Nile cruises · 5 days
5-Day Nile Cruises
Five days on the river, four nights aboard – the classic Luxor-to-Aswan sailing that takes in Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae at a pace that lets you see each one properly.
- Route
- Luxor ↔ Aswan
- Nights aboard
- 4 (5 days)
- Departures
- Mon & Fri, both ends
- Temples
- Karnak · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Philae
- Vessels
- 5-star ships & dahabiyas
- From
- $480 pp, all-in
The short answer
A 5-day Nile cruise is a four-night sailing between Luxor and Aswan, the standard itinerary on the river. It covers Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, with a private Egyptologist guide, all admissions and full board included.
The 5-day Nile cruise is the most-booked length on the river and the one most travelers mean by "Nile cruise." It sails the 140-mile Luxor–Aswan corridor over four nights, departing most Mondays and Fridays from both ends. The extra night over a 4-day sailing buys a full, unhurried day on the Luxor West Bank. Every cruise in this collection includes a credentialed Egyptologist guide, every temple admission, full board aboard and dock transfers, so the headline price is close to the price you pay.
The itinerary
What 5-Day covers
Five days gives you every headline temple on the Luxor–Aswan stretch without the acceleration of the shorter sailing. Here is how a Luxor-departure itinerary runs. Aswan-departure ships sail the same stops in reverse – we book whichever direction fits your onward flight.
- Day 1
Luxor, East Bank
Board at midday. Karnak and Luxor Temple in the afternoon, when the columns throw their longest shadows and the coach groups have thinned out.
- Day 2
Luxor, West Bank
The Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's terraced temple and the Colossi of Memnon, then back aboard to sail south through the Esna lock by evening.
- Day 3
Edfu & Kom Ombo
The Temple of Horus at Edfu by horse-carriage – the best-preserved temple in Egypt – then the riverside double temple of Kom Ombo, lit at dusk.
- Day 4
Aswan
Philae Temple by motorboat, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk, with a felucca around Elephantine Island as the light goes.
- Day 5
Disembark Aswan
Breakfast aboard, then the airport, the optional dawn flight to Abu Simbel, or the onward leg of your trip.
Run the other way, the same five days become an Aswan-to-Luxor sailing finishing at Karnak. Both are four nights; only the start and end cities change.
Which vessel
Dahabiya or cruise ship?
A 5-day sailing runs on two very different kinds of vessel. The temple itinerary is identical – the choice is about scale, pace and price.
5-star cruise ship
40–200 guests- Fixed Monday / Friday departures from both ends
- Pool deck, multiple restaurants, evening entertainment
- Lower per-night price, easy to slot into a wider trip
- Moors at the main docks; shared excursion timings
- Best for first-timers who want the classic experience
Dahabiya sailing yacht
6–12 guests- Private or small-group, your own guide on every excursion
- Moors on quiet sandbanks the big ships pass by
- Slower, wind-led pace; meals timed to you
- Higher per-night price; books up months ahead
- Best for repeat visitors and anyone who wants the river quiet
For a first Egypt trip, the 5-star ship is the right call – it delivers the classic itinerary at a fair price. Step up to a dahabiya when the river itself, not the temples, is the reason you came.
From the collection
5-Day Nile Cruises we run
The 5-day departures we book on the Luxor–Aswan run, each with a private Egyptologist guide, all admissions and full board included. Prices are per person sharing, in US dollars.
Alma Nile Cruise
Alyssa Nile Cruise
The Alyssa Nile Cruise sails between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Philae. We arrange accommodation aboard the Alyssa, and the vessel has a sundeck, swimming pool, spa, fitness area, restaurant, bar, and cabins with Nile views. Our Egyptologists lead all guided visits, and group sizes are small, limited to a maximum of eight participants. We do not run large coach tours; the small-group approach keeps landing parties compact and manageable. Unlike many short-stop itineraries, this cruise allows proper time ashore at Edfu and Kom Ombo, and selected departures offer an optional Abu Simbel excursion. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and our Egyptologists time visits to avoid the largest crowds when possible.
Chateau Lafayette Nile Cruise
The Chateau Lafayette Nile Cruise sails between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak, and Luxor Temple. We offer 4- and 5-night programs that combine guided archaeology with relaxing time on the sun deck. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange transfers, meet-and-assist, and English-speaking Egyptologist-led visits. We run small-group guided excursions rather than large coach tours, which keeps time at the sites focused and unrushed. Unlike day-trip itineraries that return to a land base each evening, this cruise sleeps between Edfu and Kom Ombo so you visit the temples at quieter times. Onboard facilities include a sun deck, pool, restaurant, bar, and evening folkloric entertainment, with daily complimentary bottled water and all service charges included.
Esmeralda Nile Cruise
The Esmeralda Nile Cruise sails from Luxor to Aswan, calling at Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. This Classic-tier, five-star vessel suits travelers who prefer relaxed days ashore and time on deck. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we arrange Egyptologists, transfers, and embarkation formalities for the cruise. We don't run group bus tours. Unlike many rushed itineraries, this Luxor to Aswan route allows longer stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo rather than 60- to 90-minute drop-ins. Note: sun and heat intensify on the open deck at midday, so early-morning visits and sun protection are practical considerations.
Esplanade Nile Cruise
The Esplanade sails between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak, Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange meet-and-assist, private modern transfers, and guided excursions with an English-speaking Egyptologist. Excursions run with groups capped at eight guests per Egyptologist, keeping commentary focused and the pace flexible. Onboard meals are full board, and evenings include Egyptian folkloric performances and relaxed time on deck. The itinerary also offers an optional Abu Simbel excursion from Aswan on disembarkation day. Unlike standard mass-market sailings, our shore visits are private, timed to avoid the busiest periods where possible.
Grand Mandarin Nile Cruise
Nile Treasure Nile Cruise
Queen Isis Nile Cruise
Star of Luxor Nile Cruise
An honest read
Is 5-Day right for you?
What works
- Covers every headline temple between Luxor and Aswan
- A full, unhurried day on the Luxor West Bank
- The best balance of coverage and pace for a first trip
- Frequent departures, so it slots into any wider itinerary
What to weigh
- Misses the smaller temples – El Kab, Esna, Gebel el-Silsila – that a week adds
- Peak-season ships can feel busy at the main docks
- Abu Simbel is a separate dawn flight, not part of the sailing
Other ways to sail
More Nile cruise lengths
Five days is the classic. Shorter if your days are tight, longer if the river is the point of the trip.
4-Day Nile Cruise
Three nights aboard – the compact version when the days are tight.
8-Day Nile Cruise
A week under sail on a dahabiya, with the temples the classic skips.
Dahabiya Cruises
The small wooden sailing yachts that moor where big ships can't.
Lake Nasser Cruises
The other river – Nubian temples and Abu Simbel by boat.
Before you book
Booking a 5-Day cruise, practically
What to know before you book a 5-day sailing.
When to sail
October to April is the comfortable window – warm days, cool evenings on deck. Summer sailings run cheaper but Aswan afternoons hit the high 90s°F. Christmas, New Year and US spring break sell out months ahead.
What's included
Full board aboard, a private Egyptologist guide, every temple and site admission, port fees and dock transfers. Drinks outside meals, gratuities and the optional Abu Simbel flight are separate.
Single travelers
Headline prices are per person sharing a cabin. Solo travelers pay a supplement of 50–75%; on some dahabiyas we can pair you to avoid it. Ask the Cairo desk.
Adding Abu Simbel
Slot the dawn flight from Aswan into Day 4 or 5, or pair the sailing with a separate 3- to 4-night Lake Nasser cruise that reaches Abu Simbel by boat. We handle the changeover at Aswan.
Common questions
5-Day Nile Cruises, answered
01How long is a standard Nile cruise?+
The standard Nile cruise is 5 days and 4 nights, sailing between Luxor and Aswan. Most ships on the river run this itinerary, departing Monday and Friday from both ends. It is the balance point between coverage and pace – you see Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae without giving a full week to the water.
02How much does a 5-day Nile cruise cost?+
A 5-day 5-star Nile cruise starts around $480 per person, all-inclusive of full board, a private Egyptologist guide, every admission and dock transfers. Deluxe ships run $1,100–$1,600 per person; suite-class ships and private dahabiyas sit higher. Prices drop 25–30% in the summer low season and peak over Christmas, New Year and US spring break.
03Which direction is better, Luxor to Aswan or Aswan to Luxor?+
Both cover the same temples; the choice is about your flights. Aswan-to-Luxor sails downstream and finishes at Karnak, a strong finale with easy onward connections from Luxor. Luxor-to-Aswan is the more common departure and ends near the Abu Simbel flight. We book whichever direction fits your onward travel.
04Does a 5-day cruise include the Valley of the Kings?+
Yes. On a Luxor-departure sailing the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon fall on Day 2, before the ship sails south. On an Aswan-departure sailing the West Bank is covered on the morning you disembark in Luxor. Either way it is part of the guided itinerary, not an add-on.
05Is 5 days better than 4 on the Nile?+
For a first Egypt trip, yes. The extra night buys a full, unhurried day on the Luxor West Bank, which the 4-day sailing has to compress around the dock schedule. If your days are tight and Cairo is already booked, a 4-day cruise still reaches the main temples. If the river is the centerpiece, take the fifth day.
06What is included on a 5-day Nile cruise?+
Every 5-day cruise includes a private Egyptologist guide, all temple and site admissions, full board aboard, port fees and dock transfers. Drinks outside meals, gratuities and the optional dawn flight to Abu Simbel are separate. The from-price you see is per person sharing a cabin.
07When do 5-day Nile cruises depart?+
Most 5-star ships depart Luxor on Mondays and Aswan on Fridays, with the reverse sailings filling the other half of the week. Dahabiyas keep their own weekly schedule. We match your dates to a departure rather than the other way round, so tell us when you want to travel.
08Can I add Abu Simbel to a 5-day cruise?+
Yes, two ways. The quick option is the dawn flight from Aswan, slotted into Day 4 or 5. The slower, more memorable option is a separate 3- to 4-night Lake Nasser cruise that reaches Abu Simbel by boat; we book it back-to-back at Aswan so the changeover is handled for you.
09Is a 5-day Nile cruise safe?+
Yes. Luxor, Aswan and the Nile cruise corridor are rated Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) by the US State Department. Tourist police are visible at every temple, ships are secured at the docks, and we provide 24/7 in-country support from offices across Egypt.
Reservations
Book the classic five days
Tell us your dates and party size and we'll hold space on the right ship – 5-star or dahabiya, your direction, your cabin. Cairo · Luxor · Aswan · Hurghada · Marsa Alam · Sharm El Sheikh, on the ground since 1988.