Most booked
Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise, 4 Nights
The classic sailing upstream on a 5-star ship. Both banks of Luxor, the Esna lock, Edfu and Kom Ombo, then Philae and a felucca in Aswan.
From$625 / person
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Nile cruises · Luxor · Aswan
Sail the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, the way Egypt was built to be seen.
3 and 4-night cruises on 5-star ships and dahabiya sailboats, a Lake Nasser cruise to Abu Simbel, and private day tours in Luxor and Aswan with an Egyptologist guide.
Rated by our travellers
Two ways to see it
On the river, or from your hotel
7 cruises · from $430
Nile cruises
3 and 4 nights between Luxor and Aswan on a 5-star ship or a dahabiya sailboat, plus Lake Nasser to Abu Simbel.
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10 day tours · from $30
Luxor
Temples, royal tombs & balloons
Luxor day tours
9 day tours · from $25
Aswan
Philae, Nubia & Abu Simbel
Aswan day tours
Nile cruises
All Nile cruisesCruises we book most often
Most booked
Shorter trip
Aswan to Luxor Nile Cruise, 3 Nights
The same temples in one less night, sailing downstream on a 5-star ship. Good if you're adding Cairo or the Red Sea to your trip.
From$430 / person
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Luxury ship
Luxury Nile Cruise, Luxor to Aswan
Four nights upstream on one of the river's top ships: larger suites, fewer guests, fine dining and a pool deck, with the full Luxor-to-Aswan programme.
From$930 / person
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The route
215 km of river between Luxor and Aswan
Every cruise sails this stretch, stopping at four temple towns on the way. Choose a stop to see what's there.
River km 0 · Luxor
Luxor
Karnak and Luxor Temple on the East Bank; the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon across the river.
- Karnak
- Valley of the Kings
- Hatshepsut Temple
Cruises that stop here
≈ 55 km upstream of Luxor
Esna
Ships queue to pass through the Esna lock. The Temple of Khnum sits nine metres below today's street level, its ceiling colours recently restored.
- Temple of Khnum
- Esna lock
≈ 110 km upstream of Luxor
Edfu
The Temple of Horus is the most complete temple in Egypt, roof and all. Usually visited early morning by horse carriage from the dock.
- Temple of Horus
≈ 170 km upstream of Luxor
Kom Ombo
A double temple to Sobek and Haroeris right on the bank, often visited at sunset. The small crocodile museum is next door.
- Temple of Sobek & Haroeris
- Crocodile Museum
≈ 215 km upstream of Luxor
Aswan
Philae Temple, the High Dam and felucca sailing between granite islands. The jumping-off point for Abu Simbel and Lake Nasser.
- Philae Temple
- High Dam
- Nubian village
Cruises that stop here
Ship or sailboat
Choose your boat
All three sail the same river past the same temples. The difference is how many people are on board and how you spend the time between sites.
Cruise ship
60 to 80 cabins, a sun deck with a pool, and a fixed timetable shared by most ships. The best value, with departures every week.
From $430 per personDahabiya
A two-masted sailing boat with 8 to 12 cabins. It moors at islands and small sites the big ships pass, and feels like a private yacht.
From $1,030 per personLake Nasser
Only a handful of ships sail the lake between Aswan and Abu Simbel, visiting Nubian temples you can only reach by water.
From $515 per person
Day tours
All day toursStaying in Luxor or Aswan?
Private tours with hotel or ship pick-up, an Egyptologist guide and entry fees included. Add one before or after your cruise.
West Bank
Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings
Royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, the terraced temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, with lunch.
From$70 / person
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Both banks
Luxor East & West Bank in One Day
All of Luxor's highlights in a day: the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and the Colossi in the morning, Karnak and Luxor Temple after lunch.
From$125 / person
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Sunrise
Luxor Hot Air Balloon at Sunrise
About 45 minutes over the West Bank temples, the Valley of the Kings and the green fields as the sun rises. Hotel pick-up before dawn.
From$95 / person
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Must see
Abu Simbel Day Trip from Aswan
An early drive through the desert to the rock temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari, back in Aswan for lunch.
From$115 / person
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Aswan highlights
Philae Temple, High Dam & Unfinished Obelisk
Aswan's three classic sights: the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk in the granite quarry, and a boat to the island temple of Philae.
From$80 / person
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More than tours
All servicesHotels, flights and transfers too
We book the rest of your trip as well, so your cruise, tours, hotels and flights fit together.
Booking
How booking works
Choose a trip
Pick a cruise or a day tour, or tell us your dates and what you'd like to see and we'll suggest one.
Send your dates
Message us your dates and group size. We check cabins and guides and send a written quote, usually the same day.
Confirm
Your quote shows the full price, what is included and the payment terms. Nothing is booked until you confirm.
Meet your guide
Your guide or driver meets you at the airport, train station, hotel or ship with your name on a sign.
Plan your trip
All guidesTravel guides
Travel guide
Best Time for a Nile Cruise: Month by Month
When to take a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan: temperatures month by month, high and low season, and what to expect in summer.
Travel guide
Nile Cruise: Luxor to Aswan or Aswan to Luxor?
The difference between a 4-night Luxor to Aswan cruise and a 3-night Aswan to Luxor cruise, and how to choose.
Travel guide
Dahabiya or Cruise Ship? How to Choose Your Nile Boat
Dahabiya sailboats and Nile cruise ships compared: size, pace, stops, facilities, season and price.
Questions
Before you book
Something else on your mind? Message us on WhatsApp and a person on our team will answer.
Ask on WhatsAppWhen is the best time for a Nile cruise?
October to April is the most comfortable, with daytime temperatures around 22–30°C in Luxor and Aswan. Cruises run in summer too, with early-morning visits and lower prices.
Luxor to Aswan, or Aswan to Luxor?
Luxor to Aswan takes 4 nights and gives more time at each temple. Aswan to Luxor takes 3 nights and suits travellers who are short on time. You see the same main sites either way.
What is included in the cruise price?
Your cabin, all meals on board, sightseeing with an Egyptologist guide, entry fees to the listed sites and transfers in Luxor and Aswan. Drinks, tips and optional tours like Abu Simbel or the balloon ride are extra.
Are your day tours private?
Yes. The car and the guide are for your group only. The price per person goes down as the group gets bigger.
Can I add day tours to my cruise?
Yes. The most popular add-ons are the Abu Simbel trip from Aswan and the sunrise balloon over Luxor. We can also book a day tour before or after the cruise and pick you up from the ship.
Can you book my hotel and flights?
Yes. Besides tours and cruises we book hotels in Luxor, Aswan and the rest of Egypt, and flights to and within Egypt. Tell us your dates, budget and route and we'll send options and prices.
Tell us your dates. We'll find the cabin.
Send your travel dates and group size, and we'll reply with cruise availability and a quote.