Seven Places to Visit on River Nile and Lake Nasser Cruise

Egypt, the land known for mysteries of the Pyramids, magnificent temples dedicated to the Kings, Queens and Pharaohs; offers a glimpse into one of the best civilizations of the ancient world. The mesmerizing view of the River Nile and other historical monuments give a lifetime of memories to those coming to this majestic country with family or friends. Getting around and seeing the various tourist attractions in Egypt is easier with local taxis and other transportation options. However, if you want to experience traveling at its best, cruise is undoubtedly the best option. There are many tour operators who organize a Dahabiya Nile Cruise for the tourists across the world.Enjoying a cruise down the river Nile is the best way to explore the beauty of Egypt as it offers a beautiful view of one of the largest rivers in the world. Below is a list of the seven best places that you must not miss while cruising on River Nile or Lake Nasser. Temple of Karnak: One of the major attractions on the Nile cruise is the Temple of Karnak which is famous for its artistically-engraved walls, obelisks and carved pillars. This architectural marvel enhouses the Hyperstyle hall, a place with 134 columns that represent palm trees, the floor represents river Nile and ceiling depicts the Egyptian sky. Temple of Luxor: Dedicated to three gods, Amun-Re (the king of all ancient Egyptian gods), Mut (mother of the moon god), and Khonsu (the moon god). It also has an enormous figure of Ramesses II, the pharaoh who had got this temple constructed. The major attraction of the temple is the carving which depicts people dancing and beating drums. Other scenes depict daily lives of ancient Egyptians, for e.g., a boat being carried to the River Nile Temple of Edfu: The huge temple is dedicated to Horus, the Falcon God and one can see the image of a man with a falcon’s head representing the deity. It is the best preserved temple with huge halls to explore and an inner sanctuary used for keeping the gold-headed statue of Horus. Kon Ombo: The temple of Kon Ombo is dedicated to the falcon God Horus as well as crocodile God Sobek. In earlier days, the river was filled with crocodiles that would prevent people from using the water to wash or cook. Hence, this temple was built to please the crocodile god and placate the crocodiles. Valley of the Kings: One can visit the chamber of the famous pharaoh Tutankhamen. You can also visit the big chambers where Ramses IX, Ramses II, Merenptah and other Nobels were buried. The hieroglyphics and scenes carved into the walls are sure to capture your attention at the first glance. Abu Simbel Temple: The temple of Abu Simbel is located at the southern end of Lake Nasser and is one of the greatest architectural wonders of Egypt. Ramesses II had the temples built into the cliffs of the river Nile valley in Ancient Nubia, 7Km from the border with Sudan. Temple of Isis at Philae: Known as the ‘Pearl of Egypt’ because of its beauty and panoramic settings, the temple of Isis was built in 4th Century BC to honor the goddess Isis. In 4th Century AD, following the arrival of Christianity it was converted to a Coptic Church as a result of which you can see Christian crosses on the lintels and door frames. Besides enjoying your Dahabiya Nile Cruise during your visit to the mystical land of Egypt, you can enjoy cruises such as the Lake Nasser Cruises. Have something else to share with us? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.