Planning for a Great Nile Cruise in Egypt
While Cairo & the Pyramids get a plethora of the attention in Egypt (for good reason!), a cruise along the Nile is a great way to see some of the hidden & most amazing treasures of the country while relaxing on the world’s longest river. We did a 4 day cruise from the southern city of Aswan to the central endpoint of Luxor in March of 2022. I’d say it’s a must-do item for any trip in Egypt that lasts for at least a week, so let’s dive into some specifics of what you should expect!
Overview of the cruise & amenities:
We traveled with Mody Tours, which can also be found on TripAdvisor & Viator. The experience was on the mid-to-higher level of luxury with a total cost of ~$350 (not including temple entrance fees + tips). There are around 50 passengers on the boat, with tour groups consisting of 6-10 people led by an experienced guide. The rooms were spacious and prioritized comfort, with daily room service and quiet/privacy at night. The dining options were buffet-style for breakfast & lunch, with a course menu for dinner; we found the food options to be quite varied, with something enjoyable for all diets. It is one of the best-value options for a Nile cruise, and I would highly recommend their itineraries!
Day One: Arrive in Aswan to see the High Dam & Philae Temple
You are to plan your arrival into Aswan yourself, with multiple flights/trains arriving daily from Cairo. The first day focuses on getting situated and seeing the major sights of the southern Egyptian city. We learned quickly that we arrived at the end of the tourist season, as traveling to Egypt in April - August can be unbearably hot. Regardless, throughout the year, expect most experiences to occur in the early morning (before 10 am) or the evening (after 5 pm), as the mid-day often gets too hot to venture out.
After settling into the cabin & having some lunch with fellow passengers, we met our small tour group that we were exploring with for the next four days. The first stop is the Aswan High Dam, a century-old engineering marvel that regulates water flow to the city & is critical to the agriculture of the region. Near this amazing cliff view is the Philae Temple, dedicated to the Egyptian gods Isis and Osiris. This was one of our favorite temples we visited in Egypt, as it is situated on a small island, making for incredible water views and a beautifully preserved complex.
To end the first day, we went to some shops in the city & had some performances over dinner before heading to bed early, as the next day required a 3:30 AM start!
Day Two: Visit Abu Simbel and Kom Ombo
Abu Simbel is an incredible two-temple complex representing the history of the Nubians, one of the older Egyptian dynasties. The significance of this temple is magnified by the architectural preservation efforts, as the entire complex was rediscovered and relocated in the 20th century. Around a 3 hour drive from Abu Simbel, this requires a 4 AM start to arrive back at the cruiseboat for lunch time. However, it is certainly worth it, as learning about the temple’s history and seeing the large stone facades was a highlight of the trip.
Upon returning, the cruise sails off towards Kom Ombo. There is a good amount of time dedicated to enjoying the amenities of the cruise, including an outdoor pool, full-stocked bar, and games. The evening consists of touring Kom Ombo, a temple dedicated to Sobek. This temple houses a crocodile-museum which is fun for all ages to visit, and provides amazing relief drawings throughout the temple walls. It’s a great resting point as it is located near the temple of Edfu, the starting point of the next day.
Day Three: Temple of Horus & Luxor Temple
There is a bit of a later start today, as groups head out to Edfu Temple (dedicated to Horus) at around 8 am. The inscriptions both inside and outside of the temple walls are stunning, and the horse ride from the boat to the temple is the cherry on top! The high walls here are stunning and make for incredible picture spots.
The cruise then sails towards its terminus of Luxor, passing through Esna Lock on the way. Be sure to step onto the boat deck during this part of the voyage to see the amazing way merchants on tugboats latch onto the cruise ship and try to sell their goods by hurling them up to the cruise roofdeck! This was an experience like no other as we passed through the narrow gates.
Round out the day arriving in Luxor, which is best viewed after sunlight with all the lights shining on the amazing temples. Both the Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple feature unique elements of ancient Christian, Egyptian, and Islamic features through the sites, so be sure to soak in the history that the tour guide will disseminate! The last night on the cruise is filled with drinks and dancing with Egypt’s own performers, making for a fun way to meet some new people.
Day Four: Hot Air Balloon Ride & Tour of Luxor
This is definitely the most action-packed of the four days, but it’s surely well-worth it! Another early 4 AM start is in the cards, as you are shuttled from the cruise to Luxor’s hot air balloon site by a short 20 minute boat ride across the Nile (to the other side of the city). The sunrise balloon ride is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, getting 360-degree views of the nature and buildings that make this such a magnificent city; this is a thrilling and memorable opportunity!
After breakfast outside, the group heads to the Valley of the Kings, the most famous ground of tombs in the country. This is a chance to see a multitude of mummies and tombs, including the famed King Tut, while admiring the incredible mountains of the region. This the only time in Egypt we learned in person about the mummification process (outside of Cairo’s Egyptian Museum), so there’s a lot of history to learn about here!
Round out the afternoon by visiting the Temple of Hatshepsut and more of the Karnak Temple, both equally prominent sites that feature incredible photo opportunities with the large statues and obelisks that adorn them. From here, it’ll be the early afternoon where the tour concludes, allowing for a evening train/flight out of Luxor to your next destination in Egypt.
Conclusions
All in all, this was an amazing, must-do experience for anyone visiting Egypt. To see the incredible sites that adorn the Nile while sailing on it itself was magnificent, and I highly recommend anyone to use this itinerary to plan for themselves!
