The route of Nile Cruise Luxor Aswan takes 5 days and 4 days from Aswan to Luxor. You can also take a round-trip Nile cruise from Luxor and back or from Aswan and back. The sightseeing trips are the same in all of these selections, so what is the difference, and which trip you should choose?
A Nile cruise is one of the best ways to see Egypt and the relics of its ancient past. Enjoy daily tours from your Nile Cruise Luxor Aswan to some of the most impressive ancient Egyptian temples, and tombs; including Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, the Temple of Kom Ombo, Temple of Horus in Edfu then sail to Aswan to visit the Aswan High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, the temple of Philae, High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Abu Simbel Temple, and many more!
Where do I begin? Most cruises departing from Luxor take a day longer than those departing from Aswan, partly due to the strong current on the Nile. Start from Aswan and head north if you want to spend more time in Luxor or are concerned about the cost.
Cabin selection on the cruise! Avoid the lowest deck on cruise ships. Many boats have good views from all cabins, but the Nile’s banks are high (and will continue to rise as the river level drops), so you’ll want to see as much as you can. When making a reservation, request a deck plan.
Sonesta St. George Nile Cruise
Sailing durations; many passengers aboard Nile cruisers are shocked at how little time they spend sailing — the boats’ huge engines cover long distances rapidly, cruise times are frequently only four hours per day, and on some routes, you just spend one night en route.
Nile Cruise Itinerary: On the busy Nile’s Luxor–Aswan stretch, large cruise ships stick to rigid itineraries. Days are spent visiting monuments and relaxing by the pool or on deck on these trips, which typically last three to six nights. By night, there’s a wide range of entertainment available, including cocktails, dancing, and fancy-dress parties (known as Galabeya parties because passengers are encouraged to “dress like Egyptian farmers”). On most of these trips, actual sailing time is minimal – depending on the itinerary, it can be as little as four hours per day.
Felucca and Dahabiya boats: they are setting their schedules and do not require special moorings, allowing them to visit small islands or antiquities sites that are often overlooked by larger cruise ships. Even these boats, however, usually have preferred mooring locations. Because they rely on sail power rather than large engines, they spend far more time in motion. Stargazing, listening to the sounds of the river, and occasionally riverbank fireside music from the crew or villagers provide nighttime entertainment. Due to the difficulty of passing through the Esna lock, feluccas and Dahabiya Nile Cruise rarely sail between Luxor and Esna. Passengers will be bussed from Luxor to Esna by Dahabiyya operators. Felucca trips typically begin in Aswan and end south of Esna; captains can arrange for additional transportation to Luxor, but this can be costly.
Cairo to Luxor Cruise: This section of the river is no longer included in cruise itineraries. However, the archaeological sites of Dendara and Abydos have been on some tour itineraries for a few years and a day cruise to Dendara from Luxor is also an option. Few ships travel between Cairo and Luxor, and those that do must travel at high tide during the hottest months of the year.
Luxor to Aswan; this river’s most famous stretch is dotted with stunning architecture and a variety of breathtaking natural scenes. The Ptolemaic temples of Esna, Edfu, and Kom Ombo are visited by all cruise ships. All three sites are visited in a single day on the shorter cruises. While none of the sites are so large that this is impossible, seeing three great temples in one day is a lot to fit into one day, and the rushed visit means you’ll be moored in Luxor or Aswan for longer.
Lake Nasser Cruise: The Lake was formed in the 1960s by the construction of the High Dam near Aswan, and it now covers much of Egyptian Nubia, which was once home to hundreds of tombs, temples, and churches. Some monuments were relocated from their original locations before the dam’s construction and are now grouped into four locations: Kalabsha, Wadi As Subua (only accessible by boat), Temple of Amada (also only accessible by boat), and, of course, the Temples of Abu Simbel.
Because there are so few cruises on Lake Nasser, moorings are never crowded, and monuments are rarely overwhelmed — except the Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel. From Aswan to Abu Simbel, itineraries are usually three nights/four days, or four nights/five days.
A slow journey; Most felucca journeys begin in Aswan, where the strong northward current ensures that boats do not become stranded if the wind dies. The most popular trips are to Kom Ombo (two days/one night), Edfu (three days/two nights), and Esna (four days/three nights).
Because Feluccas are not permitted to sail after 8 p.m., the majority of them arrive at sunset and set up camp on the boat or the beach. Depending on you and your other passengers, nighttime entertainment might range from stargazing to staff singing to partying.
Nile Cruisers: There were up to 300 cruisers patrolling the waterways between Aswan and Luxor until the tourism recession caused many of them to be stranded. The ones that are still open, like hotels, ranging from deluxe to luxury Nile cruise, but almost all include a pool, a huge rooftop area for sunbathing and taking in the views, a restaurant, a bar, air conditioning, TV, minibars, and en-suite bathrooms.
A cruise is still the most affordable way to view the Nile in comfort on a mid-range budget, and it’s excellent for families with older children who want to splash around in the pool in between archaeological tours, or for adults who want to combine sightseeing with relaxation. The disadvantage is that monuments are virtually always visited by large groups, and itineraries are usually rigid. Boats are almost usually moored close, and the sheer volume of traffic means that generators and air-conditioning units drown out the river’s tranquility.
Visit the Pyramids of Giza
Egypt tour packages: The key to go around all this complex information, is to book an Egypt all-inclusive package. Not only are the prices typically lower, but the agency also guarantees the boat’s reliability in the case of cut-price cruises. Avoid booking a Nile River Cruise through small hotels in Egypt because they are not licensed, as travel agencies and will leave you with no recourse if problems arise.
Luxury upgrades: Many 5-star cruises have renovated cabins with modern touches like smart TVs, spa facilities, and balconies.
More Dahabiya options: Travelers are opting for small-group luxury sailboats (10–16 guests) for a more exclusive, eco-friendly experience.
New docking rules: Egyptian authorities are working on regulating docking congestion in Luxor — expect smoother boarding/disembarking.
More flexible excursions: Many cruises now offer optional add-ons (like sound & light shows, hot air balloon rides, or private guided tours).
This article was updated and re-written in part by the admin; on April 7th, 2025 + fact-checked.
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