Exotic Nile Cruises

See thousands of years of history as you explore the lifeblood of the Egyptian people on a Nile cruise.

For most of us, the rugged and beautiful Nile River is something we've only seen on TV documentaries or read about in social studies textbooks.

For many, however, exploring this amazing river has always been a dream. If you're one of them, a trip to Egypt that includes a Nile cruise may be the perfect vacation for you.

Choosing a Cruise
Nile cruises come in many varieties and cover several different cities and regions in Egypt.

Obviously, if you choose a Nile cruise for your next vacation, you won't be sailing the entire length of the longest river in the world, which measures a whopping 4,184 miles.

Though the Nile River is most often associated with Egypt and that's where you'll find the majority of leisure and exploration cruises, the river also touches Ethiopia, Zaire, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Sudan.

You'll find that many cruises are part of a longer Egyptian vacation itinerary, departing from various cities along the river's expansive banks. If you're definitely interested in exploring the river, choose an itinerary that includes a cruise.

Cruise ships that sail this mighty river come in a variety of styles and sizes. You may want to hop aboard a riverboat, which may seem more reminiscent of the Mississippi than the Nile. However, these boats are often used for Nile cruises.

Other companies use more traditional cruise ships but of a smaller size. Both offer luxury accommodations for longer cruises and amenities like swimming pools, entertainment, and fine dining.

What You'll See
Depending on your chosen itinerary, you'll probably visit any number of ancient and modern cities, view amazing temples and other landmark structures, see the Nile crocodile, and take side trips to such spectacular sites as the Great Pyramids.

Many boat trips start in the city of Aswan and sail to Luxor and the ancient city of Thebes. Around Aswan, you'll thrill to the sight of magnificent temples built by Pharaoh Ramses II. Along the way, in Edfu, guests will view the ancient Temple of Horus, considered one of the most well-preserved in the world.

You'll soon reach beautiful Luxor, now a thriving modern city but often considered the world's greatest open-air museum. Here you can view the Valley of the Kings and Queens, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir El Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon.

Additional shore excursions are also available and will allow you to visit sites that can't be viewed from the deck of your cruise ship.

When to Go
November through March is the most popular time for Nile cruises. Summers are dry and very hot (especially in the desert region), while winters are more moderate with temperatures averaging between 80 to 90 degrees (F) during the daytime.