Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruises
Experience the magic of the Nile with our hand-picked selection of luxor to aswan.
A Luxor to Aswan Nile cruise usually lasts 4 nights and 5 days, with full board and guided visits to Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. Travel Joy Egypt, a licensed tour operator based in Cairo, shows every cruise with its full itinerary and price, so you can compare them before sending us your dates. For other routes, see our Nile cruises across Egypt.
Luxor to Aswan
This four-day, three-night Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Zahra sails from Aswan to Luxor, an intimate way to take in Upper Egypt's temples and royal tombs.…
This five-day, four-night Nile cruise aboard the Oberoi Philae sails from Aswan to Luxor, an unhurried route through Upper Egypt's landmark temples and tombs.…
This short Nile sailing aboard the MS Tulip runs over two days from Aswan to Luxor, a focused way to see Upper Egypt's headline temples without a longer…
This five-day Nile cruise aboard the MS Mayfair sails from Luxor to Aswan, taking in the temples and tombs that define Upper Egypt's ancient heart. The cruise…
This five-day, four-night Nile cruise aboard the MS Esplanade sails from Luxor to Aswan, moving through Upper Egypt's major temples at an unhurried pace.…
This short Nile sailing aboard the MS Acamar runs over two days from Aswan to Luxor, giving a fast-paced but guided look at Upper Egypt's temples for travelers…
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This four-day, three-night Nile cruise aboard the Mövenpick MS Sun Ray sails from Luxor to Aswan, connecting the region's temples with an Egyptologist guide…
This five-day, four-night Nile cruise aboard the Mövenpick MS Royal Lily sails from Luxor to Aswan, covering the full run of Upper Egypt's major temples…
This four-day Nile cruise aboard the Jaz Senator sails from Aswan to Luxor, taking in the region's major temples at a relaxed onboard pace. The itinerary opens…
This four-day, three-night Nile cruise aboard the Alexander the Great sails from Aswan to Luxor, giving an unhurried look at Upper Egypt's temples and tombs.…
This 13-day luxury tour combines Cairo's monuments with a Nile cruise aboard the Mövenpick MS Sunray and a Red Sea stretch in Hurghada. Cairo days cover the…
This eight-day, seven-night Nile cruise sails from Luxor south to Aswan, giving a slower pace through Upper Egypt's temples than a shorter sailing allows. The…
Last updated: 21 October 2026
Key Takeaways
The essentials:
- Length: 4 nights starting in Luxor, or 3 nights starting in Aswan.
- Direction: the cruises call at the same temples and differ in length, pace and where they end.
- Included: full board, meaning breakfast, lunch and dinner on board, plus the guided visits and entrance fees in the itinerary.
- Price: each cruise is listed with its current price per person, which depends on the ship, the season and your group size.
What Will You See on a Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise?
Most itineraries cover the same sights on the way south from Luxor to Aswan:
- Luxor, East Bank: Karnak and Luxor Temple.
- Luxor, West Bank: the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.
- Edfu: the Temple of Horus.
- Kom Ombo: the double temple of Sobek and Horus.
- Aswan: the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple.
The order and timing differ by cruise. On the Salima Nile Cruise from Luxor, for example, you board before lunch and visit Karnak that afternoon.
Luxor to Aswan or Aswan to Luxor: Which Should You Choose?
The temples are the same in both directions, so the choice comes down to time and where you want to end up.
Starting in Luxor
This cruise usually lasts 4 nights and ends in Aswan, where trips to Abu Simbel begin. Choose it if you want to add the Abu Simbel temples from Aswan after the cruise.
Starting in Aswan
This cruise usually lasts 3 nights and ends in Luxor. Choose it if you are short on time or flying out of Luxor.
How Many Nights Do You Need?
Most travellers choose 3 or 4 nights. The table compares the main options.
| Option | Length | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Luxor to Aswan | 4 nights, 5 days | Every major temple without rushing |
| Aswan to Luxor | 3 nights, 4 days | Travellers short on time |
| Longer cruises | 7 nights or more | A slower pace with extra stops |
An extra night on the Luxor route means more time on the West Bank. To compare dates and cruises, browse our 4-night Nile cruises from Luxor.
What Is Included, and What Costs Extra?
The table shows what a typical cruise price covers.
| Item | Included? | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Cabin and meals | Yes | Breakfast, lunch and dinner on board |
| Guided visits | Yes | With an Egyptologist guide |
| Entrance fees | Yes | For every site on the cruise itinerary |
| Drinks | No | Outside the 3 daily meals |
| Optional excursions | No | Hot-air balloon, Abu Simbel, felucca |
| Tips | No | Paid to the crew |
Some cruises on this route are packages with extra days in Cairo, so check whether a price covers the cruise alone or the whole package.
Which Type of Nile Cruise Should You Choose?
The 3 types differ in size, facilities and pace:
- Standard cruise: a ship carrying roughly 60 to 150 passengers across several decks.
- Luxury cruise: a 5-star ship with larger cabins and suites, a pool and a sun deck.
- Dahabiya: a traditional sailing boat with far fewer guests. Most dahabiya trips are 8 days packages with Cairo, and some sail for 4 or 5 days.
For more space and comfort, see our 5-star luxury Nile cruises between Luxor and Aswan. Lake Nasser cruises follow a different route, between the High Dam and Abu Simbel.
When Is the Best Time to Cruise the Nile?
October to April is the best time for a Nile cruise, when the days are cool enough for long temple visits. December and January are the busiest months on the river.
Can You Start a Nile Cruise in Cairo?
No. Standard Nile cruises do not sail from Cairo, so you join in Luxor or Aswan. If you want Cairo as well, the 5 days Cairo and Nile cruise package combines both.
Choose a Cruise and Send Us Your Dates
Pick the cruise that suits you, then send your dates and group size through its enquiry form. For a longer trip, we can also plan a tailor-made Egypt trip with a Nile cruise, with private days in Cairo or Aswan around it.
Would you rather talk it through? Message us on WhatsApp +20 106 023 3393, and the Travel Joy Egypt team will help you choose the right Luxor to Aswan Nile cruise.
Cruising the Nile
Everything you need to know about our luxor to aswan collection.
1How long is a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan?
2What optional excursions can you add to a Nile cruise?
3What are the cabins like on a Luxor to Aswan cruise?
4How much does a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan cost?
5When should you book a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan?
6What is the difference between a Nile cruise ship and a dahabiya?
7How do you get from Cairo to Luxor for a Nile cruise?
8How do you get from Aswan to Abu Simbel after a Nile cruise?
9How much should you tip on a Nile cruise?
10What days do Nile cruises from Luxor to Aswan depart?
Top attractions in Egypt
- 1Philae Temple
- 2Coptic Cairo
- 3Hurghada Marina
- 4Pyramid of Menkaure
- 5Bibliotheca Alexandrina
- 6Naama Bay
- 7Valley of the Kings
- 8Mountain of the Dead
- 9Mahmya Island
- 10Dolphin House
- 11Panoramic Viewpoint
- 12Salah El Din Citadel
- 13Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
- 14Colossi of Memnon
- 15Pyramid of Khafre
- 16Pompey’s Pillar
- 17Karnak Temple
- 18Mount Sinai