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Aswan ⇄ Luxor
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Classic Cruise 7 Nights · 8 Days

Aswan ⇄ Luxor

A leisurely seven-night sail along the classic Nile route, tracing the path of the pharaohs from Aswan to the monumental city of Thebes, with time to linger at every temple and island.

Duration
7 Nights · 8 Days
Route
Aswan → Luxor
Embark
Aswan
Disembark
Luxor
Pace
Extended · slow

Route Overview

Journey Through Ancient Egypt

Embark on a timeless voyage down the Nile, tracing the path of the pharaohs from Aswan to the monumental city of Thebes. This seven-night classic cruise blends profound historical discovery with serene river travel.

Available Routes

The same temples and experiences, with the order tailored to your arrival city. Select a direction and the day-by-day below will follow.

Highlights

  • Philae Temple
  • Aswan High Dam
  • Kom Ombo
  • Edfu Temple
  • Valley of the Kings
  • Karnak Temple

Day by Day

Your journey, unhurried

Showing Aswan → Luxor

  1. Day 1

    Embarkation & The Island of Isis

    • Philae Temple

    Board your cruise ship in Aswan and begin your exploration with a visit to the exquisite Philae Temple. Accessed by a short motorboat ride, this temple complex dedicated to the goddess Isis was rescued from the rising Nile and rebuilt on Agilkia Island, showcasing stunning Ptolemaic architecture.

    • Afternoon Board your cruise ship in Aswan and visit the exquisite Philae Temple on Agilkia Island — dedicated to the goddess Isis and rebuilt after being rescued from the rising Nile, showcasing stunning Ptolemaic architecture.
    • Evening Overnight docked in Aswan.
    Embarkation & The Island of Isis

  2. Day 2

    Modern Engineering & Ancient Ambitions

    • Aswan High Dam
    • Old Dam
    • Unfinished Obelisk

    Discover Aswan's modern history and ancient industry before setting sail north along the scenic Nile.

    • Morning Visit the Aswan High Dam, a pivotal 20th-century feat of engineering controlling the Nile's floodwaters. See the Old Aswan Dam and the fascinating Unfinished Obelisk, which offers a unique glimpse into ancient stone-cutting techniques.
    • Afternoon Set sail north, enjoying the scenic river views.
    • Evening Overnight moored at the tranquil El Herdiab Island.
    Modern Engineering & Ancient Ambitions

  3. Day 3

    The Dual Temple & Sacred Quarries

    • Kom Ombo
    • El Silsila

    Sail to Kom Ombo for its unique double temple, then continue to the historic quarry site of El Silsila.

    • Morning Sail to Kom Ombo.
    • Afternoon Visit the unique Temple of Kom Ombo, symmetrically dedicated to two gods: the falcon-headed Horus the Elder and the crocodile-headed Sobek. Explore its halls, see ancient mummified crocodiles, and enjoy its dramatic riverside location.
    • Late afternoon Continue sailing to the historic site of El Silsila.
    • Evening Overnight docked at El Silsila.
    The Dual Temple & Sacred Quarries

  4. Day 4

    Sandstone Source & The Falcon's Citadel

    • Gebel el-Silsila
    • Edfu Temple

    Explore the great sandstone quarry of ancient Egypt, then sail to Edfu to visit the largest and best-preserved temple dedicated to Horus.

    • Morning Explore El Silsila, the major sandstone quarry of ancient Egypt. Tour the cliff-side shrines and see the famous "Speos of Horemheb" cut into the rock.
    • Afternoon Sail to Edfu.
    • Late afternoon Visit the incredibly well-preserved Temple of Edfu, the largest temple dedicated to the god Horus. Its colossal pylons, courtyard, and intact inner chambers make it one of Egypt's most complete ancient monuments.
    • Evening Overnight docked near Edfu (at El Fawaza Island).
    Sandstone Source & The Falcon's Citadel

  5. Day 5

    Sailing North & The Esna Lock

    • Esna Lock

    A relaxed day on the sun deck as your ship sails toward Luxor, passing through the Esna Lock.

    • Day Relax on the sun deck as your ship sails towards Luxor. Witness the fascinating process of passing through the Esna Lock, a modern gateway that regulates the river's flow.
    • Evening Arrive in Luxor, the ancient city of Thebes, for an overnight stay.
    Sailing North & The Esna Lock

  6. Day 6

    Thebes' Necropolis — City of the Dead

    • Valley of the Kings
    • Temple of Hatshepsut
    • Colossi of Memnon

    A full day exploring the vast Theban Necropolis on the West Bank of Luxor.

    • Full day Cross to the West Bank of Luxor to explore the vast Theban Necropolis. Highlights typically include the Valley of the Kings (entrance to three tombs included, often excluding Tutankhamun's), the imposing Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, and the towering Colossi of Memnon.
    • Evening Overnight docked in Luxor.
    Thebes' Necropolis — City of the Dead

  7. Day 7

    Thebes' Grandest Monuments — Karnak & Luxor

    • Karnak Temple
    • Luxor Temple

    The colossal temples of the East Bank — Karnak and Luxor — the largest religious complex of the ancient world.

    • Morning Visit the colossal Karnak Temple Complex, a vast open-air museum and the largest religious site in the ancient world. Walk through the awe-inspiring Great Hypostyle Hall with its 134 massive columns.
    • Afternoon / Evening Explore the elegant Luxor Temple, beautifully located on the Corniche. Its grandeur is especially captivating at dusk when the stones are illuminated.
    • Evening Final overnight on board in Luxor.
    Thebes' Grandest Monuments — Karnak & Luxor

  8. Day 8

    Disembarkation

    • Luxor

    After breakfast, disembark in Luxor, concluding your journey through millennia of history.

    • Morning After breakfast, disembark from your cruise ship in Luxor, concluding your journey through millennia of history.
    Disembarkation

Good to Know

Tips for Your Trip

  • This itinerary involves significant walking at archaeological sites, often on uneven ground.
  • Comfortable shoes, sun protection, and water are essential for daily excursions.
  • The sailing schedule and overnight mooring locations are subject to change based on river and lock conditions.

Travel Notes

This itinerary provides a general framework; the order of visits on specific days may be adjusted by your tour operator. Comfortable walking shoes, sun protection, and water are essential for daily excursions.

All-Inclusive Charter

What's Included

Your charter rate is full-board — a complete luxury sailing experience, with no hidden fees.

Gourmet Dining

  • Breakfast — extensive open buffet with hot & cold selections
  • Lunch — open buffet with a live outdoor barbecue station
  • Dinner — generous open buffet
  • Daily sunset tea service on deck, with premium teas & snacks

Beverages, All Day

  • 24-hour service: bottled mineral water, fresh juices (orange, lemonade, hibiscus), soft drinks & daily smoothies
  • Specialty coffees — espresso, macchiato, American, Egyptian — and a premium tea selection
  • Complimentary local premium beer & wine

No Hidden Fees

  • All onboard meals & beverages included
  • 14% VAT (Value Added Tax) included
  • 12% service charges included

Crew gratuity is not included. It is customary for guests to contribute US $6 per person per night, handed to the dahabiya's manager and shared equally among the crew.

View the full meal plan → View full charter terms →

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7 nights on the Nile, entirely private and tailored to your group. Tell us your dates and we'll do the rest.

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