GetAway Travel has an Egypt Adventure planned, but these stops of interest would be places to visit on most cruise itineraries in Egypt. Cairo and Luxor are two main stops, but other cities along the way have historical significance and areas steeped in mystery. Temple complexes with interesting carvings, reliefs and sculptures provide fascinating insight into Egyptian thinking. Join GetAway Travel on our Egypt Adventure or let us plan your own trip to the land of pharaohs, temples and pyramids.

Esna and the Temple of Khnum

 Esna was known by the ancient Egyptians as Latopolis, named after the largest of the perch species found in the Nile waters.

The Temple of Esna or the Temple of Khnum is dedicated primarily to the water god, Khnum. It is thought this temple is one the last temples built by the Egyptians. Located close to the Nile, it is remarkably well preserved. Villagers used to sit around fires close to the interior of the temple and some of the magnificent carvings because discolored and even hidden due to smoke and soot damage.

A recent restoration project has brought the reliefs back to their original vibrant colors and even has uncovered more details of paintings on the walls. Twenty-four towering columns supported the top of the Hypostyle Hall. They are decorated with intricate carvings of lotus flowers and palms. There are four rows of carvings along the walls showing Ptolemaic and Roman emperors in pharaoh garb offering sacrifices to the God Khnum.

Visitors can enjoy a lively market scene and, along the pier, are 19th century homes with elaborate mashrabiya or carved lattice screening on the front windows.

Aswan, the Aswan Dam, Kom Ombo

 Aswan sits on what was once the northern border of ancient Nubia. A UNESCO Creative City of Crafts & Folk Art, visitors can enjoy the Aswan Dance Troupe, Nubian Museum and the Aswan International Symposium of Sculpture. The symposium encourages artists who practice the ancient art of Egyptian granite and stone carving.

Since ancient times, the Nile had flooded this area, damaging crops and causing food issues. In the 1960s, the Nile was dammed and the Aswan Dam created the 300-mile long Lake Nasser. Lake Nasser is one of the world’s largest artificially created lakes. A small pavilion on the shore has exhibits with information about the dam and its construction.

Creating the lake necessitated moving a number of archeological treasures. A UNESCO team relocated the Philae Temple complex as well as a number of other temples along the shores of the lake.

The temples of Isis, Mammisi and Hathor are located in the complex. The Temple of Isis is remarkably well preserved and gateways from the temple lead to the other temples. The Temple of Isis is thought to be the last temple constructed in the classic Egyptian style.

The Temple of Hathor is known for its elaborate decorations included detailed depictions of ancient gods, hieroglyphs and astronomical ceiling paintings that have retained their vibrancy. Hathor is the goddess of love, fertility and music so there are numerous carvings of musicians with instruments.

The Temple of Mammisi, or birth house, is dedicated to Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris. Part of this temple was re-purposed for a time as a Christian church so there are carvings of crosses in some areas. The walls are decorated with carvings of gods and goddesses associated with childbirth. The depictions of the pharaohs show them making offerings to the gods because Egyptians believed childbirth could be made easier through the offerings.

Kom Ombo is a small town on the Nile surrounded by sugar cane and corn fields. It is home to a large Nubian population, many of whom were displaced when the dam was built. Perched on a hill by the town is the temple dedicated to two gods, Sobek and Horus. The two temples, under one roof, are constructed in the exact symmetrical fashion. Horus, is the falcon god of the sky and Sobek, who looks like a crocodile, was considered a protective deity that created the world. The temples are identical so as not to offend either god.

And then there’s Abu Simbel, Edfu and Dendura

 The temples at Abu Simbel are on the western bank of Lake Nasser. The monolithic temples were constructed during the reign of Ramses II and discovered in the early 19th century. They were moved from their original location during the construction of the Answar Dam. An imposing statue of Ramses marks the entrance to his temple and inside, the carvings document his military victories and their connection to the gods. A smaller temple, with a stunning front facade, is a fabulous example of Egyptian art. It is dedicated to Ramses’ queen, Nefertari.

Edfu is a legendary and sacred place in Egyptian history. It is supposedly where the falcon god  Horus battled his uncle Seth after Seth murdered and dismembered his father, Osiris. In his honor, the inhabitants of Edfu built this grand temple. This is one of Egypt’s most complete temples because it had been covered with sand and preserved. The stonework is incredible and the gateway to the temple is guarded by two gigantic statues of Horus as a falcon. Since the roof is still intact, the paintings and reliefs in the interior are vibrant and colorful. If you feel the need to get your steps in, climb the 242 steps on the west side for great views of the Nile. The remains of a Nilometer are on the east side. The Nilometer measured the Nile and helped Egyptians plan their crops.

Dendera is one of the most important religious centers in Egypt. The city, originally called Tentyris, was sacred because of three separate sanctuaries in the city, one to Horus, one to Ihy, son of Horus and one to Hathor. The temple complex here has a larger temple for Hathor, but numerous smaller temples and shrines, a basilica, a sacred lake and two birth houses.

We hope we’ve given you some destinations to consider in your upcoming Egypt trip as well as some insights into sites GetAway Travel will be visiting during our 2026 trip to Egypt. Care to join us, or have GetAway plan a trip for you? We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel