Egypt River Cruises
One of history’s greatest civilizations emerged along the banks of the
Nile. Discover its secrets with Viking as our expert Egyptologists take you
from the pyramids of Cairo and the temples of Luxor to the desert
outpost of Aswan and beyond
Highlights of Egypt River Cruises
• Great pyramids, magnificent cities, massive temples and a fertile agriculture all grew on the banks of the Nile River. Today, they have re-emerged from beneath desert sands to reveal the secrets of one of the world’s most advanced cultures. Here are some of the highlights that you will see on an Egypt river cruise:
• Millennia-old treasures in Cairo’s Egyptian Museum
• The Great Pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure
• The mighty Citadel of the Mountain
• Sprawling temples of Luxor and Karnak in Luxor
• Tombs of the Valley of the Kings
• The remarkably preserved Dendera Temple complex
• Esna’s towering Temple of Khnum
• Aswan’s Nile via felucca sail
• A Nubian home and school visit
• Horse-drawn calèche ride to Edfu’s Temple of Horus
Pharaohs & Pyramids
- Uncover the ancient secrets of Egypt amid the welcoming culture of today. See the pyramids from astride a majestic camel. Explore the Temple of Karnak’s 136 soaring pillars. Visit Queen Nefertari’s tomb in the Valley of the Queens. Skim the waters of the Nile by traditional felucca. Enjoy the fragrances of Aswan’s spice market. Join our expert Egyptologists on a 12-day cruise tour through Egypt on board our modern Nile ship
Egypt Luxury Travel
Best Luxury Egypt Tours
• For over two millennia, the Great Pyramids of Giza and a myriad of other treasures have drawn the curious to Egypt. Today, travelers embark on Egypt tours to explore this captivating destination, seeking its iconic ancient wonders. Highlights include:
• The Magnificent Royal Tombs of the Valley of the Kings
• Pharaonic Temples along the Nile
• Luxor known as the largest open-air museum in the world
• These remarkable sites, shaped by the sands of time, remain in an astonishing state of preservation.
• On a luxury Egypt tour, immerse yourself in the rich history of this timeless land and experience travel like never before-indulging in opulence with expert guidance at every turn. Cruise the legendary Nile in style aboard award-winning luxury Sanctuary Nile River cruise ships, with private docking in Luxor and Aswan for seamless access to Egypt’s most renowned sites.
• Travel alongside the region’s top Egyptologists, ensuring that every moment of your journey is enriched by their expertise. Rest assured, your Egypt vacation is supported 24/7 by our dedicated global network, which includes eight local offices throughout Egypt, providing you with unparalleled assistance and insights
Ways to Experience Luxury Travel
Experience best-in-class | Journeys with Private Air | Egypt & Nile River Cruises | Family & friends Egypt Vacations |
Private luxury small-group tours to Egypt. Led by an acclaimed Resident Tour Director®, each unique journey is expertly designed to offer incredible insider access and an intimate small group experience. | See and experience more on exclusive Wings Over the World Journeys. The ultimate small-group travel experience, these luxury journeys feature itineraries packed with insider access and the ease of privately chartered flights between destinations. | Explore Egypt on luxury Nile River cruises aboard elegant ships built to exacting standards. Enjoy an expertly crafted Nile river cruise experience with access to Egypt’s best sites, tombs, and temples, far from the crowds. | Elevate your travel with private luxury Tailor Made tours to Egypt. Whether it’s a custom luxury journey for two, a private family vacation, or a special group celebration in Egypt, each bespoke tailor-made itinerary we create is designed just for you with custom-made experiences, accommodations, and more. |
Egypt in January-March
• Situated in the desert, Egypt’s temperatures remain relatively warm year-round, but the winter months usher in more mild weather and a chance of rain. At times, areas in the western desert even reach freezing. The cooler climate also means peak tourism season—along with Egypt’s prime business time—when hordes of people travel to the country’s top sites, potentially creating snaking lines and uncomfortable crowds.
• Visiting in March allows travelers to avoid much of the winter tourist rush while still enjoying the ideal weather that makes it easier to explore during the day.
• Holidays & Events
• January 25: On this date each year, patriotic processions take place in honor of Revolution Day, when Egyptians celebrate the beginning of the 2011 uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak.
• Late February: The Abu Simbel Sun Festival is held twice a year, in late February and late October, when sunlight illuminates the interior of the Abu Simbel Temple, a feature designed by King Ramses II in 1250 BC to mark the day he ascended to the throne and his birthday. Along with viewing the phenomenon, Egyptians hold music and dance performances and enjoy local foods nearby.
Egypt in April-June
• Temperatures start to climb between the springtime and the start of summer in June—but travelers during this time must be aware of the Khamsin Wind, a blistering hot sandstorm that sweeps across the country for a few days in April and May. The wind can blow at up to 140 kilometers (or about 87 miles) per hour, picking up sand along the way and impeding any sightseeing adventures.
• But with warmer weather, the springtime is also an excellent opportunity to sunbathe, swim, snorkel, or scuba dive in the Red Sea region.
• Holidays & Events
• Late April: Sinai Liberation Day commemorates the withdrawal of the last Israeli soldier from the Sinai Peninsula in 1982 after a 15-year occupation. The patriotic holiday features military air and water shows, concerts, and parades.
• April/May: To mark the beginning of spring, Egyptians celebrate Sham al Nessim. On the day after the Coptic Orthodox Church’s Easter, people typically spend time outside picnicking and eating the holiday’s traditional foods: boiled colored eggs, green onions, lupin beans called tires, lettuce, and a salted fish called fetish.
• Must See
• The Dahab coral reef in the Red Sea remains a top snorkeling location all year with its distinctive Blue Hole, colorful coral, and rich marine life. But dolphin-watching season in Egypt begins in April, making the late spring and summer months the best time to see dolphins, whether from a boat or swimming alongside them.
Egypt in July-September
Egypt in July-September
• The dry heat of the scorching summer months in Egypt borders on oppressive and drives many tourists away—though temperatures do start to drop in September. But while the heat leaves people aching for a drink and a rest, it also means the impressive ancient sites, like the Great Pyramids, are far less crowded.
• As a respite from the heat, Egyptians and vacationers escape to the Red Sea region, which offers its best snorkeling and scuba diving during these summer months. Under the water lies exotic marine life, colorful coral reefs, and a world-renowned marine sinkhole called the Blue Hole.
• Holidays & Events
• July 23: Beginning the evening before, Egyptians commemorate the coup d’état that overthrew King Farouk in 1952 on Revolution Day with elaborate festivities planned by the minister of defense that feature military parades and patriotic concerts.
– September: The Islamic New Year inaugurates the beginning of the Hijri calendar, which falls in September in 2018 During the celebration, Egypt’s streets transform into a public carnival with people of all ages dancing, singing, making music, and enjoying traditional foods and treats sold by vendors.
- Must See
• For centuries, the Nile River would rise and overflow following rains in the highlands and bring life and water to Egypt’s ancient civilization, who attributed the annual cycle to the gods. Even though the river no longer floods due to the building of the Aswan High Dam in 1970, the Egyptian people still recognize the river and its importance with a festive, two-week celebration in early August called Wafaa El-Nil—marked by boat and flower parades, water sports like rowing or windsurfing, and picnicking along the Nile
Egypt in October-December
• Egypt’s peak tourism season kicks off in December—but already in the preceding months, the summer heat relents, affording a comfortable, yet warm visit. The fall proves to be the ideal time to cruise down the Nile River because temperatures in the country’s interior have dropped, making excursions to Egypt’s main tourist sites more feasible at any point during the day.
• It’s a time when the local markets come alive with bustling people and stalls stocked with produce, livestock, and other goods. But the nicer weather also means more tourists have already begun flocking to the popular locales, creating larger crowds.
• Holidays & Events
• October: Coinciding with October’s full moon, the Siyaha Festival in Gebel Dakrur is an opportunity for the members of the Siwan people to celebrate the harvest, settle their conflicts, and renew friendships. Following noon prayer each day, the people gather together for a large feast of traditional foods.
• December: In the third month of the Islamic Calendar—December 1 in 2018—the people of Egypt celebrate the birth of the prophet Muhammad during a holiday called Mawlid. Bakeries and sweet shops sell toys made of sugar syrup for children, and the people participate in street processions with chanting, singing, and drumming.
The Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids of Giza are a big bucket list destination for many travelers. In fact, the Great Pyramid of Giza (also known as the Pyramid of Khufu) is the last remaining ancient Wonder of the World. Nine pyramids, the Great Sphinx, and a collection of smaller tombs sit on the Giza Plateau, also called the Necropolis of Giza. The Pyramid of Khufu, with its two neighbors, the Pyramid of Khafre and the Pyramid of Menkaure, form one of the most iconic sights in Egypt, if not the entire world.
Most people spend about two hours on the Giza Plateau, but we recommend budgeting more time than that. There is a lot to do here.
Top things to do on the Giza Plateau include seeing the Great Sphinx, going inside one of the
pyramids, and visiting the photographic viewpoints.
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