Egypt Tours · Style
Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruises
The Luxor-to-Aswan route is the classic Nile cruise itinerary – a southward journey through 3,000 years of Egyptian history. You depart Luxor beside the largest temple complex in the world, call at the perfectly preserved Temple of Edfu and the double-deity sanctuary of Kom Ombo, and arrive in Aswan for Philae Temple and the Nubian villages that crowd the river islands. The entire route runs 220 kilometres and takes three to seven nights depending on the vessel: motor cruisers cover it in four nights; sailing dahabiyas stretch to seven or eight. Every cruise in this collection includes a private Egyptologist guide and all temple admissions.
21 matching cruises
MidSoleil Nile Cruise
Nile (cruise route)
From Luxor to Aswan, the Soleil Nile Cruise Classic follows the Nile, visiting Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. Guided visits with our Egyptologists are scheduled at each named site, and standard entrance fees for included sites are covered. Meals are served onboard, and evenings on deck let you watch riverside villages and palm-lined farmland pass by. We do not run large coach-group tours; our Egyptologists lead the visits we arrange, and we adapt pacing to the boat timetable. Unlike many short shore excursions, this itinerary allows extended on-site time at Edfu and Kom Ombo rather than a brief photo stop. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we handle the on-the-ground arrangements for your embarkation, guided sightseeing, and transfers.
BudgetMiriam Nile Cruise
Nile (cruise route)
You board MS Miriam at the Luxor Corniche pier mid-afternoon and settle into a compact river cabin before the first walk to Karnak. I meet you on the quay: I am the Egyptologist who guides this route and I take you straight to the temple avenues where the sound of sandals on sandstone and the smell of date-syrup stalls still set the rhythm of the day. We start early on the West Bank at the Valley of the Kings – low light, few people, and panels that explain the painted ceilings up close. Back on board you watch the Nile change color as the vessel slips through the Esna lock; we moor overnight near Edfu so the temple visit gets two hours rather than a rushed stop. Day three gives you Kom Ombo’s double shrines and the Nile at dusk; on arrival in Aswan I show you Philae’s hypostyle hall and the High Dam’s concrete scale against the river. Cabins are compact (about 12 m²) – classic river scale, not ocean-liner. Full board includes three meals daily; breakfasts are early to match excursions. Practical notes: bring a hat for the tombs, wear closed shoes on uneven rock, and expect short walks and stairs at most sites. I walk every route with you, point out mason’s marks and later-period graffiti, and keep the timing tight so photography fits the light.
BudgetAmwaj Nile Cruise
Nile (cruise route)
Amwaj Nile Cruise is a Nile river vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt with cabin classes, full-board dining, and Luxor–Aswan shore excursions. Book now.
BudgetJamila Nile Cruise
Nile (cruise route)
Sail in elegance aboard the Jamila Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan. Discover ancient Egypt’s wonders with deluxe comfort, fine dining, and personalized service.

Royal Beau Rivage Nile Cruise
Nile (cruise route)
Sail the Nile for four days aboard MS Royal Beau Rivage with private Egyptologist-led shore visits and door-to-door transfers arranged by our licensed Egyptian tour operator. We do not run group-bus shore excursions; our Egyptologists lead private visits, and where scheduled we visit temples such as Kom Ombo and Edfu. Unlike packaged day trips from cruise ports, a four-day schedule compresses onshore time; we recommend adding nights in Luxor or Aswan to explore the West Bank or Philae at leisure. Expect compact cabins compared with land hotels, early starts, and walking on uneven ancient stone. Standard temple entrance fees are normally included; premium tombs and pyramid interiors are extra.
BudgetNile Style Nile Cruise
Nile (cruise route)
BudgetKontiki Nile Cruise
Nile (cruise route)
Sail the Nile in style aboard the Kontiki Nile Cruise. Discover ancient temples, elegant cabins, and world-class service on this unforgettable Deluxe Nile Cruise.
BudgetSalima Nile Cruise
Nile (cruise route)
Sail in elegance aboard the Salima Nile Cruise. Discover ancient Egypt in comfort and style with 5-star service, scenic views, and deluxe Nile River experiences.

Nile Excellence Nile Cruise
Nile (cruise route)
Sail the Nile four days aboard MS Nile Excellence with guided visits to Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Kom Ombo and Edfu. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we don't run coach-based group tours; our schedule spaces morning and late-afternoon visits to reduce midday heat when possible. Unlike many packaged four-night cruises, we allocate fuller time at Edfu and Kom Ombo rather than 40–90 minute drive-by stops. Standard site entrance fees are included; premium extras (for example Luxor hot-air balloon) and pyramid-interior tickets are excluded. Expect at least two early starts and limited shade on deck at midday.

Lady Mary Nile Cruise
Nile (cruise route)
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.

Zeina Nile Cruise
Nile (cruise route)
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.
BudgetAlexander The Great Nile Cruise
Sail the Nile from Luxor to Aswan aboard the Alexander The Great, a Prestige-class vessel running the classic Luxor–Aswan river route. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we arrange embarkation in Luxor, guided visits with our Egyptologists, and disembarkation in Aswan. Scheduled stops typically include major temples along the Nile banks, allowing time ashore for sites such as Karnak, the Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. We do not run coach-style, large-group shore calls; our Egyptologists prioritise early visits to reduce peak crowds when possible. Unlike short, overnight cruises that rush temple calls, this route gives more time at riverside sites and villages, and more opportunities to watch daily Nile life from deck. Standard site entrance fees are normally included on Nile cruises; premium tombs and pyramid interiors are excluded unless specifically requested.
BudgetHambra Nile Cruise
Hambra sails between Aswan and Luxor, visiting Upper Egypt's principal Pharaonic sites. The route calls at the High Dam, Philae Temple, and the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan. It then stops at Kom Ombo and Edfu, with an afternoon chariot ride offered at Edfu Temple, followed by the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank. East Bank visits include Karnak and Luxor Temples. The program runs as a 4-day route from Aswan or a 5-day route from Luxor, allowing more time at Edfu and Kom Ombo than many shorter packaged cruises.
MidEsplanade 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.
MidHistoria Nile Cruise
Nile (cruise route)
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.
BudgetA Sara Nile Cruise
Luxor
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.
BudgetFarida Nile Cruise
Nile (cruise route)
Farida Nile Cruise is a Nile cruise vessel arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, with cabins, full board, and shore excursions. Enquire now.

Farah Nile Cruise
Nile (cruise route)
Four days aboard MS Farah sail between Luxor and Aswan with guided shore visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. We include an Egyptologist on every departure rather than a driver-guide; that keeps commentary focused and consistent throughout the cruise. Unlike shared coach day trips, the vessel sails overnight so you gain two mornings ashore and more relaxed transfer times. Trade-offs: cabins are compact, mornings can start early, and walking is on uneven ancient stone at many sites. Standard site entrance fees are included; gratuities and premium tombs are excluded. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arrange private transfers.
MidSonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise
Nile (cruise route)
You board at the Luxor Nile cruise terminal and settle into three nights aboard the Sonesta Moon Goddess. I walk you through the West Bank at first light–Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut–so soft morning sun reads the painted reliefs better and tour groups are thinner. After lunch you cross the Esna lock; the lock passage and crew work take about 30–45 minutes. The vessel cruises south through stretch-views of date-palms and small river farms, stopping at Edfu for a focused 90–120 minute visit to Horus’s temple, then at Kom Ombo to read the dual sanctuaries carved for Sobek and Haroeris. In Aswan we make time for Philae island by motorboat and the quarries with the Unfinished Obelisk. Cabins are river-cruise scale–compact and functional, with en suite facilities and daily housekeeping–not ocean-liner space. Meals are full board on board; breakfast, lunch and dinner follow a mix of international and local dishes, and bottled water is replenished daily. Expect early starts and warm midday sun; dress in layers for morning tombs and bring comfortable walking shoes for uneven stone surfaces. I brief the route each evening so you know timings for the next day’s temple visits, transfers to the pier, and any optional extras like a felucca ride in Aswan. This schedule balances on-board cruising time with practical walking time at each site to let inscriptions and architectural details register properly.
BudgetMövenpick Royal Lily Nile Cruise
Nile (cruise route)
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.
BudgetLuxor to Aswan Private Hotel Transfer
Luxor
This private transfer moves you from any Luxor hotel to any Aswan hotel by air-conditioned vehicle in approximately 3.5–4 hours over about 220 km. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator we provide a vetted driver, insured vehicle, and single-party door-to-door service. We don’t run group buses; your transfer departs to suit your schedule and can include requested stops at Edfu or Kom Ombo (entrance fees and extra time apply). Trade-offs: the Nile corridor road can be uneven in places and there is no onboard toilet; rest-stop breaks are included on request. Your driver meets you in the hotel lobby holding a Discovery Tours Egypt name card.
Practical questions
What travelers ask about this style of tour.
01How long does a Luxor to Aswan Nile cruise take?
A standard motor cruise ship covers Luxor to Aswan in 4 nights (5 days), departing most Monday or Friday mornings from Luxor. A private dahabiya sailing yacht takes 7–8 nights on the same route, stopping at smaller temples the big ships skip. One-way is more common than round-trip – most guests fly or take the sleeper train for the return.
02What temples do you visit on a Luxor to Aswan cruise?
The standard itinerary covers: Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple (Luxor); the Temple of Horus at Edfu (the best-preserved temple in Egypt); Kom Ombo (shared crocodile + falcon temple); and Philae Temple on its island above the Aswan Dam. Day excursions typically include the Valley of the Kings and the Colossi of Memnon from Luxor.
From the Cairo desk
Found the shape. Now make it yours.
Every Nile cruise we run is tailor-made – your dates, your cabin, your sailing direction. Send a short brief or talk to the Cairo desk direct. Replies within one working day.
– Suhaila & the Cairo team · 38 years · 6 offices · IATA #90255546
