Just Back: Egypt
Celebrating Tutankhamun
By Darren Humphreys
Walking through the illuminated Karnak Temple complex at night … laughing with my guide, and now friend, over shisha at a local café … savoring filo sweets laced with pistachios … and sipping hibiscus tea from an ornate glass on my private deck while sailing down the Nile River. These are just a few of the memorable moments from my exploration of Egypt.
Cairo is a melting pot—apparent in its diverse Coptic, Islamic, and Ottoman cuisine, architecture, and people. I walked the city with ease and spent time visiting the Egyptian Museum, where history came to life through hieroglyphics and guidance from top Egyptologist, Dr. Zahari. I had the privilege of hearing him personally lecture on Egyptology, archeology, and history as well as contemporary Egyptian civilization. His insights into the living museum that is Egypt were nothing short of astonishing.
Looking up from the base of the pyramids reminded me of my first visit to New York City when I stood next to the skyscrapers—the scale of them is beyond belief. It was surreal viewing ancient entities in real life. Standing between the paws of the sphinx, a location that is off-limits to everyone except Dr. Zahari's guests, I was humbled.
This insider access is what sets TS apart. This and the hands-on experiences we can provide. I was thrilled to partake in an active excavation site where I was the second person to handle a 3,000-year-old artifact from a tomb where ancient findings and tempera paintings were being revealed for the first time.
Africa is defined by its great rivers, and the Nile is truly the fertile lifeblood of Egypt. Traveling on a luxury Dahabiya, or similar small-footprint river vessel, is the best possible form of transport on the Nile. This floating 5-star accommodation allows for an intimate experience, quick disembarkation, and unmatched mobility (and I am not one for cruises!).
I stepped back in time while staying at the iconic Old Cataract Hotel located on the bend of the Nile in enchanting Aswan. I walked the same hallways as Winston Churchill, Margaret Thatcher, and Agatha Christie, who took up residence there while penning the famed Death on the Nile.
A sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Valley of the Kings where Ramses VI and Tutankhamun rest, is a necessary vantage to view the stark differences in the landscape. This bird’s eye view shows the distinct line that separates the lush green land and the beige-colored desert.
Equally impressive is Abu Simbel, the most iconic Nubian Monument. Located on the banks of Lake Nassar, its two massive temples, carved out of sandstone cliffs, were created for King Ramses II and Queen Nefertari.