Secrets of Egypt & the Nile

I just returned from a journey I’ll never forget — 11 magical days cruising the Nile with AmaWaterways, combining the grandeur of ancient Egypt with intimate moments along the river. From Cairo’s booming energy to the whispering temples of Luxor, Aswan and beyond, this trip was a tapestry of history, culture, flavor, and wonder. Here’s how it felt to live it.

I landed in Cairo feeling full of excitement—and jetlag—but it didn’t take long for the city’s pulse to pull me in. My first days were a mix of towering antiquity and vibrant present.

• The Alabaster Mosque (Mosque of Muhammad Ali) at the Citadel: the domes, the view over all of Cairo toward the Pyramids, and the play of light through lamps inside—it was gorgeous. The Egyptian Museum (GEM) blew me away. Hall after hall filled with treasures I’d only seen in books. Seeing King Tut’s artifacts up close—every detail, every gold glint—made me pause.

• Lunch that day, simple and local, tasted like home but strange in the best way: spices, flatbreads, fresh ingredients.

• Evening brought a welcoming reception with our Egyptologist/Cruise Manager Waala at the truly stunning St. Regis Cairo with drinks, tapas-style bites, and friendly faces—other travelers excited for the week ahead.

Cairo also offered quieter moments: camel rides near the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx, watching the sunset cast long shadows; winding through the old city alleys; being soothed by the sounds of the city mixing with the call to prayer. These days grounded me, reminding me how deep Egypt’s history is and how alive it still is today.

After Cairo, our group flew to Luxor and boarded the AmaLilia, our home away from home for the next 7 nights. Over the next seven days we drifted, explored, and soaked in so much more than I imagined. Here are just some highlights of some of our incredible journey:

• Luxor’s Temples & the Valley of the Kings & Queens: I walked among ancient stones, looked up at towering pylons, saw hieroglyphics still crisp. At the Valley of the Kings, standing before those decorated tomb entrances, I thought about the pharaohs laid to rest there, their stories carved into rock.

• Crossing the Nile in small boats, the scent of river water and reeds; watching fishermen casting nets; palm trees, desert cliffs, green agriculture strips — the contrast is startling.

• Visits to Edfu / Esna: stepping into the Temple of Horus (Edfu) felt quiet and sacred, the carvings so detailed, the proportions imposing. I imagined the priests walking those same halls centuries ago.

• Aswan: one of my favorite stops. I loved the Philae Temple (dedicated to Isis), floating as it is on Agilkia Island. The Nubian Village visit was joyful — colors, music, warm smiles, local crafts. Also, cruising past the Aswan High Dam, seeing how the modern world presses against this ancient flow of the Nile.

• Kom Ombo Temple: a dual temple dedicated to both Sobek and Horus. It sits right by the river, and the sunlight in the late afternoon makes the columns glow in gold and sandy tones.

Each evening, I’d linger on the deck after dinner, watching the banks slip by in twilight—villages, palm groves, water buffalo cooling off in the river, the sky stretching wide. The sound of the ship’s gentle rocking, a breeze off the water, maybe a drink in hand — those moments were often as magical as the big sites.

As we bid farewell to our incredible crew onboard the AmaLilia, we slowly made our way back to Cairo for one last excursions. A private lunch and tour of the stunning Abdeen Presidential Palace, and another quick visit to the St. Regis to relax, nap, shower before our departures back home. I found myself thinking back over the week — every temple, every village, every sunrise over the Nile and how this trip was truly something beyond my wildest dream. If you want to explore this ancient country, give me a call and let me help you plan your river cruise down the incredible Nile river.