Each year, the Nile floods predictably, leaving behind rich silt. The ancient Egyptians depended on this deposit of silt for their crops, but also fished in the river. Most ancient Egyptian villages rose up along the river and so almost all transit and transport took place on the Nile—royals and commoners alike rode up and down the Nile river on barges, small sailboats, or rowboats. Food, transport, even religion in Egypt focused or all out centered around the Nile.
Today you can reach back and touch a vital part of ancient
history by taking one of many Nile river cruises. While
in the past the Nile was a working river, a survival river,
today Nile river cruises offer a luxurious way to tap
into Egyptian history. Egypt Nile river cruises typically
use ships featuring pools, hot tubs, lounges or bars,
internet access, and exercise rooms. Often cruise ships
include a spa and panoramic windows in many or all rooms.
Contrasting this, Egypt cruises are also available on
a felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailboat, but these
are usually used over shorter distances.
The Nile is the longest river in the world starting at Lake Victoria in East Africa and flowing through Uganda, Sudan, and finally Egypt before reaching the Nile Delta in northern Egypt just before the river empties into the Mediterranean Sea. With such a long river full of historical hotspots, Nile River Cruises are available to visit many destinations, ranging from short day trips to overnight cruises to voyages of almost two weeks. The cost also ranges, being quite reasonable for a daytrip and usually hovering just under or above $1,000 for longer voyages.
Egypt cruises venture to many popular tourist attractions, but most people who choose a cruise take a Luxor temple tour. The modern city of Luxor is built on the ancient religious center Thebes so many well-known ancient temples are in this area, including the largest temple complex in the world, the Temple of Karnak. If you choose a Luxor temple tour, make sure to visit Karnak, but don’t miss the other significant temples in the area, including the Temple of Hatshepsut.
Egypt cruises depart from many locations, including Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan. Ask at your place of lodging or nearest tourist office for suggestions on which cruise line to take to your destination of choice, be it the Aswan Dam in southern Egypt, a Luxor temple tour, or Cairo. Depending on how long you have to travel, Egypt cruises can also be combined with overland itineraries to include sites such as the pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum in Cairo, or Saqqara which are all not directly on, but are near, the Nile.
While most other Egyptian tourist attractions are heavily
traveled and offer a glimpse at only ancient Egyptian
life, Nile river cruises give the chance to peek into
what the life of ancient Egyptians might have been like
as you sail past villagers living and working near the
river, fishermen, and wildlife.
