River Nile cruise holidays visiting Egypt historic sites

Nile River Cruises and Holidays in Egypt

We offer 16 different holidays combining a River Nile cruise with visits to the main sights of Egypt. We offer many cruise and stay options, of lengths from 8 to 13 days. Itineraries can include Cairo and the Pyramids, or extensions to Abu Simbel by ship or air.

Visits to Cairo are usually based on Giza to the south east of the city, where you find the Pyramids and the Sphinx and be amazed by their size. The fascinating Egyptian Museum includes the burial treasures of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun. In the evening is a Sound and Light Show in the shadow of the Sphinx.

From Cairo fly to Luxor or Aswan to join your Nile river cruise ship - alternatively start your holiday by direct flight to Luxor. From Luxor some cruises go north to Denderah, for a visit to the temple of the God Hathor, then sail back to Luxor.

From Luxor visit the Valley of the Kings, with its hundreds of tombs, most famously that of Tutankhamun. See also the Valley of the Queens, Deir El Bahri, the mortuary temple of Queen Hatsheput and the Colossi of Memnon. Cruises also offer visits to the temple complexes of Luxor and Karnak, both noted architectural sights.

Your cruise ship sails via the river lock at Esna to Edfu. The temple of Edfu, dedicated to the falcon-headed God Horus, is one of the best preserved in Egypt. Further down the River Nile is the famous Kom Ombo temple dedicated to the crocodile God Sobek, with its mummified crocodiles.

Aswan is a colourful city, noted for its markets. Visit the Aswan High Dam, and the temple of Philae which was dismantled and rebuilt to avoid being submerged under the Dam's rising waters. Kitchener Island is a beautiful botanic garden with many exotic plants and trees.

From Aswan there are excursions by air to the temples of Abu Simbel. This massive ancient site was moved from its original position and rebuilt to avoid being submerged by the rising waters of the new Lake Nasser. The people in the picture (bottom right) indicate its huge size.

It is also possible to cruise from Aswan to Abu Simbel and see marvellous desert landscapes, particularly sunrises and sunsets. This allows visits to temples and sights only accessible by water, on the shores of Lake Nasser. There are virtually no towns or villages, or mooring sites, so small boats are used for transport ashore. Excursions include Wadi El Seboua and the temple of Ramses II, Kasr Ibrim and the relocated temple of Amada.

The cruise listing below shows the length of each cruise holiday and the areas covered. Click on the cruise name to reach the detailed information pages. All cruises include flights from the UK.

Map of River Nile, Egypt

Columns at Luxor

Aswan

Temple of Philae

Abu Simbel - see how small the people are compared to this huge temple

Classic River Nile Cruise Now 7 nights from £529		A 7-night Nile river cruise between Luxor and Aswan, with pre-bookable optional excursions to many famous sites This 8-day holiday offers a deluxe River Nile cruise at a great price. Free cabin upgrade during Aug 2008*

River Nile and its Treasures Now 7 nights from £599		A 7-night river cruise on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, with included excursions to historic sites This superb value 8-day holiday offers a deluxe River Nile cruise including excursions Free cabin upgrade during Aug 2008*

Pyramids, Aswan and River Nile Now 7 nights from £599		A 4-night River Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, with two nights post-cruise in Cairo, and overnight sleeper train Cairo to Aswan An amazingly low-priced 8-day holiday covering the main highlights of Egypt, with an optional excursion package Free cabin upgrade during Aug 2008*

Nile, Aswan and Lake Nasser 7 nights from £799		A 4-night Nile river cruise from Luxor to Aswan, a flight to Abu Simbel and a 3-night Lake Nasser cruise back to Aswan A superb 8-day two-cruise combination with included excursions, visiting main Nile sites and the stunning temple at Abu Simbel

NEW FOR 2008 From the Pyramids to the Nile 8 nights from £799		A 9-day holiday including a 2-night pre-cruise hotel stay in Giza close to the pyramids followed by an overnight sleeper train journey to Luxor and a 5-night cruise along the River Nile A relaxing cruise with 13 included excursions including the Pyramids, the Sphynx and Cairo Museum

Treasures of the Nile 8 nights from £1030 Save £50 pp		A 4-night River Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, with three nights pre-cruise and one night post-cruise in Cairo. This best-selling 9 day holiday offers a classic combination of first-class accommodation with included visits to many famous sights Includes Christmas departure

NEW FOR 2008 The Royal Lotus Cruise 8 nights from £1105 Save £50 pp		A 4-night Nile cruise visiting Aswan, the High Dam, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and Karnak with a 3-night pre-cruise and 1 night post-cruise hotel stay in Cairo New for 2008, this 9-day holiday allows you to discover Egypt with two days at your leisure to visit the Pyramids and the Sphynx, including other optional excursions

NEW FOR 2008 The Timeless Nile, Aswan and the Pyramids 10 nights from £799		An 11-day holiday including a 7-night cruise and a 3-night post-cruise hotel stay in Giza, close to the pyramids A relaxing cruise with 10 included excursions

Pyramids, Deluxe Nile Cruise and Aswan 10 nights from £899		An 11-day holiday including a 4-night River Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan, with 3-nights pre-cruise in Cairo, and 3-nights post-cruise in Aswan Combines all the highlights of Egypt with a Nile cruise and Cairo, and many included excursions

Wonders of Ancient Egypt 10 nights from £985 Save £50 pp		A 7-night Nile river cruise between Luxor and Aswan, with three nights pre-cruise in Cairo. Abu Simbel flight option. Cairo and a full week's cruising on the Nile River with included visits to many famous sights Includes Christmas & New Year departures

The Oberoi Philae Cruise 10 nights from £1265 Save £50 pp		A 6-night River cruise on the Nile from Luxor to Aswan, with three nights pre-cruise and one night post-cruise in Cairo. A longer Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan including Denderah, on the Oberoi Philae, modelled on a traditional Nile paddle-wheeler Includes Christmas departure

NEW FOR 2008 The Footsteps of the Pharaohs 11 nights from £1334 Save £50 pp		An 11-night holiday including a 4-night River Nile Cruise and a 3-night Cruise on the River Nasser with a 3-night pre-cruise hotel stay in Giza and an overnight post-cruise stay in Cairo. New for 2008, this journey combines two cruise itineraries which feature the remarkable settings of the Nile Valley and Lake Nasser, visiting some of Egypt's greatest wonders.

NEW FOR 2008 The Oberoi Zahra Cruise 11 nights from £1740 Save £50 pp		A 7-night River Nile cruise visiting Aswan, the High Dam and the Valley of Kings with a 3-night pre-cruise and 1-night post-cruise hotel stay in Cairo. New for 2008, this cruise combines hotels stays in Cairo with a relaxing cruise along the Nile towards Aswan

Nostalgic Nile 11 nights from £1589		A 7-night Nile river cruise between Luxor and Aswan, with three nights pre-cruise and one night post-cruise in Cairo. Includes Christmas & New Year departures A totally new concept of cruising on the Nile River. A newly built sailing craft recreating the 19th century aristocratic way of cruising the River Nile

Splendour of Egypt 12 nights from £1430 Save £50 pp		A 7-night River Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor, with four nights pre-cruise and one night post-cruise in Cairo. Abu Simbel flight option. A relaxed 13 day itinerary visiting all the major attractions Includes Christmas departure

Romance of the Nile 12 nights from £1790 Save £50 pp		A 4-night River Nile cruise with four night stay in Cairo and 3 night stay in Luxor pre-cruise and one night post-cruise stay in Cairo. Abu Simbel flight option. A romantic 12 night vacation taking in Egypt's greatest wonders