Nile Cruise trips in Egypt attract lovers of Pharaonic antiquities, ancient civilization, and heritage. Floating ship tours on the Nile between Aswan and Luxor are considered one of the most enjoyable tourist trips. They do not take much time and offer the opportunity to view many archaeological sites during a stay aboard floating vessels. These programs are filled with activities and events over several days, typically lasting at least 3 days and potentially extending to about a week.

​The ships sail on Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan or vice versa. Both cities (Southern Egypt) can be reached through several ways, including trains and planes via Aswan Airport, which receives the majority of flights from Cairo Airport in a flight duration of about 75 minutes. These types of trips are usually active between October and May, a period when the weather is moderate.

Aswan Sightseeing on the Nile Cruise (1st day)

​If the trip starts from Aswan, Egypt river cruise welcome their visitors shortly before noon and begins checking them into their rooms. The ships vary internally according to their tourism classification, ranging from 5-star to “Luxury” (High Category), which gives each ship different levels of luxury and pricing based on its rating.

​Following the check-in process, the first lunch can be eaten on board before heading by bus to the Philae Temple in Aswan. Upon arrival, visitors board small Nile boats to reach the temple. The island also includes a number of other temples, including the temples of Hathor and Horus.

The tour inside the island takes approximately two hours, ending with a return to the bus that takes you to the Egyptian-Russian Friendship Monument at the High Dam gate. This is followed by a visit to see the High Dam, the storage of flowing Nile waters, and the Aswan Reservoir on the round trip. There is also a quick stop to visit the Nubian Museum, which is dedicated to displaying artifacts of the ancient Nubian civilization. Before the end of the day, you return to the cruise ship in the evening for dinner, with an opportunity for shopping at the commercial market to buy traditional Aswan outfits, replicas of various antiquities, and the spices for which the city is famous.

What Do You Do in Second day of a Nile Cruise?

The following morning, you head toward the “Nubian Village” via Nile boats to visit the area and enjoy drinks, and perhaps breakfast for those who wish to eat “Fiteer” (traditional pastry), honey, and cheese. After spending about two hours there, you proceed by boat to the “Botanical Garden” located in the heart of the Nile. It is considered one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world, covering an area of 18 acres.

From the Botanical Garden, small waiting boats transfer you to visit the Aswan Museum located on “Elephantine Island.” Established in 1898, the museum has undergone several expansions throughout its history. The tour takes about an hour, covering the museum’s annex building, open to visitors, and the surrounding area, which contains numerous sites used by the ancient Egyptians.

Afterward, the return phase to the cruise begins in preparation for leaving Aswan. The ship sets sail for the first time for several hours, heading toward the city of “Kom Ombo” to visit its famous temple, located on a high hill on the eastern bank of the Nile, dating back to the Ptolemaic era.

This short visit, lasting no more than two hours, is followed by an overnight cruise to the city of Edfu, featuring an evening party on the ship’s deck with a folk-art show. There is an early wake-up call to visit the “Edfu Temple,” known as the “Temple of Horus.” This temple still retains many of its stunning architectural and decorative elements; its construction began during the reign of King Ptolemy III and was completed during the reign of King Ptolemy XII.

Third-Day Sailing Adventure to Luxor for Nile Cruisers

Movement begins from the ships at dawn via horse-drawn carriages to start the visit at 6:00 AM. The tour lasts about two hours, beginning at the massive temple gates that lead to an open courtyard containing columns with floral capitals, along with halls leading to the “Holy of Holies.” The temple walls are decorated with images of the sacred boat journey of the god Horus and the goddess Hathor.

​Upon returning to the ship around 9:00 AM, a new sailing journey begins, coinciding with breakfast on board. The cruise continues for a few hours until reaching the Esna Lock, joining the queue of tourist ships waiting to cross through the “Lock” as water levels rise or fall. The ship then continues sailing for several more hours until arriving in Luxor in the evening.

​The final night on the ship begins with the arrival in Luxor and includes an opportunity to wander through the market and purchase some local products in preparation for a final, packed farewell day.

What Do You Visit in Luxor on the Last Day of a Nile Cruise?

Before dawn, preparations begin for the Hot Air Balloon ride; this involves taking a small boat to cross to the West Bank, then a car to the balloon launch site. The flight begins with sunrise and lasts about an hour in the air, offering a view of Luxor and its temples from above, a magnificent sight available only in Luxor.

​Following the balloon trip, an intensive tour of the museums and temples in Luxor begins, from the Temple of Hatshepsut to Wadi Almelouk (valley of the kings), passing by the Luxor Museum, and concluding with a visit to the Karnak and Luxor Temples. This includes the possibility of walking along the Avenue of Sphinxes (Kebash Road) that connects them, stretching for about 3 kilometers. The trip concludes with packing bags and departing Luxor at night, heading back either to Cairo or to the Red Sea cities, where some tourists prefer to go to spend a beach holiday.