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
98 ships sail this route, across our tiers, typically 7 nights.
Comfort5-Star Standard
28 ships
Comfort
Princess Sarah II Nile Cruise
Princess Sarah II is a Comfort-tier Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor, offered on 3, 4 or 7-night full-board programmes. 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
Radamis II Nile Cruise
Radamis II is a Comfort Nile cruise operating 3- and 4-night sailings between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo and Edfu. 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. Choose the shorter Friday Aswan to Luxor option or the Monday Luxor to Aswan sailing, both timed to include the West Bank and East Bank highlights of Luxor.
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.
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. Cabin features, vessel amenities and the assigned ship are not specified in the supplied details, so please check the booking information before confirming.
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. Sailings run 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 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. The weekly sailings run in both directions, with sailing days alternating with shore excursions at sites including Karnak Temple, Edfu and the Valley of the Kings. 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 beyond still water with meals 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 vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with sailing days alternating with shore excursions. 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 beyond water with meals 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. The vessel sails weekly in both directions. 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. Weekly sailings operate in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. 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. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Full board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day; drinks beyond water with meals 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 beyond water with meals are extra. Its shore-excursion programme may include Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, arranges bookings for the vessel, which is owned and operated by its supplier.
Prestige
Movenpick Royal Lotus Nile Cruise
Movenpick Royal Lotus is a 5-star Nile river cruise vessel with a pool, sun deck, restaurant, lounge and Wi-Fi. It sails weekly between Luxor and Aswan in both directions. The shore-excursion programme may include Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings, according to the booked package. Unlike a stay based in one city, a Nile cruise combines time on the river with visits to sites along its banks. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Standard, Deluxe and Suite cabins are offered, subject to availability; an upper-deck cabin carries a 15% supplement.
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. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. 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.
Luxury5-Star Luxury
21 ships
Luxury
Soleil Nile Cruise
Soleil Nile Cruise sails from Luxor to Aswan aboard the Soleil Nile Cruise Classic. The route visits Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut's temple, the Colossi of Memnon, the Temple of Horus at Edfu and the double temple at Kom Ombo, then Aswan's High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and Philae. Meals are served onboard and guided tours are led by our Egyptologists; entrance fees for included sites are covered. We schedule visits to avoid the hottest midday hours where possible, and we time key visits to reduce overlap with larger group tours. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange transfers, Egyptologists and cabin bookings on your behalf.
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. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Full Board covers lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day. Drinks beyond water with meals 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 described in the supplied product information. 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. We arrange the cruise with the vessel’s operator; the ship is not operated by Discovery Tours Egypt. Full-board meals run from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
Luxury
The Sanctuary Sun Boat IV Nile Cruise
Sanctuary Sun Boat IV is a five-star Nile cruise vessel with cabin accommodation, a dining room, a lounge and a sun deck. It sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with scheduled shore excursions at sites including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. Unlike a fixed land itinerary, the sailing programme links these visits along the Nile, with embarkation and disembarkation at Luxor or Aswan. Full board runs from lunch on the embarkation day through breakfast on the disembarkation day. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, arranges bookings for the vessel.
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
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.
Signature CollectionSignature Collection
2 ships
Signature Collection
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.
Signature Collection
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.
16 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.