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.
Amoura Dahabiya Nile Cruise
Amoura Dahabiya is an intimate sail-powered dahabiya offering a slower-paced Nile experience around Luxor. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, has hand-picked the vessel for travellers who prefer lateen sails, small groups and quiet river moorings. The vessel provides chef-prepared Full Board meals, a sun deck for lounging, a shaded lounge bar and cabins with panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies. The excursion programme visits sites only shallow-draft boats can reach, and the vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Unlike mass-market motor cruisers, the dahabiya spends more time ashore and sails when wind conditions allow, producing a gentler rhythm to the day.
Azhar Dahabiya Nile Cruise
You board at Luxor Nile pier and the crew lifts your luggage aboard while your Egyptologist meets the group and outlines the week. The Azhar is a six-cabin dahabiya – intimate sailing scale, not an ocean liner – and she moves under sail when the wind favors us, otherwise the engine takes us south. Days alternate temple excursions and relaxed river time: morning visits to Luxor and Karnak if you arrive early, the Esna lock as we pass, a deliberate overnight at Edfu so you have two hours ashore, Kom Ombo from the riverbank, and the Philae temple by motorboat in Aswan. Cabins measure 12–16 m² with large windows, private en suite bathrooms and daily cabin service; expect a few companionable steps between decks and narrow gangways rather than elevators. Meals are cooked on board from local produce – breakfast, lunch, dinner included – and the crew serves tea on the aft deck while the river village life slides by. As your Egyptologist I point out relief details at each temple, time inscriptions for photography, and explain why we choose certain moorings (quiet riverbank near a village, or the shelter of the Esna lock). Be aware: Wi‑Fi is available in public areas but signal is patchy; cabins are compact and the schedule asks for early starts on some days. This is slow Nile travel for travelers who prefer detail, calm decks, and temple time without crowds.
Akhnaton Dahabiya Nile Cruise
Akhnaton Dahabiya is a seven-day Nile sailing between Luxor and Aswan aboard a traditional dahabiya. We provide an Egyptologist for guided shore visits. We arrange embarkation, crew, daily breakfasts and scheduled transfers; standard site entrance fees are included unless stated otherwise (premium tombs and pyramid interiors are excluded). We don't run group bus tours – the dahabiya keeps travel slow, with fewer transfers and more daylight at temples than typical four-night Nile cruises. Expect early starts for sunrise visits, limited shade on deck at midday, and walking on uneven ancient stone during shore visits. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and handle all local logistics.
Minya Dahabiya Nile Cruise
We operate a 7-day dahabiya sailing between Luxor and Minya, concentrating on Middle Egypt sites such as Beni Hasan, Tuna el-Gebel and Tel el-Amarna. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and our Egyptologists join selected land visits. Distinctive POV: we do not run large motor-ship cruises – the dahabiya anchors close to riverside quays so you disembark directly to provincial sites. Unlike standard Luxor–Aswan cruise schedules, this itinerary schedules two full days ashore for provincial tombs and the Mallawi Museum. Trade-offs: fewer on-board amenities than larger cruise ships, some cabins are compact, and visits require walking on uneven ancient stone. Standard site entrance fees are included; premium tombs and special permits are extra.
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.
Historia Nile Cruise
Our one-day Historia Nile Cruise is a daytime, scenic passage on the Nile. We provide onboard English commentary about the river’s historical and cultural significance (including context for nearby sites such as Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple), a complimentary welcome drink, and a freshly prepared buffet lunch with vegetarian options. The cruise offers panoramic river views and sunset photo opportunities from comfortable, air-conditioned lounge and deck areas. Departure times and embarkation points vary by city and season, so we confirm details at booking.
A Sara Nile Cruise
A Sara is a Nile cruise operating between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor West Bank, and Aswan. The route groups short, focused visits so you step ashore for temple quays and return to a calm river mooring each evening. Guided highlights include Kom Ombo's double temple, Edfu's Ptolemaic temple, and Luxor West Bank, where the Valley of the Kings sits alongside Hatshepsut's mortuary temple. An optional Abu Simbel transfer can be added on the Aswan leg. We run these cruises with very small groups, which keeps landings flexible and reduces time spent queuing at sites. Unlike mass-market overnight cruise programs, this itinerary pauses at Edfu and Kom Ombo long enough for proper visits. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and our Egyptologists lead the guided visits.
Al Kahila Nile Cruise
Al Kahila Nile Cruise is a river vessel offering cabin classes with Nile views, a sun deck, lounge bar and a dining room. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Full board applies from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, with shore excursions at Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings included in the vessel programme. Discovery Tours Egypt has carefully selected and arranges this cruise as part of your Egypt travel plans. Unlike coach-based group tours, the cruise alternates sailing and on-shore visits for a paced itinerary.
Royal Amira Nile Cruise
This 4-day Nile cruise aboard MS Royal Amira runs between Luxor and Aswan with daily guided shore excursions. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator; our Egyptologists lead the site visits and explain temple architecture and tomb contexts. We do not run mass coach tours – our approach avoids the compressed, minute-long shore calls typical of some river operators and gives fuller time at Karnak and Luxor West Bank. Included: standard site entrance fees unless stated otherwise; pyramid interiors and premium tombs are extra. Trade-offs: early starts for temples and limited shade on the open deck at midday; we advise sun protection and sensible footwear.
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
01 How 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.
02 How 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.
03 Which 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.
04 Does 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.
05 Is 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.
06 What 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.
07 When 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.
08 Can 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.
09 Is 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.