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
101 ships sail this route, across our tiers, typically 7 nights.
Comfort5-Star Standard
28 ships
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.
Comfort
Royal Ruby Nile Cruise
The Royal Ruby Nile Cruise sails between Aswan and Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Luxor East and West Banks, and Aswan sights. Choose the 4-day, 3-night Aswan to Luxor sailing that departs Fridays, or the 5-day, 4-night Luxor to Aswan sailing that departs Mondays. We arrange all guided excursions with an English-speaking Egyptologist, meet and assist on arrival and departure, and small-group tours limited to eight participants. Onboard facilities include a sundeck with a swimming pool, a panorama bar, a restaurant, nightly entertainment, and WiFi in public areas. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we do not run large coach groups, so shore visits aim for quieter access and more time at each temple. Optional excursions to Abu Simbel can be arranged from Aswan.
Comfort
Ruby 1 Nile Cruise
MS Ruby 1 is a four-day Nile cruise operated by a licensed Egyptian tour operator. Typical 4-day itineraries run between Luxor and Aswan and commonly include Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings; confirm your ship’s exact calls when you book. We arrange private, Egyptologist-guided shore excursions rather than fixed coach schedules, so visits can be timed to avoid the busiest moments. Trade-offs: a four-day cruise concentrates highlights into fewer days, which usually means early starts and less time ashore at some sites. We handle transfers, embarkation logistics, and optional visits to premium tombs on request.
Comfort
Semiramis II Nile Cruise
Semiramis II runs 3- and 4-night Nile cruises between Aswan and Luxor, with Aswan departures on Mondays and Luxor departures on Thursdays. The itinerary schedules guided visits to Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor West Bank, and Luxor East Bank, plus Aswan sightseeing. All tours are led by English-speaking Egyptologists we arrange, and small groups are capped at eight participants. Full board dining is provided on board, and the price covers airport and port transfers, meet and assist service, entrance fees to listed sites, and one bottle of water per person per day. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we keep groups small rather than running coach-size tours. Unlike larger cruise schedules that rush temple stops, this itinerary allocates dedicated visits to both Edfu and Kom Ombo.
Comfort
Tower Prestige Nile Cruise
Board the MS Tower Prestige at Luxor's Nile pier; I meet you on deck and point across the river to Karnak's pylons. We set a steady rhythm: early-morning visits to the West Bank (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon) before the coach tours arrive, an afternoon passage through the Esna lock, and an overnight mooring at Edfu so the Horus Temple receives a proper two-hour visit. Cabins are Classic Nile-cruise scale–roughly 12 m² with en-suite facilities and modest storage–suitable if you pack light. The sun deck gives shaded and open seating; the dining salon serves full-board meals prepared to local taste and timed around excursions. Expect straightforward service from a local crew; the vessel is Classic tier, not a five-star floating resort: there is no spa or gym, Wi‑Fi is patchy, and power can dip briefly when the generator switches. I guide every excursion: I explain the ritual passages at Karnak, point out tomb decoration styles in the Valley, and time our visits so light and crowd levels work to your advantage. Sailing between Luxor and Aswan keeps most travel on daylight hours; you live the riverbank–fishing feluccas, sugarcane fields, village children waving–rather than long overnight crossings. We disembark in Aswan with guided visits to Philae, the High Dam, and the Unfinished Obelisk. If you prefer more space or luxury amenities, ask about our higher-tier vessels; the MS Tower Prestige is compact, direct, and focused on the monuments.
Comfort
Zeina Nile Cruise
Zeina Nile Cruise sails between Aswan and Luxor, visiting Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor West Bank, and Luxor East Bank. The vessel offers full-board accommodation, a sun deck with pool and bar, a spa and massage room, a library, and a boutique. Shore visits run in small groups, maximum eight participants, which reduces time spent waiting at temple entrances. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we arrange transfers, embarkation formalities, and local support on the ground. Unlike larger escorted coaches, this cruise keeps shore groups small, allowing longer visits at Edfu and Kom Ombo than many packaged river outings.
Classic5-Star Deluxe
29 ships
Classic
Nubian Sea Lake Nasser Cruise
Aboard the Nubian Sea, this four-day cruise sails Lake Nasser from Aswan to Abu Simbel, visiting Kalabsha, Wadi El-Seboua, Amada, and Derr. Your Discovery Tours Egypt representative meets you on arrival in Aswan, and our Egyptologists lead all scheduled shore visits. We avoid rushed coach-drop visits, which gives you longer guided time at each temple than many day-trip schedules allow. Full-board meals and accommodation onboard are included, along with all scheduled sightseeing with our Egyptologists. Evenings are spent on the lake, so you reach remote sites at quieter times of day. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator; contact us for cabin arrangements and timing details before you travel.
Classic
Radamis I Nile Cruise
Radamis I cruises the Nile between Aswan and Luxor, visiting Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak, and the Valley of the Kings. We arrange guided visits with an English-speaking Egyptologist, and groups are kept to eight guests or fewer. Embarkation is available in Aswan or Luxor, and passengers dine on full-board meals served aboard. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator. We coordinate meet-and-assist, transfers, and shore excursions while you travel on Radamis I. Unlike short shuttle cruises, this itinerary schedules proper guided visits at Edfu and Kom Ombo rather than very brief stops. Optional Abu Simbel excursions can be arranged from Aswan on request. Most departures include an evening folkloric show on board, and the cruise concludes with visits to Karnak and Luxor Temples on the East Bank.
Classic
Renaissance Nile Cruise
Classic
Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise
MS Nile Goddess is a 4-day Nile cruise operating from Luxor with guided shore visits to East and West Bank monuments. We operate this cruise as a licensed Egyptian tour operator and run Egyptologist-led, private shore excursions rather than coach-based group stops. Typical calls include Karnak, Luxor Temple and Luxor West Bank (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut); northbound sailings often visit Edfu and Kom Ombo. We handle all private transfers, embarkation formalities and daily briefing by our Egyptologists. Trade-offs: expect early starts, walking on uneven ancient stone, and limited shade at midday ashore.
Classic
Stephanie Nile Cruise
A deluxe 5-star Nile river cruise linking Luxor and Aswan, with sailing days alternating with shore excursions at Egypt’s principal ancient sites. The excursion programme includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu’s Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Sailings operate weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. Cabins are offered in Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes, subject to availability. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Drinks beyond water served with meals are generally extra. Unlike a fixed sightseeing tour, this format combines time on the river with visits to several archaeological sites.
Classic
Sun Times Nile Cruise
A four-day Nile cruise aboard MS Sun Times between Luxor and Aswan with Egyptologist-guided shore visits. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and we operate the logistics on the ground, including airport pickups and private transfers to and from the ship. We don't run large coach tours; instead we schedule longer visits at Karnak Temple and the Luxor West Bank to avoid rushed shore time. Unlike fast-turnaround day trips, this cruise includes full visits to Edfu and Kom Ombo without hurried drives. Standard site entrance fees are included; pyramid interiors, premium tombs, and gratuities are excluded. Expect early starts, walking on uneven stone, and limited shade at sites.
Prestige5-Star Ultra Deluxe
21 ships
Prestige
Alexander The Great Nile Cruise
Sail the Nile from Luxor to Aswan aboard the Alexander The Great, a Prestige-class vessel running the classic Luxor–Aswan river route. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we arrange embarkation in Luxor, guided visits with our Egyptologists, and disembarkation in Aswan. Scheduled stops typically include major temples along the Nile banks, allowing time ashore for sites such as Karnak, the Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. We do not run coach-style, large-group shore calls; our Egyptologists prioritise early visits to reduce peak crowds when possible. Unlike short, overnight cruises that rush temple calls, this route gives more time at riverside sites and villages, and more opportunities to watch daily Nile life from deck. Standard site entrance fees are normally included on Nile cruises; premium tombs and pyramid interiors are excluded unless specifically requested.
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 program 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
Concerto II Nile Cruise
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
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.
Prestige
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.
Luxury5-Star Luxury
21 ships
Luxury
Esmeralda Nile Cruise
The Esmeralda Nile Cruise sails from Luxor to Aswan, calling at Karnak, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. This Classic-tier, five-star vessel suits travelers who prefer relaxed days ashore and time on deck. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we arrange Egyptologists, transfers, and embarkation formalities for the cruise. We don't run group bus tours. Unlike many rushed itineraries, this Luxor to Aswan route allows longer stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo rather than 60- to 90-minute drop-ins. Note: sun and heat intensify on the open deck at midday, so early-morning visits and sun protection are practical considerations.
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.
Luxury
Farah Nile Cruise
Four days aboard MS Farah sail between Luxor and Aswan with guided shore visits to Karnak Temple, Luxor West Bank, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. We include an Egyptologist on every departure rather than a driver-guide; that keeps commentary focused and consistent throughout the cruise. Unlike shared coach day trips, the vessel sails overnight so you gain two mornings ashore and more relaxed transfer times. Trade-offs: cabins are compact, mornings can start early, and walking is on uneven ancient stone at many sites. Standard site entrance fees are included; gratuities and premium tombs are excluded. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and arrange private transfers.
Luxury
Jaz Elite Senator Nile Cruise
Sail between Luxor and Aswan aboard the Jaz Elite Senator, visiting Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Philae, Edfu, and Kom Ombo. The vessel features all-suite accommodation and an evening folkloric show, with daytime deck space for river views and temple façades. Our Egyptologists lead guided visits, and tours are capped at eight guests to keep groups small and focused. Compared with many larger Nile boats, the Jaz Elite Senator offers only suite accommodation rather than mixed cabin types. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we coordinate on-the-ground logistics, so guests step off the gangway straight into scheduled visits and evening briefings with the guide.
Luxury
Jaz Regent Nile Cruise
Jaz Regent Nile Cruise is a five-star passenger vessel offering full board accommodation and an on-board shore excursion program between Luxor and Aswan. The vessel features a dining room, lounge bar and sun deck for river viewing, plus graded cabin classes from Standard to Suite. It sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with days alternating between sailing and escorted shore visits to major Nile sites. We arrange bookings and cabin allocation for you as a licensed Egyptian tour operator; the cruise line owns and runs the vessel.
Luxury
Jaz Viceroy Nile Cruise
Signature CollectionSignature Collection
2 ships
Signature Collection
Historia Nile Cruise
Our one-day Historia Nile Cruise is a daytime, scenic passage on the Nile. We provide onboard English commentary about the river’s historical and cultural significance (including context for nearby sites such as Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple), a complimentary welcome drink, and a freshly prepared buffet lunch with vegetarian options. The cruise offers panoramic river views and sunset photo opportunities from comfortable, air-conditioned lounge and deck areas. Departure times and embarkation points vary by city and season, so we confirm details at booking.
Signature Collection
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.
17 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.