Blue Shadow Nile Cruise
Overview
Sail Luxor to Aswan aboard the 5-star Blue Shadow Nile Cruise. 4 & 5-day programs, private guide, pool & spa. Full itinerary and prices from $745. Book now.
The Blue Shadow Nile Cruise is a brand-new five-star floating hotel pairing modern deluxe comfort with the timeless temples of Upper Egypt from $745.
Sailing the legendary stretch between Luxor and Aswan, the Blue Shadow carries 54 deluxe cabins and three spacious suites, each finished to international hotel standards with panoramic windows that frame the ever-changing riverbank. Two sailing patterns let you choose your pace: a 4-day / 3-night program departing every Wednesday from Aswan, and a slower 5-day / 4-night voyage leaving every Saturday from Luxor.
Both itineraries weave together the river's greatest monuments while you unpack just once.
Onboard life is unhurried and indulgent. Days drift past sugarcane fields and fishing skiffs from the wide sun deck and pool; evenings bring traditional Nubian music, a galabeya party, and chef-prepared full-board dining. The spa, gym, sauna, and lounge keep you pampered between excursions, while a 24-hour doctor and attentive crew handle every detail.
Cabins include individually controlled air-conditioning, mini bar, LCD satellite TV, in-house movies, safe box, and en-suite bathrooms with bathtub and hair dryer.
Ashore, your private Egyptologist guide (small groups of just 1–8 travelers) brings the stones to life: the towering Karnak and Luxor Temples, the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's terraced mortuary temple, the Ptolemaic Temple of Horus at Edfu, the twin sanctuaries of Kom Ombo, Philae on its island, and the High Dam. Optional add-ons include an Abu Simbel excursion, a sunrise hot-air-balloon flight, a felucca sail, and a visit to a Nubian village.
Choosing the Blue Shadow with Travel Joy Egypt means transparent pricing, genuinely private guiding, complimentary airport and hotel transfers in Luxor or Aswan, and a dedicated team available around the clock. Whether you want a swift highlights cruise or a relaxed four-night immersion, this is a polished, value-rich way to experience the Nile. Explore more of our Nile cruises to compare ships and dates.
Duration
4 or 5 Days
Availability
Wednesdays (Aswan, 4-day) & Saturdays (Luxor, 5-day)
Tour Type
Luxury Nile Cruise
Tailor-Make Your Dream Egypt Holiday
Your dates, your pace, your must-see wonders — handcrafted into one private itinerary by our expert Egyptologists.
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Itinerary
Karnak TempleDay 1 (5-Day) — Luxor: Karnak & Luxor Temples (East Bank)
Board the Blue Shadow before lunch in Luxor and settle into your cabin. In the afternoon your guide leads you through the vast Karnak Temple complex, with its forest of 134 columns, ram-headed sphinxes, and sacred lake, before continuing to Luxor Temple as the light turns gold along the Avenue of Sphinxes. Return to the ship for tea on the sun deck, then enjoy dinner and your first overnight moored in Luxor.
Valley of the KingsDay 2 (5-Day) — Luxor West Bank: Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut, Sail to Esna
Cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, descending into three painted royal tombs (Tutankhamun and Seti I are optional). Visit the terraced Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and pause at the towering Colossi of Memnon. After lunch on board, the Blue Shadow sails south through the Esna lock toward Edfu. A sunrise hot-air-balloon flight over the necropolis is available as an optional extra. Dinner and overnight on board.
Day 3 (5-Day) — Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples
A horse-drawn carriage carries you to the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the best-preserved Ptolemaic temple in Egypt, with its colossal pylon and vivid reliefs of the falcon god. Lunch is served as you sail to Kom Ombo, where the unusual double temple honors both Sobek the crocodile god and Horus, alongside a museum of mummified crocodiles. Continue cruising toward Aswan with dinner and an overnight on the river.
Philae TempleDay 4 (5-Day) — Aswan: High Dam, Philae & Nubian Charm
Morning visits take in the High Dam and its sweeping views over Lake Nasser, the island Temple of Philae dedicated to the goddess Isis, and the Unfinished Obelisk in its ancient granite quarry. Enjoy lunch on board, then an afternoon at leisure or an optional felucca sail and a visit to a colorful Nubian village to meet local families. Dinner and overnight moored in Aswan.
Abu Simbel TemplesDay 5 (5-Day) — Aswan: Farewell & Optional Abu Simbel
After breakfast you disembark in Aswan. Travelers who wish can add an early-morning excursion to Abu Simbel (by road or short flight) to stand before the colossal rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari above Lake Nasser, a UNESCO-rescued wonder. Otherwise your cruise concludes with a transfer to Aswan airport, station, or your hotel.
Unfinished ObeliskDay 1 (4-Day) — Aswan: High Dam, Philae & Unfinished Obelisk
Embark in Aswan before lunch. Your afternoon begins at the High Dam with its panorama over Lake Nasser, followed by a short motorboat ride to the Temple of Philae on Agilkia Island, sacred to Isis. Finish at the Unfinished Obelisk, where you can read the tool marks of ancient stone-cutters in the granite quarry. Return to the Blue Shadow for dinner and an overnight in Aswan.
Abu Simbel TemplesDay 2 (4-Day) — Abu Simbel (optional) & Kom Ombo Temple
An optional pre-dawn excursion takes you to Abu Simbel to see the temples of Ramses II and Nefertari. Back on board, the ship sails north. In the afternoon you tour the Temple of Kom Ombo, dedicated jointly to Sobek and Horus, and inspect its crocodile-mummy museum and finely carved medical reliefs. Dinner and overnight as you continue sailing toward Edfu.
Luxor TempleDay 3 (4-Day) — Edfu Temple & Luxor East Bank
Take a horse carriage to the magnificent Temple of Horus at Edfu, then sail on to Luxor with lunch served en route. In the afternoon and evening your guide reveals the Karnak Temple complex, its great hypostyle hall and sacred lake, followed by Luxor Temple glowing under the golden-hour sun. Dinner and overnight moored in Luxor.
Day 4 (4-Day) — Luxor West Bank & Disembarkation
After breakfast and check-out, head to the West Bank for the grand finale: the Valley of the Kings with three royal tombs (Tutankhamun optional), the elegant Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, and the seated Colossi of Memnon guarding the Theban plain. Your Blue Shadow cruise ends with a transfer to Luxor airport, train station, or your hotel.
Highlights
Ship & Onboard Experience
- Brand-new 5-star vessel with 54 deluxe cabins and 3 suites
- Heated swimming pool, sun deck, spa, sauna, and fitness room
- Full-board dining, panoramic-window cabins, and a 24-hour onboard doctor
Temples & Sites Along the Nile
- Karnak and Luxor Temples lit at golden hour
- Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon
- Edfu's Temple of Horus, the twin shrines of Kom Ombo, and Philae at Aswan
Service & Optional Add-Ons
- Private Egyptologist guide in small groups of 1–8 travelers
- Optional Abu Simbel excursion and sunrise hot-air-balloon flight
- Complimentary Luxor or Aswan airport, station, and hotel transfers
Gallery
Included
- Three or four nights' full-board accommodation aboard the Blue Shadow
- Meet-and-assist at arrival and departure
- Personal assistance throughout your stay and all excursions
- All transfers in modern, private air-conditioned deluxe vehicles
- All listed Nile cruise excursions, conducted privately
- Entrance fees to every included site between Luxor and Aswan
- Private English-speaking Egyptologist guide (groups of 1–8 maximum)
- One complimentary bottle of water per person per day
- All service charges and government taxes
- Complimentary pickup and drop-off in Luxor or Aswan (East Bank airport, train station, and East Bank hotels)
Excluded
- Any extra meals and beverages beyond the full-board program
- Personal expenses such as laundry
- Gratuities for your guide, driver, and cruise crew
- Any optional tours (Abu Simbel, hot-air balloon, felucca, Nubian village)
- Egypt entry visa and international airfare
Pricing & Packages
Choose your preferred accommodation level and season. Prices are quoted in US Dollars per person.
4 Days / 3 Nights (Aswan → Luxor) Accommodations
Pricing Information
Rates are quoted in US Dollars (USD) per person. Holiday surcharges apply during peak seasons, including Christmas, New Year, and Easter.
Children's Policy
- Under 6 YearsComplimentary
- Ages 6 to 11 Years50% of the Adult Rate
- 12+ YearsFull Adult Rate
What to Pack
- Comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring ancient sites.
- Lightweight, breathable clothing suitable for warm weather.
- Swimwear, sunscreen, and a hat for Hurghada and cruise days.
- Light jacket or shawl for cooler evenings, especially on the Nile.
- A small backpack for day trips to carry water, camera, and essentials.
- Any personal medications and a basic first-aid kit.
- Power bank for electronic devices.
- Camera to capture incredible memories.
- Insect repellent for evenings, especially near the Nile.
- Copies of your passport, visa, and travel insurance.
Onboard Facilities
- LCD television with satellite channels
- In-house movie program and music system
- Tea and coffee making facilities
- Individually controlled air-conditioning
- Mini bar and in-room safe box
- International direct-dial telephone
- Internet connection and WiFi
- En-suite bathroom with bathtub and hair dryer
- Large panoramic windows
- Automatic fire alarm and wake-up calls
- Swimming pool and pool bar
- Spa, sauna with aromatherapy, and massage
- Gym and fitness room
- Lounge, library, and table games
- Discotheque
- Restaurant
- Gift shop, bazaar, and jewelry shop
- Hairdresser
- Laundry and dry-cleaning service
- Doctor available 24 hours
Why Choose Us
Expert Local Guides
Professional, English-speaking Egyptologists.
Licensed Experts
Fully bonded and licensed Egyptian tour operator.
No Hidden Fees
Transparent pricing and clear inclusions.
24/7 Support
Always available via WhatsApp throughout your trip.
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Plan Your Journey
Everything you need to know about this experience in Egypt.
Egyptologist Insights: Making the Most of Your Journey
Expert Tip: Navigating the Archeological Wonders
Every trip to Egypt is a journey through history. To get the most out of your holiday, check our comprehensive Egypt travel guide for packing lists, visa updates, and local customs. If you are looking for single-day activities, browse our list of recommended Egypt day tours or contact us to customize a private trip.
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