Viking Cruises

20 | Egypt Destination Guide Viking's hallmark of 'understated luxury' is evident: muted tones, clean lines, thoughtful details, and impeccable service that feels attentive yet never intrusive. What sets Viking apart, however, is the integration of enrichment into the onboard experience. We enjoy daily lectures, film screenings and conversations with resident Egyptologists, deepening our understanding of what we will see ashore. This transforms the cruise from more than just sightseeing into a true journey of discovery. ANCIENT HISTORY ON DISPLAY Each day brings excursions that reveal Egypt's grandeur. In Luxor we wander through the vast Karnak Temple, a forest of colossal columns, before crossing the Nile to the Valley of the Kings. Here, tombs carved into desert cliffs still display vividly coloured hieroglyphs, including the famed resting place of Tutankhamen. Viking's small groups ensure ample time to absorb these wonders without the rush often associated with large tours. The experience of hot air ballooning over the Valley of the Kings is just extraordinary and that memory has stayed with me over time. The early morning experience of floating above the historical landscape is simply magical, taking in the 360-degree views as the sun rose in the distance. Further south, in Edfu, the Temple of Horus rises in remarkable preservation, its reliefs recounting epic battles of gods and kings. In Kom Ombo, a temple uniquely dedicated to two deities, Sobek (the name of our ship) the crocodile god, and Horus the falcon god, offers a glimpse into Egypt's multifaceted spirituality. The highlight for many travellers is Aswan, where the Nile flows wide – it is here you can visit the beautiful Philae Temple, rescued from flooding and relocated stone by stone to its now island home. TEMPLE OF A BU SIMBEL LUXOR TEMPLE , LUXOR

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