All the way from Ancient times through to today, the Nile has been the life source of Egypt. Nearly all of the country’s 80 million inhabitants live in the Nile valley, and nearly all the country’s cultural and historical sites lay along its banks.

This makes cruising the Nile the ideal way to observe Egyptian culture, and explore its historical treasures. It is also a very good way to unwind, leave the stresses and strains of modern living behind, and relax!

We offer two different Nile cruise experiences in Egypt, which vary depending on the boat you chose. You can experience a traditional sail boat called a Felucca or a more luxurious cruise boat.

Sail the Nile on a Felucca

Sleeping on deck, taking regular stops for leisurely swims and spending evenings around a camp fire are all part of the adventure with this traditional sailing vessel.

The traditional Felucca

	There’s no better way to appreciate the easy pace of life on the Nile than to join a felucca sailtrek. The felucca has been the most popular vessel on the Nile for centuries and is still widely used today. About 11m long and rigged with a tall lateen or triangular sail, it has no motor and relies only on the steady north wind. We use up to three feluccas for our leisurely sailtrek from Aswan down river towards Luxor.
	Relaxed Pace of Life The relaxed pace and outdoor nature of our journey mean that no fixed stops are possible – these depend largely on the elements. A canvas canopy acts as a sunshade during the day and keeps the dew off at night, when we sleep on deck on mattresses. Food is bought at village markets along the way and cooked on board by our crew, Egyptian style. Our luggage is stored below deck.
	A Typical Day We enjoy the easy rhythm of life on the river, occasionally stopping to walk through fields and villages, or visit one of the ancient sites. At lunchtime we may furl the sails and raft the feluccas together, to enjoy a buffet style meal while drifting down the river. Often a brisk north wind picks up in the afternoon and we make steady progress; sometimes the wind drops and we moor up for a leisurely swim stop. We aim to find an overnight mooring before dusk, usually at one of the mid-river islands, before settling down for a three course dinner. A relaxed evening around the camp fire follows, when our Nubian crew will often bring out their drums to sing and dance under a star filled sky.

Cruising the Nile on a Riverboat

Cruising the Nile by riverboat gets you from site to site while providing comfortable on-boad facilites and giving you a glimpse of Egyptian life as it passes you by on the river banks.

Nile Cruise

Enjoy a classic journey along the River Nile on board our 5 star cruise boat, the M/S Mirage.  Sailing between Luxor and Aswan, the two most iconic cities of Upper Egypt, we stop en route to explore the Temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo.  The Temple of Edfu dates back to the Ptolemaic dynasty and is one of the best preserved temples in the whole of Egypt, while the Temple of Kom Ombo is one of the most magnificent, situated in a glorious location next to the River Nile. Between sightseeing stops you can spend your time absorbing the timeless beauty of the Nile Valley itself: elegant feluccas sail from bank to bank while fishermen cast their nets from simple wooden boats; riverside farms and villages lie surrounded by intensely cultivated fields and groves of date palms, and beyond them the desert dunes. It is simply fascinating. M/S Mirage Our cruise boat, the M/S Mirage, is a modern 5 star boat with 60 en-suite cabins and air-conditioning throughout. Cabins are particularly spacious (23 square metres) and all have a window with fantastic views over the Nile. Cabins are equipped with fridges, satellite televisions, telephones and hair-driers, while bathrooms are fitted with bathtubs as well as showers. On board there is a bar and entertainment area, a large restaurant, a gym, several shops and on the top deck you can enjoy the swimming pool and panoramic views over the River Nile.    Cruising in Comfort When you return to the M/S Mirage at the end of a busy day’s sightseeing you’ll feel as though you are entering a haven of peace and comfort. You can relax on the top deck or perhaps take a dip in the pool, read a book and chat with your fellow passengers. At dusk enjoy a long, cool drink while you watch the river glide by and the colours change as the sun slowly sets over the Nile. Below deck, relax in the beautifully furnished cabins and public rooms, which contain original artwork as well as modern fixtures and fittings. Sit back and relax as the professional and friendly crew welcome you aboard the M/S Mirage.