Cruising the Nile as Agatha Christie

It was 1937 when Agatha Christie published her fifteenth novel, perhaps one of the best known in the world, starring the famous Belgian investigator Hercule Poirot in Murder on the Nile. Released in theaters in February, the story had already been brought to the big screen in 1978 with John Guillermin’s film.

For fans of the great writer, here is a journey across the Nile on the luxurious Karnak boat, which travels a four-stage journey from Luxor to Aswan, to discover all the secrets of the ancient pharaohs. Today the Belle Époque-style Steam Ship Sudan has eighteen rooms and five suites, named after famous people linked to Egypt, such as, Agatha Christie, Lady Duff Gordon, Howard Carter, Gustave Flaubert, Aida and the Queen Victoria.

Getting on the boat is like stepping back in time, in an intimate setting with up to 67 passengers on board and 18 crew members. The cabins are all served by wide open corridors where you can relax in the evening reading a good book and enjoying a hibiscus infusion. Wooden walls, gilded or brass beds, classic furniture and a magnificent light parquet give the whole period charm. At the lounge bar, wooden walls, brass and furniture are all period. The walls are adorned with old photos of characters who have marked the places and Egypt, such as King Farouk.

With over a century of history, this boat exudes turn-of-the-century North African charm. Yet the antique elements are balanced with an abundance of luxurious, modern grand hotel amenities. The restaurant has also retained its former glory.

While you dine lulled by the water, you can savor the typical dishes of the local cuisine. The daily stops ensure, in fact, that the freshest ingredients can be collected and prepared to create sophisticated dishes. Depending on the organization of the day’s trip, some meals are eaten as a buffet, while others are more formal with four-course dinners with silver service. The tables are set with crisp white tablecloths and candelabra, while the staff provide first-class service.

Among the rooms where you can stay there are:

• Agatha Christie Suite: it is on board this boat, on which she accompanied her archaeologist husband in 1933, that the queen of intrigue finds her inspiration for Murder on the Nile. Located forward and starboard of the upper deck, this suite offers a panoramic view of the Nile thanks to its large windows.
• Hercule Poirot Suite: located on the upper deck, to starboard, the Hercule Poirot cabin, a tribute to the famous detective d’Agatha Christie, is equipped with a double bed. The atmosphere is refined and welcoming thanks to its wooden walls and the sparkling colors of the fabrics and furniture. Its two windows overlook the wide corridor opening onto the Nile

The itineraries

Unlike cruise ships and larger ferries, this boat can access relatively shallow water. This opens up the less traveled sections of the Nile. The ship makes a five-night voyage from Luxor to Aswan, with two itineraries: The Dynastic And Eternal River. Each includes important archaeological sites such as the Temple of Luxor, the holy city of Abydos, the Theban necropolis, the Valley of the Queens and the Temple of Edfu. At each port of call, expert guides are on hand to guide groups with their wealth of knowledge and passion for ancient Egyptian history.

There are many beauties to visit such as the Karnak Temple Complex, one of the largest sacred sites in the world; the Temple of Luxor, built under Amenofi III and enlarged under Ramesses II, the most elegant Pharaonic building. And then the Valley of the Pharaohs, whose splendidly decorated tombs tell the journey of the deceased in the afterlife and again the tomb of Ramses VI; the Valley of the Queens, secret necropolis of the royal wives and visit to the tomb of Nefertari, the best known of Ramses II’s wives; the Temple of Kom Ombo, an architectural and religious complex unique in Egypt, dedicated to two deities. Here are two temples in one site. The southern part is dedicated to Horus, the falcon god and the northern part to Sobek, the crocodile god. And again Aswan at the end of the Nile Valley, where ancient Nubia begins; the Temple of Philae, homeland of Isis, Goddess of marriage, fertility, motherhood, magic and medicine who governed life, death and resurrection.

And because this is a steam trip, not only is it a more environmentally friendly option than a cruise ship, but it offers quiet serenity away from the roar of the engines.