Hidden Nile Temples, You Can Visit Only by Dahabiya
Table of Contents
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Brief Summary
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List of hidden places explored by a Nile Dahabiya Cruise
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Gebel-el-Silsila
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Temple of God Sobek
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Temple of Horemheb
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Temple of Khnum (Esna)
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El Kab Tombs
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The major tombs at El Kab are
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What makes the El Kab tombs a must-visit?
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Conclusion
Brief Summary
The magic of sailing between Aswan and Luxor lies in the shore excursions, whose temples and tombs are situated on the riverbanks. History is resting there, and today serves as proof of the great legacy of pharaohs. Every cruise, small or big, stops at some locations, such as Aswan, Edfu, and Kom Ombo, and ends in Luxor. But do you know there is a lot more to explore? Yes, there are lesser-known places that are also situated on the riverbanks. These locations are only accessed by Dahabiya.
These hidden temples and tombs are situated near small villages where the Nile is narrow, and ports are not massive enough to let big ships stop for longer hours. So, a dahabiya is a kind of small boat that easily sails close to the shore and offers an immersive exploration.
In this piece of content, it mentions the hidden places only explored by the Dahabiya. Some deals may not have them on the itinerary, but upon request or on customized itineraries, one can explore all these hidden gems during the sailing through the Nile waters.
List of hidden places explored by a Nile Dahabiya Cruise
Gebel-el-Silsila
While sailing from Aswan towards Edfu, near Kom Ombo, a valley of sandstone comes. Here is Gebel-el-Silsila, a major sandstone quarry. In the 18th dynasty of the New Kingdom, architects had a shift from limestone to sandstone for creating monuments. So, from then on, the quarry became the main source of mining stone.
The major Karnak and Luxor temples were quarried for their obelisks from here. It’s a major site because it offers an exclusive insight into quarrying in ancient times. From large ships, sometimes travelers only see the Gebel-el Silisla from the decks, but a luxury Dahabiya Nile cruise stops there, and tourists can visit the shrines and temples at or around the site.
Temple of God Sobek
The temple of God Sobek, which is also commonly known as the Temple of Kheny at Gebel el-Silsila. This temple is a newly rediscovered site and is believed to be a 3,400-year-old temple dedicated to the major god Sobek. He is a crocodile god, widely known as the protector and controller of the Nile. The proofs of god Sobek and his significance are clearly mentioned at the Kom Ombo temple.
According to the maps of the Nile, the site Gebel-el Silsila comes into the nome of the Kom Ombo. The temple of Kheny is likely to be a major cult, but because it’s near the river, it was massively destroyed. But the temple remains, which says a lot about the place.
Temple of Horemheb
On the west banks of the Nile at Gebel-el Silsila, a famous shrine, the temple of Horemheb is also situated. The temple is dedicated to a total of seven deities, along with Horemheb. The pharaoh Horemheb is the last ruler of the Amarna period, believed to be the successor of the famous king Tutankhamun.
He is a commander-in-chief who rose through all the ranks over the years. Also, he is the vizier of Ramesses I. In Gebel el Sileh, a large rock-cut temple of Horemheb is built to honor seven major deities, including Amun, Sobek, Amun-Re, Mut, Khonsu, and Ptah. Later rulers also inscribed many texts on the temple walls.
Tourists can see them all with the assistance of the travel guide, which is mostly included with Dahabiya cruising packages. All these shrines and temples make Gebel-el Sisila a must-visit place.
Temple of Khnum (Esna)
The temple of Esna is one of the hidden gems situated between Aswan and Luxor. On most of the Dahabiya itineraries, the temple of Esna is included. It is the temple built during the Ptolemaic age and Roman period in Egypt; the main reason for its preservation is its entrance hall, which used to store cotton during the 19th century. By 250 AD, the construction of the temple was finished; it has 24 columns, which are impressively decorated with botanical motifs.
The walls of the temple have carvings of the Roman rulers like Trajan and Decius, depicting their offerings to Egyptian gods. Also, the ceiling art of the temples is a must-see, as it includes the Zodiac signs and depicts the sky goddess Nut. famous for the unique and some of the last hieroglyphic inscriptions. It’s a major destination that was visited during the 5-star small boat Nile cruise sailing over the Nile.
El Kab Tombs
On the east shore, east of the Nile, the El Kab tombs are located, which are roughly 15-25 km from Edfu and are only visited by the small Nile vessels. These are rock-cut tombs situated at the village of Nekheb in Upper Egypt.
The major tombs at El Kab are:
- Tomb of Ahmose, who is the son of Abana.
- The Tomb of Paheri is known for its detailed carvings.
- Tomb of Sobeknakht II, a burial place from the Second Intermediate Period.
- Tomb of Renni, famous for the carvings of enigmatic Muu dancers.
What makes the El Kab tombs a must-visit?
These are the well-preserved tombs that represent important events; unlike royal tombs, these have artistic carvings not just about certain events but also depict daily life. The tomb of Paheri depicts scenes of fishing, farming, and daily life.
Conclusion
A dahabiya offers much more flexible and relaxed travel than the large cruise ships. It can take you where the large ships face issues with docking, so board a Dahabiya if you want to explore like an Egyptologist. With that, on board the dahabiya, you will feel luxury and comfort at its peak; in this way, it combines relaxation with exploration.
Now, as you have an insight into the hidden places along the Nile, exploring becomes easier with the Dahabiya. So, let’s now begin with booking your dahabiya Nile cruise in Egypt with us and explore like never before.
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