TUI River Cruises expands excursion programme for the Winter 2025 season on its Egyptian fleet
This experience offers an elegant afternoon at the historic Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan. Known for hosting notable figures including Agatha Christie and Winston Churchill. Customers are welcomed onto the hotel’s terrace overlooking the Nile and Elephantine Island for a traditional afternoon tea which includes a selection of premium teas, pastries, finger sandwiches, and local delicacies, all served with panoramic views of the river.
This full-day excursion begins with a transfer from the ship to the airport for a flight to Cairo from Luxor. The tour starts at the Giza Plateau, home to the Great Pyramids, Egypt’s most iconic monuments and one of the Wonders of the Ancient World, plus a visit to The Great Sphinx.
Customers can enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before heading to the Grand Egyptian Museum. Opening in November 2025, it’ll be home to 100,000 artifacts, including the complete Tutankhamun collection. Other highlights include the Grand Staircase, lined with 64 significant pieces that showcase Egypt’s rich history.
This experience provides private, small-group visits to local families, offering a hands-on cultural and culinary exchange. Customers are welcomed into the host family's home, where they may assist in preparing a traditional meal or observe the cooking process.
Customers are encouraged to share aspects of their own background to promote mutual understanding. The program is certified by the World Fair Trade Organisation.
*Other new excursions include:
Sunset Cruise by Traditional Felucca with Luxor Temple by Night
This guided evening tour includes a relaxing cruise aboard a traditional felucca boat on the Nile. Customer can enjoy views of Luxor’s illuminated skyline at sunset, along with local snacks and bottled water.
A local guide shares insights into Luxor’s history, including its role as home to ancient sites and royal tombs. The cruise includes a stop at Luxor Temple, where guests disembark to explore its columns, statues, and carvings lit beautifully at night.
Walking tour with Luxor Temple by Night
Starting at the Winter Palace Hotel before sunset, customers board a local blue minivan and walk to Luxor Temple, illuminated beautifully in the evening. After a one-hour visit, the group walks to Iberotel Luxor for a traditional Egyptian dinner featuring kofta, kebab, and salads. The tour continues through the old city streets, with optional stops at shisha cafés, tea houses, or the local souk.
Sunset Banana Island Nile experience onboard a felucca from Luxor
This three-hour guided tour begins with a traditional felucca boat. Customers can sail along the Nile at sunset, passing Luxor’s riverside landmarks and enjoying scenic views of the mountains. The cruise continues to Banana Island (Gezerit El Moze), where customers are welcomed by local farmers and invited to taste fresh bananas directly from the trees.
A local guide shares insights into the island’s agricultural significance and history. The experience combines relaxation, cultural learning, and natural beauty, offering a peaceful way to explore the Nile and its surroundings.
TUI River Cruises
TUI River Cruises is part of TUI UK and Ireland and TUI Group. There are currently four adult only ships in the TUI River Cruises European fleet: TUI Isla, TUI Skyla and TUI Maya and TUI River Cruises Egyptian fleet: TUI Al Horeya. The river cruise line is expanding its fleet with a ship on the River Nile in Egypt with TUI Bahareya launching in November 2025, TUI Aria which will operate on the European waters in April 2026 and the first-new build ship, TUI Luzia, sailing exclusively on the River Douro in Summer 2027.
