5 Days Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan
Three nights aboard a Nile cruise, visits to Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae; entrance fees and a licensed Egyptologist included.
At a glance
- Length
- 5 days · 4 nights
- Departs
- Daily
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
This 5-day Nile cruise package is a guided Egypt itinerary arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt with hotel nights in Luxor, three nights aboard a Nile cruise, transfers, and sightseeing.
- New
Snapshot
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 Days / 4 Nights
- Travel style
- Private Guided Cruise Package
- Accommodation
- Hotel Nights in Luxor + Nile Cruise Cabin
- Operated by
- Arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt
- Destinations
- Luxor · Valley of the Kings (Luxor West Bank) · Karnak Temple · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Philae Temple (Agilkia Island) · Aswan · Nile
- Includes
- Hotel accommodation in Luxor · Three nights aboard a Nile cruise cabin · Transfers between airports, hotels, and embarkation/disembarkation points · Meals as stated in the itinerary · Entrance fees to listed sites and museums · Qualified Egyptologist guide
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Egypt · Couples · Families with school-age children
- Guide languages
- English
Best time to go
The most comfortable months are usually October to April, when daytime temperatures in Luxor and Aswan are generally lower and site visits are easier in the morning. From May to September, temperatures can be very hot, especially on the West Bank and open temple courtyards. During Ramadan and major Egyptian holidays, some services and site timings may be adjusted, so advance planning is useful.
- Discovery Tours Egypt is a licensed Egyptian tour operator arranging the itinerary, transfers, hotels, and cruise cabin bookings through local suppliers.
- Sightseeing is conducted with a qualified Egyptologist guide during the included visits.
- The programme includes pre-arranged ground logistics and on-the-ground coordination for hotel check-in, cruise embarkation, and site transfers.
- Standard entrance fees to the listed sites are included unless the itinerary states otherwise.
- Verified traveller reviews and local operating experience help support service consistency across the route.
- Assistance is available throughout the trip for timing changes, transfers, and excursion coordination.
02 Overview
A first look
By dawn the Nile mirrors the sky and the boat's wake whispers past the palm-lined banks; mornings on deck begin with that slow reveal of temple pylons and farming villages. Expect the heat to lift by mid-morning, the air to carry river-silt and jasmine from market stalls, and the sound of oars when we cross to island temples, so plan for early starts and steady walking on uneven stone.
Our Egyptologists guide each visit and explain architectural details at the gate, while we arrange your hotel room, transfers and cabin bookings with local suppliers. We space the major temples over several mornings so you avoid the tight rush common on shorter packages.
Background
The facts
This 5-day Nile cruise package combines hotel nights in Luxor with three nights aboard a Nile cruise vessel while travelling downstream to Aswan. The itinerary includes scheduled sightseeing at major Upper Egypt monuments, with transfers between airport, hotels, embarkation points, and disembarkation points arranged in advance. Entrance fees to the listed archaeological sites and museums are included unless a specific exception is stated in the itinerary.
In Luxor, the West Bank visit centres on the Valley of the Kings, the royal burial ground used during the New Kingdom, where many decorated tombs date to the 18th, 19th, and 20th Dynasties. Karnak Temple on the East Bank developed over more than 1,500 years and includes the Great Hypostyle Hall, which contains 134 papyrus-shaped columns, and the avenue of sphinxes linking temple precincts. These site visits are typically scheduled in the cooler morning hours, which helps manage heat and crowd levels.
During the cruise portion, the vessel calls at Edfu and Kom Ombo. Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus, is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt and was built in the Ptolemaic period, beginning in 237 BCE. Kom Ombo is a double temple dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris, notable for its symmetrical design and river-facing position. On arrival in Aswan, Philae Temple is reached by short boat transfer to Agilkia Island, where the temple complex was relocated after the construction of the High Dam to preserve it from rising waters.
Named in this entry
Luxor · Valley of the Kings · West Bank of Luxor · Karnak Temple · Great Hypostyle Hall · Avenue of Sphinxes · Edfu Temple · Temple of Horus · Kom Ombo Temple · Temple of Sobek and Haroeris · Philae Temple · Agilkia Island · Aswan · Nile River
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This itinerary suits travellers who want a structured Upper Egypt programme with a mix of hotel stays and river cruising. It is a strong fit for history-focused adults, couples, and families with school-age children who are comfortable with several site visits and moderate walking.
What lingers
- 01 Valley of the Kings on Luxor West Bank: multiple tombs and the royal necropolis.
- 02 Karnak Temple complex, including the Hypostyle Hall and avenue of sphinxes.
- 03 Sail the Nile calling at Edfu Temple and Kom Ombo Temple on the cruise itinerary.
- 04 Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, reached by short boat from Aswan.
- 05 Three nights aboard a Nile cruise cabin, with daytime excursions and evening moorings.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a single-day coach itinerary, this package spaces the major temples and tombs across several days, which reduces the rush between sites and allows more time at each stop. Compared with a cruise-only programme, it also includes hotel nights in Luxor before and/or around the cruise segment, which can make arrival logistics simpler. It is best understood as a combined land-and-river itinerary rather than a pure cruise product.
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
5 Days / 4 Nights · Luxor · Valley of the Kings (Luxor West Bank) · Karnak Temple · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Philae Temple (Agilkia Island)
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Cabin pricing
Pricing & seasonal rates
Per person in USD, based on cabin sharing. Single supplements apply. Holiday surcharges apply at Christmas, New Year & Easter.
Per Person Pricing
| Cabin | Oct 2025 - Dec 2025 | Peak (23 Dec 2025 - 7 Jan 2026 / 10 - 28 Apr 2026) | Jan 2026 - Apr 2026 | May 2026 - Sep 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | $1,560 | $1,990 | $1,515 | $1,240 |
| 2-4 Pax (per person) | $910 | $1,140 | $885 | $725 |
| 5-8 Pax (per person) | $790 | $1,010 | $770 | $600 |
| 9-16 Pax (per person) | $770 | $990 | $750 | $580 |
Children 0–5.99 years free · 6–11.99 years pay 50% · 12+ pay full adult price. Children must share a cabin with parents (max 2 per cabin).
Indicative rates only – pricing and departure fluctuate. Please enquire for live rates on your specific dates.
Bundled in
- Pool
- Sun Deck
- Wi-Fi (in public areas)
- Restaurant (gourmet restaurant)
- Gymnasium
- Lounge Bar
- 24-hour reception
- Doctor on call
- Laundry service
- LCD TV
- Mini-bar
- Safe box in each cabin
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation throughout: hotel nights in Luxor and cruise cabin nights on the Nile
- Transfers between airport, hotels and cruise embarkation and disembarkation points
- Meals as stated in the full itinerary (hotel meals and full board on cruise where specified)
- Entrance fees to scheduled archaeological sites and museums as listed in the itinerary
- Services of a qualified Egyptologist guide during sightseeing
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Egypt entry visa fees and personal travel insurance
- Gratuities for crew, drivers and guides (recommended but not included)
- Entrance to premium tombs and pyramid interiors (for example Tutankhamun or Khufu) unless specifically booked
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Any optional excursions not listed in the itinerary
Tailor it
Make it yours
The itinerary can be adjusted to suit private travel preferences, including faster pacing, extra time in Luxor or Aswan, or additional sightseeing where logistics allow. Depending on the booking, meal arrangements can be upgraded or extended, and optional visits may be added if they are not already included in the programme.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This itinerary involves walking on uneven ancient stone, loose sand at temple approaches, cobbled surfaces at Luxor West Bank, and steps at many sites. Temple entrances and tombs often require descending steep, narrow stairs; the Valley of the Kings has several tombs with uneven floors and low passages. The cruise segment has gangways and steps to board and disembark, plus cabin door thresholds. Transfers use standard minibuses with a step up to enter. Wheelchair users should note that most tombs and Philae Temple island approaches are not wheelchair accessible without substantial assistance. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can arrange a meet-and-assist service at Luxor International Airport and vehicle modifications where feasible; please contact us at booking with mobility details at least 14 days before travel so we can advise what is possible and which sites to adapt.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and a printed booking confirmation
- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
- Sunscreen SPF30 or higher and a sun hat
- Reusable water bottle (refillable on the cruise and at hotels)
- Small daypack for camera, water and personal items
- Lightweight rain jacket (winter months) and personal medications
- Copies of any mobility or dietary requirements
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- A light fleece or long-sleeve layer for cool early mornings and evenings
- Sturdy closed shoes for uneven stone and tomb interiors
- Sunglasses and a brimmed hat
Children & families
Minimum age is 5 years for this itinerary due to stairs, tomb descents and walking on uneven surfaces. Child fares apply for ages 5 to 11 when sharing a room with two adults; children aged 12 and over are charged the adult rate. Strollers are practical at hotels and flat promenades but not inside most tombs or on the Nile cruise gangways; a lightweight carrier is often more useful. We can request a cot or extra bed at hotels where available; please state child ages at booking so we can confirm availability and pricing.
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Luxor International Airport — Arrivals Map
On the ground
Your route
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Transfers between sites use air-conditioned minibuses with seating for up to 16 passengers rather than large coaches, reducing per-person fuel use on this small-group itinerary. Local Egyptologists and boat crews are contracted directly by us for each sailing season, and we pay standard daily rates and use local suppliers in Luxor and Aswan to support the communities who rely on Nile tourism. We encourage guests to bring reusable water bottles, and cruise moorings avoid fragile riverbank sites by using established overnight anchorages. Site visits follow local site-management rules, including designated walkways at Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, to limit wear on archaeological surfaces.
-
Licensed local Egyptologists
ETAA-credentialed, on payroll
-
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
-
Site preservation
We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols
-
Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
· In summary
This tour includes hotel stays in Luxor, three nights in a Nile cruise cabin, transfers, meals as stated in the itinerary, entrance fees to listed sites, and a qualified Egyptologist guide. It visits the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, and Philae Temple on Agilkia Island.
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
-
01 What is the duration of the 5 Days Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan?
This programme is 5 days in total, combining hotel nights in Luxor with three nights aboard a Nile cruise vessel. The itinerary includes sightseeing days in both Luxor and Aswan, with sailing days between the two cities. -
02 What is included in the price of this Nile cruise package?
The package includes accommodation in Luxor hotels and a Nile cruise cabin, all transfers between the airport, hotels, and cruise, specified meals, entrance fees to listed archaeological sites, and the services of an Egyptologist guide during sightseeing. -
03 What is not included in the 5-day Nile cruise package?
International flights, Egypt entry visa fees, personal travel insurance, and gratuities for crew, drivers, and guides are not included. Entrance to premium tombs like Tutankhamun's, drinks, personal expenses, and optional excursions are also excluded. -
04 What are the physical demands and accessibility considerations for this cruise?
This cruise involves walking on uneven ancient stone at archaeological sites and navigating steps on the cruise vessel. While many areas are accessible, some sites may present challenges for those with limited mobility. Please inform us of any specific needs. -
05 Is this Nile cruise suitable for families with children?
Yes, this Nile cruise is suitable for families. Children often enjoy the experience of sailing and exploring ancient temples. Our Egyptologists can tailor explanations to engage younger travellers. Specific child rates may apply for accommodation and entrance fees. -
06 What should I wear and bring for the Nile cruise and excursions?
We recommend light, comfortable clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. Modest dress is advisable for temple visits. Comfortable walking shoes are essential for archaeological sites. Bring a reusable water bottle. -
07 What is the photography policy at the archaeological sites visited?
Photography is generally permitted at most outdoor archaeological sites, though some tombs and museums may prohibit flash photography or require a separate photography ticket. Your Egyptologist guide will advise on specific site rules each day. -
08 When is the best time of year to take this Nile cruise?
The best time for a Nile cruise is typically from October to April, when temperatures are milder and more comfortable for sightseeing. Summer months, from May to September, can be very hot, especially in Upper Egypt. -
09 How are transfers handled between the airport, hotels, and the cruise ship?
All necessary transfers are arranged for you by Discovery Tours Egypt. This includes pick-up from Luxor Airport, transfers to your Luxor hotel, to the cruise embarkation point, and from the disembarkation point in Aswan to the airport. -
10 Which specific temples and tombs will I visit on the Luxor West Bank?
On the Luxor West Bank, you will visit the Valley of the Kings, where many pharaohs were buried. The itinerary also includes the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, providing a comprehensive overview of the area's history.
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- Full refund less a £50 admin fee
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund
- Within 14 days
- No refund – date changes considered case by case
Last updated 1 July 2026 Product ID: TOU-NIL-463129
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