NEW! Grand Nile Journey II

Edfu is steeped in Egyptian legend. In this sacred place, ancient myth says that the falcon god Horus battled his uncle Seth after Seth brutally killed Horus’s father Osiris. To honor Horus, the people of Edfu built a grand temple from 237 to 57 BC, a young structure by Egyptian standards. Egyptologists have paid particular interest to its design, as it closely resembles that of much older temples. Nearby, an ancient settlement provides hints of life along the Nile, with its interesting artifacts dating as far back as 3100 BC.

Egyptians have relied upon the Nile since ancient times, when the river supported trade, fishing and agriculture, and facilitated connection between the communities of Upper and Lower Egypt. Papyrus boats and wooden vessels were a common sight, carrying fishermen, goods and passengers along its waters. This legacy can still be seen today: modernized feluccas continue to navigate by wind with their distinctive lateen sails next to local ferries and humble fishing boats.