Karnak while you are fresh
Karnak is vast and asks for concentration. Sailing south it falls on the first day, before the week has caught up with you. Some guests would rather have the largest temple first than last.
Sailing south · upstream
Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruises
The classic direction: Karnak on the first day, and Aswan to wind down in.
220 kilometres, five moorings, one direction.
- 01
Luxor
Board in time for lunch, included on the day you arrive. Karnak and Luxor Temple are minutes from the mooring, and the West Bank fills the first full morning.
- 02
Esna
The lock, and the reason the first night's sailing runs late — worth being on deck for.
- 03
Edfu
The Temple of Horus by horse-carriage, the most completely preserved temple in Egypt.
- 04
Kom Ombo
Sobek and Horus share a single temple on the bank, reached straight off the gangway at dusk.
- 05
Aswan
Disembark after breakfast for Philae, the High Dam and a felucca past Elephantine Island. Abu Simbel is a day trip from here.
Sailing south is the older itinerary and still the more common one. You begin with the largest thing on the river, Karnak, and work towards the quieter end — Edfu, Kom Ombo, then Philae and the Nubian islands at Aswan. Because you are working against the current it usually takes four nights rather than three.
It suits more people than you might think. Most long-haul arrivals come through Luxor, and finishing in Aswan means finishing somewhere slow, which is welcome after Cairo.
Why sail south
It suits the usual flights
Most routings into Upper Egypt arrive at Luxor. Heading south means no positioning flight down to Aswan, which on a short holiday is worth more than the extra night aboard.
You finish somewhere calm
Aswan is the gentler of the two cities: islands, feluccas, Nubian villages and far less traffic than Luxor. Ending there rather than beginning there changes the whole shape of the week.
Abu Simbel as a finale
Abu Simbel is a day trip from Aswan, so heading south it becomes the closing act rather than something taken before you board. Its scale holds up as an ending.
What you stop at
Sailing this route
96 ships sail this route, across four tiers, typically 4 nights.
Comfort5-Star Standard
16 ships
Comfort
A Sara Nile Cruise
A Sara sails the Nile between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings and Luxor's East Bank. Choose the Aswan-to-Luxor, four-day option that departs every Wednesday, or the five-day Luxor-to-Aswan option that departs every Saturday with an optional Abu Simbel extension. Days combine temple visits with short daytime sailings, so you spend more time ashore at Edfu and Kom Ombo than on many tightly timed itineraries. Evenings are spent on deck with river views and relaxed dining. We arrange the Abu Simbel excursion by coach or scheduled flight if you add it when you book.
Comfort
Al Nabilatan Nile Cruise
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
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
NILE DOLPHIN
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
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.
Comfort
Queen of Sheeba Nile Cruise
Queen of Sheeba Nile Cruise is a river vessel offering full-board sailings on the Nile, with 72 suite-cabins featuring private bathrooms and large windows. Cabins are located on the main or upper deck. Packages typically cover 3 or 4 nights, with shore excursions included at sites such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. On board, guests have access to a recently refurbished lounge bar with Egyptian and Moorish interior details and a multi-cuisine restaurant. Arrival transfers from the airport, train station or hotel are included.
Classic5-Star Deluxe
40 ships
Classic
Farida Nile Cruise
Farida Nile Cruise offers five-star sailing between Luxor and Aswan with full board, shared shore excursions and cabin options. Enquire today.
Classic
Grand Rose Nile Cruise
The Grand Rose Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel offering full board accommodation, on-board amenities and a scheduled shore-excursion programme. Cabins are offered in Standard, Deluxe and Suite grades, several with Nile-view windows or balconies, and public spaces include a sun deck with shaded seating, a lounge bar, dining room and a small pool. We arrange weekly sailings between Luxor and Aswan that alternate sailing days and shore excursions to well-known sites. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we book the cruise and coordinate the shore excursions and embarkation logistics for you.
Classic
Hambra Nile Cruise
The Hambra Nile Cruise sails between Aswan and Luxor, offered as 4-day/3-night and 5-day/4-night itineraries. Each itinerary visits the High Dam, Philae Temple, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple, Karnak and Luxor Temple. Mornings are guided by an English-speaking Egyptologist, afternoons are for sailing and on-deck time. We limit guided groups to eight travellers, rather than running large coach tours. On disembarkation in Aswan, an optional Abu Simbel excursion can be arranged. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange transfers, Egyptologists and local logistics.
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
Kleos Nile Cruise
MS Kleos is a four-day Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan with daily guided excursions to major temples and tombs. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and our Egyptologists lead the shore visits. Unlike larger seven-night cruises, this compact itinerary concentrates on Karnak Temple, Luxor West Bank, Edfu and Kom Ombo so you see the key sites without extra nights. We keep shore groups deliberately small rather than running large coach rotations. Standard site entrance fees are included; premium tombs such as Tutankhamun or Seti I are extra. Note the trade-offs: early starts, walks on uneven ancient stone and limited shade on deck at midday.
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.
Prestige5-Star Ultra Deluxe
15 ships
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
Amada Nile Cruise
Amada Nile Cruise is a luxury 5-star river cruise linking Luxor and Aswan, with sailing scheduled weekly in both directions. Your cruise ship provides a calm base while the shore-excursion programme visits Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Embarkation and disembarkation are available in Luxor or Aswan. Unlike a land-based Nile itinerary, you unpack once while travelling between the principal archaeological sites. The cruise is arranged by Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, with the vessel selected and booked through its cruise partners.
Prestige
Amwaj Nile Cruise
Amwaj Nile Cruise is a river vessel offering full-board sailings on the Nile between Luxor and Aswan. The vessel sails weekly in both directions and embarks and disembarks at Luxor and Aswan. On board you will find a sun deck, lounge bar and a dining room; cabins are graded Standard, Deluxe and Suite. The excursion programme alternates sailing days with visits to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. We select and arrange this cruise for our clients, and we do not bundle premium site extras such as pyramid interiors, which are optional and charged separately.
Prestige
Grand Sun Nile Cruise | Discovery Tours Egypt
Grand Sun Nile Cruise is a 5-star river cruise programme linking Luxor and Aswan through Egypt’s principal Nile sites. Your cruise ship sails weekly in both directions, with an excursion programme covering Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Days alternate between sailing and shore visits, giving you time to see the monuments without treating the Nile as a simple transfer. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. The vessel is selected and booked by Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator. Cabin pricing is based on two people sharing, with a single supplement typically applying.
Prestige
Le Fayan Nile Cruise
Board MS Le Fayan at the Luxor Corniche pier and step aboard a compact Nile cruise that runs four days downriver to Aswan. I guide the shore excursions myself when available; we move with the light – morning visits to the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's temple when tombs are coolest, late-afternoon walk through Karnak's Hypostyle Hall if crowds thin. Cabins are Nile-cruise size and practical, with private en suite bathrooms and wardrobe space; this is intimate, not an ocean liner. Each afternoon you sit on the shaded sun deck and watch feluccas, fishermen and river markets pass close to the bank. We stop at Edfu and Kom Ombo for temple walks; plan on 60–90 minute shore calls in Edfu and a short market visit at Kom Ombo's quay. In Aswan we moor on the Corniche and arrange the motorboat transfer to Philae Temple. Meals follow local rhythms: breakfasts and lunches on board, an evening of grilled fish when the catch is good. Note practical details up front: luggage transfers use the pier gangway, mobile signal is patchy between Nile bends, and some tombs require extra-permit fees. If you like quiet mornings in old temples and direct commentary from an Egyptologist, this four-day downriver cruise keeps logistics simple and the day-to-day focused on sites and sunlight.
Luxury5-Star Luxury
25 ships
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
Medea Nile Cruise
You board at Luxor's Nile pier and meet your Egyptologist on the gangway. We walk straight to Karnak's Hypostyle Hall for a measured tour before the midday heat, then stop at Luxor Temple as lights come up after dusk. MS Medea runs a four-day, southbound route from Luxor to Aswan on a classic river scale: cabins are roughly 12 m² with river-view windows and modest storage – comfortable, not ocean-liner spacious. We pass through the Esna lock in late afternoon; expect the engine noise for 10–20 minutes while the gates close. The schedule gives two hours at Edfu's Temple of Horus by design – most cruisers skimp on this site, so we moor overnight to allow a calmer visit. On arrival in Aswan we visit Philae by motorboat, see the High Dam from the causeway, and disembark at Aswan pier after breakfast. Your Egyptologist handles commentaries, timings, and the short walks on uneven stone; I advise sensible shoes and a small daypack. Meals are full board on board; breakfast, lunch, and dinner follow a mix of local and continental dishes. Bar charges, gratuities, and optional extras sit outside the itinerary. If you want a hot-air balloon over the West Bank, tell me in advance – it means an extra early start and an added fee. This cruise suits travelers who prefer unhurried temple visits, steady river sailing, and clear daily plans.
Luxury
Miriam Nile Cruise
You board MS Miriam at the Luxor Corniche pier mid-afternoon and settle into a compact river cabin before the first walk to Karnak. I meet you on the quay: I am the Egyptologist who guides this route and I take you straight to the temple avenues where the sound of sandals on sandstone and the smell of date-syrup stalls still set the rhythm of the day. We start early on the West Bank at the Valley of the Kings – low light, few people, and panels that explain the painted ceilings up close. Back on board you watch the Nile change color as the vessel slips through the Esna lock; we moor overnight near Edfu so the temple visit gets two hours rather than a rushed stop. Day three gives you Kom Ombo’s double shrines and the Nile at dusk; on arrival in Aswan I show you Philae’s hypostyle hall and the High Dam’s concrete scale against the river. Cabins are compact (about 12 m²) – classic river scale, not ocean-liner. Full board includes three meals daily; breakfasts are early to match excursions. Practical notes: bring a hat for the tombs, wear closed shoes on uneven rock, and expect short walks and stairs at most sites. I walk every route with you, point out mason’s marks and later-period graffiti, and keep the timing tight so photography fits the light.
Luxury
Movenpick Hamees Nile Cruise
Movenpick MS Hamees is a five-star Nile cruise operating between Aswan and Luxor, offered as 3, 4 or 7 nights on a full board basis. We arrange guided sightseeing with licensed, English-speaking Egyptologists and include entrance fees to listed attractions. Sightseeing groups are limited to eight guests, which keeps visits more conversational than coach-led excursions. Embarkation is in Aswan, disembarkation in Luxor, and we provide meet and assist plus transfers in air-conditioned vehicles. WiFi is available in most public areas, though signal strength varies along the river. Vegetarian and special-diet requests can be accommodated with advance notice. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and coordinate the on-the-ground arrangements for the vessel and the guided excursions.
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 (2 on this route)
When to sail north instead
Sail Aswan to Luxor if you would rather the week built towards Karnak than opened with it, or if your days are short — northbound is three nights rather than four, because the current carries you. It also leaves you in Luxor, where the airport and the Cairo sleeper train sit closest to the mooring.
Questions we get about the direction
01How many nights is a Luxor to Aswan cruise?
Four nights aboard a standard river ship. That is one night longer than the same route northbound, because sailing upstream against the current takes longer between moorings. Dahabiyas take seven or eight nights over the same stretch.
02Which direction is more common?
Southbound, Luxor to Aswan, is the more commonly sold direction and the one most fixed departures advertise. Northbound is shorter and, for most travellers, the one we favour — though if your flights land at Luxor, sailing south saves a positioning flight.
03What do you see sailing south?
Karnak, Luxor Temple and the West Bank at the start; the Esna lock; the Temple of Horus at Edfu; the double temple at Kom Ombo; then Philae, the High Dam and the Nubian islands at Aswan. Abu Simbel is added as a day trip from Aswan at the end.
04Can Abu Simbel be included?
Yes, and sailing south it falls at the end. It is a day trip from Aswan by short flight or road convoy, taken after you disembark. Our Aswan office holds the flight seats and the guide, so it slots in without a second hotel move.
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.