Nile cruises refer to the popular cruises between Aswan and Luxor. (More about Nile River Cruises)
There are also Lake Nasser cruises which have become popular in recent years. (More about Lake Nasser Cruises)
There are also Lake Nasser cruises which have become popular in recent years. (More about Lake Nasser Cruises)
Where are the Nile River Cruises?
How long are Nile River Cruises?
How do we get to Aswan and Luxor?
What sights are included in a typical itinerary?
What are Nile cruise boats like?
What's included in the cost of a typical Nile cruise?
What else should I know about Nile cruises?
What are "Dahabiya's" or "Dahabiyat"?
Where are the Nile River Cruises?
Nile river cruises run mainly between Aswan and Luxor - two towns in the southern part of Egypt.
How long are Nile River Cruises?
Cruise lengths are typically 3 nights, 4 nights and 7 nights.
3-night (4-day) cruises – Aswan to Luxor
4-night (5-day) cruises – Luxor to Aswan
7-night (8-day) cruises – begin at at town and end at the other
How do we get to Aswan and Luxor?
AIR
Aswan is a 1-hour 25-minute flight from Cairo.
Luxor is a 1-hour 10-minute flight from Cairo.
TRAIN
Aswan is 12 hours 15 minutes from Cairo.
Luxor is 9 hours from Cairo.
What sights are in a typical itinerary?
3-NIGHT CRUISE
Aswan:
The High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk at the Granite Quarries and the Temple of PhilaeKom Ombo:
Temple of Kom OmboEdfu:
Temple of EdfuEsna:
Esna TempleLuxor:
West Bank in Luxor - Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
4-NIGHT CRUISE
Luxor:
West Bank in Luxor - Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
East Bank - Temple of Luxor and the Temple of KarnakEsna:
Esna TempleEdfu:
Temple of EdfuKom Ombo:
Temple of Kom OmboAswan:
The High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of PhilaeThe 4-night program is similar to the 3-night program, adding one night for a more leisurely cruise experience, as well as additional time for an excursion to the Temples of Abu Simbel.
7-NIGHT CRUISE
This is a round-trip cruise - plenty of time to enjoy the river and your cruise boat.
What are Nile cruise boats like?
There are more than 300 cruise-boats or “floating hotels”. Imagine a small hotel floating on water, and this is what can be expected of a typical Nile cruise boat.
Like land-based hotels, there are varying standards of Nile cruise boats. A 5-star boat is what Aurora Travel typically recommend for your Nile travels.
Even among 5-star boats, there still are noticeable differences. If the standard of boat is especially important, you can let us help you by telling us hotel brands that you usually like, and we’ll find the best available match of boats for you.
Nile cruise boats are not large. They may have as many as 85 cabins although most have between 40 – 60 cabins/suites. Some boats are all-suite boats, with fewer but more spacious luxury cabins.
At a minimum, 5-star Nile cruise boats have air-conditioned cabins with private bathrooms; dining room, bar, sun deck and swimming pool; better boats will have cabins with double beds, large bathrooms, patio doors and balconies.
What's included in the cost of the typical Nile cruise?
Besides your accommodation:
- 3 meals daily, usually buffet-style
- Sightseeing including entrance fees
- Scheduled entertainment such as cultural shows and dress-up parties
What's excluded?
- Beverages
- Tips to guides and cruise crew
What else should I know about Nile cruises?
Many travelers add hotel nights in Aswan and particularly, Luxor, to explore additional historical sites.
Some boats have a 6 or 7-night itinerary that is an extension of the 4-night cruise. They travel to Qena (north of Luxor), for a visit to the Temple of Hathor in Denderah, and the Temple of Abydos.
Cruise sightseeing is conducted together with other cruise passengers. Some travelers choose to have a private guide for an additional fee.
In June and for two weeks in early December, the locks in Esna may close. If they do, passengers join and leave the boat in Esna (transported by land from Luxor), and cruises sail between Esna and Aswan instead. Sightseeing continues as normal.
When the boat is moored, it will most likely be berthed alongside other boats. Your cabin views of the Nile may be obstructed. When getting on/off the boats, you will need to walk through other boats, walk gangplanks and deal with steps.
Cruise itineraries may change due to practical reasons and cruise management reserves the right to make those changes without notice.
What are "Dahabiya's" or "Dahabiyat"?
“Dahabiyat” are mainly wooden river sailboats, somewhat like barges. They are less typical of how you cruise the Nile although their popularity has been on the increas recently.
They usually have four to ten cabins; bathrooms that may not be attached; a dining-room/lounge, small deck and a full kitchen. Some have air-conditioning.
"Dahabiyat” are sail-powered although some are also equipped with motors. They have shallow drafts so they can go to parts of the Nile where larger ships cannot. They can also dock in quieter areas, away from modern cruise-boats.
"Dahabiyat" are more like "floating villas" instead of "floating hotels". Suitable for travelers that want a more casual, private cruise experience.
For more information about “Dahabiyat”, please contact us.
LAKE NASSER CRUISES
What’s Lake Nasser?
When the Aswan High Dam was built over the Nile river, Lake Nasser was formed behind it. The Lake or “Nubian Sea” is 500 km (312 miles) long – about two-thirds within Egypt and the rest in Sudan. It is one of the largest reservoirs in the world.
The construction of the Dam meant that the Nile waters would eventually flood not only the homes of nearly 100,000 people but several archaeological sites as well. Many monuments such as the Temples of Abu Simbel, were finally moved to higher ground. Incredible work was done to deconstruct, move and reconstruct them. At times, they were placed in the same orientation intended by the original builders.
A Lake Nasser cruise is a great way to see these monuments, some of which would not be accessible otherwise. It is also more tranquil than a Nile River cruise.
How long are Lake Nasser cruises?
A Lake Nasser cruise may be completed in 4 days or 5 days.
Where do we join Lake Nasser cruises?
Cruises depart from near the Aswan High Dam or from Abu Simbel. We can arrange flights to Aswan or Abu Simbel.
- From Cairo – 2-hour 45-minute flight via Aswan (if no plane change)
- From Aswan – 45-minute flight
What sights are in in a typical Lake Nasser itinerary?
- Wadi el-Seboua – Temples of Sebua, Dakka and Meharakka
- Amada – Temples of Amada, Derr, and the Tomb of Penout
- Qasr Ibrim
- Abu Simbel Temples
- Kalabsha Temples
- Beit al-Wali
- Kiosk of Kertassi
For Lake Nasser cruise reservations, please contact us.
