The Nile River may not be critical for the transportation of goods nowadays, but it stays among the most charming ways to see the attractions of the world. Today’s cruise of the Nile leads you through the journey of the ancient Pharaohs to archaeological assets, lively street markets, and several other beautiful ancient sites and sculptures.
So for the fun purpose, you can choose three multiple ways of sailing the Nile: a small cruise ship, a Dahabiya or a Felucca. You will probably spend all your time just on one particular ship, while many small cruises onboarding a felucca allow customers for spending a day, or maybe even a night on their cruise.
A ship on the Nile will normally take you to main attractions like Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan but it is still better to make sure that yours will take you to one of the more remote sites like Abu Simbel. The sounds you will hear through the river Nile cruise will be a glimpse into a world that has remained constant in many respects since about the pharaohs ‘ period.
So if you have plans to avail of this one time Nile Cruise chance, you must not delay it anymore. Choose the best option for yourself and head out to the wonderful journey.
Small Ship Cruises
Small ship cruises are one of the three main options for you because, with about 300 on the Nile, small cruise ships are still the most popular tourist ships hold around 50 and 150 travelers which has all the meal times and guided tours included. These ships are packed with anything you would ever want for a waterborne excursion.
Most of the smaller ships provide air-conditioned, en suite cabins, including a bar and restaurant, a swimming pool, sunshine decks and a living room where seminars and the occasional costume party are held.
Such ships spend little time on the water than most other tourism vessels and mostly spend a few nights in Aswan or Luxor (or both) but when you are on the water, the sights are beautiful so when you can manage to look at them, plump into a cabin on an elevated platform to make absolutely sure that the waterways don’t block your vision.
Felucca Cruise
The traditional Felucca boats are such beautiful wooden vessels typically driven by sails while sometimes with oars, give travelers the opportunity to experience the Nile River cruise as folks have been traveling since ancient times.
These boats are not as luxurious for having to carry around six and eight people, they do not have any cabins or clean water but for evening star gazing (and napping!), you get to have a mattress on the ground and during the day, the cover provides shading and solar safety.
Most sailors have bathroom facilities built on the ship and a backup boat that can accompany you on certain visits and will provide a clean toilet, bathroom, and kitchen. Your sailing squad may cook your meal, which again is easy and very often nutritious.
No wonder, the true benefit of felucca sailing seems to be the ability to connect with natives in a meaningful fashion and enter areas that the smaller ships can not. The expense of a boat trip covers all guided tours, food, cabins and significant surveys.
Dahabiya Cruises
A dahabiya is basically a sailing yacht (houseboats) which provides a felucca’s sentimental elegance without having to risk it. These sophisticated ships were extremely enjoyed in the 19th century by high-class Egyptians and Western visitors but fell out of fashion since the arrival of the steamship to Egypt in 1869.
Now returning to high fashion, a usual dahabiya facilitates around 12 and 20 guests and features a luxurious lobby, wood-paneled rooms with en-suite bathroom restrooms, a study and a top and bottom seating deck.
A professional cook prepares fresh and healthy food purchased regularly from stores and producers, and a skilled Egyptologist accompanies the tours. Many Dahabiya vessels are really the actual commodity of the 19th generation, while the others were designed as imitations, but they are all much smaller than the iconic cruise liners.
Usually, cruises of three to five-day trips begin or end in Aswan or Esna. Whereas sailings of seven days get beyond Luxor to Aswan or vice versa. The arrangements are far less static than those of the bigger ships, as well as the key sites of Esna, Edfu, and Kom Ombo.
These ships can also anchor at heritage sites in El-Kab and Gebel el Silsila where all the larger ships can not stop. Several trips also include hikes and trips to the communities to enable you to get a feel of local culture. You will definitely have more options and you can freely go for the one suiting your budget.