Itinerary:
Most Nile cruises sail between Luxor and Aswan, which is a distance of about 230 kilometers. The typical itinerary includes stops at the following UNESCO World Heritage Sites:
- Valley of the Kings: The burial ground of many pharaohs, including Tutankhamun
- Temple of Karnak: A vast complex of temples and chapels built over thousands of years.
- Temple of Luxor: A majestic temple built by Amenhotep III and Ramses II.
- Komombo Temple: A double temple dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus.
Types of Nile cruises:
There are two main types of Nile cruises:
- Luxury cruises: These large ships offer spacious cabins, swimming pools, restaurants, bars, and a variety of amenities.
- Dahabia cruises: These smaller, traditional boats offer a more intimate experience and access to smaller villages and sites that larger ships cannot reach.
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Things to consider when choosing a Nile cruise:
- Budget: Luxury cruises are more expensive than dahabia cruises.
- Interests: If you are interested in ancient history, you may want to choose a cruise that includes stops at all of the major archaeological sites. If you are looking for a more relaxed experience, you may want to choose a shorter cruise or one that includes more time for swimming and sunbathing.
- Time of year: The best time to visit Egypt is during the spring and fall, when the weather is mild. However, Nile cruises are available year-round.
Additional tips:
- Pack comfortable shoes for walking around the archaeological sites.
- Bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
- Learn some basic Arabic phrases.
- Tipping is expected in Egypt, so be sure to factor that into your budget.