No internal flight
One-way cruises need a domestic flight or the sleeper train at one end. A round trip does not. On a tight schedule that is one less thing to go wrong, and one less move with the luggage.
Seven nights · out and back
Luxor Round-Trip Nile Cruises
Fly into Luxor, leave from Luxor, and skip the internal flight altogether.
220 kilometres, five moorings, one direction.
- 01
Luxor
Board in time for lunch, included on the day you arrive. Karnak, Luxor Temple and the West Bank across the first two days.
- 02
Esna
The lock, southbound on the way down and again coming back.
- 03
Edfu
The Temple of Horus — most round trips call here both ways, at different hours.
- 04
Kom Ombo
Sobek and Horus on the bank, usually at dusk heading south.
- 05
Aswan
The turn: two nights for Philae, the High Dam and the islands, with Abu Simbel optional before sailing north.
- 06
Luxor
Back where you began. Disembark after breakfast, airport or sleeper train from the same mooring you left.
A round trip sails Luxor to Aswan and back again across seven nights. You get the full temple run in both directions and never move airports, which takes out the most fragile part of an Egypt itinerary.
It is the longer, slower choice and the one seasoned Nile travellers tend towards on a second visit. Seeing Edfu heading south and again heading north is not repetition — the light and the crowds differ each time.
Why a round trip
Two nights at Aswan, not one
Round trips hold at Aswan for the turn, which is where one-way sailings feel hurried. Philae, the High Dam, a felucca and Abu Simbel all fit without a four o'clock start.
The temples twice
Edfu and Kom Ombo are called at both ways on most round trips — early light heading south, late light coming back. Guests who have cruised before rate this more highly than first-timers expect.
Seven nights is the actual week
Three or four nights on the river is a segment within a larger holiday. Seven nights is the holiday. If the Nile is the point rather than a stage of it, this is the shape.
What you stop at
Sailing this route
101 ships sail this route, across four tiers, typically 7 nights.
Comfort5-Star Standard
24 ships
Comfort
Royal Beau Rivage Nile Cruise
Sail the Nile for four days aboard MS Royal Beau Rivage, visiting Karnak Temple, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and operate this cruise on the ground. Unlike many cruise-only packages, our shore visits are led by our Egyptologists rather than hotel-contracted guides, which lengthens time at key sites. Cabins are compact compared with larger river yachts and deck shade is limited at midday. Abu Simbel is available as an optional add-on and requires either an early road transfer or a short domestic flight.
Comfort
Royal Elite Nile Cruise
Four-day cruise on MS Royal Elite between Luxor and Aswan, visiting Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu and Kom Ombo. We operate shore visits with our Egyptologists and private transfers; we are a licensed Egyptian tour operator. We don't run coach-load group excursions – we limit shore groups and schedule visits to avoid the mid-afternoon heat where possible. Unlike many three-night packaged cruises, this itinerary includes full calls at both Edfu and Kom Ombo. Expect early starts, walking on uneven ancient stone, and open decks that get hot at midday. Standard site entrance fees are included; optional extras such as Abu Simbel flights, pyramid interiors and gratuities are not included.
Comfort
Royal Esadora Nile Cruise
Sail between Aswan and Luxor on board Royal Esadora, visiting Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor West Bank and Luxor East Bank. The vessel provides a shaded sun deck with a small pool, an air-conditioned lounge, an on-board massage room and a boutique. We provide English-speaking Egyptologists who lead excursions for groups capped at eight guests. Unlike many large coach sightseeing packages, excursions are run in small guided groups. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we coordinate transfers and onshore logistics while you travel in Egypt. Guided visits include the temple complexes at Kom Ombo and Edfu; optional visits to Abu Simbel can be arranged by road or by flight for an extra fee. Expect walking on uneven ancient stone and limited shade at some open-air sites, so bring sun protection and comfortable shoes.
Comfort
Royal La Terrasse
Royal La Terrasse is a five-star Nile cruise vessel offering full board accommodation and an on-board programme of shore excursions between Luxor and Aswan. The vessel has a sun deck with pool, a lounge bar, a rooftop terrace, a spa and cabins graded Standard, Deluxe and Suite. We arrange sailings weekly in both directions, and the itinerary alternates sailing days with visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Unlike mass coach cruises, this vessel runs a regular weekly programme, so you see each major site across several sailing days.
Comfort
Royal Princess Nile Cruise
The Royal Princess Nile Cruise sails between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor West Bank and Luxor East Bank. The route focuses on temple visits and short shore excursions, with mornings allocated for landings before the midday heat. We limit groups to a maximum of eight participants, so you will not travel on a large coach-style tour. Unlike many short cruises that rush Edfu and Kom Ombo, this itinerary allows unhurried visits to both sites. Onboard the vessel you will find a sun deck with pool, social lounges and cabins with panoramic Nile views, making river travel an uninterrupted way to move between Upper Egypt’s principal temples. We arrange local transfers, Egyptologists for guided visits and meet-and-assist at embarkation and disembarkation.
Comfort
Royal Ruby Nile Cruise
Sail between Aswan and Luxor aboard the Royal Ruby, calling at Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor's West Bank and East Bank temples. The itinerary alternates short, site-centred mornings with relaxed sailing periods, so you have time on deck and time at the monuments. Our Egyptologists lead the guided visits, explaining pharaonic inscriptions and architectural phases at Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings, as well as the temple complexes at Edfu and Kom Ombo. We limit cabin numbers to keep groups small, maximum eight passengers, which avoids the coach-party model common on larger river cruises. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we coordinate all local arrangements on your behalf.
Classic5-Star Deluxe
42 ships
Classic
Jamila Nile Cruise
Jamila Nile Cruise is a five-star river vessel offering full board accommodation and an on-board shore-excursion programme. The vessel typically sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with days alternating between sailing and visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Cabins are offered in graded classes, with Nile-view balconies on higher grades and panoramic windows in lower grades. We hand-pick this ship rather than include it in coach-led mass-market packages, and the excursion pattern gives time ashore at major temples rather than rushed port calls.
Classic
Jaz Crown Jewel Nile Cruise
Classic
Jaz Crown Jubilee Nile Cruise
Jaz Crown Jubilee Nile Cruise
Classic
Jaz Crown Prince Nile Cruise
Jaz Crown Prince Nile Cruise offers full board, guided shore excursions and comfortable cabins on the Nile. Enquire with Discovery Tours Egypt today.
Classic
Kontiki Nile Cruise
Kontiki Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel, offering cabins with Nile views, a sun deck and a lounge bar. The vessel typically sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with an organised shore-excursion programme visiting Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Cabins are graded Standard, Deluxe and Suite, and pricing is per person sharing with a single-supplement policy for sole occupancy. Unlike fast one-way transfers, the Kontiki gives time on board to relax between visits, and we carefully select this vessel for its balanced schedule and facilities.
Classic
Lady Carol Nile Cruise
Lady Carol is a four-day Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan with guided shore visits to Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. We arrange private transfers and our Egyptologists lead all ashore visits. Unlike many larger 7-night cruises, this short cruise concentrates on principal river temples and keeps sailing time compact, which means shorter days ashore at smaller sites. Expect early starts for cooler visits and simpler onboard facilities rather than a full floating resort. Site entrance fees are included unless the itinerary states otherwise; premium tombs and gratuities are extra. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
Prestige5-Star Ultra Deluxe
18 ships
Prestige
Steigenberger Regency Nile Cruise
Steigenberger Regency Nile Cruise
Prestige
Steigenberger Royale Nile Cruise
Steigenberger Royale Nile Cruise
Prestige
Tulip Nile Cruise
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.
Prestige
Acamar Nile Cruise
Acamar Nile Cruise offers cabins, sun deck, lounge bar and full-board sailing between Luxor and Aswan. Enquire with Discovery Tours Egypt.
Prestige
Alexander The Great Nile Cruise
Six-night Prestige Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan aboard a 5-star vessel. 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. Unlike many four-night packages, this six-night voyage gives longer calls and more cruising time.
Prestige
Concerto II Nile Cruise
Luxury5-Star Luxury
17 ships
Luxury
The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise
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
Tosca Nile Cruise
MS Tosca is a 3 or 4-night 5-star Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Philae, Edfu, Kom Ombo and the Luxor West Bank. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange full-board accommodation, meet-and-assist on arrival and departure, transfers in air-conditioned vehicles, and private Egyptologist-led excursions. Excursions are capped at eight guests per guide for a small-group experience. The itinerary includes the High Dam, Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo and Luxor's Karnak and West Bank monuments. The standard fare does not include the Abu Simbel excursion, which we offer as an optional add-on. The MS Tosca's design was created by the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, and onboard dining and leisure time are scheduled to let you step ashore for guided visits and return for relaxed afternoons on deck.
Luxury
Esplanade Nile Cruise
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
Farah Nile Cruise
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.
Luxury
Historia Nile Cruise
Our Historia Nile Cruise operates daily with flexible itinerary options – 4-, 5- and 8-day cruises. 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.
Luxury
Jaz Elite Senator Nile Cruise
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.
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 a one-way is the better trade
If your holiday also takes in Cairo, the Red Sea or Jordan, seven nights on the river is probably too much of the budget in one place. A three- or four-night one-way covers the same headline temples and leaves room for the rest. Take the round trip when the Nile is the holiday rather than a chapter of it.
Questions we get about the direction
01How many nights is a Luxor round-trip cruise?
Seven, sailing Luxor to Aswan and back to Luxor. That is the standard round-trip length across the fleet; the three- and four-night sailings are one-way segments of the same route.
02Do you see the same temples twice?
Edfu and Kom Ombo are usually called at both ways, at different hours. Karnak, Luxor Temple and the West Bank are done at the Luxor end; Philae, the High Dam and the islands during the two-night hold at Aswan. Same river, not the same day.
03Round trip or one-way?
A round trip is better if you want the Nile itself to be the holiday and would rather not change airports. It is worse if Egypt must also include Cairo and the Red Sea, because seven nights is most of a fortnight. The temples are identical either way.
04Can Abu Simbel be added?
Yes, during the Aswan turn. Round trips hold there long enough that Abu Simbel fits by short flight or road convoy without cutting anything. Our Aswan office arranges it as part of the booking.
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.