Nile River cruises

The Temple of Philae is on Agilkia Island, which is only accessible by boat; it’s one of Egypt’s most beautiful temples and was relocated to its current location, stone by stone, to save it from flooding when the Aswan Dam was built. The Nubian Museum is also located here and houses artifacts and exhibits of Nubian heritage across thousands of years.  Aswan is also the home of the Unfinished Obelisk, which would have been the largest obelisk in the world if finished. Taking a visit to this monument will let you learn about what led to the project’s abandonment and see the marks left behind by ancient tools.Feluccas, traditional sailboats, are a popular way to explore Aswan. They offer panoramic views of Elephantine Island, Kitchener’s Island Botanical Gardens, and the lush riverbanks. Aswan's unique location at the first cataract of the Nile presents a striking contrast: the golden desert sands meet the flowing river, with ancient temples like Philae juxtaposed against modern structures such as the Aswan Opera House.A 30-minute drive from the city, the Aswan High Dam is a monumental engineering achievement that transformed Egypt’s agriculture and power supply by controlling the Nile’s floods and creating Lake Nasser, one of the world’s largest man-made lakes.While it brought economic benefits, the dam also caused the displacement of thousands of Nubians and submerged many ancient sites, sparking ongoing debate about its environmental and cultural impact.

Originally known as Thebes, Luxor is often dubbed an “open air museum” for its deep history and breathtaking sights.Most ships dock on the east bank, where the city and the temples of Luxor and Karnak are. Across the water, on the west bank, the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings are both about 15-20 minutes from the port by car.Back in the city, you can visit the Luxor Museum, one of the finest dedicated to ancient Egyptian history. The collections focus on artefacts from the New Kingdom period and the surrounding Theban region. The museum is on the east bank, between Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple. Or, you can head down to the Luxor bazaars to try your own hand at haggling for some jewellery or perfume.A popular excursion from Luxor is an early-morning hot air balloon ride to take in views of the area’s sights as the sun rises.

Built during the Ptolemaic period, the Temple of Khnum is considered one of the best-preserved examples of ancient Egyptian architecture. Esna is also where you can most appreciate the beauty of the Nile valley, the narrow ribbon of greenery and farmland along the river, which contrasts with the arid deserts dominating the rest of the country.Esna’s historic market is one of the last remaining traditional markets in southern Egypt that still functions as part of everyday local life; it sells household goods, local crafts and bridal items.The El-Army Minaret is the only surviving structure from the old mosque of the same name, which was demolished and rebuilt in 1960. The mosque was constructed between 474 and 476, making it the first mosque constructed in the Esna area during the Fatimid era.Esna is best experienced when walking around and is known for its peaceful atmosphere, but historical monuments are only a short drive away from the port.

The Temple of Horus is considered one of the most impressive temples along the Nile. It was built during the Greco-Roman era, but the builders took great care to preserve the ancient Egyptian way of constructing the temple, giving the unique ability to see what the surrounding older temples could have looked like if they were built 2,000 years later.  The Temple of Horus is considered one of the most impressive temples along the Nile. Although it was built relatively late in ancient Egyptian history (in the Greco-Roman period), the builders deliberately used traditional Egyptian architectural styles. Because of that, the temple is exceptionally well preserved and built in the same style as much older temples.This gives modern visitors a chance to see what older temples (like those from the New Kingdom or earlier) might have looked like in their prime.

The temple has a dual design to pay tribute to both Sobek and Horus. The inside is like a mirror, each side of the temple reflecting the same rooms and design for the two gods. It was also built during the Ptolemaic era and finished under Roman rule.The Crocodile Museum is also available to explore at Kom Ombo, where crocodile mummies are preserved. In ancient Egypt, crocodiles were both feared and revered by locals who offered them respect by mummifying them after death. The museum explores this tradition.The city is known for its incredible surrounding views, allowing guests to walk around and enjoy the sights or venture into the historical buildings. No bazaars are located in the city itself, but other cities such as Aswan, Abu Simbel, and Edfu offer some extra adventure with only a thirty-minute drive between them. 

Explora Journeys aim to create a relaxed energy within their passengers. Through exemplary service and high-quality surroundings, their itineraries are specifically designed to inspire exploration and discovery, broaden your horizons and trigger new connections. Your journey will be characterised by calm, unity, elegance, and joy – also known as The Ocean State of Mind, an elusive and sought-after mantra.

Crystal Cruises - originally founded in 1988 - offers a range of stylish luxury and expedition cruises, bringing a sense of occasion and high-end service to far-flung parts of the world. For over three decades, Crystal has gained awards and accolades by the shipload – and it’s not hard to see why.Operating a fleet of impressive ships decked out with opulent décor and contemporary innovations, Crystal Cruises takes comfort and adventure to the next level. From succulent dining to perfectly-organised onshore excursions, not to mention helicopter trips and submarine expeditions, the cruise line boasts of serious attention to detail, for the ultimate trip of a lifetime.

Known for its river cruises, CroisiEurope also offers ocean voyages on two small ships. Guests boarding the 130-passenger La Belle des Oceans (formerly Silversea's Silver Discoverer) can follow in Napoleon's footsteps, visit the hilltop villages of Balagne, and enjoy dinner at a traditional inn. Meanwhile, the 197-guest La Belle de l'Adriatique offers itineraries that take in local traditions.

Viking is the largest river cruise line operators in the world, with a fleet of 76 ships running sailings across four continents on an army of award-winning ships. The river arm of Viking is just one of Viking's cruise options, the super-premium Norwegian ocean cruise line known for its superlative cruise experience, small ships with Scandi-chic interiors and fantastic destination and cultural enrichment programme. On the river, Viking offers cruisers the chance to sail in Europe, Asia, Africa and the US, offering facilities like sundeck swimming pools, relaxing Aquavit terraces and well-stocked libraries. Continually making new additions and expanding, Viking has recently upped its Nile river cruise game with two new ships, and also sails the Mississippi river. The cruise line also champions themed cruises, taking passengers to the likes of the Passion Play at Oberammergau and offering exclusive pre-and post-cruise land tours.

Riviera Travel is one of the oldest and most reliable river cruise operators in the world, with 40 years of experience running guided and escorted tours, a land and water all around the world, including river cruises. Riviera Travel operates a unique cruising experience, partnering with local guides and experts to create a programme of guided tours and river cruises, bringing like-minded travellers together and offering a selection of authentic and bespoke travel experiences. The operator runs river cruises on European waterways like the Danube, Rhine and Douro, but also the Nile, Mekong and Yangtze. Championing escorted tours and guided holidays, Riviera Travel line also specialises in solo travel, providing a safe, friendly and social environment for travellers going it alone.

TUI river cruises offer adults-only voyages on all the major European rivers. The all-inclusive sailings come with top service and an array of tempting shore excursions. You'll be spoiled for choice! There are currently three river cruise ships - TUI Isla, TUI Maya and TUI Skyla. All TUI vessels have capacity for a maximum of 155 guests, ensuring that there's plenty of personal space onboard.

APT Travelmarvel brings expertise, knowledge and luxury to the party. From Europe to Asia, you are guaranteed the best accommodation, the highest-quality meals, and unique must-see locations. Flexibility is the name of the game. APT Essential River Cruises ensures that a great balance of sightseeing and leisure time creates the freedom to explore at your own pace, without missing out on bespoke destinations and exclusive culinary experiences. You won’t be disappointed!

Uniworld is one of the most luxurious river cruise lines in existence, operating a fleet of 13 unique, opulent and lavish six-star river ships. The company was founded in 1976, becoming part of the Travel Corporation in 2004 – a group which also includes luxurious Red Carnation Hotel. The cruise line operates on the waters of Europe, Arica and Asia, and each Uniworld ship is inspired by its destination.

Scenic River Cruises is one of the most luxurious cruise operators in the world. It’s the cruise line behind the innovative and super luxurious yacht-style ship Scenic Eclipse, a ship that revolutionised the cruise industry when it launched. That same level of luxury can be had on its fleet of river ships. The cruise line offers an all-inclusive experience, featuring amenities like spas, terraces, panorama lounges and spacious cabins with private butlers.

Tauck is a super-premium river cruise line offering small, intimate sailings on the waterways of Europe. The cruise line launched in 1992, offering luxurious and all-inclusive river cruises on the likes of the Danube, Rhine and Rhone. With many awards under its belt, the cruise line owns it when it comes to European river cruising, heading away from crowded tourist hotspots and off the beaten track.

Avalon's suite ships in Europe and Southeast Asia boast wall-to-wall windows that transform cabins into open-air balconies, and there are also river-facing beds to make the most of passing views. The line’s Active & Discovery sailings have optional action-packed experiences alongside traditional shore tours. Avalon Waterways also offers short-break cruises of three and four nights.

Luxury cruise line, AmaWaterways, has a fleet of 23 custom-designed, five-star river ships which sail to destinations all over the world, across Europe, Asia, and Africa.On board AmaWaterways, passengers can learn Thai Chi as they sail the Mekong river, or enjoy sunrise yoga on the serene waterways of Europe.