Sphinx Nile Cruise
Luxor to Aswan, classic Upper Egypt cruise
At a glance
- Embarks
- Mon, Fri
- Board
- Full Board
- Class
- 5-star
02Overview
A first look
The Sphinx Nile Cruise follows the classic Upper Egypt route from Luxor to Aswan. Mornings are for temple visits with our Egyptologists, afternoons for relaxed sailing and meals on deck.
The route
Luxor and Aswan
- EdfuThe Temple of Horus
- Kom OmboThe Temple of Sobek
Both directions
Where this ship sails
This vessel works more than one stretch of the river. The direction changes the order of the temples, the number of nights and which city you fly out of.
At sea
Detailed itinerary
Based on embarkation from Luxor and disembarkation in ASWAN.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Bundled in
- Wi-Fi
- Sun Deck
- Restaurant
The fine print
What's included – and what isn't
Included
- Accommodation on board the Sphinx Nile Cruise (deluxe cabin category)
- Full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- All guided tours with a licensed Egyptologist
- All entrance fees to mentioned sites
- All transfers in private air-conditioned vehicles
- Assistance upon arrival and departure
- Cruise taxes and service charges
Not included
- Tipping (crew & guide)
- Personal expenses
- Drinks during meals
- Optional tours such as Abu Simbel
- Domestic flights (if required)
Accessibility
Who can join this
This Nile cruise involves vessel boarding via a gangway with steps and a medium-length ramp, which may be steep depending on river level. Cabins are accessed by one or two internal staircases; some vessels have at least one cabin accessible by elevator, but elevator access is not guaranteed on every boat. Shore excursions include uneven ancient stone, steep ramps, narrow paths and occasional sand, for example at the Valley of the Kings and Philae Temple. Wheelchairs with wide bases may not fit into some shore vehicles or smaller tender boats. We can arrange wheelchair-accessible transfers and shore assistance where the vessel and local site staffing allow, but full independent wheelchair access ashore cannot be guaranteed. Please contact us with mobility details at booking so we can confirm the specific vessel's accessibility features, reserve accessible cabins where available, and plan appropriate assistance during embarkation, disembarkation and excursions.
Before you go
What to pack & wear
What to bring
- Valid passport and photocopy
- Sunscreen SPF50+, sunglasses and wide-brim hat
- Lightweight daypack and refillable water bottle
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip for uneven stone
- Motion-sickness medication if prone to seasickness
- Power adaptor (Egypt uses Type C and F, 220V)
- Small torch or headlamp for walking at dusk
What to wear
- Lightweight, breathable layers for hot days and cool evenings
- Smart-casual clothes for evenings in the dining room
- Covered shoulders and knees for temples and mosques
- Comfortable closed shoes for temple visits and the Valley of the Kings
- Light waterproof or windproof layer for breezy evenings on the sun deck
Children & families
Children aged 0 to 5.99 years travel free. Children aged 6 to 11.99 years pay 50% of the adult fare. Children aged 12 years and older pay the full adult price. Children must share a cabin with their parents, maximum one child per cabin; two or more children require their own cabin. Strollers are practical on the vessel but can be difficult on shore excursions because of cobbles, narrow ramps and uneven stone at archaeological sites. High chairs, baby cots and other childcare equipment vary by vessel and must be requested at booking; we recommend arranging these in advance.
Location
On the map
– Responsible travel
How we travel here
The cruise uses diesel-powered river cruise vessels typical for Nile sailing; fuel-efficient hull designs and regular engine maintenance are common but vary by vessel. On-board water is usually produced by reverse osmosis systems and single-use plastic water bottles are provided on many cruises; we encourage bringing a refillable bottle to reduce waste. Shore excursions use modern air-conditioned coaches or local launches; we work with local transport suppliers that employ licensed drivers and maintain vehicles to local safety standards. We select local Egyptologists, guides and crew through long-term supplier relationships, which channels tour revenue into local wages and hospitality businesses in Luxor and Aswan. Where possible we book community-run souks and family-run cafés for optional stops; ask us for details so we can prioritise small local vendors on your programme.
Licensed local Egyptologists
ETAA-credentialed, on payroll
Fair wages on the ground
Drivers + guides paid above market
Site preservation
We follow MoTA visitor caps and no-touch protocols
Carbon-aware itineraries
Domestic flights only when train/road is impractical
If plans change
Cancellation
- More than 30 days
- Full refund less a £50 admin fee
- 15–30 days
- 50% refund
- Within 14 days
- No refund – date changes considered case by case
Product ID: CRU-NIL-212757
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