Lake Nasser and Nile river cruise in Egypt

WHAT TO SEE AND WHAT TO DO IN EGYPT?

This trip review illustrates a tour to Egypt, to discover the infinite ancient wonders offered by this country. The trip starts from Cairo with an excursion to the Egyptian Museum of Antiquties, before visiting Giza with the famous Sphinx and the Pyramids. This tour to Egypt continues with a flight from Cairo to Abu Simbel where, after a visit to Ramses II and Nefertari temples, I board the MS Eugenie cruise ship for a four days cruise on lake Nasser. This lake isn't natural and was formed after the construction of a dam in Aswan, filling with water a vast valley in the middle of the desert. Temples and other archaeological ruins were saved from the waters and carried on tops and sides of the hills. During the lake Nasser cruise, I visit the temples of Amada, Derr, Wadi Es Seboua and others. Once in Aswan, after a visit to the majestic High Dam, I board another ship bound for Luxor (Nile cruise) visiting additional temples along the shores of Nile river, at Kom Ombo and Edfu. In Luxor, I take a tour of both western and eastern shores of Nile river, with excursions to the Necropolis of Thebes, Valley of the Kings, temple of Queen Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, Luxor and the Karnak Temples. A final excursion by car brings me to Abydos and Denderah, to visit additional temples, before flying back to my country directly from Luxor.

Egypt is anyway a huge country, offering not only temples and fascinating history, but also one of the world's best reef along the shores of the Red Sea, all the way from Sharm El Sheik in the north, to Berenice in the south. If you are enthusiast about deserts, exciting tours can be taken in eastern Sahara, featuring a unique geology that includes also fossilized marine mammals and white sands. However, I didn't have enough time to visit all the country, so this trip review is limited to the area along the shores of Nile river and Nasser lake.

WHERE TO BOARD A NILE CRUISE?

Most Nile river cruises leave from Luxor southbound for Aswan or vice-versa. Typical duration is approximately 3 days / 4 nights aboard ships of different standards, but always having all the comforts. Lake Nasser cruises usually leave from Aswan (buth south of the High Dam), southbound for Abu Simbel or vice-versa. Typical duration is about 4 nights / 5 days with ships still ensuring good standards,making the trip ideal also for families with children.

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO GO TO EGYPT?

Due to some long walk required to visit some of the temples and because of the tropical / continental heat, the best time for a cruise to Egypt is from November to March. Other times of the year, including summer, are popular but not advisable due to the high temperatures.

HOW TO BOOK A CRUISE TO EGYPT?

This trip has been booked through ATB Holidays, letting you to book ready made Egypt package tours or to custom design your own itinerary easily, even if you travel alone. They will organize everything for you, including a guide speaking your language, but excluding the flights. The trip did run very smoothly, exactly as planned, without any problem. The services provided were excellent either during the reservation process and then on place.

IS IT PERMITTED TO TAKE PICTURES INSIDE MUSEUMS AND TEMPLES IN EGYPT?

Taking pictures inside temples and other archaeological sites was usually permitted, but in most cases flash and tripod is was not allowed. Some site, like Abu Simbel and Valley of the Kings, had a strict "no-photo" policy (in the Valley of the Kings it wasn't permitted to take pictures even just outside). Photos were not permitted in museums and the Egyptian Museum of Antiquties in Cairo was not an exception.

IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL TO EGYPT?

Like for any other developing country, the safety situation in Egypt changes often and quickly, making advisable to consult the web site of the Foreign Ministery of your country, for up-to-date information.