5 Days Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise
Four nights upstream from Luxor to Aswan with an optional Abu Simbel trip.
From $660
View Tour Cruise Ship or Dahabiya on the Nile? How to Choose
The differences between a classic Nile cruise ship and a small sailing dahabiya – size, pace, comfort, price – and which suits which traveller.
Between Luxor and Aswan the Nile passes temples, palm groves and villages that have barely changed in centuries, and seeing them from the water is one of the highlights of any trip to Egypt. The real choice is the boat: a cruise ship with a few dozen cabins, or a dahabiya with only a handful.
The classic cruise ship
- Three, four or seven nights between Luxor and Aswan, with departures almost every day.
- A sun deck with a pool, a restaurant and evening entertainment.
- All the main temples visited with your Egyptologist.
- The best value way to see the Nile.
4 Days Aswan to Luxor Nile Cruise
Three nights sailing downstream from Aswan to Luxor on a 5-star ship.
From $540
View Tour The dahabiya
- A traditional two-masted sailing boat, usually with eight to twelve cabins.
- Moors at quiet islands and villages where the big ships cannot stop.
- A small crew, personal service and home-style cooking.
- A higher price and fewer departures, so book well ahead.
5 Days Luxury Dahabiya Nile Cruise
Sail the Nile on a traditional two-masted dahabiya with just a few cabins.
From $1,490
View Tour Our honest advice
If you want comfort, a pool for the children and a good price, take a cruise ship – it is how most of our guests see the Nile, and they come back happy. If this is a honeymoon, an anniversary or simply a trip where you want time to slow down, the dahabiya is worth the extra: the sails, the silence and the evenings moored at an island are something a big ship cannot give you.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Luxor to Aswan or Aswan to Luxor?
Both routes visit the same temples. Four-night cruises usually sail south from Luxor, three-night cruises north from Aswan, so pick the one that matches your flights.
Do dahabiyas really sail?
Yes, whenever the wind allows. When it drops, a small tug boat helps keep to the schedule.
Travel Guides
All articlesMore from our blog
Camel Ride at the Pyramids: How to Do It Right
Where to ride, how long, sunrise or sunset, how to get on and off a camel and how to avoid the classic price trap – advice from our team in Al Haram.
Fayoum and Wadi El Rayan: The Desert Day Trip Most Visitors Miss
Waterfalls, the Magic Lake, whale fossils in Wadi El Hitan and dunes for sandboarding – how we plan a Fayoum desert day trip from Cairo, and when to go.
Quad Biking at the Pyramids: What to Expect
How a quad bike or dune buggy ride at the Giza pyramids works: how long to ride, prices, what to wear, safety and the best time of day – from the team that runs it.