New archeological discoveries and museum openings make this a great time to visit the magical river
Egypt’s is one of the greatest stories ever told, and untold. It’s more than a century since British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb; yet Egypt’s narrative continues to unfold.
The latest find was in January this year at Saqqara, near Cairo, where archaeologists uncovered a rock tomb believed to be 4,500 years old. Located on the Nile’s west bank, Saqqara’s necropolis served as a royal burial ground for the ancient Egyptian capital, Memphis. Last year embalming workshops were found here and archaeologists have also unearthed a granite sarcophagus from the reign of King Ramses II (1279 to 1213 BC) along with hundreds of mummies encased in painted sarcophagi. Among the cache of goods being taken to the afterlife was an intact papyrus scroll.
There will be plenty of grave possessions on display at the Grand Egyptian Museum when it finally opens in its new location at Giza. Alongside 10,000 ancient artefacts the museum will hold King Tut’s entire tomb trove of 5,000 objects. The latest estimation for the opening is mid-2024 – with any luck some cruise passengers will be among the first to visit the museum complex this winter.
Cairo’s pyramids and museum treasures are a prelude for the main event, however. Strung along the Nile are temples, royal tombs, colossal statues, mausoleums, island monuments and ancient inscripted chambers that stop time. Against this historical backdrop, buffalo irrigate river-fed crop fields, children paddle from littoral beaches and single-sailed feluccas and calls to prayer from nearby muezzin catch the breeze.
There’s nowhere else quite like it. Here are some of the best ways to cruise the Nile this year. For further inspiration and advice read our complete guide to Nile cruises.
Best for: Old-school romance
Before the arrival of steam-powered boats, visitors would cruise the Nile on small, two-masted dahabiya, led by a “houseboat crew”. La Flaneuse du Nil recreates that slow-travel tradition with style – and hot water and flushing loos to boot. On its journey between Luxor and Aswan, the flat-bottomed boat visits small villages and islands and drops anchor in peaceful seclusion.
The seven cabins feature louvred shutters, wood panelling and tasteful antiques and there is a beautiful balcony suite at the stern. The recent addition of 48 solar panels means guests will be able to enjoy sailing without the thrum of a generator – just like the old days.
Best for: The long cruise
For those keen to linger on the Nile, or for the returning visitor keen to fill in the gap between the pyramids and ancient Thebes, this 10-night sailing from Cairo to Luxor ticks both boxes. The real beauty of this cruise, however, is stepping ashore to world-class sites that are largely unvisited. Highlights include the tombs, catacombs and temple of Tuna el-Gebel; the sarcophagus of Akhenaten in Tel el-Amarna and the temples of Abydos, Denderah and el-Kab. The five-star Movenpick Darakum has 52 cabins spread over three decks, a small gym and a large sun deck with a plunge pool.
Best for: A family cruise
There’s plenty of opportunity for cultural exchange on this holiday with Intrepid, and the variety and pace of the itinerary is ideal for those travelling with older children. After a couple of days in Cairo you’ll fly to Aswan and sail to Luxor via Edfu and the Esna lock. There is dinner with a Nubian family, a visit to the floating Temple of Philae and a lazy sunset sail by felucca. Back in Cairo there is time for coffee at El Fishawy, the city’s oldest coffee shop, and dinner “at home” with a Cairene family.
Best for: A cruise and beach combo
For winter-sun seekers the lure of Red Sea beaches can be as tempting as Egypt’s tombs and treasures. So why not dip a toe into both? Marsa Alam’s reefs are a favourite with scuba divers and the snorkelling is equally rewarding. Clouds of reef fish are abundant and you might see turtles, tuna, mackerel, dolphins, sharks and even the odd manatee. Discover Egypt combines a week here with a leisurely Nile cruise on the MS Tulip and there is an optional excursion from Aswan to Abu Simbel to see the four colossal statues of Ramses II .
Best for: Accessibility on the Nile
All hotel, cruise, transport and dining logistics are taken care of on this accessible holiday with Responsible Travel. For added peace of mind, guest-relations assistance is available throughout and transfers in an airconditioned vehicle are assisted. Following a three-night stay in Cairo, with visits to the pyramids, Sphinx and the Grand Egyptian Museum, passengers will board a five-star accessible ship in Luxor, for a sail to Aswan.
The itinerary includes visits to Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Sobek (the crocodile god) at Kom Ombo. At Aswan there is a sail around Elephantine Island by motorboat and a visit to the Unfinished Obelisk.
Best for: A side trip to Alex
Part land tour; part cruise, this trip includes a visit to the seaside city of Alexandria, founded in 331BC by Alexander the Great and once Cleopatra’s power base. Remnants of the royal palace and its sunken treasures lie in the city’s seafront bay. The must-see modern library, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, was built to commemorate what was the ancient world’s single greatest archive of literature. Its design features an inclined cylinder, part of which goes underground. The trip includes four nights in Cairo before flying to Luxor to join the ship, which sails south to Aswan.
Best for: Exclusive access
By next year Viking will have six ships on the Nile. The newest on the river is the 41-cabin Viking Osiris, named by Lord Carnarvon, of Highclere Castle. The current earl’s great-grandfather was the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, benefactor and co-explorer of Howard Carter and this trip offers a pre- or post-cruise tour of the Earl’s private collection of photographs detailing the discovery and excavation of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
A 12-night Pharaohs and Pyramids itinerary include visits to the pyramids and spice market in Cairo and the necropolis at Sakkara. Osiris then spends eight days on the Nile with excursions to the Queen Nefertari’s and Tutankhamun’s tomb in the Valley of the Kings and visits to the Temple of Khnum in Esna, the Dendera Temple complex in Qena and the High Dam in Aswan.
Best for: Going your own way
If you prefer a bit more flexibility and are comfortable booking flights and hotels independently, the MS Esplanade sails on three-, four- and seven-night cruises between Luxor and Aswan, and charges a per-night cabin rate. The 73-cabin ship has a small spa, a stylish top deck with poolside cabanas and plush cabins with wide windows. All sailings take in the Valley of the Kings, Karnak and Luxor temples, Edfu, Kom Ombo, the Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple and a sunset felucca cruise.
Tack on a night or two in Cairo at the 13-room Villa Belle Epoque. Located in the tree-lined suburb of Maadi, the beautifully restored 1920s villa has a ground-floor conservatory overlooking a garden and poolside dining area, shaded by fig, guava mango and lemon trees.
Best for: Suite dreams
For dreamy, in-cabin views of the Nile, book one of the four forward-facing suites on board AmaDahlia. With its gym, massage rooms, heated pool, 16 suites and marble-clad bathrooms, the 72-passenger ship doesn’t skimp on luxury. Soak up more river views from the pool where there is alfresco dining and Chef’s Table dinners.
Itinerary standouts include exclusive access to the Queen of Nefatari’s tomb at the Valley of the Kings and a private visit to the lavish Abdeen Palace in Cairo. The former royal palace contains five museums, a pharmacy of rare medicines, a former royal printing house and a collection of exquisite paintings.
Best for: A two-country trip
Uniworld’s stylish river ship, SS Sphinx, features locally sourced fabrics, decorative hand-carved detail and Egyptian artwork. The wine list champions Egyptian wines and menu items include fatteh, mulukhiya (made from jute leaves) and hawawshi (pitta filled with ground beef). After a day’s touring guests can relax in chic, tented cabanas on the pool deck. Along with the usual showstoppers, the itinerary includes afternoon tea at Aswan’s fabled Old Cataract Hotel and an excursion to see birds including herons, kingfishers and the Nile Valley sunbird. Tack on a land extension to Jordan and a donation will be made to the Jordanian women of the Iraq al-Amir Women’s Cooperative, via the TreadRight Foundation.