More about: 6 Best Cruises and Boat Tours on the Nile
As the largest river in the world and the water source that feeds Egyptian cities, we all know how strongly connected the beautiful Nile is to the history and evolution of Egyptian culture. The Nile in Egypt is considered an attraction and one of the most enjoyable things to see and do in Cairo. On your next visit, seriously consider exploring the city from a totally new perspective. I assure you that you won't regret it.
If you want to know more about the options available, here are the most popular and enjoyable ones, so you can choose the one that best suits your tastes.
1. Nile cruise on a felucca at sunset
The small sailing boats that ply the waters of the Nile have been used in Africa and the Middle East since the dawn of civilization. Today, one of the most interesting tourist attractions is a peaceful trip along the Nile aboard these charming boats. There are several companies offering this type of service, but in my opinion, one of the best times to take the traditional felucca ride is at sunset.
What these excursions usually include
Although it may vary depending on the company you hire, many of these companies offer round-trip transportation in a private vehicle from and to your hotel in Cairo. You will arrive at the boarding point where you will board the felucca. During the trip, you will be able to observe the beautiful landscapes of the city, spot camel caravans, and watch the sunset over the West Bank and the Valley of the Kings.
In addition to hotel pickup, the company provides travelers with an expert guide who accompanies them throughout the trip. Companies offering this type of experience usually have guides available in several languages, so be sure to get one in Spanish or a language you are familiar with.
Useful information
- Price: The approximate price for this experience is €30 to €40 on average. It may vary depending on the company you hire.
- Duration of the tour: Depending on the itinerary and the route, the tour can last from one hour to a maximum of three hours.
- Recommended: Yes, I recommend this experience to all travelers visiting Cairo for the first time, as it is one of the most beautiful excursions to do in the city.
2. Classic Nile cruise: with dinner and dance show
A classic night of fun aboard a Nile cruise is a must on any traveler's itinerary, not to mention one of the best things to do in Cairo at night. As this is one of the most popular experiences among travelers, it is easy to find numerous companies offering this service.
What these excursions usually include
Almost all companies in Cairo include private transportation for travelers to and from their hotel in the city. The company will take you to the port of embarkation to begin your dinner and show adventure on the waters of the Nile.
In most cases, a buffet dinner with typical Egyptian food is served, and the evening is enlivened by multiple shows including live musicians and a band to harmonize the evening, belly dancers, and dervish dancers. All this is accompanied by the beautiful city of Cairo, which becomes even more enchanting when night falls.
Useful information
- Price: This type of experience is usually available from €50, although other similar experiences on luxury cruises can cost around €120.
- Duration of the excursion: Depending on the company you book with, the experience can last around 3 or 4 hours maximum.
- Recommended if... You want to enjoy a classic Nile cruise experience, ideal for those visiting Cairo for the first time.
3. Nile cruise with day trip to the Pyramids of Giza
This experience allows travelers to combine two of the most popular and interesting activities to do on a trip to the city of Cairo: an excursion to the Pyramids of Gizaand a night cruise on the Nile, highly recommended for those traveling with others or on a solo adventure.
What these excursions usually include
Normally, companies offering this type of experience start the tour early in the morning by picking up travelers directly at their hotel. An** expert guide in Egyptology** who speaks your language will take you in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to the Giza Plateau, located about 30 minutes from Cairo. You will have time to explore the site, take a tour inside the monuments, and take pictures. The visit includes seeing the three great pyramids of Cheops, Khafre, and Menkaure, as well as the Sphinx. Depending on the company you hire, admission to the monuments may or may not be included in the price.
You will return to the hotel for an afternoon of rest and in the evening you will join the guide again to transfer to the port and board the Nile Cruise. This experience includes a boat trip, a buffet dinner on board the ship, and a dance show with dancers and live music throughout the evening.
Useful information
- Price: You will need to reserve approximately €45 per person to enjoy this experience.
- Duration of the excursion: The tour is divided into two phases. In the morning, the excursion to the Giza Plateau will take about 3 hours on average, and in the evening, the Nile cruise will take another three hours.
- Recommended if... You are looking for a way to save money on your vacation to Cairo. By combining the experience, you can find better deals than if you purchase each one individually.
4. Nile cruise with the "Sounds and Lights" show at the Giza Plateau
The Giza Sounds and Lights show is one of the best nighttime shows that the modern city of Cairo offers its many travelers. It consists of an elaborate production with special effects that takes viewers through the impressive and rich history of the Egyptian people. The best part is undoubtedly the backdrop used for the presentations: the pyramids of Giza and the imposing giant statue of the Sphinx of Cheops.
What these excursions usually include
The plan may vary slightly depending on the company you hire for the tour, but generally the adventure begins in the late afternoon when an expert guide in Egyptology who speaks your language picks up travelers directly from their hotel. Keep in mind that for this type of experience, the guide and transportation may be shared, although when they are, they are always handled in small groups to ensure exclusivity.
The guide will take you to the Giza Plateau to give travelers the opportunity to explore the site and take a few photos before the show, which usually starts after sunset and lasts an average of two hours. After the sound and light show, you will be transferred to the port to board a large boat and enjoy a night sailing on the Nile, accompanied by a delicious dinner and a show featuring dancers and musicians on board the boat.
Useful information
- Price: You should set aside approximately €60 per person for this experience.
- Duration of the excursion: Between transfers and entertainment, you will need approximately 5 hours to enjoy both shows.
- Recommended if... You have already visited the Pyramids of Giza on a day tour or on another trip to Egypt. Although the light show is truly impressive, it should not replace a tour to admire the interior of the Pyramids and the wonderful secrets they hide.
5. Nile cruise on a felucca with traditional lunch
You certainly can't leave Cairo without trying a delicious traditional Egyptian lunch, and although there is no shortage of interesting options in the city, many tour companies offer attractive packages that combine a felucca ride on the Nile with lunch in the city center.
What these excursions usually include
The adventure usually begins with the traveler being picked up at their hotel. Companies offering this type of experience often provide guides in several languages, including Spanish, French, German, English, and many others. Be sure to clarify this detail before making your payment.
From the hotel, you will be transferred to the pier where you will board the felucca and set off on a peaceful ride along the beautiful river. In addition to enjoying the warmth of the sun, you can admire the beautiful landscape formed by the city's buildings lining the river. The second part of the experience includes a traditional lunch at a luxurious restaurant in the city center. After lunch, transportation will be waiting to take you back to your hotel.
Useful information
- Price: This experience is available from $35 per person.
- Duration of the excursion: The felucca ride on the Nile takes just over an hour, while lunch at the restaurant can take another two hours. You should allow around four hours in total, including transfers.
- Recommended: Yes, this is an experience I would recommend to any traveler who wants to enjoy the best experience touring the waters of the Nile and accompany it with a delicious traditional meal. In my opinion, the adventure is much more fun and enjoyable if you are in Cairo with a friend or family member.
6. Nile cruise on a felucca with a gastronomic tour
This experience combines two of the most interesting adventures to be had on a trip to Cairo: a food tour that will take you to the heart of the city and its traditions, and a relaxing sailboat ride on the waters of the Nile. Keep in mind that Egyptian cuisine is one of the most surprising in the world, so you simply cannot leave the country's capital without at least trying some of its traditional dishes.
What these excursions usually include
This type of experience usually includes the services of an expert guide. You should check with the company you hire to ensure that the experience is offered in the language or languages you speak. Food tour guides always speak English and other popular languages such as Spanish, German, or French. Usually, the guide in charge picks up the traveler at the hotel and then takes them to the oldest part of Cairo where you can try traditional food. The tasting may include between 3 and 5 dishes in different places, and you can try the famous kosher, falafel, the typical meat with fruit, sugarcane juice, and more.
After the tour of the bustling downtown area of Cairo, you will move on to the second part of the excursion, where you will board a traditional felucca to cruise the waters of the Nile and enjoy the beautiful landscape that borders its waters. At the end of the experience, transportation back to your hotel is included as the final leg of your trip.
Useful information
- Price: The price for this experience is approximately $50 per traveler.
- Duration of the excursion: The gastronomic tour through the heart of Cairo will take a minimum of 2 hours, and the felucca ride on the Nile usually takes 1 hour to complete; you should allow about 4 hours in total for the entire excursion.
- Recommended if... You are a food lover and want to discover the most typical Egyptian cuisine. The option of ending the experience with a trip along the Nile is the perfect way to finish a traditional and fun-filled tour.