No internal flight
One-way cruises need a domestic flight or a sleeper train at one end. A round trip does not. On a tight schedule that is one fewer thing that can go wrong, and one fewer set of bags to move.
Seven nights · out and back
Luxor Round-Trip Nile Cruises
Fly into Luxor, leave from Luxor, and skip the internal flight entirely.
220 kilometers, five moorings, one direction.
- 01
Luxor
Board in time for lunch, included on arrival day. Karnak, Luxor Temple and the West Bank across the first two days.
- 02
Esna
The lock, southbound on the way down and again on the way back.
- 03
Edfu
The Temple of Horus — most round trips call here in both directions, at different times of day.
- 04
Kom Ombo
Sobek and Horus on the bank, usually at dusk heading south.
- 05
Aswan
The turn: two nights here for Philae, the High Dam and the islands, with Abu Simbel as an optional day trip before sailing north.
- 06
Luxor
Back where you started. Disembark after breakfast, airport or sleeper train from the same dock you left.
A round trip sails Luxor to Aswan and back again over seven nights. You get the full temple run in both directions, and you never move airports, which removes the single most fragile part of an Egypt itinerary.
It is the longer, slower option and the one experienced Nile travelers tend to pick on a second visit. Seeing Edfu southbound and again northbound is not repetition; the light and the crowd are different each time.
Why a round trip
Two nights in Aswan, not one
Round trips hold at Aswan for the turn, which is where the one-way sailings feel rushed. Philae, the High Dam, a felucca and Abu Simbel all fit without a 4am start.
The temples twice
Edfu and Kom Ombo are called at in both directions on most round trips. Early light southbound, late light northbound. Guests who have cruised before tend to rate this higher than first-timers expect.
Seven nights is the real week
Three or four nights on the river is a segment inside a bigger trip. Seven nights is the trip. 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 Nile Cruise
This deluxe 5-star Nile cruiser combines cabin accommodation with a sun deck, pool, lounge, bar, restaurant and Wi-Fi. Your cruise is arranged between Luxor and Aswan, with sailing days alternating with shore excursions at 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, subject to the selected sailing schedule. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Drinks beyond water with meals are generally extra. Cabin grades include Standard, Deluxe and Suite, with pricing based on two people sharing and a single supplement normally applying.
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 Amira Nile Cruise
This 4-day Nile cruise aboard MS Royal Amira runs between Luxor and Aswan with daily guided shore excursions. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator; our Egyptologists lead the site visits and explain temple architecture and tomb contexts. We do not run mass coach tours – our approach avoids the compressed, minute-long shore calls typical of some river operators and gives fuller time at Karnak and Luxor West Bank. Included: standard site entrance fees unless stated otherwise; pyramid interiors and premium tombs are extra. Trade-offs: early starts for temples and limited shade on the open deck at midday; we advise sun protection and sensible footwear.
Comfort
Royal Beau Rivage Nile Cruise
Sail the Nile for four days aboard MS Royal Beau Rivage with private Egyptologist-led shore visits and door-to-door transfers arranged by our licensed Egyptian tour operator. We do not run group-bus shore excursions; our Egyptologists lead private visits, and where scheduled we visit temples such as Kom Ombo and Edfu. Unlike packaged day trips from cruise ports, a four-day schedule compresses onshore time; we recommend adding nights in Luxor or Aswan to explore the West Bank or Philae at leisure. Expect compact cabins compared with land hotels, early starts, and walking on uneven ancient stone. Standard temple entrance fees are normally included; premium tombs and pyramid interiors are extra.
Comfort
Royal Elite Nile Cruise
Four days aboard MS Royal Elite sail between Luxor and Aswan with guided shore excursions and all main meals included. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator and do not run large coach-group tours; our excursions use private cars or launches and English-speaking Egyptologists. Unlike many packaged 4-day cruises, we time departures and shore visits to reduce queues and waiting at the landing stages. Trade-offs: upper sun deck has limited shade at midday, and shore visits involve walking on uneven ancient stone and occasional early starts. We handle port paperwork, all pick-ups, and can arrange optional Abu Simbel transfers on request.
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.
Classic5-Star Deluxe
28 ships
Classic
Liberty Nile Cruise
Four-day Nile cruise aboard MS Liberty, handled on the ground by a licensed Egyptian tour operator. Typical shore visits include Karnak Temple, Luxor West Bank and either Kom Ombo or Philae depending on sailing direction; check your departure's day-by-day route. We coordinate our Egyptologists, transfers and timing directly with the vessel rather than outsourcing ground handling overseas. Unlike many large-ship packages, we prioritise aligning visits with local opening times and daylight, not merely filling a checklist. Trade-offs: a four-day schedule requires earlier starts and gives shorter time at each site than longer cruises. Ask us for the sample itinerary and cabin options.
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
Nile Capital Nile Cruise
Classic
Nile Dolphin Nile Cruise
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.
Classic
Nile Style Nile Cruise
Nile Style Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel with a mix of cabin classes, public lounges and a sun deck for panoramic Nile views. The ship sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, and the on-board program alternates sailing days with shore excursions to Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Cabins are offered in Standard, Deluxe and Suite grades, pricing is per person sharing and a single supplement typically applies. Full board covers lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day.
Prestige5-Star Ultra Deluxe
19 ships
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
Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruise vessel based in Luxor, offering full board accommodation and regular sailings between Luxor and Aswan. The vessel has a sun deck with a pool and shaded seating, a lounge bar, a dining room serving full board meals, and cabins in Standard, Deluxe and Suite classes with Nile views. The shore-excursion program calls at Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings, with embarkation and disembarkation at Luxor or Aswan. We hand-pick this vessel for travelers who want spacious public areas and a program of guided shore visits rather than bus-style day tours.
Prestige
Steigenberger Regency Nile Cruise
The Steigenberger Regency Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile cruiser offering full board dining and on-board leisure spaces. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, with an excursion program that includes Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. Cabins are graded Standard, Deluxe and Suite, many with panoramic windows or Nile-view balconies; the vessel has a pool, lounge bar, restaurant and a rooftop terrace. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, books and arranges the cruise and embarkation formalities for our clients.
Prestige
Steigenberger Royale Nile Cruise
The Steigenberger Royale is a five-star Nile cruise vessel offering full board accommodation and an onboard program of shore excursions between Luxor and Aswan. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, arranges bookings for this vessel. The ship features a sun deck, a lounge bar, a dining room serving international and Egyptian dishes, and cabins graded Standard, Deluxe and Suite with Nile-view windows or balconies where available. The vessel sails weekly in both directions, and its excursion program visits Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings.
Prestige
Acamar Nile Cruise
Acamar Nile Cruise is a five-star river vessel arranged for you to sail the Nile, with cabins graded Standard, Deluxe and Suite, a sun deck, pool, lounge bar and dining room. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day, and the vessel includes a scheduled shore-excursion program to the major sites between Luxor and Aswan. Discovery Tours Egypt, a licensed Egyptian tour operator, has hand-picked this cruiser for travelers who prefer a ship-based, shore-excursion rhythm rather than a coach-led circuit. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan.
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.
Luxury5-Star Luxury
21 ships
Luxury
Soleil Nile Cruise
From Luxor to Aswan, the Soleil Nile Cruise Classic follows the Nile, visiting Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae. Guided visits with our Egyptologists are scheduled at each named site, and standard entrance fees for included sites are covered. Meals are served onboard, and evenings on deck let you watch riverside villages and palm-lined farmland pass by. We do not run large coach-group tours; our Egyptologists lead the visits we arrange, and we adapt pacing to the boat timetable. Unlike many short shore excursions, this itinerary allows extended on-site time at Edfu and Kom Ombo rather than a brief photo stop. We are a licensed Egyptian tour operator, and we handle the on-the-ground arrangements for your embarkation, guided sightseeing, and transfers.
Luxury
Sonesta St. George I Nile Cruise
This 5-star Nile river cruise links Luxor and Aswan with sailing days and shore excursions at Egypt’s major riverside sites. The programme includes visits to 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, with embarkation and disembarkation available at either port. Full board runs from lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Drinks beyond water served with meals are generally extra. Discovery Tours Egypt selects and arranges the cruise with the vessel’s owning cruise line, so cabin allocation and sailing details are confirmed at booking.
Luxury
Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise
Sonesta Star Goddess Nile Cruise is a five-star Nile river vessel with spacious suites, each offering a private Nile-view balcony. The vessel features a sun deck, a lounge bar, a dining room, and an onboard shore-excursion program calling at Karnak, Luxor Temple, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo, Philae and the Valley of the Kings. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan. We arrange this cruise for you, including full board meals from embarkation lunch through disembarkation breakfast; drinks beyond water and gratuities are typically extra. Unlike mass coach tours, the ship’s program alternates sailing and guided shore visits for calmer sightseeing pacing.
Luxury
Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise
Sonesta Sun Goddess Nile Cruise is a five-star river vessel with suites, a sun deck pool and multiple public lounges. The vessel sails weekly in both directions between Luxor and Aswan, and embarks and disembarks at Luxor and Aswan. We hand-pick this cruiser for travelers who prefer spacious cabins and a full-board dining rhythm: lunch on embarkation day through breakfast on disembarkation day. Shore excursions visit Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Edfu (Temple of Horus), Kom Ombo and Philae, with days alternating between sailing and visits.
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
Tulip Nile Cruise
You board mid-afternoon at the Luxor Nile Corniche pier, a ten-minute walk from Luxor Temple, and settle into MS Tulip’s river-view cabin. I meet you on deck and walk the promenade to point out the Nile’s changing light as we cast off and slip south. Day two begins early on the West Bank: the Valley of the Kings (expect uneven steps and dim tomb chambers), Hatshepsut’s terraced temple at Deir el-Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon. We pass through the Esna lock in the late afternoon; engines hum and the ship rises with the water – a practical moment, not a show. Edfu’s temple requires a short transfer from the pier by carriage or shuttle; plan about 90 minutes on-site. Kom Ombo’s double temple sits right on the riverbank; we moor there for a one-hour visit. In Aswan we tie up on the city corniche opposite the market; I take you to Philae by motorboat, the High Dam viewpoint, and the Unfinished Obelisk in the granite yard. Cabins are Nile-cruise scale – compact, river-facing rooms with en-suite bathrooms and climate control – not ocean-liner suites. Meals are full board in the dining room; breakfasts are early and packed when an excursion leaves before dawn. Expect clear, practical guiding: I read the reliefs with you, show construction details at Karnak, and flag the best light for photos at each temple.
Signature CollectionSignature Collection
2 ships
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.
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.
16 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 a one-way is the better trade
If your Egypt trip has Cairo, the Red Sea or Jordan attached, 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, not a chapter of it.
Questions we get about the direction
01How long is a Luxor round-trip Nile cruise?
Seven nights, sailing Luxor to Aswan and back to Luxor. That is the standard round-trip length across the fleet; three- and four-night sailings are the one-way segments of the same route.
02Do you visit the same temples twice?
Edfu and Kom Ombo are usually called at in both directions, at different times of day. 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. It is the same river, not the same day.
03Is a round trip better than a one-way?
It is better if you want the Nile itself to be the trip and would rather not move airports. It is worse if Egypt also has to include Cairo and the Red Sea, because seven nights is most of a two-week holiday. The temples are identical either way.
04Can I add Abu Simbel?
Yes, during the Aswan turn. Round trips hold there long enough that Abu Simbel fits by short flight or road convoy without cutting anything else. 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 handle both ends of this route. Egypt travel specialists since 1988, with offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh.