Nile River Cruise - Egypt Travel Vlog
Host: Phoebe | Route: Aswan to Luxor | Duration: 3 nights / 4 days Tour Operator: Odinovo | Ship: MS Iberitol Crown Emperor
Introduction
Phoebe sets sail on a three-night, four-day Nile River cruise from Aswan to Luxor, exploring Egypt's most iconic ancient sites along the way. The central question of the episode: is a Nile cruise genuinely worth it, or is it an overrated, overcrowded tourist trap?
Pre-Cruise: Philae Temple
Before boarding, the group visits Philae Temple — described as blowing Phoebe's mind from the moment she arrives.
- Massive scale; carvings on the walls in remarkable condition given their age
- Inside: the Gate of Hadrian, home to the very last hieroglyphics ever written in Egyptian history
- Built around 300 BC — the guide notes this is considered "not even old" by Egyptian standards
- Phoebe reflects that she didn't feel a sense of ancient magic at the Great Pyramids of Giza but feels it strongly here — "otherworldly"
- Getting around the site via small traditional boats, captained by a 16-year-old
The Ship — MS Iberitol Crown Emperor
First impressions: Large, incredibly comfortable, exceeds expectations.
Cabin:
- Twin bed formation (double bed option also available)
- Minibar and in-room safe
- Small seating area
- No traditional balcony, but open seating available on the upper sun deck
On-board inclusions:
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Afternoon tea service (sweets, cakes, coffee, tea)
- Evening entertainment
- Attentive staff committed to every detail
Overall verdict on the ship: Comfortable, well-run, great service, tasty food.
Tour Guide & Operator
Guide: Asma — a Nubian guide covering Aswan, Luxor, and Abu Simbel Operator: Odinovo
- Greeted at the airport on arrival; all logistics handled throughout
- Asma lives on the ship for the duration — available 24/7
- Provides deep context at every temple and town visited
- Phoebe describes her as a great friend by the end of the trip
Odinovo link and QR code referenced in the video.
Stop 1: Nubian Village (Aswan)
An unplanned afternoon highlight — visiting a traditional Nubian home and the local market.
Village visit:
- Welcomed inside a local family's guest house (Asma knows the residents)
- Crocodile pit on the property — a mummified croc kept as a spirit
- Phoebe sits in on a lesson at a Nubian school, learns to write her name in Arabic
Local market:
- Clothing, bags, spices, teas, jewelry, souvenirs
- Vendors enthusiastic but not aggressively pushy
Felucca at sunset:
- Cruising the Nile at sunset on a traditional colorful boat
- Sailboats passing, lush green scenery, palm trees — described as "ethereal and magical"
- Phoebe calls it one of the most incredible highlights of the entire trip
Comparison: Nile Cruise vs. Ha Long Bay
Phoebe draws a direct comparison while relaxing on the sun deck during afternoon tea:
| Nile Cruise | Ha Long Bay | |
|---|---|---|
| Duration on water | Multiple days | ~1 night |
| Pace | Leisurely, relaxed | Fast-paced |
| Sightseeing | Spread out, unhurried | Rushed |
| Overall vibe | Deeply relaxing | Exciting but hectic |
Verdict: Nile cruise significantly more relaxing.
Stop 2: Kom Ombo Temple
- Built 180 BC — took 400 years to complete
- Located right on the Nile; all cruise ships dock simultaneously — "a madhouse"
- Asma finds a quiet spot for the group to regroup
Highlights inside the temple:
- Ancient calendar etched into the walls — different number of days per week, different seasons (three instead of four), but total still equals 365 days; one month was only five days
- Surgical instruments carved into the walls — identical to instruments used in modern medicine today
- Phoebe: "How were they performing surgery and people were surviving that?"
Tout situation: Heavy outside the temple; having a camera out provided some defense. Phoebe notes vendors are intense but ultimately good-natured.
Stop 3: Edfu Temple
Pre-dawn departure — docked and walking to the temple before sunrise.
- Described as the most complete temple in all of Egypt
- Entrance gates approximately 14 meters high
- Built 287 BC — still standing with extraordinary detail throughout
- Perfume room: walls etched with original recipes for different perfumes — "the Egyptians were bloggers"
- Despite heavy tourist traffic, the experience wasn't diminished — Phoebe credits one-on-one time with Asma for making the difference
Vendor moment: Vendors on the riverbank launching packaged goods up onto the cruise ship deck to make sales — described as wild and brilliant.
Stop 4: Luxor Temple
Arriving in Luxor by boat, Phoebe visits a site she describes as a lifelong dream.
Key facts:
- Dates to 1400 BC
- Built by pharaohs Amenhotep III and Ramses II
- Six colossal statues of Ramses II at the entrance — each weighing 400 tons, each cut from a single piece of Aswan granite
- Famous Avenue of Sphinxes — over 1,000 statues that once connected to another temple
- Alexander the Great added his own section, blending multiple cultures within the same site
Experience: Phoebe describes it as surreal — "It does not feel real. It feels like I am on the set of a movie." Watched the sunset turn the sky orange, pink, and blue — "a really magical moment."
Morning Activity: Hot Air Balloon Over Luxor
Early start: 3:30am wake-up, van pickup, waited on weather clearance before launch.
Honest assessment:
- Chaotic on the ground — crowded, disorganized, cameras pushed in faces (can say no)
- Once airborne: peaceful, calm, spectacular views
- Floating over farms, houses, and mountains below; other balloons visible in the sky
- Verdict: "Prepare for a mixed bag — a lot of chaos up front, a lot of peace and calm once you're up."
Stop 5: Valley of the Kings
One of the most important archaeological sites in the world — and a personal highlight.
Background:
- Tombs moved underground after pyramid burials were repeatedly raided
- Location chosen deliberately: far from the Nile (stays dry), natural pyramid-shaped mountain above as a marker, deep sandstone for excavation
- Tomb depth corresponds to length of reign — the longer the pharaoh lived, the deeper the tomb
- Tutankhamun's tomb is notably short — he reigned for approximately nine years
Visiting:
- Standard entry includes three tombs; additional tombs (e.g., Tutankhamun) require extra payment (~700 Egyptian pounds)
- Asma selected the three tombs for the group
- Favorite: Tomb of Ramses III — incredibly detailed, vibrant, colorful wall etchings with many areas to explore
- ~60 tombs discovered so far; not all open to the public; more believed to be undiscovered
Final Stop: Karnak Temple Complex
Saved for last — described as the biggest and possibly the best.
- Not a single temple but a vast complex of sanctuaries, pylons, chapels, and obelisks
- Built and expanded over 2,000 years
- Nearly every pharaoh of the New Kingdom left their mark here
- Described as "a huge tapestry of history"
Final Verdict
Phoebe closes with an honest reflection on whether the Nile cruise lived up to the hype:
- Wasn't sure what to expect going in; worried it might be overrated
- Result: "Really, really great — I've enjoyed every second of it"
- Strong blend of activities and relaxation
- Loved the energy, pace, and the range of ancient sites covered
- Yes, there are many other tourists — but 1,000% worth it
Recommendation: Do a Nile cruise. Absolutely.