Walk in the footsteps of renowned pharaohs and queens as you venture forth into ancient civilization temples and burial grounds, the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, and embark on an exhilarating felucca ride, a traditional Nile River sailboat.
Small Ship Luxury Cruises helps to pair you with the perfect river cruise destination. With our extensive knowledge and experience traveling around the globe, we categorize the best in cruises by season as well as popularity. While we may recommend peak travel opportunities, our team can accommodate any request to travel abroad year-round.
The Nile River
Luxury Nile River Cruises
Travel along the longest river in the world and experience why it’s called the “Gift of the Nile”. Explore an astounding 4,500 years of history through mesmerizing artifacts such as ancient gold, jewelry, and pristine relics. Visit major attractions like the Karnak Temple, the Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Valley of Kings.
Recommended Luxury Nile River Ships
We have hand-selected only the finest Nile River ships with the highest standards of personalized service as the basis for crafting your custom-designed Alaska experience.
River Tosca
Treasured for its authenticity, and beloved for its personalized service, the River Tosca has become the gold standard for Nile cruises.
| 12-28 Day | 130 Passengers |
S.S. Sphinx
S.S. Sphinx (new) the world's first Super Ship, delivers an authentic, immersive experience onboard with its sleek design, fine ivory builders, and ancient Egyptian decor.
| 12-28 Day | 130 Passengers |
Your Bespoke Luxury Vacation on the Nile
Must see on the Nile:
The pyramids of Giza are the only surviving Ancient Wonder. Up close, you can admire these structures’ stonework and architectural accuracy. Khufu, the oldest and largest of the three pyramids, reached 50 stories tall when it was completed around 2650 BC.
The Great Sphinx awaits at Giza Necropolis. It has the body of a crouching lion and a man’s head. Experts believe the Sphinx was created in the 26th century BC during Khafre’s reign, possibly as a portrait of the pharaoh. This monument has been degraded or destroyed over time. Despite its age, the Sphinx kneels elegantly and smiles eastward.
Enter the temple compound through the Great Court and continue to the Great Hypostyle Hall—sometimes called the Hall of Columns—which is adorned with 134 enormous granite pillars arranged in 16 rows of 20 columns each. The whole effect is spectacular!
Make time to see the world’s most remarkable collection of pharaonic riches and Egyptian antiquities at the Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, which was established in 1900. Egyptian artifacts are on display at the museum, which is located in the city’s center. The Old Kingdom was established circa 3100 BC and lasted for 3,000 years until Alexander the Great conquered Egypt in 332 BC and ended the reign of the pharaohs.
For approximately 500 years, the Valley of the Kings was used for royal funerals. These ancient chambers on the west bank of the Nile have helped us understand Egyptian mythology. Here are the mummified remains of Ramses II, Thutmose III, and Tutankhamen. To discourage tomb thieves, Thutmose I hid his tomb a distance from his mortuary temple. Subsequent pharaohs altered a 2,000-year-old tradition.
Inscriptions from the Book of the Dead were found in tombs and along the walls of the Valley of the Kings, instructing pharaohs on how to travel safely to the next world. For preservation, only a few of the most interesting tombs are open at once.
The felucca is a small traditional boat with large triangular sails and an elaborate interior, crafted by artisans in Cairo. A traditional felucca journey on the Nile is a wonderful way to unwind and immerse yourself in the rhythms of life along the river. As Egyptians have sailed here for thousands of years, you will feel as though you are part of history as your boat glides effortlessly over the Nile’s peaceful waters. With stunning views and a friendly crew, this experience is unmissable.
Best times to travel to the Nile
For a true luxury experience in Egypt, the best time to take a Nile cruise is between October and April. The temperature is quite pleasant during this period, 75-80 degrees Fahrenheit in spring and 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit in mid-summer, which is crucial because you’ll be stopping at temples and tombs to take photos.
Taking a cruise to Aswan, Luxor, and Cairo during the peak summer months of June through August will not provide a comfortable experience due to the extreme heat, which can get as hot as 120 degrees.
Why cruise the Nile with Small Ship Luxury Cruises?
We get to know you on a personal level so that we can accommodate your preferences, needs, and expectations before we begin planning your ideal Alaskan experience.
We work with only the finest Alaskan ships with the highest levels of personalized service. From there, we listen to what you desire and use our insider knowledge to make the best fit for you and your guests.
Our experienced travel concierges plan your Alaskan adventure from beginning to end, eliminating the time investment and stress so often associated with planning a vacation to a destination as complicated as Alaska.
Just tell our Alaskan concierges about your dream trip to Alaska and they will assist you with planning every detail of the process.
While Small Ship Luxury Cruises helps you discover the best cruise destinations, our team of travel concierges can coordinate a completely customized itinerary to the Galapagos to accommodate any request. If you don’t see a particular destination or activity highlighted on our website, don’t worry! We would be happy to work with you in curating your one-of-a-kind travel experience.
