River cruise on the Nile
Cruising the Nile has long been regarded as the most romantic way of visiting the temples, tombs and villages of Ancient Egypt. The vast majority of Egypt’s estimated 76 million people live near the Nile’s banks and delta, where the only arable land is found and where trade can be conducted up and down the river. The country’s major cities, like Cairo, Luxor, Aswan and Alexandria are all located on the river.
One of the two longest rivers in the world, the Nile has two major tributaries: the White Nile, which begins in southern Rwanda and flows north through Tanzania, Lake Victoria and Uganda to southern Sudan, where it joins the Blue Nile on its way from Ethiopia to the Mediterranean Sea. The annual flooding is the result of monsoon rains in Ethiopia.
The Nile has fascinated travellers since antiquity. The most astounding thing about the river is how little it has changed over thousands of years — the scenes of daily life depicted on temple walls are still easily recognizable in Egypt today. Travellers have been writing accounts of their cruises ever since the first alphabets were invented. As every generation lucky enough to visit the place adds its own awestruck narrative to the substantial literature, a leisurely float along the Nile has become permanently established as one of the world’s great travel experiences.
Cruising on the Nile has of course evolved considerably since Cleopatra and Mark Antony whiled away the amorous hours on her felucca. Your Advisor will probably recommend that you cruise on a small vessel that has access to its own docks along the Nile and whose standards of accommodation, service, excursions, food and care are exceptional. Smaller, and more luxurious vessels deliver a throroughly enjoyable level of sophistication, stylish comfort and outstanding service.
Memorable onboard dishes might include a squid risotto with Moroccan-style pickled lemons, linguine with wild mushrooms, and roast rack of Australian lamb with spinach, Dauphinois potatoes and grilled tomatoes. Wine is expensive because Egypt imposes stiff taxes on imported spirits. You might prefer to sample much less expensive Egyptian wines such as the fetchingly named Omar Khayyam Cabernet Sauvignon!
Travellers on a Nile cruise can visit many of Egypt’s important cities: Cairo, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Aswan, Wadi el Seboua, Amada and Abu Simbel. You will also see the wind-swept desert landscape of Wadi el Seboua and the calm, deep waters of Lake Nasser; the ancient pyramids at Giza and temples of Luxor and the monumental Aswan Dam. Perhaps also take the opportunity to enjoy a Nile felucca cruise and a camel ride. On most cruises you will be accompanied by expert Egyptologists who bring Egypt’s temples, deities and pharaohs to life.
Take a Nile River cruise and prepare to be moved by a powerful experience.
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