The Secret Nile

Recent changes of regulations have improved access to less-visited but rewarding sites of the Nile, being especially of interest for the returning traveller. On Napoleon’s 1798 Egypt expedition his ‘savants’ explored and catalogued in ‘Description de l’Égypte’ leading to the deciphering of hieroglyphics by Champollion in 1821; one controversial discovery was the Denderah zodiac, now in the Louvre, which called into question the Bible’s timescale. The Temple of Hathor at Denderah today reveals decorated, coloured walls, a copy of the zodiac and a representation of Cleopatra with access allowed to the preserved roof. Abydos, the holy city of Osiris, was from the 1st dynasty a Royal place of pilgrimage before or after death. Here one of Egypt’s best preserved temples, the cenotaph temple of Sety I, displays cartouches of seventy-six pharaohs. Whilst the tombs of the pharaohs focus mainly on their position as Gods and their achievements, the tombs of the Nobles at Thebes and Aswan display fascinating images of daily life, such as fishing, harvesting, hunting, domestic chores and even collecting taxes.

Whilst less visited, many are in a state of preservation equivalent to the tombs of the pharaohs. El-Kab reveals the Temple of Nekhbet, the vulture-goddess, dating back to the Old Kingdom and highly decorated tombs from the New Kingdom period. Gebel el-Silsila was the sandstone quarry for many of the temples from Denderah to Kom Ombo with much evidence of pharaonic activity.

A second visit to the West Bank of Thebes explores the workmen’s village and the well-preserved temple of Ramses III at Medinet Habu. An independent visit to the enlarged Luxor Museum is also recommended.The Nubian Museum chronicles the rescue of individual temples such as Kalabsha on Lake Nasser, prior to the completion of the High Dam. The importance of the Nile is underlined by a short sortie into the desert to the Coptic monastery of St. Simeon, abandoned in the 12th century due to lack of water. The home of Howard Carter on the West Bank, from where he explored the Valley of the Kings and discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun, has been restored.

VJV Special Event - Luxor Temple by Night
A private reception has been arranged at the temple exclusively for the guests of Voyages Jules Verne on dates indicated thus†. Enjoy a cocktail served by staff in pharaonic uniform at the illuminated Luxor Temple before strolling through the temple unimpeded by other visitors. A recording of Verdi’s Aida, once staged in the temple, will provide a musical background to the occasion and local musicians will play the Egyptian ‘takht’ music.On other dates, a private cocktail reception will be held in the Victoria lounge at the historic Old Winter Palace Hotel with a visit to the illuminated Luxor Temple.