Advertisement

Why there's never been a better time to explore the world's greatest river

In October, filmgoers will be whisked to Egypt for the remake of Death on the Nile - SANCTUARY RETREATS/MARK WILLIAMS
In October, filmgoers will be whisked to Egypt for the remake of Death on the Nile - SANCTUARY RETREATS/MARK WILLIAMS

As more tourists return to Egypt, seize the moment to explore this mighty river

What is it about rivers and stories of adventure and intrigue? From The African Queen to Fitzcarraldo and The Long Good Friday, every river has a tale to tell. There is one river, however, that speaks of the past like no other. The Nile. In October, filmgoers will be whisked to Egypt for the remake of Death on the Nile, starring Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot. But the real star will be the Nile itself.

With the long-awaited £850 million Grand Egyptian Museum scheduled to open this year, enticing new itineraries, new and refurbished ships and even the opportunity to cruise on the SS Sudan – the very ship that inspired Agatha Christie’s bestselling mystery – 2020 is looking like a serendipitous year for Egypt to find its feet again.

“Egypt is the world’s fastest growing travel destination according to the World Tourism Organisation,” said Pieter van der Schee, director of sales and marketing for Sanctuary Retreats. Philip Breckner, commercial director at Discover Egypt said the removal of the FCO ban to Sharm el Sheikh last October has been a major impetus to demand. “When Sharm is off limits the world thinks Egypt is off sale but the Nile has managed to hold its own.”

With some operators reporting sold-out departure dates for 2020, now is the time to plan for winter sun. River ships aren’t huge and the dahabiyas, intimate, characterful sailing vessels that are unique to the Nile, are smaller still. At the luxury end, Sanctuary’s Nile Adventurer is ideal for testing the river in style. The five-star ship is sailing on four-night itineraries and its 32 riverside cabins and suites have been given a sophisticated makeover. There is a new spa and top-deck pool (from £1,012pp; sanctuaryretreats.com).

Sanctuary’s Nile Adventurer is ideal for testing the river in style - SANCTUARY RETREATS/MARK WILLIAMS
Sanctuary’s Nile Adventurer is ideal for testing the river in style - SANCTUARY RETREATS/MARK WILLIAMS

Earlier this year Viking launched a pre-cruise extension, British Collections of Ancient Egypt, which enables guests to retrace the steps of the world’s most famous Egyptologist, Howard Carter. According to managing director, Wendy Atkin-Smith, the Pharaohs and Pyramids itinerary on Viking Ra is wait-listed for every departure this year. “In response we are doubling capacity with our purpose-built ship, Viking Osiris.” The Osiris launch at the end of 2020 will bring the line’s departures on the Nile to 80 in 2021.

The Nile speaks of the past like no other river
The Nile speaks of the past like no other river

If seeing the Grand Egyptian Museum is a priority (its scheduled opening date is Oct 10 2020) Discover Egypt includes three nights at the Steigenberger Pyramids Cairo hotel, which opened in June, as part of a cruise-and-Cairo package (from £1,494; discoveregypt.co.uk). Breckner says Discover Egypt is seeing a strong appetite for longer trips (11 nights sailing from Cairo to Luxor or 14 nights through to Aswan) and dahabiya cruising on the Jaz Yakouta, which has six wood-panelled cabins (seven nights from £1,995pp). The operator is one of very few to offer cruises on Lake Nasser, south of Aswan.

Jaz Yakouta - TAREK EL BARADIE
Jaz Yakouta - TAREK EL BARADIE

It’s no surprise to find the Nile among Jules Verne’s new Great Journeys of the World portfolio, 13 itineraries that should entice repeat visitors, as well as curious first-timers. A Nile cruise accounts for 13 nights of an epic 34-day trip that travels the length of the river (from Cairo to Aswan) on board a privately chartered deluxe paddlesteamer, the SS Misr (from £17,495pp; vjv.com). The characterful Misr also features on the much shorter Original Nile by Royal Steamer itinerary (from £4,995pp).

On board SS Misr - TAREK EL BARADIE
On board SS Misr - TAREK EL BARADIE

A shipyard fire caused recent Telegraph Travel Award winner Uniworld to delay launching its new ship, the five-star SS Sphinx, until August. Sailing 12-night cruises round-trip from Cairo, the Sphinx features a private dining room and an al fresco option on the upper deck, and will be combined with a two-night stay at the Four Seasons Cairo (from £5,899pp; uniworld.com).

In October, when Death on the Nile hits the screens, Original Travel has chartered the SS Sudan. The 10-day adventure includes Cairo, Luxor and Aswan with private tours of the Valley of the Kings and the Temples of Edfu, Karnak, Luxor, Seti, Dendera, Philae and Kom Ombo (from £7,150pp; originaltravel.co.uk). The 19th century steamer embodies the Belle Époque, with no compromise on comfort. Timeless romance guaranteed.