Nile Cruise & Aswan – Premium Adventure

Staying in premium accommodation, discover the pyramids and temples of Egypt, before cruising the Nile from Luxor to Aswan

Unearth a wealth of ancient monuments and treasures in Egypt with the added insight of an expert Egyptologist and the comfort of five-star accommodation throughout. Stand at the awe-inspiring Pyramids of Giza and marvel at the colossal columns of the Temple of Karnak before boarding the MS Movenpick Royal Lily or Royal Lotus for a four-night premium cruise along the Nile. Visit the Valley of the Kings where some 62 pharaohs including Tutankhamun are entombed, before setting sail upstream to Aswan, also visiting the spectacular Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples en route. Sip sundowners from the pool bar or relax on the sun deck as you watch local life pass. In Aswan, the centre of Nubian culture, we stay on Elephantine Island with panoramic views of the Nile.

People, Places & Planet

We work hard to create trips that improve life for the people and places we visit, and look after the planet we explore. Find out more about our sustainable travel ethos and practice here, and find out about the work of the Exodus Travels Foundation here.

Some sustainable travel highlights of this trip include:

People

• Tourism can be a real help to local communities, providing income, positive cultural exchanges and a financial incentive to protect their natural environment. Ours is a 'total approach' to responsible tourism, covering everything from the way we plan and operate our trips to the practices of Exodus as a company.

Places

How this trip helps protect and conserve local landscapes and nature.

• By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.
• On Day 4, time permitting, you can visit A.C.E (Animal Care in Egypt), a charity dedicated to stopping the suffering of animals in the most deprived communities in Luxor by providing free veterinary care and education. Currently, there is a walk-in clinic, a hospital for crucial surgery and stables for the animals to recover. During term time, they host over 150 children a week to teach them about animal welfare and to better care for their animals.
• Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our animal welfare policy can be found here.

Planet

How we seek to keep the carbon footprint of this trip low.

• Read about Exodus Travels’ Planet Promise here, including our rewilding and carbon compensation commitments for every customer who travels.

Tips for sustainable travel on this trip

• Leave no trace: We do all we can to ensure we leave no rubbish behind in the wild and beautiful places we visit; we ask that you do the same. If there are no recycling facilities in-country, we’d ask you to consider bringing recyclable materials home with you.
• Plastic waste reduction: Please bring your own reusable water bottle on this trip; filtered water will be provided where tap water is not drinkable.

Cultural respect:

• Keep in mind that Egypt is a mainly Islamic country. Outside of beach resorts, dress modestly. Public displays of affection may be frowned upon. Only use your right hand if eating food with your hands.
• Ask before taking someone’s photo.

Visa

Egypt

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally need a visa to enter Egypt. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/africa/egypt
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/egypt
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/egypt/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Egypt.html

If you are obtaining your visa online, please ensure you have a scan of your passport ready. The file size should be small and ideally saved as a JPEG or PDF otherwise you might not be able to load it on the visa application.

You will need to provide your host’s information on the application – please use the following details:

South Sinai Travel
79 Merghany Street
Cairo
Egypt
Telephone: +20 22418 7310
www.southsinai.com
salwa.ibrahim@southsinai.com

Please note, Egyptian officials have requested tourists carry a copy of their passport with them while in the country. Please also note, some prescribed medicines are controlled substances in Egypt.

Vaccination

Egypt

There are no required vaccinations. However, recommended vaccinations include tetanus, polio, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies and typhoid.

You will also need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you're arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission or transiting for more than 12 hours through a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. Some travellers may also need proof of a polio vaccination. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

All breakfasts, four lunches and four dinners included.

In the itinerary, we state which meals are included on which day. We suggest you allow 2,460-3,445 Egyptian dollars (approximately US$100-US$140) for meals not included. Food in Egypt involves such things as kebabs, chicken, stews, pitta bread, falafel, beans, aubergine (eggplant) and other vegetables, pickles and salads. Dishes tend to be simple and wholesome and vegetarians can be catered for if they accept the options may be somewhat limited.

Weather

Rain is very rare in all parts of Egypt and most days are sunny and clear. Summer temperatures often reach the upper 30s (around 100F) but this is particularly true for the period between June and September. Winter can be surprisingly cold, especially on the Nile or at night. The average daytime maximum in Cairo in January is 20C (68F), nights are minimum 8C (46F). In summer, these temperatures are 35C (95F) and 22C (72F) respectively. Daytime temperatures are a little higher on average in Aswan.

Is this trip for you?

This trip has been graded Activity Level 1 (leisurely).

Leisurely grade trips are suitable for all clients with average health and fitness. No experience of any activity involved is necessary.

Most days involve early starts (especially Day 4 when we catch an early flight to Luxor) but this allows us to get the most from our time in Egypt and avoid the worst of the heat.

Egypt can get hot, especially from June to September when temperatures can reach as high as 38C-40C (100F-104F) in the south of the country.

The hotels and cruise boat we use on this trip are of a high standard, providing excellent levels of comfort.

Please note, Ramadan is expected to run from 22 March 2023 to 21 April 2023 and 10 March 2024 to 10 April 2024. 

Ramadan is a special time to visit Egypt as it is one of the most important periods in the Muslim calendar. Each evening the streets empty while people return home to break the fast and then there is an air of festivity every evening.

Our leaders and drivers choose to work at this time so we continue to run trips; however, please be aware their energy levels may be slightly lower. Tourist sites are still open although closing times may be earlier than usual. Your leader will know how the timings for each day need to be adapted to still experience all the inclusions on this trip. Restaurants may close during the day and this is also accounted for in planning meal arrangements for your group. Shops are usually open though their hours may vary and they will definitely be closed during the breaking of the fast. To fully enjoy your holiday experience at this unique time of year we suggest patience and flexibility (in fact these are useful at any time of year on any overseas holiday).

Following a review of all our trips we have categorised this trip as not suitable for full wheelchair users, but it may be suitable for other persons of reduced mobility. Please contact customer services to discuss the trip and your personal condition.