Egypt: A Nile Cruise + 3 Not-To-Miss Activities

Nile cruise: Sailing the Nile was easily the highlight of my entire trip — I cannot put into words what a special experience it was. I’ll start by saying that I am not a cruise gal, but this kind of cruise was unlike anything I have ever seen. It was the equivalent of a stylish, thoughtful, boutique hotel that truly exuded a sense of place. Over the course of five nights and six days, our luxury dahabiya — a traditional Egyptian boat — transported us down the river as it made stops along the way. Each day we were guided through archeological sites, lush orchards, temples, local villages and breathtaking vistas by our Egyptologist. It was a way of experiencing Egypt that cannot be replicated by land. Between all of these stops, we shared stories with our small group of 12 and enjoyed impressive traditional Egyptian meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I cannot stress this enough — this is a must on any Egypt itinerary. There are several Nile Cruises available. However, only a few that provide you with an inspiring environment in which to gain a new perspective on this beautiful country. I’d love to guide you toward the right one!

Hot air balloon ride: If you’re nervous about floating through the air in a basket, don’t be! It’s surprisingly serene, despite how it may look. There is no turbulence, no sudden drops, and you surprisingly feel no motion. You feel weightless! A hot air balloon ride is not only a beautiful way to experience a sunrise, but grants you a birds-eye view over several ancient sites like the Valley of Kings and the Luxor Temple.

The Valley of Kings: This is an area located on the West Bank of the Nile River. Here, rock-cut tombs were excavated for nearly 500 years and the bodies of Egypt’s pharaohs and powerful nobles were laid to rest here. Each of the 63 tombs are immaculately preserved and adorned with hieroglyphs that depict scenes from the afterlife, and tell the stories of what life was like thousands of years ago.The illustrations are so vivid — it’s truly awe-inspiring to see them outside of a textbook.

The Pyramids of Giza: It comes as no surprise that The Pyramids make it onto every guide to Egypt. As the only remaining Wonder of the Ancient World, The Great Pyramid alone is worth a trip to the outskirts of Cairo.The Giza Plateau is comprised of several pyramids and monuments that are studded throughout miles of the desert. For this reason, I highly suggest coordinating a guide and driver in advance, which your advisor can easily arrange! It is magic being able to witness their grandeur face to face.