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
100 ships sail this route, across our tiers, typically 7 nights.
Comfort5-Star Standard
30 ships
Comfort
Royal Adventure Nile Cruise
The Royal Adventure is a traditional Nile riverboat plying the river between Luxor and Aswan: four nights upriver from Luxor with Saturday departures, three nights downriver from Aswan with Wednesday departures, or a full week combining the two, with guided visits to the great temples and royal tombs along the way. Mornings are usually spent ashore and afternoons sailing. Up top you will find a small plunge pool, a hot tub and plenty of sunbeds, with a restaurant and a lounge bar on the decks below. Cabins come with a double or two single beds, a mini fridge, an en-suite shower and a French-window style balcony that opens but has no space to step out. Meals are buffet style on a full-board basis, with afternoon tea on some days; drinks cost extra, including at mealtimes. An Egyptologist guides every included excursion.
Comfort
Princess Sarah II Nile Cruise
Routes call at Kom Ombo and Edfu and include guided visits to Luxor East Bank and the West Bank. All excursions are led by an English-speaking Egyptologist, small groups maximum eight guests. Unlike larger Nile cruise ships, Princess Sarah II has panoramic windows in every cabin and on-deck social spaces for uninterrupted river views. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arrange meet-and-assist, private air-conditioned transfers, and onboard assistance. Onboard facilities include a pool, sun deck, gym, daily housekeeping and a main dining room. Optional excursions such as Abu Simbel can be arranged for an additional fee.
Comfort
Princess Sarah Nile Cruise
Princess Sarah is a 5-star Nile cruiser with Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabin grades, plus a restaurant, lounge, bar, sun deck and swimming pool. Its shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings, with sailing between visits. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are extra. Unlike a fixed land itinerary, the cruise combines time on the river with visits to major temples and sites. Cabin pricing is based on two people sharing, and a single supplement applies.
Comfort
Radamis II Nile Cruise
All guided excursions are led by an English-speaking Egyptologist in small groups, maximum eight travellers. Cabins have panoramic windows, individual air-conditioning and bathrooms with full-size bathtubs; public areas include a sun deck, swimming pool and a barbecue area. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange meet-and-assist, private air-conditioned transfers and on-board coordination. We do not run large coach-group excursions, so visits are paced for photography and short walks rather than rushed coach drop-offs.
Comfort
Royal Amira Nile Cruise
Egyptologist-led visits to Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu and Philae. We schedule temple visits early to avoid midday heat and heavier river traffic. Cons: early starts, walking on uneven ancient stone and limited shade on deck at midday. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator; we provide Egyptologists, private transfers and on-board meals.
Comfort
Royal Beau Rivage Nile Cruise
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.
Classic5-Star Deluxe
28 ships
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
Nile Capital Nile Cruise
Nile Capital Nile Cruise is a river-cruise package on the Nile, with the vessel assigned at booking. Sailing is scheduled weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. The shore-excursion programme covers sites including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings, with sailing between stops. Full Board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. The cruise is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator; the vessel is owned and operated by its cruise line.
Classic
Nile Dolphin Nile Cruise
Nile Dolphin is a 5-star river cruise vessel sailing between Luxor and Aswan. Its facilities include a swimming pool, sun deck, restaurant, bar, lounge and onboard Wi-Fi. The shore-excursion programme covers Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, then Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are excluded. Unlike a land-based tour, this cruise links major Nile sites while travelling between the two cities. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, arranges the cruise.
Classic
Nile Style Nile Cruise
Nile Style is a five-star river cruise vessel sailing between Luxor and Aswan, with Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins. On board, guests can use the sun deck, lounge bar and dining room. Full board covers lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are excluded unless stated otherwise. Unlike a continuous river transit, the programme includes scheduled visits ashore at major sites along the Nile. Cabin pricing is per person sharing, and a single supplement typically applies.
Classic
Nile Treasure Nile Cruise
Nile Treasure is a 5-star Nile river cruise with air-conditioned cabins, a restaurant, lounge bar, pool and sun deck. The programme covers Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Wi-Fi is available subject to onboard availability; drinks (including water) are extra. Unlike a land-based sightseeing programme, this cruise gives travellers time on the river between visits.
Prestige5-Star Ultra Deluxe
19 ships
Prestige
Steigenberger Legacy Nile Cruise
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
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
Steigenberger Regency Nile Cruise
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
Steigenberger Royale Nile Cruise
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
Acamar Nile Cruise
Acamar Nile Cruise is a five-star river vessel sailing the Nile between Luxor and Aswan. Cabins are graded Standard, Deluxe and Suite, with Nile-view windows or private balconies depending on category. On board, you can use the sun deck, pool, lounge bar and dining room. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, and a scheduled shore-excursion programme visits major sites along the route. Unlike a coach-led circuit, this cruise links river sailing with visits to temples and archaeological sites. We arrange the cruise as a licensed Egyptian tour operator; the vessel is owned and operated by its cruise line.
Prestige
Alexander The Great Nile Cruise
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.
Luxury5-Star Luxury
20 ships
Luxury
Sonesta St. George I Nile Cruise
Sonesta St. George I is a 5-star river cruise vessel sailing on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan. Its shore-excursion programme covers Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae Temple and the Valley of the Kings. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks (including water) are extra. Unlike a visit based in one city, the cruise links major sites along the river. Discovery Tours Egypt arranges the cruise with the vessel’s owning cruise line, with cabin category and sailing details confirmed at booking.
Luxury
Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise
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
Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise
Sonesta Sun Goddess is a five-star river vessel sailing weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Its cabins are graded Standard, Deluxe and Suite, with Nile views. On board, amenities include a pool on the sun deck, a rooftop terrace, lounges, a restaurant, room service and a spa. The shore-excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae, with time divided between visits ashore and sailing. Full-board meals run from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
Luxury
Tosca Nile Cruise
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
Tulip Nile Cruise
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
Cleopatra Nile Cruise
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.
Signature CollectionSignature Collection
3 ships
Signature Collection
Historia Nile Cruise
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.
Signature Collection
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.
Signature Collection
The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise
Trade-offs include early starts, walking on uneven ancient stone and limited shade at midday temple visits.
16 more vessels sail this route without a published tier. See every Nile cruise
Add Cairo before or after your 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.
After you disembark
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 Sheikh- 3-Day Luxor & Cairo Trip from Hurghada
2-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Holiday Stay
3-Day Luxor to Cairo Post-Cruise Holiday with Alexandria
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.