Nile Cruises in Luxor

The tradition linking Luxor to the Nile River dates back to ancient Egypt, even when the city was still called Thebes and occupied a sacred and strategic position in the reigns of the pharaohs. Because of its importance in trade and as a navigable route to the territories of other civilisations, the Nile has a lot to tell and one of the best ways to discover it is through a cruise excursion on the tributary.

Among the best things to do in Luxor are river cruising tours or the local falucca, a typical local boat. Options include half-day, full-day or even multi-day cruising experiences, with stops at other nearby sites that also developed around the Nile and the prosperity it has brought since the origins of ancient Egypt.

For a complete and unforgettable Nile experience, embark on a 4-day cruise from Luxor to Aswan, the city at the eastern end of the river that contains the famous Nile Falls. This trip will allow you to explore the rich history and culture of ancient Egypt at your own pace, in a perfect combination of independence and the assistance of an expert local guide.

The first day of the tour will take you to the main sites of the city on the banks of the Nile, such as the Temples of Karnak and Luxor, where the stories of the gods Amun, Mut and Khonsu come to life. During these stops you will be able to discover the interior of these religious buildings and also the skyline of Luxor from the east and west sides of the river.

The second day will allow you to discover the Valley of the Kings on one of the best hot-air balloon rides in Luxor. After watching the sunrise from above, you will be able to explore the valley, which is famous for containing the tombs of the most famous Egyptian kings, such as Tutankhamun. You will also visit the Funerary Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.

The third day will take you to the Temple of Edfu and the Temple of Kom Ombo, allowing you to experience the luxury of ancient architecture and the history of these religious sites. The trip culminates on the fourth day with a visit to the Temple of Abu Simbel in Aswan, before returning to Luxor.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 870 Euros per person. This cost usually includes return transfer with hotel pick-up and entrance fees for activities.
• Duration: about 4 days.
• Advantages of these excursions: You will be able to see the main attractions on the banks of the Nile on a luxury cruise.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: they require several days in the city and are therefore not compatible with a short stay in Luxor.

The Temple of Dendera, located in the city of the same name, is a beautiful religious building that is often overlooked by tourist recommendations in the areas around the Nile. On these excursions, you can rescue it from oblivion with a cruise that will take you along the few kilometres that separate Luxor from Dendera and allow you to discover not only the landscapes of the river, but also the temple.

During the tour, from the deck of the boat, you will be able to make out some of the monuments and archaeological sites on the horizon that make up the itineraries of the best tours of Luxor. You can also take in the scenery along both banks of the river and usually enjoy a buffet lunch.

Note, too, that Dendera is north of Luxor, when most Nile cruise excursions are to the Aswan Falls in the south, so these experiences will allow you to see the northern end of the Nile, a rare circumstance in Nile exploration.

As you approach the Temple of Dendera, Egypt's best-preserved temple dedicated to the Goddess Hathor, you can take part in a guided tour that will immerse you in its rich history and significance on a full-day excursion that will not only offer you a journey through the waters of the Nile, but also a complete cultural experience.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 110 euros per person, including lunch and entrance to the Temple of Dendera.
• Duration: about 12 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: not only will you get to see one of the most famous stretches of the Nile River but also one of the most beautiful and least visited temples north of Luxor.
• Disadvantages of these tours: apart from the fact that you will be able to see the temples on the banks of the Nile from the deck, these tours do not usually include any stops other than Dendera.

If you want to take part in an indigenous experience during your visit to Luxor, you can opt for an excursion to Banana Island on a traditional Egyptian falucca, the region's iconic boat, which will take you on a journey along the Nile with views of the city from the river. This will allow you not only to sail on a traditional African barge, but also to discover the skyline of Luxor from a different perspective.

Upon arrival at Banana Island you will have the opportunity to explore this natural oasis filled with banana, mango and guava plantations. The lush vegetation will immerse you in an environment of pure nature, offering you a unique experience in the middle of the Nile. You will also learn about the fertile goodness of the river's banks, which made the Nile famous and turned ancient Egypt into an agricultural powerhouse in the region.

At Banana Island you can also learn about some of the conspiracy theories surrounding ancient Egypt, as there are ancient plantations that did not originate in the fields of Africa, which puzzles experts and leads them to wonder how they got there. This curious concern will be the main excuse to review the theories spread about the construction of the pyramids in Cairo.

On the way back to the shores of Luxor on these tours, which are often included among the best excursions in the city, you can usually enjoy a traditional Egyptian meal on board. In addition, in the late afternoon, you can watch the sun set over the horizon, tinting the ancient city of Thebes with orange hues in an unmissable visual spectacle on the banks of the River Nile.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 50 euros per person. This cost usually includes lunch and a guided tour of Banana Island.
• Duration: about 4 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: You'll get to see the fertile bounty of the Nile's banks, which contributed to the tributary's fame during ancient Egypt.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: While the weather is usually warm on the Nile, during cold days the low temperatures can disrupt the falucca experience.

If you want a quieter, shorter experience, involving only a ride on the waters of the Nile, you can opt for a private tour of the river in a falucca. These experiences, recommended at sunset, will allow you to discover the horizon and its west while you sail and observe the daily life on the banks, which involves camels, donkeys, farmers and fishermen.

The convenience of these private tours, which often include transfers to and from the hotel, is that you can visit one of the most famous stretches of the Nile in a short tour, which is ideal if you have a short stay in the city and don't have time for a multi-day tour. You can also combine this tour with a visit to the Temple of Karnak at night to experience the sound and light show.

One of the best views of the skyline on this tour is of the sun slowly dipping over the West Bank and the Valley of the Kings. In addition, during the tour you will be assisted by an expert local guide among the crew, who will tell you about the history and legends of the sites you encounter on either side of the shore during the tour.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 30 euros per person.
• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Advantages of these tours: these are short experiences along the Nile River, ideal for a short stay in the city and to combine with other experiences close to the riverbank.
• Disadvantages of these tours: Although they are private tours, unlike other similar experiences in this case you will not be able to modify the tours or choose your own itinerary.

You can book these tours in advance online, either when planning your itinerary or once you are in the city. Keep in mind that Luxor tends to be a very busy city all year round in Egypt, especially due to the spillover effect of tourism in Cairo, so booking in advance will allow you to choose the best conditions for your experience and secure the price.

Also, if you organise an itinerary in advance of your trip, you can combine any of these Nile tours with other typical Nile experiences effectively, such as taking part in balloon rides in Luxor or going on an excursion to the outskirts of the city. River tours are so popular with the locals that you'll usually be told about them and offered them as soon as you get off the plane at the local airport.

If you book online you'll also have the details of the tour provider in advance, which will make your excursions more secure and also avoid the need to hire with cash on arrival at the port area.

On these tours you can discover the natural beauty that characterises the Nile River and also discover its historical importance, which is inextricably linked to the history of Luxor and Thebes, the ancient name of the city when it served as the capital of the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt. Throughout the tours, whichever one you choose, you can learn about its vital role in international trade and com merce.

If you opt for the falucca tours, you will not only have a local and indigenous experience, but you will also learn about the importance of agriculture on the Nile River, as these boats were used to transport raw materials to nearby sites along the Nile route. During the tours you can also visit the nearby temples, which are located on the banks of the Nile.

On longer tours, such as the 4-day cruise from Luxor to Aswan, you can enjoy a more relaxing experience, which not only takes you to the far end of the river, but also allows you to discover the Nile waterfalls and other archaeological sites that form part of the main circuit of the tributary.

Bear in mind that in ancient Egypt, life revolved around the river, so from the boat you will be able to discover the cities that emerged thanks to its tireless flow and the fertility of its banks. If you're really interested in local history, you'll find no better way to discover it than on one of these excursions.

If you are planning to visit Luxor and have already decided to go on a Nile tour, I advise you to book the activity in advance, which will allow you to have the information about the experience before you arrive at the riverbank. This will make the tour safer and allow you to relax, whether you choose a cruise or a falucca, a typical boat of the local civilisations.

Also, bear in mind that in Egypt informal services are very common and a bit messy, by booking online you'll be sure to have the provider's information in advance, which will be useful in case of any mishaps. On the other hand, if you're travelling during one of Islam's religious holidays, consider that many activities are suspended or modified, especially during Ramadan.

The Nile is a central pillar of Egyptian culture, as it was around it that one of the most advanced civilisations of its time was formed, so if you plan to visit Luxor, which became the most important city of ancient Egypt, you can't miss a trip down this tributary to learn about its significance.

The river crosses the entire city from end to end, so most of the attractions in Luxor are located in an area close to the banks of the Nile. This will allow you to easily access the river cruise or falucca excursions and also combine this experience with a visit to the Temple of Karnak or the archaeological site of the Colossi of Memnon.