You've dreamed of exploringEgypt for years and finally the time has come to plan your trip. There are hundreds of options available, but one fascinates you above all: the Nile cruise! In this article, we'll provide all the information you need for a complete and unforgettable experience, including when to go, how long the Nile cruise lasts and the best tours and must-see stops.
But first, if you'd like to join a group trip to meet other travelers, take a look at the Nile cruise organized by Meeters. Click this link for the itinerary, prices, and all the details about the trip, a complete package including round-trip flights and an Italian-speaking guide!
Why Choose a Nile Cruise?
A Nile cruise is both a comfortable and adventurous way to exploreEgypt. By joining this “expedition,” you won’t have to worry about planning your trip day by day, arranging transfers, meals or booking a different hotel at each stop. At the same time, you’ll have the assurance of seeing all the most beautiful and important monuments and sites in the area.
The ship will be your means of transport and your home throughout the journey. So all you’ll need to do is fill your eyes with the wonders of ancient Egypt!
Your trip can take many different forms depending on your needs and preferences. You can board luxury riverboats, powered by solar panels and equipped with every imaginable comfort, air conditioning, pools, solariums, and spa centers.
If luxury doesn’t fit your idea of an adventurous trip, there are more affordable yet comfortable options. You can even sail the Nile on a sailboat or felucca, to feel like early 20th-century explorers!
How Long Is the Nile Cruise?
Regarding the trip duration, you have several options. The classic Nile cruise runs from Luxor to Aswan, but there are also cruises that sail, for example, the waters of Lake Nasser or include days on the Red Sea or at seaside resorts along the coast.
The classic itinerary is indeed from Luxor to Aswan. The basic tour lasts from a minimum of three nights and four daysup to a maximum of seven nights and eight days. You can tailor your tour or join the one you prefer.
If you wish, you can start earlier from Cairo, for example if your flight lands there and you want to stay a few days and also visit the famous Egyptian Museum in Cairo! The cruise from Cairo to Aswan lasts 11-14 days.
When to Go?
A Nile cruise is a wonderful and very pleasant experience for most of the year. The best period is between October and April. During this time, the climate is warm but dry with temperatures generally averaging around 25 degrees Celsius.
In these months, you can enjoy visits without huge crowds of tourists making it much more enjoyable to wander among temples, pyramids, obelisks, and sphinxes!
The summer months are the hottest and most challenging for a Nile cruise. Temperatures can reach up to 38 degrees Celsius, so visits are scheduled during the cooler parts of the day, early morning or evening, with the recommendation to stay on the ship the rest of the time.
What Stops Are Included?
As mentioned, most Nile cruises follow a standard route from Luxor to Aswan or vice versa. This vast valley along the banks of the world's second-longest river is dotted with some of the country's most important monuments and archaeological sites.
Whatever option you choose, cruise tour programs always include a series of “must-see” stops and activities, but also leave free time to explore the cities or attractions that interest you most. Let’s look at the stops on the standard route.
Day One: Luxor
On the standard four-day Nile river cruise, the first day is dedicated to visiting Luxor and its surroundings, including the Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Colossi of Memnon, the Valley of the Kings, and the Valley of the Queens.
Luxor stands on the remains of the capital of the Middle and New Kingdoms, Thebes, so its vast area is scattered with precious sites. The Valley of the Kings is the main necropolis of ancient Egypt as for over 500 years it was where pharaohs were buried. Their consorts, queens, and noblewomen were buried in the adjacent Valley of the Queens, discovered in 1901 by the Italian Ernesto Schiaparelli.
Next is a visit to the Luxor Temple and the Karnak Temple. The two are connected by a splendid avenue of sphinxes, and we recommend visiting both on foot to get a sense of the magnificence this valley held millennia ago!
Finally, the Colossi of Memnon are worth a visit for their immense charm and a curious peculiarity. Both represent Pharaoh Amenhotep III seated, with two figures between his legs, one his mother and the other his wife. The Colossi of Memnon were meant to guard the entrance to the pharaoh’s funerary temple which was destroyed by earthquakes and floods that also damaged the statues, turning them into “singing statues” with every gust of wind!
Day Two: Kom Ombo Temple and Edfu Temple
On the second day, you visit the Edfu Temple and the Kom Ombo Temple.
The Edfu Temple, also called the Temple of Horus, is an imposing structure that has arrived to us almost intact. Its great importance meant that all subsequent rulers worked to restore and maintain it in perfect condition. Ultimately, it was the desert sand that protected and preserved it so well!
The Kom Ombo Temple is equally majestic. Built under the Ptolemaic dynasty, it was dedicated to the worship of various deities including the crocodile god Sobek and Horus. A visit to the adjacent Crocodile Museum is also a must, where you can admire mummified crocodiles found in the temple!
Day Three: Aswan
On the third day, you arrive in Aswan, a beautiful and colorful city where you can stroll and relax along the Nile’s banks. The most important monuments to visit during this stop are the Philae Temple and Wadi El Seboua.
The Philae Temple is traditionally considered the last religious temple built in ancient Egypt and is dedicated to the goddess Isis, deity of love and fertility. From here, you can enjoy spectacular views of Lake Nasser and the Aswan Dam.
Day Four: Abu Simbel
The last day of the Nile cruise ends with one of Egypt’s iconic sites: Abu Simbel. Its fame is linked to the massive conservation effort in the 1960s. The complex was dismantled into 4,000 blocks and moved downstream to avoid being flooded and destroyed by the waters of the Aswan Dam, which was about to be built.
The Abu Simbel temple was commissioned by Pharaoh Ramses II and is divided into two temples: the larger one dedicated to the pharaoh himself, and the smaller temple to his consort Nefertari, one of the most beautiful and intelligent women in Egyptian history.
We’ve seen how long the Nile cruise lasts and everything you need to know about this adventurous excursion into the heart of Egypt. For more guides and similar content, keep following Meeters and join us to travel in Italy and around the world with new friends!