Abu Simbel at either end
Abu Simbel is a day trip from Aswan and nowhere else. Beginning and finishing here means taking it before you board or after you return, whichever suits the flights.
Seven nights · out and back
Aswan Round-Trip Nile Cruises
Base yourself in the quieter city, with Abu Simbel at either end.
220 kilometres, five moorings, one direction.
- 01
Aswan
Board in time for lunch, included on the day you arrive. 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, ahead of the crowds.
- 04
Esna
The lock, taken both ways.
- 05
Luxor
The turn: Karnak, Luxor Temple and the West Bank before sailing back south.
- 06
Aswan
Back where you began. Disembark after breakfast, with Abu Simbel still available if you left it until now.
The Aswan round trip sails north to Luxor and back across seven nights. Same temples as the Luxor version and the same no-internal-flight logic — what differs is which city you sleep in first and last, and Aswan is comfortably the calmer of the two.
It also makes Abu Simbel straightforward. It is a day trip from Aswan, so on this shape it sits before you sail or after you return, rather than being squeezed into a one-way itinerary.
Why turn at Luxor rather than begin there
Aswan is the calmer base
Luxor is busier, hotter in the streets and heavier with traffic. If your first day in Upper Egypt is also your first off a long-haul flight, Aswan is a gentler place to arrive.
No internal flight
As with any round trip, you fly into one airport and out of the same one. No positioning flight, no second set of transfers, no luggage moved mid-holiday.
Karnak mid-week
On this shape Karnak falls in the middle 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
105 ships sail this route, across four tiers, typically 7 nights.
Comfort5-Star Standard
24 ships
Comfort
Semiramis III Nile Cruise
Book Semiramis III Nile Cruise for full-board sailing between Luxor and Aswan, with guided shore excursions and elegant cabins. Enquire today.
Comfort
Zeina Nile Cruise
Zeina Nile Cruise runs 3, 4 or 7 night cruises along the Nile between Aswan and Luxor. Departures run every Wednesday from Aswan and every Saturday from Luxor. The itinerary calls at Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor West Bank and Luxor East Bank, with full board accommodation and guided tours by our Egyptologists. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we arrange airport and port transfers, entrance fees to listed attractions, and meet-and-assist on arrival and departure. Sightseeing is in small groups, maximum eight participants, which gives more time ashore at the temples than larger vessels allow. Onboard facilities include a swimming pool, sun deck bar, restaurant, lounge, library, spa, internet corner, boutique and 24-hour doctor.
Comfort
A Sara Nile Cruise
A Sara sails the Nile between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings and Luxor's East Bank. Choose the Aswan-to-Luxor, four-day option that departs every Wednesday, or the five-day Luxor-to-Aswan option that departs every Saturday with an optional Abu Simbel extension. Days combine temple visits with short daytime sailings, so you spend more time ashore at Edfu and Kom Ombo than on many tightly timed itineraries. Evenings are spent on deck with river views and relaxed dining. We arrange the Abu Simbel excursion by coach or scheduled flight if you add it when you book.
Comfort
Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise
Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise is a 5-star river vessel offering full-board sailings between Luxor and Aswan. Its 65 cabins, including junior suites, feature Andalos Islamic-style decor, while shared spaces include a sun terrace, swimming pool, pool bar, gym, reading room and grand lounge. The sailing programme combines time on the Nile with guided shore excursions to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae Temple. Sailings operate weekly in both directions. Evenings may include a folkloric show, galabeyah party, belly dancer and discotheque. An optional Abu Simbel excursion can be arranged at the end of the Luxor to Aswan sailing.
Comfort
Emilio Nile Cruise
Sail the Nile between Luxor and Aswan aboard the Emilio, visiting Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. Days balance guided temple visits with relaxed afternoons on deck as the river passes cultivated islands and riverside villages. All guided visits are led by our Egyptologists, who explain the archaeology and chronology at each site. We limit excursions to small groups, maximum eight participants, so time ashore is unhurried and personal. Unlike short-stop cruise schedules, this itinerary allocates proper time at Edfu and Kom Ombo for meaningful visits. Evening life onboard is simple and classic, with dinner, local entertainment and clear river views. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and coordinate transfers, Egyptologists, sightseeing, and hotel and cruise bookings on the ground.
Comfort
Grand Rose Nile Cruise
The Grand Rose Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel offering full board accommodation, on-board amenities and a scheduled shore-excursion programme. Cabins are offered in Standard, Deluxe and Suite grades, several with Nile-view windows or balconies, and public spaces include a sun deck with shaded seating, a lounge bar, dining room and a small pool. We arrange weekly sailings between Luxor and Aswan that alternate sailing days and shore excursions to well-known sites. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we book the cruise and coordinate the shore excursions and embarkation logistics for you.
Classic5-Star Deluxe
44 ships
Classic
Liberty Nile Cruise
MS Liberty is a four-day Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. We operate MS Liberty as a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can include our Egyptologist on selected departures. We don't run tight bus timetables; the vessel spends proper time ashore at key sites rather than the rapid 40-minute turnarounds common on some itineraries. Expect early starts, walking on uneven ancient stone and limited shade on the sun deck at midday. Cabins vary in size; please tell us your cabin preference when you enquire so we can reserve the best available.
Classic
Mirage Nile Cruise
Sail the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak, Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. The itineraries run in both directions, giving you a choice of embarkation port and a different sequence of visits. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and our Egyptologists lead small groups of no more than eight guests per guide. Compared with larger overnight cruise operators, this itinerary keeps a steadier pace so you spend more time ashore at Edfu and Kom Ombo rather than rushing between sights. Expect riverside approaches, a late-afternoon felucca sail at Aswan, and guided visits timed to reduce crowding where possible.
Classic
Monica Nile Cruise
We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, offering the Monica Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan. The itinerary pairs visits to Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Deir el-Bahari, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo and Philae with relaxed sailing time on the sun deck. Our Egyptologists place each monument in its historical context and answer specialist questions. We limit guided groups to eight guests to reduce queues and allow fuller time at each site. Unlike larger Nile boats that rush multiple stops, Monica provides longer onshore time at Edfu and Kom Ombo and an afternoon in Aswan for the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk.
Classic
Moondance Nile Cruise
MS Moondance is a four-day Nile cruise linking Luxor and Aswan. We arrange private Egyptologist-led visits and shore transfers as a licensed Egyptian tour operator. We don't run mass coach tours; we prefer private or small-group sailings that let you visit Karnak Temple and the Luxor West Bank at quieter times. Compared with single-day excursions from Luxor, a four-day cruise gives relaxed transit time and evening light on the Nile. Trade-offs: cabins are compact, upper decks have limited shade at midday, and some shore visits require walking on uneven ancient stone and early starts for sunrise photography.
Classic
Movenpick Prince Abbas Lake Cruise
Cruise aboard the Mövenpick Prince Abbas on Lake Nasser, operating from Aswan and serving the Abu Simbel corridor. We arrange the cruise logistics, local crew and onboard meals, as a licensed Egyptian tour operator. We do not run mass coach transfers; our transfers are private or small-group, timed to minimise waiting at the pier. Unlike coach-run shore excursions, this cruise gives a slower pace on the lake and direct access to Abu Simbel by boat or tender depending on the itinerary.
Classic
Nile Capital Nile Cruise
Prestige5-Star Ultra Deluxe
20 ships
Prestige
Cleopatra Nile Cruise
The Cleopatra Nile Cruise is a five-day sailing from Luxor to Aswan, calling at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. Accommodation aboard the Cleopatra, all meals, guided Egyptologist-led visits and entrance fees are included in the programme. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange transfers and on-the-ground logistics so your days ashore run to plan. Unlike many rushed excursions, this itinerary allocates full visits at Luxor and Aswan and stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo en route, which gives more time for each temple visit than a single-day run.
Prestige
Concerto II Nile Cruise
Prestige
Esmeralda Nile Cruise
The Esmeralda sails between Luxor and Aswan, operating a classic Nile itinerary that visits riverside temples and island sites. On this cruise you will step ashore for named monuments commonly visited on this route, including the temples at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, while daylight hours are spent cruising between moorings. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we arrange transfers, Egyptologists and sightseeing for every sailing rather than supplying only audio guides. Compared with faster overnight crossings, this classic cruise gives more time at riverside temples and a calmer pace on deck. Expect afternoon cruising along the riverbank, morning shore visits, and the practicalities of walking on uneven ancient stone at many sites.
Prestige
Jaz Regent Nile Cruise
Jaz Regent Nile Cruise on the Luxor–Aswan river route offers full board, guided shore excursions and cabin choices. Enquire now.
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
17 ships
Luxury
MayFair Nile Cruise
Board the MayFair Nile Cruise for a five-star voyage along the Nile, sailing from Luxor to Aswan. It sails from Luxor to Aswan. The cruise follows the river corridor where Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae are the classic stops along this stretch. We arrange guided visits, local transfers and Egyptologists to join you at the sites. We arrange private guided visits rather than large coach tours, which keeps group sizes smaller and timings more flexible. Unlike day trips run from Luxor, a multi-day cruise moves you between sites instead of returning each evening to one base. Evenings are typically spent on deck, watching river life and hearing short briefings from your Egyptologist. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and coordinate embarkation in Luxor and disembarkation in Aswan.
Luxury
Mayflower Nile Cruise
Luxury
Mövenpick Royal Lily Nile Cruise
Sail in elegance aboard the Royal Lily Cruise – a 5-star Luxury Nile Cruise offering timeless comfort, scenic wonders, and authentic Nile River Cruises experiences.
Luxury
Movenpick Sun Ray Nile Cruise
Luxury
Nebu Nile Cruise
Nebu Nile Cruise sails between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak and the Luxor West Bank. Choose 4 nights Aswan to Luxor or 4 nights Luxor to Aswan, with daylight shore visits and an evening Egyptian folkloric show. We keep Egyptologist groups to a maximum of eight guests, avoiding large lecture-style crowds. We arrange private transfers, meet-and-assist on arrival and departure, and English-speaking Egyptologists who lead the guided visits to the High Dam, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut Temple. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator; ask us about the optional Abu Simbel excursion from Aswan.
Luxury
Sanctuary Nile Adventurer Luxury Nile Cruise
13 more vessels sail this route without a published tier. See every Nile cruise
Or sail it over 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 vessels carry on past. It costs more per night and takes twice as long, which is rather the point.
Dahabiya cruises
When to begin from Luxor instead
If your flights route through Luxor, begin there — a positioning flight down to Aswan to gain 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 many nights is an Aswan round-trip cruise?
Seven, sailing Aswan to Luxor and back to Aswan. The same length as the Luxor round trip, covering the same temples; what changes is the 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 boarding 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 nearer the Cairo sleeper train. Base yourself where your flights actually land.
04How much of the week is spent sailing?
Roughly half. A seven-night round trip has genuine sailing time built in rather than a run 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 look after both ends of this route. Egypt travel specialists since 1988, with offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh.