THECruise on the Nile Emanates an ancient and timeless charm. Thanks to Agatha Christie, who with his novel Assassination on the Nile – transformed over the years into two great successful films – has settled in popular culture theElegant and exclusive allure of this journey. But above all because of the breathtaking beauty of the history and the natural landscape of this portion of Egypt.
Cruise on the Nile, in the footsteps of the pharaohs
A complete journey through the beauties of this country cannot be separated from a stop in Cairo, but who shorts of extra days wanted a concentrated tasting of the history of the ancient pharaohs It can only opt for the Luxor cruise to Assuan (or return), with direct flights from Italy all year round. Four days of pure history and relaxation aboard luxurious retro shipsfor an unforgettable experience.
Luxor and the Valley of the Temples
The city of Luxor with the Karnak, Luxor and the Valley of the Temple temples complex It would deserve a stop of at least two days. However, if you decide to leave immediately with the cruise, after landing in Luxor (Air Cairo and Neos Air offer flights Directed by Milan Malpensa, Air Cairo also from Rome Fiumicino) you immediately go by ship and after a night of rest The alarm clock is aiming at 5 am. The dawn will be seen in the Templar complex of Karnakwelcomed by a row of osiris statues in its form of ram twilight, which lead us inside the rooms shoed by 134 colorful and imposing columns. No Egyptian museum (except that of Cairo) can prepare for so much wealth and perfect conservation of statues, ornamental friezes, complex and obelisks hieroglyphics (the missing one is located in Rome in San Giovanni).
The entry of the Temple of Karnak, to Luxor. (Courtesy Boscolo)
The second stage is the Temple of Luxor, in antiquity united to Karnak from a road of 3 km bordered by 380 spheres, Here you are welcomed by mammoth statues and an obelisk (the missing twin one is located in Paris in Place de al Concorde) which mark the entrance into a templare complex that has undergone continuous transformations through the various pharaonic eras and in which, with a little attention, you can still see the temple with flowery columns built by the Queen FaraonAnd Hatshepsut (1473-1458 BC)one of the most capable regents of Egypt whose memory was systematically canceled by the stepson that succeeded herThutmose III.
The statue of Ramses II in the temple of Luxor. (Courtesy Boscolo)
In this temple, until 1800 submerged by the sand, you can also see the passage of Italian archaeologists and, going more deeply, of the Christian cult that took hold after the Roman conquest of ancient Egypt.
Little time to linger, the cruise saves at 13 and before going back on board, and enjoying an afternoon of relaxation you visit the Necropolis of Thebes with the tombs of the Valle dei Re. These burials, which replaced the oldest pyramids near the current Cairo in 1600 AC, have been plundered over the centuries, but still maintain magnificent colors and breathtaking frescoes. With a little patience, for the long queues at the entrance, you can visit Faraoni’s final homes such as Ramsete I, II and III, Tutankhamon and many others. It is estimated that the 64 tombs discoveries so far represent only 30% of the total of those hidden among these rocks.
A detail of the Temple of Hatshepsut, with the figure of the Queen represented disguised as a man. (Courtesy Boscolo)
On the other side of the pyramid -shaped mountain that inspired the pharaohs to decide to be buried here, there is a unique temple of its kind: the Temple of Hatshepsut, set in the mountain. The queen who brought prosperity to her people had no easy life – i priests forced her to dress as a man and wear a fake beard – But he had an open mausoleum built with three terraces that still dominates the banks of the Nile. His statues will also have male features, but his mystery has been revealed by archaeologists in recent years and his greatness is now known in the world.
From Luxor to Edfu
Greetings i Memnone giantssails towards the first closed, the flow of boats on the Nile is placid and invites you to fully enjoy the landscape completely out of time. There will be no cities or buildings, but only palm trees and small plots on the banks of the Nile. Beyond the vegetation, only the yellow of the Sahara.
A detail of the Temple of Horus and Edfu. (Courtesy Boscolo)
After a night of travel, you land at Edfusmall chaotic village that houses the magnificent Temple of Horusone of the best preserved in Egypt. In this architectural jewel, there is a room that contains the recipes of 300 perfumes meticulously described with the hieroglyphics. From here it will sail immediately lost Kom Omboone of the few temples open after sunset, which with a little luck you will have enjoyed the ship. The visit to the Temples of Sobek and Harotis At night it is suggestive. At the foot of the temple it deserves a peek is the museum dedicated to sacred crocodiles, Where you can see statues of the god Crocodrillo Sobek and also mummies of these imposing inhabitants of the Nile. After the construction of the Assuan dam, the crocodiles remained in the southern part of the town, in Lake Nasser and Nubia.
Assuan, the charm of the recent past
The third night of navigation on the Nile leads to the city of Assuanhome of the majestic Dam Grande (1960-1970) and Vecchia Dam (1882-1956). Here you visit The Philae Templededicated to goddess Isis, and positioned on a small island where it was moved to save it from the flooding caused by the construction of the dams. After a short hand -traction, you arrive on this pink granite islet: a place of peace and exciting views, immersed in lush vegetation.
A glimpse of the Temple of Philae. (Courtesy Boscolo)
Assuan is a vibrant city but for lovers of yellow literature it is above all the place where Agatha Christie lived for a year and where he wrote the famous yellow set on a cruise. After a ride on one of the traditional sailing boats, the felukes, You can organize yourself for a visit to the Old Cataractthe historic hotel that has hosted personality and writers from all over the world over the years: not only the yellowist, but also Lady Diana, Winston Chirchill and many others. Here, led by a competent and prepared guide, Shaza, You can visit the suite with breathtaking views of the Nile of Agatha Christie and Winston Churchill.
After one last night on the ship we start a good hour for a return to Italy via Cairo. With a suitcase full of memories and suggestions and the desire to return to Egypt, perhaps to deepen each stage more calmly, but with eyes full of beauty and in the heart the serenity of the banks of the Nile.
On the Nile with Boscolo
Just arrived among the new proposals Boscolo Gift The new gift box: “Egypt, history, the Nile“ To experience the emotion of an extraordinary journey in two, with a private guide and the luxury of a tête-à-tête cruise. Egypt, history, the Nile includes: 4 nights/5 days for two people, cruise with private guide for all excursions, entrances to sites, dinner for boat show and private transfer to and from airport. Euro 7,660. Box format: big.
In Feluca at sunset. (Courtesy Boscolo)
For those who want to explore Egypt in all its magnificence, Boscolo Tours offers two group itineraries: “Ancient Egypt and cruise on the Nile“, A 8 -day trip between the treasures of Cairo, the pyramids of Giza and the suggestive navigation on the Nile, and“Cairo and the cruise on the Nile“, An adventure to discover the pharaonic wonders between millenary temples and suggestive landscapes.
The first proposal starting from 2,090 per person includes: assistant for departures from the airports of Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino, flight to/re internal flights. The second proposal starting from 1,890 euros per person includes assistant for departures from the Airports of Milan Malpensa and Rome Fiumicino, flight A/RE internal flights, including luggage franchise, airport taxes, airport/hotel transfers and vice versa, GT bus travel for exclusive use of Boscolo customers, non-pre-fired places, Italian speaking local guides up to 12 participants. The whole tour of 13 participants, 3 nights in the hotel and 4 in motor ships, breakfast included, 6 lunches and 7 dinners, all the entrances provided for by the program, personal wifi radioguide for the whole trip, the exclusive Boscolo travel kit, medical insurance, luggage and pandemic risks, “no problem” telephone assistance line available 24 hours a day, 7 days out of 7.
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