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Travel bucket list idea:

Last updated: 06 February, 2024
Expert travel writer: Sue Bryant

Until the late 19th century, travelling in Egypt meant taking a boat on the Nile, as the roads were bad and there were no hotels. A trip on the Nile is still a defining experience, revealing a tapestry of astonishing ancient monuments, beautiful papyrus-dotted river banks, and a landscape that has remained largely unchanged in 4,000 years.

Cruises usually include visits to the magnificent temples at Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo. All cruises end in Aswan, with a visit to Temple of Isis at Philae and an optional excursion to the Temples of Abu Simbel (strongly recommended).

There is, of course, the luxury riverboat option. The Sanctuary MS Nile Adventurer, formerly owned by Abercrombie and Kent, is a 5-star ship with 32 luxurious cabins and excellent food on board.

You could alternatively opt for a cruise on a charismatic dahabiya (a local sailing ship with 4-10 cabins). They can moor in more places than the large cruise ships, visit smaller sights on the way and get you closer to the Nile.

For the most authentic (and cheapest) cruise, feluccas sail between Aswan and Edfu or Esna, just south of Luxor. These single-mast boats have no cabins, so passengers sleep on benches or on the shore.

Logistics

Price from: £800+
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Duration: 3-7 days

Getting there & doing it

Boats leave from the moorings strung along Luxor’s eastern bank Cruises take from three to seven days, ending in Aswan.

When to do it

Cruises run year-round, although most cruise boats are tied up through the Egyptian summer (late June to early September), when it is too hot to enjoy sightseeing.

The river is most crowded during the Christmas and Easter school holidays. September to November and February to March are the best times to cruise – the light is good, the temperatures moderate and the holiday crowds avoided.

Who to go with: organised tours

5

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

4-Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon

Aswan

4-Days Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel and Hot Air Balloon
The Beauty of Egypt Upper Nile Valley, is best appreciated from the deck of a Nile Cruise ship. Enjoy the riverside scenery and discover the ancient wonders of Egypt passing by pharaonic sites en route between Aswan and Luxor. Explore the highlights of the sightseeing in Luxor and Aswan, two stops in the way to visit the pharaonic sites of interest such as; Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples. Discover one of the most impressive temples in Egypt by visiting Abu Simbel 285 km south of Aswan. Experience the exciting trip of the Hot Air Balloon in Luxor. Have fun and enjoy plenty of night entertainments of the belly dancing show, galabiya party, Nubian show or disco and more.

Price: $349

Min age: 0

Rating 4.70 / 5 [1566 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

4-Days Nile Cruise Aswan&Luxor,Hot Air Balloon&Abu Simbel.Hot deal

Aswan

4-Days Nile Cruise Aswan&Luxor,Hot Air Balloon&Abu Simbel.Hot deal
Relax on cruise board this is Egypt in the best way you can see. Enjoy the highlights of Aswan and Luxor. With stops in Kom Ombo and Edfu. Tour the Valley of the Kings and so much more with an Egyptology guide. Feast on buffet lunches, dinners, and breakfasts on board a 5-star ship. Take it easy with door-to-door transfers in Luxor and Aswan. Experience the life trip hot air balloon. Visit the fabulous temples of Abu Simbel. Touch the real Egyptian culture in Luxor and Aswan,. Collect the most important sites in upper Egypt in 1 package. The best price and quality of service are our targets. Gather between the great Egyptian Nile river quietness on cruise board and the fabulous temples and tombs in upper Egypt. 3 nights Nile cruise,All meals,Expert tour guide,Qualified licensed drivers,Door to door transfers,Hot air balloon,Abu Simbel trip,West and east banks in Luxor,Edfu and Kom Ombo temples,Aswan tours,taxes and charges all are included. Have a nice trip

Price: $437

Min age: 0

Rating 4.77 / 5 [288 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

4-Days 3-Nights Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel Hot Air Balloon

Aswan

4-Days 3-Nights Cruise From Aswan To Luxor including Abu Simbel Hot Air Balloon
The Beauty of Egypt Upper Nile Valley, is best appreciated from the deck of a Nile Cruise ship. Enjoy the riverside scenery and discover the ancient wonders of Egypt passing by pharaonic sites en route between Luxor and Aswan. Explore the highlights of the sightseeing in Luxor and Aswan, two stops in the way to visit the pharaonic sites of interest such as; Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples. Discover one of the most impressive temples in Egypt by visiting Abu Simbel 285 km south of Aswan. Experience the exciting trip of the Hot Air Balloon in Luxor. Have fun and enjoy plenty of night entertainments of the belly dancing show, galabiya party, Nubian show or disco and more in 4 days/3 nights Nile Cruise every Sunday/Monday/Wednesday or Friday from Aswan to Luxor. Full board, check in with lunch, check out with breakfast. Note: ★Recommended Arrival time on the first day should be before 12:01 pm. ★the tour ends in Luxor on the last day around 3:30 to 4:30 pm, so evening departure is recommended.

Price: $730

Min age: 0

Rating 4.87 / 5 [218 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

5 Days Private Guided Nile River Cruise Tour from Luxor to Aswan

Luxor

5 Days Private Guided Nile River Cruise Tour from Luxor to Aswan
Explore the ancient culture of Luxor and Aswan and the beauty of the River Nile.The Nile was the lifeline of ancient Egyptian civilization and today the banks of the river are dotted with ancient tombs and temples. Lying 420 miles south of Cairo, Luxor is the most dramatic historical site in Egypt - and is often referred to as the world’s greatest open air museum. Luxor is the modern day name for Thebes, the ancient capital city of the New Kingdom Pharaohs. Today, Luxor is home to more than half of Egyptian antiquities and is a must-see destination for any visitor to Egypt. Aswan is the “Jewel of the Nile”. Pink and grey granite thrusts upward through the Nubian sandstone, forming mountains, cliffs and jagged outcrops. The Nile runs clear and cold here, and endless waves of golden sand swirl against its banks.

Price: $781

Min age: 6

Rating 4.96 / 5 [190 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

6 Days Nile Cruise:Luxor,Aswan,Abu Simbel with Train Tickets from Cairo

Aswan

6 Days Nile Cruise:Luxor,Aswan,Abu Simbel with Train Tickets from Cairo
Savor the timeless experience that is a Nile cruise as you sail from Aswan to Luxor on an indulgent ship with on board swimming pool. Feast on breakfast, lunch, dinner—and even afternoon tea—as you discover ancient Egypt’s highlights. Professional Egyptology are on hand as you visit the temples of Abu Simbel, Philae,high dam, Kom Ombo, Edfu, valley of the kings,Hatsheput,Colossi of Memnon, and Karnak. Cruise the Nile with overnights in Aswan, Edfu, and Luxor. Learn about ancient Egypt from professional Egyptology guide. Enjoy a full-board feast, a swimming pool, and ample on board entertainment. train tickets,meals and all transfers are included. Door to door transfer from and to your hotel. Valley of the kings and so much more with an Egyptology guide. Visit the great Abu Simbel temples. Touch the great culture in Luxor and Aswan. Best rate and service are our target. Have a nice trip

Price: $608

Min age: 0

Rating 4.74 / 5 [177 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Viator Logo

Who to go with: tour operators

2

Our writer’s recommended tour operators to book with

Nour el Nil

Nour el Nil

Egypt

One of the best companies offering stylish and comfortable dahabeyyas with 8 to 10 cabins, and a great top deck where everyone eats together. Usually 6-day trips.

Sanctuary Retreats [The Nile]

Sanctuary Retreats [The Nile]

Egypt

Operates luxury cruise boats on the Nile, Yangtze and Irrawaddy rivers – and a portfolio of luxury safari camps in southern Africa. The Sanctuary MS Nile Adventurer is a 5-star ship with 32 luxurious cabins and excellent food on board.

Destination guides

1

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Luxor

Upper Egypt, Egypt

Egypt. Karnak Temple Complex - the Precinct of Amun-Re. Massive columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall

Exotic, bustling city on the Nile, packed with world-class ancient sites including the remarkable tomb of Tutankhamun. A tantalising glimpse into the exotic culture and remarkable sophistication of this ancient civilisation.

Round-ups

1

Round-ups that include this experience