Nile cruising with an Egypt stay
Discussion
I have only been to Cairo for a brief visit....1 day/1 night. Just enough to see the pyramids, watch the sound and light show and then a few hours in the then old museum....But FF a few years and now wish to go back and visit for longer and see more.
Any PHers been on a cruise up/down the Nile recentlyish.....
Was thinking of at least 3 days in Cairo b4 a 5/7 day cruise would do enough. Also I want to take a side visit to the cemetery at Ismailia where one of my Great Unks ....who survived WW1, is buried.
Ty.
Any PHers been on a cruise up/down the Nile recentlyish.....
Was thinking of at least 3 days in Cairo b4 a 5/7 day cruise would do enough. Also I want to take a side visit to the cemetery at Ismailia where one of my Great Unks ....who survived WW1, is buried.
Ty.
Last year We went with these people for 5 days in the middle part of a longer trip to Egypt:
https://www.nourelnil.com/
The crew/staff and guides were great, as was the food and drink onboard.
My only criticisms were that the wi-fi down in the cabins was rubbish ( fine on deck )
and the bathrooms were badly designed.
Their boats are small enough to berth where the larger boats can’t, so you get to visit places where others cannot get to.
Their boats mainly run on sail, but have tugs when the wind drops.
From what we saw and heard, you would be advised to avoid the large boats.
Because of the Middle East situation when we were there, everything was very quiet with very few tourists,
With the only signs of the troubles were in posh parts of Cairo where the embassies are situated; lots of concrete road blocks and a large army/police presence, but you’re not going there.
https://www.nourelnil.com/
The crew/staff and guides were great, as was the food and drink onboard.
My only criticisms were that the wi-fi down in the cabins was rubbish ( fine on deck )
and the bathrooms were badly designed.
Their boats are small enough to berth where the larger boats can’t, so you get to visit places where others cannot get to.
Their boats mainly run on sail, but have tugs when the wind drops.
From what we saw and heard, you would be advised to avoid the large boats.
Because of the Middle East situation when we were there, everything was very quiet with very few tourists,
With the only signs of the troubles were in posh parts of Cairo where the embassies are situated; lots of concrete road blocks and a large army/police presence, but you’re not going there.
I thought most Nile cruises were Luxor up n back or just 1 way?
I have no problem booking our own flights to Cairo/return and accom whilst there with day trips to Giza/Museum etc then onwards to Luxor. Maybe by train....we have the time!
The quick flick around I did yesterday had some eye watering prices......Hence me asking the more canny PHer....
I have no problem booking our own flights to Cairo/return and accom whilst there with day trips to Giza/Museum etc then onwards to Luxor. Maybe by train....we have the time!
The quick flick around I did yesterday had some eye watering prices......Hence me asking the more canny PHer....
romft123 said:
I thought most Nile cruises were Luxor up n back or just 1 way?
Cairo - LuxorLuxor - Aswan
Cairo - Aswan
You can do temple trips but they're not cruises. Cruising is a lovely romantic idea, but it can be repetitive, and it is expensive. You may dock out of town, and when when you visit sites you will be part of a group of tourists bussed there from your 'boat'.
If bussed in you will be charged more, subjected to hawkers who (rightly) see you as rich( compared to them) western sheep and you will never get to the sites early enough to see them in all their splendour.
The overnight train Cairo - Luxor is gaining popularity, and is very cheap but great fun and mostly follows the river Nile.
Have a look at the Dahabiya Dream on Explore Travel and Cruises.
Mrs L & I did this in 2013; Egypt had its problems with the Muslim Brotherhood at the time, so of the 12 people it could accommodate, there were only four of us. Luckily we got on well with the other two.
The boat is modern-built and lovely inside. It was so well organised and our guide (Sammy, not sure if he's still there) was knowledgeable about the history but also how best to get us into places (and keep us away from the iffy ones). The chef got to know our food preferences and geared meals accordingly. Cool moist towels were there when we came back from excursions. The boat manager could not do enough for us.
We would sit on the sun deck and wave at the other ships, the massive floating car parks, as they passed the other way.
We flew into Cairo, three days there then flew to Luxor and got on the boat. A few days cruising to Aswan where we flew to/from Abu Simbel in the day.
Mrs L & I did this in 2013; Egypt had its problems with the Muslim Brotherhood at the time, so of the 12 people it could accommodate, there were only four of us. Luckily we got on well with the other two.
The boat is modern-built and lovely inside. It was so well organised and our guide (Sammy, not sure if he's still there) was knowledgeable about the history but also how best to get us into places (and keep us away from the iffy ones). The chef got to know our food preferences and geared meals accordingly. Cool moist towels were there when we came back from excursions. The boat manager could not do enough for us.
We would sit on the sun deck and wave at the other ships, the massive floating car parks, as they passed the other way.
We flew into Cairo, three days there then flew to Luxor and got on the boat. A few days cruising to Aswan where we flew to/from Abu Simbel in the day.
Lotusgone said:
Have a look at the Dahabiya Dream on Explore Travel and Cruises.
Mrs L & I did this in 2013; Egypt had its problems with the Muslim Brotherhood at the time, so of the 12 people it could accommodate, there were only four of us. Luckily we got on well with the other two.
The boat is modern-built and lovely inside. It was so well organised and our guide (Sammy, not sure if he's still there) was knowledgeable about the history but also how best to get us into places (and keep us away from the iffy ones). The chef got to know our food preferences and geared meals accordingly. Cool moist towels were there when we came back from excursions. The boat manager could not do enough for us.
We would sit on the sun deck and wave at the other ships, the massive floating car parks, as they passed the other way.
We flew into Cairo, three days there then flew to Luxor and got on the boat. A few days cruising to Aswan where we flew to/from Abu Simbel in the day.
£2500 pp.. OOF!Mrs L & I did this in 2013; Egypt had its problems with the Muslim Brotherhood at the time, so of the 12 people it could accommodate, there were only four of us. Luckily we got on well with the other two.
The boat is modern-built and lovely inside. It was so well organised and our guide (Sammy, not sure if he's still there) was knowledgeable about the history but also how best to get us into places (and keep us away from the iffy ones). The chef got to know our food preferences and geared meals accordingly. Cool moist towels were there when we came back from excursions. The boat manager could not do enough for us.
We would sit on the sun deck and wave at the other ships, the massive floating car parks, as they passed the other way.
We flew into Cairo, three days there then flew to Luxor and got on the boat. A few days cruising to Aswan where we flew to/from Abu Simbel in the day.
popeyewhite said:
romft123 said:
I thought most Nile cruises were Luxor up n back or just 1 way?
Cairo - LuxorLuxor - Aswan
Cairo - Aswan
You can do temple trips but they're not cruises. Cruising is a lovely romantic idea, but it can be repetitive, and it is expensive. You may dock out of town, and when when you visit sites you will be part of a group of tourists bussed there from your 'boat'.
If bussed in you will be charged more, subjected to hawkers who (rightly) see you as rich( compared to them) western sheep and you will never get to the sites early enough to see them in all their splendour.
The overnight train Cairo - Luxor is gaining popularity, and is very cheap but great fun and mostly follows the river Nile.
another vote for https://www.nourelnil.com. Had a trip with them in 2019 and they were absolutely fantastic. The crew were excellent, food amazing and the dedicated guide was superb. With the smaller boat we stopped at places the usual boats couldn't get near and had amazing experiences.
Mashwort said:
another vote for https://www.nourelnil.com. Had a trip with them in 2019 and they were absolutely fantastic. The crew were excellent, food amazing and the dedicated guide was superb. With the smaller boat we stopped at places the usual boats couldn't get near and had amazing experiences.
Isnt going to happen.Ideally fly into Cairo. Stay in Cairo for maybe 3 days. Might get a train to Alex for a day/night, then sleeper to Luxor. 7 day cruise up and back and fly out of Luxor....
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