- Duration5 Days / 4 Nights
- Tour typeCruise
- StartsPickup from Luxor airport, station or hotel
- PriceFrom $690 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
A 4 night Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan gives you the classic river journey at an easier pace than the shorter downstream trip. The extra night means a proper afternoon of sailing, time to sit on deck with a cold drink and watch the banks of the Nile change from busy Luxor to quiet villages, sugarcane fields and desert hills closing in towards Aswan.
Deluxe ships are a clear step up from standard vessels. Cabins are more spacious with better finishes, large windows onto the river and good quality bedding, and the restaurant offers a wider choice with some à la carte dishes. Public areas include a lounge bar, a sun deck with pool and loungers, and usually a small spa or gym. Service is attentive without being formal.
An Egyptologist guides every visit and entry fees for the sites in the itinerary are included, from the Valley of the Kings to Philae, along with transfers at both ends. Sailing times on the Nile are set by the river authorities and depend on queues at the Esna lock, so the exact order of visits can shift from one week to the next. Whatever changes, we make sure you see everything listed.
Highlights
- Four nights full board on a deluxe 5★ Nile cruise ship
- Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings
- A full afternoon on deck sailing south through the Esna lock
- Temples of Horus at Edfu and Sobek at Kom Ombo
- Philae Temple and a felucca sail in Aswan
- Egyptologist guide and entry fees for the listed sites included
Itinerary
Day 1 – Luxor: Embark, Karnak & Luxor Temple
You are collected from Luxor airport, train station or hotel and transferred to the ship, where you check in in time for lunch. In the afternoon your Egyptologist takes you to Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex ever built, with its great Hypostyle Hall, sacred lake and obelisks. Continue along the Avenue of Sphinxes to Luxor Temple as evening falls and the stones glow under floodlights. Dinner and overnight on board in Luxor.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 – Valley of the Kings, Sail to Esna & Edfu
An optional sunrise balloon flight can be arranged, subject to the weather. After breakfast, cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, entering three royal tombs, then the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Back on board for lunch, the ship sets sail south. Spend the afternoon on the sun deck as you pass through the Esna lock, then sail on towards Edfu. Afternoon tea is served on deck.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Edfu & Kom Ombo
After breakfast, take a horse-drawn carriage through Edfu to the Temple of Horus, the best-preserved temple in Egypt, with its towering pylon and dark inner sanctuary. Return to the ship and sail on to Kom Ombo, where the riverside double temple is dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and the falcon god Haroeris. Visit the Crocodile Museum nearby. Continue sailing to Aswan, arriving late in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Aswan: High Dam, Philae & Felucca
An optional early excursion to Abu Simbel can be booked for this morning. Otherwise, visit the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient granite quarries and Philae Temple, the island sanctuary of Isis, reached by motorboat. In the afternoon, sail by felucca around Elephantine Island and past the Aga Khan Mausoleum. You may also add an optional visit to a colourful Nubian village. Dinner and overnight on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Disembark in Aswan
Enjoy a final breakfast on board before checking out, usually by 9am. You are transferred to Aswan airport, the train station or your hotel. If you have time before your onward journey, Aswan is a lovely place to linger, with the souk, the Nubian Museum and the riverside corniche all close to the centre. We can extend your stay with a night or two in an Aswan hotel on request.
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
- 4 nights in a deluxe 5★ Nile cruise ship cabin with river view
- Full board on board, from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 5
- Afternoon tea on board
- Egyptologist guide for all sightseeing
- Entry fees to all sites listed in the itinerary
- Felucca sail in Aswan
- Horse-drawn carriage at Edfu and motorboat to Philae
- Transfers from Luxor airport, station or hotel to the ship
- Transfer from the ship to Aswan airport, station or hotel
Not included
- International and domestic flights
- Egypt entry visa
- Drinks on board
- Tips for the guide and cruise staff
- Optional Luxor balloon flight, Abu Simbel and Nubian village excursions
- Entry to extra tombs such as Tutankhamun’s or Nefertari’s
- Personal expenses and travel insurance
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $1,290 |
| 2 travellers | $820 |
| 3–5 travellers | $750 |
| 6+ travellers | $690 |
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should we cruise Luxor to Aswan or Aswan to Luxor?
Both visit the same main sites. Luxor to Aswan takes four nights because the ship sails against the current, which gives you more relaxing time on deck. Aswan to Luxor is three nights and slightly cheaper, so it suits travellers with less time. Many people choose based on their flights, ending in Aswan if they plan to visit Abu Simbel afterwards.
What is included in full board?
Full board covers breakfast, lunch and dinner on board each day, served mostly as buffets with Egyptian and international dishes, plus afternoon tea. Tea and coffee at meals are usually included. Soft drinks, bottled water outside meals, alcohol and drinks at the bar are paid for on board and settled at the end of the cruise.
Can we see Abu Simbel on this cruise?
Yes, as an optional extra on day 4 in Aswan. You leave by road around 4am, spend roughly two hours at the temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari, and are back on board for a late lunch. A flight is also possible on some days. If you take this option, you can see the other Aswan sites in the afternoon.
What should I pack for a Nile cruise?
Light, breathable clothes that cover shoulders and knees, a sun hat, sunglasses, sun cream, comfortable walking shoes and swimwear for the pool. Evenings on deck can be cool from November to February, so bring a jumper or light jacket. Smart-casual clothes are fine for dinner, and a galabeya can be bought locally if your ship holds a theme night.
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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.
