Abu Simbel at either end
Abu Simbel is a day trip from Aswan and nowhere else. Starting and finishing here means you can take it before you board or after you return, whichever the flight schedule prefers.
Seven nights · out and back
Aswan Round-Trip Nile Cruises
Base yourself in the quieter city and put Abu Simbel on either end.
220 kilometers, five moorings, one direction.
- 01
Aswan
Board in time for lunch, included on arrival day. Philae, the High Dam and the islands from here; Abu Simbel fits the day before boarding.
- 02
Kom Ombo
Sobek and Horus on the bank, straight off the gangway.
- 03
Edfu
The Temple of Horus by horse-carriage — northbound arrivals tend to be early, before the crowds.
- 04
Esna
The lock, taken in both directions.
- 05
Luxor
The turn: Karnak, Luxor Temple and the West Bank before sailing back south.
- 06
Aswan
Back where you started. Disembark after breakfast, with Abu Simbel still available if you did not take it at the start.
The Aswan round trip sails north to Luxor and back over seven nights. Same temples as the Luxor version, same no-internal-flight logic — the difference is which city you sleep in first and last, and Aswan is by some distance the calmer of the two.
It also makes Abu Simbel easy. It is a day trip from Aswan, so on this shape it fits before you sail or after you return, rather than being wedged into a one-way itinerary.
Why turn at Luxor rather than start there
Aswan is the calmer base
Luxor is busier, hotter in the streets, and heavier on traffic. If your first day in Upper Egypt is also your first day off a long-haul flight, Aswan is a gentler place to land.
No internal flight
Like any round trip, you fly into one airport and out of the same one. No positioning flight, no second set of transfers, no bags moved mid-trip.
Karnak in the middle
On this shape Karnak lands mid-week rather than as an opener or a finale. Some guests prefer the largest temple when they are neither jet-lagged nor packing.
What you stop at
Sailing this route
109 ships sail this route, across four tiers, typically 7 nights.
Comfort5-Star Standard
24 ships
Comfort
Semiramis III Nile Cruise
Experience the Semiramis III Nile Cruise, an Budget journey blending luxury, comfort, and iconic Nile highlights between Luxor and Aswan.
Comfort
Zeina Nile Cruise
Zeina Nile Cruise sails between Aswan and Luxor, visiting Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor West Bank, and Luxor East Bank. The vessel offers full-board accommodation, a sun deck with pool and bar, a spa and massage room, a library, and a boutique. Shore visits run in small groups, maximum eight participants, which reduces time spent waiting at temple entrances. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we arrange transfers, embarkation formalities, and local support on the ground. Unlike larger escorted coaches, this cruise keeps shore groups small, allowing longer visits at Edfu and Kom Ombo than many packaged river outings.
Comfort
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.
Comfort
Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise
Explore a 5-star Nile Cruise with full board, private Egyptologist-guided temples and comfortable onboard facilities. Request your sailing details today.
Comfort
Emilio Nile Cruise
Sail the Nile between Aswan and Luxor aboard the Emilio, calling at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. All listed sightseeing and entrance fees are included, with English-speaking Egyptologists on every tour. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arrange meet-and-assist service, transfers, and full-board dining. The Emilio's cabins have private bathrooms, air-conditioning, and large windows. We keep groups small, maximum eight participants, so guide time at key sites is longer and queues are shorter. Unlike larger cruise lines, this itinerary allows extended visits at Edfu and Kom Ombo rather than brief onshore stops. Optional excursions, such as hot-air balloon flights or an Abu Simbel day trip, can be added during booking or once onboard.
Comfort
Grand Rose Nile Cruise
Book Grand Rose Nile Cruise arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt for full board sailing, shore excursions, and Nile-view cabins. Enquire now.
Classic5-Star Deluxe
46 ships
Classic
Lady Mary Nile Cruise
A 4-day Nile cruise aboard MS Lady Mary, typically running between Luxor and Aswan with guided shore visits. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arrange private transfers from city piers and Egyptologist-led excursions rather than large coach-group trips. We don't run group-bus shore excursions; our Egyptologists lead private visits timed to avoid the busiest periods when possible. Unlike packaged 4-night cruises, this short itinerary concentrates on core temples such as Edfu and Kom Ombo instead of many rushed calls. Trade-offs: cabins are compact, days often start early, and expect walking on uneven ancient stone and limited shade at midday.
Classic
Liberty Nile Cruise
Four-day Nile cruise aboard MS Liberty, handled on the ground by a licensed Egyptian tour operator. Typical shore visits include Karnak Temple, Luxor West Bank and either Kom Ombo or Philae depending on sailing direction; check your departure's day-by-day route. We coordinate our Egyptologists, transfers and timing directly with the vessel rather than outsourcing ground handling overseas. Unlike many large-ship packages, we prioritise aligning visits with local opening times and daylight, not merely filling a checklist. Trade-offs: a four-day schedule requires earlier starts and gives shorter time at each site than longer cruises. Ask us for the sample itinerary and cabin options.
Classic
Mirage Nile Cruise
Mirage Nile Cruise sails between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. Onboard life is low-key, with daytime shore excursions and relaxed evenings on deck. We include a felucca ride in Aswan and guided visits to the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk. Our English-speaking Egyptologists lead groups of up to eight guests, which keeps commentary interactive and questions practical. Unlike larger day-boat schedules, the itinerary allows substantive time at Edfu and Kom Ombo for on-shore exploration. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and our local team arranges meet-and-assist, transfers, and shore logistics so you step straight into each day’s program.
Classic
Monica Nile Cruise
Monica Nile Cruise sails between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. Guided shore visits are led by English-speaking Egyptologists, and meals are served on a full board basis. We limit shore groups to a maximum of eight participants, not large coach groups, so excursions ashore move faster and allow more time at each site. Unlike short daytime shore trips, the overnight sailing schedule gives calmer visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo. Optional extras such as a felucca ride or a hot-air balloon can be arranged. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and our team coordinates meet-and-assist, transfers, and sightseeing on the ground.
Classic
Moondance Nile Cruise
MS Moondance is a 4-day Nile cruise linking Luxor and Aswan with Egyptologist-led shore visits. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and assign our own Egyptologists and drivers rather than outsourcing guides. Typical calls include Karnak Temple, Luxor West Bank (Valley of the Kings), Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, and Philae on Agilkia Island. Unlike hotel day trips, the cruise moves you overnight between cities, reducing repeated baggage transfers. Trade-offs: there are early starts for key sites, walking on uneven ancient stone, and limited shade on deck at midday.
Classic
Movenpick Prince Abbas Lake Cruise
Book the Mövenpick Prince Abbas Lake Cruise from Aswan to Lake Nasser and Abu Simbel. Includes lunch on board and private transfers. Enquire now.
Prestige5-Star Ultra Deluxe
20 ships
Prestige
Cleopatra Nile Cruise
Embark in Luxor and disembark in Aswan aboard the Cleopatra Nile Cruise, visiting Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange private guided visits led by our Egyptologists, plus transfers from the quay. Days combine guided temple visits, relaxed sailings past riverside villages, and an Aswan felucca ride around the Nile islands. We focus on small-group guiding and guided commentary by our Egyptologists rather than generic coach-group narration. Unlike some shorter cruises that stop briefly, this route allows more time ashore at Edfu and Kom Ombo so you can study reliefs and inscriptions without rushing.
Prestige
Concerto II Nile Cruise
Prestige
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.
Prestige
Jaz Regent Nile Cruise
Sail in style aboard the Jaz Regent Nile Cruise – a 5-star floating haven offering luxury, culture, and relaxation between Luxor and Aswan.
Prestige
Le Fayan Nile Cruise
Board MS Le Fayan at the Luxor Corniche pier and step aboard a compact Nile cruise that runs four days downriver to Aswan. I guide the shore excursions myself when available; we move with the light – morning visits to the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple when tombs are coolest, late-afternoon walk through Karnak's Hypostyle Hall if crowds thin. Cabins are Nile-cruise size and practical, with private en suite bathrooms and wardrobe space; this is intimate, not an ocean liner. Each afternoon you sit on the shaded sun deck and watch feluccas, fishermen and river markets pass close to the bank. We stop at Edfu and Kom Ombo for temple walks; plan on 60–90 minute shore calls in Edfu and a short market visit at Kom Ombo's quay. In Aswan we moor on the Corniche and arrange the motorboat transfer to Philae Temple. Meals follow local rhythms: breakfasts and lunches on board, an evening of grilled fish when the catch is good. Note practical details up front: luggage transfers use the pier gangway, mobile signal is patchy between Nile bends, and some tombs require extra-permit fees. If you like quiet mornings in old temples and direct commentary from an Egyptologist, this four-day downriver cruise keeps logistics simple and the day-to-day focused on sites and sunlight.
Prestige
Medea Nile Cruise
You board at Luxor's Nile pier and meet your Egyptologist on the gangway. We walk straight to Karnak's Hypostyle Hall for a measured tour before the midday heat, then stop at Luxor Temple as lights come up after dusk. MS Medea runs a four-day, southbound route from Luxor to Aswan on a classic river scale: cabins are roughly 12 m² with river-view windows and modest storage – comfortable, not ocean-liner spacious. We pass through the Esna lock in late afternoon; expect the engine noise for 10–20 minutes while the gates close. The schedule gives two hours at Edfu's Temple of Horus by design – most cruisers skimp on this site, so we moor overnight to allow a calmer visit. On arrival in Aswan we visit Philae by motorboat, see the High Dam from the causeway, and disembark at Aswan pier after breakfast. Your Egyptologist handles commentaries, timings, and the short walks on uneven stone; I advise sensible shoes and a small daypack. Meals are full board on board; breakfast, lunch, and dinner follow a mix of local and continental dishes. Bar charges, gratuities, and optional extras sit outside the itinerary. If you want a hot-air balloon over the West Bank, tell me in advance – it means an extra early start and an added fee. This cruise suits travelers who prefer unhurried temple visits, steady river sailing, and clear daily plans.
Luxury5-Star Luxury
19 ships
Luxury
Jaz Elite Senator Nile Cruise
Sail between Luxor and Aswan aboard the Jaz Elite Senator, visiting Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Philae, Edfu, and Kom Ombo. The vessel features all-suite accommodation and an evening folkloric show, with daytime deck space for river views and temple façades. Our Egyptologists lead guided visits, and tours are capped at eight guests to keep groups small and focused. Compared with many larger Nile boats, the Jaz Elite Senator offers only suite accommodation rather than mixed cabin types. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we coordinate on-the-ground logistics, so guests step off the gangway straight into scheduled visits and evening briefings with the guide.
Luxury
Jaz Viceroy Nile Cruise
Luxury
MayFair Nile Cruise
The MayFair Nile Cruise sails the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings on Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. Shore visits are scheduled to allow focused time at the major temples and tombs, with Egyptologists available to accompany archaeological sightseeing. Cabins and public spaces vary by vessel; we confirm exact cabin details at booking. Unlike day trips that require long drives back each evening, a multi-night cruise keeps you close to the sites and reduces repeated land transfers. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we arrange transfers, Egyptologists, and your cruise booking aboard the MayFair.
Luxury
Mayflower Nile Cruise
Luxury
Mövenpick Royal Lily Nile Cruise
You board the MS Royal Lily at the Aswan Nile quay; I meet you on the main deck to run through safety, timeline and the week’s sites. The five-day cruise sails north from Aswan to Luxor on a five-star river cruiser; cabins measure approximately 18–22 m² and most have river-view windows or French balconies–this is intimate river scale, not an ocean liner. After an early lunch we visit the Aswan High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk on the East Bank, then return for the short sail to Philae and the granite causeway to the Temple of Isis when water and current permit. The vessel makes a daytime stop at Kom Ombo for a guided tour of the double temple of Sobek and Haroeris, with on-site explanations of the paired chapels and crocodile cult finds. We moor overnight at Edfu so you have a calm morning visit to the Temple of Horus–this gives the temple the two-hour visit it needs rather than a rushed stop. On Luxor’s West Bank the coach drops at the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple; expect uneven stone, steps and short walks. The cruise finishes with Karnak’s Hypostyle Hall and an afternoon at Luxor Temple before disembarkation at the Luxor quay. Onboard facilities include a shaded sun deck, small plunge pool and a salon with panoramic windows; daily briefings by your Egyptologist explain what to look for in reliefs and layout. Practical note: entrance fees, gratuities and domestic flights are not included.
Luxury
Movenpick Royal Lotus Nile Cruise
Enjoy a 5-star Nile cruise with full board, comfortable cabins, a pool and shore excursions to Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. Enquire today.
10 more vessels sail this route without a published tier. See every Nile cruise
Or sail it in seven nights instead of three.
A dahabiya covers the same stretch under sail with six to twelve guests aboard, mooring at El Kab and Gebel Silsila where the larger ships carry on past. It costs more per night and takes twice as long, which is the entire point.
Dahabiya cruises
When to start from Luxor instead
If your international flights route through Luxor, start there — a positioning flight to Aswan to save nothing is a poor trade. The Luxor round trip is the same seven nights and the same temples; only the order and the base city change. And if you have three or four nights rather than seven, take a one-way.
Questions we get about the direction
01How long is an Aswan round-trip Nile cruise?
Seven nights, sailing Aswan to Luxor and back to Aswan. It is the same length as the Luxor round trip and covers the same temples; what changes is which city you begin and end in.
02Is Abu Simbel included?
It is an add-on rather than part of the sailing, but this is the shape that suits it best. Abu Simbel is a day trip from Aswan by short flight or road convoy, so it fits either before you board or after you return.
03Aswan or Luxor as the base?
Aswan is quieter, smaller and easier on a first day in Upper Egypt, and it is the only end from which Abu Simbel works as a day trip. Luxor has more flights and sits closer to the Cairo sleeper train. Base yourself where your flights actually land.
04How much of the week is sailing?
Roughly half. A seven-night round trip has real sailing time built in rather than being a series of dock-and-go stops, which is much of the appeal — the stretch between Edfu and Esna is the part guests remember.
Tell us your dates and we'll pick the direction.
Our Aswan and Luxor offices handle both ends of this route. Egypt travel specialists since 1988, with offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh.