One package tour I would recommend in Egypt is a Nile Cruise. Most tours begin in Cairo and allow you time to explore the city and then cruise up or down the river. When you book a Nile cruise, the shorter the tour the less you see of Cairo. Most tourists only have one to one and a half days in Cairo. This is not enough time to get a feel for the city and you will be missing a lot.
Some tours will have the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities and the Pyramids together in one day. After you’ll be in Aswan or Luxor for the cruise. No matter how much money you spend, you will most likely see the same temples and Valley of the Kings. The only difference with price will be accommodations of the hotel in Cairo and on the cruise ship and quality of food.
Hotel Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor & The Sofitel Legend Old Cataract at Asawan
Winter Palace Luxor
If you start or end your Nile cruise in Luxor, make sure you stop at Hotel Sofitel Winter Palace Luxor. My last cruise on the Nile started in Luxor. Instead of having dinner on the ship, I chose to have dinner at the Winter Palace where my boat was docked. It’s a piece of history you should not miss. Attire is semi-formal, ladies could wear a cocktail dress or pant suit and men could wear a jacket. Do not wear shorts. There is a dining room in the hotel and one in the back by the pool. If you can make a reservation, try to make it for the dining room in the hotel or just go for drinks.
Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Hotel
The Sofitel Legend Old Cataract at Asawn is the queen of hotels written up in Agatha Christie’s murder mystery Death on the Nile which you must read before going to Egypt. If you have a chance to stay one night I would recommend it or even to have dinner in the most wonderful dining room. It’s fun to be a part of history when you go into great hotels. Please dress for the occasion. Make a reservation ahead of time for dinner. I walked from my ship about 5 minutes to the hotel.
I’ve taken two cruises through Key Tours International. They were very organized cruises. On one cruise, there was just two of us added to a German group. We also had our own tour guide. The food was very good and the staff on the ship was incredibly helpful. I would definitely recommend Key Tours.
If you are looking for something on the higher-end, there is a luxury tour given by Abercrombie & Kent, Inc. I have yet to take this cruise (its a little too pricey) but I know people who have and loved it! They usually stay at one of the Four Seasons Hotels in Cairo and then begin their cruise on the Nile.
'Sun Boat IV' with Abercrombie & Kent Tours
