Which direction, and how many nights?
Almost every Nile cruise sails between Luxor and Aswan, about 200 km apart. You can do it in either direction:
- 4 nights from Luxor to Aswan: the most popular choice, with more time on board and a relaxed pace.
- 3 nights from Aswan to Luxor: the same temples with one night less, ideal when your trip is short.
- 7 nights round trip: both directions and the most time to enjoy the river.
The direction matters less than people think. What matters is fitting the cruise days into your whole trip, with your flights and with Abu Simbel.
What you see along the way
- Luxor: Karnak and Luxor Temple on the East Bank; the Valley of the Kings, the temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank.
- Esna: the boat passes through the Esna lock, one of the most fun moments of the cruise to watch from the deck.
- Edfu: a horse carriage to the Temple of Horus, the best preserved temple in Egypt.
- Kom Ombo: the double temple of Sobek and Horus on a bend of the river, beautiful at sunset, and its crocodile museum.
- Aswan: the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk, Philae, the island temple of Isis, and a felucca around the islands.
Abu Simbel is not on the river route itself, but it is an easy excursion from Aswan, by road or by a short flight.
Life on board
Cruise ships on the Nile are like floating hotels: cabins with large windows and private bathrooms, a restaurant, a lounge and a sun deck with a pool. Full board is usually included, so breakfast, lunch and dinner are taken care of. The best moments are often the simplest: afternoon tea on the deck as villages and palm groves slide past.
Ships range from comfortable standard boats to elegant five-star vessels. The price difference is mostly the size of the cabin, the food and the service, since the temples are the same for everyone.
Cruise ship or dahabiya?
A dahabiya is a traditional sailing boat with only a handful of cabins. It moves with the wind, stops at quiet islands and smaller temples like Gebel el-Silsila, and feels like a private yacht. It costs more and takes more days, but for many travellers it is the most memorable way to see the Nile. See our Cairo and dahabiya journey.
Private guide or group tours?
On most cruises, visits are made in groups with the ship's guide. With us, your visits are with your own private Egyptologist and a private car, so you go at your pace, avoid the busiest times when possible and ask all the questions you like.
Best time for a Nile cruise
October to April is the most comfortable season, with warm days and cool evenings on deck. Summer is hot in the afternoons but quiet, with lower prices: the trick is to visit the temples early and enjoy the boat and the pool in the heat of the day. Read more in our guide to the best time to visit Egypt.
Ready to sail?
Choose a Nile cruise on its own, or combine it with Cairo and the pyramids in our classic Egypt tour. Honeymooners will love the honeymoon cruise. Send us your dates and we will suggest the right ship for your budget.