History of the Nile River Boats
The Nile River boats have a long history and continue to provide every traveller with the opportunity to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime holiday along the Nile River between Luxor and Aswan. The purpose of this article is to provide everyone with all of the facts and details concerning the Egypt Nile River Cruise’s history. This page was prepared by a team of tour operators, tour guides, historians, and travel advisors with over two decades of experience and understanding of Egypt’s Nile Cruise history. The Nile river cruise’s history and influence may be traced back hundreds of years, even to ancient Egypt.
What Was the Origin of Nile River Cruises boats?
The Nile cruise was designed at the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century to become the focal point of travel across Egypt. Before that, the only way to see the Nile was to travel aboard a Dahabiya, a big houseboat with cross-sails that took up to 50 days to get to Luxor and then another full day to see Luxor and Aswan.
Everything changed around 1870 AD when a new tourism industry arose.
A new technology called rapid steamers was introduced by a business called Thomas Cook Ltd.
The journey from Cairo to Alexandria was made possible by a cruise that was no longer reliant on wind power.
It will take 20 days to travel from Luxor to Aswan, and a week to travel from Aswan to Luxor.
What Impact Does the Nile River Cruise Have on Egypt’s Tourism and Economy?
Thomas Cook contributed to the development of Egypt’s tourism infrastructure by investing in the Egyptian government and providing a fleet of fast and luxury steamships. The corporation then began advertising in Egypt, which was known as Europe’s best winter resort. The corporation built a network of tourist stations along the Nile that provide the best lodging and services.
The company also educated a number of people who went on to become tour guides or travel guides. The Egyptian government and the Thomas Cook fleet dominated the tourism business by the turn of the twentieth century, when Egypt had become the most popular tourist destination for Europeans. From that point forward, Nile cruises became a completely independent Egyptian tradition. The Nile cruise was the backbone of Egyptian tourism and may be created for any occasion.
How did the pharaohs use Nile boats?
The Nile River served as a highway that connected the country. Land travel was essentially unknown until the nineteenth century. People and supplies were transported around the country mostly by ships and boats. Egyptian boats featured a high stern and bow, and by the time of the New Kingdom, they had cabins on both ends. Boats travelling south were propelled by the prevailing winds, while boats travelling north relied on the current and oars.
The simplest sort of boat utilised in ancient Egypt was the skiff, which was fashioned from tied papyrus reeds. The reeds are extremely buoyant because they are loaded with air pockets. Skiffs were utilised in the marshes for fishing and hunting games, as well as for short-distance transit.
Square sails and oars were used on large wooden ships. Their boards, which were kept together by rope, swelled in the water and rendered the vessel watertight. Lower Nubia employed acacia wood to construct the ships that delivered large slabs of stone from the Aswan area to the construction sites of the Nile’s pyramids, temples, and cities. Ships could easily cruise up and down the Nile from the delta to Aswan’s First Cataract.
Nile boats for transportation in Ancient Egypt
In addition to being used for transportation, boats were also used for ceremonial purposes. They were used to convey the mummified bodies of royals and nobles across the Nile to their tombs on the west bank; as well as to transport god pictures from temple to temple. On his daily journey across the sky, even the sun god travelled by boat (the solar bark). Egyptians continue to cross the Nile by boat today. The felucca is a small boat with a huge triangular sail that they employ.
Feluccas
by CazzJj
Ancient Egypt’s highways were barely more than pathways. People walked, rode donkeys, or travelled by waggon to go about on land. They carried things on their heads, but donkeys and carriages were used to transport greater loads. Until the conclusion of the pharaonic period, camels were nearly unheard of in Egypt.
The Hyksos, an Asiatic race that invaded Egypt and governed it in the fifteenth and sixteenth dynasties, are thought to have introduced the wheel. Horse-drawn chariots were most likely utilised in combat by the Hyksos. For hunting expeditions, New Kingdom pharaohs and nobility employed this means of transportation; although it was not used by the general people.
Nile Boats in Modern Days
A magical voyage onboard a Nile river cruise boat, where the sight of the greatest artefacts in the history of mankind is observed in the most amazing form while enjoying the most comfortable and thrilling means of amusement and relaxation, is never complete on any Egyptian vacation. With us, you’ll find a huge selection of places to visit where you may pick and choose from a variety of heavenly delights and fantastic attractions to live your dream.
