Nile Cruises

A classic holiday, taking a cruise on the River Nile has long been a popular way to experience Egypt and many of it’s ancient sites along the way. Following the Nile is a fabulous way to discover the wonders of Egypt in style, taking in gorgeous sunsets and stunning scenery from the comfort of your cruise boat.

There is a huge variety of boats to choose from to suit all tastes and budgets, so please get in touch to discuss your individual requirements for your Nile Cruise. There are some luxury Nile cruises with plenty of space on board and sumptious surroundings and there are larger, family friendly cruises too. Many boats offer five star service, some are full board and some all inclusive.  Most cruises are for 7 nights, but some operators offer 4 or 10 night Nile cruises and you can of course extend your stay in Egypt and stay in Luxor, Cairo or at one of the Red Sea resorts.

A classic Nile Cruise Itinerary takes you from Luxor to Aswan visiting amazing ancient sites along the way, below is an example of a 7 night cruise.

Arriving in Luxor you will be taken to board your choice of boat for your seven night cruise, enjoy dinner on board. The next day you will explore the West Bank of the Nile where you can visit The Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Valley of the Queens and the Colossi of Memnon. Sailing to Edfu you next visit the temple there and relax on board as the boat sails to Aswan. Explore Aswan with it’s famous High Dam, Old Granite Quarries and Unfinished Obelisk. Afternoon felucca (small sail boat) trip on the River Nile. You will have a morning at leisure to take a look around Aswan or take an optional excursion to Temple of Karnak. Afternoon excursion to Temple of Luxor which was once linked by an avenue of Sphinxes to Karnak. There is an optional evening excursion to the Sound and Light show at Karnak Temple. On the last day you disembark after breakfast to transfer back to Luxor for your flight home. Or extend your holiday and visit other parts of Egypt.

Life on board your Nile Cruise boat will be a highlight of your holiday – there is usually a large sundeck with a pool surrounded by sunbeds with shaded seating as well to relax and watch Egypt glide by! Most cruises have an Egyptologist on board to escort you round the sights and answer your questions along the way, usually with evening entertainment as well.  There are louge bars and places to relax and unwind. A fabulous selection of food will be served on board, usually buffet style, special diets can always be catered for, as long as we know in advance.

There are a variety of boats to choose from and as an independent travel agent I can find the right one to suit you.  If you are looking for a bargain then I get usually find availability on the Viking Princess or Royal Viking for around £730 – £890 per person for a week (depending on dates).  There are even small group adventure operators I can book you with if you want a bit more on shore touring and sightseeing or specialist escorted tour options with Egyptologist guides travelling with you.

Travel by Dahabiyya – Common during the formative years of the 19th century, dahabiyyas were the sailboats of choice for the aristocracy and socialites of Europe’s elite, providing elegant comfort for them and their servants as they visited the rich treasures of the ancient Pharaohs. Beautifully crafted and serenely stylish they were the perfect way to negotiate the gentle waters of the Nile, and Bales Worldwide now have a fleet of four of these majestic sailing vessels, offering an experience of the Nile Valley unlike any other.  Ask me about a departure to suit you – I’m a booking agent for Bales. Utilising private moorings by remote islands along the river, they offer a respite away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist boats, perfectly complimenting the timeless beauty of the setting, whilst still affording accessibility to the vibrant heart of its riverside communities. Small enough to negotiate the shallow waters they can provide exclusive access to quiet corners of the Valley, untouched by the other boats, where private lunches and delicious barbeques, create an atmosphere of peaceful relaxation and intimacy.

For a gorgeous luxury Nile cruise, I recommend the MS Nile Adventurer – ask me for details of this fabulous boat and choose from different lengths of cruise, this really is a stunning way to travel the Nile!

The asortment of boats and cruise itineraries can be confusing, so let me take the stress out of the planning! Get in touch and let me find your ideal Nile Cruise holiday!