Let's find trips that move you!
Travelstride climate
"Remember happiness is a way of travel not a destination."
Roy Goodman
Cruise along the Nile River

Best Things to Do in Nile River

Iconic Attractions & Hidden Gem Travel Experiences

Nile River

At 4,250 miles, the Nile is the world's longest river, rising in East Africa and emptying from Egypt into the Mediterranean. Nile River cruises and tours start in Aswan and continue north to Luxor, one of Egypt’s premier archaeological sites. Itineraries typically last four days and usually include an extension home to Cairo.

Top Nile River Experiences

Floating down the ancient waters and the lifeblood of Egypt on a river cruise.

Seeing first hand the incredible historical and archaeological sites along the Nile’s banks.

Learning about the incredible importance of the Nile from ancient times to today.

Getting amazing photographs of the Egyptian landscape and traditional village life.

Visiting local villages and being introduced to new customs and cultures.

Watching the desert simmer under the sun while you are sipping a cold drink in the shade of your boat’s desk, a light breeze cooling you down as the ship glides forward.

Trying different and delicious Egyptian delicacies and you travel between regions.


Unlock Community Benefits

Travel better together
Travel better together
  • Save favorite trips and itineraries
  • Get insider insights
  • Receive personalized recommendations
    ...and much more

Things to do in Nile River - Expert’s guide

The Nile River is the longest river in the world, stretching over 4,100 miles from Uganda to Egypt. Depending on where you are along the Nile, you could be in almost any existing ecosystem; high mountains, low mountains, deserts, and rainforests. The incredibly diverse Nile is home to Thousands of different plant an danimal species, as well as archaeological sites along the river banks.

For travelers looking to see what the Nile has to offer, these are a few can't miss attractions.

1. Pyramids of Giza

Giza pyramids excursion from nile river cruise

The Great Pyramids are located just outside of Cairo, Egypt where most Nile River cruises finish. Designed as extravagant tombs for the Pharaohs, who were considered gods, these feats of ancient engineering exist in an almost worldwide imagination.

The complex includes three large pyramids, three small pyramids, and the Great Sphinx. The Great Pyramid is listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the World,a dn it is the only ancient wonder still in existence today. After your cruise on the Nile, take a camel ride out to the desert and explore these ancient and mysterious masterpieces.

Any Visit to Egypt is not complete without visiting the pyramids!

2. Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel along Nile River

Located in Abu Simbel, a village in Aswan, are two enormous rock temples. They are incredibly recognizable temples synonymous with Egypt in the collective imagination. Abu Simbel is simply a right of passage for travelers to Egypt. The massive temples with four large carvings at the entrance, some incomplete, showcase the signs of its age and past.

Originally carved in the 13th century, the twin temples serve as lasting mouments to King Ramses II and his queen, Nefertari.

Moved from their original location in the 1960s, the rescue mission of the temples was essential in saving these incredible structures from erosion due to the erection of the Aswan High Dam in Lake Nesser.

3. Valley of the Kings

Valley of the Kings archaeological site

The Valley of the Kings is an area on the West Bank of the Nile, opposite of Luxor, Egypt. Built here are 63 tombs of Royal Egyptians and high ranking nobles. The most famous king buried in the Valley is Tutankhamun.

Much of your Nile River Cruise will be through the Valley of the Kings. Called the “gateway to the afterlife” the Valley of the Kings inspires much mythology today as it did when Pharaohs determined this site as sacred.

Your journey will bring this to light through ancient stories as well as diving into the historical realities of the area. Consisting of numerous temples, tombs and archaeological sites, be sure to take advantage of shore excursions to explore this fascinating cultural landscape.

4. Luxor

Luxor temple columns in Egypt

Depending on your itinerary, your Nile River cruise will either start in Luxor or Aswan. Shorter Nile River cruises begin in Luxor. The main drawback of starting in Luxor being you may not see Edfu Temple to the south.

Luxor is the modern name for the ancient city of Thebes, the ancient capital and major hub of ancient Egypt. Thebes is located inside Luxor, and travelers can see the royal necropolis, Karnak Temple Complex, and Luxor Temple.

Often called an “open air museum” for the sheer number of ancient buildings and statues dotting the city, Luxor is the perfect way to begin your Nile River cruise experience, or the perfect stop along the way to reiterate the powerful symbolism of ancient Egypt.

5. Aswan

Aswan port in Egypt on Nile River

If your Nile River cruise is on the longer side, it will begin in Aswan. Aswan has been a crucial port and Nile River gateway in Egypt for centuries, and is still a busy market today.

There are a number of museums here to visit - a great idea before embarking on your cruise through the historic lands of the Nile! Aswan has an incredibly long history, going back to the third millennium. Archaeologists have discoverd mummies, ancient pottery, and hieroglyphics in Aswan.

If you have time to linger, try and stay a day or two in Aswan to get a feel for the local culture, take a swim in the Nile, and explore the nearby island of Seheyl.

6. Temple of Edfu

Temple of Edfu in Egypt

Built during the Ptolemaic Kingdom, which was the last period before Rome conquered Egypt in 30 BC, the Temple of Edfu represents ancient Egypt’s fascinating culture and religion.

Today, the temple is largely intact which makes it a popular tourist destination for those who are interested in Egyptian mythology and history. It is the second largest temple in Egypt and includes beautifully engraved walls, courts, statutes, and numerous chambers.

It was built in honor of the falcon-headed war deity, Horus. He was also known as the protector of the pharaohs which made this temple that much more important to the ancient Egyptians. The Temple of Horus is definitely the focal point when visiting here. Due to its size, it is recommended that you get a guided tour when visiting here just so you don’t miss anything!

7. Karnak Temple

Temple of Karnak

Of the many temples you’ll encounter along your Nile River cruise, one of the most impressive, and largest, is Karnak Temple. Karnak is part of the ancient city of Thebes, located inside Luxor. It is actually a temple complex, consisting of several chambers, columns, hidden pathways, and many many detailed hieroglyphics. The photography opportunities here are endless!

Karnak is a large open site, so dress according to the weather. If you’re visiting in the summer time, be prepared for some crowds, as it is a very popular attraction.

8. Cairo

Cairo egypt

Cairo is the capital of Egypt, and trips to Egypt typically begin in Cairo as a home base - including a Nile River cruise, most of which begin in either Luxor or Aswan. Cairo is a great starting point for your visit to Egypt, providing much historical context.

Be sure to visit the Egyptian Museum, where a staggering array of fascinating artifacts can be found, detailing Egypt's unique past and culture. A culture you come up close and personal to as you sail along the Nile on your river cruise.

9. Djoser Step Pyramid

Djoser Step Pyramid

The Djoser Step Pyramid is located in the necropolis of Saqqara. It is noticeably a different style than the sheer faced pyramids of Giza. The Djoser Step Pyramid was constructed in the 27th century, as a part of a large mortuary complex, for Djoser the Pharaoh, who was one of the first kings of the 3rd Dynasty. The pyramid consists of multiple underground chambers, and several unique stone architectural styles.

This is a classic tour destination in Egypt for Nile River cruises and features many unique archaeological points of interest. Be sure to explore with a guide to discover all the secrets and histories of Djoser Step Pyramid.

10. Philae Temple

Philae Temple in Egypt

Located near the Aswan Dam, this is a great place to explore before embarking on your Nile River cruise. A large temple complex it is most notable for the many different cultural influences overlapping each other in the exterior architecture and carvings on the temple walls.

You can spot evidence of Greek and Roman presence and it’s easy to see how essential this temple was at various points in time. Be sure to take your time when you visit! There is much to see and explore, several small chambers, courtyards, and a wealth of unique reliefs and other artistic marvels.

How well do you know the world?
Play the game
Compare your travel trivia knowledge with friends. How many can you get right in 1 minute?

Top Nile River Tours See all

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Travel better together
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Nile River Tours Reviews & Ratings

Write a review
Excellent
98
Great
15
Average
0
Disappointing
0
Terrible
1
Jamie Sickel
·
2023-06-07
Written on
Highlights of Egypt by Odynovo
Amazing Trip to Egypt with Odynovo!
I cannot say enough good things about Odynovo, both on the coordination end (we worked with Laura Li, who was fantastic!) to the on-site people (shout out to our airport contact in Cairo Hassan, our skilled driver Ahmed, our fun Cairo guide Mai, and our knowledgable Aswan/Luxor guide Hazem - BEST crew EVER!!!) who make your trip a seamless, safe, exciting, educational, and all-around transformative life highlight.

This experience was seriously a bucket-list one for my husband and me, and I can NOT emphasize enough how important the Odynovo team was to making Egypt an infinitely easier context to navigate. If you've watched travel vloggers and social media influencers attempt to navigate Egypt on their own and complain about a negative experience, fear not - if you go with Odynovo, every. single. thing. will be taken care of. There is NOTHING to worry about, and the experience was entirely positive. The people, the food, the culture, the historical sites and stories - with Odynovo taking care of all the logistical details, these are the only things you need to focus on.

I am full of gratitude for the experience I had in Egypt, and I credit Odynovo for it. I will absolutely use them in the future for other destinations, and I urge you to do the same. I know my Egypt experience would not have been nearly the same had I not gone with Odynovo.

Check out our adventure here: https://youtu.be/vMlAmVk7vBY

Also, a passionate recommendation from my experience: DEFINITELY make the trip to Abu Simbel!! It was a major highlight (we went in a private car that left Aswan around 9am since we'd flown in from Cairo that morning). We stopped at the High Dam first, so by the time we arrived at Abu Simbel, the tour busses were on their way back to Aswan, and we had the whole of the site almost entirely to ourselves. It was one of the most awe-inspiring moments of my life. Do it. Stay the night in Abu Simbel if you can in order to avoid the crowds. It was amazing. ✨
Show more
Clive
·
2023-06-03
Written on
Anniverssery Holiday to Uganda
Valiant organised our trip for our anniversary and it was superb,
our guide Moses was charming, the food was good and we met amazing local people. Gorilla trek was a fulfilment of our dream. Thank you valiant safaris for arranging such an amazing holiday for us.
Show more
Monica
·
2023-04-21
Written on
10 Days Fly-in Safari by Valiant Safaris
Most Amazing trip
My partner and I worked with Valiant Safaris to book a 10-day trip in Uganda, that included a gorilla trek and a visit to Queen Elizabeth National Park. We had the most amazing time! David and Joseph made everything extremely easy for us. We explained our preferences for the trip and they made everything come together very easily and exactly the way we wanted it. Actually they exceeded our expectations. David is a very talented and safe driver, even when the roads got muddy or really precarious, we always felt completely safe with him. David also is extremely knowledgeable and easy to get along with, he was regularly checking in with us about our comfort level and interests. I would highly recommend Valiant Safaris and would definitely work with them again in the future.
Show more
Stella
·
2023-04-05
Written on
Encountered Mountain Gorillas
Encountering with the mountain gorillas face to face was the best experience. Thank you very much valiant safaris for customizing this itinerary to fit our desires. Guides Kefa and Jerome had comprehensive knowledge about every destination. Viewing Tree climbing lions in Ishasha was also amazing.
Show more
Usha
·
2022-09-04
Written on
A perfect trip
17 days to Egypt, Jordan and Israel was our first booking with Odynovo , and Susan, our Rep.There were 6 of us traveling. We had planned our way there and our way out of there. Odynovo covered everything from arrival to departure. We were astounded how every detail was covered . Our tour representative in Cairo, Mr. Ramy was amazing, and our tour guide , Mohamed was very nice. Our Nile river cruise guide was Mr. Khaled who was very caring and knowledgeable. They looked after us very well. In Jordan, we had Mr. Moeen as our tour guide. Very impressed with him. All our tour drivers were very wonderful and we felt very safe with them. All the sights from the Pyramids to Valley of the kings and the museums were breathtaking. And what can one say about Petra. Did not want to come home. What a beautiful city. And all the beautiful sights along the Nile river. Staying in Sun city camp in Wadi Rum was truly an experience. Beautiful sunset and camel ride for sunrise. After Egypt and Jordan , we made our way to Israel. Enjoyed Jerusalem and Bethlehem. The only thing we were not happy with is that when we visited the holocaust museum in Bethlehem, we saw almost all tour guides in the museum with their group with the listening devices in their ear explaining and educating. When we asked our tour guide, Mr.Nasser why he did not accompany us inside, he said no need. That we were able to read and watch video and it was pretty self-explanatory. But it would have been nicer for him to come inside and explain things to us. The other guides were very impressive and explaining things in detail. Overall, this was our first travel with Odynovo. And we were truly impressed. Hopefully again in future we will use them again.
Show more
MAM
·
2022-07-13
Written on
Top Notch Private Tour of Israel, Egypt and Jordan
First time using Odynovo, and the experience was flawless. We traveled to Israel, Jordan and Egypt by private tour with 5-star hotels. It was an action-packed itinerary with every day seemingly better than the day before. We were happily exhausted at the end of each day, but did not mind at all because the hotels were top of the line.

I was concerned having never traveled with this company before, but my worries were completely mis-placed. They had every detail covered. From the initial planning with Reinself Wei (He's top notch!!), to the day-to-day guides and drivers, to the "handlers" that were there to accommodate our every need at the border crossings. The representatives of the company all seem to have connections in all the right places! We felt like rock stars.

Definite GOOD TIMES had by all.
Show more

Travelstride featured in

The Newyork Times
AFAR
Chicago Tribune
Travel Pulse
Los Angeles Times
Frommers

Why Travelstride

Find your perfect trip
A vast selection of trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from hundreds of trusted travel companies.
Save time
Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics -- travel providers plan for you.
Save money
Book directly with the operator. Find inclusive packages for the best value and get access to amazing deals.
Travel confidently
Read unbiased user reviews, pick the company that fits your style, and connect with them directly. No worries, just memories.
×
×
×
Sign in to Save Trips
Welcome back! We're so happy to see you. ? Forgot Password?
Don't have an account? Join
  • Bookmark trips you like
  • Share with your travel companions
  • Track price changes
  • Access private discounts on trips you save
×
Sign in to see your results

TripFinder is a member-only feature. Don’t worry, it’s free!

With a membership you:

  • Save up to $700 per person!*
  • Access private deals and offers
  • See personalized trip recommendations
  • Save favorite trips
*See Member Savings Program details
×
Activate your free Travelstride membership

Just use the email address and password provided in the email we sent.

? Forgot Password?

With your free membership you:

  • Save up to $700 per person!*
  • Access private deals and offers
  • See personalized trip recommendations
  • Save favorite trips
*See Member Savings Program details
×
To Follow, sign in or sign up (it's free) ? Forgot Password?
Don't have an account? Join
member benefits

By signing in, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

First name is required!
Last name is required!
First name is not valid!
Last name is not valid!
This is not an email address!
Email address is required!
This email is already registered!
Please enter valid email address
Password is required!
Enter a valid password!
Please enter 6 or more characters!
Please enter 32 or less characters!
Passwords are not the same!
Terms and Conditions are required!
Email or Password is wrong!
Please select the captcha checkbox!
Please select the valid captcha!
Something went wrong! Try again later!