Embark on an unforgettable adventure through Egypt and along the Nile, experiencing the wonders of this ancient land in unparalleled style. AmaWaterways offers an 11-night river cruise and land experience that will immerse you in the rich history and culture of Egypt.
The iconic Pyramids of Giza.
A Seamless Start in Cairo
The journey begins as soon as you step off the plane in Cairo. An AmaWaterways guide awaits to provide a seamless transfer into the heart of the vibrant capital, ensuring a smooth transition to your luxurious accommodations.
Having been encouraged to use our luxury Egypt VIP Visa service, the transition from airport to hotel was seamless. “As soon as we exited the plane and came down the stairs, our representative was there with a sign from AmaWaterways. She had our visas put in our passports, gathered our luggage and transported us over to the Nile Ritz-Carlton right there on the Nile River,” described Denice.
You'll be greeted with smiles and a friendly 'Salam alaikum (hello)' from the welcoming ship crew, building feelings of excitement and mystery over the treasures that lie ahead.
Read also: Nile River Cruise Review: Avalon Waterways
Luxurious Accommodations
During the pre-cruise stay in Cairo, guests are treated to luxurious accommodations at hotels like the five-star St. Regis hotel, offering stunning views of the Nile.
Debuting on the Nile in 2024, the AmaLilia is the slightly younger sister ship of AmaDhalia boasting an high-end locally-inspired decor with a capacity of just over 80 guests across 41 staterooms and suites, with many featuring plush marble bathrooms and twin balconies. The best lookouts on AmaLilia were provided on the sun deck, where an inviting pool and myriad of seats and shaded sun loungers await, and at over 230-metres long the ship has a unique open feel.
Exploring Cairo's Treasures
Before embarking on the Nile cruise, take time to explore Cairo's historical and cultural landmarks:
- The Egyptian Museum: Home to an unparalleled collection of Pharaonic art, including the treasures of Tutankhamun.
- The Mosque of Muhammad Ali: Also known as the Alabaster Mosque, offering breathtaking views of the city and the Pyramids of Giza.
- Coptic Cairo: A neighborhood known for its historic churches and monasteries.
- The Grand Egyptian Museum: Showcasing more than 100,000 artifacts from prehistoric times and thousands of years of pharaonic civilisation, as well as the more recent ancient Greek and Roman periods.
The Alabaster Mosque in Cairo.
Sailing the Nile: Luxor to Aswan
The seven-day sojourn along the Nile begins in Luxor, where you'll board the AmaLilia river ship. This stretch of the Nile offers a glimpse of nearly 2,000 years of Egyptian history.
Read also: Egyptian Adventure
And so our seven-day sojourn along the Nile was upon us and after being greeted onboard with smiles and a friendly 'Salam alaikum (hello)' from the welcoming ship crew, feelings of excitement and mystery over the treasures that lay ahead were building, and after an initial delve into the ship's dining offerings for the first of many indulgent meals, the remaining afternoon gave us an opportunity to unpack and explore our new home.
The ship sails the 130-mile stretch of the Nile from Luxor south to Aswan and back. During the cruise, you'll visit iconic sites such as:
- The Valley of the Kings: Home to the rock-cut royal tombs of pharaohs and powerful nobles, including King Tutankhamun.
- The Temple of Hatshepsut: Dedicated to Egypt’s first female ruler.
- The Colossi of Memnon: Two gigantic statues of Pharaoh Amenhotep III.
- The Temple of Horus: One of Egypt’s most remarkably preserved temples.
- The Philae Temple complex: Boasting stunningly restored and preserved hieroglyphs.
- The Great Temple of Kom Ombo: Dedicated to two gods - the crocodile god, Sobek, and the falcon-headed Haroeris.
- The Temple of Karnak: The largest religious complex in Egypt and one of the largest in the world.
- The Temple of Luxor: Constructed over hundreds of years by various pharaohs.
- The Temple of Hathor: The Goddess of Love.
The Valley of the Kings in Luxor.
Experiencing Nubian Culture
A highlight of the cruise is a visit to a colorful Nubian village on Heisa Island, where you can meet the warm and friendly Nubian people and learn about their culture and traditions.
One of Denice’s favorite memories was visiting the Nubian village on Heisa Island - a destination included exclusively by AmaWaterways on every Secrets of Egypt & the Nile departure. “The kids welcomed us by singing. We had the opportunity to buy artifacts that were made by people in the village, and we toured some of their houses to see how they lived.Read also: Learn Arabic in Egypt: Guide
AmaWaterways’ Soulful Experiences include specially curated excursions, educational components and entertainment highlighting aspects of Black and African culture, history and cuisine. Our Egypt Soulful Experiences include a Nubian cooking class during which a culinary expert from the region is brought on board to prepare authentic African cuisine. In addition, Christina and Denice’s cruise had a unique coffee making demonstration and Nubian entertainers on board.The AmaWaterways Difference
AmaWaterways sets itself apart with its commitment to providing a high-end, all-inclusive experience. Here are some of the key features that make AmaWaterways cruises special:
- Expert Egyptologists: Guided tours are led by knowledgeable Egyptologists who provide in-depth insights into the history and culture of ancient Egypt.
- Luxury Accommodations: Spacious and comfortable staterooms and suites with high-end amenities.
- Fine Dining: A changing daily menu of Egyptian and western flavors, with options for fine dining experiences at the Chef's Table.
- Seamless Service: A dedicated crew that caters to your every need, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable journey.
- Unique Itineraries: Carefully crafted itineraries that avoid the worst of the crowds at popular sites, allowing for a more intimate and immersive experience.
Being split into groups of three each with our own Egyptologist and coach driver meant that tours were personal and intimate which ensured that no crucial facts and figures were missed.
Preceding dinner each evening was the hugely-popular 'Sip & Sail' hour where guests discussed the day's adventures while enjoying canapes and complimentary drinks including a 'cocktail of the day', and with wine and beer regularly topped up during mealtimes, it meant an alcoholic beverage that didn't eat into your on board account was never too far away.
Optional Extensions
Enhance your Egyptian adventure with optional extensions to Jordan or Alexandria.
Jordan Extension
Explore the ancient city of Petra, the Dead Sea, and the Wadi Rum desert on a 4-night journey to Jordan.
Alexandria Extension
Discover the Graeco-Roman Museum, the modern-day Library of Alexandria, and the Citadel of Qaitbay on a 3-night extension to Alexandria.
The ancient city of Petra in Jordan.
Soulful Experiences
AmaWaterways offers curated Soulful Experiences that highlight aspects of Black and African culture, history, and cuisine. These experiences include:
- Specially curated excursions
- Educational components
- Entertainment
- A Nubian cooking class
- Coffee making demonstration
- Nubian entertainers on board
“Being African American, sometimes when we travel our culture is not focused on,” explained Christina. “It’s nice being with like-minded people and focusing on the African history in each area. These types of programs are not that prevalent. “No other company I know of in river cruising is doing this,” continued Denice.
Only moving to wipe the moisture off my heated brow in the searing Egyptian sun, I gazed open-mouthed as I stood in front of one of the most captivating panoramas I'd ever seen in my 47 years of life.I'd always dreamt of one day visiting the Pyramids of Giza and there they were, three enormous pharaoh tombs built over 4,500 years ago pointing high up into the clear blue sky creating a backdrop of masterpieces that no film or photograph will ever do justice.It was one of many 'pinch-me' moments during our 'Secrets of Egypt & the Nile' cruise with AmaWaterways, who left no stone unturned in uncovering the history of such a fascinating part of the world, leaving my wife and I to enjoy one of the most emotional and awe-inspiring holiday experiences.
AmaWaterways’ Secrets of Egypt & the Nile River Cruise
A Trip of a Lifetime
An AmaWaterways cruise through Egypt is more than just a holiday; it's a chance to connect with the ancient wonders of the world in a way that wouldn't be possible by any other means. With impeccable service, expert guides, and a perfectly-executed itinerary, AmaWaterways ensures an unforgettable journey through the land of the pharaohs.
And thanks to AmaWaterways' impeccable service, expert guides and perfectly-executed itinerary, it allowed us to connect with the ancient wonders of Egypt in a way that wouldn't have been possible by any other means.
AmaWaterways has several Soulful Experiences operating in 2025 and 2026, including a newly available New Year’s cruise on the Dutch & Belgian Waterways, as well as recently announced Riches of the Mekong and Swiss Alps & Rhine Castles departures.
AmaWaterways: A Leader in River Cruising
Proudly celebrating more than 23 years on the river, family-owned and operated AmaWaterways was founded in 2002 by three families. From the beginning, their goal was to create a river cruise company that they themselves would enjoy. With that in mind, for more than two wonderful decades, they have been building one-of-a-kind ships with added comforts and conveniences, redefining the river cruise experience.
Pricing and Availability
AmaWaterways offer the 11-night Secrets of Egypt & the Nile package from £6,034pp. The price is based on two people sharing a cabin on the 4 May 2026 departure on AmaLilia, including flights from London or Manchester and overseas transfers.
Eleven-night trips that include a week on board the vessel and four nights at a hotel in Cairo currently start at $5,779 per person, based on double occupancy (in other words, nearly $12,000 for a couple sharing a room). And that's the price for an entry-level cabin on the vessel that only has fixed windows and no balcony. AmaLilia docked in Luxor. To get a similarly sized cabin with a "French balcony" window that opens to the outside, you'll find starting rates around $7,300 per person (or $14,600 per couple). Staying in one of the vessel's bigger suites could set you back more than $25,000 per couple.
Popular articles:
tags: #Egypt
