CroisiEurope, Europe's largest river cruise company, offers among its exotic destinations for 2020 its spectacular Nile cruise, the opportunity to discover wonderful Egypt from Luxor to Aswan, a journey through the Nile Valley with its majestic temples, necropolises, pyramids, ancient treasures and small, lively villages.
CroisiEurope presents its 2020 Nile River Cruise: In the Land of the Pharaohs, an 8-day trip aboard a five-anchor category ship, visiting the most beautiful places in Upper Egypt:
- Luxor, with a visit to the Karnak temple, built by the pharaohs of the 12th dynasty, the largest religious complex in history made up of sanctuaries, pavilions and obelisks dedicated to the gods of Thebes and the glory of the pharaohs; and the Luxor temple, built under the reign of Amenhotep III and Ramses II, which stands majestically on the banks of the Nile.
- From Edfu, a horse-drawn carriage ride leads to the Temple of Horus, dedicated to Horus the Falcon, begun by Ptolemy in 237 AD. This extraordinary sandstone temple is exceptional for its harmonious design and remarkable state of preservation. Restored by the Egyptologist Auguste Mariette in the mid-19th century, the Temple of Edfu is one of the best-preserved sanctuaries in the Nile Valley.
- Aswan, where you can visit the Aswan High Dam, one of the world's largest hydroelectric dams, built between 1960 and 1971. Today, it provides electricity throughout the country, as well as water, since it regulates flooding and allows for year-round irrigation. From Aswan, you can visit the Temple of Philae, submerged by the reservoir for 30 years (from 1934 to 1964) during the construction of the first dam. Thanks to UNESCO's protection, the temple was dismantled and rebuilt on the neighboring island of Agilkia. The Temple of Philae is dedicated to Isis, sister and wife of Osiris, and mother of Horus, and is considered "the pearl of Egypt." From Aswan, you can also visit the Abu Simbel complex, the most impressive stone testament left by Ramses II.
- Kom Ombo, with its spectacular temple dedicated to two deities, Sobek (the crocodile god) and Haroeris (Horus the Elder). The temple stands on a promontory overlooking a bend in the Nile, where crocodiles once roamed the banks.
- Luxor, where you can visit the famous Valley of the Kings and four of its tombs, including that of Seti I, the largest and best preserved tomb of the 64 tombs in the valley, the two colossi of Memnon and in the temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the tomb of Habu, the most extraordinary in the Valley of the Kings.
An exotic 8-day cruise aboard a five-anchor ship offering exceptional comfort and dedicated service. Enjoy full board with refined local cuisine and complimentary beverages at mealtimes. A CroisiEurope tour guide will accompany you on all excursions, and an Egyptologist lecturer will be onboard to provide a truly immersive experience of this ancient culture. Entertainment is also available. Port taxes are included in the price, and you can extend your trip with a three-day stay in Cairo before the Nile cruise. The company also offers excursions to meet locals and discover their way of life in Aswan and Luxor, or take a tuk-tuk ride through the heart of villages. Optional excursions include the spectacular sound and light show at Karnak and a visit to Abu Simbel.
