- Duration4 Days / 3 Nights
- Tour typeCruise
- StartsPickup from your Aswan hotel, airport or station
- PriceFrom $450 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
A 3 night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor is the shortest way to see the great temples of Upper Egypt from the river, and it suits travellers who are combining a cruise with Cairo, the Red Sea or a few nights in Luxor. Sailing north with the current, the ship covers the most important stretch of the Nile, stopping at Kom Ombo and Edfu and passing through the Esna lock before reaching Luxor.
The ship is a well-maintained standard 5★ vessel with air-conditioned cabins, each with a private bathroom and a large window onto the river, plus a restaurant, lounge bar and a sun deck with a small pool and loungers. Meals are mostly buffet, with a good mix of Egyptian and international dishes. It is comfortable and practical rather than lavish, which keeps the price sensible.
All sightseeing is guided by an Egyptologist and entry fees are included, as are transfers to and from the ship. Because the cruise is short, days are fairly full, but there is still time on deck to watch fishermen, palm groves and villages pass by. Sailing times can change because of lock queues and river traffic, so the order of visits may be adjusted.
Highlights
- Three nights full board on a standard 5★ Nile cruise ship
- Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan
- Riverside temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu
- Sailing through the Esna lock
- Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings with an Egyptologist
- Good value way to see the highlights between Aswan and Luxor
Itinerary
Day 1 – Aswan: Embark, High Dam & Philae Temple
You are collected from your Aswan hotel, the airport or the train station and transferred to the ship to check in before lunch, usually around midday. In the afternoon, your Egyptologist takes you to the High Dam, which created Lake Nasser, the Unfinished Obelisk still lying in its granite quarry, and Philae Temple, reached by a short motorboat ride. Return to the ship for dinner and a quiet night moored in Aswan.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 – Kom Ombo & Edfu
An optional early excursion to Abu Simbel can be arranged before the ship sails. After lunch, the ship sails north to Kom Ombo, where you visit the unusual double temple dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Haroeris, and the Crocodile Museum next to it. Sail on to Edfu, where the ship moors for the night. Some ships hold a galabeya party in the evening, a light-hearted night of traditional dress.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Edfu Temple, Esna Lock & Luxor
After an early breakfast, ride by horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the most complete temple in Egypt. Back on board, the ship sails north through the Esna lock, which is fun to watch from the sun deck. Arrival time in Luxor depends on lock queues; when time allows, you visit Luxor Temple in the evening, when it is beautifully lit. Dinner and overnight on board in Luxor.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Luxor West Bank, Karnak & Disembark
Check out after breakfast and cross to the West Bank to visit the Valley of the Kings, with entry to three royal tombs, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Return to the East Bank to explore Karnak Temple, with its vast Hypostyle Hall of 134 columns. Your guide then transfers you to Luxor airport, train station or your hotel. If Luxor Temple was not possible last night, it is visited today.
Meals: Breakfast
Good to know: Sailing and docking times are set by the river authorities and queues at the Esna lock, so the order of visits can change at short notice. Every visit listed is still included.
What’s Included
Included
- 3 nights in a standard 5★ Nile cruise ship cabin with river view
- Full board on board, from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 4
- Egyptologist guide for all sightseeing
- Entry fees to all sites listed in the itinerary
- Transfers from Aswan hotel, airport or station to the ship
- Transfer from the ship to Luxor hotel, airport or station
- Horse-drawn carriage at Edfu and motorboat to Philae
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Egypt entry visa
- Drinks on board
- Tips for the guide and cruise staff
- Optional Abu Simbel excursion
- Entry to extra tombs such as Tutankhamun’s or Nefertari’s
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $890 |
| 2 travellers | $560 |
| 3–5 travellers | $490 |
| 6+ travellers | $450 |
Per person in USD. Child prices depend on age and the services included – ask us for a child price before you book. Prices can be higher over Christmas, New Year and Easter; we confirm the exact price in writing before you pay.
Comparing cruises? See our guide to choosing a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is three nights long enough for a Nile cruise?
Three nights covers all the main temples between Aswan and Luxor, so you will not miss any key sites. The trade-off is less free time on deck. If you want a slower pace with more time to relax, choose a 4-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan, which includes an extra day and sails against the current with longer river stretches.
What is the difference between a standard and a deluxe cruise ship?
Both are rated 5★ and follow the same itinerary. Standard ships have smaller, simpler cabins and mostly buffet dining. Deluxe ships offer more spacious and better-finished cabins, more varied food and better service. Ultra deluxe ships add balconies or panoramic windows, fine dining and fewer passengers. All are comfortable; the difference is mainly space and polish.
Can we visit Abu Simbel during this cruise?
Yes, as an optional extra. You leave Aswan by road very early on day 2, around 4am, spend about two hours at the temples and return to the ship before it sails. It is a long morning, roughly seven hours of driving in total, but most guests think it is well worth it. Let us know when booking so we can reserve it.
Which days does this cruise depart?
Aswan to Luxor cruises on most ships depart on fixed weekdays, often Friday or Monday, and the exact days depend on the ship available for your dates. Tell us when you plan to travel and we will confirm the next departure and how it fits with your flights, hotel nights or other tours.
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Want to combine tours or change anything? Contact us or message us on WhatsApp and we will tailor it for you.
