Nile River cruises — Luxor to Aswan, the classic voyage
Luxor to Aswan by river — Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Abu Simbel — on 3 or 4-night sailings with a private Ministry-licensed guide throughout.
The monuments were built to be seen from the river
For three thousand years, the Nile was Egypt’s only road — and its temples were built facing the water. Kom Ombo rises directly from a bend in the river; Edfu sat sealed under desert sand until the 19th century; Philae is reached by boat or not at all. A cruise isn’t just the comfortable way to see Upper Egypt — it’s the way the architecture was designed to be approached.
Our cruises run 3 or 4 nights between Luxor and Aswan on selected 4★ and 5★ vessels, full-board from embarkation to disembarkation. The difference from a standard booking is the guiding: a private Ministry-licensed guide for your party alone on every shore excursion — never a shared ship’s group of forty. And Abu Simbel is always included, by 45-minute flight from Aswan, where many operators sell it as an extra. Longer 7-night sailings can be arranged on request.
Prefer sails to engines? The same route runs on a traditional 6–12-guest dahabiya houseboat.
“Guests always ask which shore excursion is best. The honest answer is none of them — it’s the hour after Kom Ombo, on deck, when the ship is moving and the banks turn gold. That’s the part no photo prepares you for.”
Sailings between Luxor and Aswan — 3 or 4 nights, private throughout
The listed shapes — each fully customisable. Longer 7-night sailings and Cairo pairings arranged on request.
★ Editor’s pick3 Nights Nile Cruise From Aswan To Luxor
$600/pp See details →
4 Nights Nile Cruise From Luxor To Aswan
$700/pp See details →
Just the cruise, or the full trip?
A standalone 3 or 4-night cruise, a dahabiya alternative, or the complete Cairo + Nile itinerary — fully priced within 24 hours.
Get my quote →How the Luxor–Aswan voyage actually flows
The classic downstream-to-upstream shape — both directions cover the same sites, chosen by your flight routing.
Luxor — both banks
Board in Luxor: Karnak’s 134-column hall and Luxor Temple on the East Bank, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut on the West — before the ship slips its moorings.
Edfu — sealed by sand
The best-preserved ancient temple in Egypt, hidden under desert sand until the 19th century — reached by horse-drawn carriage from the dock.
Kom Ombo at dusk
Egypt’s only double temple, dedicated to Sobek and Haroeris, rising directly from the Nile bend — most atmospheric as the light goes gold.
Aswan & Abu Simbel
Philae by motorboat, a sunset felucca past Elephantine Island — then the 06:00 flight to Abu Simbel, arriving before the day’s coaches.
Eight things our cruises do differently
Private Licensed Guide Throughout
Every cruise includes a private Ministry-licensed local guide — dedicated to your party alone for all shore excursions, never a shared cruise-ship group.
Abu Simbel Always Included
Some operators charge Abu Simbel separately or offer it as optional. We include it in every Nile cruise package — by 45-minute flight from Aswan, as standard.
4 & 5-Star Cruise Vessels
Carefully selected, regularly inspected and properly maintained Nile vessels — we know the boats and the crews, and we advise honestly between them.
Full-Board, No Surprises
All meals included from embarkation to disembarkation — breakfast as the mist lifts, lunch on deck, dinner under the stars. One price covers the water.
Combined with Cairo Seamlessly
Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, then a 1-hour flight to Luxor to board — one itemised itinerary, transfers included.
Dahabiya Option Available
For the most intimate Nile experience, a traditional 6–12-guest dahabiya sailing houseboat can replace the cruise vessel — same route, different century.
13 Years on the Nile
Since 2013, operating Nile cruises with consistent quality — we know the vessels, the crews and the moorings that make the difference.
All-Inclusive, All-Transparent
Full itemised pricing before you book — no on-cruise upselling, no surprise excursion charges, no extras appearing at checkout.
- Private Ministry-licensed guide for all excursions
- Abu Simbel by air — always included
- Full-board dining on deck
- 4★ & 5★ vessels, honestly advised
Verified reviews across Google & TripAdvisor — for tours operated by Egypt Planners.
What our guests say about traveling local
Genuine reviews from real travelers on our multi-day tours and Nile cruises. Egypt Tours by Locals is operated by Egypt Planners — a licensed operator building complete Egypt travel packages, not just day trips.
"Our guide didn't just show us the Pyramids — she made us feel what it meant to build them. The private morning at the Grand Egyptian Museum with no crowds was extraordinary. A truly local experience, not a tourist conveyor belt."
"Our consultant knew every guard, every way around the crowds, and told us stories not in any guidebook. We've done tours in 30 countries. This was the most engaged we've ever been."
"They designed our entire 12-day itinerary personally, then guided us through every day. As history enthusiasts we had very specific requests — they exceeded every one. Their knowledge of Nubian culture in Aswan was extraordinary."
Nile River cruises — questions & answers
What is included in a Nile River cruise package?
How long is a Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan?
What is the difference between the Luxor–Aswan and Aswan–Luxor directions?
Is Abu Simbel included in Nile cruise packages?
Can I combine a Nile cruise with Cairo and the Pyramids?
How much does a Nile cruise package cost?
Who plans your cruise: every Nile itinerary is designed by our Cairo-based team led by Maro Saeed, Tour Consultant & Travel Advisor — one contact from vessel choice to disembarkation.
The banks turn gold. The ship keeps moving.
Tell us your dates and whether Cairo joins the trip — a fully priced private Nile cruise itinerary within 24 hours. Free, no obligation.
Operated by Egypt Planners · Reg #256841 · Free itinerary in 24 hours · 30% deposit only on confirmation