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.
Both directions visit the same main sites: Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. Luxor to Aswan sails upstream and takes 4 nights, with more time at each stop. Aswan to Luxor sails downstream and takes 3 nights. Choose by the time you have and where your flights arrive and leave.
Why one direction is a night longer
The Nile flows north, from Aswan to Luxor. Sailing upstream to Aswan is slower, so ships add a night. The extra night gives a more relaxed pace and an afternoon on board between temples.
Luxor to Aswan, 4 nights
You start with Luxor's East and West Banks, sail through the Esna lock to Edfu and Kom Ombo, and finish in Aswan with Philae and a felucca sail. Ending in Aswan makes it easy to add the day trip to Abu Simbel after the cruise.
Aswan to Luxor, 3 nights
You start with Aswan's sights, can take the optional early trip to Abu Simbel on the second morning, then visit Kom Ombo and Edfu on the way to Luxor. The Valley of the Kings is usually visited on the last morning, before you leave the ship.
How to choose
Have a day less? Take Aswan to Luxor. Want time to enjoy the ship, or plan to see Abu Simbel? Luxor to Aswan works well. Most travellers fly from Cairo to one city and back from the other, so check where flights suit your dates. We can book those flights for you.
