Iruni Kalupahana JadeTimes Staff
I. Kalupahana is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Travel
Exploring the Treasures Along the Nile
Traveling up and down the course of the Nile affords a unique opportunity to become familiar with certain monuments of Egypt that are most famous historically and culturally. The four colossuses of Pharaoh Rameses II welcome the guests in Abu Simbel, every one of these giant sculptures is higher than 20 meters. These colossuses guard the entrance to the great temples cut into the rocky side of the mountain the UNESCO World Heritage site was created in the 13th century BC. As the travelers head north, they come to the Aswan based Temple of Philae a gloriously stunning relationship between Egyptian, Greek, and Roman architecture on a palm tree filled island. Luxor is the world's greatest open air museum, with its Karnak Temple complex that is composed of over 200 acres and took more than 2,000 years to build. The nearby Valley of the Kings is the home to the tombs of the great pharaohs of Egypt, including the famous tomb of Tutankhamun, discovered with almost all its treasures intact. Farther downstream, the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo reflect the religiosity and architectural genius of ancient Egyptians with their intricate carvings, colossal columns, and very well preserved sanctuaries. These sites reflect the rich history of Egypt, from the earliest dynasties right up until the Ptolemaic period, making a Nile River cruise little more than a journey through time.
Natural Beauty and Biodiversity
Besides its historical landmarks, the Nile River is also a haven of natural beauty and natural wildlife. The river stretches about 6,650 kilometers, considered the world's longest river, and covers a basin area of approximately 3.35 million square kilometers. Such varied habitats support a stunning variety of flora and fauna, from tropical rainforests near its headwaters to arid savannas along its banks. The Nile Delta is considered one of the most productive bird habitats in the world and forms a critical wintering ground for millions of migratory birds, including pelicans, herons, and flamingos. Aquatic life in the Nile includes the Nile crocodile, which is one of the largest crocodilian species reaching lengths up to 6 meters, and the Nile perch, a large fish that attains weights greater than 79 kilograms. Local communities along the river depend on the waters for fishing, agriculture, and transportation. The thick greenery that lines the banks is intercepted by groves of palms and stretches of agricultural fields, giving a fantastic contrast to the surrounding desert landscape, an ever changing panorama that hypnotizes travelers.
The Lifeblood of Egypt
The Nile River has been crucial for survival and development in Egypt since time began. Centuries ago, annual flooding of the river left highly concentrated silt around its shores, allowing great spans of land perfect for agriculture to grow crops such as wheat, barley, and flax that sustained the population and fueled the economy. The Nile was more than a source of water, it also provided a crucial transportation route to maintain traffic, commerce, and communication in the south of Aswan to Alexandria in the north. Today, the Nile continues to support over 95% of Egypt's population, who live within a few kilometers of its banks. Canals reaching off from the river irrigate countless acres of farm land, and dams along it, including the Aswan High Dam, provide hydroelectric power and control the water's flow. Modern problems at the river include pollution and a loss of the annual flooding it once relied on due to damming, which ends up affecting not just the people but the wildlife dependent on the river for life.
Experiencing the Nile
Much more than just a historic tour, taking a Nile River cruise is a fully immersive experience into Egyptian culture and natural splendor. From the fine dining restaurants, luxurious spas, and large cabins of the luxury cruises, to the traditional dahabiya boats offering a more personal and holistic way of making one's sail down the river in order to reach the smaller sites or those less known. The entire cruise will certainly be a gut busting panorama from the riverbanks dotted with rural villages, green fields, and ancient ruins meandering down to Luxor from Aswan. Along the way, one can interact with village communities, take a stroll through bustling markets with profusions of spices, silks, and handicrafts, and watch traditional Egyptian music and dance shows. There is also the food, culinary excursions of dishes like koshari, ful medames, and freshly baked baladi bread that portray the culture of Egyptian food. The period from October to April is the best time for cruises, as the weather is cooler and sightseeing is easier. From the most luxurious liner to the ones offering merely a glimpse into life as old timey locals know it, the cruise down the Nile River is one for anyone's memories, which appeals to the history enthusiast, the nature lover, and the simple soul who desires to absorb the culture of modern Egypt.
