Cruising the Nile (6 Days)
From $3105 (Both Private Group Tours & Small Groups Tours)
Overview
Discovering Upper Egypt
A Nile Cruise is one of the most comfortable and memorable ways to discover Upper Egypt, combining world-famous ancient sites with the ease of travelling gently along the river. For many travellers, it is the ideal way to experience the temples, tombs, and landscapes of the Nile while enjoying a well-paced and beautifully scenic journey.
Modern Nile cruise vessels are designed for smooth, relaxed sailing and typically feature well-appointed cabins, sun decks, restaurant dining, and panoramic views between each stop. The result is a travel experience that feels both effortless and immersive, particularly for travellers who want to explore in comfort without repeatedly changing hotels.
Choosing the Right Nile Cruise
Travellers can usually choose between three main categories of vessel, depending on the level of comfort, style, and service they are looking for:
- 5-Star Luxury – a comfortable and well-balanced choice for most travellers
- 5-Star Deluxe – enhanced comfort, upgraded interiors, and a more refined onboard feel
- 5-Star Ultra Deluxe – the most premium option, with the highest level of style, space, and service
Getting to Your Cruise
Most Nile cruises operate between Aswan and Luxor, with onward travel arranged before or after the sailing. Travellers typically choose between flying, rail travel, or a private road transfer, depending on how they wish to balance time, comfort, and cost.
Flying is usually the fastest and most convenient option, especially for travellers who want to maximise their time in Egypt. Rail journeys can appeal to those who enjoy a more traditional overland experience, while private road transfers offer added flexibility and privacy.
How Excursions Work
Each day usually combines time on the river with guided visits to some of Upper Egypt’s most important archaeological sites. At each stop, travellers leave the vessel for planned excursions and return afterwards, making the experience both enriching and easy to enjoy.
What You Can See on a Nile Cruise
The exact sightseeing programme will vary by itinerary and cruise length, but many Nile cruises include some of Egypt’s most celebrated temples, tombs, and riverside landmarks, including:
- Aswan High Dam, Elephantine Island, and Philae Temple Complex
- Abu Simbel
- Kom Ombo Temple and Edfu Temple
- The great Temples of Karnak and Luxor Temple
- The Valley of the Kings and the Valley of the Nobles
- The Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon
Choosing the Best Cruise Length
The most popular option is a 4-day, 3-night cruise, offering a well-balanced introduction to the Nile and its most important highlights. Shorter cruises can suit families or travellers with limited time, while longer itineraries are ideal for those who prefer a more unhurried pace and a broader sightseeing programme.
Whether you are looking for the best value, a more refined onboard experience, or the most convenient way to include Upper Egypt in your itinerary, a Nile Cruise offers a memorable and rewarding way to travel. We can help you choose the right vessel, duration, and route to suit your plans.
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. For additional information please click the button below.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival In Cairo and Your Accommodation
Our representative will be on hand to facilitate you through Customs and Immigration and then book you into your hotel.
Your first night will be at the Cairo Marriott (Nile River) 5 Star Hotel or equivalent. Dinner at Own Expense.
Optional Tour: Depending on your arrival time in Cairo you may like to do some shopping at Khan El Khalili Bazaar.
The Soothing Gardens Of The Marriott
Cairo Marriott A Place To Relax And Be Pampered
Khan El Kahlili Offers Shopping And Restaurants
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 barrier. Today, you will embark on a 1-hour sail on a traditional Egyptian craft called a felucca providing a scenic water view before your excursion to the Philae temple complex.
Philae Temple Complex: According to the legend, Philae is the place where Isis found the heart of Osiris and buried it on the Island.
Transfer to your cruise vessel and overnight – the first of 3 nights. B L D Included
Cruising The Nile In Luxury
Elephantine Island
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 to 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, Kombo 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
Cruising The Nile In Luxury
Abu Simbel Temple
Day 4: Where the History Flows and Captivates
The Great Temples of Karnak and Luxor are an ancient Egyptian temple precinct located on the east bank of the Nile River. It 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.
Transfer to your cruise vessel and overnight- the third and last night on the cruise vessel. B L D Included
Cruising The Nile In Luxury
The Great Temples Of Luxor And Karnak
Day 5: A Spectacular Day
The Valley of the Kings: The Valley is where rock-cut tombs were excavated for the pharaohs in the New Kingdom.
The Valley of the Workers: This is an ancient workmen’s village that was home to the artisans who worked on the tombs.
The Temple of Hatshepsut 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
The Valley Of The Kings
Hatshepsut Mortuary Temple In Luxor
Relaxing At The Marriott
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, you may have an opportunity to relax or enjoy a shopping experience at the Khan El Khalili Bazaar.
Transfers and Flights: You will transfer to Cairo International Airport for your ongoing journey
Some Last Minute Shopping At The Khan
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
- Dinners Day 1 and 5
- 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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