Nile Cruise Guide

Nile Cruise Guide

A Nile Cruise tour is one of the most enjoyable experiences that you must include in your trip to Egypt. It mixes between the Histories of ancient Egypt with relaxation which make your trip to Egypt an unforgettable Trip.

A lot of travellers don’t know the difference between Nile Cruises, dahabiya and feluccas. you can consider this article as a reference for best Nile Cruises in Egypt. Nile cruises is a medium size ships move by solar motors and has about 40 cabin, big dining restaurants, swimming pool, gym and other facilities.

Most Nile cruises sail between Luxor and Aswan visiting East Bank and West Bank in Luxor, temples at Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Esna beside Philae temple and high dam in Aswan. This journey takes four or five days. But longer cruises (six or seven days) sail north from Luxor to Dendera and Abydos then continue the regular route to Aswan. Lake Nasser cruises sail between Aswan and Abu Simbel visiting the temples at the South of Egypt.

Dahabiya is a small wooden boat, relies on winds and it has about 10 cabins. But felucca is very small boat has no cabins and sail by winds.

There are too many Nile Cruises in Egypt, about 300 Nile Cruise boats or more and it docks in different Marinas in Luxor or Aswan. So you have to arrange the pickup from Airport / Train Station to your Nile Cruise before your Arrival with a specific company to avoid the hassles of taxi and other transfers to your Nile Cruise before your Arrival.

Make sure you go with well-established companies which operate private or small group tours. The private guided tours can be the key to a successful trip. All tours preferred to be in the early morning, when it’s cooler. The afternoon time is for smaller activities like felucca ride, shopping and more….

When to book a trip of Nile cruises 2020?

The high season for Nile cruises is in between November and February; when the temperatures are 30 degrees Celsius in the day time and about 20 degrees Celsius at night. The low season is from June to august months, the temperatures can exceed 40 degrees Celsius.

How to reach your Nile cruise?

Nile Cruises Start from Luxor:

You can reach Luxor by several ways. From Cairo you can take the Train or Domestic Flight (Recommended). From Hurghada you can reach Luxor by Bus or Private Car. Also you can reach Luxor by Domestic Flights from Sharm El Sheikh.

Nile Cruises Start from Aswan:

You can reach Aswan by Train and Domestic Flight from Cairo and by Bus from Hurghada (Not Recommended).

Entertainment on Nile cruises:

Most Nile Cruises have a Discotheque, Belly Dance Show, fancy Galabia Party and Nubian Folkloric Show Every day there is a full entertainment program, which differs from one boat to the other.

Nile Cruise Food and Beverage

There are two types of Nile Cruise Package which are:

Nile Cruises on Full Board Basis:

The Majority of Nile Cruises is on Full Board Basis. All meals are included and are in an open buffet style (Or Set Menu in Some Cruises), some days there are many varieties, depending of the type and quality of the cruise boat; these meals are served with a fixed timetable. In Some Cruises, Tea and coffee is available, while on the move, every day at 5:00 pm. Other drinks are offered in the bar area.

Nile Cruises on All Inclusive Bases:

Very Few Nile Cruises are on All Inclusive Basis (Very Expensive, For 7 Nights Only). All Inclusive includes Full Board Basis and All Beverage such as Mineral Water, Soft Drink, Hot Drink, Coffee, Tea, Juice, Local Alcoholics (By Glass) etc..

What Is the Check In and check out Time? When The Tours Starts?

Nile Cruises Check In Time:

Normally the check in time is at 11:00 AM before Lunch. So if your Flights come very early in Morning you can start your tours directly after coming from Airport or Train Station before it come too hot then when you finish your cabin will be ready for you.

Nile Cruises Check Out Time:

The Checkout Time is at 8:00 After Breakfast. So if your Flight or Train is in the Afternoon you can still use the Cruise Facilities but Not the Cabin or the Restaurant, Also You can leave your luggage’s at the Cruise and take some tours.

What to Wear During My Nile Cruise Trip?

During The Daytime Tours in summer, it is recommended you wear lightweight clothes. But you have to put in your mind that Egypt is a Muslim country, so respect must be given to this, particularly when visiting temples and other religious monuments.

On Board Your Nile Cruise You can wear shorts and swimming costumes, if you wish.

How to plan your trip and Best Nile Cruise itinerary

A typical 5 day luxor aswan nile cruise itinerary

Day 1:  Meet & assist at Luxor Airport or railway station, Transfer and embark your Nile Cruise before lunch then enjoy Tours to East Bank (Karnak Temple & Luxor Temple). - Overnight in Luxor.

Day 2: Tours to West Bank -- Valley of the Kings & Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Overnight in Edfu.

Day 3: Tours to Horus Temple in Edfu and the Temple shared by two gods Sobek & Haeroris in Kom Ombo. - Overnight in Aswan.

Day 4: Tours to the High Dam, Philae Temple & Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan. Overnight in Aswan.

Day 5: Disembarkation after breakfast. Optional tours if your flight afternoon.  Transfer to Aswan Airport or railway station.

A typical 4 Days Aswan Luxor Nile cruise

Day 1: Meet & assist at Aswan Airport or railway station, Transfer and embark your Nile Cruise before lunch – tours to the High Dam, Philae Temple & Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan. - Overnight in Aswan.

Day 2: Tours to the Temple shared by two gods Sobek & Haeroris in Kom Ombo. - Overnight in Edfu.

Day 3: Tours to Horus Temple in Edfu, the East Bank (Karnak Temple & Luxor Temple). - Overnight in Luxor.

Day 4: Tours to the West Bank - Valley of the Kings & Temple of Queen Hatshepsut. Then Transfer to Luxor Airport or railway station.

Top 7 optional Tours to enjoy while you are onboard your Nile cruise

Hot air balloon in luxor. (Small Paragraph)

Felucca Tour in luxor or aswan. (Small Paragraph)

Shopping in old markets in luxor or aswan. (Small Paragraph)

Tour to Nubian village in Aswan. (Small Paragraph)

Carriage tour in luxor . (Small Paragraph)

A Visit to Abu Simbel Temple. (Small Paragraph)

Sound and light show in luxor. (Small Paragraph)