River Nile cruise holidays visiting Egypt historic sites

Nile River Cruises and Holidays in Egypt

We offer 20 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



River Nile Cruises
Cruise	Nights	Description	Price From
Classic River Nile Cruise Free cabin upgrades on Summer deps	7	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 No Single Supplements on select dates*	£499
River Nile and its Treasures Free cabin upgrades on Summer deps	7	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 No Single Supplements on select dates*	£669
7-Night Nostalgic Nile Book now for 2 FREE Cairo hotel nights	7	A 7 night luxury all-inclusive 'dahabiyya' cruise from Luxor to Aswan, recreating the 19th century aristocratic way of cruising the River Nile. A superb 8-day cruise with included excursions, visiting main Nile sites	£1220


Nile River Cruise, Cairo and Pyramids
Cruise	Nights	Description	Price From
Pyramids, Aswan and River Nile Free cabin upgrades on Summer deps	7	A 4-night River Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, overnight sleeper train from Aswan to Cairo (or recommended flight and hotel stay for just £99) and two nights hotel stay in Cairo An amazingly low-priced 8-day holiday covering the main highlights of Egypt, with an optional excursion package	£499
From the Pyramids to the Nile	8	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	£899
The Royal Lotus Cruise Save £50 pp	8	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	£1095
Treasures of the Nile Save £50 pp	8	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	£1195
NEW FOR 2009 A Taste of Ancient Splendour Save £50 pp	8	A 9-day holiday including a 3-night pre-cruise hotel stay in Cairo followed by a 4-night Nile River Cruise visiting Aswan, the High Dam, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, ending with an overnight hotel stay in Cairo *Includes Christmas departure*	£1195
Romance of the Nile Save £50 pp	12	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	£1790


Extended Nile Cruise, Cairo and Pyramids
Cruise	Nights	Description	Price From
Wonders of Ancient Egypt Save £50 pp	10	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	£995
The Timeless Nile, Aswan and the Pyramids	10	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	£899
Grand Tour of Egypt	11	An 11-night holiday including a 7-night River Nile Cruise with a 3-night pre-cruise 5 star hotel stay in Giza This journey combines a traditional Egyptian style Nile cruise with Cairo, Alexandria and 13 excursions..	£1099


Nile River Cruise, Cairo and Aswan
Cruise	Nights	Description	Price From
NEW FOR 2009 The Royal Lily Cruise Save £50 pp	8	A 9-day holiday including a 3-night River Nile Cruise visiting the High Dam, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and Karnak, a 3-night hotel stay pre-cruise in Cairo, a pre-cruise overnight hotel stay in Aswan and an overnight post-cruise hotel stay in Cairo *Includes Christmas departure*	£1075
Pyramids, Deluxe Nile Cruise and Aswan Now from £999pp	10	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	£999


Luxury River Nile Holidays
Cruise	Nights	Description	Price From
NEW FOR 2009 Egyptian Encounters Cruise Save £50 pp	7	A 7-night holiday including a 3-night pre-cruise hotel stay in Cairo followed by a 4-night Nile River Cruise visiting Luxor, Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan, the High Dam and Philae *Includes Christmas departure*	£1470
7-Night Nostalgic Nile Book now for 2 FREE Cairo hotel nights	7	A 7 night luxury 'dahabiyya' cruise from Luxor to Aswan, recreating the 19th century aristocratic way of cruising the River Nile. A superb 8-day cruise with included excursions, visiting main Nile sites with Hot Air Balloon ride and Abu Simbel options	£1220
The Oberoi Philae Cruise Save £50 pp	10	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	£1360
11-Night Nostalgic Nile Book now for FREE Cairo excursions	11	A 7-night Nile river cruise between Luxor and Aswan, with three nights pre-cruise and one night post-cruise in Cairo. 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	£1595
The Oberoi Zahra Cruise Save £50 pp	11	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. This cruise combines hotels stays in Cairo with a relaxing cruise along the Nile towards Aswan	£2995


Nile River Cruise, Lake Nasser and Abu Simbel
Cruise	Nights	Description	Price From
Nile, Aswan and Lake Nasser	7	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	£799
The Footsteps of the Pharaohs Save £50 pp	11	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. 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.	£1395