Classic Nile Cruise 3 Nights: Aswan to Luxor

Nights: 3
Destinations: 4

THE JOURNEY AT A GLANCE

Three nights downriver from Aswan to Luxor, with Philae and the High Dam, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Esna lock and the full west bank at Luxor.

Three nights is the shortest cruise that still works, and it works because the distance is short. Aswan and Luxor are about 200 kilometres apart on the river, and everything of consequence between them fits comfortably into three days without the boat having to hurry.

Starting in Aswan rather than Luxor is the better order. You get Philae and the High Dam on the first morning, in the cool, and you board having already seen the reason the modern Nile exists. From there the river walks you north through the two great Ptolemaic temples, Kom Ombo and Edfu, past the lock at Esna, and delivers you to Luxor on the third evening, which leaves a full final morning for the west bank.

This is the itinerary most first-time visitors take, and it is the one to pick if Luxor's tombs matter more to you than the river itself.

Philae on the first morning — The temple of Isis, taken apart and re-erected on its own island, before the boat boards.
Kom Ombo and Edfu in one day — The double temple and the best-preserved temple in Egypt, either side of lunch.
The Esna lock — You are aboard as the water level changes around you, watching the banks rise.
A full morning in Luxor — The west bank, including the Valley of the Kings, on the last day rather than squeezed into an afternoon.

LIFE ON BOARD

Everything you need, on the Nile.

Sun deck
Air-conditioned cabins
Onboard dining
Lounge
Housekeeping service
Guest assistance

THE RIVER, DAY BY DAY

A journey worth taking slowly.

3 Nights / 4 Days - Aswan to Luxor

Aswan → Luxor 3 nights

3 Nights / 4 Days - Aswan to Luxor

Day01

Aswan

Philae, the High Dam, then boarding

The day starts early. Philae is visited first, the sanctuary of Isis which was cut into blocks and re-erected on the island of Agilkia when the old Aswan dam was raised, and the guided visit usually runs to about 10:00. The Aswan High Dam follows, and after lunch you board the cruise. There is time before dinner to walk the Nubian Museum if you would rather start slowly, or the botanical garden, which is the quietest place in the city. The boat stays the first night in Aswan.

Overnight: Aswan
Meals included: Lunch, tea and dinner on board

Day02

Kom Ombo and Edfu

The double temple, then the best-preserved temple in Egypt

Breakfast on board, then the boat works north to Kom Ombo, the only temple in Egypt built with two complete sets of courts and sanctuaries, dedicated to Sobek and to Haroeris. You go ashore in the morning and are back aboard for lunch. In the afternoon the cruise continues to Edfu, where the Temple of Horus is one of the best-preserved buildings of the ancient world, the reliefs in the inner sanctuary still carrying their original colour in places. Some visitors take a horse and carriage through the town to the site. Dinner on board and the second night at Edfu.

Overnight: Edfu
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner on board

Day03

Esna and Luxor

The lock, then the east bank

The boat is under way early and passes through the Esna lock, which is worth watching from the deck rather than sleeping through. Lunch is taken while sailing on to Luxor. In the afternoon you go ashore on the east bank for the temples of Karnak and Luxor, which is a lot to cover in one afternoon and is exactly why the west bank is tomorrow. Dinner on board, and the third night moored at Luxor.

Overnight: Luxor
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner on board

Day04

Luxor

The west bank, then disembarkation

Breakfast on board and then a full morning on the west bank: the Valley of the Kings, the temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and the Colossi of Memnon. The cruise ends at midday and you are transferred to your hotel in Luxor, or to the airport or train station as you need.

Meals included: Breakfast on board

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PART OF YOUR JOURNEY

Included & not included

A clear view of what your journey covers and what to plan separately.

YOUR JOURNEY INCLUDES

Included

Assistance from our personnel throughout the cruise and at every excursion
All transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle
Full-board accommodation aboard a cruise for the stated number of nights
All cruise excursions set out in the itinerary
Entrance fees to every site named in the itinerary
English-speaking Egyptologist guide for the excursions
Service charges and taxes

PLAN SEPARATELYWhat is not included

Anything not named in the itinerary
Gratuities
Personal expenses
Optional, not included: The hot air balloon over Luxor
Optional, not included: The Sound and Light show at Karnak

FOUR WAYS TO SAIL

FIND YOUR IDEAL NILE CRUISE

Choose your category and departure date here. Your details and payment come next.

THE NILE COLLECTION

Standard

Comfortable cruising with essential services.

THE NILE COLLECTION

Deluxe

Enhanced comfort and a refined onboard experience.

THE NILE COLLECTION

Ultra Deluxe

Elevated comfort, service and amenities.

THE NILE COLLECTION

Luxury

Exceptional ships, service and amenities.

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

A few things worth knowing.

Why start in Aswan

The two big Luxor sites, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, need a full day between them. Starting at Aswan gives you the final morning to spend on them instead of an afternoon.

The route

Aswan to Luxor is about 200 kilometres of river, and the boat travels it at night as well as by day. Most of the sailing happens while you are at a temple or asleep.

Pickup and drop-off

Transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle, from your hotel in Aswan and back to your hotel in Luxor.

Optional extras

A hot air balloon over Luxor on the morning before boarding, and the Sound and Light show at Karnak, are both available and neither is in the price.

Child Policy

Child rates and age bands vary by sailing, travel date and category. Please send each child’s age at the time of travel; we will confirm the applicable per-person child price, rooming and any required documents before booking.

Three nights or seven nights? +

Three nights covers Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor and nothing more, which is a genuine river cruise rather than a slow drive. Seven nights is the version for people who want the river to be the holiday, and it adds time rather than sites.

Can we add Abu Simbel? +

Not from this route, because Abu Simbel is south of Aswan and this cruise sails north. If you want Abu Simbel, take the seven-night Luxor to Aswan cruise or add it as a separate day in Aswan before boarding.

Is the balloon included? +

No. It is an optional extra on the morning before you board, which is the only sensible time to fly it, because the wind is calmest at dawn.

What is the child policy for this Nile journey? +

PLAN YOUR NILE JOURNEY

Prices by group size & category

USD · per person

All prices start from the amount shown and are per person for the entire sailing. Group size includes adults and children. Choose your departure date to confirm availability and the final total.

3 Nights / 4 Days - Aswan to Luxor

Travel dates: 01 Oct 2026 — 01 Oct 2027

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3 Nights / 4 Days - Aswan to Luxor — USD per person for the entire sailing
Travellers	Standard	Deluxe	Ultra Deluxe	Luxury
1 travellersSolo	Standard USD 900.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 450.00 · per child	Deluxe USD 1,200.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 600.00 · per child	Ultra Deluxe Price on request Child price on request	Luxury USD 2,700.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,350.00 · per child
2–4 travellersSmall group	Standard USD 900.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 450.00 · per child	Deluxe USD 1,200.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 600.00 · per child	Ultra Deluxe Price on request Child price on request	Luxury USD 2,700.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,350.00 · per child
5–8 travellersFriends & family	Standard USD 900.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 450.00 · per child	Deluxe USD 1,200.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 600.00 · per child	Ultra Deluxe Price on request Child price on request	Luxury USD 2,700.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,350.00 · per child
9–16 travellersGroup	Standard USD 900.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 450.00 · per child	Deluxe USD 1,200.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 600.00 · per child	Ultra Deluxe Price on request Child price on request	Luxury USD 2,700.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,350.00 · per child
17–40 travellersLarge group	Standard USD 900.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 450.00 · per child	Deluxe USD 1,200.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 600.00 · per child	Ultra Deluxe Price on request Child price on request	Luxury USD 2,700.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,350.00 · per child