Nile cruises allow tourists to explore ancient Egyptian sites from the comfort of a luxury boat. Cruises typically last 3-8 days, with travelers flying into cities like Luxor or Aswan and boarding there. In addition to visiting temples, tourists see rural Egyptian life and landscapes from the boat. Lake cruises also operate between Aswan and Abu Simbel, passing temples along the way.

1. Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority
EGYPT THIS MONTH
January 2012 www.egypt.travel Issue 31
EXPLORE THE
ANCIENT WORLD
IN LUXURY
Cruising the Nile is a dream on the agenda of most
tourists from around the world. It has been the destination
a SpeCIal ChrISTmaS
Live Colors Egypt
for dignitaries, movie stars and celebrities for many years. CelebraTIon In The CaThedral
Probably, and since Agatha Christie’s famous novel, “Death
on the Nile”, Nile cruises have become even more popular.
el- Samaeyeen In Sharm el
SheIkh
Nile cruises are a classic escape for Pharaonic era The Egyptian Travel Agencies Association in South
enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike. Visitors to this Sinai will be organizing a religious celebration and a
part of the world, will also be introduced to the country’s special Greek Orthodox mass which will be held by a
natural beauty and extensive open-air museums. priest from Russia on January 7th, 2012 to celebrate
Christmas in the Cathedral El- Samaeyeen in Sharm
Typically, travelers will fly, or take the overnight train down El Sheikh
to a location such as Luxor or Aswan, and then board Foreign tourists, especially Russians in Sharm el-
their cruise boat from there. Cruises may last anywhere Sheikh have been invited to attend the ceremony.
from three days to eight days, depending on the travel
January . 2012 1

2. Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter
Lake Cruises from Aswan to Condé naST Traveler
readerS rank Four SeaSonS
Abu Simbel and Vice Versa reSorT Sharm el SheIkh # 1
Abu Simbel is home to the Great Temple of Rameses II – reSorT In The World
a world heritage site – and the Small Temple of Nefertari.
Before you set sail, you will be taken by motor launch from Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh has been
your boat across the south face of the High Dam to New voted the top ranked resort in the world in the annual
Kalabasha on the far side of the lake. When you arrive at Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards.
the west bank you will see the Temple of Wadi el Sebua The Resort was ranked #1 in Africa and the Middle
which is also referred to as avenue of lion-bodied sphinxes East, and is #3 among all hotels and resorts in the
that leads up to the outer courts of the temple. You will world in the Top 100.
also see the Temple of Dakka, dedicated to Thoth and the With an outstanding score of 98.6, travelers who
Temple of Maharraqa. From Qar Ibrim to abu Simbel the have visited Four Seasons Resort Sharm El Sheikh in
voyage is 60km and here the lake becomes very broad the past year have rewarded the seaside resort’s high
again. Abu Simbel contains four colossal statues of Ramses standards of service and performance.
II and they are among the most stupendous monument of Rare among international sun and beach destina-
ancient Egypt. The temples produce a very grand effect tions, Four Seasons Sharm El Sheikh offers a desert and
by moonlight or at sunrise. sea hideaway, combining the Sinai desert’s year
round sunshine with the Red Sea’s world-class diving.
Within an oasis of lush greenery and fountains,
Four Seasons is a self-contained world with multiple
options for dining, glamorous swimming pools, a pri-
vate beach, kids activities and indoor-outdoor Spa,
where authentic Egyptian traditions come to life with
thoughtfully personalized Four Seasons care.
arrangements made to visit Upper Egyptian cities such as the help of donkeys and water buffalos. Witnessing this
Luxor, Aswan, Edfu and Dendera. Other cruise boat tours tends to have a very novel and soothing effect on travelers,
are available for Lake Nasser, offering different programs. since the calm environment sits in sharp contrast to the Sun FeSTIval aT abu SImbel
claustrophobic nature of larger urban cities.
22 February 2012
The benefits of a Nile cruise are not only that they offer a
unique mode of travel to experience Pharaonic antiquities,
but that they provide a glimpse into the traditional rural Cruises from Luxor to Aswan
lifestyle of the communities that live along the banks of
the Nile. The way of life is practiced much the way it was or Vice Versa
thousands of years ago, with villages composed primarily
of mud brick homes and farmers tending to their crops with Traditionally, the most popular cruise packages involve
or sailing from Luxor to Aswan or vice versa. There are also
The 10Th InTernaTIonal packages that include extra cities of interest such as Edfu,
Kom Ombo and Esna, which are all located near Luxor and
CyClIng raCe Aswan.Esna, which is 54km from Luxor, is where you will see
the Temple of Khnum, the god who fashioned man on his
On January 14th, the 10th International cycling potter’s wheel. On the west bank of the Nile, Edfu is spread
race will take place in Egypt under the auspices of upon the mound of an ancient city, where the temple of
the Egyptian Tourism Authority (ETA) in the Pyramids Horus is on the outskirts. Southwards, beyond Edfu, you
Live Colors Egypt
Live Colors Egypt
area. Competitors will cover a distance of 1010 km come to the east bank around Kom Ombo, which has a The Sun Festival at Abu Simbel Temple in Aswan
inside Egypt, then cross several African countries, to huge Nubian population and where the Temple of Sobek is held twice a year, during the months of February
end up in South Africa after one hundred days from and Haroeris stand. and October. At the break of dawn on the birth
the start of the race. anniversary and coronation of King Ramses II, shafts
The race in Egypt is extended over eight stages In Luxor, there are the awe-inspiring Luxor Temple and of sunlight streams into the temple and throws light
and starts on January 14, 2012 at 8:00 am from the Karnak Temples to visit, as well as the Valley of the Kings, on the statues of the king and the two sun gods,
Pyramids panoramic site till Edfu in Aswan on January the Colossi of Memnon and Hatshepsut’s Temple in the West Re-Horakhte and Amen-Re seated beside the Theban
23, 2012. Bank. Aswan offers up the massive High Dam, the unfinished god Ptah, the god of darkness.
Eighty bikers of different nationalities will partici- Obelisque, and the beautiful Philae temple, which is The rest of the year, the temple is in absolute
pate from Canada, Netherlands, Hungary, the Czech dedicated to the goddess Isis. Other typical sites and darkness. This is a rare phenomenon and on that
Republic, South Africa, France, Belgium, England, activities in Aswan include sailing on feluccas and visiting occasion the event is celebrated by the locals with
Ireland, Australia and Poland. the Botanical Gardens and the Agha Khan Mausoleum. dance, music and food.
2 January . 2012 January . 2012 3

3. Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter
CALENDAR
Luxury Cruising
CroCodIle muSeum To open In between visiting the sites, travelers are often free to
In aSWan nexT monTh explore the areas where the cruise boats dock, especially
January 2012
the cities of Luxor and Aswan, before heading on to the
next location. There are several heritage hotels to visit such
The first “Museum of Crocodiles” is to open this as the Winter Palace and the Old Cataract Hotels. Sunday 1st Tel: (02) 3346 1071 Main Hall, Cairo Opera House.
month in front of the Temple of Kom Ombo in Aswan, Time: 10 pm Tel: (02) 2739 0132
coinciding with Aswan’s National Day. Nights are always spent on the cruise ships and meals • Art Time: 8 pm
The museum will display a collection of mummi- are often divided between local offerings in the areas El Alma del Mundo - An exhibition by Spanish Tuesday 10th
fied crocodiles, and statues of the god Sobek , the being visited and meals served on the boat. The budget artist Miguel Angel Sanchez. The artist photo- Sunday 15th
crocodile god, as the Ancient Egyptian worshipped of most Nile cruise boats is quite flexible, so you can choose graphed 110 residents in his studio, from musicians, • Art
him believing that he was the creator of the world anything from a high-end luxury cruiser, complete with painters, ministers, shoe shiners, bloggers and On Codes, Symbols & Stockholm Syndrome - • Art
who arose from the “Dark Water”. For that reason pools, clubs, restaurants and room service, to a more wallet- others. Each photo is dramatic with chiaroscuro, or Khaled Hafez’s work is politically charged and in it he Art Bouquet 3 - 16 painters showing their most
they built the temples in Kom Ombo, Esna, Fayoum friendly cruise boat with lesser amenities. In all cases, these a vivid contrast between light and dark. attempts to reproduce what he calls the ‘Big Mac’ recent works.
and in other areas. massive ‘floating hotels’ are usually very well maintained Palace of Arts, Cairo Opera Grounds Through his work Hafez seeks to evoke the negative Duroub Art Gallery, 4 Latin America Street, Garden
A total of forty mummified crocodiles of various with highly experienced staff. Entertainment on the cruise Tel: (02) 2736 8796 and positive of Egypt’s history. City
sizes: from the smallest, 1.5 metres long, to the real boats is always available, and usually features nightly shows Time: Exhibition runs until January 9th Safar Khan Art Gallery
giants of almost five metres of length will be exhibited. with traditional dancers and musicians. Tel: (02) 3570 2975 A,B...Cartoons - Imagined and drawn scenes are
Identities - Three artists from Hamburg ask Time: until January 27th displayed by artist Shayma Kamel. The Egyptian
The best times to enjoy a Nile cruise are during the period questions about forms and definitions. African touches, represented in most paintings by
stretching from October to April, when the weather ranges Mashrabia Gallery of Contemporary Art, • Music the Egyptian colors, were deliberately selected.
between chilly to mild. The summer months in Upper Egypt, 8 Champollion St. Downtown. Pop/Rock/Blues - Crash Boom Bang Band Mashrabia Gallery of Contemporary Art,
InauguraTIon oF The kebaSh in particular, can often be quite hot during the day, though Tel: (02) 2578 4494 Cairo Jazz Club, 197, 26th July St. Agouza 8 Champollion St. Downtown
road nexT marCh For evenings are mild. So when planning a cruise during the Time: Exhibition runs until January 12th Tel: (02) 3346 1071 Tel: (02) 2578 4494.
summer, make sure that the site seeing tours are conducted Time: 10 pm Time: Exhibition runs until February 9th
InTernaTIonal TourISm in the early mornings. Contemporary Views IV/Figurative Practices -
Pioneer artists such as Samir Rafi, Tahia Halim, and • Opera • Classic Music
The Kebash Road (Avenue of the Sphinxes) will be The World Cup rally From Ragheb Ayad. La Boheme - Cairo Opera Orchestra. Pianist Ramzi Yassa - Piano Sonatas: Moonlight,
partly opened for international and local tourism, Al Masar Art Gallery Main Hall, Cairo Opera House. Les Adieux, Waldstein, Appasionata.
next March, hence coinciding with the international london To Cape ToWn Tel: (02) 3570 2975 Tel: (02) 2739 0132 Prince Mohamed Ali Palace, Manial
ITB Berlin 2012 in Germany. In parallel, the remain- Under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and Time: January 29th Time: 8 pm Tel: (02) 2735 4234
ing part under restoration of the road, for a length of the Egyptian Tourism Authority, the World Cup Rally Time: 8 pm
150 meters will be the completed as well, decided will cross Egypt during the period from January 8th • Music Wednesday 11th
both the Minister of State for Antiquities Affairs and till January 10th, 2012. This is the first time that the Bikya Band - DrumNBass, Trip-hop, Folktronica • Performance (Music and Dance)
the Governor of Luxor. World Cup Rally runs throughout Africa crossing the Cairo Jazz Club, 197, 26th July St. Agouza • Opera Indian Music and Dance Company - On the
The Kebash road is a historical project, as this is the continent from north to south, starting from London Tel: (02) 3346 1071 La Boheme - Cairo Opera Orchestra. occasion of the 150th birth anniversary of Nobel
longest path linking two ancient Egyptian temples, England crossing Europe, to Cairo in Egypt and ending Time: 10 pm Main Hall, Cairo Opera House. Laureate Rabindranath Tagore. The company
the Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple, over a length in Cape Town - South Africa. Tel: (02) 2739 0132 presents Rabindra Sangeet, also known as Tagore
of 2,700 meters and a width of 76 meters. Statues of Starting out officially from the British Parliament on Thursday 5th Time: 8 pm songs, and a dance drama, “Shyama”
gods and kings line up on both sides of the road in December 31st, 2011 with the presence of the British Main Hall, Cairo Opera House.
the form of the Sphinx. Prime Minister the crews will leave for the first leg of • Music Thursday 12th Tel: (02) 2739 0132
The development project of Kebash Road is their journey crossing France, to Italy, Greece then Gala Concert - Cairo Opera Orchestra. Time: 8 pm
regarded as one of the most important religious and across the Mediterranean to Egypt, through the Main Hall, Cairo Opera House. • Music
archaeological monuments and sites in Luxor, and Alexandria Port, passing by the Giza Pyramids, to Ein Tel: (02) 2739 0132 Contemporary Oriental - Mariam and Abo and Tuesday 17th
stands as one of the oldest religious roads in the world Al Sokhna, Safaga, Marsa Alam and finally on to Cape Time: 8 pm Wust El Balad
which represents a new addition to the archaeologi- Town. • Music
Live Colors Egypt
Cairo Jazz Club, 197, 26th July St. Agouza
Live Colors Egypt
cal sites that will have a positive impact on tourism The London to Cape Town World Cup Rally will see Friday 6th Tel: (02) 3346 1071 Screwdriver Band - Rock Funk and Blues
in Egypt and increase significantly international tour- the participation of 1010 racers from 15 different Time: 8 & 10 pm respectively Cairo Jazz Club, 197, 26th July St. Agouza
ism to Egypt. Many other restoration projects are countries where they will be using different types of • Music Tel: (02) 3346 1071
under development, specially the renovation work classic cars produced between 1924 and 1980 as well DJ Masters at Funk - Deep Funky House • Opera Time: 10 pm
of the temple of Karnak, and the temple dedicated as four-wheel drive cars for a total distance rally of Cairo Jazz Club, 197, 26th July St. Agouza La Boheme - Cairo Opera Orchestra.
to the moon god Khonsu. The restoration work that 15000 km. Tel: (02) 3346 1071 Main Hall, Cairo Opera House. Wednesday 18th
has been so far accomplished shows the beauty The World Cup Rally is being held every four years to Time: 10 pm Tel: (02) 2739 0132
and accuracy of the temple’s inscriptions, as well celebrate the 1966 FIFA World Cup England’s victory. Time: 8 pm • Music
as the greatness of the eighteenth and nineteenth The Rally starts from England and ends up in the FIFA Sunday 8th RnB - DJ Feedo
dynasties. World Cup host country, Cape Town. This is the first Friday 13th Cairo Jazz Club, 197, 26th July St. Agouza
time that the World Cup Rally runs throughout Egypt, • Music Tel: (02) 3346 1071
which represent a great opportunity to highlight the Jazz - Eclectic Band • Opera Time: 10 pm
touristic sites of our country. Cairo Jazz Club, 197, 26th July St. Agouza La Boheme - Cairo Opera Orchestra.
4 January . 2012 January . 2012 5

4. Egyptian Tourism Promotion Authority News letter
• Performance (Music and Dance) Chinese New Year Festival - Celebrating the Year and Orchestra
Indian Music and Dance Company - On the occasion of the Dragon; Lion Dancing, Cultural Fashion Main Hall, Cairo Opera House.
of the 150th birth anniversary of Nobel Laureate show and an authentic Asian food market. Tel: (02) 2739 0132
Rabindranath Tagore. The company presents Rabindra Community Services Association, 4 Rd 21, Maadi Time: 8 pm
Sangeet, also known as Tagore songs, and a dance Time: 10 am to 4 pm
drama, “Shyama” Friday 27th
Alexandria Opera House, Alexxandria Sunday 2 2nd
Tel: (03 2480 0138 • Opera
Time: 8 pm • Book Launch Aida - by Guissepe Verdi. Cairo Opera Company
Heroes of the Past - The book contains the and Orchestra
Thursday 19th biographies of popular heroes such as Juha or Abu Main Hall, Cairo Opera House.
Zeid Hilali and eight other heroes. Tel: (02) 2739 0132
• Film Festival 8 Champollion St. Downtown. Time: 8 pm
“Asly Masri” - An independent film festival in the frame Tel: (02) 2578 4494.
of a EU co-funded project: Rising Stars - Itinerant Time: 7 pm Saturday 28th
Cinema in Egypt, which aims to support and enhance
the independent Egyptian production through documen- • Music • Music
tary workshops and open public lectures, production Opera Children Choir - Open Air Theater, Cairo Contemporary Oriental - Cairokee Band
of short documentaries to disseminate the work of Opera Grounds. Cairo Jazz Club, 197, 26th July St. Agouza
Egyptian filmmakers Tel: (02) 2739 0132 Tel: (02) 3346 1071
Italian Cultural Institute, 3 El Sheikh El Marsafy St. Time: 8 pm Time: 10 pm
Zamalek
Tel: (02) 2735 8791 Jazz - Amro Salah Trio Sunday 29th
Time: 19 - 22 January at 6 pm Cairo Jazz Club, 197, 26th July St. Agouza
Tel: (02) 3346 1071 • Music
• Music Time: 10 pm Oriental Jazz - Eftekasat Band
Jazz Concert - Yehia Khalil. Cairo Jazz Club, 197, 26th July St. Agouza
Small Hall, Cairo Opera House. Thursday 26th Tel: (02) 3346 1071
Tel: (02) 2739 0132 Time: 10 pm
Time: 8 pm • Music
Acoustic Rock - Scjiela Scribner • Opera
Blues - Bad Mojo Cairo Jazz Club, 197, 26th July St. Agouza Aida - by Guissepe Verdi. Cairo Opera Company
Cairo Jazz Club, 197, 26th July St. Agouza Tel: (02) 3346 1071 and Orchestra
Tel: (02) 3346 1071 Time: 8 pm Main Hall, Cairo Opera House.
Time: 10 pm Tel: (02) 2739 0132
• Opera Time: 8 pm. Also on 30th and 31st
Friday 20th Aida - by Guissepe Verdi. Cairo Opera Company
La Bohème
• Music
Piano Concert - Omar Khairat
Main Hall, Cairo Opera House.
Tel: (02) 2739 0132 10-13 January at the Cairo Opera House
Time: 8 pm
La Boheme is one of the most famous operas in four acts
Saturday 21st by Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924), to an Italian libretto by Luigi
Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa. It is based on Scenes de la Vie
de Boheme by Henri Murger and was first performed in
• Folklore Turin on 1 February 1896 at the Teatro Regio and con-
Live Colors Egypt
Basheer - Modern folkloric music ducted by the well-known Arturo Toscanini.
The story gives a real picture of the Paris Bohemian
Cairo Jazz Club, 197, 26th July St. Agouza life of four young artists, (Rodolfo; a poet, Marcel-
Tel: (02) 3346 1071 lo; a painter, Schaunard; a musician and Colline, a
Time: 10 pm philosopher). Rodolfo falls in love with his neigh-
bor, the poor seamstress Mimi.
The music presents both the humorous high
• Opera spirits of the four young bohemian male charac-
Live Opera from the Metropolitan - The Enchanted ters, as well as the new found love between Mimi
and Rodolfo, which ends miserably with her death,
Island. in spite of all the trials of her friends and Rodolfo to
Small Hall, Cairo Opera House. rescue her.
Tel: (02) 2739 0132 The opera includes many notable arias among them:
(Che gelida manina), What a Cold Little Hand (Rodolfo),
Time: 8 pm Mimi’s gorgeous aria (Mi chiamano Mimi) They Call Me
Mimi, and Musetta’s showpiece aria, (Quando m’en vo), When
• Special Event I Go Along, a meltingly beautiful waltz, which reaches a fan-
tastic climax for Musetta and all of the soloists.
6 January . 2012