More about: 6 Best Cruises and Boat Tours on the Nile
As the largest river in the world and the source of water that feeds Egyptian cities, we all know how strongly connected the beautiful Nile is to the history and evolution of Egyptian culture. The Nile in Egypt is considered an attraction and one of the most enjoyable things to see and do in Cairo. On your next visit, seriously consider exploring the city from a totally new perspective. I assure you that you won't regret it.
If you want to know more about the options available, here are the most popular and enjoyable ones, so you can choose the one that best suits your tastes.
1. Nile cruise on a felucca at sunset
The small sailing boats that ply the waters of the Nile have been used in Africa and the Middle East since the dawn of civilisation. Today, one of the most interesting tourist attractions is a peaceful trip along the Nile aboard one of these charming boats. There are several companies offering this type of service, but in my opinion, one of the best times to take a traditional felucca trip is at sunset.
What these excursions usually include
Although it may vary depending on the company you hire, many of these companies offer round-trip transportation by private vehicle from your hotel in Cairo. You will arrive at the boarding point where you will board the felucca. During the trip, you will be able to admire the beautiful landscapes of the city, spot camel caravans and watch the sunset over the West Bank and the Valley of the Kings.
In addition to hotel pick-up, the company provides travellers with an expert guide who accompanies them throughout the trip. Companies offering this type of experience usually have guides available in several languages, so make sure you get one in English or a language you are familiar with.
Useful information
- Price: The approximate price for this experience is €30 to €40 on average. It may vary depending on the company you hire.
- Duration of the tour: Depending on the itinerary and the route, the tour can last from one hour to a maximum of three hours.
- Recommended: Yes, I recommend this experience to all travellers visiting Cairo for the first time, as it is one of the most beautiful excursions to do in the city.
2. Classic Nile cruise: with dinner and dance show
A classic night of fun aboard a Nile cruise is a must on any traveller's itinerary, not to mention one of the best things to do in Cairo at sunset. As this is one of the most popular experiences among travellers, it is easy to find numerous companies offering this service.
What these excursions usually include
Almost all companies in Cairo include private transport for travellers to and from their hotel in the city. The company will take you to the port of embarkation to begin your dinner and show adventure on the waters of the Nile.
In most cases, a buffet dinner with typical Egyptian food is served, and the evening is enlivened by multiple shows including live musicians and a band to harmonise the evening, belly dancers and dervish dancers. All this is accompanied by the beautiful city of Cairo, which becomes even more enchanting when night falls.
Useful information
- Price: This type of experience is usually available from £50, although other similar experiences on luxury cruises can cost around £120.
- Duration of the excursion: Depending on the company you book with, the experience can last around 3 to 4 hours maximum.
- Recommended if... You want to enjoy a classic Nile cruise experience, ideal for those visiting Cairo for the first time.
3. Nile cruise with day trip to the Pyramids of Giza
This experience allows travellers to combine two of the most popular and interesting activities on a trip to Cairo: an excursion to the Pyramids of Gizaand a night-time cruise on the Nile. Highly recommended for those travelling with others or on a solo adventure.
What these excursions usually include
Normally, companies offering this type of experience start the tour early in the morning by picking up travellers directly from their hotel. An** expert guide in Egyptology** who speaks your language will take you in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to the Giza plateau, located about 30 minutes from Cairo. You will have time to explore the site, take a tour inside the monuments and take photographs. The visit includes seeing the three great pyramids of Cheops, Khafre and Menkaure, as well as the statue of the Sphinx. Depending on the company you hire, entrance fees to the monuments may or may not be included in the price.
You will return to the hotel for an afternoon of rest and in the evening you will rejoin the guide to transfer to the port and board the Nile cruise. This experience includes a cruise along the river, a buffet dinner on board the boat, and a dance show with dancers and live music throughout the evening.
Useful information
- Price: You will need to reserve approximately £40 per person to enjoy this experience.
- Duration of the excursion: The tour is divided into two parts. In the morning, the excursion to the Giza Plateau will take about 3 hours on average, and in the evening, the Nile cruise will take another three hours.
- Recommended if... You are looking for a way to save money on your holiday to Cairo, as by combining the experiences you can find better deals than if you purchase each one individually.
4. Nile cruise with the "Sounds and Lights" show at the Giza Plateau
The Giza Sounds and Lights show is one of the best night-time shows that the modern city of Cairo has to offer its many visitors. It consists of an elaborate production with special effects that takes viewers through the impressive and rich history of the Egyptian people. The best part is undoubtedly the backdrop used for the presentations: the pyramids of Giza and the imposing giant statue of the Sphinx of Khufu.
What these excursions usually include
The plan may vary slightly depending on the company you hire for the excursion, but generally the adventure begins in the late afternoon when an expert guide in Egyptology who speaks your language picks up travellers directly from their hotel. Please note that for this type of experience, the guide and transport may be shared, although when this is the case, it is always in small groups to ensure exclusivity.
The guide will take you to the Giza Plateau to give travellers the opportunity to explore the site and take a few photos before the show, which usually starts after sunset and lasts an average of two hours. After the sound and light show, you will be transferred to the port to board a large boat and enjoy a night sailing on the Nile, accompanied by a delicious dinner and a show with dancers and musicians on board.
Useful information
- Price: You should set aside approximately £50 per person for this experience.
- Duration of the excursion: Between transfers and entertainment, you will need approximately 5 hours to enjoy both shows.
- Recommended if... You have already visited the Pyramids of Giza on a day tour or on another trip to Egypt. Although the light show is truly impressive, it should not replace a tour to admire the interior of the Pyramids and the wonderful secrets they hide.
5. Nile cruise on a felucca with traditional lunch
You certainly cannot leave Cairo without trying a delicious traditional Egyptian lunch, and although it is true that there is no shortage of interesting options in the city, it is also true that many tour companies offer interesting packages combining the experience of a felucca ride on the Nile with lunch in the city centre.
What these excursions usually include
The adventure usually begins with the collection of travellers from their hotels. Companies offering this type of experience usually provide guides in several languages, including Spanish, French, German, English and many others. Be sure to clarify this detail before making your payment.
From the hotel, you will be transferred to the pier where you will board the felucca and set off on a peaceful trip along the beautiful river. As well as enjoying the warmth of the sun, you can admire the beautiful landscape formed by the city's buildings lining the river. The second part of the experience includes a traditional lunch at a luxurious restaurant in the city centre. After lunch, transport will be waiting to take you back to your hotel.
Useful information
- Price: This experience is available from £35 per traveller.
- Duration of the excursion: The felucca ride on the Nile takes just over an hour, while lunch at the restaurant can take another two hours. You should allow around four hours in total, including transfers.
- Recommended: Yes, this is an experience I would recommend to any traveller who wants to enjoy the best experience of sailing along the Nile and accompany it with a delicious traditional meal. In my opinion, the adventure is much more fun and enjoyable if you are in Cairo with a friend or family member.
6. Nile cruise on a felucca with gastronomic tour
This experience combines two of the most interesting adventures to be had on a trip to Cairo: a food tour that will take you to the heart of the city and its traditions, and a relaxing sailboat ride on the waters of the Nile. Keep in mind that Egyptian cuisine is one of the most surprising in the world, so you simply cannot leave the country's capital without at least trying some of its traditional dishes.
What these excursions usually include
This type of experience usually includes the services of an expert guide. You should check with the company you hire to ensure that the experience is offered in your preferred language or languages. Food tour guides always speak English and other popular languages such as Spanish, German or French. Usually, the guide in charge picks up the traveller at the hotel and takes them to the oldest part of Cairo where you can try traditional food. The tasting may include between 3 and 5 dishes in different places, and you can try the famous kosher, falafel, the typical meat with fruit, sugar cane juice and more.
After the tour of the bustling downtown area of Cairo, you will move on to the second part of the excursion, where you will board a traditional felucca to cruise the waters of the Nile and enjoy the beautiful landscape that borders its waters. At the end of the experience, the transfer back to your hotel is included as the final leg of your trip.
Useful information
- Price: The price for this experience is approximately £45 per traveller.
- Duration of the excursion: The gastronomic tour through the heart of Cairo will take a minimum of 2 hours, and the felucca ride on the Nile usually takes 1 hour to complete; you should allow around 4 hours in total for the entire excursion.
- Recommended if... You are a food lover and want to discover the most typical Egyptian cuisine. The option of ending the experience with a trip along the Nile is the perfect way to finish a traditional and fun-filled tour.