- online@cityandseaadonis.com
- 1362502 Luxor Governorate Luxor City, Egypt
Month-by-month weather, crowds and prices, so you sail Egypt at its very best.
The best time to cruise the Nile is from October to April, when Upper Egypt enjoys warm, dry, sunny days that are perfect for exploring temples and tombs. October, November, March and April are the sweet spot, with comfortable temperatures and slightly thinner crowds than the December to February peak. For the full planning picture, see our complete Nile cruise guide.
October and November: daytime temperatures of around 30 to 33°C ease into pleasant evenings. The summer heat has broken but the water is still warm, which makes it an excellent time to sail.
December to February: peak season. Days are sunny and mild, around 22 to 26°C in Luxor and Aswan, nights are cool, and the sites are at their busiest. Book early for the best cabins and dates, especially over Christmas and New Year.
March and April: warm, clear and very comfortable. This is many travellers’ favourite window, though late April starts to warm up noticeably.
May to September: summer in Upper Egypt is genuinely hot, regularly above 40°C in Luxor and Aswan. It is the quietest and most affordable season, and with early-morning excursions plus the ship’s pool and air-conditioning it is very doable if you do not mind the heat.
Both cities sit in the desert south, so the climate is dry all year with very little rain. Winter days are warm and sunny with cool, sometimes chilly evenings, so pack a light layer for the sun deck after dark. In summer the heat is intense but dry, and excursions are scheduled for the cooler early morning.
The peak December to February window books up first and carries the highest fares. For the best balance of good weather, manageable crowds and value, aim for late October, November, March or early April. Whichever month you choose, book early for the best cabins aboard the M/S City & Sea Adonis, whether that is the 4-day Osiris Odyssey or the 8-day Amun Adventure.
During the holy month of Ramadan the dates shift each year and some local restaurants keep reduced daytime hours, but cruises run as normal and your on-board dining and excursions are unaffected. It can be a memorable time to visit, with festive evenings after sunset.
Summer days in Luxor and Aswan regularly top 40 degrees C, so it is hot, but the heat is dry, excursions run in the cooler early morning, and the ship is fully air-conditioned with a sun-deck pool. Many travellers happily cruise in summer for the lower prices and quieter sites.
Fares are lowest in the summer months of roughly June to September, and highest over the December to February peak and the Christmas and New Year holidays. Shoulder months like November and March offer a good balance of price and weather.
Light, breathable clothing for warm days, plus a sweater or light jacket for cool evenings on deck. Bring a sun hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen and comfortable walking shoes for the temples year round.
Very rarely. Luxor and Aswan are among the driest places on earth, so you can expect clear, sunny skies on almost any cruise date.
