The Sphinx in Giza, Egypt
Sailing on the AmaDahlia in Egypt
Hank Schrader, USMA '71, Europe Destination & Europe River Cruise Expert
This is a first-hand report of the newest cruise opportunity from AmaWaterways. We are on the 2021 Secrets of Egypt and the Nile land cruise 10 day package.
This cruise first sailed in September of 2021.
So, let’s explore together and learn about Egypt—you won’t be disappointed!
Overview
This is a 10 day trip. The first 3 days were in Cairo. We then flew down to Luxor and joined the docked AmaDahlia to tour the sights on the Nile River for 7 days. We will then fly back to Cairo.
Cairo Day 1
After flying in to Cairo from Germany, we were met by a representative of AmaWaterways, got our Visas and went through security and passport/Covid vaccination checks and a 24 hour Covid test, we made the 40 minute ride to the 4 Seasons Hotel Cairo.
A great large room with a River Nile view, linked up with our clients and had a good meal.
Cairo Day 2
Today, by bus, we went first to Saladin’s Citadel, where we toured the Alabaster Mosque.
The Muhammad Ali Pasha Mosque, is more commonly known as the Alabaster Mosque. It is located in the Citadel of Cairo, a strong fortress.
The courtyard of the Alabaster Mosque
After lunch (included) at Studio Misr Restaurant, we then visited the Egyptian Museum.
Grill meats for our lunch served steaming
Entrance to the Egypt Museum in Cairo
Statue of Ramses II
This sculpture depicts the ideal Egyptians.
Cairo Day 3
Our tour today was to the ancient capital of Memphis for the first stop. Memphis was the old capital of Egypt after the unification of upper and lower Egypt.
King Ramsis II (1305—1237 BC) limestone colossus statue
The giant alabaster sphinx weighs over 80 tons
We then we’re off to Sakkara to view the burial grounds and learn about King Zoser’s step pyramid. Sakkara is a vast ancient burial grounds of Eqyptian paharohs and royals.
King Zoser’s step pyramid stands 60 meters high, is made of limestone and built 4700 years ago, is considered one of the oldest stone structures made by man.
After a great lunch at the Mena House we were off to see the Pyramids of Giza and the great Sphinx.
Lunch at the Mena House—tangine
Pyramids of Giza
Anne and I pose in front of the Grand Pyramid
The Sphinx was a symbol of strength—the face of a pharaoh on the body of a lion.
At the pyramids you could take a camel ride. Here they are ready to go.
Luxor Day 4
Our day began at 0500, where our group took a one hour flight to Luxor.
We then we’re off to see the impressive Karnak Temple. The size and display of power in the complex is daunting today and must have been overwhelming in ancient Egypt to any person who came to visit or worship. It is the largest ancient religious site in the world. 30 pharaohs contributed to construction of this site.
The entrance walls are close to 90 feet and the are 134 columns decorated with hieroglyphs. Amazingly many have vibrant colors that are over 3500 years old.
Egyptian Temples were used to worship the gods and to ensure the people knew the pharaohs were also gods associated with their gods.
This temple complex honors Amon, the god of fertility and growth; Mut, the wife of Amon, whose symbol is the vulture and Montu, the god of war.
The entrance to this area is lined with ram-headed sphinx statues.
A close up of one of the ram sphinxes at Karnak. The ram was a symbol of the god Amun and was the main god worshiped at The Great Temple of Karnak.
There are no blank spaces on these columns. The inscriptions were ordered by Ramesses II, and include his cartouches. Each of the 12 large columns show Ramesses making offerings to the gods, as you can see from this photo.
This is a colossal statue of Ramses III
Some of the 134 massive columns in 16 rows of the great hall. These are the 12 tallest columns that are 21 meters tall and are pictured here. The other columns are 10 meters tall. This is the Great Hypostyle Hall built by the command of the Pharaoh Seti I.
More detail of the largest columns.
This obelisk at the right, the Obelsik of Thutmosis, stands 97 feet tall and weighs 323 tons.
Room 203 on the AmaDahlia. We boarded the AmaDahlia very tired and hungry. Our room is 203. Here are some pictures:
Cuisine
Food and drinks are different on the AmaDahlia than compared to what we’re used to in Europe.
Every day each of the meal choices are on display when you enter the dining room. They are numbered and each meal is usually a little different in the offerings.
Breakfast offers several choices but no eggs Benedict or sparkling wine as in Europe. Here are some pictures of breakfast:
Breakfast breads we could select for our meal.
My omelette was very good.
A nice fruit selection for breakfast.
Lunch usually has 3 courses—a soup, 2 main dish items and dessert.
At lunch and dinner they display each dish that are numbered on the menu. It is a great system.
A good chicken dish.
An excellent desert.
Luxor Day 5
Valley of the Queens. We started the day in the Valley of the Queens to view Queen Nefertiti’s Tomb. These two pictures are of Queen Nefertiti’s Tomb. The paintings on the tomb depict her journey to the afterlife.
The protectors of the gates to the afterlife.
Nefertari seated (on the left)
Next was the Al-Deir Al-Bahari Temple. This is the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut (1473-1458 BC). She is the queen who became a Pharaoh and was built to commemorate her achievements, as well as a santuary of the god Amon Ra..
Valley of the Kings . The last stop of a busy 5 hours tour day was the Valley of the Kings. We visited 3 tombs.
The first two pictures are of King Tutankhamen’s Tomb.
Ramses IX Tomb. The last tomb was the last of the Ramses, King Ramses IX. It was my favorite, as I could see the actual story of the King and his burial in the hieroglyphics.
Edfu Day 6
To get to the Temple of Horus, I rode this horse carriage
In the morning, we visited the Temple of Horus. This well preserved temple was dedicated to worship the falcon-headed god. Horus is the avenging son of Isis and Osiris. It is so well preserved as it was buried in sand and not distrubed.
The temple is one of the best preserved in Egypt. Every part is covered with intricate carvings that tell the story of battle of the gods. The temple was built between 237 to 57 BC.
The entrance way to the Temple of Horus stands 36 meter high. The reliefs on the walls show Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos holding his enemies by their hair before Horus before he is going to smash their skulls. This is a classic pose of the all powerful pharaoh.
One of the 2 huge granite statues of Horus as a falcon.
The sanctuary of Horus. The wooden boat (a replica) would be used to carry the gold statute of Horus during festivals.
After the visit we sailed to Aswan.
Sailing on the Nile River
My Final Thoughts
Wow—what an experience! It is incredible to see ancient history sites in person and travel with clients.
I think you can see why we are in the business—it just is awesome to help folks have a great vacation.
We hope you enjoyed this report.
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HANK is a certified Western European Destination Specialist (DS) who has been traveling to Europe for 49 years. He is also an Accredited Cruise Counselor (ACC), conferred by the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). This recognized expert in cruise and leisure travel is a retired Army Officer, and taught World Geography for 8 years. He is a `71 graduate of West Point and has earned 2 master’s degrees. His other Certifications:
AmaWaterways River Cruise Specialist
Viking River Cruise Specialist
Scenic River Cruise Specialist
Emerald Waterways Specialist
Avalon Waterways Specialist
Brit Agent
