Today Nile cruises remain a very popular way to experience the wonders of Egypt and the Nile.
The convenience of only having to unpack one time is fast becoming the choice over itineraries that have you bouncing airplane, to bus, to car and from one hotel to another.
Traveling the Nile via a ship also allows you to see small Egyptian towns and antiquities that lie along the banks of the river that you may not otherwise see. You can also witness the lifestyle of the people of rural Egypt and see that it is not much different than it was in the time of the Pharaohs. They still live in mudbrick houses, use wooden plows in their fields and transport their products by donkey.
Nile Cruises differ in length from three to seven nights
The most popular Nile cruises are three, four, or seven nights long with the shorter ones traveling between Luxor and Aswan. The longer cruises go farther north and sometimes provide day-long excursions inland to the more remote sites. A more complete Nile cruise and stay holiday would sail the Nile for fourteen days, allowing several days in Cairo before the cruise begins to see the Great Pyramids, the Sphinx, the many museums, and other antiquities in this area.
The boats used on the Nile vary, but typically they are what is known as Nile cruisers and referred to as floating hotels. You can find all levels and prices for a cruise on the Nile, but the better boats have the same amenities as a hotel, even small pools, hot tubs, exercise rooms, good restaurants, and nightclubs. Depending on the boat, the rooms can vary from small and basic to larger and more luxurious to suites. The top-level boats have private baths, air conditioning, and TVs just as a hotel would.
A possible itinerary for a Luxury Nile cruise may resemble this:
· Several days spent in Cairo to enjoy an excursion to the necropolis at Sakkara. After this, you will continue to the Giza plateau to see the Sphinx and the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World – the Great Pyramids. You can even take a short camel ride.
· A trip to Luxor to see things like the Valley of the Kings and the temples of Luxor and Karnak.
· From Luxor you Nile cruise will begin where you will head to Kom Ombo and Aswan and visit the Temple of Horus in Edfu.
· Continue cruising the Nile with stops to visit more fascinating temples and ancient fortresses as well as the Valley of the Lions at Wadi el Seboua. This is an entire avenue lined with sphinxes.
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