Day 1 – Start of your Nile adventure in Luxor
Your Nile experience begins today in Luxor, where you will arrive by flight from Cairo (unless you have already spent a night there). By late morning, you will be collected from your hotel or the airport and transferred to your Nile cruise ship, which will be your home for the next few days. While it may not have the traditional charm of a felucca or dahabiya, it more than makes up for it with comfort and luxury. After settling into your cabin, you will enjoy your first lunch on board, before having the afternoon and evening free to explore Luxor at your own pace. Tonight, you will spend your first night on your floating hotel, fully equipped with a private double cabin, air conditioning, television and en-suite bathroom offering the perfect blend of relaxation and cultural discovery.
Day 2 – Sail from Luxor to Esna, via the Temple of Horus
You will have breakfast on board and then your morning is free until midday to relax or explore Luxor further. If you’re an early riser, a hot air balloon ride can be arranged, and if you have not yet visited Karnak Temple we can organise a guide for you.
In the afternoon your journey along the Nile begins as the ship sets sail towards Esna. Later you will visit the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of the best preserved temples in Egypt. A private guide will meet you at the boat and take you to the site. This impressive temple, dedicated to the falcon headed god, rivals Karnak in both scale and beauty. By evening the ship will moor for the night and you can enjoy another meal on board before spending a relaxed evening on deck or in your cabin.
Day 3 – Continue along the Nile, via the temples at Kom Ombo
The waters around Edfu can be very busy, so it is not always possible to visit the Temple of Horus on day two. If that is the case, the visit will take place this morning, so you will still have the chance to see it. Later today the ship will stop at Kom Ombo, where you can step ashore to visit the impressive temple dedicated to the gods Sobek and Haroeris. A private guide will meet you and accompany you through the site, helping you to understand its history and significance. The temple stands in its original position along the Nile, which adds to its unique setting and atmosphere. After your visit you will return to the ship and continue your journey towards Aswan. In the evening you can relax on board, enjoy dinner, and take in the views as you sail, ready for a full day in Aswan tomorrow.
Day 4 – Arrive in Aswan
This morning the boat arrives in Aswan, where you will stay on board for another night. After breakfast, you are free to spend the day as you wish. You may choose to relax on deck or head out to explore the Nile around Aswan. A lovely option is a boat trip by felucca to Elephantine Island, where you can visit a small museum and some Roman ruins, as well as nearby Nubian villages. Here you can step inside a local home for a cup of coffee and a glimpse of daily life. On another island you will find a lush botanical garden, offering a striking contrast to the surrounding desert landscape. We are happy to help arrange any of these excursions for you. If you prefer, you can also take a full day trip to Abu Simbel, which involves an early start but is well worth it. In the evening you will return to the cruise for dinner and spend your final night on board.
Day 5 – Ashore in Aswan
After breakfast you will disembark and say goodbye to the boat, bringing your Nile journey to an end. If you would like to see more of Aswan, you can explore the island temples and tombs, and we can help arrange this for you. If this marks the end of your trip, we will organise your transfer to the airport for your flight home, or to your hotel in Aswan if you are staying longer.
Whichever direction you choose, you will spend less time sailing than the word cruise might suggest. If you would prefer more time on the water, you could opt for a dahabiya or a felucca, both of which travel by wind rather than motor.
Accommodation
For this bite-sized trip we offer the following options
Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan
If it suits your plans better, it is also possible to travel this route in reverse, sailing downstream from Aswan to Luxor. The downstream cruise departs Aswan on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and the journey is slightly quicker, taking four days / three nights. If this fits your plans, then select this alternative cruise option.