Exploring Egyptian Temples On A Nile River Cruise
We saw so much exploring Egyptian temples on a Nile River cruise. On our first visit to Egypt, we visited several temples around Luxor. On this return trip with Viking Cruises, our adventures started in Luxor and then continued as we sailed the Nile River with Viking Cruises to Aswan and back.
When we visited to the Great Egyptian Museum, we got sneak peaks into the stunning treats we found exploring the temples on the Nile River. Each of the temples we visited were so interesting and each offered something unique. We were glad we got the chance to explore the Karnak, Luxor, Dendara, Kom Ombo and Abu Simbel Temples on this visit to Egypt.
Returning To The Stunning Karnak Temple Complex
On our first visit to Egypt, we explored the amazing Karnak Temple complex during the day and then returned for a beautiful night display. The Karnak Temple was created during the period from 2055 BC to around 100 AD. It was built as a cult temple and dedicated to the gods Amun, his wife Mut and their son Khonsu.
We returned to the Karnak Temples on this trip as our first cruise excursion from Luxor. The visit started with a short walk through the visitor centre for an overview of the temple layout with different sections for different deities. Karnak had four main areas: the Precinct of Amun-Re, the Precinct of Mut, the Precinct of Montu and the Temple of Amenhotep IV. We saw two replica sacred barques used by to transport the statues of deities, notably Amun-Ra at Karnak.
Leading up to the entrance to the Karnak Temple we saw sphinxes along the path. The ram-headed sphinxes symbolized the god Amun with a small statue of Ramesses II as Osiris standing between the front paws.
The most impressive section of Karnak was the hypostyle hall which featured 134 columns. We learned this was the largest religious building in the world. Unlike many other Egyptian temples we saw, this colonnade was predominantly open-roofed with the blue sky above. The columns were intricately decorated and we were surprised when we found so much colour on unprotected columns outside. We found other decorative columns in each area we visited. Sadly, many lost much of the relief work over time.
Much To See In The Karnak Temple
As we wandered from section to section we saw an interesting variety in the statues of kings and queens displayed. Everywhere we looked the reliefs on all surfaces told so many stories. We found two magnificent obelisks. The larger was erected by Hatshepsut standing at almost 30 metres and weighing over 300 tons.
At the far end of the temple we found large areas that were in far worse shape. Pieces lay on the ground beside remains of other statues.
We paused at the vast Sacred Lake. At one time, sacred barges floated on the lake during the annual Opet festival. This festival was held for twenty-seven days to celebrate the link between the pharaoh and the god Amun. The procession began at Karnak and ended at Luxor Temple. The Avenue of Sphinxes also connected the 2.7 km (1.7-mile) path between the Karnak Temple and the Luxor Temple. There were two different sphinx styles – criosphinxes (ram-headed which representing the god Amun) near Karnak and androsphinxes (human-headed) which we found closer to the Luxor Temple,
We enjoyed returning to the Karnak Temple when we were in Luxor. This was definitely the largest of the Egyptian temples on a Nile River cruise and a great place to begin.
Exploring The Luxor Temple
We approached the front of the Luxor Temple. This temple was founded around 1400 BC and like the Karnak Temple was dedicated to the gods Amun-Ra, Mut and Khonsu.
In the front we saw the two massive seated statues of Rameses II guarding the entrance. On each side, we found what remained of two standing statues of the king. When we looked closely at the seated statue, we saw a tiny statue of the queen at his feet. And we admired the detailed relief on the side of the statue. At one time two 25m (80 feet) pink granite obelisks also stood at the entrance. When we visited only one was at this site. We saw the matching obelisk in Paris at the Place De La Concorde when we visited Paris for New Year’s Eve.
We walked under the massive columns in the hypostyle hall. Wandering through the temple, we found the remains of several different courtyards complete with more towering columns. Many of the columns still had the detailed reliefs visible. In the first courtyard we saw standing statues of Ramesses II in the spaces between the columns. In the Court of Amonhotep III the columns surrounded the open courtyard.
We saw statues in varying states in the different courtyards. While some were complete, many missed pieces or details. The walls contained a variety of reliefs, all detailed in their storytelling. We were amazed when we found colour in several outdoor areas.
During the Christian era, the temple’s hypostyle hall was converted into a Christian church. We did not find the remains of the Coptic church on our visit. At one point the mosque of Sufi Shaykh Yusuf Abu al-Hajjaj was built over the sand that once covered the temple. We saw this mosque carefully preserved at the site.
We were glad we returned to visit the Luxor Temple on this cruise in Egypt with Viking. It was certainly one of the major Egyptian temples on a Nile River cruise.
Wandering Around The Dendara Temple Of Hathor
Our Viking Cruises ship moved from Luxor along the Nile River to Qena. Our excursion for this day was at the Dendara Temple Of Hathor. After researching this site, we looked forward to exploring one of the most preserved temples on the Nile River. This newer temple was built in Greco-Roman times between 30 BC and 14 AD on top of an ancient temple. The site was dedicated to Hathor, the cow goddess. And the temple was wonderfully uncrowded when we visited!
We took our first look at the Dendara Temple from a distance before we walked in through the gate. When we walked under the gate, looking up we got a first glimpse of the colour we found at this site.
Walking through the grounds we approached the Temple of Hathor. We got our next glimpse of colour on the 6 outside columns topped with the head of Hathor. Entering the hypostyle hall, we found an area with massive columns again topped with the head of the goddess Hathor showing the woman’s head with the ears of a cow.
But it was the colours on the columns and the turquoise blue background on ceilings that drew our attention. The colours were well preserved when the temple was covered in desert sand for many years. When we moved to the next room, we found the colours gone. Soot-covered walls showed the state of the temple before restoration began. The soot accumulated from the period when locals used the temple for shelter and cooked indoors.
We moved into the next area and found several small rooms off the sides. The walls were decorated with extensive reliefs that told many stories. More colour adorned these walls.
Venturing High In The Dendara Temple With Consequences
We followed the path up to the roof of the temple where we found two chapels. One chapel was for Osiris, a small dark room, depicting the death and resurrection of the god. The other was where the circular Zodiac of Dendara was found. We never found a replica of the zodiac at the site and the original was moved to the Louvre. But we admired the detailed reliefs we found.
We found a ladder at the end of the temple. This straight steep ladder was used to climb to the chamber that once housed the statue of Hathor. On the walls, reliefs that showed offerings to the goddess.
The ladder was far steeper than I liked so I did not follow David up. Sadly, coming down the ladder proved disastrous for David. He slipped and fell down the ladder hitting half a dozen steps with his heel on the way down. Unable to bear any weight when he landed, we got a wheelchair to get him out of the temple. After a hospital visit in Luxor, we learned this was the last excursion for David on this Nile River cruise.
Our quick exit from the Dendara Temple meant we never saw all the unique treats this temple offered. We did not explore the narrow underground crypts where sacred objects were once stored. And we missed the “Dendara Light” relief that showed a snake emerging from an oval cylinder that many felt looked like an electric light bulb. Our visit to the Dendara Temple when we visited the Egyptian temples on a Nile River cruise was something we would not forget!
An Afternoon At The Kom Ombo Temple
The Kom Obmo Temple was located right on the Nile River. We got a view of the temple from the water and then again when we docked with many other river cruise ships. As such, this temple was just a short walk from where we docked. This temple was from the Graeco-Roman period (332 BC AD 395). Dedicated to two different gods, the temple has symmetrical sides – one part for Sobek the crocodile god and another for Horus the falcon-headed god.
Approaching the front of the Kom Ombo Temple we saw the two different entrances for the two sides of the temple. The broken columns in the forecourt still showed sight remnants of once colourful tales.
We entered the hypostyle hall with eight large columns with lotus flower-shaped capitals. When we looked up, we saw detailed hieroglyphics along the top.
A series of doorways took us through the temple complex. On every surface, we admired the detailed reliefs we found. In places, we found colour above our heads in areas a bit more protected from the elements. Many depictions of both Sobek the crocodile and Horus the falcon decorated the reliefs.
We stopped at one relief and our guide showed us the first 365 day calendar. We saw 12 months of 30 days throughout the three seasons (flooding, growing and harvest, all tied to the annual Nile inundation) with the extra days added to the end of harvest to provide a time for feasting. The Kom Ombo Temple once served as both a religious and healing centre. We found reliefs that showed precise surgical tools and medical practices. Pictures showed how children were delivered from a squatting position in those times.
We found the dual temple for Sobek and Horus at Kom Ombo fascinating. This was a great stop on our cruise to enjoy yet one more of the Egyptian temples on a Nile River cruise.
A Stop At The Crocodile Museum
When we visited the Kom Ombo temple dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god we could not miss a chance to stop at the nearby Crocodile Museum.
As we travelled in Egypt, we learned about the deep reverence Egyptians had for Sobek, the crocodile god of fertility and strength.
Close to the Kom Ombo Temple site, they uncovered 300 mummified crocodiles. Some of these were on display at the Crocodile Museum. We saw the crocodiles both fully wrapped and bare.
Seeing the vast display of mummified crocodiles was the perfect ending to our visit to Kom Ombo and certainly a unique stop when we visited Egyptian temples on a Nile River cruise.
Flying Off To Visit Abu Simbel
One day I left the ship for an excursion and explored the Abu Simbel Temples. David sadly stayed back with his injured foot for this adventure. Our short flight took us to the new site for the Abu Simbel Temples. These massive temples were moved when the Aswan Dam was built to keep them from flooding.
My first view of the two massive rock-cut temples set into the limestone cliff left me stunned. The temple dedicated to Ramses II had four imposing seated colossal statues in front. The second smaller temple dedicated to the goddess Hathor and Ramses II’s Great Royal Wife, Queen Nefertari had several different massive statues in the front.
Exploring the two temples at Abu Simbel provided some amazing sights. Massive hypostyle halls showed very different column designs. The first temple showed statues of Ramesses II as Osiris. And the second temple contained very different statues of Hathor as a beautiful woman with cow’s ears.
As I wandered through the two temples I was amazed. Stories lined the walls and many rooms in the temples. It was interesting to see so many reliefs that showed both kings and queens.
Visiting the Abu Simbel Temples was definitely a highlight of this trip to explore Egyptian temples on a Nile River cruise.
Such Fascinating Egyptian Temples On A Nile River Cruise
We were glad we saw so many Egyptian temples on a Nile River cruise. Each temple had some common elements but each offered unique things to see. Exploring the Karnak, Luxor, Dendara, Kom Ombo and Abu Simbel Temples on this visit with Viking Cruises to Egypt truly gave us some wonderful insights into Egyptian history.
We sadly missed the Hapshetshut Temple and the Valley of the Kings in Luxor. It was an early start right after we spent most of the night at the hospital after David’s injury. But we were glad we saw some of those temples on our previous visit to Luxor. After David’s injury, I did some of the temple visits on excursion days. But I chose to stay on the ship for some days. I must admit I was a bit “over templed” and our agenda was very busy. So some days I just enjoyed time on the cruise boat with David. I am sure the temples at Philae, Isis, Edfu and Esna offered many more interesting experiences.
Did you enjoy exploring Egyptian temples on a Nile River cruise? What was your favourite temple?
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