RIKOLA Travel blog
The travel journals of a middle age couple
We enjoyed the cruise so much last Feb, so thought we would do another. As we’re culture vultures, lets mix it up a little.
Departs: 10:00 (9th Dec)
Arrives: 17:20 (9th Dec)
Total Flight time: 5hrs 20min
Time difference: +1hrs
Airline: TUI Airways – Boeing 737
Baggage Allowance: 20KG + Carry on + under seat
Departs: 17:35 (16th Dec)
Arrives: 21:35 (16th Dec)
Total Flight time: 6hrs 0min
Time difference: -1hrs
Airline: TUI Airways – Boeing 737
Baggage Allowance: 20KG + Carry on + under seat
Day 1 Tue 9th ~ Luxor, Egypt
Day 2 Wed 10th ~ Luxor, Egypt
Day 3 Thur 11th ~ Kom Ombo, Egypt
Day 4 Fri 12th ~ Aswan, Egypt
Day 5 Sat 13th ~ Aswan, Egypt
Day 6 Sun 14th ~ Edfu, Egypt
Day 7 Mon 15th ~ Luxor, Egypt
Day 8 Tues 16th ~ Luxor, Egypt
Egypt, a land of ancient wonders and modern vibrancy, thrives along the Nile. Its history boasts pharaohs, pyramids, and hieroglyphs. Today, Cairo pulses as its capital, while the Suez Canal links continents. Islam dominates, yet ancient traditions endure. Egypt blends rich heritage with contemporary challenges.
Luxor, ancient Thebes, is an Egyptian treasure. It’s home to Karnak and Luxor temples, and the Valley of the Kings. The Nile bisects it, offering stunning historical views. A vital tourist hub, Luxor showcases pharaonic grandeur, revealing Egypt’s powerful past.
Kom Ombo, an Egyptian temple, uniquely honors two gods: Sobek and Horus. Its dual design reflects this, with mirrored halves. Perched on the Nile, it features intricate carvings, including ancient surgical tools. A fascinating glimpse into pharaonic religious practices and medical knowledge.
Aswan, Egypt’s southernmost city, sits along the Nile. Known for its scenic beauty, it features the Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple. Nubian culture thrives here. Granite quarries and vibrant markets define the city. Aswan offers a tranquil escape, showcasing Egypt’s diverse landscapes and heritage.
Edfu’s Temple of Horus, one of Egypt’s best-preserved, dominates the city. Built during the Ptolemaic period, its intricate reliefs depict the myth of Horus and Set. Sand-covered for centuries, its excavation revealed a near-complete temple, offering a vivid glimpse into ancient Egyptian rituals.
Day 1 Tue 9th ~ Luxor, Egypt
ARRIVE IN THE EVENING
GOOGLE MAPS
Day 2 Wed 10th ~ Luxor, Egypt
TRIP – Hot Air Balloon ride – 4:30am start – 3hours
CHILL AFTERNOON
A hot air balloon ride over Luxor offers a breathtaking dawn perspective on Egypt’s ancient wonders. As you rise above the West Bank, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple, and scattered desert tombs unfold beneath you. The soft morning light reveals the contrast between lush farmlands and golden desert. Peaceful, smooth, and unforgettable, the flight provides a unique, panoramic view of Thebes’ monumental landscape and the timeless Nile.
Day 3 Thur 11th ~ Kom Ombo, Egypt
TRIP – Kom Ombo temple – 9am start -1 hr (FREE)
CHILL MIDDAY
TRIP – Sound & Light show – Philae temple – 6pm start – 2hrs
Kom Ombo Temple, set on a bend of the Nile, is unique for its perfectly symmetrical design dedicated to two gods: Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the falcon god. Built during the Ptolemaic era, it features detailed reliefs, intact columns, and an ancient crocodile mummy museum. Its dual layout and riverside setting make it one of Egypt’s most distinctive and atmospheric temples.
GOOGLE MAPS
Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, stands on Agilkia Island after being relocated to save it from flooding. Renowned for its graceful colonnades and intricate reliefs, the temple complex reflects a blend of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman influences. Its serene island setting enhances its mystical atmosphere, especially at sunrise or during the Sound and Light Show, making Philae one of Egypt’s most enchanting and memorable sacred sites.
GOOGLE MAPS
Day 4 Fri 12th ~ Aswan, Egypt
TRIP – Tour of Abusimbel temples – 4am start – 9 hrs
Abu Simbel’s twin temples, built by Ramses II, are masterpieces of ancient Egyptian engineering and power. The Great Temple features four colossal statues of the pharaoh guarding its entrance, while the smaller temple honors Queen Nefertari. Both were relocated in the 1960s to avoid flooding from the Aswan High Dam. Their precise solar alignment and monumental scale make Abu Simbel one of Egypt’s most awe-inspiring archaeological achievements.
GOOGLE MAPS
Day 5 Sat 13th ~ Aswan, Egypt
TRIP – Tour of the high dam, unfinished obelisk and Philae temple – 8am start – 4hrs
CHILL AFTERNOON
Aswan’s highlights include the High Dam, a monumental 20th-century engineering project controlling the Nile’s floods and generating vital hydroelectric power. Nearby, the Unfinished Obelisk lies in its granite quarry, revealing ancient stone-carving techniques and the immense ambition of Egyptian builders. Philae Temple, dedicated to Isis, was rescued from rising waters and relocated to Agilkia Island, where its elegant colonnades and sacred atmosphere continue to captivate visitors.
GOOGLE MAPS
Day 6 Sun 14th ~ Edfu, Egypt
TRIP – Temple of Horus guided tour – 9am – 2hrs (FREE)
CHILL AFTERNOON
The Temple of Horus at Edfu is one of Egypt’s best-preserved ancient temples, dedicated to the falcon god Horus. Built during the Ptolemaic period, it features massive pylons, detailed hieroglyphic reliefs, and a dramatic inner sanctuary. Its inscriptions recount the legendary battles between Horus and Seth, offering rich insight into Egyptian mythology. The temple’s scale, symmetry, and remarkable condition make it a highlight of any Nile journey.
GOOGLE MAPS
Day 7 Mon 15th ~ Luxor, Egypt
TRIP – Luxor’s East & West banks – 6am start – 8hrs
Luxor’s East and West Banks showcase the grandeur of ancient Thebes. The East Bank, once the city’s vibrant heart, features the magnificent Luxor Temple and vast Karnak complex. Across the Nile, the West Bank served as the land of the dead, home to the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut’s Temple, and noble tombs. Together, they reveal Egypt’s spiritual balance between life, death, and rebirth, forming one of the world’s greatest archaeological landscapes.
GOOGLE MAPS
Day 8 Tues 16th ~ Luxor, Egypt
CHILL DAY