Luxor-Crucero por el Nilo-Aswan
Trail photos
Author
Trail stats
- Distance
- 134.97 mi
- Elevation gain
- 630 ft
- Technical difficulty
- Easy
- Elevation loss
- 600 ft
- Max elevation
- 377 ft
- TrailRank
-
66
5
- Min elevation
- 223 ft
- Trail type
- One Way
- Time
- one day 14 hours 15 minutes
- Coordinates
- 227
- Uploaded
- April 11, 2023
- Recorded
- April 2023
near Luxor, Luxor (Egypt)
Viewed 192 times, downloaded 2 times
Trail photos
Itinerary description
|
Barcelona - Luxor ... Day 1
This trip, long desired, was made to wait almost 35 years. In anticipation that someone might think that I am exaggerating, my initial intention was to make a chronological list of the conflicts that have directly or indirectly affected Egypt, its nearby areas, or the Middle East in general, due to its contagious political, social and military instability. . After an exhaustive compilation, I confess that I am anguished, worried and depressed. I have found so many armed conflicts, civil or political, over fifty, that in order not to infect, scare or dissuade future travelers, I have decided to generalize, citing the most significant ones. Our first attempt to visit Egypt, back in 1998, was frustrated by the war between Iraq and Iran, leading two years later to the Gulf War, due to the invasion of Kuwait. 35 years ago, having paid for the trip, we had to put up with the rate without canceling it so as not to lose money, hoping that it was the governments who wanted to prohibit traveling to the area, and obtain a change of destination at no cost. That's how it was, we achieved our humble goal, although they sent us to the Dominican Republic, which without belittling is not the same being that we are lovers of cultural visits and not beach regulars. Year after year, reality and our perhaps exaggerated prudence discouraged the trip, since surely many dared. News of intifadas, wars, springs, riots and attacks everywhere, against Christian Copts and tourists in Egypt, in an incessant succession for us, the castle that cards we tried to erect from time to time collapsed. Tied up the blanket with exalted spirits, as I suppose almost everyone, with a renewed desire to enjoy life after surviving the pandemic, we decided, whoever falls, to book and pay for the "Wonders of the Nile" trip, with a cruise on the mentioned river, visit to nearby monuments, and tour of Cairo and its surroundings. Looking back, I confess to having been unsettled by some world crises, which I will not cite, and with a certain guilt complex for jinx, since over the years every time we planned to go a conflict arose, especially if Putin pressed the button. Drawing a thick veil over the above, we arrive at the eve of the trip, when our flight schedules change, delaying the departure of the charter two hours. Being already at the airport, we verified that that same day there were three planes bound for Luxor, and we heard that the passengers from Barcelona had been relocated, to accommodate together those coming from more distant origins. Although the change means we get up less early to fly, it will make us arrive later at our destination, almost for dinner and sleep. The hours pass tediously on the device, with few distractions inside and outside, just the usual walks to the bathroom, taking a nap and browsing mobile phones and tablets, with the distribution of two rolls and a glass of water as the most significant in these four hours and half. Landing and collecting the suitcases, we are received by the manager of the local retailer, who does not speak Spanish and little English, makes himself understood just to charge us the obligatory tip of the cruise and the visa fees to enter the country, that is if he says it clearly. Putting an ear out we found out where to buy the data card, 20 euros 20 gigabytes they say, leaving the change to Egyptian pounds for later because of the rush to take us to the boat. Barter that we never did, since even when visiting the toilet, payment is almost mandatory and they ask for 1 euro. A huge human tide coming from several flights as a peaceful invasion, monopolizes the baggage belts, saturates the exit doors and fills the parking lot with happy laughter or snorts of despair, with a clear dominance of Spanish and Catalan. We are lucky to share accommodation with a nice couple, who, like us, has left behind occupations and routine, to savor these days. It begins before leaving, in my opinion, a curious habit, going through people and luggage detectors in buildings, museums and ships, which always ring without delay, without anyone flinching or worrying about checking or checking tourists, I think which have been installed rather for statistical reasons, thus justifying the existence of numerous security measures. Arriving at the ship, we are surprised by the curious system they use for docking the ships, moored in parallel, so that we go through the reception of several before arriving at ours. Then we will know that the closest to the pier is usually the highest category. Which explains that some of the routes that I have published seem to start inside the river. A barrage of sellers of souvenirs, water and the like, chases us shouting 1 euro, to the police booth at the entrance to the port, where they stand fearfully shouting incessantly, "friend, friend...Mari Carmen, Mari Carmen" trying to get our attention. In the ship's bar, they offer us a light buffet, separate drinks and coffee of dubious quality that they didn't charge me, I don't know if out of modesty or a gift. We taste it while the one who will be our guide, Mr.Malak, Angel for us, welcomes us and updates us on programs, news and routines. He confesses to us that he is a Coptic (Egyptian) Orthodox Christian, that he knows Spain and that he has been living in Barcelona, topped off with a "Barcelona is good if the bag rings". He sends us to rest around 11:00 p.m., remembering that the next day we have to leave at 5:30 a.m. for visits. We barely give importance to the swan made of towels that decorates the bed, embracing a restful sleep after the relaxing shower, barely rocked by the water, because the ship will remain docked in Luxor during the night.
Luxor...Day 2
After waking up somewhat tired and eating something with great difficulty because of the early hour, we left for the excursion by minibus, accompanied by the couple from Barcelona and ten other people, with whom we shared the program, to the Temple of Karnak.
Visit to Karnak Temple
Without truce we continue towards the Temple of Luxor.
Visit to the Luxor Temple
We continue to the Valley of the Kings
Visit to the Valley of the Kings
After a short stop for photos before the Colossi of Memnon, seated representations of Amenhotep III located in front of his funerary temple, we enter the temple of the forgotten and later recovered first Egyptian pharaoh, Hatshepsut.
Visit to the Temple of Hatshepsut
At the exit they take us to a local alabaster figure workshop, taking advantage of the trinkets, "Made in China", that they offer us at all hours through the streets, vindicating the traditional and elaborate art that they carry out. A row of extras, recreate for us the techniques and tasks of the artisans, as a loquacious vendor explains to us in almost perfect Spanish everything we need to know, before entering the store.They offer us tea or coca-cola, taking an interest in what we we looked in detail, and initiating an arduous haggling to agree on the final price. I must confess that although expensive, the figures are of high quality and that the seller did not lower the price, unlike what was achieved with others, a sign that the price It was tight, or so I want to believe. With the figures delicately wrapped, but well protected and paying by card, we return to the furious traffic of Luxor, where horns and horns are used, as a greeting or warning, without compassion. On the way, we check that traffic lights and continuous lines are a mere decoration, or so it seems. During lunch on the boat, with a decent beer, we joke with the average we have achieved, "Four temples in one morning, a temple an hour." The crowds congregated at the same time in the tourist places make the attempt to get photos in solitude a chimera. Since the visits have been made in a rush to get a space to give the explanations, creating a tight line to enter, as if imitating a modern horizontal Tower of Babel, with a chaotic mixture of languages sounding in unison. We relax in the cabin as we sail to Edfu, thinking about what it means to die of success. We go up to the upper deck where they offer us tea with pastries, to enjoy the breeze and browse between the hammocks and the pool, in case we see familiar faces. Suddenly our hearts skip a beat, as it seems that a little boat wants to approach us on a collision course. Pirates? Suicides? or stowaways?, they risk their integrity by jumping on the wake of the ship, throwing a line that they tie to the ship, to allow themselves to be towed upstream. Soon the mystery is revealed, they begin a curious ritual with passengers five decks above the water, shouting and throwing bales with the pretensions of selling their products. Given their expertise, without any package falling into the water, landing gently in the arms of customers, they seem to master this art, and if it existed, they would be champions of this sport. Confessing my ignorance about the correct name, I decide to baptize this, for me, novel transaction as Top Barca. During dinner, the guide tries to arouse our interest in the maneuver to pass the locks in Esna, but due to the lateness of the hour in which it will take place, around 2 in the morning, and the maneuver lasting an hour, we kindly declined. proposal.
Edfu ... Day 3
Standing at 7 in the morning waiting to dock, we entertain the time enjoying the incomparable landscapes, the tinkling music of the water and the majestic aquatic ballet performed by the six cruise ships that accompany us upstream. They play with each other to go ahead and fall behind, changing the course and improvising defeats, we now know, to take their rightful place on the dock. We left in a hurry, of course, for the four of us to occupy a carriage prepared, I attest, for a robust person, or two thin ones. Be that as it may, and with one leg half dangling to climb last, the coachman departs, with the despair of fleeing from a buffalo stampede, towards the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to Horus.
Visit to the Temple of Edfu
The guide scolds me because I gave the driver two euros, and asking if we remember the number of the carriage, he summons us to find it, while he seems to reproach those in charge for the monetary demands of the coachman. The carriage welcomes us, leaving immediately, like a soul pursued by the devil, towards the ship. Before boarding we collect two bottles of cold water for one euro. We give a good account of the food, as usual composed of a buffet with salads, rice, meat, sometimes fish and tempting sweets for dessert, accompanied by the well-known Egyptian beer, while we observe how the ship leaves for Kom Ombo. We go up to the upper deck after a light nap, where again tea with pastries, breeze, exotic landscapes and a beautiful sunset, distract us until the, now desired, assault of the endearing "pirates" that breaks the monotony. We counted two ships towed by ship, alternating between them and changing ships, with apparent ease. Arriving at destination, I joke with the guide about the possibility of receiving his explanations about the temple from the deck, since it is easily visible and is located a few meters from the pier, avoiding queues and crowds. Although he smiles at the occurrence, he denies and urges us to disembark, as always on the run. Crossing several crossings to reach the mainland, we headed in a tight group towards the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Sobek and Hareoris, and the attached Museum of Crocodiles (stuffed).
Visit to the Temple of Kom Ombo and Crocodile Museum
To our surprise the ship has disappeared. Immersed in his mysterious dances, he has changed his position a few meters and several boats away. The night navigation towards Aswan begins. A light dinner accompanied by sparkling water, to which our surprised guide asks us what it is for, precedes the much-announced Festival of the Gualabeya, for which they have been insistently urging us, assuring that the price of the djellaba in the gift shop, it is not more expensive than in the stalls. Since we have to get up the next day at three in the morning, we make a fleeting appearance in the dance hall, filled to overflowing with djellabas and dancers waving frantically. I try again to get an acceptable coffee, and trusting before the understanding smile of the waiter I relax, until I see how he gives me a cortado with coffee from an envelope, with a broad and proud smile of duty accomplished. Our friendly fellow from Barcelona joins the dance troupe, twisting and swaying his body to the beat of "Paquito el Chocolatero," garbed in his convincing sheik costume. We retired to rest in the cabin, although only for a little while, because it's early morning.
Aswan... Day 4
We reach Aswan during the night and we are up at three in the morning. Still dark and armed with a picnic breakfast, today we boarded a bus shared with Italian tourists, heading for Abu Simbel 280 kilometers further on, across the desert.
Visit to the Abu Simbel Temple
We return more educated and trained as scholars in the ancient Egyptian culture. We give away the remains of the picnic to those who ask us for it, and buying two liter and a half bottles for one euro, we eat and rest peacefully in the cabin, until the time of the optional excursion, at the price of 20 euros, to explore the streets in carriage
Riding a carriage through the streets of Aswan
With almost no time for dinner, due to the incident with the horse in the carriage, we barely have time to go through the cabin, where the cabin attendants are waiting for us, to introduce themselves and joke with the figures created with towels. They smile knowingly, looking for the added tip, as we depart for the minibus for the Philae Show.
Sound and light show in Philae
They are waiting for us to check-out, since we will leave the ship in the morning, to leave in the afternoon by plane to Cairo.
Aswan - Cairo... Day 5
We left our bags at reception at 7:30 a.m. for the Felucca Ride, continuing afterwards, after transferring in the water to another felucca, those of us who signed up for the optional excursion at the price of 50 euros, to the Nubian village.
Sailing on a felucca on the Nile and on a camel to the Nubian village
We return early, we have lunch set at 12:30 pm, several hours pass until they pick us up to take us to the airport. We passed them with great uncertainty, due to the absence of information about the changes in the plane's schedule. We say goodbye with a little trouble, since they insist on charging cash for the drinks for the meal. We are short of cash after so many "1 euro, 1 euro", and thanks to a shift change, or because the amount consumed has increased, they access digital payment without further ado.
After some problems with the flight, which "disappears" without explanation, we arrived in Cairo to complete the "Wonders of Egypt" program.
Cairo... Days 6 - 7 and 8.
Visit to the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
Visit to the ruins of Memphis
Visit to the Saqqara Funeral Complex
Cairo city tour
This trip, long desired, was made to wait almost 35 years. In anticipation that someone might think that I am exaggerating, my initial intention was to make a chronological list of the conflicts that have directly or indirectly affected Egypt, its nearby areas, or the Middle East in general, due to its contagious political, social and military instability. . After an exhaustive compilation, I confess that I am anguished, worried and depressed. I have found so many armed conflicts, civil or political, over fifty, that in order not to infect, scare or dissuade future travelers, I have decided to generalize, citing the most significant ones. Our first attempt to visit Egypt, back in 1998, was frustrated by the war between Iraq and Iran, leading two years later to the Gulf War, due to the invasion of Kuwait. 35 years ago, having paid for the trip, we had to put up with the rate without canceling it so as not to lose money, hoping that it was the governments who wanted to prohibit traveling to the area, and obtain a change of destination at no cost. That's how it was, we achieved our humble goal, although they sent us to the Dominican Republic, which without belittling is not the same being that we are lovers of cultural visits and not beach regulars. Year after year, reality and our perhaps exaggerated prudence discouraged the trip, since surely many dared. News of intifadas, wars, springs, riots and attacks everywhere, against Christian Copts and tourists in Egypt, in an incessant succession for us, the castle that cards we tried to erect from time to time collapsed. Tied up the blanket with exalted spirits, as I suppose almost everyone, with a renewed desire to enjoy life after surviving the pandemic, we decided, whoever falls, to book and pay for the "Wonders of the Nile" trip, with a cruise on the mentioned river, visit to nearby monuments, and tour of Cairo and its surroundings. Looking back, I confess to having been unsettled by some world crises, which I will not cite, and with a certain guilt complex for jinx, since over the years every time we planned to go a conflict arose, especially if Putin pressed the button. Drawing a thick veil over the above, we arrive at the eve of the trip, when our flight schedules change, delaying the departure of the charter two hours. Being already at the airport, we verified that that same day there were three planes bound for Luxor, and we heard that the passengers from Barcelona had been relocated, to accommodate together those coming from more distant origins. Although the change means we get up less early to fly, it will make us arrive later at our destination, almost for dinner and sleep. The hours pass tediously on the device, with few distractions inside and outside, just the usual walks to the bathroom, taking a nap and browsing mobile phones and tablets, with the distribution of two rolls and a glass of water as the most significant in these four hours and half. Landing and collecting the suitcases, we are received by the manager of the local retailer, who does not speak Spanish and little English, makes himself understood just to charge us the obligatory tip of the cruise and the visa fees to enter the country, that is if he says it clearly. Putting an ear out we found out where to buy the data card, 20 euros 20 gigabytes they say, leaving the change to Egyptian pounds for later because of the rush to take us to the boat. Barter that we never did, since even when visiting the toilet, payment is almost mandatory and they ask for 1 euro. A huge human tide coming from several flights as a peaceful invasion, monopolizes the baggage belts, saturates the exit doors and fills the parking lot with happy laughter or snorts of despair, with a clear dominance of Spanish and Catalan. We are lucky to share accommodation with a nice couple, who, like us, has left behind occupations and routine, to savor these days. It begins before leaving, in my opinion, a curious habit, going through people and luggage detectors in buildings, museums and ships, which always ring without delay, without anyone flinching or worrying about checking or checking tourists, I think which have been installed rather for statistical reasons, thus justifying the existence of numerous security measures. Arriving at the ship, we are surprised by the curious system they use for docking the ships, moored in parallel, so that we go through the reception of several before arriving at ours. Then we will know that the closest to the pier is usually the highest category. Which explains that some of the routes that I have published seem to start inside the river. A barrage of sellers of souvenirs, water and the like, chases us shouting 1 euro, to the police booth at the entrance to the port, where they stand fearfully shouting incessantly, "friend, friend...Mari Carmen, Mari Carmen" trying to get our attention. In the ship's bar, they offer us a light buffet, separate drinks and coffee of dubious quality that they didn't charge me, I don't know if out of modesty or a gift. We taste it while the one who will be our guide, Mr.Malak, Angel for us, welcomes us and updates us on programs, news and routines. He confesses to us that he is a Coptic (Egyptian) Orthodox Christian, that he knows Spain and that he has been living in Barcelona, topped off with a "Barcelona is good if the bag rings". He sends us to rest around 11:00 p.m., remembering that the next day we have to leave at 5:30 a.m. for visits. We barely give importance to the swan made of towels that decorates the bed, embracing a restful sleep after the relaxing shower, barely rocked by the water, because the ship will remain docked in Luxor during the night.
Luxor...Day 2
After waking up somewhat tired and eating something with great difficulty because of the early hour, we left for the excursion by minibus, accompanied by the couple from Barcelona and ten other people, with whom we shared the program, to the Temple of Karnak.
Visit to Karnak Temple
Without truce we continue towards the Temple of Luxor.
Visit to the Luxor Temple
We continue to the Valley of the Kings
Visit to the Valley of the Kings
After a short stop for photos before the Colossi of Memnon, seated representations of Amenhotep III located in front of his funerary temple, we enter the temple of the forgotten and later recovered first Egyptian pharaoh, Hatshepsut.
Visit to the Temple of Hatshepsut
At the exit they take us to a local alabaster figure workshop, taking advantage of the trinkets, "Made in China", that they offer us at all hours through the streets, vindicating the traditional and elaborate art that they carry out. A row of extras, recreate for us the techniques and tasks of the artisans, as a loquacious vendor explains to us in almost perfect Spanish everything we need to know, before entering the store.They offer us tea or coca-cola, taking an interest in what we we looked in detail, and initiating an arduous haggling to agree on the final price. I must confess that although expensive, the figures are of high quality and that the seller did not lower the price, unlike what was achieved with others, a sign that the price It was tight, or so I want to believe. With the figures delicately wrapped, but well protected and paying by card, we return to the furious traffic of Luxor, where horns and horns are used, as a greeting or warning, without compassion. On the way, we check that traffic lights and continuous lines are a mere decoration, or so it seems. During lunch on the boat, with a decent beer, we joke with the average we have achieved, "Four temples in one morning, a temple an hour." The crowds congregated at the same time in the tourist places make the attempt to get photos in solitude a chimera. Since the visits have been made in a rush to get a space to give the explanations, creating a tight line to enter, as if imitating a modern horizontal Tower of Babel, with a chaotic mixture of languages sounding in unison. We relax in the cabin as we sail to Edfu, thinking about what it means to die of success. We go up to the upper deck where they offer us tea with pastries, to enjoy the breeze and browse between the hammocks and the pool, in case we see familiar faces. Suddenly our hearts skip a beat, as it seems that a little boat wants to approach us on a collision course. Pirates? Suicides? or stowaways?, they risk their integrity by jumping on the wake of the ship, throwing a line that they tie to the ship, to allow themselves to be towed upstream. Soon the mystery is revealed, they begin a curious ritual with passengers five decks above the water, shouting and throwing bales with the pretensions of selling their products. Given their expertise, without any package falling into the water, landing gently in the arms of customers, they seem to master this art, and if it existed, they would be champions of this sport. Confessing my ignorance about the correct name, I decide to baptize this, for me, novel transaction as Top Barca. During dinner, the guide tries to arouse our interest in the maneuver to pass the locks in Esna, but due to the lateness of the hour in which it will take place, around 2 in the morning, and the maneuver lasting an hour, we kindly declined. proposal.
Edfu ... Day 3
Standing at 7 in the morning waiting to dock, we entertain the time enjoying the incomparable landscapes, the tinkling music of the water and the majestic aquatic ballet performed by the six cruise ships that accompany us upstream. They play with each other to go ahead and fall behind, changing the course and improvising defeats, we now know, to take their rightful place on the dock. We left in a hurry, of course, for the four of us to occupy a carriage prepared, I attest, for a robust person, or two thin ones. Be that as it may, and with one leg half dangling to climb last, the coachman departs, with the despair of fleeing from a buffalo stampede, towards the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to Horus.
Visit to the Temple of Edfu
The guide scolds me because I gave the driver two euros, and asking if we remember the number of the carriage, he summons us to find it, while he seems to reproach those in charge for the monetary demands of the coachman. The carriage welcomes us, leaving immediately, like a soul pursued by the devil, towards the ship. Before boarding we collect two bottles of cold water for one euro. We give a good account of the food, as usual composed of a buffet with salads, rice, meat, sometimes fish and tempting sweets for dessert, accompanied by the well-known Egyptian beer, while we observe how the ship leaves for Kom Ombo. We go up to the upper deck after a light nap, where again tea with pastries, breeze, exotic landscapes and a beautiful sunset, distract us until the, now desired, assault of the endearing "pirates" that breaks the monotony. We counted two ships towed by ship, alternating between them and changing ships, with apparent ease. Arriving at destination, I joke with the guide about the possibility of receiving his explanations about the temple from the deck, since it is easily visible and is located a few meters from the pier, avoiding queues and crowds. Although he smiles at the occurrence, he denies and urges us to disembark, as always on the run. Crossing several crossings to reach the mainland, we headed in a tight group towards the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to Sobek and Hareoris, and the attached Museum of Crocodiles (stuffed).
Visit to the Temple of Kom Ombo and Crocodile Museum
To our surprise the ship has disappeared. Immersed in his mysterious dances, he has changed his position a few meters and several boats away. The night navigation towards Aswan begins. A light dinner accompanied by sparkling water, to which our surprised guide asks us what it is for, precedes the much-announced Festival of the Gualabeya, for which they have been insistently urging us, assuring that the price of the djellaba in the gift shop, it is not more expensive than in the stalls. Since we have to get up the next day at three in the morning, we make a fleeting appearance in the dance hall, filled to overflowing with djellabas and dancers waving frantically. I try again to get an acceptable coffee, and trusting before the understanding smile of the waiter I relax, until I see how he gives me a cortado with coffee from an envelope, with a broad and proud smile of duty accomplished. Our friendly fellow from Barcelona joins the dance troupe, twisting and swaying his body to the beat of "Paquito el Chocolatero," garbed in his convincing sheik costume. We retired to rest in the cabin, although only for a little while, because it's early morning.
Aswan... Day 4
We reach Aswan during the night and we are up at three in the morning. Still dark and armed with a picnic breakfast, today we boarded a bus shared with Italian tourists, heading for Abu Simbel 280 kilometers further on, across the desert.
Visit to the Abu Simbel Temple
We return more educated and trained as scholars in the ancient Egyptian culture. We give away the remains of the picnic to those who ask us for it, and buying two liter and a half bottles for one euro, we eat and rest peacefully in the cabin, until the time of the optional excursion, at the price of 20 euros, to explore the streets in carriage
Riding a carriage through the streets of Aswan
With almost no time for dinner, due to the incident with the horse in the carriage, we barely have time to go through the cabin, where the cabin attendants are waiting for us, to introduce themselves and joke with the figures created with towels. They smile knowingly, looking for the added tip, as we depart for the minibus for the Philae Show.
Sound and light show in Philae
They are waiting for us to check-out, since we will leave the ship in the morning, to leave in the afternoon by plane to Cairo.
Aswan - Cairo... Day 5
We left our bags at reception at 7:30 a.m. for the Felucca Ride, continuing afterwards, after transferring in the water to another felucca, those of us who signed up for the optional excursion at the price of 50 euros, to the Nubian village.
Sailing on a felucca on the Nile and on a camel to the Nubian village
We return early, we have lunch set at 12:30 pm, several hours pass until they pick us up to take us to the airport. We passed them with great uncertainty, due to the absence of information about the changes in the plane's schedule. We say goodbye with a little trouble, since they insist on charging cash for the drinks for the meal. We are short of cash after so many "1 euro, 1 euro", and thanks to a shift change, or because the amount consumed has increased, they access digital payment without further ado.
After some problems with the flight, which "disappears" without explanation, we arrived in Cairo to complete the "Wonders of Egypt" program.
Cairo... Days 6 - 7 and 8.
Visit to the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx
Visit to the ruins of Memphis
Visit to the Saqqara Funeral Complex
Cairo city tour
Waypoints
River
269 ft
Mooring point
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Un viaje inolvidable
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