Nile Cruise Itineraries Compared: Choosing Your Route from Luxor to Aswan

Each Nile cruise route from Luxor to Aswan travels essentially the same 200 km journey, but no two cruises are the same. It’s the distance, the direction, and the type of vessel that make each cruise unique. Memphis Tours arranges hundreds of these trips every year, and the main concerns tourists have usually revolve around scheduling and pacing. Here, we try to differentiate the major differences between different Nile cruises to help you find a suitable trip according to your time and preferences. To see the full schedule of all current cruises, visit the Nile River Cruises page at Memphis Tours.

How Many Days Does a Nile Cruise Need

Tour programs are usually divided into two categories: 4 days and 3 nights, and 5 days and 4 nights. The three night cruise includes Luxor’s East and West bank, two days sailing and Aswan temples in a short timeframe. This tour is suitable if you have not much free time or intend to prolong your holiday in Cairo. Four nights tour takes the same destinations but on an additional day, that allows some time for sailing by felucca near Aswan or relaxing at Kom Ombo temple.

The Three Night Route

On day one, one can start with visits to Karnak and Luxor Temples before the departure of the boat downstream. Day two sees visits to the temple of Horus at Edfu and Kom Ombo temple later in the day. Day three will have one arrive at Aswan to see the High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, and Philae Temple. The end of the cruise is on day four in the morning following breakfast.

The Four Night Route

The added day provides Edfu and Kom Ombo each with their own day as opposed to the hectic afternoon they have to share with other temples. The travelers will also enjoy an additional morning in Aswan, which can be taken advantage of through a felucca sail around Elephantine Island or a visit to Abu Simbel. Since this is a less hectic trip, it will work well for travelers traveling with children or anyone who likes extended stops rather than just taking a photograph.

Another few cruises offer 7 or 8 days of cruise, where they will include a return route from Luxor to Aswan or add an extra day of anchorage along the Aswan area. The long cruise works best for travelers whose main purpose in visiting Egypt was to do this cruise. It costs more per day than a 3 or 4 night cruise.

Which Direction Should You Sail

Some eight out of ten Nile cruises depart from Luxor to Aswan and not vice versa. This trip starts with Karnak on the very first day and ends gradually in a less intense way as each day passes by. From Aswan to Luxor is the opposite sequence of events. The journey begins in the less crowded city of Aswan and ends in the city of Luxor, where Karnak and Valley of the Kings are used as an ending touch to the trip.

In any case, it does not affect which temples will be visited since the flow of the river runs towards the North, thus boats that sail to Aswan do it against the flow, and the other way round helps to save some fuel for the company. Still, this point does not usually influence the cost or comfort, but only a desire to have either a great start or a great ending.

What You See Along the 200 Kilometer Stretch

The Esna lock is found between Luxor and Edfu, and this is where the majority of the ships go on the first day on the river. The lock can raise or lower the ship a few meters. Edfu is famous for the well-preserved temple dedicated to Horus, the falcon god, which is usually accessed by horse drawn carriage from the dock. Kom Ombo is unique in the sense that it has temples to both Sobek and Horus, with similar halls for each god.

Aswan, in contrast to Luxor, is a more relaxed city. Philae Temple, which is located on an island, can be reached via a small boat and there are great views of Lake Nasser from the High Dam. Those who have an additional day usually visit Abu Simbel, which is three hours by car, south of Aswan.

The city of Luxor is divided into two parts according to either side of the river, and tours usually take one side on their first day in Luxor. The East Bank has the temples of Karnak and Luxor, both located near the docking point of the ship. The West Bank includes the valley of the kings and the temples of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.

Traditional Ships or a Dahabiya Sail

The standard ships that operate on the Nile have 60-120 cabins and follow a strict schedule every day, offering meals, guided tours and entertainment after dinner. The dahabiya is not like the regular ship and is different from it because it is a wooden sailboat with 8-12 cabins, it does not have a strict schedule for its engine and follows a flexible route determined by the wind conditions.

The Dahabiya Nile Cruises from Memphis Tours shows the dates of departures of such a boat, which is recommended for tourists who prefer a quiet journey in a smaller boat. It makes stops at small villages which are not visited by the standard ships, and meals are served on deck and not in a big hall.

Pick the Route That Fits Your Trip

The trip depends on you and your needs; there is no universal perfect route, only the route that will suit your travel and time preferences. The 3-night trip will appeal to people who would like to visit both Luxor and Aswan and then continue their travels in the Red Sea or in Cairo. Four nights is enough for those who want to slow down a bit and make additional stops.

Do not forget to ask your tour operator whether Abu Simbel is included or it is an additional option because prices and schedules may vary from ship to ship. Also, make sure you know which deck of the ship will be your cabin located. A five-minute discussion with a specialist will be much faster than an hour-long web research.