Cruising the Nile (3-8 days)
Overview
Nile Cruises are a great way to experience the ancient archaeological sites of Egypt. Whether it’s a short or longer cruise is dependent on your overall holiday plans. However, the majority of travellers spend some days in Cairo before or after their cruise adventure.
The luxury cruise vessels are shallow draft vessels which provide a comforting glide over the water. Irrespective of the time of the year, the experience will be one of smooth sailing. The vessels themselves provide a roof top viewing experience, amazing luxury cabins that enables you to capture incredible images as you move between port stops.
Categories of Cruise Vessels
There are 3 main cruise vessel categories that we recommend and these are:
- 5 Star Luxury,
- 5 Star Ultra and;
- 5 Star Deux.
Cruise Vessels for Every Budget
Depending on your budget, it is worth considering all the categories of vessels that will provide you with the experience you are looking for. As with all our tours, we place your safety, health and enjoyment above everything else. We do recommend the 5 Star Luxury vessels because of the incredible standard of comfort, food, enjoyment and value that feedback from our guests articulate. The final decision always rests with our customers as to the class of vessel they choose.
Cruises Start and End at Aswan
We arrange your transport from Cairo to Aswan to meet your cruise. The options are via air, train or bus/vehicle.
Depending on your budget, we highly recommend travelling by air to and from Aswan. This is because it is very time and cost effective. We provide transport to and from your hotel to the airport at the beginning of your cruise adventure and also on your return from Aswan to Cairo. It’s a seamless and hassle free process. The flight to Aswan is approx. 1 hour 20 minutes. Alternatively, you can choose to travel to Aswan by train. The travel time is approximately 10- 12 hours.
Excursions and A Guide At Each Location?
Each day, the cruise will travel to a specific historical site. The cruising time between stops varies from 1 to 3 hours on average. At each location you disembark for your prearranged excursions at that location. On each stop, you are met by our guide. You will be escorted by our guide on your tour and then taken back to your cruise vessel at the end of your activities.
What Ancient Sites Can You Visit on a Nile Cruise?
Please refer to your itinerary as there are multiple sites which can be visited and these will vary depending on the number of days you spend on a cruise. A small sample of sites that can be visited include:
- Aswan High Dam and Elephantine Island, Philae Temple Complex:
- Abu Simbel
- The Temples Kombo Ombo, Edfu Temple,
- The Great Temples of Karnak and Luxor
- The Valley of the Kings and The Valley of the Workers
- The Temple of Hatshebut, The Colossi of Memnon
How Long Should You Cruise For?
The most common cruise duration is 4 days/3 nights. For travellers with young children shorter durations can be more appealing. Seniors often prefer longer cruises of up to 7 days/6 nights. Please consult us for additional information.
Gallery
Ancient Egyptian Research Association
One Horizon Africa is a member of AERA. AERA brings together archaeologists and specialists from around the world to address questions regarding the origin, nature, and development of the Egyptian state. By becoming a member of AERA you support the training of young Egyptian archaeologists and the survey, mapping, excavation, and the analysis of archaeological sites. We encourage everyone to become a member and support the work of AERA.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Into Cairo and Your Accommodation
Our representative will be on hand to facilitate you through Customs and Immigration and then to book you into your hotel. The first of one night only at the Cairo Marriott (Nile River) 5 Star Hotel or equivalent. Dinner at Own Expense.
Optional Tour: Depending on your arrival time into Cairo you may like to do some shopping at Khan El Khalili Bazaar.
Day 2: Today You Fly to Aswan to Join Your Nile Cruise
Breakfast at the hotel – transfer to Cairo Airport for your flight to Aswan. You will visit:
Aswan Dam and Elephantine Island: The dam is the world’s largest embankment dam. And today, you will embark on a 1-hour sail on a traditional Egyptian craft called a felucca. A water’s view before your excursion to the Philae temple complex
Philae Temple Complex:Â According to the legend, Philae is the place where Isis found the heart of Osiris and then buried it on the Island.
Transfer to your cruise vessel and overnight – the first of 3 nights. B L D Included
Day 3: Leisurely Cruising And Amazing Sites
Abu Simbel The pharaoh Ramses II built the temple in 1200 BC. It was relocated to its current site when the Aswan Dam was built. The Temple was dedicated for four Egyptian deities by Ramses II including Amun-Ra, Re-Horakhty and Ramses II himself.
Temple Kombo Ombo: Located on the banks of the Nile in a village of the same name, Kom Ombo is unique in Egypt as a double temple – dedicated to two deities, Sobek and Horus.
Transfer to your cruise vessel and overnight – the second of 3 nights. B L D Included
Day 4: Where the History Flows and Captivates
The Great Temples of Karnak and Luxor Karnak is an ancient Egyptian temple precinct located on the east bank of the Nile River in Thebes (modern-day Luxor). It covers more than 100 hectares, and is an extraordinary complex of sanctuaries, kiosks, pylons and obelisks dedicated to the pharaohs.
Transfer to your cruise vessel and overnight- the third and last night on the cruise vessel. B L D Included
Day 5: A Spectacular Day
The Valley of the Kings:Â The Valley is where rock-cut tombs were excavated for pharaohs in the New Kingdom.
The Valley of the Workers:Â This is an ancient workmen’s village which was home to the artisans who worked on the tombs.
The Temple of Hatshebut Queen Hatshepsut’s temple was built to tell Hatshepsut’s life story and to assert her power.
B L included – Dinner at Own Expense
Transfers and Flights: You will transfer to the airport for your flight to Cairo and overnight at the Cairo Marriott Hotel – 5 stars
Day 6: And Perhaps Some Last-Minute Shopping
Breakfast in the hotel
Checkout: Checkout times can be discussed with the hotel but are typically between 11 am and noon. Depending on your departure time, it may be that you would like to relax or have a shopping experience at the Khan El Khalili Bazaar
Transfers and Flights: You will transfer to Cairo International Airport for your ongoing journey
End of Tour
Inclusions
- 2 x nights’ accommodation at Hotel Cairo with daily breakfast
- Return domestic flights Cairo /Aswan –Luxor /Cairo
- 3 x nights’ accommodation at 5 Star Nile Cruise with daily full board meals
- Over day Abu Simple Temple excursion
- All ground transfers in Cairo, Luxor and Aswan as per itinerary in private modern A/C coach
- All entrance fees, service charge, current taxes, and vat. A meet and assist by our local representative.
- Services of English-speaking guide
- One year membership (to the value of $150) of the Ancient Egyptian Research Association (AERA) which supports the training of young Egyptian archaeologists and field work excavations in Egypt
Exclusions
- International Airfares
- Visa Fees
- Optional tours
- Personal expenditure of any kind
- Entrance to enter inside the pyramids.
- Tips
- Drinks, extra meals, and any personal expenses
videos
We would like to acknowledge Nile River Cruise Ships for this video which is publicly available on You Tube.
ARCHAEOLOGY 2.0
Dr Mark Lehner ranks amongst the most outstanding Egyptologists of the modern era. Within a select group of Egyptologists such as Petrie, Carter, Hawass and others, Mark has earned his international reputation based on over 40 years of conducting research and excavations in Egypt. His discoveries, such as the workers village close to the Giza Pyramids, and his academic treatise and publications have contributed greatly to the world’s understanding of ancient Egypt. Mark is also the founder of the Ancient Egyptians Research Associates (AERA) whose work includes training the next generation of Egyptian Egyptologists.
Within One Horizon, training our tour guides so that they provide our clients with the most factual, up to date and insightful information draws heavily from Mark’s 40 years of research, analysis and dedication. And so, our guides remain at the forefront of current learnings and knowledge that enhances our guests Egyptian experience with us.
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