Cruising the Nile

December 2025

Sailing Through Time: A Nile Cruise Through Ancient Egypt

There are journeys that take you from one place to another—and then there are journeys that take you through time. Our Nile cruise through Egypt’s legendary New Kingdom (c. 1550-1070 BC) was very much the latter. Drifting between Aswan and Luxor, we followed the lifeline of ancient civilization, surrounded by temples, tombs, and monuments that whisper stories of power, faith, and immortality. This was the golden age of Egypt, an era shaped by iconic pharaohs such as Hatshepsut, Akhenaten, Tutankhamun, and Ramses II. Along the riverbanks, history rises in stone.

Our cruise

We boarded the ship on Friday afternoon and disembarked on Monday evening, having booked this cruise in advance.

History lovers ❤️ Egypt

A Nile Cruise is ideal for travelers who want to explore Egypt’s history in a relaxed way. It is especially interesting for culture lovers who enjoy guided sightseeing without frequent hotel changes. The cruise offers a mix of ancient temples, scenic river views, and all-inclusive convenience.

Visa (on arrival)

For many nationalities (such as EU passport holders), you have to purchase a tourist visa for approximately 30 days upon arrival at major airports (usually around USD 25).
Please note: your passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon arrival.

Local Customs

In Egypt, modest dress is recommended in public places, especially in religious sites, meaning covered shoulders and knees for both men and women. Respecting local customs includes polite behavior, asking permission before photographing people, and being mindful during prayer times.

Philae Temple Aswan

Our Highlights

Aswan

Philae Temple
High Dam
The Unfinished Obelisk

Kom Ombo

Temple of Kom Ombo
The Crocodile Museum

Edfu

Temple of Edfu

Luxor

Karnak Temple
Luxor Temple

Luxor West Bank

Valley of the Kings
Temple of Hatshepsut
Colossi of Memnon

Travel journey

Day 1 – Travel Day from Dubai to Aswan

Our journey began with a flight from Dubai to Cairo and to Aswan, where we boarded our Nile cruise ship. As the sun set, the river gently sparkled, offering a calm and beautiful start to the days ahead. We had dinner on board and enjoyed the evening on the boat’s upper deck.

Day 2: Exploring Aswan & Kom Ombo

After breakfast, our guide Ahmed was already waiting for us. Today, four highlights are on the program.

Philae Temple

We started with a visit to Philae Temple, dedicated to the goddess Isis, set on a picturesque island (only reachable by boat).

The temple was moved stone by stone to its new location to save it from the rising waters of Lake Nasser. It is a beautiful site, very peaceful situated in the Nile.

High Dam

Then we followed our tour with a visit to the Aswan High Dam, one of the great engineering achievements of the 20th century.

Completed in 1970, it controls the Nile’s floods, provides electricity, and created Lake Nasser, one of the world’s largest artificial lakes.

Unfinished Obelisk

Last visit of the morning was the fascinating Unfinished Obelisk, lying in the granite quarries of Aswan.

Had it been completed, it would have been the largest obelisk ever carved, standing about 42 meters high. This obelisk clearly reveals the marks left by ancient workers, demonstrating how these enormous monuments were carved directly from the rock. The site offers a unique glimpse into the skill and effort behind Egypt's iconic obelisks.

Sailing out

During lunch, we started cruising to first stop Kom Ombo. We relaxed at the rooftop of the boat!

Temple of Kom Ombo

We arrived at Kom Ombo around 15:30, and the view from the water was already amazing; a unique double temple standing dramatically by the Nile.

The temple’s riverside setting makes Kom Ombo one of the most atmospheric stops along the Nile.

After docking we disembarked to explore the temple. The temple was dedicated to two gods: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. The temple is unusual because everything inside is perfectly mirrored for each god.

The detailed carvings shows ancient medicine and offerings.

We took a look at the nearby Crocodile Museum, where we could see mummified crocodiles which was quite spectacular.

After the visit, we followed cruising from Kom Ombo to Edfu, where we moored for the night.

Day 3: exploring Edfu & Luxor

We had to wake up early, and Ahmad was waiting for us in the lobby. When we went ashore, it was still dark as we left the boat.

A horse-drawn carriage was ready to take us to Edfu Temple. Upon arrival, there was a line at the entrance.

Temple of Edfu

Temple of Edfu is the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in all of Egypt. Dedicated to the falcon-headed god Horus, this grand temple was built during the Ptolemaic period and gives a clear picture of what ancient temples once looked the towering pylons, beautiful hieroglyphs, and sacred chambers are beautiful.

Walking through Edfu felt like stepping back into the rituals and stories of ancient Egyptian religion.

Esna Lock

After this visit, we started cruising again and we had to pass the Esna Lock! It was beautiful to see how our boat sank about 8-10 meters in this lock to reach the next water level. We arrived at the next stop (Luxor) around 15:00/15:30.

Karnak Temple

We visited Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex ever built in ancient Egypt. Constructed and expanded over 2,000 years, it was dedicated mainly to the god Amun and showcases the power of the pharaohs. The highlight is the Great Hypostyle Hall, with 134 massive columns rising like stone forests.

There are also tall obelisks, sacred lakes, and detailed carvings. Exploring Karnak is like stepping into a living museum of Egypt’s golden age.

Luxor Temple

We continue to the elegant Luxor Temple, located in the heart of the city. Unlike Karnak, it was not dedicated to a single god but to the idea of kingship and renewal of power.

Built by Amenhotep III and completed by Ramses II, it features giant seated statues, impressive colonnades, and chapels added by later rulers, including Alexander the Great. The temple is beautifully illuminated in the evening, creating a magical atmosphere that captures the grandeur and timeless spirit of ancient Egypt.

After this full and exciting day, we enjoyed a relaxing dinner on board while sharing stories of our adventures. Later, we spent the night peacefully on the boat, moored in Luxor, ready to rest before the next day’s explorations.

Valley of the Kings

Day 4: exploring the West Bank of Luxor

We had to get up early today to visit three highlights!

Valley of the Kings

Our first visit was the world-famous Valley of the Kings, the royal burial ground of Egypt’s New Kingdom pharaohs. Hidden in the desert hills, the valley holds over 60 tombs carved deep into the rock, decorated with colorful wall paintings that have survived for thousands of years.

The most famous is the tomb of Tutankhamun, but every tomb reveals incredible stories of the pharaohs’ journey to the afterlife. Walking inside felt like entering Egypt’s timeless history.

Temple of Hatshepsut

Next, we visited the stunning Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. Built against dramatic limestone cliffs, it was dedicated to Queen Hatshepsut, one of Egypt’s greatest female pharaohs.

Its terraces, colonnades, and detailed reliefs tell the story of her reign, achievements, and divine birth. The temple’s unique design and breathtaking setting made it stand out among Egypt’s many monuments, reflecting the queen’s vision and power.

Colossi of Memnon

Last stop: two giant seated statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III. Standing almost 18 meters high, they once guarded the entrance to his grand mortuary temple, now mostly vanished. For thousands of years, these statues are famous for the mysterious sounds they made at dawn.

Disembarking Luxor city

We said goodbye to our wonderful guide Ahmed.

We spent the entire afternoon on the boat’s rooftop, and later went for a walk through Luxor City. We enjoyed a coffee break and later had dinner at Kaya Restoz on the corniche, just in time to watch a beautiful sunset.