If you are looking to visit the tourist attractions that were built by Ancient Egyptians while enjoying a romantic and relaxing experience, you should seriously consider taking a luxury River Nile cruise holidays. In ancient times, most Egyptians resided on the banks of this river. For this reason, their Pharaohs built monuments, tombs and temples along the River Nile. By taking a cruise, you will get to see most of these attractions and while getting a memorable and unforgettable experience.
If you are going for the luxury cruise option, we have selected some of the most dazzling attractions that you should visit if you are looking to make the most out of your trip. You can either choose to start your trip at the southern cities of Aswan and Luxor or in the modern Egyptian city of Cairo. This post will focus on some of the attractions that you should not miss if you start your cruise in Aswan. We will also follow up with a post on the attractions that you should see if you start your trip in Luxor and another post detailing some of the landmarks that you should see when you are in Cairo.
Start Your Trip at Aswan – the Most Enticing Jewel on the Nile
Aswan was founded on the southern tip of Ancient Egypt. At the time, it was considered to be the entry point to the rest of Africa and acted as an important trading post. This city cuts across emerald islands and the golden deserts that are common in Egypt. In ancient times, most of the granite that was used in building monuments and temples was sourced at Aswan. During this time, the city was known by the name Swenet or Swen. Unlike Luxor which is always bustling and Cairo which has a hectic lifestyle, the population of Aswan lives a relaxed Nubian lifestyle and culture. This is one of the reasons why Aswan is a great tourist destination. If you are in Aswan, there are some tourist attractions that you should visit. They include:
The Temple of Horus Found in Edfu
This temple is found around 60 km to the north of Aswan on the western banks of the River Nile. This temple which was constructed as a dedication to the son of Osiris and Isis happens to be one of the best-preserved treasures from the ancient times. This Ptolemaic structure was built in a classical style and it contains multiple chambers, statues, courts and walls which have very well-preserved writings in hieroglyphics. It is the second largest temple in Egypt and on visiting this temple, you are likely to have an authentic and unique experience of the life that ancient Egyptians lived.
The Temple of Isis in Philae
This temple is considered to be the last place of worship that was constructed in line with the classic Egyptian style of architecture. During the construction of the Aswan Dam, it had to be moved by UNESCO for preservation purposes. On a visit to this temple, you can get a look at the huge support columns and awe-inspiring hieroglyphics under a great light and sound show.
Abu Simbel
It is not easy to gain access to this temple. However, on gaining entry, you will definitely see that it is worth the effort. The temple of Abu Simbel was commissioned and constructed over 20 years during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II. It was originally built from rock and has two huge chambers that are guarded by even bigger statues of Ramesses. Incredibly, this temple had to be moved in the 1960s when the Aswan dam was being constructed so that it could be protected from the effects of erosion.
Kom Ombo
This is a double temple that was built as a dedication to two gods. It was built in praise of the falcon deity – Haroeris and the crocodile deity – Sobek. This huge structure has numerous chambers which have symmetrical features. These chambers could have been used as temples, courts, halls and sanctuaries. A stroll down the many colonnades will definitely take you back to ancient times.