Upper Egypt Nile Valley

The Nile Valley from Luxor to Aswan, packed with temples and the Valley of the Kings; sailing downstream by cruise ship or felucca is Egypt's classic experience.

The Upper Egypt Nile Valley covers the stretch of the upper Nile in southern Egypt between Luxor and Aswan, about 200 km, and can extend south to Abu Simbel on Lake Nasser. Luxor, ancient Thebes, was the capital of the New Kingdom, and it holds the most important temples and tombs of ancient Egypt. Highlights: on Luxor's East Bank, Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple; on the West Bank, the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and sunrise hot-air balloons; along the river, the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the double temple of Kom Ombo; in Aswan, Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk, Nubian villages and felucca sailboats, plus a pre-dawn day trip to Abu Simbel. The classic way to do it is a Nile cruise of 3–4 nights (one way) between Luxor and Aswan, visiting temples on shore in stages; those who prefer a slower pace can choose a dahabiya sailing boat. Adding the Giza Pyramids in Cairo, a full classic Egypt route generally takes 8–10 days. There are direct flights from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan, or you can take an overnight sleeper train (about 10–12 hours). Site tickets must be paid for on the spot by card or in Egyptian pounds, with extra fees for special tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Tipping is widespread, so carry small change, and politely decline pushy unofficial guides and carriage touts.

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