Nile cruises

A cruise is the simplest way to see Upper Egypt: you unpack once, and the temples of Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo come to you, between afternoons on deck. Everything depends on the choice of boat, which sets the length, the pace and the number of passengers. The Nile cruise page describes the stops and the river's climate; this one helps you choose.

Three boats, three ways of sailing

The Oberoi Philae is the most intimate of the large boats: 22 cabins and suites for about forty passengers, all of at least 36 m², with a window that opens onto the river. It sails Luxor-Aswan in both directions in 4 nights, and offers a 6-night programme from Luxor that adds Dendera and Abydos. An Egyptologist accompanies the visits. It is the boat for travellers who want the fullest programme.

The Oberoi Zahra has 28 cabins and suites. The Luxury Cabin, the most common, measures 26.4 m²; the suites go up to 115 m², with a private terrace and hot tub. It sails in 3 nights from Aswan to Luxor, with the current, in 4 nights the other way, and in 7 nights with Dendera. The 3-night programme suits a short trip that also takes in Cairo or the Red Sea.

The Nour El Nil dahabiyas are traditional two-masted sailing boats, 43 to 60 m long, with nine or ten cabins. They board in Esna, about 53 km south of Luxor, and reach Aswan in 5 nights, at the pace of the wind, with stops where large boats do not moor: El Kab and Gebel Silsileh, with its sandstone quarries and rock chapels. They stop on isolated banks for walks or a swim in the river, where the crew indicates. The fare includes full board, excursions, entrance fees, the Egyptologist guide and tips; alcohol is extra.

Beyond the Nile

Lake Nasser. South of Aswan, the lake created by the High Dam borders the Nubian temples moved during its construction. The cruise links Aswan and Abu Simbel in 4 nights, or 3 nights in the other direction, with stops at Amada, Wadi es-Sebua and Kalabsha. Its great advantage is visiting Abu Simbel in the afternoon, after the day trips have left. Sabaro's trip idea "Lake Nasser cruise to Abu Simbel, 5 days" starts with a night in Aswan.

Red Sea liveaboards. From Port Ghalib, near Marsa Alam, or from Sharm el-Sheikh, boats take divers out to sea for several days, to the Brothers, Elphinstone or the Thistlegorm. These cruises are for experienced divers; the Diving and snorkelling page sets out the rules.

Before booking

• Departures. The Oberoi boats leave on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Boarding is at noon and disembarkation in the morning, at 8 am on the Philae, local time: keep half a day before and after for the sites in both cities that are not on the programme.
• Children. On both Oberoi boats, they are accepted from age 7 and occupy a separate cabin, charged at the full rate.
• Payment. At Oberoi, it is made in three stages: 25% on booking, 50% 180 days before departure and 25% at 91 days. On the Oberoi Philae, cancelling less than 90 days before costs the full amount, and any change of name, cabin or dates counts as a cancellation.
• The season. From November to February, the average high stays between 23 and 30 °C in Luxor and Aswan: the best season for visits. From May to September, it exceeds 39 °C. On 2 August 2027, the total solar eclipse passes almost over Luxor, which makes a summer cruise worthwhile for those who accept the heat.

Building the trip

A cruise is almost always combined with something else. Sabaro's trip ideas give four examples:

• "Cairo, Aswan and a Nile cruise in 8 days", for a first trip, from the pyramids to the temples of Upper Egypt;
• "Nile cruise and Red Sea in 10 days", which ends with a week on the beach;
• "The Nile by dahabiya, from Esna to Aswan, 6 days", for sailing;
• "The eclipse in Luxor and the Nile in 8 days", for 2 August 2027.