Egypt product manager Phillip Ellis tells us about the Bales Worldwide staff trip to Egypt…

Waking up on my first morning I leapt out of bed and opened the curtains, the sight which was before me was truly breathtaking. There in front of me stood one of the most recognisable sight in the world ‘the pyramids of Giza’. Looking across at these stone titans of the ancient world there was an air of intimacy, I was so close and felt as if I had them all to myself.

After a leisurely breakfast I flew down to Luxor. Upon our arrival we would head straight for Karnak Temple. I’ve been privileged enough to have seen Karnak Temple on previous visits however every time I return I can’t help but be overwhelmed by the magnitude and age of this site. Having only been in Luxor six months before, I was staggered at the subtle changes at Karnak Temple like the new visitor centre and tree lined avenue which flows from the temple down to the cornice along the River Nile. The Egyptians have found a real understanding for the importance of offering travellers a comfortable, safe and informative experience, whilst also protecting and maintaining these ancient sites. Having spent some time discovering different areas of this vast sight and as the midday sun grew ever stronger we decided to head towards our dahabiyya where we where staying whilst in Luxor.

We were ferried across to the quieter West Bank where our dahabiyya awaited our arrival. Upon boarding we were greeted by the crew with a cold towel and a much welcomed glass of lemonade made from freshly squeezed lemons. Our cabins which offer much more space and comfort than the larger Nile cruisers which we’d left on the other side of the river. This was my first time staying on a traditional dahabiyya and the first thing which struck me was the amount of space available for what seemed like a small intimate vessel. I experienced the boat at full capacity which is 12 passengers. Having many different seating and lounging areas on board and there was always the option for privacy and solitude when required. Whilst taking lunch which was a feast of seafood, traditional dishes and delicious fresh fruit and vegetables our captain cast off and we gently sailed up river. We lounged on deck after lunch and watched the banks of the Nile scroll past with beautiful kingfishers darting alongside the boat.

Once afternoon tea had been served and we had watched the sun set over the reed banks we were ready to discover more of Luxor. We headed back across the Nile to Luxor Temple. Again I had been fortunate enough to have seen this temple before however never before at night. Beautifully lit Luxor Temple really came alive at night with the enormous pharaohs looking down from high above and the giant pillars reaching for the black sky above. Our guide gave us an insight into the long history of Luxor Temple before we headed back to our dahabiyya for a nightcap and bed.

The following morning we rose early had a warming cup of coffee before heading into the desert for our hot air balloon flight over the West Bank. Rising from the ground the balloon floated high above the Valley of the Kings and the stunning temple of Hatshepsut. Our pilot gave us an amazing insight into both the historical sites and the modern life which were drifting below us. The height of the balloon also gave us the advantage of clearly seeing the divides between the River Nile the fertile green grounds of the Nile Valley and the harsh Sahara desert. Upon landing we headed back to our dahabiyya which was conveniently located on the West Bank for breakfast. Once we’d eaten and freshened up we headed back to the West Bank for our memorable guided tour to visit the Valley of the Kings, before beginning the all to soon return journey home. 

This trip was truly unforgettable and was the most relaxed and peaceful journey I have ever taken around Egypt. I believe this is primarily down to the unique experience which is offered by the dahabiyya, as soon as you arrive the whole pace of life just slows to a gentle role. This is an experience not to be missed and will be something I’ll be talking about way into the future.

About Phil Ellis

Other articles by Phil Ellis

Product Manager, Africa, Egypt and the Middle East My love affair with travel started as a student. Taking advantage of our extended summer holidays, I travelled around America and Europe. In 2002 I joined Bales on a placement year from university, aiding both my business degree and travel knowledge. After graduating in 2004 I instantly rejoined Bales and I’ve now travelled around areas of Asia, South America and Africa. I’m currently excited about my forthcoming journey around India, a country which I have wanted to explore for years.