Nile River Cruises
Sail 5,000 years of history between Luxor and Aswan — from the Valley of the Kings and Karnak to the riverside temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo — with a specialist who knows Egypt.
A Nile cruise is the classic way to see ancient Egypt: the great monuments line the river, so you step off the ship straight into the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, the temples of Edfu, Esna and Kom Ombo, and the island temple of Philae. The heart of it is a 3- to 7-night sailing between Luxor and Aswan, usually paired with Cairo and the Pyramids and, for many, a flight to the colossi of Abu Simbel. Choose a full-size cruise ship or an intimate sailing dahabiya — we help you pick the ship, cabin, direction and season, and send up to five free quotes.
Why cruise the Nile?
Monuments on the riverbank
Karnak and Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae — nearly all within reach of the dock.
Luxor to Aswan
The classic 3–7 night stretch, usually combined with Cairo, the Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum.
Ships or dahabiyas
Full-size Nile cruisers with pools and sun decks, or small wind-powered dahabiyas for an intimate, slower sail.
Abu Simbel add-on
A short flight from Aswan reaches Ramses II’s colossal rock temples — an unforgettable extension.
The open-air museum of the Nile
Downstream or up, a Nile cruise threads the greatest concentration of ancient monuments on earth: Thebes (Luxor) on the east and west banks, then Esna, Edfu and Kom Ombo before Aswan, the High Dam and Philae.
Egyptologist guides sail with most ships, turning each temple into a story. We’ll advise on ship size, the best cabins, and the calmer, cooler months for touring.
Nile river cruising in pictures
Ready to plan your Nile river cruise?
Tell us your dates, ship style (full cruiser or dahabiya) and whether you want Cairo and Abu Simbel. We’ll send up to five free, no-obligation quotes from Egypt specialists.
Get up to 5 free Nile cruise quotesFrequently Asked Questions
When is the best time for a Nile cruise?
October to April brings the most comfortable temperatures for touring; the summer months are very hot. Peak season is winter, when a specialist helps secure the best ships and cabins.
How long is a Nile cruise?
The classic sailing is 3 to 4 nights (Luxor–Aswan) or up to 7 nights round-trip, usually combined with 2–3 nights in Cairo and an optional Abu Simbel flight.
Cruise ship or dahabiya?
Full-size Nile ships offer pools, sun decks and more amenities; a dahabiya is a small sailing vessel (around 6–12 cabins) for an intimate, unhurried experience. We match the style to you.
Which lines cruise the Nile?
Viking, Uniworld, AmaWaterways, Avalon, Scenic and Sanctuary Retreats run modern ships, alongside boutique dahabiya operators and Oberoi’s luxury vessels.
How do I get a Nile cruise quote?
Request up to five free, no-obligation quotes and compare ships, cabins, dates and Cairo/Abu Simbel extensions.
