Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise

The short answer

A Luxor to Aswan Nile cruise is the classic way to see Upper Egypt. In four or five days you sail between the two cities and visit Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae with a guide.

On City and Sea Adonis, a five-star ship, the Horus Holiday sails from Luxor to Aswan in five days and four nights, from $1,399 per person. It includes a certified Egyptologist, every admission ticket, all meals and all-inclusive drinks on board. The ship sails from September to April.

The route, day by day

This is the Horus Holiday itinerary. It starts every Thursday in Luxor.

Day 1, Thursday: Luxor

Board the ship in Luxor and enjoy a meal on board. In the afternoon, visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. Your first night is spent moored in Luxor.

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

Cross to the West Bank for the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. In the afternoon the ship sails south and passes through the lock at Esna.

Day 3, Saturday: Edfu and Kom Ombo

Visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best preserved temples in Egypt. Sail on to Kom Ombo, the riverside temple shared by Sobek and Horus, then enjoy an Egyptian evening on board.

Day 4, Sunday: Aswan

See the High Dam and the island temple of Philae, then sail on a traditional felucca. The evening ends with a Nubian show.

Day 5, Monday: Abu Simbel or onward

Join the optional early trip to Abu Simbel, or disembark in Aswan for your next destination.

Luxor to Aswan, or Aswan to Luxor?

Both directions visit the same great temples. Sailing north from Aswan runs with the current, so that cruise is one night shorter.

The Osiris Odyssey sails from Aswan to Luxor in four days and three nights, from $1,199, starting on Mondays. If you would like more time on the river, the Amun Adventure sails from Luxor to Aswan and back in eight days and seven nights, from $1,699. Not sure which length suits you? Read how many nights to cruise the Nile.

How to choose a Luxor to Aswan cruise

Dozens of ships sail this stretch of the Nile, and what you get for the price varies a great deal. These are the questions worth asking before you book.

• What is the official rating? Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism classifies Nile cruise ships. Ask for the official classification, not only the description in the brochure.
• What does the price include? Check whether the Egyptologist, the admission tickets, the transfers and the drinks are included. A lower fare can end up costing more once these are added.
• Who is the guide? A licensed Egyptologist who stays with your group for the whole cruise makes the temples come alive.
• What do recent guests say? Look at how many people have reviewed the ship on Google and Tripadvisor, and how recently, not only at the average score.
• What is the cabin like? Compare cabin sizes, and whether you can open the window onto the river.
• How is life on deck? A shaded sun deck and a pool make a real difference in the Egyptian sun.

Why guests choose City and Sea Adonis

• Classified five-star by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism.
• Rated 4.9 out of 5 from more than 1,100 Google reviews, more than any other Luxor to Aswan cruise ship we found on Google Maps in September 2026. Tripadvisor rates it 4.8 and named it a 2026 Travelers’ Choice winner. Read the reviews on Google and Tripadvisor.
• Deluxe cabins of 22 square metres, each with a French balcony and a view of the Nile, plus a Junior Suite and a Royal Suite.
• A sun deck with a pool and jacuzzi, a panoramic lounge and bar, a gym, sauna, steam room and massage room. See the deck plan.
• Tours with an Egyptologist in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian or Japanese.
• Part of the family-run City and Sea Travel Group, founded in Cairo in 2010. City and Sea Travel is licensed by Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism (licence 2041, Category A) and accredited by IATA.

When to go

City and Sea Adonis sails from September to April. The winter months bring the mildest weather for temple visits, while September and April are warmer. For month-by-month detail, see the best time to cruise the Nile, and for everything you will visit, read our guide to temples and excursions along the Nile.