- Duration8 Days / 7 Nights
- Tour typeCruise
- StartsPickup from Luxor airport or your Luxor hotel
- PriceFrom $790 per person based on 6+ travellers
OverviewItineraryWhat’s includedPricesFAQ
Tour Overview
Most Nile cruises rush from one end of the river to the other in three or four nights. This 7 night Nile cruise takes the full loop instead, starting and finishing in Luxor, so you sail south to Aswan and then drift back north again. That gives you every major temple on the route, two proper days in Aswan and long, quiet hours on the sun deck watching palm groves, villages and fishermen slide past. It suits travellers who want depth and rest in the same holiday.
You stay on a 5★ standard ship with an air conditioned cabin, a pool on the top deck and full board throughout. Sightseeing is led by a private Egyptologist who meets you at each stop, so you are not herded with a large group from the boat. Entry fees for the listed sites are included. The Valley of the Kings ticket covers three tombs, and Tutankhamun’s tomb is an optional extra you can add on the day.
Because the ship returns to Luxor, flights are simple: fly in and out of the same airport, with transfers waiting at both ends. Please note that sailing and docking times are set by the river authorities and can change at short notice, so the order of some visits may shift. Your guide will adjust the plan so you still see everything listed, and will suggest the best times for optional extras.
Highlights
- Seven nights on a 5★ standard Nile ship, sailing Luxor to Aswan and back
- Full board on the ship, with breakfast, lunch and dinner every day
- Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s temple
- Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae temples with your own Egyptologist guide
- Two relaxed days in Aswan with a felucca sail and time for Abu Simbel
- Slower pace than a 3 or 4 night cruise, with river days to unwind
Itinerary
Day 1 – Board in Luxor and visit Karnak
Your driver meets you at Luxor airport or your hotel and takes you to the ship for lunch and check-in. In the afternoon your Egyptologist guides you around Karnak, the vast temple complex built and rebuilt over 2,000 years, with its forest of columns in the Great Hypostyle Hall. As the light softens you continue to Luxor Temple, which is at its best in the early evening when the statues and colonnades are lit. Dinner and overnight on board in Luxor.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2 – West Bank of Luxor, sail to Esna
An early start beats the heat on the West Bank. You visit the Valley of the Kings, where your ticket covers three tombs, with Tutankhamun’s tomb available as an extra. Next is the terraced temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, then a photo stop at the Colossi of Memnon. Back on board for lunch as the ship begins sailing south. Depending on river traffic you pass through the Esna lock in the afternoon or evening. Overnight on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 – Edfu and Kom Ombo
The ship moors at Edfu, and a horse carriage or car takes you to the Temple of Horus, one of the best preserved temples in Egypt, with its roof, walls and carvings largely intact. Back on board you sail on through farmland and desert edges to Kom Ombo. This unusual double temple is dedicated to both Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris. Next door, a small museum displays mummified crocodiles found nearby. Dinner and overnight on board as the ship continues towards Aswan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 – Aswan High Dam, Philae and a felucca sail
In Aswan you drive to the High Dam for views over Lake Nasser, then take a short motorboat ride to Philae Temple, the graceful island temple of Isis that was moved stone by stone to save it from the rising water. After lunch on board, you board a traditional felucca for a gentle sail around Elephantine and Kitchener’s Island, with the golden dunes of the West Bank above you. The rest of the evening is yours to explore the souk or relax on deck.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5 – Free day in Aswan or Abu Simbel
Today is free so you can choose your pace. Many guests take the optional trip to Abu Simbel to see the colossal temples of Ramses II and Nefertari. It is a long road journey of around three to four hours each way, and departure times are set by the authorities, so we confirm them the day before. If you prefer to stay in Aswan, we can arrange a visit to a Nubian village or the Nubian Museum. Overnight on board in Aswan.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Sail north along the Nile
The ship turns north and begins the return journey downstream. This is a true river day, with time to swim in the pool, read in the shade or simply watch rural Egypt pass by: water buffalo, mud brick villages, fields of sugar cane and children waving from the bank. Your guide is on hand to talk through what you have seen so far. Some ships stop again at Kom Ombo or Edfu on the way back, if timings allow. Afternoon tea and dinner on board.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Esna and return to Luxor
The ship passes back through the Esna lock and reaches Luxor during the day. In the afternoon you have free time, or you can add optional extras such as the Temple of Dendera, the Valley of the Queens or a visit to the Luxor Museum. In the evening you might stroll along the Corniche or take a short felucca ride at sunset. Your last dinner is served on board, and the ship stays moored in Luxor overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Disembark in Luxor
After a final breakfast on board you check out of your cabin, usually by mid morning. If your flight leaves later in the day, you can leave your luggage with the ship’s reception while you shop or wander. At the agreed time your driver collects you and takes you to Luxor airport or your next hotel. If you would like to see a little more before leaving, early morning hot air balloon flights over the West Bank can be arranged, though they always depend on the weather.
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
- 7 nights on a 5★ standard Nile cruise ship, round trip from Luxor
- Full board: breakfast, lunch and dinner on board
- Private Egyptologist guide for all listed sightseeing
- Entry fees to the sites in the itinerary (Valley of the Kings standard ticket, three tombs)
- Felucca sail in Aswan
- Airport or hotel transfers in Luxor in a private air conditioned vehicle
- Bottled water during excursions
Not included
- International flights
- Egypt visa
- Drinks on board
- Tutankhamun’s tomb and other extra tombs
- Optional trips such as Abu Simbel, Dendera and balloon flights
- Travel insurance
- Tips for the guide, driver and ship’s crew
Prices
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Single traveller | $1,490 |
| 2 travellers | $920 |
| 3–5 travellers | $850 |
| 6+ travellers | $790 |
Per person in USD, sharing a cabin (single traveller price includes a single cabin). 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
Why choose a 7 night round trip instead of a shorter cruise?
A shorter cruise covers the same main temples but at a brisk pace, with very little time to rest. The round trip gives you two full days in Aswan, time for Abu Simbel and relaxed sailing days on the way back. You also fly in and out of Luxor, which keeps your flights simple and often cheaper.
Are sailing times and the order of visits fixed?
No. River traffic, the Esna lock and mooring permits are controlled by the authorities, and ships sometimes change sailing or docking times at short notice. Your guide will rearrange visits so you can see the itinerary wherever possible, but we cannot guarantee exact times or the order of stops.
How do I pay for the cruise?
Because the price includes a cruise cabin, we ask for a deposit to secure your booking on the ship. The balance is then paid on arrival in Egypt. We will confirm the exact amount and the ship’s details in writing before you pay anything.
Is the Abu Simbel trip worth adding?
For most people, yes. The temples of Ramses II and Nefertari are among the most striking monuments in Egypt. It is a long day by road, about three to four hours each way, and departure times are set by the authorities, so we confirm them the evening before. Flying there is possible on request.
What should I pack for a week on the Nile?
Light, breathable clothing that covers shoulders and knees for temple visits, a hat, sunglasses and strong sun cream. Bring comfortable walking shoes for uneven ground, a swimsuit for the pool and a light jumper, as evenings on deck can feel cool from November to February.
You May Also Like
Want to combine tours or change anything? Contact us or message us on WhatsApp and we will tailor it for you.
