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Nile Cruises
Ruins on the banks of the Nile
Cruising the Nile has long been seen as the
most romantic way to visit the monuments of
Ancient Egypt. Most Nile cruises today ply the
waters between Luxor and Aswan, visiting the
major sites at both towns and along the course
of the river. The boats are essentially floating
hotels and sightseeing is done in organised
groups. There are a huge number of Nile cruise
ships and given the relative scarcity of good
hotels in the region, a Nile cruise is, for many
people, the best way to see Upper Egypt.
Routes
Cruises take between three and seven nights
to complete their itinerary. In general, the stops
along the way are the same no matter which
boat you choose and no matter which way you
are travelling along the river. Visits will include
places such as the Aswan High Dam, Philae
Temple, Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples, the
Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple. Some of
the longer itineraries may include Dendera and
Abydos and some dahabiyyas (traditional style
boats) stop at smaller sites and islands, where it
is impossible for the large cruise boats to moor.
View of Luxor from the Nile
Boat captain, Steam Ship Sudan
Life on board
The boats that we use have spacious communal
areas, including an upper deck where you can
take full advantage of the Nile scenery.
Comfortable seating or sunbeds adorn the
decks. Some boats have a small plunge pool,
providing the perfect opportunity to cool off.
There is a bar or lounge, usually open in the
evening and providing the perfect place to relax
on comfortable sofas and enjoy a cocktail
before dinner. The restaurants on board offer
buffet-style or à la carte meals, with all cruises
operating on a full board basis. All of the boats
we offer have double or twin bed en suite
cabins with panoramic windows. All the rooms
are air-conditioned and may have additional
benefits, such as a fridge, TV or balcony. The
number of cabins depends on the boat that
you choose and suites are available for extra
space. Excursions are usually done in the
mornings and afternoons, in groups of around
15 people, with a qualified guide.
Choosing a boat
There is a huge range of choice when it
comes to picking a Nile cruise, from the small
dahabiyyas (traditional boats with just eight
cabins each) offering long, unusual itineraries,
to the grand luxury of the large cruise boats
which provide suites for all their passengers.
Boats with character are available, including a
refurbished steamship, once in the possession
of the Egyptian royal family, while other cruises
have all sorts of facilities for a very comfortable
stay, such as plunge pools, spa treatments and
small gyms.
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