4 Nights from Luxor to Aswan
Begin among Luxor's grand temples, then sail upstream through the Nile's timeless heartland, with the option to add Abu Simbel.
Tuesday · Saturday
5 days on board
all guided
per person
The 4 Nights from Luxor to Aswan is a Nile cruise itinerary over 5 days, visiting 6 major stops. Prices start from $580 per person, with 68 ships available.
4-night Nile cruise, Luxor to Aswan — the itinerary
Scroll the days or press play — the boat sails to each stop as you go. Timings are typical; the exact order can shift with lock queues and mooring slots.
Ships sailing Luxor → Aswan
See all 68 ships on this route
Al Hambra
Al Kahila
Alyssa
Blue Shadow
Chateau Lafayette
What's included on this itinerary
The same list on every ship we sell for this route — so two quotes are always comparable.
Included
- 4 nights full board accommodation
- All meals
- All shore excursions with Egyptologist guide
- All entrance fees including West Bank monuments
- Galabeya night + welcome cocktail
- Port taxes and service charges
Not included
- Flights, visa, insurance
- Drinks (alcoholic + soft + bottled water)
- Abu Simbel excursion (optional)
- Hot-air balloon over Luxor (optional)
- Tips and personal expenses
Compare with the other routes
What you'll see on this itinerary
The six sites this cruise visits, in the order you reach them.
Luxor · East Bank
🏛️ Karnak & Luxor Temple
The largest religious complex ever built — 134 columns in the hypostyle hall — and its riverside twin, best seen lit up after dark.
Luxor · West Bank
🏺 Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut
Three royal tombs (Tutankhamun, Seti I and Nefertari extra), the terraced temple of Egypt's female pharaoh, and the Colossi of Memnon.
🚢 The Esna lock
Ships queue to pass the barrage — a surprisingly good hour on deck as vendors throw galabeyas up to the balconies. Temple of Khnum optional.
Edfu
🦅 Temple of Horus, Edfu
The best-preserved temple in Egypt, reached by horse-carriage from the dock. The falcon statue and the roof-high pylons are the photographs everyone takes.
Kom Ombo
🐊 Kom Ombo & the crocodile museum
A double temple to Sobek and Horus right on the riverbank — ships dock beside it, so most visits are at sunset. Mummified crocodiles next door.
Aswan
🌴 Philae, the High Dam & a felucca
The temple of Isis on its island (moved stone by stone from the flooding), the dam that created Lake Nasser, and a sail around Elephantine at sunset.
How booking through us works
There's no shopping cart because a Nile cruise shouldn't be bought like a pair of shoes. A specialist handles it end to end.
Send your inquiry
Dates, route, style, budget — or just "help". Use the finder above, the form below or WhatsApp.
Get tailored options
A specialist replies with ships that fit, live availability, exact inclusions and a written price.
Refine & hold your cabin
Swap ships, add Cairo or Abu Simbel, ask anything. We hold your cabin free while you decide.
Confirm with a deposit
Deposit by card link or bank transfer, balance before sailing. Vouchers and a WhatsApp line for the trip.
When to sail & what to know before you go
Temperature drives both comfort and price — and a few small things (tipping, tickets, what to pack) make the difference between a good cruise and a great one.
Hover or tap a month for temperatures and crowd levels.
Linen or cotton that covers shoulders and knees — you'll be walking in full sun at Karnak and Edfu. A scarf doubles as sun cover and mosque-visit modesty.
Tomb floors in the Valley of the Kings are ramps and steps. Sandals for the deck, closed shoes for the sites.
Deck evenings and air-conditioned lounges are cooler than you expect. November–February nights drop to 8–12 °C.
The pool is the afternoon plan. Sunscreen on board costs three times the price at home.
Tomb interiors are dim and phones die fast in the heat. Plug type C/F (European two-pin), 220 V.
For the Galabeya night and the captain's dinner — or buy a galabeya at the Esna market for $10 like everyone else.
Roughly $3–5 for the crew (pooled envelope at the end of the cruise), $5 for your Egyptologist and $2 for drivers. We put this in writing so nothing feels awkward.
ATMs in Luxor and Aswan work fine; on board only cash is accepted for tips. $1 and $5 notes are gold for bathroom attendants and carriage drivers.
Drinks (packages from $35/day), laundry, spa, and optional excursions like Abu Simbel or the balloon. The bar takes cards on most deluxe and luxury ships.
Tutankhamun's tomb (~$20), Seti I (~$60) and Nefertari (~$60) are extra at the sites. Nefertari is the best-preserved tomb in Egypt — say yes.
EU, UK, US, Canada, Australia and many more: $30 sticker at the airport bank counter, or an e-visa online in advance. Passport valid 6+ months.
Both have daily flights from Cairo (1 h) and some direct European charters. We match your arrival day to a departure day so you don't lose a night.
First excursion is the same afternoon; last day ends around 08:00–09:00. Book flights after 12:00 on disembarkation day.
Not included and strongly advised. Egypt's private hospitals in Luxor and Aswan are good; the ship's doctor is on call 24 h.
You're at a temple in the morning, on deck for lunch as the banks slide past, and docked by evening. Ships often moor side by side — you may walk through another ship to reach the shore.
Grouped by language. Private guide upgrades are available on every ship for about $40–60 per day.
Optional, fun and slightly cheesy. The sun deck under the stars is the alternative.
Vegetarian, gluten-free and halal handled easily; tell us about allergies when you book and the kitchen is briefed in writing.
No age limit on motor ships. Connecting or triple cabins on request — we only quote ships that have them free on your dates. Children 2–11 usually pay 50%.
Single supplements run 50–75% of the double rate, but several ships halve or waive it in low season.
Under-80-guest ships and private sail boats are the quiet ones. Tell us — cabins get a welcome upgrade where we can.
Lifts on most deluxe and luxury ships; temples involve uneven ground and steps. Tell us and we'll pick a ship with a lift and lower-deck cabins.
4 nights · Luxor → Aswan — your questions
What is the difference between Aswan-to-Luxor and Luxor-to-Aswan cruises?
Aswan-to-Luxor is the classical direction and follows the current — you sail with the flow, which is gentler. Luxor-to-Aswan sails against the current, so you arrive at each temple slightly ahead of the fleet. Both cover the same temples (Karnak, Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae). Honeymooners tend to prefer Aswan-to-Luxor because Aswan is the softer city to arrive into after Cairo.
How many hours per day are we actually sightseeing?
Roughly 4-5 hours across two blocks. Temple visits are typically 90 minutes each, with cruise time in between where you rest, eat and sit on the sun deck. No temple visit exceeds 2 hours — Egypt heat and stone flooring make longer visits unproductive.
What is the food like on the cruise?
International buffet three times a day — cold cuts, Egyptian mezze, grilled meats, pasta station, salad bar, dessert selection. Vegetarian options at every meal; special dietary requirements (vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher) accommodated with 48 hours' notice. A la carte options available on some 5-star ships.
Are the cabins actually on the outside with a Nile view?
Yes — every cabin on every ship in our fleet has an outside window or French balcony facing the river. There are no interior cabins on Nile cruise ships. Suites include a walk-out balcony; deluxe rooms have a French balcony (floor-to-ceiling glass that opens).
Is Wi-Fi available and does it work?
All cruise ships offer Wi-Fi, usually free in public areas and paid in cabins ($5-10/day). Speed varies with location — reliable at moorings in Luxor, Aswan, Kom Ombo; slower or intermittent while sailing between towns. Bring an Egyptian SIM if you need constant connectivity.
What happens if a temple is closed for restoration?
Rarely happens — Egypt keeps restoration open-air where possible so temples stay visible. If a specific chamber is closed (like Nefertari's tomb, which has strict visitor limits), your Egyptologist will substitute an equivalent alternative. Your full itinerary is honored.
Get options for the 4 Nights from Luxor to Aswan
No account, no payment, no obligation. Tell us the basics and a named specialist does the rest.
