Long Cruise: Cairo, Luxor and Aswan 

Tour description

 Explore the River Nile From Cairo to Aswan, Combining the pyramids, sphinx and Egyptian Museum in Cairo with an extended Nile Cruise from Cairo to Aswan has long been one of the worlds most desired trips. Newly re-opened, this classic river cruise gives you the chance to see and learn about some fascinating ancient history while watching rural Egyptian life pass by as you sail along the Nile.

Explore the River Nile with us, all the way from Cairo to Aswan from the comfort of your 5-star-deluxe Nile Cruise boat. The lower reaches of the Nile between Cairo and Abydos have been closed to Nile cruisers for over 15 years, and this tour offers an exciting chance to be one of the very first to sail this route now it has been officially re-opened.  Note: Very few boats are operating this route, and due to the continuing low numbers of visitors to Egypt, long periods may pass between any boats running, however we are offering 4 guaranteed sailings in 2016.

This fascinating journey passes through rural Egypt where you can watch traditional Egyptian life on the banks of the river Nile as you sail by. You will also visit all of Egypt’s most famous and important historical sites such as the Pyramids and Valley of the Kings, as well as some such as Tel Amarna, Beni Hassan and Hermopolis that are seldom visited and that this cruise is now making more accessible.

This 2-week cruise alternates between running from Cairo to Aswan, and then from Aswan to Cairo. The descriptions on this website show the Cairo to Aswan itinerary - the reverse route visits all the same places and includes the same sightseeing tours.

Our prices for this cruise are based on you sharing tours with other passengers on board the cruise. We also offer the option of booking a private guide if preferred. 

You can extend the tour if you wish to add more time in Aswan or Cairo for day trips to the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, or to visit the spectacular desert scenery at Wadi Rayan and Wadi Hitan just outside Fayoum, near Cairo. This tour includes the 'Valley of the Whales' World Heritage Site where ancient whale fossils are found and displayed on the sand. We can also extend the tour to take in some time at a Red Sea beach resort, or to head into Egypt's western deserts.

 Itinerary 

·         Day 1:

·         Arrive in Cairo

We meet you at Cairo airport and transfer you directly to your Nile Cruise ship. The rest of the day is free for you to settle in and relax onboard. Tonight will be spent moored up in Cairo. International flights are available on request from your chosen departure airport.

·         Day 2:

·         Cairo – Egyptian Museum, Pyramids and Sphinx tour

You head into central Cairo today to learn more about Pharaonic history in the Egyptian Museum, home to the treasures from King Tutankhamuns Tomb. Later in the afternoon we'll head to Giza to visit the famous Pyramids and Sphinx. This evening the boat will hold a cocktail party with oriental museum. Overnight onboard in Cairo.

·         Day 3:

·         Full day of sailing to Beni Suef

You will leave Cairo today before midday and begin sailing south towards Beni Suef. Enjoy the thrill of being one of the very first tourists to cruise this part of the Nile for over 15 years! The day will be spent at leisure onboard the ship where you can enjoy the scenery along the banks of the Nile and relax onboard the ship.

·         Day 4:

·         Tours to various sites around Fayoum

We have a number of important sites to visit today includes the Hawara and Meidum Pyramids located close to the oasis town of Fayoum. Overnight onboard Nile Cruise in Beni Suef.

·         Day 5:

·         Sail to Minya

The boat will begin sailing before breakfast today as the journey to Minya is a long one. We should reach Minya by 2pm before enjoying a full afternoon of tours. Your first visit this afternoon will be to Tuna al Gebel where you can see the Tomb of Petosiris which is a fusion of Greek and Egyptian styles. You will also visit Ashmunein before rejoining the boat. Overnight onboard in Minya.

·         Day 6:

·         Visit Tel el Amarna and Beni Hassan

After breakfast you will visit the fabled city of Tel el Amarna. This ancient city was once known as Akhenaten, while its modern day name comes from the nearby village of El-Till and the name of a local Bedouin tribe. The ancient Egyptian name Akhenaten means ‘the horizon of the solar disk’. The Pharaoh Akhenaten moved the capital of Egypt to this place as an offering to his god Aton, after he established monotheism in Egypt. After his death his son Tutankhamun moved the capital back to Thebes and re-established polytheism much to the delight of the Egyptian population. Akhenaten was then abandoned and almost forgotten. Today, archaeologists are still working in the area to discover what treasures may still be hidden. Whilst here today you'll visit The Northern Tombs, The ruins of the Great Palace and the small and great temples of the Aten. We have a break to have lunch onboard the boat before visiting Beni Hassan in the afternoon. The unfinished tombs at Beni Hassan demonstrate the transitional period between the Mastaba type tombs of the Old Kingdom and the deep cut tombs which you’ll see later in the tour in the Valley of the Kings. You'll have the opportunity to visit 4 tombs whilst at Beni Hassan. Overnight onboard in Minya.

·         Day 7:

·         Sail to Asyut

Today you'll have a full day board the cruise boat whilst sailing south to Asyut.

·         Day 8:

·         Sail to Sohag. Visit the Temple of Abydos

We'll sail further south this morning to reach Sohag by 2pm. Today’s tour begins with a short drive to Abydos, home to the legend of Osiris. The ancient Egyptians believed that it was at Abydos where Osiris was resurrected after he was killed by his brother Seth, he was then given powers to become the lord of the Afterlife. Whilst here you’ll also see the temple of Seti I, who founded Abydos. The temple was completed by his son Ramses II. This evening there will be a black and white party onboard the boat. 

·         Day 9:

·         Sail to Qena

Today whilst sailing south to the town of Qena we'll pass through 2 locks and under a railway bridge in the town of Naga Hammadi. Overnight onboard in Qena.

·         Day 10:

·         Visit the Temple of Dendera, sail to Luxor

After breakfast this morning we travel a short distance by road to visit the important temple of Dendera which is dedicated to Hathor, the goddess of joy, dance. and love. Hathor was also believed to have had healing powers and ancient Egyptians often brought the sick here to be cured. After time exploring the temple you will rejoin the boat and continue sailing to Luxor. This evening a Belly Dancer will join the boat for some traditional entertainment. Overnight onboard in Luxor. 

·         Day 11:

·         Luxor West Bank Tours

Luxor is rightly known as the world’s largest outdoor museum, and this morning we start our visits on the West Bank of the Nile, exploring Pharaonic tombs in the Valleys of the Kings and visiting Queen Hatchepsut’s beautiful temple. Today’s extra options include a spectacular hot air balloon flight over the West Bank of the Nile, and a visit to Karnak Temple in the evening for an atmospheric and informative Sound and Light show. 

·         Day 12:

·         Luxor East Bank Tours, sail to Edfu

After breakfast onboard the boat you begin today by visiting the huge temple complex at Karnak and also Luxor temple in the centre of town. In ancient times these two temples were linked by an enormous avenue of Sphinxes, much of this avenue has recently been restored as you will see. You have a little more free time in Luxor before the boat begins to sail further south towards Edfu where we'll spend the night onboard. 

·         Day 13:

·         Visit Edfu and Komombo Temples, sail to Aswan

We visit Edfu temple this morning which is dedicated to the god Horus. Edfu Temple is often regarded as the best preserved temple in Egypt so this visit isn't to be missed! Later in the day we’ll sail a little further south to the unusual double temple of Komombo, dedicated to the gods Sobek and Horus. The unusual design of the temple means that everything is perfectly symmetrical along the main axis. A few of the 300 mummified crocodiles discovered in the area are on display at the temple. After your tour of Komombo you’ll continue on to Aswan where you'll spend the night. 

·         Day 14:

·         Aswan Tours

This morning will begin with a boat trip to visit the beautiful Island Temple at Philae along with the Aswan High Dam which holds back the waters of Lake Nasser. In the afternoon we'll visit the Nubian Museum to learn about the Nubian people who inhabit much of southern Egypt. Overnight on board in Aswan with a Nubian Show.

·         Day 15:

·         Aswan – Transfer to Aswan Airport for departure

After checking out from your hotel this morning you’ll transfer to Aswan airport for your final departure. If you would like to spend longer in Egypt we can organise additional nights in Aswan, a Red Sea extension, or a safari into the country’s western deserts. 

Included

• Accommodation on 5-star deluxe cruise boat
• Meals as indicated (Full Board whilst onboard the boat)
• All transfers, including 24-hour airport transfer service in Cairo and Aswan
• Tours & guides as indicated on the itinerary with a shared Nile Cruise guide
• All transport required for mentioned sightseeing
• All site entrance fees

Excluded

• International airfares (available on request)
• Visa costs (available on arrival for most nationalities)
• Meals not indicated in the itinerary 
• Drinks, snacks, tips for your guide, and other personal expenses
• Entrance fees to sites not mentioned (mummy room etc..)
• Gala Dinners in hotels/cruise boats on 24 & 31 Dec (if charged)
• Travel insurance (available on request)
• Private cruise guide (available on request)
• Any other items not mentioned above

Notes

·         This special Nile cruise only runs on limited departures throughout the year, as listed on our dates and prices page.

·         Private tour prices are based on 2 people travelling, including shared tours with other cruise passengers. A single supplement will be imposed for single passengers when a room share cannot be arranged.

·         An optional supplement can be paid to have a private guide for all sightseeing tours.

·         Discounts are available if 4 or more people book together.

·         In some years, the Nile cruise boats and some hotels arrange a very special Gala Dinner in the evening on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Payment for these is normally compulsory, whether you attend or not. Where Gala Dinners are compulsory they are included in our small-group tour prices. They are not included in our private tour season prices and will be added to your booking if required.