Why now is the perfect time to visit Egypt and Jordan!
It is often said that “timing is everything” and here are five excellent reasons why I believe that this year is the perfect time to join us on our Secrets of Egypt & the Nile river cruise and explore the ancient wonders of Egyptian civilization. Whether traveling as a solo, a couple or a family (as I did on my most recent trip), you’ll also want to treat yourself to a pre-cruise land package visiting the breathtaking site of Petra in Jordan or pop into Alexandria post-cruise before heading home.
Reason #1: The new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) will be fully opened in July
Certain things in life, you have to see to believe and the GEM is one of them. An ultra-modern structure larger than the Louvre, you’ll be awe struck from the moment you enter. It is impossible to describe the majestic statues, gold inlayed artifacts and magnificently preserved reminders of a civilization dating back over 3,000 years. These treasures are beautifully displayed and accompanied by excellent descriptions making a visit to the GEM a feast for your eyes as well as a necessary complement to the tomb and temple visits you will be enjoying with your own Egyptologist as you cruise along the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.
Reason #2: Fewer tourists make for more relaxed visits with time to absorb and reflect on what you are experiencing
The current level of visitors to Egypt remains far below normal. With fewer crowds, you are able to visit 4 or 5 tombs within a half day visit to the Valley of the Kings. Even more exclusive, AmaWaterways provides our guests with a special entry ticket to visit Seti I tomb which is a truly remarkably preserved tomb not accessible to the general public. I highly recommend adding the optional excursion to visit Abu Simbel on the banks of Lake Nasser.
If you love to take photos or videos, now is the time to easily capture those Instagram worthy shots!
Reason #3: The warm welcome, attentive service and safety measures are all discreet and top notch
Tourism is vital to Egypt’s economy and you feel the country’s deep appreciation for your visit to their country. I traveled to Egypt in March 2025 with my mother along with my daughter and son-in-law and we never had one moment of concern throughout the whole trip.
Reason #4: The Nile is surprisingly relaxing river – very different from the busier sections of some of our European rivers
Cruising the Nile on AmaDahlia and AmaLilia, guests enjoy a kaleidoscope of countryside life as you pass close by farmers and their families going about their daily lives.
Reason #5: Don’t miss Jordan with its stunning landscapes like Petra, Wadi Rum and the Dead Sea
If you ever have dreamed of joining Indiana Jones in his Temple of Doom or Paul Artemis of Dune fame or enjoying a mud bath and floating in the salt ladened Dead Sea, then now is definitely the time to visit Jordan to experience all of this and more without the usual crowds. As the cradle of Christian, Jewish and Islamic faiths, Jordan’s stark desert landscape is in sharp contrast to its warm and welcoming people, a true testament to its Switzerland-like status in the middle east.
Don’t put off this journey of a lifetime. It does require good mobility as you’ll be walking 15,000 steps a day, often on uneven, sandstone pathways but it is an enriching vacation that is perfect for multi-generational families or those with older children interested in history.
Check out our newest Connections Piece: Why Secrets of Egypt & the Nile is a Top Pick River Cruise