NEW! Grand Nile Journey I

Edfu is steeped in Egyptian legend. In this sacred place, ancient myth says that the falcon god Horus battled his uncle Seth after Seth brutally killed Horus’s father Osiris. To honor Horus, the people of Edfu built a grand temple from 237 to 57 BC, a young structure by Egyptian standards. Egyptologists have paid particular interest to its design, as it closely resembles that of much older temples. Nearby, an ancient settlement provides hints of life along the Nile, with its interesting artifacts dating as far back as 3100 BC. As you sail, relax on the sun deck and keep watch for bird life soaring overhead or animals gathering along the banks.

One of the best ways to experience this is with a visit to the Luxor Museum. Located downtown, its doors have been open to the public since 1975, when it was founded by the Ministry of Culture of Egypt. Its thoughtfully curated collection showcases artifacts spanning from the Old Kingdom to the Mamluk sultanate. Among its most notable exhibits are those displaying the mummies of Ahmose I and Ramses I; objects excavated from King Tutankhamen’s tomb; a statue of Amenhotep III; and a multimedia corner demonstrating how papyri were made and how children were taught hieroglyphs.