bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

sponsorType

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Tribune News Service

Cruising leisurely down the Nile River is one of the most popular tourist activities in Egypt.
You can see ancient and remarkable temples with almost no effort. You can see miles of countryside without leaving your deck chair.
But a cruise might not be as much fun as you think if you ignore these tips.
1. Do not start the cruise in Cairo
Those first couple of days cruising down to Luxor seem a bit of wasted time that could be better spent.
Definitely get yourself a good private Cairo guide, which is very affordable, and see the pyramids in Giza and the spectacular museums, but then hop on a plane to Luxor and take your cruise from there. Or go to Aswan and do it backward.
2. If you have got the money and you love history, consider travelling on a dahabiya
Dahabiyas are wooden sailing vessels like the one fictional detective Hercule Poirot sailed on in Death on the Nile.
This is a costly option, though. Sailings can cost anywhere from US$1,000 to US$10,000, depending on the length of time and luxury of the boat, but you will feel like you are travelling back in time.

The boats are smaller and typically have only a dozen or so cabins, eliminating the crowd factor. Smaller vessels can also go places that the big ships cannot.
3. On the topic of money, this is not a time to cheap out
Book the nicest ship you can afford. You are going to be stuck on it for most of your trip, so make sure you will be happy with the food and amenities. Do shop around, though, because there are bargains to be had.
A typical cruise between Luxor and Aswan would run US$500 to US$2,000 per person or even more, depending on how luxurious you want to go, whether it is high season and what type of cabin you book.
A travel agent in Egypt who specialises in cruise ships can give you the best advice. Also, note that a “five star” cruise is not as luxurious as you might think. It is just a nice boat with good amenities.
4. Get a balcony cabin, if you can afford it
If not, choose a cabin with a big picture window, so you can watch the Nile float past easily from your room.

5. If you have mobility issues, take note
There are not many Nile cruisers out there with lifts, so make sure you find one of them if mobility is a concern. Otherwise you will be forced to traipse up and down flights of stairs several times a day. Go online and make sure about the lift before you plop down any money.
6. Try and eat Egyptian food on board
Since the passengers are nearly all foreigners, your ship will give you mostly Western food. There will be little or no Egyptian food available on the inevitable mealtime buffet, but the crew downstairs will be eating it. It cannot hurt to ask if you can have some.
And drink the red juice at breakfast. It is hibiscus juice and great for your heart.
7. Get your own guide
Cruise ships are familiar with this custom and will provide lodging. This will prove invaluable when a cruise ship lands and disgorges hundreds of passengers simultaneously, and you do not know where you are going.

Your guide will lead you to the attraction at hand – invariably an ancient temple – and then tell you about it. This is a less expensive option than you think, and smart cruisers do it.
8. Generally, Nile cruises stop at three temples en route. Visit them all
These are the Temple of Khnum, dedicated to the ram-headed god Khnum; the Temple of Edfu, dedicated to the falcon god Horus and the goddess Hathor; and the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and Horus.
9. Prepare yourself emotionally for the crowds
Most, if not all, of the Nile boats cruising the same route stop at these temples at the exact same time. What this means is a roiling mass of humanity all getting off their boats simultaneously. In fact, the boats park so close together that you have to walk through the other boats to get to the shore.

If this image makes you cringe, just be waiting with your guide in the lobby for the first moment you can disembark, and quickly make it to shore and the temple. You might have a few minutes to enjoy before the others crowd in.
10. Visit the beautiful Philae Temple of Isis
In Aswan, your cruise package may include the Philae Temple of Isis. Do not miss it. Also take a look at the nearby Unfinished Obelisk, which is surprisingly interesting.
11. If offered the chance of a hot-air balloon excursion, think twice
Your cruise company may offer you the chance to sign up for a trip on a hot-air balloon. But you might end up jammed onto a bus with a horde of others, maybe even separated from your friends, and then poured into balloons willy-nilly. This happened to my friend.
There are much better balloon companies out there and you can find one. Make sure to carefully check their safety credentials.

12. Give yourself at least one extra day, maybe more, in Luxor
The ancient history of this place deserves much more than a quick look, and there are many pleasant resorts and hotels.
The city is so nice that many people from the UK retire there.
13. Visit Abu Simbel, where the temples of Ramses the Great reside
Your cruise company will offer you a chance to visit Abu Simbel and yes, you want to go. It is remarkable.
But going on the cruise excursion involves a four-hour drive through the Sahara each way, and of course that limits the amount of time you can spend there.
A better choice would be to end your cruise in Aswan, and then take a short flight to Abu Simbel. Spend the night there and come back the next day. This gives you the chance to explore the temples without the thundering hordes, all of whom are generally gone by noon.
You can see the Sound and Light show at the temples, too. The plot makes no sense, but the visuals are nice.

14. One final tip on the Nile Cruise: just say no
You can actually do the identical route on shore, in a taxi, stopping at the temples in your own sweet time, when the cruisers have all departed. Sometimes you can find yourself the only one there.
If your objective is to see the ancient temples, this is the best way by far. But of course you miss the cocktails on deck and the entertainment. Enjoy.


Amid Russia war, Ukraine building US$1.4 billion holiday resort in Carpathian Mountains

Hong Kong’s tourist attractions are all around us

Why Japan is the No 1 travel destination for Chinese tourists

City in Japan near Mount Fuji turns empty commercial spaces into lodgings for tourists

Tourism

Want the best Nile River cruise? 14 tips for a fantastic trip

The Philae Temple of Isis, in Egypt, is a beautiful landmark well worth including in your Nile River cruise itinerary. The nearby Unfinished Obelisk is also well worth a visit. Photo: TNS

Dahabiyas like Aggressor Adventures’ Nile Queen can be more expensive but offer a more relaxing, luxury experience. Photo: TNS

Cruise ships dock at the Temple of Kom Ombo on the Nile. Photo: Shutterstock

The Temple of Kom Ombo, one of the three main temples that Nile cruises visit, is dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus. Photo: Shutterstock

Most Nile cruise boats park alongside each other during temple stops along the route from Luxor to Aswan. Photo: TNS

A granite statue of the falcon god Horus stands at the entrance to the Temple of Edfu. Photo: Shutterstock

The Temple of Khnum, in Esna, is dedicated to the ram-headed god Khnum. Photo: Shutterstock

Vancouver Island mini-cruise by mail ship delivers amazing sights

A view from the deck of the MV Frances Bradley mail boat of the route ahead on its journey along Canada’s Vancouver Island. Photo: Instagram/albernivalleytourism

A diving whale is seen from the deck of the MV Frances Bradley. Photo: Instagram/albernivalleytourism

The MV Frances Bradley nears a jetty on its route along Vancouver Island. Photo: Instagram/albernivalleytourism

The MV Frances Barkley stops on its journey along Vancouver Island. Photo: Instagram/albernivalleytourism

Passengers enjoy the sunshine on the deck of the MV Frances Bradley. Photo: Instagram/albernivalleytourism

The MV Frances Bradley sails along the coast of Vancouver Island. Photo: Instagram/albernivalleytourism

Denver to Utah’s Mighty 5 national parks is a breathtaking trip full of amazing sights

Mesa Arch at sunrise in Canyonlands National Park, one of the “Mighty 5” national parks in the US state of Utah, the others being the Arches, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef and Zion parks. Photo: Shutterstock

The classic neon light of the sign above Union Station in Denver contrasts with the modern station platform area. Photo: Shutterstock

The Rocky Mountaineer train runs between Denver, Colorado and Moab, Utah. Photo: Instagram/moffat_road

The Moffat Tunnel cuts through the Continental Divide in north-central Colorado. Photo: Shutterstock

The Delicate Arch in Arches National Park. Photo: Shutterstock

Sandstone buttes tower over Monument Valley in Utah. Photo: Shutterstock

“Hoodoos” are a feature of Bryce Canyon National Park. Photo: Shutterstock

4 top places to visit in Japan off the beaten path, from the Japan Alps to East Hokkaido

Meoto Iwa Rocks, Futami, Mie Prefecture, Japan. Known in English as the &quot;wedded rocks,&quot; they are considered sacred and represent husband and wife. Shutterstock

Shima Onsen is considered among Japan’s top onsen towns and its Sekizenkan ryokan (Japanese inn) is said to be the inspiration behind the bathhouse in Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away. Photo: Getty Images

The Hida Mountains, a range in the Japan Alps, are at their most beautiful when the leaves turn red in autumn. Photo: Shutterstock

In the Tateyama Snow Corridor – a highlight of the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, which runs between Tateyama, in Toyama prefecture, and Omachi, in Nagano prefecture – accumulated snow reaches heights of up to 20 metres. Photo: Getty Images

Mikurigaike, on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, is considered one of the most beautiful volcanic ponds in Japan’s Northern Alps. Photo: Getty Images

Priests walk through the grounds of a temple at Ise-Jingu. Photo: Shutterstock

An ama takes a break from catching sea urchins. Photo: Getty Images

The Meoto Iwa in Futami, Mie prefecture. Photo: Shutterstock

A mother and daughter paddle along a river in Kushiro Marsh. Photo: Getty Images

A wild brown bear in Shiretoko National Park. Photo: Shutterstock

The Takasaki Byakue Daikannon statue in Takasaki is one of Japan’s largest standing Buddhist statues. Photo: Shutterstock

Travel influencer couple on horror India gang rape and Taliban interrogation during epic 6-year motorbike trip

Travel influencers Fernanda (right) and Vicente take a break in Spiti Valley, in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, during their six-year motorbike trip. The couple open up about Fernanda’s gang rape in India and other experiences during their trip, including being interrogated by the Taliban in Afghanistan. Photo: Instagram / @vueltaalmundoenmoto

Fernanda and Vicente in Konya, Turkey. Photo: Instagram / @vueltaalmundoenmoto

Fernanda with a rented motorbike in Sri Lanka. Photo: Instagram / @vueltaalmundoenmoto

Fernanda and Vicente in Jodhpur, India. Photo: Instagram / @vueltaalmundoenmoto

Fernanda and Vicente camp near Kalut, in Iran’s Hormozgan province. Photo: Instagram @vueltaalmundoenmoto

Fernanda and Vincente at the Khunjerab Pass, in the mountains on the border of Pakistan and China. Photo: Instagram / @vueltaalmundoenmoto

Fernanda makes friends in Rajasthan, India. Photo: Instagram / @vueltaalmundoenmoto

Fernanda and Vicente in Samarra, Iraq. Photo: Instagram / @vueltaalmundoenmoto

Fernanda in Kuwait, approaching Saudi Arabia. Photo: Instagram / @vueltaalmundoenmoto

Fernanda and Vicente in Cappadocia, Turkey. Photo: Instagram / @vueltaalmundoenmoto

Fernanda and Vicente near Passu, a small village in northern Pakistan’s Gilgit-Baltistan region. Photo: Instagram / @vueltaalmundoenmoto

Lifestyle

Travel & Leisure

Should you start in Cairo, Luxor or Aswan? Which temples to visit? What are typical prices? Here’s how to have the best Egypt river trip


Should you start in Cairo, Luxor or Aswan? Which temples to visit? What are typical prices? Here’s how to have the best Egypt river trip.
