Nile Cruise

Egypt

December 2025

9th Dec, 2025 ~

16th Dec, 2025

"All the old paintings on the tomb, they do the sand dance, don’t you know…"

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.

Part 1 - Balloon trip

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.

Part 2 - Temple of Kom Ombo

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.

Part 3 - Abu Simbel Temple

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.

Part 4 - Aswan high dam, Philae Temple and the unfinished obelisk

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.

Part 5 - Temple of Horus

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.

Part 6 - Valley of the Kings & Dier el-Bahari

The Valley of the Kings is a desert necropolis where New Kingdom pharaohs, including Tutankhamun, were buried in richly decorated rock-cut tombs designed to protect their passage to the afterlife. Nearby, Deir el-Bahari features the striking terraced mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut, dramatically set against limestone cliffs and renowned for its harmonious architecture and historical reliefs.

Part 7 - Karnak Temple

Karnak Temple is one of the largest religious complexes ever built, located near Luxor and dedicated primarily to the god Amun-Ra. Constructed and expanded over more than 2,000 years by successive pharaohs, it features vast courtyards, towering pylons, and the magnificent Hypostyle Hall with its forest of colossal columns, reflecting the power and devotion of ancient Egypt.