Nile Cruise Luxor–Aswan: Complete 2026 / 2027 Guide

A Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan takes three or four nights and covers the main temples of Upper Egypt: Karnak, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut at the Luxor end, Edfu and Kom Ombo on the way, and Philae and the High Dam at Aswan. The four-night cruise (5 days) sails south from Luxor to Aswan; the three-night cruise (4 days) sails north from Aswan to Luxor. Both visit the same main sites, so the choice comes down to time, pace and where your trip starts.

Below are both itineraries day by day, a side-by-side comparison with current fares, and practical advice on choosing a direction, a ship and a departure day.

Luxor to Aswan or Aswan to Luxor: Which Cruise?

Large cruise ships on this stretch run a simple loop. A ship leaves Luxor, sails upstream to Aswan over four nights, then turns around and sails back downstream to Luxor in three. You join for one leg. The northbound leg from Aswan travels with the current of the river and is a night shorter.

• Choose Luxor to Aswan (4 nights) if you want the slower pace, more time on deck, and better value per night. It also suits a trip that ends with Abu Simbel, since Aswan is the starting point for that excursion.
• Choose Aswan to Luxor (3 nights) if your time is short, or if you want to finish in Luxor and add extra days there for the tombs and temples of the West Bank.

In practice, many travelers decide by their flights. If you fly from Cairo to Luxor, the four-night cruise is the natural fit; if you fly to Aswan, take the three-night cruise.

4-Night Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan (5 Days)

This is the itinerary for a 5-day Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan. Exact timings change from ship to ship, but the order of visits is the same.

Day 1: Luxor, East Bank

Board around lunchtime. In the afternoon, visit Karnak Temple, the vast temple complex of the god Amun with its forest of columns in the Great Hypostyle Hall, then Luxor Temple in the town center, which is at its best in the late light. Dinner and the night on board in Luxor.

Day 2: Luxor, West Bank, and the Esna lock

An early start for the West Bank. Visit the Valley of the Kings, where the standard ticket covers a selection of royal tombs, then the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and stop at the Colossi of Memnon on the way back. The ship sets sail after lunch and passes through the lock at Esna, where vessels are raised to the higher water level upstream.

Day 3: Edfu and Kom Ombo

In the morning, visit Edfu Temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus and one of the most complete temples in Egypt, with its roof, walls and pylon still standing. Sail on to Kom Ombo for a sunset visit to the double temple shared by Sobek and Horus, with the small crocodile museum beside it.

Day 4: Aswan

Arrive in Aswan. Sightseeing includes the High Dam and a short boat ride to Philae Temple, the temple of Isis that was moved to Agilkia Island when the dam raised the river; many itineraries add the Unfinished Obelisk in the old granite quarries. The afternoon is free for a felucca sail around the islands or a visit to a Nubian village.

Day 5: Disembark in Aswan

Leave the ship after breakfast. If you want to see Abu Simbel, this is the morning to do it, either by a very early drive of around three to three and a half hours each way or by a short flight.

3-Night Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor (4 Days)

The 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor sees the same temples in reverse order, with less time sailing.

Day 1: Aswan

Board around midday. Visit the High Dam and Philae Temple, with the Unfinished Obelisk on many itineraries. If you arrive early enough, a felucca sail around Elephantine Island is a good way to spend the late afternoon. Night on board in Aswan.

Day 2: Kom Ombo and Edfu

Sail north to Kom Ombo and visit the double temple, then continue to Edfu for the Temple of Horus. The ship then sails on toward Luxor, passing through the Esna lock.

Day 3: Luxor, West Bank

Visit the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. Some ships also visit Karnak and Luxor Temple in the afternoon; others keep them for the last morning.

Day 4: Luxor, East Bank, and disembark

Complete the East Bank temples if they were not covered the day before, then leave the ship after breakfast or late morning.

3 or 4 Night Nile Cruise: Side by Side

Fares are for our deluxe and ultra deluxe ships and include full board, private sightseeing with an English-speaking guide, entrance fees to the sites in the itinerary, and transfers. Drinks, tips, optional tours and international flights are extra. The fourth night adds only about $150 per person on deluxe ships, which is why we usually suggest it if your schedule allows.

Departure Days

Each large ship sails on two fixed days a week, one for the leg from Luxor and one for the leg from Aswan. On our deluxe ships, the pairs are Mondays and Thursdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, or Mondays and Fridays, depending on the ship; most ultra deluxe ships follow the Monday and Friday or Monday and Thursday pattern. Because of this, it is usually easier to start with your dates and see which ships depart then, rather than picking a ship first and building the trip around it.

Choosing a Ship

Almost every ship on the Nile calls itself five-star, so the useful distinction is between groups:

• Deluxe: comfortable ships with a pool on the sun deck and good-sized standard cabins, from $860 for three nights.
• Ultra deluxe: newer or recently refurbished ships with larger cabins and more balconies, from $990 for three nights.
• Luxury: ships with large suites, fewer guests and a spa, about $1,700 to $3,000 for three nights. See our luxury Nile cruises.
• Dahabiya: a small traditional sailing boat on a five-night route from Esna to Aswan, $3,500 per person, with stops at places large ships cannot reach. See our dahabiya cruises.