Classic Nile Cruise 7 Nights: Aswan to Luxor

Nights: 7
Destinations: 4

THE JOURNEY AT A GLANCE

Seven nights upriver from Aswan to Luxor, with Philae and the High Dam, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, and two free days in Luxor.

Eight days and seven nights from Aswan to Luxor, on the one stretch of river that has been carrying pilgrims, traders and pharaohs for five thousand years. This is the classical Nile cruise, run slowly and properly, with a private vehicle and your own Egyptologist at every stop.The first day belongs to Aswan: Philae, the graceful Ptolemaic temple to Isis standing on its island in the reservoir, then the High Dam that created Lake Nasser, and the Unfinished Obelisk still lying in the granite quarry where the cutting gave out. After that the river takes over. Kom Ombo, one of the few temples in Egypt built to two gods at once. Edfu, the largest and best-preserved sanctuary of Horus, where the reliefs tell the ancient battle between Horus and Seth almost panel by panel. And then Luxor, the greatest concentration of ancient stone anywhere in the world, given two full days, one bank at a time.Seven nights is the whole argument. The short Aswan to Luxor sailings compress Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor into three exhausting days and a coach full of strangers. This one gives you a morning at each Ptolemaic temple, Karnak and Luxor Temple on the east bank, the Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut's terraced temple on the west, and then two days that are deliberately yours. It is the difference between a photo of Egypt and an actual memory of it.Meals are taken on board from the second day onwards, the deck is yours in the afternoon, and the boat sails while you sleep so that every day is a shore day. Book this 7 night Nile River cruise from Aswan as a private departure for your group, and take the river at the pace it was meant to be taken.

Philae and the High Dam on day one — The temple to Isis on its island in the reservoir, and the dam that created Lake Nasser, before anyone else is out of bed.
The Unfinished Obelisk — It is still lying where it fell, in the granite quarry it was cut from, and it is the best open-air museum of ancient stone-working in Egypt.
Kom Ombo, a temple with two gods — Sobek the crocodile in the southern half, Haroeris in the north, with the ancient medical reliefs along the outer walls.
Edfu, the best-preserved temple in the country — Still sharp Ptolemaic sandstone, and the most complete surviving account of the battle between Horus and Seth.
Karnak, the largest religious complex ever built — Two thousand years of building and enlargement, and a hundred and thirty-four columns in the hypostyle hall alone.
Luxor Temple after dark — The one that is worth the late start, lit across the forecourt for the Opet festival that Amenhotep III and Ramses II built it for.
The Valley of the Kings — More than sixty New Kingdom tombs in the desert hills west of the river, including Tutankhamen.
Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari — The mortuary temple in its three terraces, cut into the cliffs on the west bank.
The Colossi of Memnon — Two 18-metre seated figures of Amenhotep III, standing at the entrance to the Theban necropolis.
Two free days at Luxor — The shortest crossings give you none. These are yours for the museum, the souq, a felucca at sunset, or nothing at all.
Optional: Abu Simbel, by private car — Abu Simbel is 240 kilometres south of Aswan and cannot be reached from a cruise sailing north to Luxor. We arrange it as a private day trip from Aswan on the night before you board, or as a separate extension.

LIFE ON BOARD

Everything you need, on the Nile.

Restaurant
Lounge & bar
Sun deck
Swimming pool
Sun loungers
Air-conditioned public areas

THE RIVER, DAY BY DAY

A journey worth taking slowly.

7 Nights / 8 Days - Aswan to Luxor

Aswan → Luxor 7 nights

7 Nights / 8 Days - Aswan to Luxor

Day01

Aswan

Philae, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk

You are collected from your hotel after breakfast for a full morning in Aswan, the city at the southern end of the river. Philae comes first, the graceful Ptolemaic temple to Isis standing on its island in the reservoir after UNESCO moved it stone by stone in the 1960s. Then the High Dam, the wall that tamed the Nile and created Lake Nasser, and the Unfinished Obelisk, still lying where the granite gave out and the cutting stopped. You are back aboard for lunch, and the ship sails after dark.

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

Philae, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk

Day02

Kom Ombo

The double temple, and a long afternoon under sail

Sail north through the morning and go ashore at Kom Ombo, one of the few Egyptian temples built to two gods at once, with the crocodile Sobek in the southern half and Haroeris, Horus the Elder, in the north. The symmetry is unusual and the medical reliefs on the outer walls are some of the most graphic carving in the Nile valley. Back aboard for lunch, the afternoon is yours on the sun deck as the boat works its way upriver, with the second cataract country sliding past.

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

The double temple, and a long afternoon under sail

Day03

Edfu

The Temple of Horus, Egypt's best-preserved sanctuary

Edfu stands about 180 kilometres north of Aswan and roughly 80 kilometres south of Luxor, and it is the largest temple dedicated to Horus in the country. Ptolemaic in date but almost untouched by later damage, the sandstone is still sharp and the reliefs inside the sanctuary show the ancient contest between Horus and Seth in remarkable detail. The approach is deliberately theatrical: you approach along an avenue of sphinxes, past the Ptolemaic gateway, into a courtyard whose columns are carved with Ptolemy himself smiting his enemies.

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

The Temple of Horus, Egypt's best-preserved sanctuary

Day04

Luxor

Karnak in the morning, Luxor Temple after dark

The boat ties up in Luxor in the morning and the east bank begins. Karnak is first: a religious complex built and enlarged over roughly two thousand years, with a hundred and thirty-four columns in the great hypostyle hall and the Precinct of Amun-Re at its heart. Back aboard for lunch and a rest, and then out again in the evening, because Luxor Temple is at its best when it is lit. Amenhotep III and Ramses II built it for the Opet festival, the annual reunion of the god Amun with the royal line.

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

Day05

Luxor

The Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and the Colossi

Across the river to the west bank for the day everyone comes for. The Valley of the Kings holds more than sixty royal tombs cut into the desert hills, the tomb of Tutankhamen among them, and Hatshepsut's mortuary temple rises in terraces straight out of the limestone cliffs at Deir el-Bahari. Close the day at the Colossi of Memnon, the two 18-metre seated figures of Amenhotep III that have watched the west bank for over three thousand years. Lunch and dinner back on board.

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

The Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut and the Colossi

Day06

Luxor

A free day in Luxor, at your own pace

Nothing is scheduled. Luxor is one of the largest open-air museum sites in the world and a single day barely scratches it, so today is yours to spend as you like: the Luxor Museum, which was the best collection of its kind anywhere until the Grand Egyptian Museum opened, the market, the banana island and the felucca ride at sunset that everybody does and nobody regrets. Your guide and your vehicle stay available all day if you would rather not go it alone.

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

Day07

Luxor

A second free day, or the sunrise balloon

A second day without a fixed programme, and the optional excursion worth rising early for: a hot-air balloon over the west bank at first light, which is the one view of the Valley of the Kings and the Nile bend you cannot get any other way. If you would rather stay in town, the temperature in Luxor by March is already climbing and the temples are at their best in the early morning. Dinner is the last one aboard, and the crew will have the boat ready for the morning.

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

A second free day, or the sunrise balloon

Day08

Luxor

Disembarkation

Breakfast is served on board, and after that the cruise is over. You are transferred by private air-conditioned vehicle to Luxor Airport or your hotel, or held in the city if you are continuing on an overland tour to Cairo, the Red Sea or Sinai. Most guests add two or three nights in Cairo, and we are happy to arrange the transfer and the stay.

Meals included: Breakfast on board

Make this journey yours.Choose this itinerary ↗

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
Seven nights aboard a five-star cruise, with breakfast, lunch and dinner every day from the second day onwards
All cruise excursions and entrance fees set out in the itinerary
English-speaking Egyptologist guide for the excursions
Tea and coffee through the afternoon on board
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: Abu Simbel, arranged separately as a private day trip from Aswan
Optional, not included: Luxor Museum
Visa fees

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

A comfortable and practical choice for exploring the Nile, offering a relaxing stay with the essential comforts you need throughout your 7-night journey from Aswan to Luxor.

Discover the details

Standard accommodation is ideal for travelers looking for a well-balanced Nile cruise experience at an accessible price. Enjoy a comfortable cabin, welcoming interiors, attentive onboard service, and easy access to the ship’s shared facilities while sailing between the historic treasures of Upper Egypt.

THE NILE COLLECTION

Deluxe

Enjoy an upgraded Nile cruise experience with enhanced comfort, refined interiors, and a more relaxing atmosphere throughout your journey.

Discover the details

The Deluxe category offers an elevated level of comfort for guests who want something beyond the essentials. Expect thoughtfully designed accommodation, refined furnishings, a pleasant onboard atmosphere, and attentive service, creating a comfortable setting to unwind after each day of sightseeing along the Nile.

THE NILE COLLECTION

Ultra Deluxe

A refined cruising experience combining spacious comfort, elegant design, and an enhanced level of service for a memorable journey along the Nile.

Discover the details

Ultra Deluxe accommodation is designed for travelers seeking a more sophisticated Nile experience. Stylish interiors, enhanced comfort, carefully considered details, and a higher level of onboard hospitality provide a relaxing retreat as you travel from Aswan to Luxor and discover Egypt’s most remarkable ancient sites.

THE NILE COLLECTION

Luxury

Experience the Nile in exceptional comfort with elegant accommodation, refined surroundings, and premium hospitality throughout your 7-night cruise.

Discover the details

The Luxury category offers the most refined experience within this cruise selection, created for guests who value comfort, atmosphere, and attentive service. Elegant accommodation and sophisticated onboard spaces provide a peaceful setting for your journey, combining memorable Nile scenery with a premium cruising experience from Aswan to Luxor.

BEFORE YOU TRAVEL

A few things worth knowing.

Why seven nights

Four nights from Aswan to Luxor is a crossing. Seven is a journey. It is the difference between three temples a day and one, between a coach full of strangers at Karnak and a guide who can take you back to the hypostyle hall when the light is right. If you have never cruised the Nile, this is the length that changes how the river feels.

The pace of the river

Nobody cruises at night. The boat sails while you sleep, so every day is a shore day and every shore day ends back on board. That is why the itinerary is built around morning temples, an afternoon to yourself, and dinner on the deck as the light goes.

Two free days at the end

The Luxor days are deliberately left open on days six and seven. The classic sites are covered on days four and five; the rest is yours, and your guide and vehicle are still available if you want company. The hot-air balloon over the west bank is the obvious way to spend a sunrise.

Optional: Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel lies 240 kilometres south of Aswan, which is to say behind you, at the very start of the sailing. It cannot be reached from a cruise moving north to Luxor. We arrange it instead as a private vehicle day trip from Aswan on the night before you board, which leaves you in the temples for sunrise when the coaches have not arrived yet.

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.

Why does Aswan to Luxor need seven nights? +

Because the distance is short and the sites are not. Aswan to Luxor is about 200 kilometres, and the four-night sailings spend it getting through Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor in three long days. Seven nights gives you a morning at each of the two Ptolemaic temples and two full days at Luxor, so you are not rushing between coaches. If you have cruised before and want the sites rather than the sailing, four nights is enough. If this is a first cruise, it is the length that makes the difference.

Can we visit Abu Simbel on this cruise? +

Not from the boat, and no operator can put it in this itinerary. Abu Simbel is 240 kilometres south of Aswan, at the opposite end of the sailing from Luxor, and the cruise moves north. What we do instead is send you by private air-conditioned vehicle from Aswan on the night before you board, or arrange it as a separate extension, so you reach the Great Temple and the temple of Nefertari with your own Egyptologist. It is a full day out of Aswan, and it is the single most impressive site on the whole river.

Is the cruise full board? +

Effectively, yes, but with one honest exception. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included every day from the second day onwards, along with tea through the afternoon. On the first day you are ashore in Aswan until the middle of the afternoon and join the ship for lunch and dinner, so there is no breakfast on board that morning. There is no hidden charge for drinks, though tipping is at your discretion and is not included.

Which Luxor sites are included? +

Karnak and Luxor Temple on the east bank, and the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari and the Colossi of Memnon on the west bank. Entrance fees to all of them are included, and each is visited with your Egyptologist. Luxor Museum and the hot-air balloon are not included, but the two free days are long enough to add either.

What is the best time of year for a 7 night Nile cruise from Aswan? +

October to April, and the middle of that window is best. Winter, from December to February, is comfortable in Luxor and Aswan and is the season for the hot-air balloon, but it can be cold on the deck at night. March and April are warm and clear. May to September is the Egyptian summer: Aswan and Luxor pass 40 degrees and the cruise quietly moves its excursions to a dawn start, which is another good reason to pick the season carefully.

What is the ship like, and which category should we book? +

The boat is a five-star cruise with air-conditioned cabins, a restaurant, a bar and a sun deck, and the categories available are shown with the dates and prices further up this page. Gold is the standard cabin, Diamond adds space and often a balcony, and Platinum is the top category. If you have a specific preference, send it with your enquiry and we will confirm what is free on your sailing date.

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.

7 Nights / 8 Days - Aswan to Luxor

Travel dates: 01 Oct 2026 — 01 Oct 2027

Swipe or scroll to compare all categories.

7 Nights / 8 Days - Aswan to Luxor — USD per person for the entire sailing
Travellers	Standard	Deluxe	Ultra Deluxe	Luxury
1 travellersSolo	Standard USD 1,700.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 850.00 · per child	Deluxe USD 2,400.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,200.00 · per child	Ultra Deluxe Price on request Child price on request	Luxury USD 5,800.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 2,900.00 · per child
2–4 travellersSmall group	Standard USD 1,700.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 850.00 · per child	Deluxe USD 2,400.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,200.00 · per child	Ultra Deluxe Price on request Child price on request	Luxury USD 5,800.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 2,900.00 · per child
5–8 travellersFriends & family	Standard USD 1,700.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 850.00 · per child	Deluxe USD 2,400.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,200.00 · per child	Ultra Deluxe Price on request Child price on request	Luxury USD 5,800.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 2,900.00 · per child
9–16 travellersGroup	Standard USD 1,700.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 850.00 · per child	Deluxe USD 2,400.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,200.00 · per child	Ultra Deluxe Price on request Child price on request	Luxury USD 5,800.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 2,900.00 · per child
17–40 travellersLarge group	Standard USD 1,700.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 850.00 · per child	Deluxe USD 2,400.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 1,200.00 · per child	Ultra Deluxe Price on request Child price on request	Luxury USD 5,800.00starts from · per person Child starts from: USD 2,900.00 · per child