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
Book Semiramis III Nile Cruise for full-board sailing between Luxor and Aswan, with guided shore excursions and elegant cabins. Enquire today.
Comfort
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
King of Thebes Nile Cruise is a deluxe 5-star river cruise programme between Luxor and Aswan, with 3, 4 and 7-night sailing options. The vessel sails weekly in both directions, with embarkation and disembarkation in Luxor or Aswan. Full board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Our private English-speaking Egyptologist guides accompany shore excursions to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Aswan High Dam. On board, cabins have air conditioning, television, a fridge and Wi-Fi, while shared facilities include a swimming pool, sun deck, fitness area, lounge bar and entertainment lounge. An Egyptian folklore show is scheduled on board. Abu Simbel is available as an optional excursion.
Comfort
The LA Sarah Nile Cruise sails between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo, Edfu and the temples on Luxor's East and West Banks. Choose the 4-day northbound sail (Aswan to Luxor, departs Wednesdays) or the 5-day southbound sail (Luxor to Aswan, departs Saturdays). We arrange full-board accommodation and guided excursions with our Egyptologists in small groups, maximum eight per guide, which keeps visits paced and personal. Unlike many four-night package cruises, this itinerary gives proper time at Edfu and Kom Ombo rather than a rushed stop. Expect active days with walking on uneven temple stone and early starts at key sites. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
Comfort
Nile Dolphin is a deluxe 5-star river cruise vessel sailing between Luxor and Aswan. Its onboard facilities include a swimming pool, sun deck, restaurant, bar, lounge and Wi-Fi, giving you space to relax between shore excursions. The programme combines sailing days with visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Sailings operate weekly in both directions, with embarkation and disembarkation in Luxor or Aswan. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Drinks beyond water with meals are normally charged separately.
Comfort
Nile Quest Nile Cruise is a 5-star river vessel, arranged for you by a licensed Egyptian tour operator. The ship combines graded cabins, a sun deck, a lounge bar, pool access and a dining room serving full board. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with an excursion programme calling at Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. We select and book the cruise; the cruise line operates the vessel and runs on-board services.
Classic
A 4-day Aswan to Luxor Nile cruise built around the 2 August 2027 total solar eclipse. Eclipse from the sun deck on disembarkation day, then transfer to Luxor airport.
Classic
Discover Al Kahila Nile Cruise on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan, with full-board cabins, shore excursions and views. Enquire today.
Classic
Jaz Crown Jubilee Nile Cruise
Classic
Jaz Crown Prince Nile Cruise offers full board, guided shore excursions and comfortable cabins on the Nile. Enquire with Discovery Tours Egypt today.
Classic
Three nights aboard MS Magic I, sailing between Luxor and Aswan with guided visits to Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. We include guided land visits led by our Egyptologist rather than relying on audio guides; this keeps group sizes small and the schedule reliable. Typical timings put two full mornings on Luxor’s West and East Banks, a daytime sail calling at Edfu and Kom Ombo, and a full day in Aswan. Standard site entrance fees are included; premium extras such as Tutankhamun’s tomb or private felucca rides are optional and charged separately. Practical trade-offs: cabins are compact, departures can start early, and temple sites have limited shade at midday. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arrange transfers, local crew and on-board meals.
Classic
MS Magic II is a four-day Nile cruise operated on the River Nile by our licensed Egyptian tour operator. The schedule gives paced shore visits, evenings on board and dawn or dusk time ashore for photography. Unlike single-day excursions from Cairo or Luxor, the four-day pace provides multiple mornings and evenings to visit major sites properly. We do not automatically include pyramid interior tickets or premium tombs; clients choose those extras at booking or on request. Trade-offs include early starts on some mornings, limited shade at midday and walking on uneven ancient stone at sites. Standard site entrance fees are included unless stated otherwise.
Prestige
Salacia Nile Cruise offers full board, scheduled excursions and weekly Luxor–Aswan sailings. Enquire with Discovery Tours Egypt today.
Prestige
Book Steigenberger Legacy Nile Cruise with full board, Luxor–Aswan sailing, shore excursions and cabin choices. Enquire now.
Prestige
Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise offers full board, Nile-view cabins and guided shore excursions between Luxor and Aswan. Enquire now.
Prestige
Steigenberger Regency Nile Cruise
Prestige
Steigenberger Royale Nile Cruise
Prestige
MS Tulip is a four-day Nile cruise operating from Luxor with Egyptologist-led excursions to Karnak Temple and the West Bank. We arrange hotel pick-up, private transfers and guided visits to Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s temple; our Egyptologists brief you before each walk. Unlike many shore-only day trips, this sailing leaves you riverside in the evenings so visits need not be back-to-back. Trade-offs: expect early starts, walking on uneven ancient stone and limited shade at midday. Premium tombs such as Tutankhamun and Seti I are extra and booked separately.
Luxury
Jaz Regent Nile Cruise on the Luxor–Aswan river route offers full board, guided shore excursions and cabin choices. Enquire now.
Luxury
MS Nile Serenity is a four-day Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan with guided shore visits and included transfers. We operate as a licensed Egyptian tour operator and manage all local logistics on the ground rather than selling a cruise-only package. Typical shore visits include Karnak Temple and Luxor West Bank, though exact sites depend on direction and scheduling. Standard site entrance fees are included; pyramid interiors, premium tombs (Tutankhamun/Seti I) and gratuities are excluded unless requested. Note the trade-offs: shortened cruising means some shore stops have limited time ashore and early starts are common.
Luxury
Book Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise for suite accommodation, full board dining and guided Nile shore excursions between Luxor and Aswan. Enquire now.
Luxury
Four-day Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan aboard MS The Oberoi Phiale with guided visits to Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. 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.
Luxury
A four-day Nile cruise aboard MS The Oberoi Zahra with Egyptologist-led shore excursions and private transfers arranged by our team. We don't bundle premium tombs and pyramid interiors into the fixed cruise price; we add them on request to keep the base price transparent. Compared with rushed three-day packages, a four-day schedule gives proper time ashore at Luxor West Bank and the Aswan temples. Standard site entrance fees are included; pyramid interiors (Khufu/Khafre) and premium tombs (Tutankhamun/Seti I) are excluded unless requested. Trade-offs include early starts, walking on uneven ancient stone and limited shade at midday temple visits.
Luxury
Sail the Nile for four days aboard MS Farah, operating the standard Luxor–Aswan route with guided shore visits. 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. Standard site entrance fees are included unless stated; pyramid interiors and premium tombs are excluded unless explicitly requested.
16 more vessels sail this route without a published tier. See every Nile cruise
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 (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.
