Nile cruises Luxor and Aswan sail the 200km stretch of river linking Egypt's two greatest temple cities. Sailings run four, five or eight days and include your cabin, all meals, guided sightseeing and entrance fees, so the ship becomes your hotel, restaurant and transport in one.
Explore Egypt in style with our top-rated Nile cruises Luxor and Aswan, the ultimate way to experience the wonders of ancient Egypt. Sail along the legendary Nile River and uncover the timeless treasures between these two historic cities.
Luxor: The World's Greatest Open-Air Museum
Experience the grandeur of Luxor, often called the world's greatest open-air museum. Visit breathtaking sites like the Karnak and Luxor Temples, the Valley of the Kings, and the Colossi of Memnon. Sightseeing runs in the cool early morning, leaving your afternoons free on the sun deck as the ship sails south.
Aswan: Islands, Temples and the High Dam
As your cruise continues to Aswan, enjoy tranquil views and discover the High Dam, Philae Temple, and the dual deities of Kom Ombo Temple. Enhance your journey with an optional trip to the awe-inspiring temples of Abu Simbel, easiest to arrange when your cruise begins or ends in Aswan.
Temples and Tombs on the Route
One of the best ways to see Egypt and the relics of its ancient past is by taking a Nile cruise. Cruising between Aswan and Luxor gives you time to relax and take in the scenery of the Nile Valley while enjoying daily tours to some of the most impressive ancient Egyptian temples and tombs, such as Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Philae Temple, High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Abu Simbel Temple and many more.
Life on Board
Onboard your cruise, enjoy elegant accommodations, top-tier service, and delicious cuisine while sailing past timeless landscapes. Our Egyptologist guides accompany you every step of the way, offering expert insights that bring each monument to life. Every sailing is full board, and entrance fees to the sites in your itinerary are included in the price you see.
Why Book Direct with Memphis Tours
Memphis Tours has operated in Egypt since 1955 under Egyptian Ministry of Tourism Licence No. 30, Category A. Booking direct with a Cairo-based operator means one team handles your transfers, guiding and embarkation rather than three separate suppliers, with 24/7 support in your own time zone.
Refine your search
Sail Egypt's Nile on Movenpick MS Royal Lotus with Swiss hospitality, spacious cabins, a large pool and guided temple visits. Explore the full itinerary.
Enjoy your cruise down the Nile with the MS Movenpick Royal Lily Nile River cruise. This Nile cruise offers stylish and comfortable suites, an elegant dinning room,a spacious sundeck, swimming pool and other amenities.
Sail the DWA Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor or Luxor to Aswan. Temples, spa and sun-deck pool included. Check dates and book your cabin today.
Discover the magic of Egypt and Jordan with our exclusive multi-country travel experiences!
Multi-Country Tours
Steigenberger Minerva Nile Cruise is a 5 star modern deluxe Nile River cruise sailing between Luxor and Aswan. The cruise offers classic and comfortable suites, an elegant dinning resturants, sundeck, swimming pool & other amenities.
Wake to the Nile, explore the Valley of the Kings, end with a sauna and sunset. The MS Salacia Nile Cruise awaits. Pick your 4 or 5-day sailing now.
Looking for a 5-star Nile cruise? The Jaz Jubilee Nile Cruise offers panoramic-window cabins, a pool and guided tours. See prices and book your trip.
Intimate luxury aboard Oberoi Philae Nile cruise. 5-star amenities, spa treatments, fine dining & expert-guided excursions.
Sail the Historia Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan. 5-star suites, spa, gym and library on board. Check dates and book your cabin today.
Sail the Nile in unparalleled luxury. Intimate 5-star cruise with panoramic views, world-class amenities & expert guides with Oberoi Zahra Nile Cruise.
Sail the Sonesta St George Nile Cruise from Luxor every Monday or Aswan every Friday. Karnak, Edfu and Philae with a guide. Check dates and book now.
Temples by day, a spa and sun deck by night. The Sonesta Moon Goddess Nile Cruise covers Egypt's greatest sites with full board. Secure your cabin.
Wake to the Nile, explore Karnak, swim at sunset. The Sonesta Nile Goddess Nile Cruise makes it easy. Pick your 4 or 5-day sailing and book today.
Travel with Memphis Tours, trusted since 1955, on the Iberotel Crown Empress Nile Cruise. Full board and guided sightseeing included. Secure your cabin.
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Got questions? We’ve got answers. Find everything you need to know to plan your perfect trip.
A Nile River cruise is a journey along Egypt's iconic river where your ship serves as both hotel and transport. Sailing between Luxor and Aswan, the cruise stops at ancient temples including Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae, offering a seamless cultural and historical experience.
The classic Nile River cruise route connects Luxor and Aswan, two of Egypt's most historically rich cities. Sailing this 200 km stretch, ships stop at the Temple of Horus at Edfu and Kom Ombo Temple, with guided shore excursions at each destination along the Nile.
A standard Nile River cruise lasts 3 to 4 nights. However, 7-night itineraries are increasingly popular for travelers who prefer a slower, more immersive pace with additional stops at riverside villages, lesser-known temples, and more time to explore the Valley of the Kings and Aswan.
A Nile River cruise visits the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Temple of Horus at Edfu, Kom Ombo Temple, and Philae Temple. Many itineraries also include a day-trip excursion to the Abu Simbel Temples near Egypt's southern border with Sudan.
The Nile River cruise eliminates the need for daily packing and long bus transfers between cities. Your cabin serves as a permanent base, and the ship moves overnight or between excursions. This makes it the most convenient and comfortable way to explore Upper Egypt's ancient temples.
Full-board on a Nile River cruise includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner served onboard daily. Menus feature a mix of authentic Egyptian dishes and international cuisine. Premium ships offer gourmet dining experiences, and some all-inclusive packages add beverages, shore excursion meals, and gratuities.
Yes. Every reputable Nile River cruise includes a certified Egyptologist guide for all shore excursions. These expert historians provide in-depth context at sites like the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Philae Temple, transforming ancient ruins into vivid, living stories of Egyptian civilization.
The Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) in Cairo is the world's largest archaeological museum, home to the complete Tutankhamun collection. It is increasingly included as a pre- or post-cruise highlight in Nile River cruise packages, making 2026 an exceptional year to visit Egypt's greatest treasure.
An upstream (southbound) Nile River cruise sails from Luxor to Aswan, while a downstream (northbound) cruise goes from Aswan to Luxor. Both directions visit the same temples — Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Philae — but the sequence and atmosphere differ slightly depending on sailing direction.
The Temple of Horus at Edfu is Egypt's best-preserved ancient temple, dedicated to the falcon god Horus. Located on the Nile's west bank, it is a standard stop on every Nile River cruise itinerary and is renowned for its dramatic pylons, carvings, and inner sanctuary.
Nile River cruise ships offer nightly entertainment including traditional Galabeya costume parties, Egyptian folkloric dance performances, and Nubian music shows. Expert Egyptologist lectures are also common onboard, providing deeper cultural context for the ancient sites visited during daily shore excursions along the Nile.
Kom Ombo Temple is unique for being a dual temple dedicated to both Sobek (the crocodile god) and Horus the Elder. Set dramatically on the Nile's east bank, it is a standard stop on all Nile River cruise itineraries and is especially beautiful at sunset.
Yes. Cruise-only Nile River packages are available, typically beginning in Luxor or Aswan. However, most travelers choose to combine the cruise with a Cairo stay to visit the Giza Pyramids and Grand Egyptian Museum, as a domestic flight connects the two destinations in about one hour.
A 7-night Nile River cruise allows for a slower, more relaxed pace with additional time at each temple, visits to Nubian villages, and optional side trips to Abu Simbel. Travelers report less 'temple fatigue' and a richer cultural experience compared to the standard 4-night itinerary.
Yes. Nile River cruises operate year-round, but October through April is the most comfortable season with mild temperatures ideal for sightseeing. Summer months (May–September) are very hot, especially in Upper Egypt near Luxor and Aswan, making extended shore excursions more challenging in the heat.
A Felucca is a traditional Egyptian wooden sailboat used on the Nile for centuries. Sunset Felucca rides in Aswan are a popular add-on for Nile River cruise packages, offering a serene and authentic way to experience the Nile with views of Elephantine Island and the desert.
The MS Salacia is a boutique all-suite Nile River cruise ship catering to just 59 guests, offering a one-to-one crew-to-passenger ratio. It is renowned for its intimate atmosphere, Temple Spa, and exceptional personalized service, making it one of the top-rated ships on the Nile.
The Historia Boutique Nile Cruise is a highly rated modern vessel praised for its contemporary art-deco design, floor-to-ceiling suite windows, and personalized service. Its Noria Restaurant offers daily à la carte menus using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, making it one of 2026's top-reviewed Nile ships.
A 'Pyramids & Nile by Air' package bundles a Cairo hotel stay with Pyramids sightseeing, a domestic flight to Luxor or Aswan, and a full-board Nile River cruise. These curated packages include a private Egyptologist guide, airport transfers, and entrance fees, offering maximum convenience and value.
Philae Temple is a beautifully situated ancient Egyptian temple dedicated to the goddess Isis, located on Agilkia Island near Aswan. Accessible by a short boat ride, it is one of the most romantic and photogenic stops on every Nile River cruise itinerary in Upper Egypt.
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