NILE RIVER CRUISE: ASWAN to LUXOR Luxury Cruise Tour

Travel

Jul 2

Our Nile River Cruise Adventure: Unforgettable Temples, Experiences, and Honest Pros & Cons!

When we planned our trip to Egypt, a Nile River cruise was an absolute must. We envisioned sailing past incredible historical temples, and while that was certainly a highlight, it was the unexpected experiences and the wonderful people we met that truly made this journey unforgettable. Join us as we share our honest take on cruising the Nile, from checking into our cabin to exploring ancient wonders!

Settling into Our Floating Hotel

Our adventure began as we checked into our cabin – and what a pleasant surprise! The room was much bigger and more spacious than we anticipated, with a fantastic view. We quickly explored the rest of the boat, noting the lounge areas, the salon bar (where evening activities take place, though we opted to keep safe during these times), and the dining hall. The boat wasn't massive, but it was certainly big enough and nicely decorated.

Our first meal was a delicious open buffet lunch, which definitely lived up to its reputation. We were excited for the food, but even more so for our first tour!

Aswan Wonders: Philae Temple

Our first excursion took us to Philae Temple in Aswan, where we met our amazing tour guide, Ahmed, from Egypt Gift Tours. He expertly arranged everything for our cruise, making us feel like VIPs.

Philae Temple: This incredible temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, wasn't originally on its current island. To save it from being submerged by the Aswan Dam, it was meticulously broken down into 40,000 blocks and relocated – a truly monumental feat of preservation! Ahmed explained that this was the last temple ever built by the ancient Egyptians. Although the Romans later chiseled off many of the faces, much of the ancient history is still beautifully preserved. It’s hard to fathom how ancient civilizations built such detailed and perfectly carved structures.

After our temple visit, we enjoyed a relaxing evening back on the boat, looking forward to dinner and our next day's adventures.

Cruising the Nile: Kom Ombo Temple

We were a little surprised to find that our ship didn't set sail from Aswan until the afternoon of our second day. But once we started moving, the scenery along the Nile was absolutely amazing – such a unique and beautiful experience!

Kom Ombo Temple: After a few hours of cruising, we arrived at Kom Ombo Temple. What makes this temple so unique is its dedication to two ancient Egyptian gods: Horus and Sobek, the crocodile god. The ancient Egyptians believed that by celebrating a crocodile god, they could protect themselves from real crocodiles in the Nile. The temple was even divided into two sections as a compromise between the two gods! We were fascinated to see the first-ever calendar in ancient Egypt here, with 365 days calculated by observing the star Sirius, complete with three seasons, three-week months, and an extra 13th month for the remaining five days – incredibly impressive for its time. We also found a crocodile museum showcasing mummified crocodiles, a testament to the ancient Egyptians' creativity!

That evening, we enjoyed a delicious Mediterranean-themed dinner on board, complete with kofta (similar to Turkish köfte) and an Egyptian show.

Edfu Temple by Horse-Drawn Carriage & The Esna Lock

Our third day began with an early start before 6:30 AM, preparing for an exciting journey to Edfu Temple.

Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride: We headed out with our guide for a horse-drawn carriage ride to the temple. It was a chaotic but fun experience getting there, and Gökçe, who grew up with such carriages in Turkey, even got to ride the horse back to the boat!
Edfu Temple: This magnificent temple is dedicated to the god Horus. With so many ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses, it can get a bit confusing (especially with Isis and her various roles!), but having an excellent guide like Ahmed made understanding the rich history so much easier.

As we continued sailing towards Luxor, we passed through the fascinating Esna Lock. This incredible system involves two dams and a narrow passageway for ships. It was wild to watch sellers on small boats throwing goods up to our cruise ship for cash payments, narrowly escaping the lock gates! Our ship, along with others, was tied to a platform that slowly lowered us so we could pass underneath a bridge – a truly unique engineering marvel to witness.

Nile Cruise: Pros and Cons

As we approached Luxor, we reflected on our Nile cruise experience, highlighting some key differences from typical American or European cruises:

Cons:

Extra Costs for Activities: Most activities, beyond the included temple visits, will cost extra.
Drinks Not Included: Unlike many Western cruises, drinks (even water) are not included with lunch and dinner.
Set Dining Times: Dining hall times are very strict, so if you miss a meal, you're out of luck until the next service – no 24/7 buffets here!

Pros:

Exceptional Guide Service: Thanks to Egypt Gift Tours, having a dedicated guide like Ahmed made all the difference. He provided personalized VIP service, checking in with us multiple times a day.
Spacious Rooms: Our cabin felt more like a comfortable hotel room than a small cruise cabin, with plenty of space and large windows to enjoy the Nile scenery.
Bring Your Own Food/Drinks: You're allowed to bring your own food and drinks (including alcohol) on board, as long as you consume them in your room – a great way to save money!

Our Final Thoughts: An Unforgettable Journey!

Overall, our Nile River cruise was an amazing experience that we will never forget. Sailing the Nile, exploring ancient temples, and meeting incredible people made this journey truly special. As we arrived in Luxor, we were excited for our final day of exploration, ready to discover even more of Egypt's wonders.

Have you ever taken a Nile River cruise? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!

If you want to take this same Nile Cruise Tour, please reach out to Egypt Gift Tours here: https://egyptgifttours.com/ OR contact Heba directly via WhatsApp: +20 100 072 9215

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