Sailing north · downstream ·
Sailing north from Aswan puts the current behind you and saves Karnak until last.
Board in time for lunch, which is included on the day you arrive. Philae and the High Dam are covered from here, and Abu Simbel is a day trip south before you sail.
The double temple of Sobek and Horus sits on the bank — you step off the gangway straight into it, usually at dusk.
The Temple of Horus by horse-carriage as it opens. Sailing downstream brings ships in early, before the crowds thicken.
The lock, and on the slower dahabiya sailings the small temple of Khnum, sunk below street level.
Disembark after breakfast. Karnak, Luxor Temple and the West Bank — then the airport or the Cairo sleeper train.
Both directions call at the same temples. What changes is the order you meet them in, whether the river is working with you or against you, and which city you are standing in when it ends. Those three things matter more than they sound.
We book rather more guests northbound than south, for reasons that are practical rather than poetic. Our Aswan and Luxor offices look after both ends of this route, so the suggestion comes from watching how the week actually runs.
The Nile flows north. Sailing downstream shortens the legs between moorings and makes arrival times more dependable, which is why the northbound trip is usually a night shorter for the same stops. It is how the ancient Egyptians travelled north as well — they sailed south against the current and drifted back down.
Southbound you open at Karnak, the largest religious building ever raised, and everything afterwards is smaller. Northbound the scale builds instead: Philae, then Kom Ombo, then Edfu, and Karnak at the end of the week when you have the context to read it properly.
Abu Simbel is a day trip from Aswan rather than Luxor. Northbound it happens before you board, while you are already at that end of the country. Southbound it falls on your final day and means travelling back south after you have sailed away from it.
Luxor airport and the overnight sleeper train to Cairo are both a short transfer from the mooring. If your holiday carries on to Cairo or the Red Sea, finishing here saves you a connection.
Sailing this route
Comfort
Al Kahila Nile Cruise is a river vessel sailing between Luxor and Aswan, with cabin classes, a sun deck, lounge bar and dining room. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. The programme alternates sailing with visits to temples and ancient sites along the Nile. Unlike a coach-based tour, the cruise links these places by river. We arrange the booking as part of your Egypt travel plans; the vessel is operated by its cruise provider.
Comfort
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. 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.
Comfort
As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we arrange private transfers, luggage handling and Egyptologist-guided shore visits. Trade-offs include fewer stops ashore, more early starts for excursions, and more walking on uneven ancient stone during visits. Ask us about adding pre- or post-cruise nights in Cairo or Luxor.
Comfort
The Blue Shadow Nile Cruise sails between Luxor and Aswan with guided visits to Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Philae, Edfu and Kom Ombo. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator; our Egyptologists lead all guided excursions and explain the archaeology at each site. Onboard life alternates deck-side Nile views with full-board dining, short talks and an evening folkloric show. We do not run large-group bus tours, our sailings are restricted to small groups of no more than eight guests. Compared with mass-market coach tours, the cruise allows more time at Edfu and Kom Ombo to explore on foot. Optional excursions, including an Abu Simbel day trip from Aswan, can be arranged on request.
Comfort
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
The Grand Rose Nile Cruise is a five-star river vessel with Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin grades. Several cabins have Nile-view windows or balconies. On board, facilities include a restaurant, lounge bar, concierge, rooftop terrace and pool. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are generally extra. The programme includes sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Unlike a fixed sightseeing tour, the cruise combines time on the river with visits at several historic sites.
Classic
A four-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor centred on the total solar eclipse on 2 August 2027. Watch the eclipse from the sun deck on the day you disembark, followed by a transfer to Luxor airport.
Classic
Jaz Crown Jubilee Nile Cruise is a five-star river vessel with Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins. Some higher-grade cabins have Nile-view balconies, while some Deluxe cabins have panoramic windows. On board, guests have access to a restaurant, pool, rooftop terrace, lounge bar and indoor lounge. Full board includes breakfast, lunch and dinner served on board; drinks (including water) are extra. Its shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. We arrange the cruise with the vessel’s operator; we do not own or operate the ship.
Classic
Jaz Crown Prince Nile Cruise is a five-star river vessel sailing between Luxor and Aswan. Cabins are available in Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes; many have panoramic windows or a Nile-view balcony. On board, guests can use the sun deck, pool, lounge bar and dining room, with complimentary WiFi in public areas. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. The shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. We arrange the cruise and shore visits; unlike shorter cruise packages, this programme includes several major archaeological sites along the river.
Classic
We organise private guided visits rather than scheduled coach excursions, so you have longer ashore and smaller groups. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator we arrange private transfers, cruising permits and licensed Egyptologists for each visit. Expect early starts for West Bank tombs and some walking on uneven ancient stone; shade on deck is limited at midday. We recommend sturdy shoes, sunscreen and a light sunhat.
Classic
We provide cabin accommodation, daytime navigation and shore excursions led by our Egyptologists. We don't run crowded coach transfers; excursions are escorted by our Egyptologists and scheduled to avoid the largest coach arrivals when possible. Expect early starts, walking on uneven ancient stone and limited shade at temple sites. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and can tailor cabin grade, private guide or added Cairo nights.
Classic
Alyssa Nile Cruise sails between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Philae Temple. We arrange small-group cruises with English-speaking Egyptologists, full-board meals, airport and port transfers, and entrance fees for the listed sites. Groups are capped at eight participants, so visits are quieter and queuing times are typically shorter than on larger cruise programmes. The itinerary includes a horse-drawn chariot visit to Edfu and a folkloric evening ashore. Optional excursions, such as Abu Simbel from Aswan, can be added. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and our Cairo-based team coordinates every detail on the ground, from meet-and-assist to transfers and local guides.
Prestige
We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and operate this as a Nile-only itinerary–Cairo or Giza visits are not bundled into the cruise. Expect organised shore visits with our Egyptologists, compact cabin layouts on most Nile vessels, and short organised walks on uneven ancient stone at shore sites.
Prestige
Steigenberger Legacy is a five-star Nile cruise vessel sailing between Luxor and Aswan, with a shore-excursion programme that includes major temples and ancient sites. Cabins are offered in Standard, Deluxe and Suite grades; some have Nile-view balconies or panoramic windows. On board, facilities include a restaurant, lounge bar, gym, WiFi, concierge service, a sun deck pool and rooftop terrace. Full board covers meals from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Unlike a fixed land itinerary, this cruise combines sailing on the Nile with scheduled shore visits. We arrange the booking; the cruise line owns and operates the vessel.
Prestige
Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise is a five-star river vessel sailing between Luxor and Aswan. Cabins are available in Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes; the shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. On board, guests can use the sun deck, pool, lounge areas and restaurant, with air-conditioning and WiFi available. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. This is a river cruise with visits ashore, not a fixed stay in one city; the programme and sailing direction vary by departure.
Prestige
The Steigenberger Regency is a five-star Nile cruiser with Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins, a restaurant, lounge bar, pool and rooftop terrace. Many cabins have panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies. Its shore-excursion programme includes sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Full board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are extra unless stated otherwise. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, arranges the cruise and embarkation formalities. Shore excursions and their fees should be checked against the booking details.
Prestige
The Steigenberger Royale is a five-star Nile cruise vessel with cabins in Standard, Deluxe and Suite categories. Some cabins have Nile-view windows or balconies, subject to availability. On board, facilities include a pool, sun deck, lounge bar, restaurant, gym, spa and air-conditioned public areas. Full board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are extra. Its shore-excursion programme may include Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, arranges bookings for the vessel, which is owned and operated by its supplier.
Prestige
Typical calls include Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we arrange transfers, Egyptologists and shore excursions. We don't run group bus tours, we favour paced days so you see Edfu and Kom Ombo properly, not in 40 minutes.
Luxury
Jaz Regent is a five-star river cruise vessel sailing between Luxor and Aswan. Cabins are available in Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes, with Nile views in higher grades. On board, guests can use the sun deck, lounge bar and dining room. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. These can include Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Unlike coach-based touring, the cruise combines river travel with visits arranged through the vessel’s excursion programme. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges bookings; the cruise line owns and operates the vessel.
Luxury
Sonesta Star Goddess is a five-star Nile river vessel with suites that have private Nile-view balconies. On board, guests can use the sun deck, pool, lounge bar and dining room. The shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings, with sailing between visits. Full Board covers lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day. Drinks (including water) and gratuities are extra unless stated otherwise. Unlike a coach-based sightseeing programme, this cruise combines travel on the Nile with visits to archaeological sites.
Luxury
Tulip Nile Cruise is a five-star river vessel with Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins. Many cabins have panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies. On board, guests have access to a lounge bar, an indoor saloon and a sun deck with shaded seating and loungers. Full-board dining runs from lunch on embarkation day to breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are extra. The shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Unlike a fixed land itinerary, the programme combines sailing on the Nile with visits at scheduled stops.
Luxury
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.
Luxury
This cruise sails between Luxor and Aswan aboard MS Esplanade, with guided visits to Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. Accommodation is full board on MS Esplanade, and we provide an English-speaking Egyptologist for groups of no more than eight guests. All sightseeing between Luxor and Aswan is included, with private air-conditioned transfers at embarkation and disembarkation. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we coordinate arrival and departure meet-and-assist, onboard meals and excursions. Unlike shorter itineraries that compress temple visits, this schedule spaces morning and late-afternoon visits to avoid the midday heat. An optional Abu Simbel excursion is available from Aswan on disembarkation day.
Luxury
We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arrange cabins, transfers and Egyptologist-led excursions rather than running large coach tours. Unlike many packaged cruises, we prioritise private or small-group shore time so visits are less rushed. Expect honest trade-offs: early starts, walking on uneven temple stone, and limited shade on open decks at midday.
Signature Collection
As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we provide our Egyptologists for shore excursions and time visits early or late to avoid the midday sun. Unlike larger motor-vessel programmes, we keep longer stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo rather than brief drive-by visits. Expect early starts, walking on uneven ancient stone and limited shade on sun decks; premium tombs such as Tutankhamun's are excluded unless requested. We arrange private transfers and bespoke extensions in Luxor or Aswan.
Signature Collection
Trade-offs include early starts, walking on uneven ancient stone and limited shade at midday temple visits.
Signature Collection
The cruise sails between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. The Jaz Elite Senator is an all-suite Nile vessel offering full-board dining and guided excursions. An English-speaking Egyptologist leads small-group visits, limited to a maximum of eight guests per guide. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arrange meet-and-assist services, private deluxe air-conditioned transfers and the on-the-ground excursions listed. Unlike larger mass-market Nile ships, the Jaz Elite Senator provides all-suite accommodation and typically operates with smaller guided groups, which reduces time waiting at sites. Practical departures run from Luxor or Aswan, with a variety of itinerary lengths available.
Signature Collection
A welcome drink on arrival, a freshly prepared buffet lunch with vegetarian choices, English-speaking onboard commentary and roundtrip hotel transfers within city limits where offered. All port fees, taxes and service charges are included. The cruise operates aboard the MS Historia. Entrance fees to archaeological sites, optional land excursions and gratuities are not included.
13 more vessels sail this route without a published tier. See every Nile cruise
The ship stays between Luxor and Aswan. The Pyramids, and most flights back to the UK, are in Cairo. These short extensions link the two.
Flight to Cairo and a night's hotel
Cairo for two nights and a day in Alexandria
3-Day Egypt Short Break Holiday: Cairo & Luxor
3-Day Cairo & Alexandria Holiday
3-Day Luxor Trip from Marsa Alam
3-Day Cairo Trip from Sharm El Sheikh3-Day Luxor & Cairo Trip from Hurghada
2-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Holiday Stay
3-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Holiday with AlexandriaA 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 (1 on this route)
Southbound is the better choice if your flights bring you into Luxor first — adding a positioning flight to Aswan to save one night on the river is a poor trade. It also suits travellers who would rather finish somewhere quiet: Aswan is the calmer of the two cities, and ending on a felucca off Elephantine Island beats ending in Luxor traffic. And if your dates only suit a Luxor-departure ship, take it. The temples are the same either way.
For most travellers we suggest Aswan to Luxor. You sail downstream with the current, the temples build towards Karnak rather than beginning with it, and you finish in Luxor with onward flights and the Cairo sleeper train both close to the mooring. Sail southbound if your flights bring you into Luxor first, or if you would rather end in the quieter of the two cities.
Three nights is the standard northbound sailing aboard a river ship — one fewer than the southbound leg, because the current is with you. Dahabiyas take seven or eight nights over the same stretch and moor at smaller sites the larger vessels pass, including El Kab and Gebel Silsila.
Philae Temple and the High Dam from Aswan at the start; the double temple of Sobek and Horus at Kom Ombo; the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the best-preserved temple in Egypt; the lock and temple of Khnum at Esna on the slower sailings; then Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and the Colossi of Memnon at the Luxor end.
Yes — and take it at the beginning. Abu Simbel is a day trip from Aswan by short flight or road convoy, so it sits before you board rather than being added once you have sailed north away from it. Our Aswan office holds the flight seats and the guide, so it slots in the day before boarding without a second hotel move.
Yes. It falls on the morning you disembark in Luxor. We hold a guide and private vehicle for that morning so the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and the Colossi of Memnon are covered ahead of an evening flight, without adding a night to the holiday.
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.
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