Three African Mountain Ranges You Should Explore
September 23, 2016
As confidence in travel to Egypt continues to grow, Nile river cruises are becoming popular once again. This has always been one of the most impressive and prestigious rivers to travel down and many cruises here fall into the category of luxury. Indeed, the ship that you will sail in when you book with Fred., Misr, is one of the most opulent on the river and has an esteemed history that dates back to the early 1900s.
The city of Luxor will be the starting and finishing point of your Nile river cruise and therefore you will get plenty of time to explore it. Here are just a few things that should be on your list of what to see and do.
The Valley of the Kings is one of the most famous attractions in Egypt and possibly the most well-known archaeological site in the world. It stands to reason, therefore, that you cannot visit this part of the world without stepping foot inside some of these vibrant and fascinating tombs that give us an insight into the rituals of the ancient Egyptians and the opulent lives their kings lived.
Your ticket to the valley will grant you access to three of the 60-odd tombs that have been discovered, with just five being open at any one time. Your tour guide will be able to direct you to the most colourful and poignant sites that are open on the day of your visit. Cameras are forbidden here and so it's best to leave them on the ship, as they will be confiscated at the entry point. It is also worth paying extra to visit the most famous tomb of all - that of King Tutankhamun. New sites are constantly being discovered and so whilst you are here you will get a feel for the size of the project.
Whether you are interested in Egyptology or not, the Karnak Temple is something that will take your breath away. It was erected over 3000 years ago and the part that is open to the public was built in dedication to the God Amun and his family. Perhaps the most impressive area is the grand hall, which consists of an open-air space totalling about 50,000 square feet with more than 130 massive stone columns in it. It's almost impossible to comprehend the effort and time it would have taken to put these in place.
When night time falls, there is also a sound a light show that takes place at the temple. This is a walk-through experience that involves images being projected onto the structure to tell the story of Ancient Egypt.
This intimate and (mercifully) air-conditioned museum is great for those who want to learn a bit more about the types of things that are discovered in the Valley of the Kings and in Luxor in general. It may not be the biggest museum in Egypt but it still definitely worth a visit due to the high level of education it offers.
The attraction has earned a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor and its most prized exhibit is one of its newest. Two very well-preserved mummies that were uncovered by accident 25 years ago stand in one of the rooms downstairs and the effortless layout of the artefacts will lead you there in style.
If you would like to be transported back to Ancient Egypt on one of our Nile river cruises, you can call our team to find out more. Alternatively, you can also submit your request via the website.
