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The Nile Valley, Egypt

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Egypt has been called the gift of the Nile. Without the river, it could not exist as a fertile, populous country, let alone have sustained a great civilization 5,000 years ago. Its character and history have been shaped by the contrast between the fecund Nile Valley and its Delta, plus the arid wastes that surround them. To the Ancient Egyptians, this was the homeland or Kemet – the Black Land of dark alluvium, where life and civilization flourished as the benign gods intended – opposed to the desert that represented death and chaos, ruled by Seth, bringer of storms and catastrophes.

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What to do in the nile valley, best places to stay, how to get around the nile valley, how many days do you need in the nile valley, how to get here, tailor-made travel itineraries for egypt, created by local experts.

8 days  / from 1999 USD

The Best of Egypt

Explore the history and culture of Egypt and its ancient rulers on this trip throughout the country. Start and end in Cairo and make your way down to Luxor, Aswan and Abu Simbel. Instead of domestic flights, you will hop on luxurious sleeper trains for your journey.

13 days  / from 5499 USD

Cairo & a luxurious Dahabieh sailing cruise

Explore Egypt at a leisurely pace on board a dahabieh, a traditional sailing ship. In Cairo, visit the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities, and in Giza, the pyramids; cruise to world-renowned sites alongside lesser-known treasures, such as Luxor’s tombs, el Kab and Gebel Silsileh’s Temple of Horemheb.

8 days  / from 2200 USD

A Nile Cruise in Egypt

Experience Cairo with the pyramids of Giza and the Egyptian museum before flying to Luxor to board your Nile cruise. Highlights include Karnak temple, Valley of Kings, Hatshepsut temple and an optional visit to Abu Simbel. Spend your last night in fascinating Cairo.

Kemet’s existence depended on an annual miracle of rebirth from aridity, as the Nile rose to spread its life-giving waters and fertilizing silt over the exhausted land during the season of inundation.

Once the flood had subsided, the fellaheen (peasants) simply planted crops in the mud, waited for an abundant harvest, and then relaxed over summer.

While empires rose and fell, this way of life persisted essentially unchanged for over 240 generations, until the Aswan High Dam put an end to the inundation in 1967 – a breathtaking period of continuity considering that Jesus lived only eighty generations ago.

Almost every Nile town is built upon layers of previous settlements – pharaonic, Ptolemaic, Roman and Coptic – whose ancient names, modified and Arabized, have often survived. After a century and a half of excavation by a dozen Western nations – and by the Egyptians since independence – the Valley’s ancient monuments constitute the greatest open-air museum in the world.

Revealed along its banks are several thousand tombs (over nine hundred in Luxor’s Theban Necropolis alone) and scores of temples: so many, in fact, that most visitors feel satiated by just a fraction of this legacy.

Luxor Temple © Shutterstock

The Nile Valley is a treasure trove of ancient wonders, stunning landscapes, and cultural experiences.

From exploring the pyramids and temples of ancient Egypt to sailing on the Nile River and visiting traditional markets, here are some of the best things to do in the Nile Valley.

#1 Explore Karnak, the most awe-inspiring monument in Egypt

The temple complex of Amun-Ra at Karnak and its neighbouring buildings, 3km (1.75 miles) north of the centre of Luxor, constitute the most awe-inspiring of all the Egyptian monuments. Apart from the immense conglomeration of elements that makes up the temple itself, it also has a particularly complicated plan.

Unlike most other temples in Egypt, it was developed over many centuries on both an east–west axis, with six pylons, and on a north–south axis with four pylons. These 10 pylons, together with intervening courts, halls and enclosures, surround the nucleus of the sanctuary.

#2 Immerse yourself in the restored Luxor Temple

Luxor Temple is relatively long (230 metres/780ft) and narrow, and lies in the centre of Luxor. Like Karnak Temple, to which it was connected by the 3km (1.75-mile) -long processional Avenue of Sphinxes, it was dedicated to the Theban Triad, but Amun of Luxor had a slightly different form and function, as a divinely fertile figure.

Of the 1,350 human-headed, lion-bodied sphinxes that once lined the Avenue of Sphinxes, 650 have recently been excavated and restored in a project that began in 2005 and was completed in 2017.

Excavations of the site started in 1885 when the houses were removed piece by piece, but the people of Luxor took a stand when it came to removing the mosque of Abu ’l-Haggag, built in 1077, so it was left in situ, hanging above a corner of the courtyard built by Ramesses II.

#3 Learn more at the Luxor Museum

Luxor Museum, north along the Corniche, houses a small but impressive collection found in the Luxor the young pharaoh Tuthmosis III and a fine wall painting of Amenophis III.

A further wing is devoted to the glory of Thebes during the New Kingdom and two royal mummies. Another gallery on the ground floor (near the exit) displays an important cache of statues that were discovered in 1989 excavations in Luxor Temple, under one of the courtyards near the Birth Room of Amenophis III.

The upper floor of the museum has interesting reliefs from Akhenaten’s temple in Karnak as well as spectacular heads of the same pharaoh in the typical Amarnah style and a variety of smaller objects found in Tutankhamun’s tomb, including shabti, models of servants that were intended to serve the pharaoh in the afterlife.

The ancient temple of Hatshepsut in Valley of the Kings, Luxor, Egypt © Shutterstock

#4 Head to the mortuary temples in the mountainside

The pharaohs of the 18th Dynasty broke with the pyramid tradition and began to hide their tombs deep in the mountainside, hoping to elude tomb robbers. On the edge of the valley, at some distance from their resting places, each pharaoh constructed his own mortuary temple.

The mortuary temples of Hatshepsut, Seti I, Ramesses II and Ramesses III still stand (those of other pharaohs have mostly collapsed). The two Colossi of Memnon, standing in the fields by the side of the road, are the most visible reminder of the Temple of Amenhotep III, the famous Memnon.

After the one on the right was hit by an earthquake in 27 BC, it made a gentle singing noise at dawn which the Greeks believed to be Memnon singing for his mother Eos. The Roman emperor Septimus Severus had it restored in AD 199, after which the singing stopped.

#5 Wander through the Valley of the Kings

After being embalmed and mummified, the New Kingdom pharaohs were transported in solemn cortège to the Valley of the Kings, hidden in a secluded wadi in the Theban hills. They were buried in rock-cut tombs, bedecked with gold and jewels, and surrounded by treasures and replicas of all they would need in the afterlife.

As soon as a pharaoh ascended to the throne, he would begin to build his tomb, which was intended to preserve the royal mummy for eternity. However, many died before the lavish decoration of their tomb was finished, which now gives an interesting insight into the different stages of the whole process.

Although serious precautions were made to dissuade intruders, the treasures hidden inside were too much of an attraction to be left alone. By the end of the New Kingdom the priests reburied the mummies in secret caches in the surrounding mountains, which were not discovered.

#6 See the lesser-visited Tombs of the Nobles

Divided into five groups, the Tombs of the Nobles are well worth seeing. Unlike royalty, who were buried with great solemnity, the priests, scribes and dignitaries of the court, whose tombs are scattered in the sandy foothills, departed this world surrounded with scenes of the joyous good living to which they had apparently been accustomed during their lifetime.

Thousands of private Tombs of the Nobles (Shaykh Abd al-Qurnah), dating from the 6th Dynasty to the Graeco-Roman period, with the majority from the New Kingdom period, were found, but only about 19 are open to the public at present.

Most consist of three rooms with a forecourt, a covered columned hall and a smaller room with niches in which were placed statues of the deceased. Many of the nobles’ tombs are vividly painted with naturalistic scenes of agriculture, fishing, fowling, feasting and celebrating, thereby constituting a fascinating record of everyday life in ancient Egypt.

#7 Visit Esna, built over the ruins of a temple

The small rural town of Esna lies 50km (31 miles) south of Luxor and is built over the ruins of the Temple of Khnum. A tourist souq leads from the Nile to the entrance of the temple.

Only the Hypostyle Hall has been excavated and its foundation level is 8 metres (27ft) below that of the street, an indication of the sand and debris that have piled up over the centuries since the temple was abandoned in the Roman period. Originally the temple would have been the same size as the temple in Edfu

The temple is dedicated to the creator god Khnum, the main god of Esna, and it was built over an older structure by Ptolemy VI. The Romans added the Hypostyle Hall, which has 24 columns with richly decorated floral capitals.

#8 See the complete Ptolemaic Temple of Horus at Edfu

On the west bank of the Nile, is the pleasant market town of Edfu. The Greeks called it Apollonopolis as the sun-god Horus-Apollo was worshipped here, for it was believed to be the spot where Horus won a major battle with the evil Seth to avenge his father Osiris.

The Ptolemaic Temple of Horus here is the most complete in Egypt and is in near-perfect condition, with its great pylon, exterior walls, courts, halls and sanctuary all in place.

Ptolemaic Temple Horus Edfu, Egypt © Shutterstock

#9 Stretch out on sandy Kom Ombo

Situated on a sandy bank where crocodiles once sunned themselves, 40km (25 miles) north of Aswan, the ancient city of Ombos owed its existence to its strategic position. On a promontory in a sweeping bend in the Nile, and to its role as an important stop on the caravan routes from Nubia to Egypt.

Gold, copper, camels and African elephants were all traded here. It became more important during Ptolemaic times, but its main rise to prominence came with the erection of the Temple of Kom Ombo in the 2nd century BC.

The temple is unique in that it has two identical entrances, two linked hypostyle halls and twin sanctuaries dedicated to two different gods: the falcon-headed god Haroeris, or Horus the Elder, and the crocodile god Sobek.

Older structures have been found on the site, but the main temple was built by Ptolemy VI Philometer, while the decoration was finished by Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos (80–58 BC and 55–51 BC).

#10 Chill out in pretty Aswan

For many at the end of a Nile trip, Aswan is a laid-back, warm place that is good for lingering for a few days. While the town has grown immensely in recent years – this is not just a tourist centre but the lively capital of the governorate and an important university town – the part to visit is still largely strewn along the Nile and on the islands.

The souqs are more relaxed and less pushy than in other Egyptian towns, and there is definitely a hint of Africa in the souvenirs for sale.

Taking a felucca around the islands, sniffing the scents of the botanical garden and listening to the Nubian children sing is the perfect way to watch the sun go down behind the desert on the other side. Further south are some beaches where it is safe to swim on a hot day.

Sailing in Aswan © Shutterstock

When it comes to choosing the best places to stay near the Nile Valley, there are a few key options to consider.

Cairo is a popular choice, offering a wide range of accommodations and easy access to the Pyramids of Giza and other attractions. The city boasts numerous luxury hotels, as well as more affordable options.

Alexandria is another popular destination in the Nile Valley. The city offers a range of accommodations , from budget-friendly hostels to upscale hotels.

Western Desert

The oases of the Western Desert offer a unique and off-the-beaten-path option for travellers.

Getting around the Nile Valley is relatively easy and convenient, with several options available for travellers. Here are some of the most popular ways to get around:

Egypt has an extensive railway network, and trains are an excellent option for traveling between major cities like Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. They are usually affordable and offer comfortable seating and air conditioning. However, they don't really go beyond the Nile Valley.

Buses are another popular way to get around the Nile Valley, and they are often the cheapest option. There are several bus companies that operate in the region.

Taxis are readily available in most cities and towns in the Nile Valley, and they offer a convenient and affordable way to get around. Many are happy to be booked by the day or for longer trips. Agree a fare before setting off.

A felucca is a traditional Egyptian sailboat that can be hired for a leisurely cruise on the Nile River. This is a great way to enjoy the scenery and take in the sights of the valley. Book in Aswan to go with the flow of the river.

The Temple of Kom Ombo is an unusual double temple in the town of Kom Ombo in Aswan, Egypt © Shutterstock

A typical Nile Valley itinerary can last from 5 to 10 days, allowing you to see the main sites along the way. If you want to explore the region more thoroughly and see additional attractions, you may want to plan for a longer trip.

A week or two would allow you to visit other significant cities in the region, such as Aswan, Luxor, and Cairo, and include a Nile River cruise as well.

If you're short on time, it's still possible to get a good sense of the Nile Valley in as little as three days. You could focus on seeing the Pyramids of Giza, the Sphinx, and the Egyptian Museum in Cairo or visit the temples and tombs in Luxor and the Valley of the Kings.

Looking for inspiration for your trip? Talk to our Egypt travel experts .

Getting to the Nile Valley is straightforward as the region is well served by buses and trains. Luxor also has an airport if you’re short of time. Here’s how to get there.

Luxor International Airport has direct flights from various European cities via EgyptAir, and is also served by Turkish Airlines and several charter companies.

For internal flights, EgyptAir and their subsidiary EgyptAir Express has the most regular network and flies daily from Cairo to Abu Simbel, Aswan, Borg El Arab (Alexandria), Hurghada, Luxor, Marsa Alam, Marsa Matruh and Sharm El Sheikh.

Nile Air also flies to similar domestic destinations.

The government-owned Egyptian National Railways serves the Nile Valley to Aswan. The most popular route for tourists is the twice-nightly air-conditioned sleeper train between Cairo and Luxor (journey time 10 hours) and Aswan (15 hours), which is operated by privately run Watania.

Air-conditioned buses link most parts of Egypt to Cairo and Alexandria. Beyond the Nile Valley, it’s often the only option.

Use the Upper Egypt Bus Company for Luxor and Aswan (although the train is a better alternative to these).

Find out the best ways to get to Egypt .

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written by Rough Guides Editors

updated 20.04.2023

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How to plan the ultimate adventure in Egypt, from Cairo to the Red Sea

Feluccas drifting down the River Nile, ancient wonders found in dusty temples, warm waters filled with tropical fish: Egypt remains one of the world’s most atmospheric destinations.

With millennia-old pyramids, hallowed temples and intricately painted tombs worthy of an art gallery, Egypt has a mindboggling amount of history on show. Some of the first threads of human civilisation started here over 5,000 years ago, and Egyptians still call their country umm al dunya — mother of the world.

Egypt offers the opportunity to time-travel like few other places. The past seems to keep careful watch over the present. The Pyramids of Giza — the last survivor of the original seven wonders of the ancient world — overlook cacophonous Cairo , the third-largest metropolis in Africa and the biggest in the Middle East. South along the River Nile, a temple built more than 3,400 years ago stands in the centre of the modern city of Luxor, which was once ancient Thebes.

The Nile flows through the hearts of most of Egypt’s major cities. This blue-green ribbon keeps the ever-encroaching biscuit-coloured desert at bay, coaxing lush plant life amid the Saharan sands. Fly in a hot-air balloon over the west bank of Luxor to see just how abruptly the desert reasserts its dominance over riverbanks lined with date palms and green grasses. Or travel like royalty, following in the footsteps of legendary pharaohs and their armies and merchants, on a scenic multi-day cruise along the Nile, making the temples and tombs between riverside Luxor and Aswan easily accessible.

( A practical guide to travelling in Egypt. )

Egypt’s extensive pharaonic history takes centre stage for most travellers, but even more adventure awaits on a different waterfront, to the east along the Red Sea in the Sinai Peninsula. The three Abrahamic faiths — Christianity, Islam and Judaism — put great credence in stories said to have unfolded in the mountains of the Sinai. Most famously, Moses is supposed to have received the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, and listened to God at the burning bush, where he was instructed to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.

These high peaks make a stunning backdrop for surfacing snorkellers and for scuba divers returning from explorations of the Red Sea. Beneath the water’s surface, a bountiful aquarium of sea turtles, sharks and neon-bright fish dart around flourishing coral reefs that sprout along the sea floor and scale the vertical walls. Witnessing the wildlife of the Red Sea is one of the world’s great underwater experiences, and pairing it with a Nile cruise allows travellers to experience the broad range of Egyptian adventures.

Itinerary 1: The Nile Valley

Start point: Cairo End point: Abu Simbel Distance travelled: 725 miles Average length: 10 days

Herodotus, the 5th-century BCE Greek historian, famously called Egypt the ‘gift of the Nile’, but perhaps that description doesn’t go far enough. Egypt would be almost nothing without it. The river, the longest in the world, isn’t simply a watery artery stretching nearly 1,000 miles across the length of the country — it’s a genuine lifeline, and one of the world’s earliest civilisations wouldn’t have started here without its life-giving properties.

Ancient Egypt’s major temples and cities were located along the Nile’s fertile banks, called Kemet (‘the black land’) by its inhabitants. The fact that the river flows from south to north was key to the Egyptians’ worldview, with its focus on the daily journey of the sun between the horizons. The desert fringes on the Nile’s west bank — symbolically associated with the land of the dead — are where you’ll find most of the country’s tombs and pyramids. The ancient Egyptian idea of paradise, the ‘Field of Reeds’, was but a heavenly version of the real-life abundance of greenery along the Nile. Today, some 95% of Egyptians still live within a few miles of the water.

This itinerary, following the Nile’s course upriver on a boat cruise, has been travelled since the days of the pharaohs, and it remains the most popular way to explore Egypt, hitting all of the country’s major historic sites. To escape the crowds, slow down — linger longer in Luxor, dig deeper in Cairo and relax in Aswan. Egypt hides many more treasures beyond the Pyramids of Giza and the Valley of the Kings for travellers who take the time to seek them out.

Highlights along the Nile Valley

1. Cairo Dive into Egypt’s chaotic capital. The Pyramids of Giza are the stars of the show, and the nearby Grand Egyptian Museum will be a blockbuster when it finally opens. For now, marvel at the 20 royal mummies at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization and find the gold death mask of Tutankhamun, housed in the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square until the GEM is ready.

2. Luxor Take the train (around 10 hours, daytime or sleeper) to Luxor, built atop the ancient capital of Thebes. Big-hitters at this UNESCO site include the Luxor Temple and religious complex of Karnak, and the tombs of pharaohs in the Valley of the Kings outside town. Other nearby sites include the Ramesseum, whose giant statues inspired the poem ‘Ozymandias’, and the temple of the female pharaoh Hatshepsut.

3. Edfu Board a cruise boat in Luxor and spend the best part of the day sailing the Nile, with scenes of desert dunes and a shoreline punctuated with date palms unspooling outside your cabin. The standard first stop 70 miles upriver is Edfu, a tiny town with a well-preserved temple.

4. Kom Ombo The Nile crocodile takes centre stage at Kom Ombo, another 40 miles or around five hours’ sailing from Edfu. Half of the unique ‘double’ temple is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile-headed god of pharaonic power and fertility, and an intriguing museum of mummified crocodiles awaits at the end of your visit.

5. Aswan All cruises dock at Aswan, after two nights on board en route from Luxor. The Nile is at its most fascinating here. Take a felucca (small sailboat) to Gharb Soheil, a brightly painted village home to a few thousand Nubians, an Indigenous group that has lived in the region since pharaonic times. For sunset, have a drink on the terrace of the Old Cataract Hotel , made famous by Agatha Christie, who wrote part of Death on the Nile here.

6. Abu Simbel Abu Simbel sits on the shore of Lake Nasser, created by the construction of the Aswan High Dam in 1970. The temples were rescued from rising waters by moving them stone by stone to higher ground. Twice a year, the sun still illuminates the figure of Ramses II and two of the three gods in the temple’s inner sanctum.

Itinerary 2: The Red Sea & Sinai

Start point: Sharm el-Sheikh End point: Nuweiba Distance travelled: 250 miles Average length: 7 days

Egypt’s best-known body of water is a river, but the Red Sea that stretches along the country’s eastern coast guarantees some thrilling aquatic adventures of its own. Suitable for all levels of underwater explorers, from snorkellers to advanced scuba divers, the Red Sea is a technicolour dream world beneath its surface. There are a huge number of endemic fish — including species of elegant highlighter-yellow butterflyfish, neon parrotfish and shy clownfish lingering in finger-like anemones — and thriving coral reefs.

Sprawling resorts have taken up much Red Sea real estate around Sharm el-Sheikh, but the development and crowds thin out as you travel north. Just a few miles inland from the coast, Sinai’s interior reaches for the sky, a sacred land of pilgrimage and revelations still lived in by long-established Bedouin tribes. Hiking trails climb to mountain summits and wind through valleys carved with centuries of graffiti left by visitors from the Nabataeans (of Petra fame) to the Crusaders, leading to secret wild swimming pools and small waterfalls.

This itinerary hits Egypt’s superlative highs and lows — from the country’s loftiest peaks to its deepest dive sites — as it traces the eastern edge of Sinai and traverses the peninsula’s biblically connected mountains.

Highlights on the Red Sea and Sinai

1. Sharm el-Sheikh When you need a break from sun, sand and snorkelling, Sharm has a couple of worthy distractions. The Sharm el-Sheikh Museum — the only such collection on the peninsula — has a digestible assortment of artefacts that span Egypt’s history from the pharaohs to the Bedouin. At the heart of the Old Market, which, despite its name, is quite new, the Sahaba Mosque looks like it could have come from the drawing board of Gaudí, with spiralling brick columns and honeycombed minarets.

2. Ras Mohamed National Park At the southernmost tip of Sinai, Egypt’s first national park is blessed with incredible dive sites. Vertical reef walls have names that hint at the types of species scuba divers and snorkellers can see: Jackfish Alley, Eel Garden, Shark Observatory and Anemone City. Divers with advanced certifications can check the shockingly large concentration of shipwrecks and the contents that have spilled out on the sea floor. Sleep in a canvas tent on the beach within the park boundaries at Bedouin-owned Bedawi Eco Camping .

3. Dahab A chilled hangout spot for a curious mix of nomadic types — of both the digital and Bedouin varieties — Dahab is Egypt’s most laid-back destination. Whitewashed cafes draped with colourful Bedouin-style rugs line the crescent-shaped bays, where flippered snorkellers waddle past remote workers clacking away on laptops. North of town, the Blue Hole is infamous for its underwater tunnel, the Arch, which has seen a number of fatalities over the years; it is a safe and popular spot for responsible snorkelling and diving outside of that.

4. St Catherine Sacred to Christians, Jews and Muslims, the UNESCO-listed area around St Catherine’s contains the world’s oldest continuously lived-in Christian monastery, watched over by majestic mountains that are some of the tallest in the country. No matter your religious beliefs, join a night-time pilgrimage, arriving to witness sunrise from the summit of   Mt Sinai , or Jebel Musa (Mt Moses) in Arabic. Add on a day or more to walk with the local Jebeliya Bedouin through the neighbouring valleys that few outside visitors make time to see.

5. Nuweiba A small town with a laidback vibe and quiet golden beaches, one of Nuweiba’s main attractions is Dar Jan . A passion project by a couple who left the big smoke of Cairo, the nine-acre organic farm north of town is unlike elsewhere on the peninsula. Travellers can join creative workshops, including organic agriculture and outdoor survival skills, and spend artsy afternoons of pottery, meditation and mosaic-making. You can stay overnight, too.

Related Topics

• ANCIENT HISTORY
• ANCIENT EGYPT
• WORLD HERITAGE SITES

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Nile Valley Travel - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Nile Valley Attractions

Embark on an extraordinary voyage through the heart of Egypt’s history, culture, and natural beauty as you traverse the timeless Nile Valley Attractions . Our guide to the Nile Valley  invites you to uncover the secrets and splendors that have captivated travelers for centuries, offering a tapestry of experiences that blend the ancient and the modern. Picture yourself sailing along the tranquil waters of the Nile in Egypt , the gentle current carrying you past lush landscapes, picturesque villages, and iconic historical sites with stories of pharaohs and civilizations long past. Read More

Begin your adventure in Luxor , often called the “world’s greatest open-air museum.” Here, the sprawling Karnak Temple complex is a tribute to ancient Egypt’s grandeur, with its towering columns and intricate hieroglyphics offering a glimpse into a world of gods and mortals. As you cross the Nile, the Valley of the Kings beckons, a hauntingly beautiful cemetery where pharaohs were laid to rest in grand tombs adorned with intricate artwork and treasures.

Continuing southward, Aswan greets you with its serene beauty and vibrant culture. Here, the majestic Philae Temple rises from the water, a tribute to the goddess Isis and a symbol of Egypt’s enduring spiritual heritage. The Aswan High Dam , a testament to modern engineering, contrasts with the ancient wonders surrounding it, offering a glimpse into Egypt’s evolution through the ages.

Venture into the heart of the desert to explore the awe-inspiring Abu Simbel temples carved into the rock by the mighty Ramses II to showcase his power and devotion. As you stand before these colossal structures, you can’t help but be humbled by the ingenuity and artistry that shaped history.

The allure of the Nile Valley extends beyond the iconic sites, enveloping you in a sense of timelessness as you explore charming villages, interact with friendly locals, and savor the flavors of authentic Egyptian cuisine. Whether you’re cruising on a traditional felucca, engaging with vibrant local markets, or simply gazing at the starlit sky against the backdrop of ancient ruins, every moment in the Nile Valley is a brushstroke on the canvas of your journey.

Our guide to the Nile Valley is your companion on this immersive adventure, offering insights, tips, and recommendations to ensure that every moment is enriching and unforgettable. Whether you’re drawn to history, captivated by culture, or simply seeking the magic of the Nile, the Nile Valley promises a travel experience that transcends time and captures the essence of Egypt’s allure. Begin your exploration today and unlock the treasures that await along the banks of this timeless river.

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Nile Valley

The nile valley and the delta.

The Nile Valley and the Delta , the largest oasis on the face of the earth, were created by the world’s second longest river and seemingly inexhaustible resources.

Without the topographic channel that leads the Nile through the desert, Egypt will be a full desert; the Nile flows about 1,600 kilometers across Egypt and flows north from the Egyptian-Sudanese border into the Mediterranean. The Nile is a combination of three long rivers located in Central Africa: The White Nile, the Blue Nile, and Atbara.

The Nile reaches Egypt , a few kilometers north of Wadi Halfa, a fully rebuilt Sudanese city at a high level when the original site drowned in the Aswan Dam reservoir.

With the construction of the dam, the Nile has already begun to flow like the Nasser Sea in Egypt, extending from the 320 km dam to the border and 158 km to Sudan.

The waters of Lake Nasser fill the area through Subia (Upper Egypt and Northern Sudan) within the narrow corridor between the sandstone and granite rocks formed by the centuries-long course of the river.

Under Aswan , the cultivated flood plain is expanded to twenty kilometers. North Isna (160 km north of Aswan), the plateau rises to 550 meters above sea level on both sides of the valley.

In Qena (about 90 km north of Esna), the 300-meter-long limestone slopes force the Nile to change its route to the southwest about 60 kilometers before turning northwest to Assiut 160 kilometers.

To the north of Assiut, the steep slopes descend on both sides and the valley extends to a maximum of 22 kilometers.

The Nile reaches the delta near Cairo .

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Getting around Egypt by Nile cruise, train or taxi

Sep 4, 2023 • 5 min read

Find out how to travel on the Nile and get around the major cities in Egypt with these tips © EMS Forester Productions / Getty Images

Egypt has an extensive and somewhat efficient overland transport system. For travel plans focused on the Nile, the palm-studded scenery of Nile Valley journeys is as much of a highlight as the destinations along the way.

While it's possible to fly to the main cities in Egypt , you can reduce your carbon footprint by traveling overland by train, bus or boat.

Travel by train to Egypt's Nile Valley and the Mediterranean

The train is the most straightforward way of traveling along the Nile Valley, linking the capital of  Cairo  to  Luxor and Aswan  to the south and  Alexandria  to the north.

Both “Special Service” and the considerably cheaper “Speed AC Spanish” trains have comfortable first- and second-class air-conditioned carriages. Newer rolling stock on “Special Service” trains means that tickets are more expensive, but the amenities are similar.

From Cairo, take the 8am departure for the most scenic train trip heading up the Nile. It is 11 hours to Luxor and 14.5 hours to Aswan. Doing the journey in reverse, the 5:30am and 7:30am trains from Aswan and the 8:40am and 9:10am departures from Luxor are the trips to choose for views. See selected train schedules and book tickets on the Egyptian Railways  website , though the site often has technical glitches that mean booking in person at the train station is easier.

Egypt also has overnight sleeper trains, run by Abela Trains . The sleeper trains run nightly from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan and vice versa.

Unfortunately, Egypt's rail network has a higher accident rate than many other countries, though the government is starting to modernize the system after several high-profile deadly collisions.

Take a Nile cruise

There’s no better way to make the journey part of your trip than by taking a Nile cruise . The most popular route is the stretch of river between Luxor and Aswan, with options for all budgets and levels of comfort.

Large cruisers

Cruise boats typically make the Luxor-Aswan leg a three-night trip with visits to Edfu’s  Temple of Horus and  Kom Ombo Temple along the way. This is the no-effort-necessary Nile option, just board the boat, and everything is organized for you. On the downside, less time than you think will be spent actually cruising, and you’ll be visiting the sights as part of a big crowd.

You can usually grab a cheaper cruise deal by booking once you're in Egypt, but if there’s a particular boat you want to cruise with on a specific date, then book ahead.

The best time to visit Egypt

Dahabiyas (large sailing boats) were the original Nile transport for 19th-century travelers. Modern dahabiyas provide a more personalized alternative to the big cruisers, taking only about 10 and 20 passengers. Itineraries operate between Esna and Aswan and include stops at villages and pharaonic sites that larger cruise boats don’t visit.

Because there are fewer options, dahabiyas are best booked early. Try  Nile Dahabiya  or Nour El Nil .

For close-up Nile journeys complete with sleeping on deck under the stars, hop aboard a felucca (open-topped sailing boat). Overnight felucca trips begin from Aswan (to follow the current) and take three nights to Esna, two nights to Edfu or one night to Kom Ombo, but you're at the mercy of Mother Nature and the winds, so you might not make it as far as you expect.

Organize felucca trips on the ground in Aswan. This can take a day or two to arrange, so if you don’t have time, prebook with  Captain Jamaica and  Aswan Individual , two reputable Aswan felucca operators.

Grab a taxi to visit out-of-the-way sights

Most taxi drivers (or private drivers hired through hotels) are more than happy to head out of town on day trips, such as to  Saqqara from Cairo or to the  Temples of Abu Simbel from Aswan.

In the Sinai , where there is no public transport between the South Sinai resort towns and St Katherine in the mountains, taxis are a good alternative to taking a group tour.

For out-of-town journeys, agree the price with the driver beforehand.

Ride the bus to towns further from the Nile

Buses are the best public transport option for reaching towns that aren't on the Nile, and they run between the main destinations for travelers with several departures daily on major routes. If you’re heading to the Western Desert oases, West & Mid Delta Bus Company is the only operator, so expect only a couple of departures daily and plan accordingly.

Air-conditioned coach-style buses have slightly cramped seating, and taller travelers may have issues on long-distance routes. The “deluxe” services run by Go Bus have more leg space. Go Bus also has an easily navigable  website with schedules and booking services in English, which has made it the go-to company for travelers who don't speak Arabic.

Microbuses (called micros; 14-seater minibuses) run on even more routes than the big buses and can be useful for shorter journeys. Unlike buses, there are no fixed schedules; they leave when full. Be aware that micros can be jam-packed and are renowned for speeding. 

The best places to visit in Egypt

Accessible transportation in Egypt

Egypt’s public transport is far from inclusive. Buses and trains have high entrance steps, and micros are a squashed no-go. That said, things are beginning to change. Egyptian National Railways says it's bringing ramp access to stations, dedicated ticket counters for disabled travelers and allocated seating spaces on trains. However, it will take time to come into practice.

Hiring a private driver is affordable in Egypt, so it is possible to travel independently. For a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, book a private tour. To get on the river, the Nile cruiser M/S Amarco has been completely refitted for accessibility, with lift access to all decks and four cabins adapted for wheelchair users.

This article was first published May 31, 2022 and updated Sep 4, 2023.

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• Travel Talk

Exploring Nile Valley: How To Plan A Memorable Experience

The Nile Valley is the area in Egypt through which the famous Nile River runs. However, most modern Egyptians only live within a few kilometres of the Nile, so really and truly, nowhere is that far from it. What that means is, you can visit any part of Egypt and technically still be in the Nile Valley, or at least close to it. If you are planning a trip to Egypt, then there is a lot for you to see.

This post will tell you about some of the things that should be at the top of your list.

Table of Contents

Pyramids of Giza

The Pyramids of Giza are Egypt’s most popular historical site. People from all over the world visit them each year. You can read more about the Pyramids of Giza, their history, and how to see them online. Something that’s worth considering is taking a tour of them. Because they are so historically significant, there is so much to be learned about them.

If you do not take a tour then there is no way that you are going to be able to truly appreciate them (unless you are already a historian and know everything there is to know about them). A tour guide will be able to walk you through their construction, age, and what they were made for. A proper tour guide will also keep touts away from you, which will stop you from being harassed, which is, unfortunately, a big problem at the Pyramids of Giza.

It wouldn’t be right to compile a list of the most interesting places in Egypt without making reference to the Sphinx, one of the world’s largest monuments. The Sphinx, amazingly, was carved by hand. When you see it, you will appreciate how hard a task this must’ve been.

The Sphinx is not too far from the Pyramids of Giza, you can walk there in under half an hour. Because of this, if you get a tour of the Pyramids of Giza, then you will probably also be taken to the Sphinx as well.

Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings was an area of Thebes, where Egyptian rulers were buried for half a millennium. The Valley of the Kings is somewhere you’ll definitely want somebody to take you on a tour of because it is an expansive, vast area.

There is a lot of history there, too. If you do not have a guide taking you, you’ll miss things. The same guide that you hire to take you around the Pyramids of Giza and the  Sphinx will no doubt also be able to take you around the Valley of the Kings.

Luxor Museum

The Luxor Museum is one of Egypt’s best museums . If you are visiting the nation to experience its history, then the Luxor Museum should be at the top of your list of places to visit, mainly because it has some of the most intact artefacts from ancient Egypt in the entire world.

Luxor Museum tickets are very affordable and can be bought at the door. Again, it is possible to take a tour around the museum if you want to, though it is not really necessary, since most of the artefacts have place cards telling you what they are.

Karnak Temple

Karnak Temple is the largest temple ever built by man in human history . It’s truly astonishing. It is somewhere that has been featured in films, television, and media for decades. It’s also somewhere you will need to take a tour of.

The temple’s complex is so sprawling that there is no way you’ll see everything or truly appreciate what you’re seeing without the help of a tour guide. Karnak Temple is cheap to get into, but busy, so try to visit at a time when there aren’t as many tourists around.

Nile Cruises

The Nile River is a very important river. Without it, ancient Egypt might not have flourished the way that it did. However, it is also a very dangerous river. It’s common knowledge that crocodiles can be found up and down it, as well as venomous snakes, and other predatory animals. If you want to see the Nile, then take a cruise up and down it.

Never attempt to go up and down the Nile yourself on a boat, especially if you are not experienced with it or have never sailed before. A cruise of the Nile might be expensive but is something you’ll never forget .

Egypt is somewhere everybody should visit at least once in their lives. There are hundreds more places than those mentioned here. If you plan on visiting, then give the places here special precedence, as they are without a doubt the most interesting, and most significant.

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Why the Nile River Was So Important to Ancient Egypt

By: Patrick J. Kiger

Updated: July 27, 2023 | Original: July 12, 2021

When the Greek historian Herodotus wrote that the ancient Egyptians' land was "given them by the river," he was referring to the Nile , whose waters were essential to the rise of one of the world’s earliest great civilizations.

The Nile, which flows northward for 4,160 miles from east-central Africa to the Mediterranean, provided ancient Egypt with fertile soil and water for irrigation, as well as a means of transporting materials for building projects. Its vital waters enabled cities to sprout in the midst of a desert.

In order to benefit from the Nile, people who lived along its banks had to figure out how to cope with the river’s annual flooding. They also developed new skills and technology, from agriculture to boat and ship building. The Nile even played a role in the construction of the pyramids, the massive marvels that are among the most recognizable reminders of their civilization. Beyond practical matters, the vast river had a profound influence upon the ancient Egyptians’ view of themselves and their world, and shaped their religion and culture.

The Nile was "a critical lifeline that literally brought life to the desert," as Lisa Saladino Haney, assistant curator of Egypt at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, writes on the museum's website. "Without the Nile, there would be no Egypt," writes Egyptologist in his 2012 book, The Nile .

The Nile Was a Source of Rich Farmland

The Nile's modern name comes from the Nelios , the Greek word for river valley. But the ancient Egyptians called it Ar or Aur , meaning "black," a reference to the rich, dark sediment that the Nile's waters carried from the Horn of Africa northward and deposited in Egypt as the river flooded its banks each year in late summer. That surge of water and nutrients turned the Nile Valley into productive farmland, and made it possible for Egyptian civilization to develop in the midst of a desert.

The Nile Valley's thick layer of silt "transformed what might have been a geological curiosity, a version of the Grand Canyon, into a densely populated agricultural country," explains Barry J. Kemp in Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilization .

The Nile was such a focal point to the ancient Egyptians that their calendar began the year with the first month of the flooding. The Egyptian religion even venerated a deity of flooding and fertility, Hapy , who was depicted as a chubby man with blue or green skin.

According to the UN’s Food And Agriculture Organization , ancient Egyptian farmers were one of the first groups to practice agriculture on a large scale, growing food crops such as wheat and barley, as well as industrial crops such as flax for making clothing. To get the most out of the Nile's waters, ancient Egyptian farmers developed a system called basin irrigation . They constructed networks of earthen banks to form basins, and dug channels to direct floodwater water into the basins, where it would sit for a month until the soil was saturated and ready for planting.

"It is obviously challenging if the land on which you have built your home and grow your food gets flooded by a river every August and September, as the Nile used to do before the Aswan High Dam," explains Arthur Goldschmidt, Jr., a retired Penn State University professor of Middle East history and the author of A Brief History of Egypt . "Creating dikes, channels and basins to move and store some of the Nile waters required ingenuity and probably much trial-and-error experimentation for the ancient Egyptians."

To predict whether they faced dangerous floods or low waters that could result in a poor harvest, the ancient Egyptians built nilometers —stone columns with markings that would indicate the water level.

The River Served as a Vital Transportation Route

In addition to nurturing agriculture, the Nile provided ancient Egyptians with a vital transportation route. As a result, they became skilled boat and ship builders who created both large wooden craft with sails and oars , capable of traveling longer distances, and smaller skiffs made of papyrus reeds attached to wooden frames . 

Artwork from the Old Kingdom , which existed from 2686 to 2181 B.C., depicts boats transporting cattle, vegetables, fish, bread and wood. Boats were so important to the Egyptians that they buried deceased kings and dignitaries with boats that sometimes were so well-constructed that they could have been used for actual travel on the Nile.

The Nile Valley as Part of Identity

The Nile influenced how Egyptians thought of the land in which they lived, according to Haney. They divided their world into Kemet , the "black land" of the Nile Valley, where there was enough water and food for cities to thrive. In contrast, the hot, dry desert areas were Deshret, the "red land." They linked the Nile Valley and oases in the desert areas with life and abundance, while the deserts were associated with death and chaos.

The Nile also played an important role in the creation of the monumental tombs such as the Great Pyramid of Giza . An ancient papyrus diary of an official involved in the construction of the Great Pyramid describes how workers transported massive blocks of limestone on wooden boats along the Nile, and then routed the blocks through a canal system to the site where the pyramid was being constructed. 

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Nile Cruises in December 2024

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250+ Nile river cruises in December 2024 with 7,016 reviews

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10 Day Egypt Experience Tour (Domestic flight)

Fantastic service, travel advice and recommendations. Highly Recommend!

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Felucca Odyssey (5 & 4 Star Hotels)

Overall an outstanding experience in Egypt. Our guide Adham went above and beyond to look after our group, and spent much of his own time explaining everything Egypt to us. This tour is a lovely blend of a cultural experience whilst still feel safe & having the creature comforts of nice hotels most nights. At no point did I (female traveller) feel unsafe & I would say my experience in Egypt exceeded my expectations. My only critique is the dining experience on the first night was less than desirable (very western feeling buffet packed to the brim with tourists singing the Macarena) but this was redeemed by the entertainment. If similar bellydancing entertainment could be found elsewhere I would encourage travel talk to look at another more authentic venue.

• €150 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Nile Jewel - 5* Cruise

Husband & I enjoyed a 14 night trip to Hurghada & then a Nike Cruise. George was our cruise tour guide. We found him to be considerate & knowledgeable. He spoke excellent English & had a depth & breadth of knowledge on Egyptian history that only a person with a passion for their subject could have. George was an amazing guide & I would recommend him & the tour company 100%

• 10% deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

Holiday In Egypt 4 Days – 3 Nights Nile Cruise From Cairo by Flight

Le bateau de croisière Princesse Sarah est très confortable propre et chambre spacieuse. Le personnel très gentil. Le programme est complet et permet de visiter l’ensemble des temples de la vallée du Nil. Nous avons été accompagné par Anas toute la durée de la croisière qui nous a fait des visites de qualités et de rend disponible pour nous. Nous recommandons cette excursion !

Best Of Egypt - 5* Cruise

Our guide, Mina, was very knowledgable and helpful when you wanted to find specific things. The accommodations were great, the river cruise was fantastic. Do the trip to Abu Simbal and the Nubian village dinner, it's 100% worth it. It would have been nice to do a tour in Hurghada of the Museum (which is worth the 20 minute walk), the mosque and the church.

10-Day Ancient Egypt Tour (Superior Hotels)

I highly recommend taking a tour in Egypt. The transfers are well-organized, you feel secure with a local guide, and you get to see all the famous sights.

Egypt Nile Jewel

Egypt permids were beautiful. Everything was beyond expectations.

Egypt Adventure

The Intrepid tour and our guide was excellent! However, I booked my tour through TourRadar, and TourRadar was a disaster from beginning to end, with very slow responses to any questions. I received my voucher only one week before departure, and they did not pass over the information to Intrepid about my late arrival on the opening day. Originally, I was booked via TourRadar on a different tour with a different company, but this was cancelled by TourRadar only 6 weeks before departure and long after confirmation was given and I had booked my flight tickets. So it was pure luck that Intrepid had a tour on the same dates.

Pharaohs Nile Cruise Adventure - Return Flights Included

A great tour, giving access to some of the most inspiring sites of ancient Egypt and a stunning journey down the Nile. The guides were excellent sharing their knowledge and insight.

4 Days 3 nights 5 stars Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor

What a Great experience! The staff is so very friendly and our Guide Wael was very enthusiastic, friendly and knew a lot of fun facts and interesting stuff about everything! We absolutely recommend this trip.

Beyond the Pyramids: Egypt's Hidden Gems - Return Flight Included - 9 Days

Comprehensive tour, experienced many wonders. Nice small group. Very responsive coordinators.

Best of Egypt

Great tour with a perfect mix of included activities and free time. Highly reccommended

Wonders of the Pharaohs

Excellent itinerary, excellent guide. George made everything easy. Super flexible about most things (but you do need to pre book flights to Aswan as they run out). I would not do Egypt without a tour guide, and Timeless Tours provided a service that I am not sure everyone offers. We were met off our flights (before baggage collection), and after the tour we’re delivered to the airport. The perfect way to make what could have been quite a challenging visit, easy.

Cairo and Nile Cruise Tours - Included Internal Flights

The tour went very well. As positive aspects, I would highlight the guides' knowledge of the history of Egypt. The accommodation in Cairo is very good, and on the Nile cruise, although it wasn't the most modern ship, it met expectations. The food on the cruise was very good, with a wide variety of products available each day. The only negative aspects are the absence of open wifi on the ship, available only at reception and for a fee, and the intensity of the tour. There were days when we arrived very late to see the temples, almost without any light. A shame.

• €110 deposit on some dates Some departure dates offer you the chance to book this tour with a lower deposit.

12 Days Cairo, Nile Cruise & Hurghada

The Egypt Adventure was amazing! It lets you explore the country like a local but with a tourist twist. Sleeping on the sleeper train was tough, but I'm glad I did it.

What people love about Nile River Cruises in December

The tour was thoroughly enjoyable, offering us a fantastic opportunity to explore the majority of Egypt's highlights within a week. Throughout our journey, Abrahim proved to be an exceptional tour guide.

It was a wonderful trip with MO, he is very informative and tried his best to accommodate everyone’s needs.

Husband & I enjoyed a 14 night trip to Hurghada & then a Nike Cruise. George was our cruise tour guide. We found him to be considerate & knowledgeable. He spoke excellent English & had a depth & breadth of knowledge on Egyptian history that only a person with a passion for their subject could have. George was an amazing guide & I would recommend him & the tour company 100%

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• Destinations

Nile Valley

An ancient world of tombs, temples and mighty pharaohs awaits on your discovery along the iconic Nile. The Nile Valley is a rite of passage destination for anyone interested in ancient history and culture as the river played a vital role in the development of ancient Egyptian civilisation. This region is home to many iconic landmarks, including the cities of Aswan and Luxor, which are known for their stunning temples, tombs, and monuments. Most notably, you can visit the temples of Abu Simbel, the most famous in Egypt after the Giza Pyramids. One of the best ways to experience the beauty of the Nile Valley is by taking a Nile cruise, where you can take in the stunning scenery and visit a variety of historical sites.

• Sail onboard 5-star luxury cruise boats, with gourmet cuisine
• Enjoy private excursions led by expert Egyptologists
• Wander through the Valley of the Kings in Luxor
• Explore the temples of Abu Simbel, featuring the statues of Ramses
• Experience hot air balloon rides over desert, river and ancient lands
• Savour a fiery Egyptian sunset, with a cocktail in hand

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Nile valley map, trips to inspire.

Wondrous and enchanting, Egypt enriches and transforms all who visit. From honeymoons to family adventures, cruises to cultural trips, experience the joy with this inspiring selection of favorite Egypt itineraries.

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Holiday to Egypt

Excellent! My family and I had a wonderful trip.

Honeymoon to Egypt, Kenya & Seychelles

Our trip to Egypt, Kenya and Seychelles with Mahlatini was nothing short of extraordinary. From arriving to our hotel on day 1 and seeing the pyramids from our balcony, to traveling down the Nile in a stunning cruise, each day was a beautiful adventure.

We absolutely loved our first trip to Egypt! This was mostly because of the excellent experience we had by the tour services literally from the time we stepped off the plane until we headed home. The hotel selections, tours and restaurant booking were all excellent. Visiting Cairo and all the amazi…

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The Nile Valley

According to the official history of a 3rd century BC priest, a king named Menes united the various kingdom of the Nile Valley for the first time under one government around 3100BC, beginning what archaeologists refer to as the Early Dynastic Period (3050—2686 BC).

The reliability of this version of history is questionable, but it is generally accepted that several civilizations that had lived and practiced agriculture along the river since the 6th millennia BC were united at this time under the influence of the capital at Memphis. Several centuries later, the strength of this central control and the influence that Memphis held over trade route to the south and northeast to the Levant led to the beginning of the Old Kingdom (2686—2181 BC).

This development was the beginning of nearly three thousand years of history during which thirty successive dynasties would control the Nile Valley, but not always from Memphis.  The power centered on Memphis eventually waned, fractured, and then was reestablished again to begin the Middle Kingdom (2134—1690 BC) when power was based at a capital near modern-day Fayoum. The third period of strong central control, known as the New Kingdom (1549—1069 BC), was center on the southern capital of Thebes.

Today we still admire the monuments that these great kingdoms constructed. The pyramids near Cairo and many monuments in and around modern Luxor (ancient Thebes) stand out as wonders of the ancient world. These most famous ancient sites were the grand burial sites of the pharaohs that built and rebuilt Ancient Egypt under their control over the centuries, but the architectural legacy of this powerful ancient civilization was not limited to these sites alone. There were other important cities and religious sites scattered up and down the Nile Valley where the monuments of the pharaohs and great temples of the ancient religion were built and where impressive ruins can still be viewed today.

Although they are further from the population centers of Cairo and Luxor, these sites are no less impressive or important to the history of Ancient Egypt than the more famous sites at Giza, Karnak, and Luxor and the Valley of the Kings. They mark the sites of other ancient capitals from which pharaohs once ruled the entire region and the sites of religious cults, where the gods of Ancient Egypt were worshipped from the Early Dynastic Period into the first centuries AD when Christianity gradually replaced the ancient religion as the popular faith of Egypt.  

Karnak: 

Karnak temple is divided into three compounds: the precinct of Amun, the precinct of Mut, and the precinct of Montu; however, for most visitors, the precinct of Amun is enough, as it is the largest of these three compounds. The temple’s complicated layout alone dwarfs every other site that you will visit in Egypt. It is surely an enormous ancient temple.    The precinct of Amun contains all of the most famous sections of the Karnak complex, including the dizzying Great Hypostyle Hall. This hall that consists of 134 massive columns is one of the most impressive places in all of Egypt. Going into a detailed description of the different elements that make up the complex is a near endless. 

Like all of the major sights in Egypt, especially the Giza pyramids, Karnak has a sound and light show that is offered in several different languages. The show takes place 3 times a night, but you should consult your tour guide or your hotel about the languages of the various showings.  

Luxor: 

This amazing city has been given the nickname, “the world’s greatest open-air museum”. This is thanks to the ancient pharaohs’ efforts to immortalize themselves. They built those enormous buildings to show off their power and authority. Both sides of the Nile are covered in the remains of temples and funerary complexes of the ancient civilization of Egypt. The modern city was built up right along with these ruins. It creates an interesting mix of old and new that can only be found in Luxor. This is most evident in the areas of Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple Complexes. Their ancient stone architecture sits next to sleek modern construction, creating a beautiful contrast. Additionally, the area around Luxor and the opposite bank of the river are dotted with a wealth of other temples and tombs. It would take several days to explore all of the archeological sites in the area. At each site sits a wealth of knowledge about the ancient Egyptian world and heritage.   

The Valley of the Kings:

Located on the west bank of the Nile River near Luxor, is the Valley of the Kings. It is the most famous site for the unique collections of tombs and breathtaking ancient ruins. That location makes it one of the hottest spots for exploring ancient Egyptian history. Archaeologists have been sweeping the area of the Valley of the Kings for centuries, and till now it continues to surprise them.

The richness of the finds here in the Valley of the Kings has kept archeologists busy for nearly two centuries. If all of the tombs here where open to visitors it would be nearly impossible to actually make it to all of them, but thankfully the possibility of such a huge task is eliminated for you. 

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Carnegie Museum of Natural History

One of the Four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh

Egypt and the Nile

Over the course of some five millennia the ancient Egyptians developed a distinctive material culture shaped in large part by their local geography, natural resources, and relationship with the Nile River. In the 5 th Century BCE, the Greek historian Herodotus noted that “any sensible person” could see that Lower Egypt was a “gift of the river” (Herodotus, 2.5). While his comments were limited to the areas in the north and in the Delta, they really ring true for all the Nile River Valley. Every aspect of life in Egypt depended on the river – the Nile provided food and resources, land for agriculture, a means of travel, and was critical in the transportation of materials for building projects and other large-scale endeavors. It was a critical lifeline that literally brought life to the desert.

The modern name of the Nile River comes from the Greek Nelios , but the Egyptians called it Iteru or “River.” The Nile is the longest river in the world, measuring some 6,825 km. The Nile River System has three main branches – the White Nile, the Blue Nile, and the Atbara river. The White Nile, the river’s headwaters, flows from Lake Victoria and Lake Albert. The Blue Nile brings about the inundation or annual flood and provides most of the river’s water and silt. The Atbara river has less of an impact, as it flows only occasionally.

In the south, the Nile has a series of six main cataracts, which begin at the site of Aswan. A cataract is a shallow stretch of turbulent waters formed where flowing waters encounter resistant rock layers. In the case of the Nile cataracts, large outcroppings of granite make the flow of the river unpredictable and much more difficult to traverse by boat. The cataract system created a natural boundary at Aswan, separating Egypt from its southern neighbor, Nubia.

Ancient Egypt was located in Northeastern Africa and had four clear geographic zones: the Delta, the Western Desert, the Eastern Desert, and the Nile Valley. Each of these zones had its own natural environment and its own role within the Egyptian State. Cities could only flourish in the Nile Delta, the Nile Valley, or desert oases, where people had access to water, land, and key resources. The ancient Egyptians, who were always keen observers of nature, often associated the Nile Valley with life and abundance and the neighboring deserts with death and chaos.

Kemet  or, “black land,” denotes the rich, fertile land of the Nile Valley, while  Deshret , or “red land,” refers to the hot, dry desert. The contrast between the red land and the black land was not just visible or geographic, it effected the Egyptians’ everyday lives. The dry climate of the desert, for example, made it an ideal location for cemeteries. There, the annual Nile flood would not disturb people’s graves and the dry climate acted to preserve tombs and their contents. Good preservation and the fact that most people do not live in the desert, are the main reasons that so much of what archaeologists and anthropologists study comes from a funerary context.

The landscapes of Upper and Lower Egypt also differ. The Egyptian word Tawy, means “Two Lands” – this refers to the two main regions of ancient Egypt, Upper and Lower Egypt. Lower Egypt is in the north and contains the Nile Delta, while Upper Egypt contains areas to the South. These two designations may seem counterintuitive to their physical locations, but they reflect the flow of the Nile River, from South to North.

The expansive floodplain of the Nile Delta and the very narrow band of fertile land present in the Nile Valley led to different ways of life. In the Nile Delta for example, the Egyptians constructed their towns and cemeteries on turtlebacks; natural highpoints in the landscape that became islands during the inundation. In addition, the location of the Delta along the Mediterranean and at the entry point into the Levant made it an important area for trade and international contacts. The Delta was a very multi-cultural region throughout Egyptian history.

The Egyptians thought of the king as the unifier of the “Two Lands.” One of the king’s primary roles was to keep Upper and Lower Egypt united; the Egyptians expressed this visually using something we call the sema-tawy motif. Here you can see two Nile gods symbolically uniting the lands of Upper and Lower Egypt – each depicted in the form of their characteristic plant, the papyrus for Lower Egypt and the lotus for Upper.

The Egyptians constructed their calendar around the yearly cycle of the Nile. It included three main seasons: Akhet , the period of the Nile’s inundation, Peret , the growing season, and Shemu , harvest season. The Egyptians made Nilometers to measure and track the height of the annual inundation – they used the recorded readings from these Nilometers much like more contemporary farmers would use almanacs. One particularly well-preserved example is located on Elephantine Island at Aswan.

The close connection between the Egyptians the Nile River led them to identify a number of Egyptian gods with aspects of the river, its annual flood, and the fertility and abundance associated with them. Hapi, for example, is the incarnation of the life force that the Nile provides; he also symbolizes the annual inundation of the Nile. His round belly and folds of skin represent abundance. Osiris, who is most often recognized in his role associated with the afterlife, is fundamentally a god of regeneration and rebirth. Artists often depicted him with black skin, linking him to the fertility of the Nile River and its lifegiving silt. The broader natural world was a further source of inspiration for Egyptian religion.

The Nile was also an important highway, it was the easiest way to travel and played an essential role in mining expeditions, trade, architectural projects, and general travel. The Egyptians were expert boat builders; images of boats are some of the earliest designs that appear on Egyptian Predynastic Vessels dating to ca. 3500-3300 B.C.E. River access decreased the time and number of individuals needed for the transportation of large objects, like stones, obelisks, and architectural elements. Boats were also common in the funerary religion as well – as a part of the funeral itself and for the afterlife.

Although I’ve only been able to touch on a few key elements here, the natural environment of Egypt and the Nile River impacted every aspect of life in ancient Egypt. The river’s floodplain, water, and silt provided the foundation for civilization and served as a source of inspiration for the people who inhabited northeastern Africa during this pivotal period in history.

Lisa Saladino Haney is Postdoctoral Assistant Curator of Egypt on the Nile at Carnegie Museum of Natural History.  Museum employees are encouraged to blog about their unique experiences and knowledge gained from working at the museum.

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Yes, the Nile Is the Longest River in the World

A s the longest river in the world, the mighty Nile enjoys more fame than most other rivers as the protagonist of legends and historical tales. For instance, baby Moses was sent down this very river on a basket. The Nubians and Ancient Egyptians flourished thanks to its abundant waters, and it still facilitates trade and commerce throughout eastern Africa.

For travelers, this glorious body of water is a dream destination. Cruising on the Nile has been a favored activity for centuries since it provides beautiful scenery, a chance to travel slowly through Africa and the opportunity to see some of the most impressive pyramids in Egypt and Sudan. 

Here is everything you need to know about the longest river in the world — and tips on how to visit it.

Is the Nile Really the Longest River in the World?

You'd think that measuring the length of a river would be straightforward, but it's more complex than most people imagine. Scientists have long debated whether the Nile or the Amazon should be crowned the longest river in the world.

The most accepted measurement positions the Nile at 4,132 miles and the Amazon at 4,000 miles — making the latter only a few hundred miles shorter. But some scientists debate the accuracy of the measurement, particularly since the Amazon is a remote river clad in the thick jungle and very difficult to explore. 

In 2007, a team of Brazilian scientists concluded that the source of the Amazon was farther than previously thought and that the river was actually 4,345 miles. However, the study was never published, so the conclusion is not widely accepted by the scientific community. 

For now, the Nile continues its reign as the Queen Bee of rivers.

How Long Is the Nile River?

Now that we've settled the debate, let's get into all the things people want to know about the majestic Nile, starting with how long we're talking exactly.

Like we've said, the true measurement is debated, but the most accepted one places the Nile at 4,132 miles. To put this in perspective, the distance between Los Angeles, California, and New York, New York, is around 2,790 miles.

You would need to drive from coast to coast, and then do three-fourths of the Danube River in order to travel an equivalent distance.

Where Is the Nile River?

The Nile is entirely located in East Africa, running down a grand total of 11 countries — more than any other river in the world! 

The countries that have been blessed with access to the Nile are Egypt, Sudan, South Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and Tanzania.

Where Does the Nile River Start?

The Nile River begins south of the Equator, flowing out of the large Lake Victoria, which is bordered by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Though the river has been important to both animals and people in these countries throughout history, having access to other sources of freshwater has meant less dependence on it. This is why many people don't even think of the Nile when they are planning a visit to the southern countries where the river starts.

Where Does the Nile River End?

Most rivers end by flowing into a sea or an ocean, and the Nile is no exception. The river flows directly into the sparkling blue waters of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea in northern Egypt. 

Because most of the country is arid and marked by the desert, the Nile played a major role in the development of civilizations in Egypt. Irrigation systems stemming from it allowed people in the area to develop agriculture and build relatively large cities. 

Even today, about 95 percent of Egyptians  live along the banks of the Nile.

What Direction Does the Nile River Flow?

If you thought we made a mistake when stating that the Nile starts south of the Equator and ends in the Mediterranean, we assure you, this is accurate.

The river flows north — a phenomenon that is not as rare as people think, as there are hundreds of rivers that follow this direction.

How Deep Is the Nile River?

It may be the longest river in the world, but the Nile is not very deep. Its average depth is 16 to 36 feet.

Compare this to the second-longest river in Africa, the Congo River. At its deepest parts, it goes down 720 feet. This is so deep that even light can't penetrate. 

To put it another way, if you were to throw the Hollywood sign (which stands about 49-feet tall) into the Nile, a large part of it would be out of the water.

How Wide Is the Nile River?

Another measurement in which the Nile doesn't shine is width. At its widest point, the river measure 1.7 miles. Considered the widest river in the world, the Amazon has a maximum width of 62 miles.

But the slenderness of the Nile does provide the unique opportunity to almost always be able to see both banks as well as the cities and ruins that line the shores of the river.

Does the Nile River Have Piranhas?

Piranhas are native only to South American rivers, most famously the Amazon.

To put you at ease, piranhas are not nearly as dangerous as 1990s adventure movies will have you believe. Yes, they have been known to attack people, and some of these attacks have been fatal. But they are so small that you are very likely to be able to get out of the water before they inflict serious damage.

If you fall into the Nile, you won't have to worry about this small but vicious carnivorous fish trying to gnaw at you. Though there are even worse animals to worry about...

Are There Crocodiles in the Nile River?

Crocodiles are an extremely aggressive species that present a threat to humans who fall into the water of the Nile. Other dangerous animals that you can find within it include hippopotamuses, Egyptian cobras and black mambas. The presence of these deadly animals makes the Nile one of the most dangerous rivers on the planet .

However, you will probably experience the river on a scenic cruise and won't have to really worry about the animals that lurk within it.

Visiting the Nile

If you love unique adventures, don't hesitate to put the Nile River on your bucket list. Most people experience the river on a cruise in Egypt. Cruises usually start from Cairo and vary in destination and length. Travelers who are short on time can do short cruises that last a few hours, with sunset being the most popular time. Day cruises are also available to places like the coastal town of Alexandria. 

But if you have a bit more time, we highly suggest taking a slow cruise down to Luxor. Many people simply fly into the former imperial city, which is famous for its Valley of the Kings, where you'll find the tombs of Tutankhamun, Set I and Ramses II. While this is valid, nothing can compare to being on the Nile for about 12 days, disembarking in towns and archaeological sites along the way.

Another way to experience the Nile in Egypt is by booking a hot-air balloon ride over the river. This is particularly recommended while in Luxor since you'll get a view of the ancient Egyptian tombs from above. 

You can also see the Nile in any of the other 10 countries it passes through. Taking political instability into consideration, Sudan is one of the most amazing destinations to see both the Nile and ancient pyramids. The country has more than 200 pyramids — hundreds more than Egypt!