What better way to see Egypt than with a cruise on the Nile? The world’s longest river, 6,650 km, flows northwards as it travels through ten countries. Cleopatra, Marc Antony and Caesar once travelled the Nile and today you can follow in their footsteps with Nile Cruises aboard a dahabiyya.
Dahabiyyas are sailboats with two sails and were the choice of Europe’s upper-class back in the 19th century. Today’s dahabiyyas have been modernized for the ultimate in comfort. They are stylishly decorated with comfortable furniture and include air conditioning. Dahabiyyas only hold a small number of passengers which makes a cruise on the Nile a more personal experience. Because they are smaller than other passenger boats dahabiyyas can navigate in shallow waters making stops along the Nile easy.
Holidays on Nile Cruises give one the chance to see many of Egypt’s landmarks.
One of the first places one passes aboard a dahabiyya (if they are traveling from Aswan to Luxor) is the Temple of Philae. This temple was dedicated to Isis who was wife to Osiris and mother to Horus. Egyptian culture is dominated by these three figures which makes visiting this site even more interesting. The High Dam and Low Dam can be visited on this day as well.
Sometime near the middle of a Nile cruise passengers can choose to visit the famous Abu Simbel. These temples are located on the banks of Lake Nasser in Nubia and, therefore, need to be flown to on a separate excursion. Both Philae and Abu Simbel are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, as well as important parts of Egyptian history, and a trip to visit them is a highlight.
The Temples of Abu Simbel were carved in the 13th century at the command of Pharaoh Ramesses II. They were intended as monuments for himself and Nefertari commemorating the Battle of Kadesh victory.
Located on the eastern bank of the Nile is the Luxor Temple which was founded in the year 1400 BCE. The Luxor Temple was dedicated to the Gods Amun, Chons and Mut which were known as the Theban Triad. This temple, which was added to over the years, was built a little at a time by various rulers including Hatshepsut, Amenhotep III, Rameses II, Tuthmosis III and Alexander. Karnak Temple is just down the way and is another impressive architectural piece. It is an assembly of temples, pylons and chapels and was started by Ramses II in the mid-1300.
Another sight to see while in Luxor is the Valley of the Kings which is an ancient burial ground of Pharaohs and includes the tomb of Tutankhamun. More Luxor attractions include the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari (she was Ancient Egypt’s longest running female), the Howard Carter House, the village of Qurna, the Avenue of Sphinxes, the Abu El-Hagag Mosque, and the Karnak Open Air Museum. For a unique experience, a different perspective of Luxor and a great end to a Nile cruise, finish off with a hot air balloon ride.
0 komentar:
Post a Comment