The Nile has forever cemented its place in trivia by being the answer to the question ‘what’s the longest river in the world’. Flowing through the entire length of four different African countries, it makes its way from Uganda to the Mediterranean Sea. The definite source of this famous river is disputed, though. Whilst some say that it starts at Lake Victoria, others have pointed to feeder rivers such as the Kagera and Nyabarongo, in Tanzania and Rwanda respectively, as the true source.

Wherever the river starts, it’s clear to see how much of an important role it plays in modern day life and its influence throughout history. In areas of vast desert, the Nile flows through the land like a major artery, with principal towns and cities that have stood for thousands of years lining its rich banks. In total, eleven countries rely on water from the Nile to live.

However, it is most notably associated with Egypt and this is where your Nile river cruise will take place. The Egyptians owe much of their economic stability to the fact that the Nile enabled them to forge excellent trade routes and its fertile banks meant that there was an abundance of crops. It has a spiritual significance too, though. In Ancient Egypt, Hapy was the god of the Nile and it was thought that he controlled its annual flooding. The belief still remains that the Nile transports Egyptians into the afterlife and the first calendars in this part of the world were dependent on the changes in water level throughout the year.

The country of Egypt remains the gift of the Nile and you will get to see many of its wonders during your river cruise. Starting and finishing your journey in the ancient city of Luxor, you’ll visit temples, botanical gardens and the engineering masterpiece that is the Aswan Dam. And, of course, your trip would not be complete without stepping into the Valley of the Kings.