Brinley Hineman
Luxor is a highlight of all river cruise itineraries on the Nile: It boasts an impressive mortuary temple for a queen-turned-king who ruled millennia ago and where tombs were hidden away and forgotten beneath the sand dunes for lifetimes.
I can now say that with firsthand knowledge: I spent nine days in Egypt with Intrepid Travel, including a three-night cruise on the Nile from Aswan to Luxor via the Kahila, which is operated by Sabena Group.
But it's also here where clients might begin to feel a little bit of ancient-history fatigue, after visiting the towering pyramids, studying the dizzying number of historic artifacts in the Grand Egyptian Museum and examining hieroglyphics.
I myself was guilty. As much as I attempted to be a sponge, I had (sheepishly) hit a saturation point. I couldn't keep all the Ramses straight anymore and my tongue was getting tied every time I tried to say Hatshepsut's name.
It was time for a palette cleanser.
And the excursion that fit the bill on my Intrepid trip that other brands don't include -- but should -- is a trip to Animal Care in Egypt, or ACE, which relies entirely on donations and is supported by the Intrepid Foundation. The registered charity was founded in 2000 and provides free veterinary care for working animals in Upper Egypt.
It's impossible to ignore the working animals in Egypt, many of which are used to cater to tourists, either for photo ops or as a method of transportation. Camels and horses surround the pyramids, with their owners offering brief rides and photos. Luxor's busy streets are lined with trotting horses pulling carts of passengers, weaving in and out of traffic.
Egypt Equine Aid, an Australian-registered charity that operates a free veterinary clinic in Cairo, says that horses, donkeys and camels are commonly used in the tourism industry and some face abuse due to conditions in the scorching sun with little shade, food or water.
As an animal lover, I was eager to visit ACE while in Luxor and see the work being done by the organization to care for injured animals that otherwise would be unlikely to receive vet care. Each day, the charity's six vets and 20 workers diagnose and treat about 150 animals. It also has a small animal clinic for cats and dogs, where it has a free spay and neuter program.
Once ACE has nursed an animal back to health, it returns it to their owners, educating them on proper care. The charity also hosts school groups to educate them on the correct and kind way to treat animals.
The clinic is in the Luxor countryside, about a 15-minute drive from our ship by van, and tourists can visit free of charge. They will find a peaceful property, much like a desert oasis for these animals. When I was there, our group was given a tour, and we paused periodically to say hi to the pack of cats that basked in the sun and the horses and donkeys that were receiving treatment.
ACE also arranges for stray dogs, of which Egypt has many, to be held there for adoption. One three-legged dog was awaiting transport to America where it would join its new family. They were tourists who had visited the clinic and fell in love with the dog, making for the ultimate souvenir.