An ancient world of tombs, temples and mighty pharaohs awaits you on Nile Valley holidays. Aboard a luxury steam ship or traditional passenger boat, drift along the peaceful waters of the Nile and take in some of Egypt’s most important sites from lavishly painted tombs and Pharaonic-inspired monasteries to the impressive temples of Luxor and Aswan. See life unfolding along the banks with farmers tending to their fields and children playing in the water and make sure to catch a fiery Egypt sunset in the evenings.

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Nile Valley Guide

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Egypt Testimonials

103 reviews
4.9 / 5
"This is the first trip we have ever taken where we have been looked after so comprehensively by everyone involved. It was so helpful to have all the information we needed accessible on an app, and wonderful not to have to worry about checking in for flights. We enjoyed great service at both the airports and hotels, which had great staff and fantastic food, and our guide David and driver Mohammed were excellent throughout and made our two-week trip really special."
J - UK
Published on 21st February 2026
"Our trip for 10 was a true bucket list holiday. The boat, a traditional dahabiya called Lazuli, was heavenly and exceeded our expectations. It was the most exquisite way to cruise down the Nile, with comfortable cabins, beautiful views, an amazing crew and delicious food - we dined like Pharaohs! We stopped to see many wondrous sites along the Nile, and our guide, Migo, was brilliant, offering just the right amount of information. The BBQ singing and dancing with the crew was a standout moment. Original Travel was amazing, and everyone involved was knowledgeable, helpful and adaptable when organising a trip for so many."
S - UK
Published on 20th February 2026
"It was fantastic! We felt very well looked after, which made the experience more relaxed. The whole trip was incredible – we kept thinking 'this is the best bit', but it was all excellent. Being on the Steam Ship Sudan was very special and so were all our stops, with fantastic guides, drivers and local contacts throughout."
D - UK
Published on 19th February 2026

What you can find in the Nile Valley that you won't find anywhere else?

The river Nile has always been the lifeblood of Egypt, flowing as it does from south to north for the entire length of this otherwise barren country. Well over 90% of Egyptians live in a narrow corridor a few miles either side of the Nile so it's the place to see the heart and soul of the country. As a result, a cruise along the Nile takes in many of this fascinating country's myriad highlights.

Cruise along the heart and soul of this country, starting out at Aswan or, indeed, in reverse from Luxor. Luxurious liners ply the Nile as it meanders lazily, the history of the world's longest-lived empire - which spanned 3,000 years and 29 dynasties - unfurling before you. All the better to enjoy this experience on a dahabiya boat, or vintage steam ship, amid 19th century style elegance, over five or six languid days, dining each evening on a long, finely polished wooden deck under a canvas awning.

Upstream, the ancient city of Thebes - latter day Luxor - has been described as the 'world's largest open air museum' and the Valleys of the Kings and Queens respectively (and the lesser known but equally memorable Valley of the Nobles) rate amongst the finest sites in antiquity. There is a huge amount to see while on holiday here, and Original Travel can arrange the services of an expert guide to bring the mysteries of the ancient Egyptians vividly to life.

Further south still, and beyond the navigable reach of boats, lies Aswan and the incomparable Abu Simbel. An awe-inspiring feat of engineering saw these huge temples moved after the construction of the Aswan dam - block by massive stone block - 250 yards up an almost sheer cliff to safety from the rising waters of the newly formed Lake Nasser. Gazing up at the colossal statues of Ramesses II it becomes only too obvious why today's equivalent of a quarter of a billion dollars was spent on the project.

And when the sheer density of cultural attractions becomes overbearing, we can always arrange an elegant escape at one of the fine hotels on the Red Sea coast where the best diving close to the UK is yet another bonus of a holiday in Egypt.

Best places to go in Egypt



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