Why take the train along Egypt's historic Nile valley when you could enjoy a leisurely cruise on the famous river itself? Travel at a relaxed pace along this corridor of human history, stopping to explore the temples where pharoahs walked and soaking up views of sand dunes and palm trees along the river banks. Boat trips generally run between Luxor and Aswan, taking either three or four days depending on whether you're headed up- or downstream. You can extend your trip with a further journey to Lake Nasser, where you can visit the famous rock temples of Abu Simbel. Many companies offer Nile cruises, including luxury hotels (Sonesta, Oberoi) and river cruise lines (Viking, Avalon).

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