Luxor and Aswan Nile Cruises

The classic Luxor and Aswan Nile cruise stops at Karnak temple complex and Luxor temple in Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and Deir el-Bahari on the west bank, the Edfu temple of Horus, the Kom Ombo double temple, and the Philae temple complex on Agilkia Island near Aswan. Most four and five night itineraries cover all of these. Longer programs add more time at each stop.

Both directions cover the same temples — the choice is mainly about which city fits your wider Egypt itinerary. If you are flying into Luxor from Cairo, a southbound Luxor departure makes obvious sense. If your trip ends in Aswan near Abu Simbel, starting from Aswan northbound can work better. We help every client work out which direction suits their full itinerary before confirming the booking.

Four or five nights covers all the major stops at a reasonable pace and is the most common length for first-time Nile cruise travellers. Seven nights is slower and more relaxed — some people prefer it, particularly if they want more time in Luxor on both ends of the journey. If you have never done this route before and your schedule is flexible, five nights tends to be the sweet spot.

The route and the temple stops are identical across all three classes. The difference is entirely onboard. Standard ships are clean and functional with simpler cabin finishes and a basic dining experience. Deluxe ships have better-maintained interiors, more reliable air conditioning, and noticeably improved dining. Luxury ships are a different product again — newer vessels, higher service ratios, premium cabin fittings, and an atmosphere closer to a boutique hotel than a cruise ship. Choosing the right class comes down to how much the onboard experience matters to you relative to the overall trip budget.

With Egypt Story Tours, every shore excursion uses a private Egyptologist guide — included as part of the package. You will never be placed in a shared group. That applies at every temple stop on the route, from the Valley of the Kings to Philae. It is not an upgrade — it is how we run every Nile cruise we book.