west bank, the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings are both about 15-20 minutes from the port by car.Back in the city, you can visit the Luxor Museum, one of the finest dedicated to ancient Egyptian history. The collections focus on artefacts from the New Kingdom period and the surrounding Theban region. The museum is on the east bank, between Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple. Or, you can head down to the Luxor bazaars to try your own hand at haggling for some jewellery or perfume.A popular excursion from Luxor is an early-morning hot air balloon ride to take in views of the area’s sights as the sun rises.