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Khnum is celebrated for its 1st-century
Roman Hypostyle Hall, with 24 columns
awash with mysteriously chiseled floral
capitals in the form of palm leaves, lotus
buds and papyrus fans.
While tourism plays a significant role in
the Nile's modern identity, its banks are more
than ornamental. Thanks to the nutrient-rich
soil deposited by annual floods, they remain
crucial to Egypt's vibrant agricultural and
fishing industries. As a result, almost all
Egyptians reside close to the river, and part
of the pleasure of sailing the Nile is
immersing oneself in the rhythm of everyday
life along its shores.
A lesser-trodden port on the northern end
of the First Cataract, Aswan is a gateway to
experiencing the real Egypt. In ancient times it
was a garrison town for military campaigns
against Nubia. Today, the riverbank still
buzzes with city life, and further along the
water's edge, the landscape gives way to
sleepy, sorbet-coloured Nubian villages dotted
with street murals and fragrant markets that
are piled high with colourful spices, dried
fruits and wooden crafts. It is an ideal place to
learn about local culture by spending time
with Nubian families and visiting local schools.
Exploring the Nile is a journey of contrasts.
Days spent sipping on sweet sugarcane juice
in quiet neighbourhoods are juxtaposed with
the cacophonous sounds of rickety donkey
carts, honking horns and the muezzins' calls
to prayer. Just 30 minutes outside of Cairo—
Egypt's vibrant capital city—lies the last
remaining site of the Seven Wonders of the
Ancient World, the Great Pyramids of Giza. To
delve deeper into the past, the city's
brand-new Grand Egyptian Museum houses
more than 100,000 artifacts including
Tutankhamun's entire collection.
The Nile and its many archaeological
wonders are a year-round destination for
history lovers. The river comes into its own in
the autumn and winter months when blue
skies and mild temperatures provide the
perfect jumping-off point for exploring its
pyramids, spice-scented alleys and
atmospheric souks.
Discovering the secrets of this ancient
world is an unforgettable deep dive into how
one of history's greatest civilisations came to
life, with the Nile at the beating heart of its
golden past.
Clockwise, from top left: A trio of camels in Giza;
Roman Hypostyle Hall in the Temple of Khnum;
musicians performing in Aswan; an aerial view of
the Nile's west bank. Next page
Mediterranean
Sea
Red
Sea
Cairo
Qena
Luxor
Edfu
Esna
Aswan
Kom Ombo
NILE
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A ir
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O ve r night in Po r t
EGYPT
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VOYAGE
GETTING THERE: Consider our 12-day
Pharaohs & Pyramids itinerary,
roundtrip Cairo, Egypt.
LEARN MORE
