8-Day Luxor Round-Trip Nile Cruise Holiday (7 Nights)
Round-trip Luxor to Aswan, calling at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae; guided visits to Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings, allowing early-morning access.
The short answer
8-Day Luxor Round-Trip Nile Cruise Holiday (7 Nights) is an 8-day, 7-night trip to Luxor and Aswan: 7 nights on a Nile cruise. Starts on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays. It includes an Egyptologist guide and entrance fees. Prices start at £1,178 per person, two sharing (Essential, October–April).
Choose your comfort level
Prices are per person in GBP, from 2 people sharing a double room, including accommodation at the properties listed or similar.
| Comfort level | Where you stay or similar | Per personfrom, Oct–Apr | Choose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essentialfrom £1,178well-priced Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 7 nightsNephtis · Magic I | £1,178May–Sep: from £976 | |
| Comfortfrom £1,4135★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 7 nightsRoyal Princess Amira · Tower Prestige | £1,413May–Sep: from £1,111 | |
| Classicfrom £1,6495★ Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 7 nightsGrand Sun · Stephanie | £1,649May–Sep: from £1,111 | |
| Prestigefrom £2,0865★ deluxe Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 7 nightsSonesta Moon Goddess · Nile Serenity | £2,086May–Sep: from £1,582 | |
| Luxuryfrom £3,5325★ luxury Nile cruises | Nile Cruise · 7 nightsSonesta St. George I · Esmeralda | £3,532May–Sep: from £1,918 | |
| Signature Collectionfrom £5,012Iconic heritage vessels | Nile Cruise · 7 nightsHistoria | £5,012May–Sep: from £3,263 |
Nile cruise on full board. You'll stay in these properties, or a similar choice of the same quality. Choose your date in the booking panel for the exact price.
- Private
Day by day
Detailed itinerary
A week-long trip: 8 days and 7 nights · Luxor · Luxor West Bank · Valley of the Kings · Karnak Temple · Hatshepsut Temple · Edfu
- 1
On arrival at Luxor Airport (LXR) our driver meets you and transfers you to your hotel in Luxor Downtown, about 6 km by road. The transfer is timed to scheduled flights and typically takes 30–40 minutes depending on traffic.
As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange the pickup and luggage handling; if your Egyptologist is available in Luxor that day they will join you at the hotel for a short orientation and practical briefing. Evening at leisure to rest after travel.
- 2
Morning transfer to the Luxor Corniche for embarkation; one of our Egyptologists will join you for the day. In the afternoon you take a guided walk through Karnak Temple, passing the Avenue of Sphinxes and the Precinct of Amun-Ra while your guide explains New Kingdom pharaonic building programmes.
Late afternoon the boat proceeds south through the Esna lock towards Edfu, with deck time to watch local river traffic and farming on the Nile shore. We do not run large coach tours, instead arranging smaller guided transfers to maximise time at each site.
- 3
Morning, you cross the Nile to Luxor West Bank for a guided visit to the Valley of the Kings. Your Egyptologist escorts you into three included tombs, typically allowing 60 to 75 minutes inside. Around midday you walk to the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari for a guided tour.
Late afternoon we pause at the Colossi of Memnon, two 18-metre seated statues of Amenhotep III, before returning to the cruise for the evening. We schedule West Bank visits early to avoid the busiest mid-morning arrivals.
- 4
Morning sailing brings you ashore for a guided visit to the Ptolemaic Temple of Edfu, dedicated to Horus; your Egyptologist explains the temple reliefs and the ancient “Sacred Marriage” ritual. After lunch you continue by boat to Kom Ombo for an afternoon visit to the double temple of Sobek and Haroeris, with time to walk the courts and inspect the reliefs.
The adjacent crocodile museum is available as an optional visit. We schedule longer stops here, unlike shorter itineraries that rush both temples.
- 5
Morning boat transfer to Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, relocated during the Aswan High Dam project; your Egyptologist explains the Isis cult and the UNESCO-led rescue. After lunch you visit the northern quarry to view the Unfinished Obelisk, the largest known ancient obelisk left in situ.
Late afternoon includes a stop at the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970, where your guide describes Nile regulation and Lake Nasser. We schedule Philae early to avoid mid-morning boat traffic along the Corniche.
- 6
Morning arrival at Edfu, where you approach Edfu Temple by horse-drawn carriage and tour the Ptolemaic shrine dedicated to Horus. After a guided visit you return to the cruise for a relaxed sail; the ship reaches Kom Ombo in the afternoon to visit the twin temples of Sobek and Haroeris. Your Egyptologist points out the reliefs that depict ancient medical instruments.
Evening sailing continues toward Aswan with time on deck to watch riverside villages and farmland pass. Unlike coach day trips, the cruise timetable avoids an early overland start.
- 7
You begin at about 08:00 with a guided visit to Kom Ombo Temple, the Greco-Roman double temple dedicated to Sobek and Horus, where reliefs show surgical instruments. Our Egyptologists explain the temple's unusual mirrored layout during the morning walk. After the visit the cruise continues south, arriving at Aswan around 15:30, with free time to stroll the Nile corniche.
Expect uneven stone surfaces at Kom Ombo and a short tender transfer at the Aswan landing if water levels require it.
- 8
Morning visit to the Karnak Temples with your Egyptologist, concentrating on the hypostyle hall and the Sacred Lake. After a measured walk along the avenue of sphinxes you return to Luxor town for a short pause. In the early evening you approach Luxor Temple, where lighting highlights the facade and columns dating to Ramses II.
Late morning or early afternoon transfer to Luxor Airport for your onward flight. Unlike operators who compress both sites into a hurried stop, we allot time at the Sacred Lake to study alignments and inscriptions.
02Overview
A first look
By dawn the Nile favours silence, palm fronds framed against pale light while the quay slows and fishermen sort nets. Step from the riverbank and the day sets its own tempo: temples in the cool hours, gentle sailing between towns, and short walks along cobbled quays or sandy river edges.
We deliberately schedule morning access so you reach open courts and tombs before the day-tour boats arrive, and unlike one-way hotel-to-hotel cruises this round trip gives longer calls at Edfu and Kom Ombo. We arrange transfers, English-speaking Egyptologists and accommodation, so your only choice is whether to watch the sunset from the sundeck or the riverbank.
What lingers
- 01Explore Karnak Temple, including its avenue of ram-headed sphinxes.
- 02Visit the Valley of the Kings on Luxor's West Bank.
- 03See Hatshepsut Temple, built into the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari.
- 04Call at Edfu and Kom Ombo on the Nile route between Luxor and Aswan.
- 05Visit Philae Temple near Aswan, set on an island in the Nile.
The fine print
What's included – and what is left out
Included
- Accommodation arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt for seven nights
- Private transport between the airport, hotels and cruise berth, as set out in the itinerary
- Egyptologist guide for sightseeing, speaking English
- Guided visits and standard entrance fees for the sites named in the itinerary
- Meals specified in the itinerary
Not included
- Flights between your home country and Egypt
- Visa costs and travel insurance
- Optional excursions and personal spending
- Tips for the crew, drivers and Egyptologists, unless requested
- Extra charges for premium sites, such as pyramid interiors or premium tombs
Field notes
From our Egyptologists
- 01
At Karnak, look for the Avenue of Ram-Headed Sphinxes linking the complex towards Luxor Temple.
- 02
At Philae, allow time for the local boat approach to Agilkia Island.
- 03
Ask your Egyptologist which Valley of the Kings tombs are open on your visit date.
- 04
Premium tomb access, including Tutankhamun’s tomb, requires a separate supplement unless requested.
Tailor it
Make it yours
The itinerary can be adjusted for private travel, upgraded accommodation categories, or additional nights in Luxor or Aswan. Optional excursions may be added where available, and meal plans can be revised to suit the chosen cruise arrangement. It is also possible to extend the trip with pre- or post-tour stays in Cairo or Hurghada.
Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.
Suited to
Is this for you?
Yes, if
- This itinerary suits travellers who want to see the main Nile Valley sites without changing hotel every night, especially first-time visitors, couples and small private groups. It also works well for adults and older children who are comfortable with several days of sightseeing, short coach transfers, and scheduled river travel.
Maybe not, if
- It may not suit travellers who need step-free access or want to avoid walking on uneven ground at archaeological sites. Those seeking a short, flexible stay in one place should choose a shorter itinerary.
Honest assessment
The honest pluses and minuses, as our own team sees them after running this trip.
Highlights
- Round-trip sailing gives Edfu and Kom Ombo fuller visits than rushed one-way schedules.
- An Egyptologist explains Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple.
- Early visits to major temples can avoid the busiest day-trip hours.
- Philae Temple is reached by local boat from the river.
- Accommodation and sightseeing arrangements are planned in advance.
Things to Consider
- Walking on uneven ground at the Valley of the Kings and temples.
- Open archaeological sites offer limited shade during the hottest hours.
- The day-by-day schedule leaves less room for spontaneous changes.
- Summer heat can make outdoor sightseeing tiring.
Where it fits
This 8-day Luxor round trip can sit between a Cairo visit and a few extra nights in Luxor or Aswan. Its return to Luxor avoids the one-way transfer between the two cities, but means spending longer on the river.
Worth knowing
How this compares
Unlike a one-way Nile itinerary, this Luxor round trip returns to the same starting point, which can make scheduling simpler and can allow more consistent early-morning site visits. Compared with a short Luxor stay, it includes both West Bank monuments and the full Luxor-to-Aswan river corridor, with accommodation and guided sightseeing built into the programme.
Compare
Similar tours to compare
On the ground
Your route
Snapshot
Good to know
- Travel style
- Guided Nile cruise itinerary with accommodation arranged on the ground
- Accommodation
- Comfort, Classic, Prestige or Luxury cruise categories
- Destinations
- Luxor · Luxor West Bank · Valley of the Kings · Karnak Temple · Hatshepsut Temple · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Philae Temple · The Nile
- Includes
- 7 nights’ accommodation · Private transport according to the itinerary · English-speaking Egyptologist · Guided sightseeing · Entrance fees for the sites featured in the itinerary · Meals as outlined in the itinerary
- Best for
- History enthusiasts · First-time visitors · Couples · Small private groups · Families with older children
- Guide languages
- Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish
The morning of
Meeting point & timing
- Where
- Arrivals Hall, Luxor International AirportMap
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- A valid passport and a photocopy
- Comfortable walking footwear with good grip
- Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle
- Small daypack for water and personal items
- Prescription medicines and a small first-aid kit
- Power adapter and portable charger
What to wear
- Lightweight, loose clothing to wear in the daytime heat
- Clothing covering shoulders and knees at temples and mosques
- A light extra layer for chilly early mornings and evenings
- Sturdy closed shoes for uneven ground
- A scarf or shawl for sun protection or additional modesty
Children & families
The minimum age for this itinerary is 4 years. Child fares depend on the child's age and room arrangements; infant pricing is available on request. Strollers can be useful on flat pavements but are impractical on uneven paths, temple steps and local boats. A baby carrier may be easier to manage. High chairs and baby equipment are not guaranteed, so request them when booking.
Accessibility
Who can join this
This itinerary requires regular walking on uneven ancient stone, loose sand and cobbles at sites such as the Valley of the Kings and Philae Temple. Expect steps at temple entrances, steep ramps in some hotels, and narrow gangways when boarding local river boats. Transfers use air-conditioned minibuses with step-up entry; vehicles are not fitted with wheelchair lifts. Accessible cabins and rooms on the cruise segment and at partner hotels are limited and must be requested at booking. Guests using a manual wheelchair should expect to be assisted for short stair sections and when boarding local boats. If you have reduced mobility, please tell us your requirements when booking so we can assess feasibility, arrange extra assistance where possible, and advise which days will be most physically demanding.
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
Transfers are by air-conditioned minibuses and local motor boats operated by Egyptian drivers and crews contracted per trip. We engage English-speaking Egyptologists from Luxor and Aswan, and pay guide fees and site charges directly to local suppliers, which keeps more income in the communities visited. On-board and on-land arrangements aim to reduce single-use plastics by offering refillable water stations and encouraging guests to bring reusable bottles. Meals are sourced from local suppliers in Luxor and Aswan when practical, and optional village visits or craft workshops are organised with community co-operatives that receive a direct fee. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we plan schedules so major sites are visited early in the morning, which lowers congestion and the environmental impact of midday coach movements compared with standard day-boat excursions.
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
If you cancel, your refund depends on how soon you let us know and on the kind of holiday. See our current cancellation and refund terms
Asked & answered
Frequent questions
01How long is the Luxor round-trip Nile cruise?
The itinerary lasts eight days and includes seven nights of accommodation. It starts and ends in Luxor, with visits along the Nile to Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. The schedule combines temple visits with time sailing between river towns. The exact order of activities may depend on local arrangements.02What transfers are included on the Luxor round-trip Nile cruise?
Private transfers between Luxor Airport, hotels and the cruise berth are included as set out in the itinerary. On arrival, the road journey from Luxor Airport to downtown takes around 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic and luggage collection. International flights are not included, so please share your arrival details when planning connections.03What is included in the price of this Nile cruise?
The package includes seven nights of accommodation, an English-speaking Egyptologist for guided sightseeing, private transfers listed in the itinerary, standard entrance fees for the listed visits and meals as specified. Accommodation and cruise arrangements are made by Discovery Tours Egypt with third-party suppliers. Drinks and optional excursions are not listed as included.04What is not included in the Luxor to Aswan cruise itinerary?
International flights, visas, travel insurance, optional excursions and personal expenses are excluded. Gratuities for crew, drivers and Egyptologists are also not included unless requested. Premium site supplements may apply for particular additional entrances. Ask us to confirm any optional visits and their arrangements before travel.05How physically demanding is the Luxor round-trip Nile cruise?
Expect walking on uneven ancient stone, including at Kom Ombo, and steps or gangways when boarding the cruise ship. Visits also involve walking around large temple sites such as Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings. If stairs, balance or longer walks are a concern, tell us before booking so we can discuss the itinerary with you.06Can children join this eight-day Nile cruise?
Children are welcome on this itinerary, which includes temple visits and time sailing between sites. The Egyptologist can adapt explanations to suit younger travellers, but the amount of walking and the early visits may be tiring for some children. Share the children’s ages with us so we can discuss pacing and practical arrangements.07What clothing and essentials should I take on a Nile cruise in Egypt?
Pack comfortable shoes with a firm grip, light breathable clothing, a hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen. Daytime temperatures can be high, especially in Upper Egypt from May to September. Choose modest clothing for temple visits, covering shoulders and knees, and bring a light layer for cooler evenings on the river.08Can I take photographs at the temples on this itinerary?
Photography rules vary between sites and may change, so check posted instructions and ask your Egyptologist before taking pictures. Some areas or tomb interiors may restrict photography or require a separate permission or fee. Do not photograph people without their consent, and follow staff instructions at Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings and other sites.09When is the best time to take this Luxor round-trip Nile cruise?
October to April generally brings milder conditions for sightseeing in Luxor and Aswan. Summer, particularly May to September, can be very hot, so temple visits may feel more demanding. For UK travellers seeking winter sun, November to March is a useful period to consider; mornings are often more comfortable for outdoor visits.10What makes this Luxor round-trip different from a shorter one-way Nile cruise?
The return itinerary gives more time for visits at Edfu and Kom Ombo than a compressed one-way schedule may allow. It also includes Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, reached by local boat, and visits to the Unfinished Obelisk and Aswan High Dam. At Edfu, the approach to the temple is by horse-drawn carriage.
Last updated Product ID: TOU-NIL-449019
At a glance
- Length
- 8 days · 7 nights
- Starts
- Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat or Sun
- Route
- Luxor → Edfu → Kom Ombo → Aswan → Luxor
- Includes
- Egyptologist guide, entrance fees