A visit to Egypt to experience ancient sites constructed in the time of the Pharaohs is on many travellers list of must sees. Exploring Egypt from a Nile River cruise is a unique way to experience the country, all from the comfort of your ship.
This legendary river flows more than 6,400 kilometres (4,000 miles) from Lake Victoria through Uganda, Sudan and Egypt. It winds through rainforest, mountain, savanna, swamp and desert landscapes until it culminates in the fertile Nile Delta and finally to the Mediterranean Sea.
A Nile River cruise allows you to see multiple iconic sites without repacking your bag. The typical route between Luxor and Aswan includes access to some of Egypt’s most spectacular temples and monuments including Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Edfu and Philae Temple.
From the comfort of your ship, you can witness daily Egyptian life along the riverbanks—farmers working fields, children playing and villages going about their routines— an authentic glimpse of rural Egypt you might miss with other travel styles.
With so many spectacular ancients sites to explore, here are some activities you should not miss on a Nile River Cruise.
Luxor often serves as the point of embarkation for a Nile cruise. It once served as capital of Egypt’s New Kingdom, but today is a UNESCO World Heritage Site lined with beautiful colonial-style hotels and some of the world’s most ancient and significant ruins.
Constructed on the east bank of the Nile near Luxor (ancient Thebes) the sprawling temple complex of Karnac was built over approximately 2,000 years with each ruler making their own additions. The sheer scale of the site is startling—about 200 acres—making it one of the largest religious complexes ever built. The main sanctuary at Karnac was dedicated to Amun-Ra, the chief deity during the New Kingdom period. The Great Hypostyle Hall contains 134 massive columns arranged in 16 rows. Walking among these towering columns creates an overwhelming sense of awe.
You can stroll The Avenue of Sphinxes that connects the Karnak Temple to Luxor Temple.
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On the west bank of the Nile is where generations of pharaohs and nobles were entombed in cliffside crypts. Of all the royal tombs discovered thus far (63 and counting) the virtually intact tomb of Tutankhamum was famously opened in 1922.
This is a busy site that is best seen with a guide, but worth making arrangements if you are fascinated by the history of ancient Egypt. You can book an entrance ticket to see the final resting place of Tutankhamun, complete with his mummy and sarcophogus, but the treasures of the tomb along with the iconic golden mask were transferred to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. The entire collection will soon be on display at the highly anticipated Tutankhamun Galleries at the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza (partially complete, anticipated fully open July 2025).
Located on an island, take a short boat ride from Aswan to the lovely Temple of Philae, dedicated to the god Isis. Originally located on Philae Island, the entire temple complex was moved and reconstructed on nearby Agilkia Island in the 1970s a part of a massive UNESCO rescue operation. Construction of the Aswan High Dam would have left the temple permanently submerged. Stone by stone is was moved and meticulously reassembled in a higher location. This temple is considered one of the most beautiful in Egypt.
An excursion on a traditional felucca is a peaceful and authentic experience you should not miss. Feluccas are traditional wooden sailing boats that have been used on the Nile for thousands of years. Their distinctive triangular sails make them both photogenic and able to offer a quietly serene experience with no engine noise.
Elephantine Island sits in the middle of the Nile at Aswan and is named for the rounded granite boulders along its shores that the ancient Greeks thought resembled elephants, as well as its role in the ivory trade. On Elephantine Island stop to visit a traditional Nubian village with their distinctive colourful houses.
Located about 280 km south of Aswan, a visit to Abu Simbel is often offered as an optional excursion, while some luxury or extended cruises might include a visit on their itinerary. It’s a short flight from Aswan (about 30 minutes) each way.
Abu Simbel consists of two massive rock-cut temples built by Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BCE. The main temple features four colossal statues of Ramesses II at the entrance, each standing about 20-meters tall. The smaller temple is dedicated to Queen Nefertari, Ramesses’ favourite wife.
The site is another that was remarkably relocated in the 1960s during the construction of the Aswan High Dam. In a massive UNESCO-led operation, the temples were cut into blocks and reassembled 65 meters higher and 200 meters back from their original location to save them from being submerged under Lake Nasser.
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