A Nile cruise was once thought to be the highlight of an Egyptian visit, conjuring up romantic thoughts of beautiful days spent luxuriating while cruising amid the nation’s ancient landmarks. The only chance to visit Egypt’s most impressive ancient temples was on a Nile cruise in the Victorian era.
Tourists, who want to take a Nile cruise, have several options, with numerous cruise ships operating on the river, which is much busier than it was previously. You will find queues to pass through the locks and dock at every point of disembarkation.
If you are looking forward to exploring Egypt for an authentic experience, it is possible through a Nile cruise. Egypt has long regarded the Nile as its source of life, for it provides food and water and quick transportation and trade cutting across the desert.
The Nile cruise allows you to travel in the tranquil waters upstream or downstream is a tranquil way enjoying the monuments built in honour of the Gods of the Nile, thick vegetation on the coasts, exploring the ancient temples, know about Egyptian culture, deities, and burial customs, and visit Egyptian bazaars.
You can find cheap flights offered by EgyptAir connecting Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan in Egypt with major cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Sharjah, and Dammam in the Middle East. The Nile River Cruise can be your lifetime trip, and therefore, you need to give the points explained with careful consideration.
- Get to Know the Nile River Cruise Route
Most Nile cruises travel through Upper Egypt, from Luxor to Aswan. For instance, they depart from Luxor and go to Aswan after stopping at the well-known sites of Edfu, Esna, and Kom Ombo. Other itineraries take a direct flight to Aswan and go to the same locations by travelling north along the Nile. The majority of cruises are not less than four nights long.
There are flights from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan airports and you can choose. Ancient ruins can be found in the historical city of Aswan, including the Temple of Philae, a complex of ruins on Agilkia Island that dates back to 280 BCE. Other alluring excursions are available from the city, such as a visit to the Nubian Museum, which highlights the remarkable history of Nubia (which lies between Khartoum and Aswan in Sudan).
- Types of Cruise Ships Available
You can find several boats, from classic paddle steamers for those who love authentic and historical places and things to opulent modern cruise ships for those who primarily look for comfort. You can select a cruise based on your tastes and budget.
Most cruise lines hire an Egyptologist to lead your group through the historical sites you visit during the cruise. Days begin early to avoid the sweltering afternoon sun, and as a result, all cruises follow a uniform schedule leading to tourists crowding at the docking, as well as temples.
You can enjoy being at a swimming pool in the modern ships after your morning adventures, and also enjoy some entertainments like themed dress-ups and belly dancing at night. You can enjoy great food from hearty buffets to predetermined dinner menus on board the ship. Find out what food the operator offers before selecting one.
- Places You Can Explore
You have a great chance to see and easily visit historical sites during the Nile cruise.
- The Valley of the Kings
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The tombs at the Valley of the Kings were built at some point in Egypt’s New Kingdom era (1570–1069 BCE). Pharaohs of Egypt’s different dynasties from the 18th to the 20th were buried there. There are 63 tombs in the Valley of the Kings, the most well-known of which being Tutankhamun’s, which was found in 1922 by Howard Carter.
There is a lot to see during a “Valley of the Kings” trip. It’s amazing to see the vibrant murals that decorate many of the graves.
- Luxor and Karnak Temples
The largest, grandest, and most spectacular of all the ancient Egyptian temples is the Karnak complex. The impressive Hypostyle Hall will surprise you. Its 134 enormous columns stand 80 feet tall and are adorned with elaborate hieroglyphics; if you look closely, you can still see the remains of the original colours. The enormous Obelisk of Hatshepsut is distinctive; it is 97 feet tall, weighs more than 300 tonnes, and has been famous for 3,500 years.
- Kom Ombo
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Kom Ombo is known as an exceptional temple dedicated to the gods Horus and Sobek, the former is the sky god, and the latter is the crocodile god. This dual focus is reflected in the temple’s distinctive, symmetrical layout. The reliefs, carvings, and statues honouring both gods are placed side by side, mirroring each other in importance and adoration. It’s an archaeological gold mine with several mummified remains. The temple once had a lake with crocodiles in it.
As far as cruises from Luxor to Aswan are concerned, they last three to seven days. The longer ones include additional nights, generally in Luxor, while the shorter ones spend just one night in Aswan. The months of October through April are the ideal times to travel to Egypt. You can find travel sites that offer the best deals if you book flight tickets with EgyptAir in advance.