Towering temples, elaborate tombs, pyramids, pharaohs, and one of the oldest civilizations on earth. These are just a handful of the captivating wonders that await you in Egypt on a Viking Nile Cruise.
The Nile Valley weaves a fertile thread through Egypt’s desert lands, the terrain home to royal burial chambers, centuries-old monuments and an abundance of birdlife.
A voyage of discovery on a Viking Nile cruise brings all these marvels within easy, striking distance while transporting guests on their journey in superb Viking style and comfort. Luxury Nile cruises are the best way to see Egypt’s treasures. Sailing the Nile is an experience in itself, but the proximity of ancient sites in Luxor, Aswan, and Edfu makes tomb and temple hopping a breeze.
On board the ship, Egyptologists bring the ancient Egyptians and their mythology to life, while Viking’s destination-inspired food, lectures, and entertainment enhance the entire experience. Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime?
Our Nile Cruise Itinerary
I recently explored Egypt on a 12-day Pharaohs and Pyramids trip with Viking. We started in Cairo, enjoying the city’s highlights, before heading to Luxor for a 7-day Nile cruise on Viking Osiris. We then had one more night in Cairo before flying home.
So, what should you expect on a Viking Nile River cruise?
Daily excursions include the wonders of ancient Egypt. Food and wine are a highlight paired with expert talks and entertainment onboard. Our Nile cruiser, Osiris, showcases the Viking Scandi aesthetic beautifully, and I loved taking time to enjoy the ship and passing landscapes as we sailed the world’s longest river.
3 Days in Cairo
Our Egyptian encounter starts in Cairo, and we spent two days (three nights) exploring the city’s highlights: old Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza. Our hotel, the Fairmont Nile City, overlooks the majestic Nile River and is a good base for daily excursions led by an excellent guide, storyteller, and Egyptologist Mohamed Younis.
Cairo is a sprawling city packed with 22 million inhabitants. It’s an assault on the senses with a backbeat of beeping horns, clamor, and an eye-widening sight around every corner. From cyclists weaving through traffic heads piled high with trays of freshly baked pitta to hawkers, donkeys, mosques, and minarets. Then there’s the Nile itself threading its way through the city.
Cairo Excursions
We visited highlights like the Cairo citadel and neighboring Muhammad Ali Mosque and viewed the exquisite masks, sarcophagi, and burial treasures of Tutankhamun at the Egyptian Museum. Sadly, no photos are allowed in that part of the museum.
Eventually, all the exhibits in this museum and those from the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization will be relocated to the new Grand Egyptian Museum near the pyramids in Giza, which opened in October of 2024.
Old Cairo is a cacophony of color, history, energy, and atmosphere. Walking the historic Al-Mu’izz li-Din Allah Street is like stepping into a huge open-air museum; you’ll pass some of the oldest Islamic monuments in the world.
We browsed the artisan shops and chatted with stallholders in Khan el-Khalili bazaar. Egyptian footballer Mo Salah was a popular subject! Dining on delectable authentic Egyptian cuisine at rooftop restaurant Zeeyara overlooking historic Cairo finished the day perfectly.
The Great Pyramids of Giza
This iconic symbol of Egypt beckoned on our second day. It seemed fitting to visit the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, the oldest pyramid in the world, first. I descended, bent double, into a nearby underground tomb, ran my fingers over ancient hieroglyphics, and witnessed the Great Pyramids and grandeur of the great Sphinx.
Our time in Cairo was an excellent introduction to Egypt and primed us nicely for our Nile River cruise. From Cairo, we took a short flight to Luxor in Upper Egypt, boarded the Osiris, and embarked on our incredible Egyptian Nile cruise.
Viking Ship Osiris
There are dilemmas to consider on a Viking cruise. To stay aboard Osiris and spend time relaxing on the elegant sun deck dipping my toes into the plunge pool or to venture out on the excursion to Dendera Temple?
FOMO wins, and for that, I’m grateful; Dendera is the most incredible temple, one of my favorites of the entire Nile cruise. But there’s so much to love on Osiris that shore excursions can easily become a quandary.
Making a break from the Godmother tradition, Osiris’ Godfather is the 8th Earl of Carnarvon, George Herbert. He is the great-grandson of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon, Howard Carter’s co-explorer and financial supporter. Their excavations unveiled the tomb of King Tutankhamun to the world in 1922.
Named after the ancient Egyptian god who oversees life, death, and the afterlife, Viking Osiris was built in 2022 specifically to navigate the Nile. This spacious state-of-the-art ship is filled with light and an appealing Scandi aesthetic. Pale woods and natural materials contrast beautifully with neutrals and accents of coral and deep blue.
Osiris is one of four Viking ships sailing the Nile with all four of them are identical to Osiris.
Dining on Osiris
With two dining areas to choose from, we opt for the Aquavit Terrace and Lounge for lunch, which offers both indoor and small al fresco dining areas. For dinner, we’d head to the main restaurant, which has floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views. The upper deck is the perfect spot for pre-dinner drinks as you glide along, the sun setting behind the palm-lined riverbanks.
Fine dining goes without saying on a Viking cruise, and all meals are served by waiter service. Menus offers three courses with lots of choices. First, there is a daily classic option with international favorites. Next, there are regional specialty tasting options with a range of delicious Egyptian cuisines and Middle Eastern foods. Finally, there’s the menu of the day.
Choose your three courses from any of these, all the food is excellent, imaginative and beautifully presented. And therein lies another dilemma; how to choose from all these tempting courses? Viking have you covered with the option to order a half portion each of two courses if you’re struggling to decide!
Wine, beer, and soft drinks are included with meals, but if you fancy something stronger, head to the lounge bar, where you can buy a cocktail or spirits to enjoy with the sunset. Afternoon tea is also served there.
The breakfasts set us up nicely for the day: a continental buffet followed by a choice of cooked breakfast from the a la carte menu. I rather liked the ‘egg of the day’ option — the shakshuka was divine.
The lounge and bar are nicely air-conditioned with floor-to-ceiling glass doors and are the venue for cruise talks and local entertainment. The whirling Dervish traditional dance and Nubian live music performances were, in turn, mesmerizing and comical — intentionally, I might add. Some talented guests and local pianists put the piano to good use.
There’s capacity for 82 guests on board and around 48 staff but the ship never felt busy, and there’s always a quiet nook somewhere if you’re looking for some quiet time. The shaded sitting area on the sun deck with comfy sofas and Nile views soon became my favourite spot on this luxury Nile cruise.
My Osiris Veranda State Room
I loved my Veranda stateroom, especially the balcony where I could sit and watch the ever-changing scenery glide by. Sparrows and pied kingfishers visited, and children called out from the banks of the Nile as we passed. The cool, calm decor and air-conditioning was the perfect sanctuary after the heat of the excursions.
The queen-size Viking Explorer bed is supremely comfortable and inviting, made up of crisp luxury linens and pillows.
Capacious cupboards and drawers provide ample storage, and an efficient laundry service ensures that clothes are laundered, pressed, and returned within a few hours.
I didn’t use modern amenities like the flat-screen TV with live TV channels and complimentary movies-on-demand, although the free Wi-Fi was useful.
The ensuite shower room came with a fluffy white bathrobe, plenty of fresh towels, and Freyja toiletries. Housekeeping attended daily at convenient times while we were out exploring. The crew and staff were friendly and attentive and even greeted me by name before the end of the first day.
Sailing the Nile on the Viking Osiris is like gliding along in a luxury hotel. It’s relaxing, elegant and promises a once-in-a-lifetime experience exploring the captivating blend of ancient wonders and best historical sites along the Nile.
Luxury Nile Cruise – The Excursions
Three onboard Egyptologists bring centuries of Egyptian history and mythology to life. Mohamed Younis was assigned to our group for the duration of the trip. He’s an expert historian, an excellent storyteller, and the ultimate guide. When transfers are required, we traveled in modern air-conditioned coaches and are provided with chilled water.
Port talks with canapés and a glass of bubbles each evening keep us informed of the following day’s events along with the “Viking Daily” delivered to the stateroom each day.
There’s not room here to write in detail about our excursions because we saw so much, but below is a brief summary of most of the attractions we visited.
Luxor Excursions
Karnak Temple
An avenue of ram-headed sphinxes leads us to two colossal pylons, and we enter the breathtaking temple of Karnak. It’s one of Egypt’s largest and most magnificent temples, spanning over 20 acres.
We wander through the great hypostyle hall, gazing up at 134 towering sandstone columns engraved with scenes of everyday life, hieroglyphs, and Egyptian symbols. Two carved granite obelisks complete this 4000-year-old feat of engineering.
Luxor Temple
The boulevard of ram-headed sphinxes leading to Karnak temple is 1.8 miles (3 km) long. Head to the other end and you’ll find yourself at the temple of Luxor close to the river. Although smaller than Karnak, the Luxor temple is just as impressive, with towering pylons and a massive gateway guarded by statues of Ramses II.
A Sunrise Hot Air Balloon Flight
It was one of the most memorable, magical mornings ever. Imagine soaring high over the Valley of the Kings and the western edge of the desert, looking down on temples, villages, and a patchwork of fertile fields.
Hot air balloons travel at the same speed as the breeze and it’s the calmest feeling. Just the sound of the birds and the occasional blast of hot air as we gently float over the Nile which lies far below bathed in the sun’s golden rays.
Dendera Temple
Dendera temple is one of the most colorful, well-preserved, and fascinating temples in Egypt. Until recently, the colorful reliefs were rendered black and unreadable. New technology has enabled centuries of dirt to be carefully removed, unveiling carvings of emperors, goddesses, and scenes of life in ancient Egypt.
The famous bas-relief, a circular Zodiac of Dendera, can be seen along with carvings of Anthony and Cleopatra and their small child Caesarion.
The temple ceiling reliefs show Hathor, the goddess of renewal and sun god Ra, sailing across the skies in a celestial barge hailing a new dawn. Hathor is depicted swallowing the sun as dusk falls and then giving birth to it as the new day dawns. It’s compelling.
Valley of the Kings
Did you even go to Egypt if you didn’t visit a royal tomb in the Valley of the Kings? To date, 63 tombs have been uncovered in the valley, and it’s a must-see on your Nile cruise.
We visited five tombs including Tutankhamun’s which Howard Carter discovered in 1922. The young king’s remains lie in this small, unassuming tomb and it’s a must-see after witnessing the extravagant funeral mask and sarcophagi in the Egyptian museum.
The most impressive tomb is that of Seti I which descends 446 feet (136 metres) underground. Countless corridors and chambers are inscribed with hieroglyphics, scenes of Seti passing to the underworld and life in ancient Egypt.
Howard Carter’s House
Howard Carter’s House is nearby. A short visit shows how he lived and worked when he wasn’t out excavating in the desert valleys beyond. It’s almost as if he’s just stepped outside to catch the evening’s rays whilst the dust of the desert settles on his desk.
Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
The mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut stands at the base of cliffs at Deir el-Bahri. They’re a dramatic backdrop to the most striking of three temples at Thebes necropolis on the west bank.
To me, the temple looks contemporary but then Queen Hatshepsut was a woman before her time. Egypt’s strongest Queen wore the crown and the robes of male Pharaohs.
After her death her successor Thutmose III had all reference to her obliterated. Statues were destroyed and her cartouches and carvings removed. She must’ve been one intimidating woman. Her tomb was rediscovered in 1903 by Howard Carter after being buried in the desert for 3,500 years.
Esna Lock and Temple
Between Luxor and Aswan, there’s a very tight lock to navigate. Our captain, Harby Aref, guides us through. With around half a meter between the lock walls and the ship on each side, there’s no room for error.
Aref’s precision is impressive. As is the ingenuity of the sellers who row into the lock in their small blue boat, hurling their wares up to the passengers who, if they like what they see, throw down payment in return. Excellent entertainment!
The ship moors and it’s a short walk through the village of Esna to the Temple of Khnum, which lies 29 feet below street level. En route, there are sights to behold. We see the weaver, the cloth seller, the tailor, and the inventive ironing man.
The route back to ship runs through a market, and we run the gamut of pushy stallholders and sellers. I’d have been inclined to stop and browse but the hassle was overwhelming, even from those that promised ‘hassle-free’!
Aswan Excursions
Aswan has more of a Riviera feel to it than the parts of the Nile we’d seen previously. Palm trees line the banks and white-sailed feluccas skim the water.
We set sail in a traditional felucca for Elephantine Island, passing huge bankside boulders carved with hieroglyphs and cartouches. Young boys on paddle boards swim up to the feluccas, singing loudly as we head back to shore.
A visit to Aswan High Dam puts into perspective the vastness of the river Nile and how Egyptian and Nubian people, villages and temples were displaced and moved to higher land when the reservoir was created to form Lake Nasser. The dam was essential to store excess water in Lake Nasser and to avoid the drought or flooding situations which happened regularly.
The market in Aswan is much more relaxed than Esna’s, and I bought spices and peppercorns. The banter with stallholders is fun, and they’re not as pushy here, but they’re still expert hagglers. I probably paid over the odds, but the entertainment value was worth it!
The Old Cataract Hotel
We sail past the Old Cataract Hotel which sits grandly on the banks of the Nile at Aswan. I love an historic hotel and although there’s no excursion arranged we have free time that afternoon and can’t resist a visit.
The hotel, where Agatha Christie stayed for a year writing Death on the Nile, was built by Thomas Cook in 1899. It’s gorgeously atmospheric and evocative of its time. I could see how the views of the Nile from the terrace inspired her writing.
A visit to Abu Simbel was an optional excursion for this day. I wish I’d booked this since we’d already visited a market and were due another Nile sail the next day and I’d still have had time for the Old Cataract Hotel. But in hindsight, hey.
Nubian Villages
Next day we head out on a small motorboat spending a peaceful time looking out for birdlife along the riverbanks.
The fringes of the Sahara Desert creep towards the Nile on this part of the river, and small islands and reed beds are the perfect habitat for birdlife. Fortunately, we have an expert twitcher with us, Mike, who points out herons, hoopoes, bee-eaters, and many other bird species.
A stop at a Nubian village shows us a different way of life on the Nile. The Nubians are a vibrant community that speaks their own language and has different traditions from Egyptians. Nubia, in hieroglyphics, translates as ‘land of gold’.
The Nubian village is a splash of color against the desert, and we’re welcomed with hibiscus tea and a display of Nubian craftworks. I wasn’t so keen on seeing small crocodiles penned up in the courtyard.
Temples of Philae
The boat excursion continues to Philae where the temple of Isis, the Goddess of the moon and other monuments sit in a beautiful setting on Agilkia island.
As part of the UNESCO Nubia campaign, the temple was disassembled and moved piece by piece to the island after being continuously flooded following the construction of the old dam. The whole process took eight years, but walking around, you’d think the structures had been there for centuries.
Kom Ombo Temple
Our time in Aswan is over, and we cast off and head downriver to Kom Ombo. The temple is a short walk from our mooring.
Kom Ombo temple is divided into two parts dedicated to two of Egypt’s primary gods: Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the falcon god.
There are some incredible basreliefs of both gods in the temple, but I was most intrigued by the inscriptions showing surgical and medical instruments like scalpels, scales, and hooks. Medicine was practiced here many centuries ago.
The crocodile museum displays the remains of mummified crocodiles that were once worshipped in the temple. Over 300 reptile mummies were discovered there!
Edfu Temple
The next morning, we head to the temple of Edfu, located on the west bank of the Nile, halfway between Luxor and Aswan. Our mode of transport was a horse-drawn carriage, and we raced along the streets of Edfu to our final temple visit of the cruise.
Edfu is another temple dedicated to the god Horus and one of the best preserved in Egypt. Impressive pylons mark the entrance, and Horus statues guard the entrance to the hypostyle hall.
A passageway between the temple and high outer walls is carved with hieroglyphs. There’s wildlife, too. Sparrows perch in crevices, and bats roost in one of the high chambers. But what I liked most about this temple are the insights into Egyptian everyday life carved within its walls.
That evening, we enjoy a spectacular sunset from the upper deck as we glide along the Nile. The sun slowly sinks behind a silhouette of palms, a perfect moment aboard Osiris before our farewell dinner.
Back to Cairo
It’s time to bid farewell to Osiris, I’d have been happy to stay but Cairo is calling. We took the short flight from Luxor and arrive in Cairo for lunch at our hotel, the Intercontinental Citystars where we have one more night before heading home.
There are two excursion options this afternoon: a trip to see the Coptic churches in Cairo or, my choice, a visit to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization. The museum takes visitors on a chronological journey through Egypt’s history from prehistoric times to the present day.
On our Viking cruise, we walked in the footsteps of the Pharaohs and gazed in awe at pyramids, pillars, and temples. We saw their history carved in stone, learned of Egyptian mythology, and ventured deep underground into tombs and burial chambers.
It seemed fitting that on our final day, we came face to face with the Pharaohs themselves. Seventeen kings and three queens of Egypt lie in the Royal Mummies Gallery, and to see them brought our Egypt tour full circle.
My Viking luxury Nile cruise was an incredibly special experience filled with ‘pinch me’ moments. I’m still astounded by the number of ancient temples, tombs and museums we saw and how much we learned in such a short time. This, combined with the calm elegance and relaxation on board Osiris is the perfect way to discover the secrets of the Nile and ancient Egypt.
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