Moment 01
The Pyramids of Giza
The last surviving wonder of the ancient world, and the Sphinx keeping watch on the desert's edge.
The Nile.
Egypt · Luxor, Aswan & the Valley of the Kings
A Nile River cruise offers an unforgettable journey through the heart of ancient Egypt. As you sail past golden deserts and lush riverbanks, you'll visit some of the world's most famous historical sites: the temples of Luxor and Karnak, the Valley of the Kings, and the grandeur of a civilization thousands of years in the making.
The Nile connects you to millennia of history, with opportunities to explore ancient tombs, towering statues, and bustling local markets. With attentive service on board and daily excursions to these iconic landmarks, a Nile cruise is a singular way to experience the wonders of Egypt while enjoying the beauty and tranquility of this legendary river.
We'll pair your sailing with the right Egyptologist-led excursions and a Cairo extension to see the Great Pyramids of Giza, so the whole of ancient Egypt unfolds in a single, seamless journey.
- The route
- Luxor–Aswan
- Country
- Egypt
- Classic sailing
- 3–4 nights
- Best season
- Cool winter
What you'll remember
Moments along the way.
Moment 02
The Valley of the Kings
The painted tombs of the pharaohs, their colors as vivid as the day they were sealed.
Moment 03
Temples from the gangway
Karnak, Edfu and Kom Ombo, several reached on foot straight from the moored ship.
Moment 04
A felucca at sunset
The timeless white sails of the Nile gliding past the islands of Aswan.
Moment 05
Abu Simbel
Ramses II's colossal rock-cut temples, moved stone by stone above the rising river.
Moment 06
Tutankhamun's treasures
The golden mask and treasures of the boy king, the find that stunned the world.
The route
A sample sailing.
6 stops · Cairo to Abu Simbel
Tap a stop to jump to that day · drag to explore
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1 Days 1-2Cairo & Giza
The Pyramids and the Sphinx on the edge of the city, and the treasures of Tutankhamun in the Egyptian Museum.
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2 Day 3Luxor
Board at the world's greatest open-air museum: the temples of Karnak and Luxor, and the Valley of the Kings across the river.
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3 Day 4Edfu
Step off the ship to the Temple of Horus, the most completely preserved temple in all of Egypt.
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4 Day 5Kom Ombo
A riverside double temple to Sobek the crocodile god and Horus, glowing at the water's edge.
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5 Day 6Aswan
The High Dam, the island temple of Philae, and a felucca sail around Elephantine Island at golden hour.
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6 Day 7Abu Simbel
An excursion to Ramses II's colossal rock-cut temples, rescued in their entirety from the rising Nile.
Every sailing we book is tailored: this is a starting point, not a package.
When to go
The best time to sail.
The Nile runs backwards to a European river: winter is the prize, summer the penance. This is how we book the year — when the temples are walkable by midday, when the shoulders quiet down, and when Luxor turns into a furnace.
November–February
Peak season and the coolest, most comfortable months for temples and deck time. Book well ahead.
October, March–April
Warm and excellent, with slightly thinner crowds on the shoulders of the season.
May & September
Hot but manageable, with fewer crowds and better value.
June–August
Intense desert heat; early starts are essential, and prices are at their lowest.
Good to know
The Nile cruise questions.
How long is a Nile cruise?+
The sailing between Luxor and Aswan is typically 3 to 4 nights. Paired with Cairo and the Pyramids, a full Egypt and Nile journey runs 7 to 10 nights.
When is the best time to cruise the Nile?+
October to April, once the desert heat eases. November to February are the coolest and most popular. Summer is extremely hot.
What is included on a Nile cruise?+
On the river: your cabin, all meals, and guided temple visits with an Egyptologist. We tailor the Cairo days, internal flights, and your choice of an intimate dahabiya or a larger ship.
How does a Nile trip come together?+
We work with established operators and expert Egyptologist guides, and handle the flights, transfers and timing so the whole journey unfolds seamlessly.
From the journal
Reading on The Nile.
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Let's begin
Ready for
The Nile?
We'll handle the ship, the itinerary, and every detail in between.
Plan Your Trip