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21-06-2021, 07:54 AM
1

Who has toured the nile ?

Has any one else taken one of the Nile cruiser hotel boats from Aswan to Luxor. (or Visa versa ?)
If so, I am curious about something. In the book, River God, the author, Wilbur Smith, relates a tale of what he called "THE GATES OF HAPI". Supposedly, the Nile is constricted between steep granite cliffs somewhere between Aswan and Luxor.

Now, I took that trip and I never saw such. We might have passed though that area at night while I was sleeping.

Did anyone see such an area ?


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21-06-2021, 07:56 AM
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Re: Who has toured the nile ?

I've been on cruise Aswan to Luxor too and loved it but I've no idea about The gates of Hapi so am also interested
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21-06-2021, 08:03 AM
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Re: Who has toured the nile ?

I've never done it...I was put off when there were reports of snipers shooting at tourists from the banks of the river....I would love to see the pyramids though but I'll stick to utube for now
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21-06-2021, 08:20 AM
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Re: Who has toured the nile ?

Besides the 2 main stops at the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo, my main memory of that river cruise is one of barren land, not changed in the slightest since the time of the Pharaohs.
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21-06-2021, 08:25 AM
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Re: Who has toured the nile ?

Originally Posted by summer ->
I've never done it...I was put off when there were reports of snipers shooting at tourists from the banks of the river....I would love to see the pyramids though but I'll stick to utube for now
yes, I recall something similar. I wanted to hire a driver and go up a highway outside of Aswan, but I was told that the road is opened ONLY when there is a military escort. Bandits I gather ?
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21-06-2021, 08:28 AM
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Re: Who has toured the nile ?

Originally Posted by summer ->
I've never done it...I was put off when there were reports of snipers shooting at tourists from the banks of the river....I would love to see the pyramids though but I'll stick to utube for now
I did the Pyramids with mum when on a cruise. Up at sparrow’s fart, in a three coach convoy with an armed policeman riding shotgun. A long 3-4 hr journey, then when trying to view the actual Pyramids hordes of locals, men and children, surround and hassle the tourists. Police on camels were forever chasing some away. I never managed to get up close as too many men about.

I caught mum wandering away, head down, looking at her camera and suddenly a gang of kids encircled her so I quickly forced my way forward, grabbed her arm and pulled her out. She wasn’t aware of any ‘danger’, just exclaimed something like why did I do that. I think we ended up near the coach then for safety.

Then there were the ones wanting to take your photo, with your camera, for a small charge.

But saying that, I am happy we did the trip, because it was a wonder, seeing them, and the Sphinx.
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21-06-2021, 08:38 AM
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Re: Who has toured the nile ?

Hi

Never been.

I prefer off the track destinations.
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21-06-2021, 09:27 AM
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Re: Who has toured the nile ?

Originally Posted by Jazzi ->
I did the Pyramids with mum when on a cruise. Up at sparrow’s fart, in a three coach convoy with an armed policeman riding shotgun. A long 3-4 hr journey, then when trying to view the actual Pyramids hordes of locals, men and children, surround and hassle the tourists. Police on camels were forever chasing some away. I never managed to get up close as too many men about.

I caught mum wandering away, head down, looking at her camera and suddenly a gang of kids encircled her so I quickly forced my way forward, grabbed her arm and pulled her out. She wasn’t aware of any ‘danger’, just exclaimed something like why did I do that. I think we ended up near the coach then for safety.

Then there were the ones wanting to take your photo, with your camera, for a small charge.

But saying that, I am happy we did the trip, because it was a wonder, seeing them, and the Sphinx.
I don't understand. What has a river cruise to do with the pyramids of the Giza Plateau ? 2nd, the Giza pyramids are in the crowded suburbs of Cairo. 3rd, you said it was a 3-4 hour journey by coach. 3-4 hour journey from where ? From downtown Cairo, up the hill to the Giza Plateau and the Pyramids, is at best a 45 minute drive. To my knowledge, the entire area around the Giza Plateau is completely safe.
Perhaps you have become confused with some other area ? Maybe you are remembering the 3 hour drive from Aswan to Abu Simbal ?
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21-06-2021, 10:45 AM
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Re: Who has toured the nile ?

Could the granite have been 'harvested' for building - the ancient Egyptians were always constructing something - temples, new cities etc.,

Would love to do a Nile cruise - but know full well I could not cope with the heat. Will just have to rely on you and Wilbur Smith for information - with the odd YouTube thrown in for good measure.
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21-06-2021, 11:34 AM
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Re: Who has toured the nile ?

Originally Posted by Silver Tabby ->
Could the granite have been 'harvested' for building - the ancient Egyptians were always constructing something - temples, new cities etc.,

Would love to do a Nile cruise - but know full well I could not cope with the heat. Will just have to rely on you and Wilbur Smith for information - with the odd YouTube thrown in for good measure.
Just for general information: The climate in Egypt during , Feb, March and April is just fine. A tad on the warm side but I have no recall of being too hot.

Please, if you still have the physical energy to travel, by all means do so while you still can.

Tip: if booking a Nile cruise, do so through a well known reputable agency. The one I used (in downtown Cairo) offered a fantastic price BUT they really loused it up. 1st they were supposed to have someone meet me at Aswan airport and transport me to my hotel. He never showed up and a European woman in the airport allowed me to share her taxi which dropped me off at my hotel in Aswan. The following morning, at the hotel, I was supposed to be given a full breakfast prior to loading aboard the cruiser. Breakfast consisted of thick black coffee and a slice of bread.
PS: in Egypt a hotel that has 2 stars simply means that you have a private bathroom. Ha Ha. I wonder if a 1 star hotel means you get a cot in the hallway ? Ha Ha

However, once I was aboard the river cruiser, I was pleasantly surprised to discover the food was exceptional. Served buffet style, I always had a wide choice of items from which to choose. The beef was superb. I don't drink, so I don't recall if the river cruiser had alcohol.
 
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