Nile Cruise Tours
Nile cruise tours
Sail the Nile between Luxor and Aswan.
A Nile cruise is the easiest and most relaxing way to see Upper Egypt. Your hotel moves with you, the temples come to the riverbank, and the evenings are spent on deck as the sun sets over the desert. Egypt Travel Ways runs short cruises between Luxor and Aswan and longer tours that combine a cruise with Cairo, the Giza Pyramids or the Red Sea, all with an Egyptologist guide for the sightseeing.
Our Nile cruises
Choose your cruise by length and route.
| Tour | Length | Route | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-Day Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor | 4 days / 3 nights | Aswan → Luxor | $710 |
| 5-Day Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan | 5 days / 4 nights | Luxor → Aswan | $730 |
| 8-Day Cairo & Nile Cruise by Air | 8 days / 7 nights | Cairo + cruise | $1,510 |
| 8-Day Cairo, Aswan & Luxor with Nile Cruise | 8 days / 7 nights | Cairo + cruise | $1,530 |
| 8-Day Cairo, Giza & Nile Cruise | 8 days / 7 nights | Cairo + Aswan → Luxor | $1,575 |
| 9-Day Nile Cruise & Hurghada Red Sea Holiday | 9 days | Cruise + Red Sea | $1,590 |
| 7-Day Nile Cruise & Solar Eclipse 2027 | 7 days / 6 nights | Luxor → Aswan, Aug 2027 | See tour |
Prices are per person, starting rates as shown on each tour page at the time of writing. The final price depends on your dates, cruise category and group size, so check the tour page or ask us for a quote.
Which direction?
Luxor to Aswan, or Aswan to Luxor?
Luxor to Aswan
Sailing south, against the current, takes longer, so these cruises usually run for four nights. You see Luxor’s East and West Banks first, then Edfu and Kom Ombo, and finish in Aswan, a good base for Abu Simbel. Best if you want a slower pace and more time on board.
5-day cruise from LuxorAswan to Luxor
Sailing north, with the current, is quicker, so these cruises usually run for three nights. You start with Aswan, Philae and the option of Abu Simbel, then sail to Luxor and end with Karnak and the Valley of the Kings. Best if you are short on time.
4-day cruise from AswanCruise plus Cairo or the sea
Most first-time visitors combine a cruise with two or three days in Cairo for the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, connected by a short domestic flight. Some add a few days on the Red Sea at the end.
8-day Cairo & Nile cruiseFor a full breakdown of the route, read our complete guide to the Luxor to Aswan cruise.
On the riverbanks
What you see on a Nile cruise.
- Luxor East Bank: Karnak Temple, the largest religious complex of ancient Egypt, and Luxor Temple. Our guide to Karnak and Luxor Temple explains both.
- Luxor West Bank: the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
- Edfu: the Temple of Horus, one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt.
- Kom Ombo: a double temple on the riverbank, dedicated to the crocodile god Sobek and to Haroeris, with a small crocodile museum next door.
- Aswan: Philae Temple on its island, the Unfinished Obelisk and the High Dam, with Nubian villages and felucca rides on the river.
- Abu Simbel: the great temples of Ramesses II, a day trip from Aswan that many cruises offer. See our Abu Simbel from Aswan guide.
What’s included
What our cruises usually cover.
Each tour page lists exactly what is included. Our Nile cruise packages usually cover:
- Cabin on board for the nights listed, with full board on the ship
- Guided sightseeing with an Egyptologist guide at the sites in the itinerary
- Entrance fees to the sites in the itinerary
- Transfers between the airport or station, the ship and the sites
- Domestic flights in packages that start or end in Cairo, where listed
Drinks, optional excursions and tips are usually extra. Our article on what a Nile cruise includes and what costs extra goes into detail, and our tipping guide covers tips on board.
Choosing well
Cruise, dahabiya or land tour?
Nile cruise ship
Comfortable cabins, a pool deck and set sightseeing stops. The most practical choice for most travelers.
Dahabiya
A traditional sailing boat with a handful of cabins, quieter moorings and a slower pace. Read dahabiya vs Nile cruise.
Land tour
Hotels in Luxor and Aswan, with road or train in between. Compare the options in Nile cruise vs land tour.
Plan ahead
When to cruise the Nile.
October to April is the most comfortable season, with warm days and cool evenings. December and January are the busiest months, especially around Christmas and New Year, so book early. From May to September it is very hot in Luxor and Aswan, but cruises are quieter. Sightseeing is then scheduled for the early morning. Our month-by-month guide helps you choose, and the Christmas and New Year cruise guide covers the holiday season.
On August 2, 2027, a total solar eclipse passes over Luxor. See our eclipse tours, including a 7-day eclipse cruise.
Questions
Nile cruise FAQ.
How many days do I need for a Nile cruise?
Three nights sailing from Aswan to Luxor, or four nights from Luxor to Aswan, cover the main sites. Most travelers add two or three days in Cairo.
Which is better, Luxor to Aswan or Aswan to Luxor?
Both visit the same main sites. Luxor to Aswan is longer and more relaxed. Aswan to Luxor is shorter and ends with Luxor’s great temples and tombs.
Can I combine a Nile cruise with the Pyramids?
Yes. Our 8-day tours combine Cairo and Giza with a cruise, connected by a domestic flight.
Can I visit Abu Simbel on a Nile cruise?
Yes, as a day trip from Aswan. Some of our cruises include it, and others offer it as an option.
Can you arrange a private Nile cruise or a dahabiya?
Yes. Tell us your dates and group size and we will suggest options. See our private and tailor-made tours.
Plan with us
Find your cruise. Send us your dates.
Tell us when you want to travel, how many people are coming and the cabin standard you prefer, and we will reply with availability and a clear quote.