The words ‘holiday cruise’ may conjure up images of majestic ships such as the QE2 and the mighty oceans, but cruise companies also use smaller ships that travel on internal waterways. These cruise holidays are becoming increasingly popular with tourists from around the world.
The Nile has always been vital to the economic success of Egypt and the survival of the people. Travelling on this important river in the comfort of a cruise ship is a great way to visit the country and to experience the treasures of one of the world’s most fascinating ancient cultures. Tourists visit sites such as Kom Ombo, which is a temple situated on the banks of the Nile around 30 kilometres to the north of Aswan. Dedicated to two gods, Sobek the crocodile-headed god and Horus the falcon-headed god, the temple has some splendid reliefs including a detailed set of medical instruments. Mummified crocodiles are also visible and the well preserved bases of the walls give an indication of how they were originally constructed.
Luxor is Egypt’s tourist capital and is home to many of the best known temples and tombs. The town can be explored by either taxi or a caleche (a horse-drawn carriage). The West Bank is home to the tombs of the Valley of the Queens’ and the Valley of the Kings’ and includes Tutankhamen’s tomb. The tombs’ hieroglyphics still retain their beautiful colours.
Other places of interest are Queen Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple, the Colossi of Memnon, the Ramesseum and the Habo Temple. On the East Bank is the Kranal Temple, which is comprised of three main temples that were built and enlarged over a period of 1300 years.