Nile Cruise Guide: Route, Highlights and Top Experiences

The Nile Valley is one of the birthplaces of world civilization. The people of this region have created a splendid culture and have made outstanding contributions to the long history of scientific development. The section of the Nile that passes through Egypt is only 1,350 kilometers, but it is the section with the best natural conditions. Since the beginning of the last century, when the luxury cruise line between Luxor and Aswan in ancient Egypt was created, Nile cruises have become a classic tour in Egypt for leisure and culture around the world. A steady stream of tourists is shocked by the achievements of ancient civilizations here.

Most Popular Route for Nile Cruise

The Nile is not only the mother river of Egypt, but also the longest river in the world. Visiting the Nile River by cruise ship is an essential and wonderful experience for tours to Egypt. You can not only sit on the boat and enjoy the beautiful scenery on both sides of the river, but also go ashore to visit the ancient temple and the pharaoh's tombs to feel the splendor of ancient Egyptian civilization. Between Luxor and Aswan, upstream 5 days, downstream 4 days. You can choose either one according to your vacation time. Both of them will take you to discover the cultural landscapes and historic sites, while you can enjoy the comfort and amenities of luxury cruise ships. During this journey, the speed of the boat was extremely slow. The average speed is only 18 to 20 kilometers per hour, so you don't need to worry about seasickness.

Nile Cruise - Place You Must Visite Once in a Lifetime

Highlights on a Nile Cruise Between Luxor and Aswan

1. Luxor Temple

Luxor Temple was mainly built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II. There is a straight stone road about 1km long in front of the temple, which is the famous Sphinx Avenue. This avenue with hundreds of sphinxes squatting on both sides leads to the northeast. In ancient times, this avenue connected the Luxor Temple with the Karnak Temple. Every stone statue has its own manner. Although many of them have been damaged after many vicissitudes, the ancient charm still exists. It is recommended to visit here at night. Because when the temple lights up, the light and shadow are interlaced. The reliefs and colonnades are presented in a mysterious atmosphere, which is interesting.

Luxor Temple

2. Karnak Temple

Karnak Temple is located on the east bank of the Nile. It is not only the largest temple complex in ancient Egypt, but also the oldest temple in Thebes. It was built in 2000 B.C. with the participation of more than 50 pharaohs. This temple, which has been built for the longest time in human history, was finally completed in the 3rd century BC. Karnak Temple is not only the largest in Luxor, but also the largest temple in Egypt. Throughout the temple, you can see many frescoes, statues, and huge stone pillars. The Hall of Stone Columns is one of the highlights of Karnak Temple. There are 134 huge pillars that take six people to encircle.

3. Valley of the Kings

The Valley of the Kings is located on the west bank of the Nile. There are 63 imperial tombs where 64 pharaohs from the 17th to the 20th dynasties are buried. The tomb of Pharaoh Ramesses VI is one of the most exquisite and best-preserved tombs in the Valley of the Kings. The walls of the tomb are decorated with painted relief frescoes of Ramesses VI and numerous ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses. The main tombs worth visiting in the Valley of the Kings are the tomb of Tutankhamun, the tombs of Ramesses III and VI, and the tomb of Seti I. What you need to note here is that taking pictures inside the Imperial Valley is strictly forbidden, and cameras need to be stored. And one ticket allows you to visit three chambers.

4. Temple of Hatshepsut

The Temple of Hatshepsut was built for the female pharaohs of ancient Egypt. In the history of Egypt, Queen Hatshepsut is said to be the greatest and most important queen of Egypt. The Temple of Hatshepsut is built on a mountain, and the neat stone pillars look extremely majestic. The entire temple is divided into three levels, with layers of progression. It is also the only three-story temple in Egypt, which is sufficient to show the dignity of the Queen's position. And there is a long staircase built in the middle which is integrated with the backing rocks, revealing a grand and magnificent beauty.

Temple of Hatshepsut

5. Temple of Philae

In addition, you will visit the temple of Philae, which combines the architectural styles of Pharaoh and ancient Rome. The Philae Temple is also known as the most romantic temple because it is dedicated to the love god Isis. It was almost completely submerged when the dam was built. At that time, the United Nations rebuilt it on the island of Akilkia in 1979 in order to protect this precious shrine. You can also see an unfinished obelisk here. The obelisk is another masterpiece besides the pyramid, and it is also the most distinctive symbol of ancient Egyptian civilization. This unfinished obelisk was a great pity for the stonemasons of ancient Egypt. But for tourists, it is a magnificent landscape. It clearly shows the process and superb skills of ancient Egyptians in mining and carving. In the eyes of future generations, it is still an eternal milestone.

6. Temple of Kom Ombo

Kom Ombo means "Golden City" in ancient Egyptian. The Temple of Kom Ombo is located on a hill by the Nile River and was built during the Ptolemaic Dynasty. Like other temples, it has tall stone pillars and a crumbling temple. But the difference is that it has two gates. One gate is dedicated to Haroeris, the eagle god, and the other to Sobek, the crocodile god. This is why it is also called the "double temple". And there is a large number of crocodile mummies hidden here. According to the locals, these mummies are about 1500 years old and they are placed in the temple to pray for good weather and rain in the coming year. The most incredible part of this temple is a relief carving in the backyard of the temple. Thousands of years of wind and sun have made it no longer clear, but it is still possible to distinguish very clearly what it depicts. There were more than twenty knife-like tools and various instruments on it, ranging from knife-like tools to scraping spoons, tweezers and scissors. It is unbelievable that this was carved 3000 years ago!

7. Temple of Horus

Edfu is a must-see on the tour from Aswan to Luxor. The most famous one here is the Temple of Horus. Because the local terrain is low, the Nile River flooded the whole temple and buried it in the soil, making it the best-preserved temple in Egypt. The Temple of Horus was built in 237 BC, and it took more than 200 years to complete. It is mainly dedicated to the God Horus. And Horus is one of the most important gods in ancient Egypt, usually described as the mighty eagle wearing the Egyptian crown. The pharaohs in ancient Egypt regarded themselves as the embodiment of Horus. A rare crocodile mummy can also be seen in the temple.

8. Aswan Dam

The majestic scenery and comfortable tropical climate of the dam make it one of the classic attractions of the Nile Cruise. Aswan Dam is a modern miracle that conquered the Nile with technology, one of the seven largest dams in the world. It is also a large water hub project that bears the responsibility of protecting the population and farmland along the coast.

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Special Experiences on a Nile Cruise

1. Hot Air Balloon Experience

Luxor is one of the top ten hot air balloon launch sites in the world. You will take off in a hot air balloon before sunrise, slowly rising with the morning light of the eastern dawn, wandering in the blue and pure sky. It is a good place to enjoy the sunrise view of the Imperial Valley from a hot air balloon, with the entire ruins of Thebes at your feet. Looking around, the mountains and rivers, the cities and farmlands, the sky and the temples all tell the story of Egypt's thousand-year history and its former glory! Generally, the tour time of a hot air balloon is 30-45 minutes, which varies according to the weather of the day and the judgment of the captain. After that, a flight certificate will be attached.

2. Exploration of Nubian Village

The Nubian Village is inhabited by about five thousand Nubians, all of whom have retained their primitive habits. The whole village is like a sea of colors. Nubians decorate their houses with various colors, which also warm the hearts of tourists. It is completely different from the architectural style of Cairo, and many walls are painted with nice patterns, like a fairy tale village. There is a bazaar in the center of the village, where you can buy local handicrafts and spices.

3. Felucca Ride

Felucca is the ancient transport of Egypt. It has no engine, all rely on the sail to help move forward. Its sails are triangular in shape. When the wind is blowing, the sailboat sails in a straight line. Upwind, the sailboat sails in a zigzag shape. At sunset, floating on this ancient river on a Felucca. Traveling through the millennia with the sound of the water and the shadow of the sails is a wonderful enjoyment in life.

Felucca Ride

More Choices for Nile Cruise

If you have more time, you can try the loop from Aswan to Luxor to Aswan to explore more of what this area has to offer or extend your trip to the Abu Simbel Temple. Arguably the most imaginative of the many Egyptian temples, the Abu Simbel temple was not built of stone but carved out of the rock of the mountain. So, it is a huge and exquisite sculpture in itself. On the front of the temple are four giant statues of Ramses II with a height of 20 meters. The main part of the temple is a 60-meter-long rectangular hall with 16 standing statues arranged in two rows, all of which are Ramses II. The walls are also covered with frescoes and reliefs depicting Ramses II's exploits. The temple is known for an almost miraculous phenomenon. Besides, there are more top highlights waiting for you to explore.

In Egypt, the ancient boats on the Nile and the mysterious mummies recount all the people’s expectations of a long history thousands of years ago. They not only bring mystery and fantasy to people but also mark the height of ancient Egyptian science and technology. You can enjoy wandering in the perfect combination of ancient mystery and modern fashion and appreciate the different customs. If you want a unique Nile cruise trip, just contact us, and we'll provide you with a tailor-made itinerary that suits your interests and needs.