Life on the Nile
Nile cruise, Egypt
Your elegant ship glides along a thin ribbon of life snaking its way through the desert, past white-sailed feluccas and palm-fringed villages. This is the Nile Cruise, pioneered by Thomas Cook, popularised by Agatha Christie and still one of the greatest travel experiences. On board a floating five-star hotel, you sail sedately between busy Luxor and laid-back Aswan, with plenty of temple stops along the way. This is Egypt at its best, the ultimate combination of modern luxury and ancient grandeur.
The splendour of Luxor
This city of a million people was once Thebes, the ancient capital of Upper Egypt, so no wonder that today it’s an incredible open-air museum. An awe-inspiring wealth of carved columns, immense gateways and huge statues populate the temples at Luxor and Karnak, which are linked by the newly-restored Grand Avenue of Sphinxes.
The tombs of pharaohs
Across the Nile from Luxor is the most illustrious cemetery in the world: the Valley of the Kings. On the surface, it’s largely dusty and bare but our guides will take you down under the rock into a world of royal tombs, each decorated with colourful murals and intricate hieroglyphs.
The river of relaxation
As impressive as all the ruins are (and they really are!), a Nile Cruise isn’t only about the past. It’s also about witnessing daily life along the river, much as it has been for centuries, so just sit back and go with the flow. Maybe even take a trip in a felucca, the traditional wooden boat with a single white sail.
The giants of Abu Simbel
Four huge statues of Ramses II, each one 20 metres tall and carved into a wall of pink rock. It’s one of the most famous remnants of Ancient Egypt, and a must-see extension to every Nile cruise: this monumental temple is not far from Aswan, and easily reached by boat or plane.
Essential Nile
The Nile is the world’s longest river but most visitors see only the 200km stretch between Luxor and Aswan. It can be busy but with our help, you’ll have the best ship and expert guides. The classic Nile Cruise takes three to four days one way, with stops at spots like Edfu and Kom Ombo, but we recommend adding extra time before and after. That way you can relax with more time to enjoy the outstanding sights at Karnak and Abu Simbel.
Where it is
North Africa
When to go
October to May
Why go there
Ancient temples
Luxury ships
Antique treasures
What to see
Valley of the Kings
Abu Simbel
Karnak
