Nile Journeys
07 Nights / 08 Days Luxury Nile Cruise
overview
Experience the Nile at a more graceful pace on this 07 nights / 08 days luxury Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan and back to Luxor. This extended journey combines Egypt’s celebrated temples and royal necropolises with Nubian culture, scenic sailing, and refined life on board.
Beginning in Luxor, explore Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, and the legendary West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings, Medinet Habu, and Deir el-Medina. Sail south to the magnificent Temple of Horus at Edfu before reaching Aswan, where Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk, and the High Dam are complemented by a traditional felucca ride, Nubian village, and colorful spice market.
On the return journey, visit Kom Ombo Temple before discovering another side of Luxor’s West Bank at the Temple of Hatshepsut, Valley of the Queens, and Tombs of the Nobles.
Guided by a professional Egyptologist, this round-trip Nile cruise blends archaeology, living culture, and leisurely sailing — allowing the Nile itself to become part of the experience.
Exclusive Access (OPT)
Luxury Vessel
Expert Egyptologist
Gourmet Dining
At A Glance
Duration: 08 Days / 07 Nights
Route: Luxor → Edfu → Aswan → Kom Ombo → Luxor
Cruise Type: Round-Trip Nile Cruise
Embarkation: Luxor
Disembarkation: Luxor
Guide: Professional Egyptologist
Experience: Ancient Egypt, Nubian Culture, Scenic Sailing & Refined Leisure
Important Sailing Note
The itinerary represents the planned sightseeing program. Sailing times, docking locations, and the order of visits may vary according to the selected cruise vessel’s operating schedule and navigation conditions. The final itinerary will be confirmed once the vessel is selected, while preserving the included sightseeing wherever possible.
Summary Itinerary
Day 01 – Arrival in Luxor | Karnak & Luxor Temples
Meet and assist on arrival in Luxor, visit the magnificent Karnak Temple Complex, embark aboard your Nile cruise, and explore Luxor Temple in the early evening.
Day 02 – Luxor West Bank | Kings, Temples & Ancient Craftsmen
Explore the Valley of the Kings, Medinet Habu, Deir el-Medina (Valley of the Workers), and the Colossi of Memnon before sailing toward Edfu.
Day 03 – Edfu Temple & Sailing to Aswan
Morning visit to the beautifully preserved Temple of Horus at Edfu, followed by sailing via Kom Ombo toward Aswan.
Day 04 – Aswan | Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk & High Dam
Discover the Unfinished Obelisk, sail to the enchanting Philae Temple, and visit the monumental Aswan High Dam.
Day 05 – The Living Nile | Felucca, Nubian Village & Aswan Market
Experience a traditional felucca ride, visit a colorful Nubian village, and explore Aswan’s atmospheric spice market.
Day 06 – Kom Ombo Temple & Return Sailing
Sail north to visit the remarkable Kom Ombo Temple, uniquely dedicated to two ancient Egyptian deities, before continuing toward Luxor.
Day 07 – Luxor West Bank | Queens, Nobles & Hatshepsut
Return to the West Bank to explore the magnificent Temple of Hatshepsut, the Valley of the Queens, and the decorated Tombs of the Nobles.
Day 08 – Disembarkation & Departure
Breakfast on board, disembarkation in Luxor, and transfer to your Luxor accommodation or Luxor Airport.
Start Your Journey
Complete the form and our team will contact youwithin 24 hours.
No commitment required. We will help you plan the perfect trip.
Itinerary
- luxor
Day 01 – Luxor | Karnak, Embarkation & Luxor Temple
Upon arrival in Luxor, you will be met and assisted before joining your professional Egyptologist for your first encounter with ancient Thebes.
Begin at the extraordinary Karnak Temple Complex, the largest religious complex constructed in ancient Egypt and a monumental record of more than two thousand years of worship and royal ambition. Walk through vast courtyards, towering pylons, sacred precincts, and the legendary Great Hypostyle Hall, where 134 colossal columns create one of the most impressive architectural spaces of the ancient world.
Following your visit, transfer to your selected Nile cruise for embarkation and settle into your cabin.
In the early evening, visit magnificent Luxor Temple, dramatically positioned beside the Nile. Built principally by Amenhotep III and expanded by Ramses II, the temple takes on a particularly atmospheric character as daylight fades and its illuminated columns and statues emerge against the evening sky.
Return to your cruise for dinner and your first night on the Nile.
Overnight: Luxor/On board
- Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 02 – Luxor West Bank | The Realm of Kings & Craftsmen
After breakfast, cross to the legendary West Bank of Luxor, the ancient landscape where pharaohs, nobles, and craftsmen prepared for eternity.
Begin in the Valley of the Kings, burial place of the great rulers of Egypt’s New Kingdom. Descend into selected royal tombs, where remarkably preserved paintings and sacred funerary texts reveal ancient Egyptian beliefs surrounding death, regeneration, and the afterlife.
Continue to the imposing Medinet Habu, the mortuary temple of Ramses III. Its monumental pylons, vast courtyards, and deeply carved reliefs make it one of the most impressive and remarkably preserved temple complexes on Luxor’s West Bank.
Then visit Deir el-Medina, the ancient Valley of the Workers, once home to the skilled artisans responsible for creating the royal tombs. Their village and beautifully decorated tombs provide a rare and personal glimpse into the lives of the people behind some of ancient Egypt’s greatest masterpieces.
Conclude at the monumental Colossi of Memnon, the two enormous seated statues that once guarded the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III.
Return to the cruise and begin sailing south toward Edfu.
Overnight: Edfu/On board
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 03 – Edfu | The Temple of Horus & Journey South
This morning, visit the magnificent Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt.
Beyond its monumental pylon lies an extraordinary sequence of courtyards, columned halls, chambers, and sanctuaries. The temple walls preserve detailed scenes of ritual and mythology, including the legendary struggle between Horus and Seth — the eternal confrontation between order and chaos.
Return to your Nile cruise and continue sailing south. The journey passes Kom Ombo, where guests following shorter cruise programs may undertake their scheduled sightseeing. For this 7-night itinerary, your visit to Kom Ombo Temple is reserved for the northbound return journey.
Continue toward Aswan while enjoying the changing landscapes of Upper Egypt from the deck.
Overnight: Aswan / On board
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Aswan
Day 04 – Aswan | Granite, Philae & the High Dam
Awake in Aswan, where the character of the Nile changes amid granite islands, desert horizons, and the landscapes of historic Nubia.
Begin at the Unfinished Obelisk, still resting in its ancient granite quarry. Had it been completed, it would have been among the largest obelisks ever created. Its abandoned form offers a fascinating insight into the techniques used by ancient Egyptian stoneworkers.
Continue by motorboat to beautiful Philae Temple, dramatically situated on Agilkia Island. Dedicated principally to the goddess Isis, the sanctuary was painstakingly relocated during the UNESCO campaign to rescue the monuments of Nubia from the rising waters created by the construction of the High Dam.
Complete your sightseeing at the Aswan High Dam, the monumental modern engineering project that transformed Egypt’s relationship with the Nile and created vast Lake Nasser.
Return to your cruise for a relaxing evening in Aswan.
Overnight: Aswan/On board
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Aswan
Day 05 – Aswan | Felucca Sailing & Nubian Life
Today reveals a different side of Aswan — one shaped not only by monuments, but by the Nile and the living traditions of Nubia.
Board a traditional felucca and experience the river at its most peaceful. With its distinctive lateen sail catching the breeze, the felucca glides quietly between Aswan’s granite islands and palm-fringed riverbanks.
Continue to a Nubian village, where brightly painted houses, local traditions, and warm hospitality offer an introduction to the distinctive culture of southern Egypt.
Later, explore Aswan’s lively local market, traditionally known for its spices, herbs, perfumes, baskets, textiles, and colorful Nubian products. The aromas of hibiscus, cumin, coriander, and other spices evoke Aswan’s historic position at the crossroads between Egypt and Africa.
Return to the cruise and enjoy the remainder of the day on board.
Overnight: Aswan/On board
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 06 – Kom Ombo | The Temple of Two Gods
Begin the northbound journey toward Luxor, sailing through the peaceful landscapes of Upper Egypt.
At Kom Ombo, step ashore to explore one of Egypt’s most unusual ancient sanctuaries. Standing dramatically beside the Nile, Kom Ombo Temple is distinguished by its remarkable double design, with parallel entrances, halls, and sanctuaries dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris (Horus the Elder).
Its reliefs include fascinating ritual scenes as well as representations traditionally associated with ancient medicine and healing. Nearby, the Crocodile Museum preserves mummified crocodiles connected with the ancient cult of Sobek.
Return to your cruise and continue sailing north. At Edfu, guests following shorter 3-night cruise programs may undertake their scheduled temple visit while your journey continues toward Luxor.
Overnight: Luxor/ On board
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 07 – Luxor West Bank | Hatshepsut, Queens & Nobles
Your return to Luxor reveals another layer of the vast Theban necropolis.
Begin at the magnificent Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, dramatically set against towering limestone cliffs. Its elegant terraces and colonnades form one of ancient Egypt’s most distinctive architectural compositions and celebrate the reign of one of its most remarkable female pharaohs.
Continue to the Valley of the Queens, the burial ground of royal wives, princes, and princesses of the New Kingdom. Selected tombs reveal an intimate and beautifully decorated dimension of royal funerary art.
Your final archaeological exploration takes you to the Tombs of the Nobles. Unlike the royal tombs, many of these beautifully painted chambers depict scenes of everyday life — agriculture, banquets, hunting, craftsmanship, gardens, and family life — providing an extraordinary visual record of ancient Egyptian society beyond the royal court.
Return to your cruise for your final evening on the Nile.
Overnight: Luxor/On board
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- luxor
Day 08 – Luxor: Farewell to the Nile
Enjoy your final breakfast on board before disembarkation in Luxor.
You will be met and transferred privately to your Luxor hotel, other Luxor accommodation, or Luxor International Airport, bringing your 7-night journey along the Nile to a close.
Meals: Breakfast
- Meals: Breakfast
Included
- Meet & assist services upon arrival and departure
- 07 nights accommodation aboard a luxury Nile cruise
- Full board meals throughout the cruise
- All sightseeing tours mentioned in the itinerary
- Professional private Egyptologist guide
- Entrance fees to all mentioned archaeological sites
- Entrance fees to all monuments
- Private transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- All taxes and service charges
Excluded
- International or domestic flights
- Egypt entry visa
- Private access
- Optional excursions
- Beverages during meals
- Personal expenses and gratuities
Choose Your Travel Style
An elegant introduction to luxury Nile cruising, combining carefully selected vessels, refined comfort, and excellent value for a seamless journey along the Nile.
From US$ 2200 per person
Indicative pricing based on double occupancy. Final rates vary by season,number of travellers and availability.
Selected Nile Cruises
MS Le Fayan · MS Mayfair · MS Mayflower
Character
Elegant · Comfortable · Refined
The Experience
Carefully selected luxury vessels offering stylish surroundings, comfortable accommodation, and a relaxed onboard atmosphere for experiencing the Nile in refined comfort.
Ideal For
Travelers seeking a sophisticated Nile cruise with an excellent balance of comfort, quality, and value.
An elevated Nile experience for travelers seeking greater sophistication, with distinguished vessels,polished surroundings, and an enhanced sense of comfort throughout the journey.
From US$ 3500 per person
Indicative pricing based on double occupancy. Final rates vary by season,number of travellers and availability.
Selected Nile Cruises
Sonesta St. George · MS Farah
Character
Sophisticated · Polished · Distinctive
The Experience
A more elevated expression of Nile cruising, distinguished by sophisticated interiors, attentive service, and an enhanced onboard atmosphere throughout the journey.
Ideal For
Travelers who place greater importance on the vessel itself and appreciate a more polished and distinctive onboard experience.
Our highest expression of Nile cruising, featuring exceptional vessels where exclusivity, distinctive character, and sophisticated surroundings make life aboard an integral part of the journey.
From US$ 4900 per person
Indicative pricing based on double occupancy. Final rates vary by season,number of travellers and availability.
Selected Nile Cruises
Sanctuary Sun Boat IV · The Oberoi Philae · Historia
Character
Exclusive · Intimate · Exceptional
The Experience
Our most distinguished Nile selection, bringing together exceptional vessels chosen for their individuality, design, intimate atmosphere, and exceptional standards of hospitality.
Ideal For
Discerning travelers for whom the vessel is not simply transportation between ancient sites, but an essential part of the Egyptian experience.
related Day Experiences
Tailor This Journey
Every journey can be fully customized. Contact us to design your private Egypt experience based on your preferred travel style.
FAQ
How long is the Luxor to Aswan and return Nile cruise?
The journey operates over 07 nights / 08 days, beginning and ending in Luxor. The extended round-trip itinerary allows more sightseeing and a more leisurely experience of the Nile than the traditional one-way cruise programs.
What is the difference between a 4-night and a 7-night Nile cruise?
A traditional 4-night cruise generally operates one way between Luxor and Aswan. This 7-night round-trip Nile cruise returns to Luxor and allows additional experiences, including a second exploration of Luxor’s West Bank, more time in Aswan, Nubian cultural experiences, and additional time enjoying the Nile itself.
Which temples and archaeological sites are included?
The planned program includes Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Medinet Habu, Deir el-Medina, Colossi of Memnon, Edfu Temple, Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk, Aswan High Dam, Kom Ombo Temple, Hatshepsut Temple, Valley of the Queens, and Tombs of the Nobles, subject to the final vessel operating schedule.
Does the cruise include Nubian experiences in Aswan?
Yes. The itinerary includes a traditional felucca ride, a visit to a Nubian village, and time to experience Aswan’s colorful local market and spice stalls.
Will the sightseeing order always be exactly as shown?
Not necessarily. Nile cruise vessels operate according to individual sailing and docking schedules. The exact order and timing of visits may therefore change depending on the selected vessel, navigation conditions, and local operational requirements. The final program will be confirmed according to the sailing schedule of your selected cruise.
Is this cruise privately guided?
The included sightseeing is designed to be accompanied by a professional Egyptologist, providing a more personal and in-depth exploration of the archaeological sites.
What is the best time of year for a Nile cruise?
October through April generally offers the most comfortable temperatures for archaeological sightseeing. Nile cruises operate outside this period as well, although daytime temperatures can be considerably higher during summer.
Can Abu Simbel be added to this Nile cruise?
Yes. An excursion to Abu Simbel can be arranged from Aswan, subject to the cruise schedule and availability. It may be organized by road or air depending on your preferred experience and the available timing.
nile cruise
sigature journeys
Journal
Stories from the Eternal Land
6 min read
6 min read
6 min read