Nile River Cruises

     Several thousand years ago, Egyptian pharaohs and other upper echelon people were known to take lengthy trips up the Nile. Often to visit temples, tombs, monuments and probably relatives living in distant places.

     Nothing has changed much, but people are now coming in droves to visit the very same temples, tombs and monuments. I can't speak for the relatives part. In fact, it's still possible to sail upriver on a felucca, which is similar to the boats used 4000 years ago.

     However, a river cruise on a modern river boat is probably more advisable.River cruising in Egypt in "modern" times goes back to around 1835, when it was possible for the resourceful to travel up the Nile via steamer. River cruises specifically for tourists were originated in 1869 by Thomas Cook.

     The Nile is the planet's longest river, spanning roughly 4200 miles (6700 km) from source to mouth. There's approximately 630 river cruise boats of varying status in operation, which means, statistically, there's a cruise boat roughly every 6 2/3 miles. Which non-statistically, means pretty much nothing.

      Just that there's plenty of boats available. Surprisingly, Egypt ranks only behind Europe as the favorite river cruise destination. And when one considers the popularity of King Tut's world-wide museum tours, it's understandable. People have long been fascinated by the early Egyptians and their incredible and lengthy history and equally incredible engineering feats.

      The Egyptian dynasties lasted for roughly 4000 years before they were replaced by "European" rule. By comparison, the US has been in existence for less than 250 years and Europe was essentially formed in some semblance to today's world (by Charlemagne) about 1200 years ago.

      So, by nature, the Nile River cruises are undertaken by people interested in learning, interested in connecting with the past, and interested in meeting people of the same interests.

     Most people booked into a Nile River tour land in Cairo, spend a few days checking out the Pyramids, and then fly down to Luxor, where the majority of the river cruises begin. From Luxor, the trip proceeds in 3 or 4 days to Aswan, where the passengers take a plane back to Cairo and home.

     It's also possible to extend the cruise another 3 or 4 days into Lake Nasser and Abu Simbel.

     It's not advisable to be on the river during the summer, as temperatures are unbearable. The best times of the year are December, January, February, as the crowds will be less. September and November are popular with tourists from southern Europe who are used to the heat.

     Generally speaking, the land portions of the cruise are taken in the early morning or early evening when the sunshine is less intense.

Obviously, an air conditioned river cruiser is recommended and probably a necessity for most of us.

      The cruise companies and agencies linked below are only a small sampling of what is available. Most of the major European river cruise companies also manage Nile River cruises. It's probably safe to say that on these cruises you will get what you pay for - and some are absolutely, positively, luxurious.

For more Egypt Nile Cruises Information:

     Luxury river cruises are operated by SONESTA and OBEROIPHILAE.

     TRAVEL WIZARD is highly recommended travel agency with a plethora of Nile cruises.

     DELTA TOURS is an Egyptian family-owned company with years of experience.

     TRAVEL GURU offers something different with truly luxurious, wooden, boats assisted by sail - plus an interesting video.

     Whatever you choose, it sounds like the trip of a lifetime. Now is the time to make arrangements for a Nile River cruise while the temperatures are still moderate.