8-Day Luxor Round-Trip Nile Cruise to Aswan (7 Nights)
Sail round trip from Luxor to Aswan, with Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Philae Temple and early site visits.
The short answer
8-Day Luxor Round-Trip Nile Cruise to Aswan (7 Nights) is an 8-day, 7-night trip to Luxor and Aswan: 7 nights on a Nile cruise. Starts on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays. It includes an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and transfers. Prices start at $1,594 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in USD, from 2 people sharing a double room, including accommodation at the properties listed or similar.
| Comfort level | Where you stay or similar | Per personfrom, Oct–Apr | Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentialfrom $1,594well-priced Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 7 nightsNephtis · Magic I | $1,594May–Sep: from $1,321 | |
| Comfortfrom $1,9125★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 7 nightsRoyal Princess Amira · Tower Prestige | $1,912May–Sep: from $1,503 | |
| Classicfrom $2,2315★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 7 nightsGrand Sun · Stephanie | $2,231May–Sep: from $1,503 | |
| Prestigefrom $2,8225★ deluxe Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 7 nightsSonesta Moon Goddess · Nile Serenity | $2,822May–Sep: from $2,140 | |
| Luxuryfrom $4,7795★ luxury Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 7 nightsSonesta St. George I · Esmeralda | $4,779May–Sep: from $2,595 | |
| Signature Collectionfrom $6,781Iconic heritage vessels | Nile Cruise · 7 nightsHistoria | $6,781May–Sep: from $4,415 |
Nile cruise on full board. You'll stay in these properties, or a similar choice of the same quality. Choose your date in the booking panel for the exact price.
- Private
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
8 Days / 7 Nights · Luxor · Luxor West Bank · Valley of the Kings · Karnak Temple · Hatshepsut Temple · Edfu
- 1
On arrival at Luxor Airport (LXR) you will be met by our driver and transferred to your hotel in Luxor Downtown, approximately 6 km from the airport. The transfer is timed to meet scheduled flights; allow 30–40 minutes for luggage and road travel depending on traffic.
If your Egyptologist is available in Luxor that day, they will join you at the hotel for a short orientation and answer practical questions about the itinerary and local timings. Evening at leisure to rest after travel.
- 2
Morning embarkation on the Nile cruise from Luxor Corniche, your Egyptologist joins for the day. Afternoon visit to Karnak Temple, with a guided walk past the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Precinct of Amun-Ra. Late afternoon you sail south through the Esna lock towards Edfu, with time on deck to observe the Nile shoreline.
We don't run group bus tours; instead we arrange smaller guided transfers so you spend more time at each temple than on typical coach itineraries.
- 3
This morning you cross to Luxor West Bank for a guided visit to the Valley of the Kings, where New Kingdom pharaohs built their tombs. Your Egyptologist leads the included visit to three tombs, typically allowing 60 to 75 minutes inside. Midday you walk to the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
Late afternoon you pause at the Colossi of Memnon, two 18-meter seated statues of Amenhotep III, before returning to the Nile cruise for the evening. We schedule West Bank visits early to avoid the busiest hours.
- 4
Morning sail brings you to the Temple of Edfu for a guided visit to the Ptolemaic shrine dedicated to Horus; your Egyptologist explains the temple’s reliefs and the ancient ritual of the “Sacred Marriage”. After lunch you sail to Kom Ombo with an afternoon visit to the double temple of Sobek and Haroeris, where the adjacent crocodile museum is optional.
Sailing segments are relaxed, with time to walk the temple courts and return to the ship. Unlike many shorter cruises that rush both sites, this itinerary schedules fuller visits at each temple.
- 5
Morning visit to Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, the island site relocated after the Aswan High Dam project. Your Egyptologist explains the temple's Isis cult and the UNESCO-led relocation. After lunch you go ashore to the northern quarry to see the Unfinished Obelisk, the largest known ancient obelisk in Egypt.
Late afternoon includes the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970, where your guide outlines its Nile regulation and Lake Nasser impact. We time the Philae visit early to avoid mid-morning boat traffic common on the Corniche.
- 6
Morning arrival at Edfu, where you make a short horse-and-carriage approach to Edfu Temple, built by Ptolemaic rulers and dedicated to Horus. After a guided visit you rejoin the cruise for a relaxed sail to Kom Ombo, arriving in the afternoon to see the unusual twin temples of Sobek and Haroeris. Your Egyptologist highlights the reliefs showing ancient medical instruments.
Evening sailing continues toward Aswan with time on deck to watch the Nile landscape pass. Unlike bus day trips, this day uses the cruise schedule to avoid early overland transfers.
- 7
Early morning at approximately 08:00 you visit Kom Ombo Temple, a Greco-Roman complex dedicated to Sobek and Horus where reliefs show ancient surgical instruments. Your Egyptologist explains the unique double-temple layout during the guided walk. After the visit the ship continues sailing south, with an afternoon arrival in Aswan around 15:30 for free time on the Nile corniche.
Expect uneven stone paths at Kom Ombo and a short tender at the Aswan landing if water levels require it.
- 8
Morning visit to the Karnak Temples, where your Egyptologist will explain the hypostyle hall and the Sacred Lake, used for ritual boats since the New Kingdom. After a relaxed walk through the avenue of sphinxes, return to town for a short pause. Late morning or early afternoon transfer to Luxor Airport for your onward flight.
Unlike some operators who compress both sites into a rushed hour, we allot time at the Sacred Lake so you can see the temple alignment and inscriptions properly.
02Overview
A first look
By early morning, the Nile is quiet beneath Luxor’s riverbank, with temple walls warming in the first light and small boats moving toward the West Bank. Our Egyptologists guide you through Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and Hatshepsut Temple, then help you notice the changing landscape as fields, villages, and desert escarpments pass beyond the deck.
At Edfu and Kom Ombo, the round-trip schedule gives you time to look closely rather than rush through a short call. In Aswan, a local boat carries you across to Philae Temple, where water surrounds the island sanctuary. We arrange your transfers, accommodation, meals as listed, and guided sightseeing, with your Egyptologist on hand throughout the itinerary.
What lingers
- 01Guided visit to Karnak Temple, including its avenue of ram-headed sphinxes
- 02Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple with an Egyptologist
- 03Sail the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Edfu and Kom Ombo temples
- 04Aswan and Philae Temple, approached by local boat from the river
- 05Round-trip timing allowing early-morning access to major sites, before day-tour boats arrive
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Seven nights accommodation, arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt
- Private transfers between airport, hotels and the cruise berth as per itinerary
- English-speaking Egyptologist for guided sightseeing
- Guided sightseeing and standard site entrance fees listed in the itinerary
- Meals as stated in the itinerary
Not included
- International flights to and from Egypt
- Visas and travel insurance
- Optional excursions and personal expenses
- Gratuities to crew, drivers and Egyptologists unless requested
- Premium site supplements, for example pyramid interior or premium tomb entrances
Tailor it
Make it yours
The itinerary can be customized as a private tour or arranged with different accommodation categories, depending on availability and budget. Additional site visits, upgraded meals, extra nights in Luxor or Aswan, and optional excursions can be added if requested before confirmation.
All requests handled by your dedicated specialist before booking.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This itinerary suits travelers who want a structured multi-day Egypt trip with guided archaeological sightseeing and hotel-style accommodation arranged in advance. It is appropriate for adults, couples, families with older children, and first-time visitors who prefer a private or semi-private travel plan with an Egyptologist guide.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a short day tour, this itinerary spreads major Nile Valley sites across eight days, which reduces same-day transit pressure and allows more time at each stop. Compared with a one-way cruise, the round-trip format returns to Luxor and is designed to give fuller access to Edfu and Kom Ombo, with early-morning visits at key temples before peak visitor hours.
Compare
Similar tours to compare
On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Private Guided Multi-Day Tour with Nile Cruise Segment
- Accommodation
- Comfort, Classic, Prestige, or Luxury Nile Cruise accommodation arranged by DTE
- Destinations
- Luxor · Luxor West Bank · Valley of the Kings · Karnak Temple · Hatshepsut Temple · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Philae Temple · The Nile
- Includes
- 7 nights accommodation arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt · Private transfers as per itinerary · English-speaking Egyptologist guide · Guided sightseeing · Standard site entrance fees listed in the itinerary · Meals as stated in the itinerary
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · First-time visitors to Egypt · Couples · Families with older children · Travelers wanting a guided Nile itinerary
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Luxor International Airport — Arrivals HallMap
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and photocopy
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen SPF30+
- Reusable water bottle (empty for airport security)
- Light daypack for camera, water and guidebook
- Small first-aid kit and any prescription medicines
- Power adapter (Type C/F) and portable charger
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing for daytime heat
- Long sleeves and long trousers or a skirt for temples and mosques
- A light layer for cooler early mornings and evenings
- Sturdy closed shoes for uneven surfaces
- A scarf or shawl for additional sun or modesty cover
Children & families
Minimum age for this itinerary is 4 years. Child fares depend on age and whether the child shares an existing double room with two adults or requires an extra bed; infant pricing is available on request. Strollers are practical in hotels and on flat pavements, but sites such as the Valley of the Kings and local boats have steps and uneven surfaces that make strollers impractical; a baby carrier is often more useful. High chairs and baby equipment are not guaranteed and must be requested at booking so suppliers can try to provide them.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This itinerary involves walking on uneven ancient stone, loose sand and cobbles at sites such as the Valley of the Kings and Philae Temple, plus steps at temple entrances and small gangways when boarding local boats. Transfers use air-conditioned minibuses with step-up entry; vehicles are not fitted with wheelchair lifts. Some hotels and the cruise berth have ramps, but accessible cabins and rooms are limited and must be requested in advance. Visitors who use a manual wheelchair should expect assistance for short stair sections and boarding local boats. If you have reduced mobility, please tell us your requirements when booking so we can assess feasibility and arrange additional assistance where possible.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
We use air-conditioned minibuses for road transfers and local motor boats for river approaches, all operated by Egyptian drivers and crews contracted per trip. We hire English-speaking Egyptologists from the local governorates and pay site fees and guide wages directly to suppliers, helping retain earnings in the communities visited. Where possible we source meals and produce from local suppliers in Luxor and Aswan rather than importing food. On-board and on-land operations aim to reduce single-use plastics by offering refillable water bottles and asking guests to bring reusable bottles. Optional village visits or craft workshops are organized with local co-operatives that receive a direct fee for hosting guests.
Licensed Egyptologist guides
State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs
Local teams, real help
Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh
If plans change
Cancellation and refunds
If you cancel, your refund depends on how early you tell us and on the type of trip. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01What is the duration of this Nile cruise from Luxor?
This Nile cruise is 8 days and 7 nights, starting and ending in Luxor. It includes seven nights of accommodation on board a Nile cruise ship, arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt.02What is included in the price of this 8-day Nile cruise?
The cruise includes seven nights of accommodation, private transfers between Luxor Airport, hotels, and the cruise berth, an English-speaking Egyptologist, guided sightseeing with standard entrance fees, and meals as specified in the itinerary.03What is not included in this Nile cruise package?
International flights, visas, travel insurance, optional excursions, personal expenses, and gratuities for the crew, drivers, and Egyptologists are not included. Premium site entrances, such as specific pyramid interiors or premium tombs, are also excluded.04What kind of transfers are provided for this cruise?
Private, air-conditioned transfers are provided between Luxor Airport, any pre- or post-cruise hotels in Luxor, and the cruise ship berth. Our drivers will meet you at designated points for seamless connections.05Is this Nile cruise suitable for travelers with limited mobility?
Nile cruises involve some walking on uneven ancient stone at archaeological sites and navigating gangways to board the ship. While our Egyptologists assist, guests should be able to manage stairs and moderate distances. Please contact us to discuss specific needs.06Can children participate in this 8-day Nile cruise?
Yes, children are welcome on this Nile cruise. The pace is generally relaxed, and our Egyptologists can tailor explanations to engage younger travelers. We recommend discussing specific age groups with us to ensure suitability.07What should I wear and bring for a Nile cruise in Egypt?
We recommend light, breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-factor sunscreen. Modest dress is advisable for temple visits. A light jacket may be useful for cooler evenings on the Nile.08What is the best time of year to take this Nile cruise?
The best time for a Nile cruise is from October to April, when temperatures are milder and more comfortable for sightseeing. Summer months, from May to September, can be very hot, particularly in Upper Egypt.09What is the difference between this 8-day round trip and a shorter one-way cruise?
This 8-day round trip from Luxor offers a more relaxed pace, allowing for fuller visits to sites like Edfu and Kom Ombo. Unlike shorter, rushed one-way cruises, it provides morning access to key temples before peak crowds arrive.10Will I have an Egyptologist guide throughout the entire cruise?
Yes, an English-speaking Egyptologist will accompany you for all guided sightseeing excursions listed in the itinerary. They provide historical context and insights at each site, enhancing your understanding of ancient Egypt.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-NIL-449019
At a glance
- Length
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Starts
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat or Sun
- Route
- Luxor → Edfu → Kom Ombo → Aswan → Luxor
- Includes
- Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers