Nile River Cruises and Boat Rides from Cairo

Being the largest river in the world as well as 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. Egypt's Nile is considered an attraction, and one of the most fun things to see and do in Cairo; on your next visit seriously consider exploring the city from a whole new perspective and I assure you won't regret it.

If you want to know in detail the options available here are the most popular and fun options, so you can choose the one that best suits your tastes.

The small sailing boats that ply the waters of the Nile have been used in Africa and the Middle East since the dawn of civilisation. Today, one of the most interesting tourist attractions is a leisurely ride on the Nile aboard these charming vessels. There are several companies offering this type of service but in my opinion one of the best times to take a traditional falucca 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 to and from your hotel in Cairo. You will arrive at the embarkation point where you will board the falucca, during the ride you will be able to see the beautiful scenery of the city, spot the camel caravans and watch the sunset over the West Bank and the Valley of the Kings.

In addition to hotel pick-up, the company provides travellers with an expert guide who accompanies them throughout the trip. The companies in charge of this type of experience usually have guides available in several languages, so be sure to get one in English or a language you are fluent in.

Useful information

• Price: The approximate price to pay for this experience is €30 to €40 on average. It may vary depending on the company you hire.
• Duration of the excursion: Depending on the itinerary and the route, the tour can take an hour or up to 3 hours maximum.
• Recommended yes... it is an experience that I recommend to all travellers visiting Cairo for the first time, as it is one of the most beautiful excursions to do in the city.

A classic evening of fun on board a Nile cruise is a must on any traveller's itinerary, not to mention one of the best things to do in Cairo after dark. As this is one of the most sought-after experiences for travellers, it is easy to find numerous companies offering the service.

What these tours usually include

Almost all companies in Cairo include in the experience the transfer of travellers in private transport 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 style dinner is served with typical Egyptian food; the evening is enlivened by multiple shows including: musicians and live band to harmonize the evening, Arabian belly dancers and dervish dancers. All this 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, however similar experiences on luxury cruises can cost upwards of €120.
• Duration of excursion: Depending on the company you book with, the experience can take up to 3 or 4 hours maximum.
• Recommended if... You want a classic Nile cruise experience, ideal for first time visitors to Cairo.

This experience allows travellers to combine two of the most popular and interesting activities to do on a trip to Cairo: the excursion to the Pyramids of Giza anda night cruise on the Nile, highly recommended whether you are travelling with a companion or on your own.

What these excursions usually include

Normally, companies offering this type of experience start the tour early in the morning by meeting travellers directly at the hotel; an** expert Egyptian guide** able to speak your language will drive the hiker in a private, air-conditioned vehicle to the Giza plateau located about 30 minutes from Cairo. You will have time to explore the site, tour the interior of the Monuments and take photographs. The visit includes the three great pyramids Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinos, as well as the Sphinx statue. Depending on the company you hire, entrance fees to the monuments may or may not be included in the price.

Return to the hotel for an afternoon rest and in the evening you will join the guide again to transfer to the port and take the Nile Cruise; this experience includes a buffet style dinner on board the boat, a dance show with dancers and live music throughout the evening, in addition to the ride on the waters.

Useful information

• Price: You will need to book approximately €45 per person for this experience.
• Duration of tour: The tour is divided into two phases, in the morning the excursion to the Giza Plateau will take about 3 hours on average, in the evening the Nile cruise will take another three hours.
• Recommended if... You are looking for a way to save on your holiday to Cairo, by combining the experience you can find better deals than buying each of them in an individual package.

The Sounds and Lights show in Giza is one of the best night shows that the modern city of Cairo offers to its many travellers. It consists of an elaborate special effects montage that takes viewers through the striking and rich history of the Egyptian people; the best part is undoubtedly the backdrop used for the performances: The pyramids of Giza and the imposing giant statue of the Sphinx of Cheops.

What these tours usually include

The plan may vary a little depending on the company you hire for the excursion, generally the adventure starts in the late afternoon when an expert guide trained in Egyptology and able to speak your language picks you up directly at the hotel. Please note that for this type of experience the guide and transfer can be shared, although when they are, they are always in small groups to ensure exclusivity.

The guide will take you to the Giza Plateau to give travellers the opportunity to tour the site and take a few photos before the show, which usually starts after sunset and lasts for an average of 2 hours. After the sound and light show you will be transferred to the harbour to board a large boat to enjoy an evening on the Nile, accompanied by a delicious dinner and a show of dancers and musicians on board the boat.

Useful Information

• Price: You will need to set aside approximately €60 per person for this experience.
• Duration of tour: 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 really impressive, it should not be substituted by a tour to admire the interior of the Pyramids and the marvellous secrets it hides.

You certainly can't leave Cairo without trying a tasty traditional Egyptian lunch; and while it's true that there is no shortage of interesting options in the city, it's also true that many tour companies offer interesting packages combining the experience of a Nile cruise in a falucca with lunch in the city centre.

What these tours usually include

Generally the adventure starts with the pick-up at the hotel, companies offering this type of experience usually offer guides in several languages including Spanish, French, German, English and many others. Be sure to clarify this detail before making the payment.

From the hotel you will transfer to the boarding pier where you will board the falucca and embark on a leisurely ride along the waters of the beautiful river; as well as enjoying the warmth of the sunshine you can admire the beautiful scenery of the city's buildings that line the river's waters. The second part of the experience involves a traditional lunch in a luxurious restaurant in the city centre. After lunch, transport will be waiting for you to take you back to your hotel.

Useful information

• Price: This experience is available from 35€ per traveller.
• Duration of the tour: The Nile river cruise can take just over 1 hour to complete, while lunch at the restaurant can take a further 2 hours. You should allow about 4 hours in total including transfers.
• Recommended yes... it's an experience I would recommend to any traveller who wants to enjoy the best experience on the Nile and accompany it with a delicious traditional meal. In my opinion the adventure becomes much more fun and enjoyable if you are in Cairo accompanied by a friend or family member.

This type of experience combines two of the most interesting adventures to do on a Cairo sightseeing tour: a gastronomic tour, which will take you to the heart and traditions of the city; with a relaxing sailboat ride on the waters of the Nile. Keep in mind that Egyptian cuisine is one of the most amazing in the world, so you simply can't leave the country's capital without having at least a taste of its traditional dishes.

What these tours usually include

This type of experience usually includes the accompaniment of an expert guide, you should make sure with the company you hire the language or languages in which the experience is offered; the guides of the gastronomic tours always speak English and other popular languages such as Spanish, German or French. Usually the guide in charge picks you up from your hotel and then takes you to the oldest part of Cairo where you can try the traditional food, the tasting can include between 3 and 5 dishes in different places, you can try the famous kosher, falafel, the typical meat with fruit, cane juice and more.

After the tour of Cairo's vibrant downtown area you will move on to the second part of the excursion where you will board a traditional falucca to travel along the Nile and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Nile. At the end of the experience, the transfer back to your hotel is the final part of your trip.

Useful information

• Price: The price to pay for this experience is approximately €50 per traveller.
• Duration of tour: The gastronomic tour through the heart of Cairo will take a minimum of 2 hours to complete, the phaluk ride along the Nile usually takes 1 hour to complete; you should allow 4 hours in total for the full tour.
• Recommended if... You are a foodie and want to experience the most typical Egyptian food. The option to end the experience with a ride on the waters of the Nile is the perfect way to end a traditional and fun-filled tour.