Coming back
A second Nile cruise: what to do differently
On a second trip, change the boat, the route or the pace. The biggest change is a sailing dahabiya, which moors at islands and small sites such as Gebel el-Silsila and El Kab that cruise ships pass by. Other good choices are a Lake Nasser cruise to Abu Simbel and the Nubian temples, a seven-night sailing that adds Dendera, a day at Abydos, the quieter tombs of the West Bank such as Seti I and the Tombs of the Nobles, and the restored temple at Esna.
Something new
Seven ideas for a second Nile trip
- 1Sail on a dahabiya. Four or five nights between Esna and Aswan, mooring at islands and small sites. See the best dahabiyas.
- 2Cruise Lake Nasser. Three or four nights to Abu Simbel past Nubian temples few people see. See a Nile and Lake Nasser cruise combined.
- 3Go further north. A seven-night sailing or a day trip to Dendera and Abydos, two of the best-preserved temples in Egypt.
- 4Go deeper on the West Bank. The tomb of Seti I, the Tombs of the Nobles, Deir el-Medina, Medinet Habu and the Ramesseum.
- 5See Esna temple. Its ceiling has been cleaned to show the original colours.
- 6Change the season. Come for the light of late autumn or spring, or for an occasion such as Christmas or Easter on the river.
- 7Go private. A private Egyptologist, or a whole dahabiya chartered for family or friends.
Plan it
Where to read more
See the best dahabiyas, a Nile and Lake Nasser cruise combined, Abydos and Dendera, the West Bank beyond the big sites, Esna temple and chartering a dahabiya. Nile cruise ships run about US$120 to US$1,500 per person per night and dahabiyas about US$140 to US$1,500.
Asked often
A second Nile trip, answered
- Is a second Nile cruise worth it?
- Yes, if you change something: a dahabiya, Lake Nasser, a longer sailing with Dendera and Abydos, or the West Bank tombs you missed. The river and the light are different each time.
- What should I do on my second trip to Egypt?
- Sail on a dahabiya, cruise Lake Nasser to Abu Simbel, visit Abydos and Dendera, and explore the quieter West Bank tombs such as Seti I and the Tombs of the Nobles.
- Is a dahabiya good for repeat visitors?
- It is the best choice for a second trip, because it stops at islands and small sites such as Gebel el-Silsila and El Kab that cruise ships pass by.
Keep planning
