As Cairo’s skyline fades from amber to deep blue, the Nile reflects the city’s glittering lights — and there is no better place to watch this transformation than from the deck of a five-star dinner cruise gliding silently between the city’s lit bridges. The Cairo Nile Cruise Dinner is the classic Egyptian evening experience: a three-hour sailing on the river that has defined this civilisation for five millennia, accompanied by a lavish dinner, live music, and a programme of traditional entertainment that distils the colour and energy of Egyptian culture into a single spectacular evening.
Your air-conditioned cruise boat departs from central Cairo and sails a 10-kilometre stretch of the Nile between the bridges, passing the green lungs of Gezira Island, the illuminated facades of Cairo Opera House, the string-lit corniche of Zamalek, and the towering apartment blocks of Agouza reflected perfectly in the darkening water. The boat is purpose-built for the experience: tiered seating arranged theatre-style facing a central stage, a large dance floor, full table service, and an upper observation deck for fresh air and photography.
The entertainment programme is genuinely excellent: a belly dancer of professional standard performs two sets to live Arabic music; a whirling dervish (Tanoura dancer) in a multi-layered spinning skirt creates the hypnotic, meditative centrepiece of the show; a folklore band plays Egyptian classical and popular music throughout the evening. The dinner buffet is substantial — grilled meats, fresh fish, salads, mezze, rice dishes, desserts, soft drinks and juices included.
This is a perfect evening for couples, families, or groups — the combination of stunning river views, high-quality food, and colourful entertainment makes the Cairo Nile Cruise Dinner consistently one of the highest-rated experiences in Cairo.
Hotel Pickup (7:30–8:00 PM): Your guide meets you at your Cairo hotel and transfers you by air-conditioned vehicle to the cruise boarding point on the Nile corniche.
Boarding and Welcome (8:30 PM): Board the five-star cruise boat. Be shown to your reserved table. Welcome drinks (soft drinks, juices) are served as the boat prepares to depart.
Departure and Buffet Dinner (9:00 PM): The boat sets sail. Dinner service begins — a generous buffet including: mixed mezze (hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, fattoush), grilled chicken and kofta, fresh fish options, rice dishes, seasonal salads, bread, and a dessert selection. Table service throughout.
Entertainment Programme (9:30–11:00 PM): The show begins once the boat is underway. Typically: Act 1 — Folklore Band with Egyptian classical music setting the atmosphere; Act 2 — Belly Dance Performance, two sets with audience interaction; Act 3 — Tanoura (Whirling Dervish), the dramatic centrepiece of the evening with the traditional spinning skirt lit in concentric coloured circles; Act 4 — Final dance and invitation for guests to join on the dance floor.
Return to Dock (11:30 PM): The boat returns to the departure point. Transfer back to your hotel by air-conditioned vehicle, arriving by midnight.
All prices are charged in USD per person per trip. You can also pay us online via a secure payment gateway without any extra costs or surcharges. This is our pricing policy for this trip.
The initial price is based on 1 adult in group size with the lowest price in the low season
After your tour is confirmed, we will email you the final confirmation of the tour and voucher to print and bring with you. Details will Contain contact numbers of customer care, tour operator, and All information for your convenience.
Tipping is not included in any of our packages and is left to the discretion of the travelers. Although not mandatory, it is of great importance to people who will take care of you while traveling.
If your tour package includes airfare, an extra charge for your children may apply.
Egypt Day Tours do not require a cancellation fee for tours or excursions canceled for ‘force majeure’ reasons like volcanoes, earthquakes, or reasons that are Out of control. If the booking cancellation happens For personal or business reasons and Egypt Day Tours has already incurred the booking costs on your behalf, these costs will be transferred to you.
A 50% payment will be required from the total amount after confirming your tour booking as requested. You can pay by credit or debit card (MasterCard/Visa) through the VeriSign Secured payment system on our website, and the Rest of the Payment will be on a Cash basis upon you Start Your Tour to the Egypt Day Tours representative.
Secure your trip and give yourself greater peace of mind with the Travel Insurance program proposed by Travel Guard. One week, 25$ per person.
All tours don’t include entrance fees to special archaeological sites, such as walking inside one of the pyramids and the Mummies Room at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo or entering the Tomb of Tutankhamen at Valley of the Kings in Luxor are also available at extra cost.
Please contact us if you wish to add or adjust anything to the program.
Extra personal expenses on the trip may include a food tour, alcoholic beverages, tipping, visa fees, recreational expenses, and other services not listed.
Following are the items with extra costs during the trek:
Yes — the buffet always includes substantial vegetarian options: hummus, baba ganoush, tabbouleh, fattoush, grilled vegetables, cheese, falafel, and a variety of mezze and salads. Vegans are less well-served as dairy and eggs appear in several dishes, but the mezze selection and salads provide a satisfying vegan meal. Please inform us of dietary restrictions at booking and we will alert the kitchen.
Smart casual is the appropriate standard — no formal dress required, but beachwear, shorts, and flip-flops are not appropriate on board. Think: a clean shirt or blouse, trousers or a skirt, and comfortable shoes. The boat is air-conditioned, so bring a light layer for the indoor areas.
The cruise runs for approximately 3 hours from departure to return — typically 9 PM to midnight. Including hotel pickup and return transfer, allow approximately 4 hours from leaving your hotel to returning.
Yes — the dinner cruise is family-friendly. Belly dancing is artistic and tasteful in the Egyptian tradition, not inappropriate for children. The Tanoura dervish performance particularly captivates younger visitors. Children under 5 often sleep through the return journey. The boat has no minimum age restriction.
Photography and video of the performances is freely permitted from your table. The lighting on the stage is designed for visibility and photographing well. Flash photography during the Tanoura performance is particularly dramatic. Some performers request tips if you want individual posed photos after the show — this is entirely optional.
A felucca is a traditional wooden sailing boat — quiet, romantic, and atmospheric, but with no entertainment, no kitchen, and exposed to the elements. The five-star dinner cruise is a purpose-built cruise boat with full facilities, entertainment, an air-conditioned interior, and a proper buffet dinner. They are completely different experiences. If you want both, we suggest a felucca sunset sail (1 hour, late afternoon) followed by a dinner cruise the same evening — an excellent pairing.
