Abu Simbel at either end
Abu Simbel is a day trip from Aswan and nowhere else. Starting and finishing here means you can take it before you board or after you return, whichever the flight schedule prefers.
Seven nights · out and back
Aswan Round-Trip Nile Cruises
Base yourself in the quieter city and put Abu Simbel on either end.
220 kilometers, five moorings, one direction.
- 01
Aswan
Board in time for lunch, included on arrival day. Philae, the High Dam and the islands from here; Abu Simbel fits the day before boarding.
- 02
Kom Ombo
Sobek and Horus on the bank, straight off the gangway.
- 03
Edfu
The Temple of Horus by horse-carriage — northbound arrivals tend to be early, before the crowds.
- 04
Esna
The lock, taken in both directions.
- 05
Luxor
The turn: Karnak, Luxor Temple and the West Bank before sailing back south.
- 06
Aswan
Back where you started. Disembark after breakfast, with Abu Simbel still available if you did not take it at the start.
The Aswan round trip sails north to Luxor and back over seven nights. Same temples as the Luxor version, same no-internal-flight logic — the difference is which city you sleep in first and last, and Aswan is by some distance the calmer of the two.
It also makes Abu Simbel easy. It is a day trip from Aswan, so on this shape it fits before you sail or after you return, rather than being wedged into a one-way itinerary.
Why turn at Luxor rather than start there
Aswan is the calmer base
Luxor is busier, hotter in the streets, and heavier on traffic. If your first day in Upper Egypt is also your first day off a long-haul flight, Aswan is a gentler place to land.
No internal flight
Like any round trip, you fly into one airport and out of the same one. No positioning flight, no second set of transfers, no bags moved mid-trip.
Karnak in the middle
On this shape Karnak lands mid-week rather than as an opener or a finale. Some guests prefer the largest temple when they are neither jet-lagged nor packing.
What you stop at
Sailing this route
98 ships sail this route, across four tiers, typically 7 nights.
Comfort5-Star Standard
16 ships
Comfort
Princess Sarah II Nile Cruise
Princess Sarah II is a Comfort-level Nile cruise operating between Aswan and Luxor, with 3- or 4-night itineraries. The cruise departs from Aswan on Wednesdays and from Luxor on Saturdays, calling at Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor West Bank, and Luxor East Bank. All guided excursions are led by our Egyptologists in small groups, maximum eight guests. Cabins have panoramic windows and private bathrooms, and public areas include a sun deck, swimming pool, gym, and a main dining room serving international cuisine. The price covers full-board accommodation, private air-conditioned transfers, entrance fees listed in the itinerary, meet-and-assist service, and one complimentary bottle of water per person per day. Unlike larger coach-based cruises, we prioritize slow, shore-based visits that let you spend adequate time at Edfu and Kom Ombo. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator.
Comfort
Princess Sarah Nile Cruise
Comfort
Queen of Sheeba Nile Cruise
Explore a deluxe 5-star Nile Cruise with full board, suite cabins and shore excursions to Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. Enquire today.
Comfort
Radamis II Nile Cruise
Radamis II is a Nile cruise offering 3, 4, or 7 night sailings between Aswan and Luxor. It calls at Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor West Bank, and Luxor East Bank, depending on the chosen itinerary. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange meet-and-assist, private transfers, and guided excursions led by an English-speaking Egyptologist in small groups, maximum eight guests. Onboard facilities include panoramic-window cabins with individual air conditioning, mini bar, LCD TV, full-size bathtubs, a swimming pool, sun loungers, and a barbecue deck. The westbound option departs Aswan every Friday as a 4-day/3-night itinerary; the eastbound option departs Luxor every Monday as a 5-day/4-night itinerary. Optional excursions, for example Abu Simbel by private transfer or domestic flight, can be added for an extra fee.
Comfort
Royal Esadora Nile Cruise
Sail between Aswan and Luxor aboard Royal Esadora, visiting Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor West Bank, and Luxor East Bank. Accommodation is on a full board basis, with guided excursions led by an English-speaking Egyptologist, limited to a maximum of eight guests per guided party. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange private, air-conditioned transfers, meet-and-assist services, and entrance tickets listed in the itinerary. Onboard facilities include a sun deck with pool, a lounge and bar, a small fitness area, and a massage room. Unlike many short itineraries that treat Edfu and Kom Ombo as brief stops, this schedule allows proper time ashore at both temples. Optional excursions such as Abu Simbel can be arranged for an additional fee, and onboard WiFi and beverages are charged separately.
Comfort
Royal Princess Nile Cruise
Royal Princess Nile Cruise sails between Aswan and Luxor on scheduled 3- and 4-night departures. The route calls at Kom Ombo and Edfu, and includes visits to Luxor East Bank and Luxor West Bank. We provide full-board accommodation onboard, guided excursions with our English-speaking Egyptologists, entrance fees as listed, air-conditioned transfers, and one complimentary bottle of water per person each day. Group tours are limited to a maximum of eight participants, which allows longer time at Edfu and quieter landings at Kom Ombo compared with larger cruise ships. Embarkation is in Aswan, disembarkation in Luxor, with Friday departures running Aswan to Luxor and Monday departures running Luxor to Aswan. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange all on-the-ground services.
Classic5-Star Deluxe
40 ships
Classic
Mirage Nile Cruise
Mirage Nile Cruise sails between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. Onboard life is low-key, with daytime shore excursions and relaxed evenings on deck. We include a felucca ride in Aswan and guided visits to the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk. Our English-speaking Egyptologists lead groups of up to eight guests, which keeps commentary interactive and questions practical. Unlike larger day-boat schedules, the itinerary allows substantive time at Edfu and Kom Ombo for on-shore exploration. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and our local team arranges meet-and-assist, transfers, and shore logistics so you step straight into each day’s program.
Classic
Monica Nile Cruise
Monica Nile Cruise sails between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. Guided shore visits are led by English-speaking Egyptologists, and meals are served on a full board basis. We limit shore groups to a maximum of eight participants, not large coach groups, so excursions ashore move faster and allow more time at each site. Unlike short daytime shore trips, the overnight sailing schedule gives calmer visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo. Optional extras such as a felucca ride or a hot-air balloon can be arranged. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and our team coordinates meet-and-assist, transfers, and sightseeing on the ground.
Classic
Moondance Nile Cruise
MS Moondance is a 4-day Nile cruise linking Luxor and Aswan with Egyptologist-led shore visits. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and assign our own Egyptologists and drivers rather than outsourcing guides. Typical calls include Karnak Temple, Luxor West Bank (Valley of the Kings), Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, and Philae on Agilkia Island. Unlike hotel day trips, the cruise moves you overnight between cities, reducing repeated baggage transfers. Trade-offs: there are early starts for key sites, walking on uneven ancient stone, and limited shade on deck at midday.
Classic
Nile Capital Nile Cruise
Classic
Nile Premium Nile Cruise
MS Nile Premiums is a 4-day Nile river cruise operated by a licensed Egyptian tour operator. We arrange cabins, full-board meals, private transfers, and daily shore excursions led by our Egyptologists. We do not run large coach-group sailings; every excursion is led by our Egyptologists and organized with private transfers. Unlike shorter 3-night, tightly timed cruises, this 4-day format allows unhurried visits to Luxor West Bank and Kom Ombo when the itinerary includes them. Trade-offs: expect early starts, long ashore walks on uneven ancient stone, and significant sun exposure on open decks and temple forecourts.
Classic
Nile Story - Nile Cruise
Nile Story Nile Cruise sails between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Luxor's East and West Banks. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and our Egyptologists lead all guided visits. The cruise runs as a small-group operation, limited to 1–8 guests, which keeps landings and temple visits quieter than on large Nile ships. Embarkation is available in Aswan or Luxor, and our team provides private meet and assist services at arrival. Visits focus on named sites and context, for example the Ptolemaic reliefs at Kom Ombo and the well-preserved hypostyle halls on Luxor's East Bank. Compared with standard large-ship itineraries, this Comfort-class option allocates more time ashore at Edfu and Kom Ombo, so walking routes around temples are less rushed.
Prestige5-Star Ultra Deluxe
15 ships
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.
Prestige
Salacia Nile Cruise
You board MS Salacia at the Luxor Nile pier and sign in at reception; luggage moves to your cabin while I run through the day's timings. The vessel operates four nights between Luxor and Aswan on a Classic Nile-cruise scale: cabins are compact, Nile-cruise standard with en suite facilities – not an ocean liner. I time the major visits for cooler hours: Karnak's Hypostyle Hall before the tourist coaches, and Luxor Temple at dusk when the light is kinder and the heat eases. On the West Bank we visit the Valley of the Kings and Queen Hatshepsut's mortuary temple; site entry allows access to selected tombs and involves short walks and uneven stone surfaces. We sail past riverbank villages and farmland from the shaded sun deck; the boat often moors at the Esna lock in the late afternoon. Edfu receives a two-hour guided visit because the Horus Temple needs more than a quick stop, and Kom Ombo sits at quay level with a short stair into the courtyard. Meals are full-board on board, with Egyptian dishes, salads and a set-menu dinner; coffee and tea service runs through the afternoon. We disembark in Aswan for Philae Temple by motorboat and a scheduled visit to the High Dam. Abu Simbel is not part of the standard cruise: arrange a separate transfer by plane (approx. $180 one-way) or by road (about 3.5–4 hours each way, early start). I manage pacing and walking routes so the heat and steps remain manageable.
Prestige
Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise
You board at the Luxor Nile cruise terminal and settle into three nights aboard the Sonesta Moon Goddess. I walk you through the West Bank at first light–Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut–so soft morning sun reads the painted reliefs better and tour groups are thinner. After lunch you cross the Esna lock; the lock passage and crew work take about 30–45 minutes. The vessel cruises south through stretch-views of date-palms and small river farms, stopping at Edfu for a focused 90–120 minute visit to Horus’s temple, then at Kom Ombo to read the dual sanctuaries carved for Sobek and Haroeris. In Aswan we make time for Philae island by motorboat and the quarries with the Unfinished Obelisk. Cabins are river-cruise scale–compact and functional, with en suite facilities and daily housekeeping–not ocean-liner space. Meals are full board on board; breakfast, lunch and dinner follow a mix of international and local dishes, and bottled water is replenished daily. Expect early starts and warm midday sun; dress in layers for morning tombs and bring comfortable walking shoes for uneven stone surfaces. I brief the route each evening so you know timings for the next day’s temple visits, transfers to the pier, and any optional extras like a felucca ride in Aswan. This schedule balances on-board cruising time with practical walking time at each site to let inscriptions and architectural details register properly.
Prestige
Steigenberger Legacy Nile Cruise
You board at Luxor's Nile pier on the East Bank and step aboard MS Steigenberger Legacy. The cruise runs three nights between Luxor and Aswan; luggage handling and cabin assignment take 30–45 minutes after arrival. Cabins average 16 m² – Nile-cruise scale, not an ocean‑liner – with twin or double bedding and a large picture window for river views. You sail south through the Esna lock; the vessel waits to transit when schedules permit and the landscape tightens to sandstone banks. Scheduled guided visits with an Egyptologist include Karnak and Luxor Temple near embarkation, then Edfu and Kom Ombo as you work toward Aswan. Plan for roughly 90–120 minutes at Edfu for the best reading of the reliefs; Kom Ombo is a briefer stop for the twin‑god reliefs and the small crocodile museum. In Aswan the ship moors at the Nile Corniche near the town center; Philae Island is the usual half‑day visit by motorboat. Meals are full board on the ship: breakfast, lunch and dinner presented in the main dining room, with simple regional dishes and international options. The sun deck serves as the day’s viewing platform for the West Bank ridge at dawn and for late‑afternoon light. Expect compact public spaces – lounge, shaded sun deck, and observation area – and personalised service from on‑board staff. Note limited lift access and modest cabin storage. Your Egyptologist guides the monument visits, explains sculptural details and hieroglyphs, and our local office in Luxor supports practical arrangements or last‑minute changes.
Prestige
Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise
Experience pure elegance aboard the Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise. Sail between Luxor and Aswan in ultra-deluxe comfort and timeless Nile River charm.
Prestige
Steigenberger Regency Nile Cruise
Sail the Nile in style with Steigenberger Regency Nile Cruise. Discover ancient Egypt’s wonders in 5-star comfort. Book your unforgettable Nile adventure today!
Luxury5-Star Luxury
27 shipsLuxury
Sonesta St. George I Nile Cruise
Luxury
Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise
Sail the Nile in luxury aboard the Sonesta Star Goddess. Discover timeless beauty, 5-star comfort, and unforgettable memories between Luxor and Aswan.
Luxury
Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise
Luxury
The Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise
A four-day Nile cruise aboard MS The Oberoi Zahra, booked through our licensed Egyptian tour operator. We provide private transfers and an Egyptologist to accompany shore visits. Unlike mass-market 4-night boats, we do not bundle coach tours; we confirm each ashore stop and pacing with you before travel. Trade-offs: expect early starts for some crossings and occasional quay congestion at Luxor or Aswan. Standard archaeological site entrance fees are included unless otherwise stated; premium tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I) and pyramid interiors are excluded. Tell us your travel dates and cabin preference and we will confirm availability and the detailed ashore program.
Luxury
Tosca Nile Cruise
MS Tosca sails the Nile between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings, and Karnak. Tosca was designed by the Red Carnation Hotel Collection, which shapes the ship’s dining and public spaces. We arrange private, Egyptologist-led excursions, capped at eight guests per guide, so site visits are small and focused. The itinerary is available as a 4-day cruise from Aswan to Luxor, or a 5-day reverse route with an optional Abu Simbel excursion. Departures run weeky from Luxor on Monday, and from Aswan on Friday. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and provide meet-and-assist at embarkation, modern air-conditioned transfers, and personal assistance throughout your cruise.
Luxury
Esplanade Nile Cruise
The Esplanade sails between Luxor and Aswan, calling at Karnak, Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we arrange meet-and-assist, private modern transfers, and guided excursions with an English-speaking Egyptologist. Excursions run with groups capped at eight guests per Egyptologist, keeping commentary focused and the pace flexible. Onboard meals are full board, and evenings include Egyptian folkloric performances and relaxed time on deck. The itinerary also offers an optional Abu Simbel excursion from Aswan on disembarkation day. Unlike standard mass-market sailings, our shore visits are private, timed to avoid the busiest periods where possible.
20 more vessels sail this route without a published tier. See every Nile cruise
Or sail it in 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 ships carry on past. It costs more per night and takes twice as long, which is the entire point.
Dahabiya cruises
When to start from Luxor instead
If your international flights route through Luxor, start there — a positioning flight to Aswan to save nothing is a poor trade. The Luxor round trip is the same seven nights and the same temples; only the order and the base city change. And if you have three or four nights rather than seven, take a one-way.
Questions we get about the direction
01How long is an Aswan round-trip Nile cruise?
Seven nights, sailing Aswan to Luxor and back to Aswan. It is the same length as the Luxor round trip and covers the same temples; what changes is which city you begin and end in.
02Is Abu Simbel included?
It is an add-on rather than part of the sailing, but this is the shape that suits it best. Abu Simbel is a day trip from Aswan by short flight or road convoy, so it fits either before you board or after you return.
03Aswan or Luxor as the base?
Aswan is quieter, smaller and easier on a first day in Upper Egypt, and it is the only end from which Abu Simbel works as a day trip. Luxor has more flights and sits closer to the Cairo sleeper train. Base yourself where your flights actually land.
04How much of the week is sailing?
Roughly half. A seven-night round trip has real sailing time built in rather than being a series of dock-and-go stops, which is much of the appeal — the stretch between Edfu and Esna is the part guests remember.
Tell us your dates and we'll pick the direction.
Our Aswan and Luxor offices handle both ends of this route. Egypt travel specialists since 1988, with offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh.