When you imagine your dream holiday in Egypt, what images come to mind? We feel confident in assuming that the Pyramids of Giza feature. Perhaps the ancient gems scattered around Luxor, or the awe-inspiring sights in and near Aswan.
But do you also picture yourself relaxing on a luxury boat as it cruises down the Nile?
Egyptians have sailed vessels up and down the Nile for thousands of years, so it’s no surprise that a riverboat ride is a great way to see some of this incredible country’s historical sights.
Nile cruises play a key role in some of the carefully curated itineraries that make up our tours in Egypt.
These include the 6-day Luxury Nile Cruise in Egypt and the 18-day Egypt Luxury Tour.
For more information about either of these tours or any of the others we provide, please feel free to get in touch.
For now, however, let’s look at some of our best advice for how to choose the best Nile cruise in Egypt.
Familiarise Yourself with Nile Cruise Routes
The Nile is the longest river in the world. It runs the entire length of Egypt from south to north.
When planning your trip, then, it’s important to understand where the most popular cruise routes are.
This not only sets realistic expectations but also allows you to research the specific places you will visit along the way.
Most Nile cruises operate in the Luxor to Aswan section of the river and journeys can take anywhere between three and seven nights.
For example, our Luxury Nile Cruise in Egypt sails from Luxor to Aswan over four days.
Alternatively, our Red Sea and Ancient Egypt Historical Tour cruises from Aswan to Luxor in three days.
And these are just two examples. Remember, you can always contact us to speak with a member of our team in person about specific tours with Nile cruises.
The reason for the popularity of sailing in this part of the river is the key historic sites you can see from the water. These include Edfu, Karnak, and Kom Ombo, to name a few.
Cruises between Cairo and Luxor are possible. This route was closed to tourist traffic for almost two decades, but it re-opened in 2015. And while popular, it has yet to reach the same heights as the Luxor-to-Aswan route.
Consider How Long You Want to Spend Cruising the Nile
Every traveller has a set timescale when visiting a destination, and your trip to Egypt is no different.
You also have your own travel style, preferences, and interests, all of which will influence the kind of holiday you have here in Egypt.
Nile cruises vary in length considerably, with itineraries ranging from three and four days to upward of 20.
The good news is that there are plenty of options to suit every traveller.
If you find the idea of a long cruise restrictive, and you’d rather be adventuring on land, you can join a shorter cruise.
If a slow, multi-day journey down the Nile watching our beautiful country unfold on all sides sounds like heaven, you will love a longer trip.
Learn even more about this one-of-a-kind experience by reading our Guide to Cruising the Nile in Egypt.
What Style of Nile Cruise Holds Most Appeal?
This question also ties in heavily with “what is your Nile cruise budget?”
With various routes and even more cruise companies to choose from, it comes as no surprise that there are boat options to suit all manner of budgets and timescales.
If you’re pushed for time but still want an affordable Nile cruise experience, you can find felucca boats in practically any town or city beside the river. Cairo is especially famous for them.
These vessels, easily recognisable with their distinctive soaring sails, offer cruises for a couple of hours at a time.
But if you picture yourself on a luxurious, romantic glide down the Nile over multiple days and nights, there are ample larger ships to choose from.
At Mr & Mrs Egypt, we book rooms on 5-star cruise ships for our multi-day tours of Egypt.
Private and comfortable rooms, fine dining, nightly entertainment, and much more — the vessels we know and trust are akin to floating hotels.
Do You Want a Cruise Integrated into a Tour Planned by Experts?
If you’re travelling hundreds or thousands of miles to visit Egypt, you understandably want to see the most interesting sights and partake in memorable experiences.
But you’re on a holiday too, so you should be able to relax and enjoy a seamless adventure.
If all the above are important to you and your group, consider joining a tour of Egypt that includes a Nile cruise in its itinerary.
At Mr & Mrs Egypt, this is exactly what we provide. Covering a wide range of destinations in Egypt, we can show you all the things you want to see.
Of course, we can arrange any must-do activities too, like Nile cruises.
We have over 30 years of experience planning Egyptian adventures, so there’s no need we can’t meet. We love putting in the legwork behind the scenes so you can enjoy the kind of holiday in Egypt you have always dreamed of.
No fuss, no confusion, no stress. Just soaking up the unique atmosphere and ambience of our amazing country.
Discover Authentic Egypt with Our Flexible Tour Options
Have we stirred your wanderlust? Are you more determined than ever to explore the ancient wonders of Egypt?
In addition to our pre-planned itineraries, we also offer Luxury Egypt Custom Tours. Let us help you design a bespoke holiday tailored to your unique needs.
If you have any questions about our Nile cruise options or our many Egypt tour options, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.