Egypt reinstates 'long Nile cruise'
30th May 2012
Part of the Nile, which has been off-limits to travellers since the 80s, will reopen to cruise boats later this month
Cruises along the Lower Nile will resume at the end of May after a break of 16 years. This part of the River Nile was closed following violence in the area, as well as rising water levels and silt making the passage dangerous.
The stretch between Cairo and Luxor will be reopened thanks to extensive irrigation and a consensus of its safety. In a bid to boost tourism after the Arab Spring saw a fall in visitors to the country, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism has said that 40 of the 270 boats that travel the Nile can resume their passage of this stretch.
Since 1994, cruise boats have been refined to the area between Luxor and Aswan, known as the Upper Nile. Passengers who also wish to visit Cairo have, until now, had to travel by alternative means from the boat to the ancient city.
Longer cruises, ranging from 11-14 days, will be on offer allowing travellers to visit the lesser-known tombs at Beni Hasan and Temple of Dendera as well as take in the rich scenery and wildlife along the way.
Since it first announced the planned reissuing of sailing permits last November, the government has been investing in the region's cultural attractions and rejuvenation of ports, many of which had fallen into disrepair. Only boats with shallow drafts will be allowed to undertake the 'long Nile cruise', but those that do are sure to offer a spectacular journey.
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