Exploring Kom Ombo Temple on Our World Travel with a Baby

Julie

2025-04-23

Exploring Kom Ombo Temple on Our World Travel with a Baby

Discover Kom Ombo Temple in Egypt during our world travel. Solo temple visit, crocodile museum, and tips for traveling with kids in Egypt.

Main Journey

We’re on Day 95 of our world travel with Sweetie, and this leg took me—solo—into the ancient wonders of Kom Ombo Temple in Egypt. While Julie and Sweetie stayed back on the Nile cruise ship catching up on rest, I stepped off for an hour of solo exploration under the Egyptian sun. It was a short stop, but Kom Ombo had a lot to share.

The boat glided gently along the Nile and then slowly turned, approaching a small dock. Our first cruise stop was the town of Kom Ombo, just a little ways from Aswan. We were given exactly one hour to explore—either you went out, or you stayed on board. With Sweetie asleep and Julie still recovering from the sleepless airport night and the Abu Simbel tour, I took the leap and went out alone.

The walk to the temple was short—just a couple minutes—and before long, I caught sight of the temple’s towering silhouette behind a wall. After buying my ticket (50 Egyptian pounds), I was nearly sidetracked by a potential scam when someone tried to return money that wasn’t mine. A quick no-thank-you and I was off again.

As soon as I stepped inside, Kom Ombo Temple struck me. It’s one of the few temples in Egypt built for two gods: Horus and Sobek. The entire complex is symmetrical, divided into twin sections for each deity. The north side honors Horus, the falcon-headed god of kingship and the sky, while the south is for Sobek, the crocodile god of fertility and the Nile.

The carvings were absolutely stunning. Stories of divine kingship, scenes of offerings, the sacred bond between gods and pharaohs—etched into time. The walls tell you who’s human, who’s divine, and how kings used these images to legitimize their power. Seeing Sobek’s crocodile head with sun disks and plant motifs between his brows made the god feel strangely grounded in the Nile’s real-life ecosystem.

I couldn’t help but smile when I noticed strawberries carved into the offering walls—Sweetie’s favorite. Felt like a little sign from her even though she wasn’t there. I lingered in the quiet temple rooms, the hot air humming with history, and peeked into nearly crumbled chambers where color still clung to the ceiling. Once, all of it was painted. It must have been overwhelming in its full glory.

Events

After soaking in the temple, I followed a sign near the exit—“Crocodile Museum.” My ticket included entry to this little museum I hadn’t expected, and though no photos were allowed inside, it was a fascinating collection. Mummified crocodiles, ancient offerings, and relics dedicated to Sobek gave the myth a visceral, eerie reality. Some of those crocs were massive!

With only a few minutes left, I hustled back to the cruise ship, the familiar gangplank in sight. Sweetie and Julie were just waking up from a nap when I returned—Sweetie happily munching on a snack, the boat already beginning to cruise toward Luxor. The view from the window showed silhouettes of palm trees against the setting sun. I decided to stay in the room, letting the soft light close out the day as our first Nile cruise night began.

Tips for Traveling with a Baby

Respect nap time: If Sweetie’s asleep, we let her sleep—even if it means I explore solo. Don’t wake a resting baby for sightseeing. You’ll all regret it.
Know when to divide and conquer: Julie stayed back to rest. When everyone’s exhausted, one parent taking a break while the other explores keeps everyone balanced.
Snack stash is everything: Sweetie woke up munching contentedly thanks to the snacks we always keep handy in the cabin. That’s essential after long naps.

Local Travel Tips

Watch for small scams: Someone tried the “is this your money?” trick. Be aware and trust your instincts if something feels off.
Buy tickets downstairs: At Kom Ombo, you’ll need to go one level below the entry to purchase your ticket.
Be time-conscious: With only 1 hour for exploration, watch your clock. Set an alarm if needed so you don’t miss your boat.
Don’t skip the museum: The Crocodile Museum is quirky and unexpected. It adds an eerie but fascinating context to the Sobek temple.

Travel Reflections

Even just an hour on land, alone, made me feel deeply connected to this journey. Walking ancient stone paths solo gave me space to reflect. The quiet made me think about what it means to travel as a family—how even when we’re not together in every moment, we’re still on this path together.

Seeing strawberries carved into temple walls made me think of Sweetie and the small, surprising ways travel ties our family story into these ancient places. Even in a temple thousands of years old, I felt her presence.

Julie’s smile and trust as she sent me off alone reminded me how strong our partnership is. This world travel isn’t about doing everything together every second—it’s about doing life together, no matter where we are.