The long Nile cruise

For those susceptible to the romance of Egypt, a cruise along the Nile must rank as one of things they must, must do before they die. For sixteen years now, although the Upper Nile has been open to such a possibility, the Lower Nile hasn&rsquot. Cruises were stopped in 1994 for various reasons, including security concerns and the fact that the river was becoming severely silted. But the &lsquolong Nile cruise&rsquo between Cairo and Aswan is possible again &mdash with the opportunity to see the tombs at Beni Hasan and the temple of Dendera to Goddess Hathor, before a flight south lets you take in the wonders of Abu Simbel. The two-week cruise also means longer spells relaxing on deck, watching life on the banks of one of the world&rsquos truly great rivers.

The information

Fly Kuwait Airways (kuwait-airways.com) from Mumbai to Cairo (from Rs 32,000 approx. return). The long cruise (15D/14N) is offered by many operators see tourism.egypt.com (from $1,300 on twin sharing) and gattours.com (from $1,480).