Sphinx Nile Cruise
At a glance
- Length
- 3, 4 or 7 nights
- Embarks
- Mon in Luxor · Fri in Aswan
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
The short answer
Sphinx is a 5-star Nile cruise ship. Embark in Aswan on a Friday for 3 nights to Luxor or a 7-night round trip, or in Luxor on a Monday for 4 nights to Aswan or a 7-night round trip. Rates are on request: send us your dates for a live price.
Routes
Where this ship sails
Each route this ship sails. The direction changes the order of the temples, the number of nights and which city you fly out of.
Cabin pricing
Rates on request
We don't have current published rates for this ship. Send us your dates and we'll come back with a live price for the cabin you want.
On board
Detailed itinerary
- 1
Board your Nile cruiser at Luxor and settle into your cabin over lunch. In the afternoon visit Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex of ancient Egypt, and Luxor Temple on the East Bank.
- 2
Cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon. The vessel then begins sailing south towards Edfu.
- 3
Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the best-preserved temple in Egypt, then sail on to Kom Ombo and its double temple dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris. Continue sailing to Aswan, where the ship moors for the night.
- 4
The ship lies moored at Aswan. Guests visiting Abu Simbel leave before dawn, by road or by air, for the two rock temples Ramesses II cut into the cliff, returning aboard around midday. The afternoon is at leisure on board.
- 5
After breakfast, disembark at Aswan. The morning then covers Aswan itself: the High Dam, the Temple of Isis at Philae reached by motor launch, and the granite Unfinished Obelisk, before your onward transfer.
- 1
Board your Nile cruiser at Aswan and enjoy lunch on board. Visit the High Dam, the Temple of Isis at Philae and the Unfinished Obelisk.
- 2
Sail north to Kom Ombo for its double temple of Sobek and Haroeris, then continue to Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus. Sail on towards Luxor.
- 3
Reach Luxor and cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
- 4
After breakfast visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank, then disembark for your onward transfer.
- 1
Board at Aswan and enjoy lunch on board, then visit the High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk.
- 2
A relaxed day at Aswan by felucca around Elephantine and Kitchener’s Islands, or a Nubian village visit. An optional Abu Simbel excursion can be arranged.
- 3
Sail north to Kom Ombo for the double temple of Sobek and Haroeris, then Edfu for the Temple of Horus.
- 4
At Luxor, cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
- 5
Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank, then the vessel begins its return sailing south.
- 6
- 7
Arrive back at Aswan with time to relax on board or take an optional excursion before your final night.
- 8
After breakfast, disembark at Aswan for your onward transfer.
- 1
Board at Luxor and enjoy lunch on board before visiting Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank.
- 2
Explore the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, then begin sailing south towards Edfu.
- 3
Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the double temple at Kom Ombo, then sail on to Aswan.
- 4
Visit the High Dam, Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk. An optional flight or drive to Abu Simbel can be arranged.
- 5
A relaxed day at Aswan: sail by felucca around Elephantine Island and Kitchener’s Island, or visit a Nubian village, before the vessel turns north.
- 6
- 7
Arrive back at Luxor with time for any West Bank sites not yet seen, or relax on the sun deck as you moor for the final night.
- 8
After breakfast, disembark at Luxor for your onward transfer.
02Overview
A first look
At dawn, the Nile turns silver beyond the panoramic windows, and the first light reaches the sun deck before the riverbank villages stir. A cabin with a Nile-view balcony gives you a quiet place to watch palm groves, fields, and passing boats, while the lounge bar and dining room keep the atmosphere relaxed between shore excursions.
Our Egyptologists guide visits to Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, Luxor Temple, and the Valley of the Kings, with sailing days between them. We select and arrange the vessel, cabins, embarkation, disembarkation, and excursion schedule, so your time on the Nile feels organized without becoming hurried.
Bundled in
- Wi-Fi
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation on board the Sphinx Nile Cruise (deluxe cabin category)
- Full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- All guided tours with a licensed Egyptologist
- All entrance fees to mentioned sites
- All transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
- Assistance upon arrival and departure
- Cruise taxes and service charges
Not included
- Tipping (crew & guide)
- Personal expenses
- Drinks, including water, are not included, even with meals
- Optional tours such as Abu Simbel
- Domestic flights (if required)
Add before or after your cruise
The ship sails between Luxor and Aswan. The Pyramids, and most flights home, are in Cairo. These short add-ons join the two.
Compare
Similar ships to compare
Ships of the same class with the closest prices. Prices are per person, sharing a double cabin, October to April.
- Sun Times Nile Cruise
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- Stephanie Nile Cruise
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- Nile Treasure Nile Cruise
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The route
Luxor and Aswan
- EdfuThe Temple of Horus
- Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
Snapshot
Good to know
- Destinations
- Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and photocopy
- Sunscreen SPF50+, sunglasses and wide-brim hat
- Lightweight daypack and refillable water bottle
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip for uneven stone
- Motion-sickness medication if prone to seasickness
- Power adaptor (Egypt uses Type C and F, 220V)
- Small torch or headlamp for walking at dusk
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable layers for hot days and cool evenings
- Smart-casual clothes for evenings in the dining room
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- Comfortable closed shoes for temple visits and the Valley of the Kings
- Light waterproof or windproof layer for breezy evenings on the sun deck
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free. Children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare. Children aged 12 years and older pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, maximum one child per cabin; two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers are practical on the vessel but can be difficult on shore excursions because of cobbles, narrow ramps and uneven stone at archaeological sites. High chairs, baby cots and other childcare equipment vary by vessel and must be requested at booking; we recommend arranging these in advance.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Nile cruise involves vessel boarding via a gangway with steps and a medium-length ramp, which may be steep depending on river level. Cabins are accessed by one or two internal staircases; some vessels have at least one cabin accessible by elevator, but elevator access is not guaranteed on every boat. Shore excursions include uneven ancient stone, steep ramps, narrow paths and occasional sand, for example at the Valley of the Kings and Philae Temple. Wheelchairs with wide bases may not fit into some shore vehicles or smaller tender boats. We can arrange wheelchair-accessible transfers and shore assistance where the vessel and local site staffing allow, but full independent wheelchair access ashore cannot be guaranteed. Please contact us with mobility details at booking so we can confirm the specific vessel's accessibility features, reserve accessible cabins where available, and plan appropriate assistance during embarkation, disembarkation and excursions.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The cruise uses diesel-powered river cruise vessels typical for Nile sailing; fuel-efficient hull designs and regular engine maintenance are common but vary by vessel. We encourage bringing a refillable bottle to reduce waste. Shore excursions use modern air-conditioned coaches or local launches; we work with local transport suppliers that employ licensed drivers and maintain vehicles to local safety standards. We select local Egyptologists, guides and crew through long-term supplier relationships, which channels tour revenue into local wages and hospitality businesses in Luxor and Aswan. Where possible we book community-run souks and family-run cafés for optional stops; ask us for details so we can prioritise small local vendors on your program.
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
What you get back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your trip you tell us and the type of trip you book. Read our current cancellation and refund policy
Last updated Product ID: CRU-NIL-212757
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