NOUR EL NIL

Nour el Nil, Luxor - Aswan, Egypt - Explore & Book

"It is hard to overstate the magnificence of sailing down the Nile on one of these glorious dahabiyas, but be assured it’s the trip of a lifetime and a stylish one at that. Seven chandeliers illuminate the deck, while beautifully embroidered cushions and sofas line each side. The idea is that you plonk yourself down, then lose yourself in the raft of images that pass before you. It is highly unlikely that any of the Pharaohs travelled in such style. It takes 6 days - from Monday to Saturday - to meander from Luxor to Aswan. You breakfast in the sun at the front of the ship, then decant to see something wonderful, perhaps a visit to a Pharaonic quarry or an enormous temple that spent centuries buried under sand. You can walk in the desert, swim in the river, visit a farm, sunbathe on the poop deck, and if the wind is blowing, great sails will be unfurled and you will glide across the water in serene silence. Cabins below are chic and bright, with super-comfortable beds and screens to defeat mosquitoes. And you’ll spend most of your time up on deck or out on an excursion. As for the crew, they’re as good as their boat, a highlight of your cruise. Unmissable, and award-winning, so don’t balk at the price. Highs All their boats are equally beautiful and, with 8-12 cabins each, the ambiance remains intimate Each cruise is hosted, which makes it a far more enriching experience No other cruise takes you to such diverse, interesting places - these small dahabiyyas can moor at places large cruise ships can't The crew of our boat were quite remarkable, all big hearts and wide smiles We loved sitting on our shaded deck, where sofas, cushions and chandeliers offer kingly comforts as you glide down the Nile These are true sail boats - not motorized - which adds to the sense of peace and relaxedness Lows You are towed by a tug when there’s not enough wind to fill the sails The boats sometimes travel in convoy, and the house-party-style communal dining may not suit everyone You get fancy showers, but the pressure isn’t great so we ended up using the hand-held alternative, which was excellent We felt the food became a little repetitive, but more recent guests talk of better variety Only 2 ships have air-con; but the rest have fans in the cabins, which we found more than adequate" - Tom Bell