Egypt · River Cruising
Nile River Cruises
Sail between Luxor and Aswan past temples, tombs and riverside villages that have watched the Nile for thousands of years — on an intimate dahabiya or a full-service river ship, planned end to end by our Egypt specialists.
- 3–7 nights
- Luxor ⇄ Aswan classic route
- Oct–Apr best season
Hassle-Free Dream Travel!
Choose wisely…
Four things that make a great Nile cruise
Selecting the right Nile River cruise is a key decision for your journey. Tap through the four things our specialists weigh before recommending a boat.
How long to sail
Longer cruises allow a more relaxed pace and often cover a broader range of historical sites along the Nile. Three or four nights covers the classic highlights between Luxor and Aswan; five to seven nights adds quieter stops and time simply to sail.
- 3–4 nights · the classic Luxor–Aswan highlights
- 5–7 nights · slower pace, more sites, more sailing
- Add Cairo & the Pyramids before or after
Where it stops
Check the cruise’s stops to make sure it covers the landmarks you most want to see, such as Luxor, Aswan, and the temples of Karnak and Philae. Abu Simbel is usually an add-on from Aswan — we’ll tell you which itineraries include it.
- Karnak & Luxor Temple
- Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut
- Edfu, Kom Ombo & Philae
The boat that fits you
Choose a boat that aligns with your preferences and budget. Luxury cruises provide top-notch amenities, spacious cabins and gourmet dining, while more budget-friendly options offer a cozier experience.
- Cabin size, balconies & views
- Dining & what excursions include
- Guide quality & group size
When to go
Weather conditions vary through the year. Spring and fall are popular for milder temperatures, avoiding the extreme heat of summer — October to April is the main sailing season.
Ideal Warm Very hot
Not sure which to pick? Read reviews and seek recommendations — or let us do it. Our specialists know these boats first-hand.
Schedule Your Free ConsultationTwo ways to sail
Dahabiya Boats vs River Cruises
Both experiences let you enjoy the banks of the Nile River over several nights. Flip between them to see which feels more like you.
Intimate & traditionalDahabiya boats
Dahabiya boats offer a unique blend of traditional charm and modern comfort. These elegant vessels, inspired by the golden age of Egyptian travel, boast classic decor and a smaller size that allows for a more personal and immersive experience.
They often rely on a combination of engines and sails, giving you the romantic allure of sailing the Nile, especially during calm stretches.
- Size
- Small boats, a handful of cabins
- Under way
- Sails, with engine support
- Feel
- Classic decor, private-yacht atmosphere
- Best for
- Couples, families & slow travelers
Modern & full-serviceLuxury river cruises
We work with all of the major luxury river cruise companies on the Nile, such as Viking, Uniworld, Avalon and many more. Expect spacious, sumptuously furnished cabins, gourmet dining and world-class amenities such as spas, pools and live entertainment.
Larger vessels host more guests, with guided shore excursions to the major historical sites, fitness centers and lounges.
- Size
- Larger vessels, more guests
- Under way
- Engine-powered, steady schedule
- Feel
- Modern, opulent comfort
- Best for
- Travelers who love amenities & entertainment
The choice comes down to whether you want a more intimate, traditional experience or a modern, opulent journey with extensive amenities — and we can help you decide.
Pictures of river cruises
Life on the Nile
From graceful dahabiyas to full-service river ships and the white-sailed feluccas you’ll see every day. Filter by the way you’d like to sail.
Sites along the Nile River
Sail the route, stop by stop
A journey along the Nile unfolds a mesmerizing tapestry of historical and cultural sites, each narrating a chapter of Egypt’s rich heritage — with scenes of everyday life, villages and feluccas in between. Tap a stop on the river.
Stop 1 of 6 · Luxor
Luxor: Karnak, Luxor Temple & the Valley of the Kings
Ancient Thebes is where most cruises begin or end. On the East Bank stand the vast columned halls of Karnak and the riverside Luxor Temple, magical when lit at night. Cross to the West Bank for the painted royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings and the terraced Temple of Hatshepsut.
- Karnak Temple
- Luxor Temple
- Valley of the Kings
- Temple of Hatshepsut
Stop 2 of 6 · Esna
Esna: through the lock
Your boat eases through the Esna lock, a slow and fascinating squeeze where local traders often row alongside. Many dahabiya itineraries begin here, and the town’s Temple of Khnum sits well below today’s street level.
- Esna lock
- Temple of Khnum
Stop 3 of 6 · Edfu
Edfu: the Temple of Horus
The Temple of Horus at Edfu is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, its towering pylon and granite falcon statues guarding the sky god. Most cruises visit by horse-drawn carriage from the dock.
- Temple of Horus
- Carriage ride into town
Stop 4 of 6 · Kom Ombo
Kom Ombo: the double temple
Set right on a bend of the river, Kom Ombo is a rare double temple dedicated to both the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon-headed Haroeris. The neighbouring Crocodile Museum displays mummified crocodiles found nearby.
- Temple of Kom Ombo
- Crocodile Museum
Stop 5 of 6 · Aswan
Aswan: Philae, the High Dam & Nubian villages
Aswan is the Nile at its most beautiful: granite islands, golden dunes and white felucca sails. Take a boat to the island Temple of Philae, stand on the Aswan High Dam above Lake Nasser, and visit the colourful Nubian villages along the river.
- Temple of Philae
- Aswan High Dam
- Nubian Villages
- Felucca sail
Stop 6 of 6 · Abu Simbel
Abu Simbel: the great add-on
The colossal temples of Ramesses II and Nefertari were rescued from the rising waters of Lake Nasser in the 1960s. They are a popular add-on from Aswan by road or a short flight, or on a Lake Nasser cruise.
- Abu Simbel Temples
- Lake Nasser
Work with One of Our Travel Experts
The average person takes over 11 hours researching their vacation. Take that time back and let us handle the nitty gritty of reading reviews, asking questions, comparing hotels and more.
After a true deep dive into your requests, your travel agent will come back with a variety of suggested hotels, activities, and surprise experiences. You tell us which ones fit you best and we'll work through the logistics!
You'll be equipped with an itinerary complete with the details of your trip. If anything happens along the way, you can relax knowing your travel agent will take care of everything!
Good to know
Nile Cruise FAQs
How many nights should a Nile cruise be?
Three or four nights covers the classic sights between Luxor and Aswan. If you’d like a slower pace, a dahabiya, or more time at each temple, five to seven nights is ideal.
When is the best time to cruise the Nile?
October to April is the main season, with the mildest temperatures from November to February. Summer is extremely hot in Luxor and Aswan, so if you travel then we plan early-morning visits and boats with good shade and pools.
Dahabiya or river cruise ship — which should I choose?
Choose a dahabiya for an intimate, traditional sailing experience with just a handful of cabins. Choose a river cruise ship if you want more amenities, such as pools, spas, lounges and entertainment. Tell us how you like to travel and we’ll recommend the right boat.
Are guided excursions included?
Most Nile cruises include guided visits to the major sites along their route, but inclusions vary from boat to boat. We confirm exactly what’s covered, and arrange anything extra, before you book.
Can I combine a Nile cruise with Cairo and the Pyramids?
Absolutely. Most of our travelers add a few nights in Cairo for the Pyramids of Giza and the city’s museums. We arrange the flights, transfers and guides so the whole trip flows.
Your Nile, your way
Contact one of Our Egypt Travel Specialists!
Tell us when you’d like to travel and how you like to sail. We’ll match you with the right boat, cabin and itinerary, and handle every detail.
Schedule a Free ConsultationPhoto credits
- Feluccas sailing the Nile at sunset in Luxor — Marc Ryckaert, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Feluccas on the Nile at Aswan — Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0
- Nile cruise ship and feluccas near Aswan — Vyacheslav Argenberg, CC BY 4.0
- Dahabiya sailing boat on the Nile — Votpuske, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Dahabiya under sail on the Nile — Votpuske, CC BY-SA 4.0
- View of a dahabiya from the deck of another boat — Votpuske, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Nile river cruise ship near Luxor — Marc Ryckaert, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Nile cruise ship sailing past palm trees — Marc Ryckaert, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Karnak Temple, Luxor — Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Luxor Temple pylon at dusk — Mohamed Kamal 84 , CC BY-SA 4.0
- Valley of the Kings, Luxor West Bank — Alberto-g-rovi, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Temple of Hatshepsut, Deir el-Bahari — Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Esna lock on the Nile — Karelj, Public domain
- Temple of Horus at Edfu — Marc Ryckaert, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Temple of Kom Ombo — Olaf Tausch, CC BY 3.0
- Philae Temple of Isis, Aswan — M.ramadan2014, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Aswan High Dam — شرف الدين, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Nubian village house near Aswan — Warren LeMay from Chicago, IL, United St, CC0
- Great Temple of Ramesses II, Abu Simbel — Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0