Nile cruise trip - The Nile at dawn

Cruise along the shores of the Nile

This module offers an easily accessible and comfortable way to take a Nile cruise trip in Egypt, combining a Nile cruise with visits to some of the most impressive Egyptian historic sights. Our 2-day Felucca sailing trip may be too short and basic for you or our unique 5-day Dahabiya trip too long and pricey, if so, you may want to consider this 4-star Nile cruise trip. It starts in Aswan and continues downstream towards Luxor, and although there is less emphasis on actual sailing than with the Felucca or Dahabiya, you will be travelling between the sights in comfort and style. Sunbathe on the main deck by the swimming pool or daydream on a deck chair whilst watching the shores of the Nile pass by.

Whilst onboard our Nile cruise ship you'll have every necessary amenity available to you. You'll have your own double occupancy room with air conditioning, television and a bathroom. Enjoy the best a 4-star hotel has to offer, relax and unwind and visit the areas most interesting cultural attractions.
Duration 4 days/ 3 nights - Aswan to Luxor
Departs Friday, Monday and Wednesday

5 days/ 4 nights - Luxor to Aswan
Departs Monday, Thursday and Saturday

Accommodation

3 nights in double occupancy cabin onboard a Nile cruise ship. Comfort Level 4 (see accommodation).

Price

 Please see our Contact Us page for more details

Includes

 Transport, accommodation, meals, excursions in Kom-Ombo and Edfu

Transport

 Nile cruise ship

Excludes

 Other excursions, entrance fees and tips

Day 1:  Aswan - Temples of Philae & Kalabsha

Your Nile cruise trip starts off today in the town of Aswan after you arrive either by plane from Cairo or by train from Luxor. Whilst in Aswan, you can visit the island of Philae and its temple honouring the Mother Goddess Isis. Back on the mainland you can visit the temple of Kalabsha at Lake Nasser. It was the largest free-standing temple of Egyptian Nubia (after Abu Simbel) to be moved and erected at a new site, stone-by-stone.

Just before lunchtime you'll board the Nile cruise ship, your floating home for the next few days. It may be a little less traditional than a Felucca or Dahabiya, however you'll be treated to something comparable to 4-star hotel standards. After you've settled into your private cabin, you can relax on deck or explore the river surrounding Aswan. A guide can take you to Elephantine Island on a small Felucca sailboat. Aside from a modest museum and some Roman ruins, the Nubian desert villages are also worth a visit. Yet another island boasts a fertile botanical garden, a colourful diversion from the banks of the Nile which can be, at times, arid and sandy. If you'd like suggestions about what to visit during your stay in Aswan, just ask us. At the end of the day dinner will be served onboard.
Nile cruise trip - A trip to remember
Nile cruise trip - Edfu

Day 2: Aswan - Kom Ombo - Edfu

After breakfast, it's time for your Nile cruise trip to start off in earnest. As the ropes are thrown loose the ship's engines will come to life. Once the ship reaches Kom Ombo the ship's anchor will be cast into the waters of the Nile and you'll visit the grand temples of the Gods Sobek and Haroeris. Unlike the temples of Isis and Kalabsha, the temples of Kom Ombo can still be found at their original locations along the Nile. 

Once you return the ship, your Nile cruise trip will continue on towards Edfu for an afternoon visit to the best preserved temple in Egypt, the temple of Horus. This spiritual tribute to the God with head of a falcon is just as awe-inspiring and beautiful as the temple of Karnak in Luxor. The final destination of today's Nile cruise trip is Esna. This is where the ship will be moored for the night. The ship's cook will prepare a tantalizing dinner for you made of many local dishes. In the evening, you can linger in the ship's restaurant for a bit, move out onto the deck to do some stargazing or return to your cabin to relax and unwind. 

Day 3: Esna - Luxor

During peak travel season, the Nile resembles rush-hour traffic at times because of the many boats near Edfu. Due to this, it may not be possible to leave Aswan on Day 2 to reach Edfu on time to visit the temples in the afternoon. If this is the case, you will visit Edfu on the morning of Day 3 instead.  

In any case you'll continue your Nile cruise trip and sail on to Luxor in the afternoon. As the ship sails on you can relax on the sundeck by the swimming pool. Once you reach Luxor you can visit the temple of temples, Karnak, either independently or with a guide. The entire temple complex covers an area of 6000 square metres and you can easily spend several hours roaming through the enormous towering columns covered by chiselled hieroglyphics. At the end of the day you'll spend your last night onboard the ship as it quietly floats near the dock of the 'the ancient kingdom capitol'. 
Nile cruise trip - Sunbathe on the deck
Nile cruise trip - Luxor

Day 4: Luxor - West Bank monuments

After breakfast, your Nile cruise trip must come to an end as you go ashore and leave the ship behind you. If you want to, you could head straight to Luxor's West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings, the temples of Rameses III, the tombs of the Nobles and the Colossi of Memnon. If you would like to spend more time in Luxor to explore the area with a guide, take a look at our Valley of the Kings tour where you can Wander through the Valley of the Kings and the temples of Luxor. If you would prefer a relaxing beach getaway at a tropical snorkelling bay, then you could try our Red Sea diving trip with our Snorkelling bays and coral diving module.

Three nights aboard a Nile cruise ship is just enough time for the perfect balance between sailing down the Nile and visiting the Egyptian temples and other must-see's on shore. If it makes more sense for you to travel from Luxor to Aswan, you can also do this module in reverse. This way you can travel upstream (the Nile flows from south to north) so that the trip will take four nights instead of three. Whichever direction you choose to sail in, you won't be sailing for long periods of time (what you might expect when you think of a 'cruise'). As you'll be sailing aboard a motorised boat, you'll cross the distances relatively quickly. If you would prefer to spend more time on the water, choose from either our Dahabiya sailing tour or a traditional Nile Felucca tour.

Nile cruise trip accommodation (Click to enlarge)