The Nile, Luxor to Aswan

Luxor · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · 8 nights

Eight nights on board and ashore, from Luxor to Aswan.

The Journey

Eight nights by ship, with days ashore at Luxor, Esna, Edfu and Aswan. Shore days are planned with private guides where shown, and you can always stay on board instead.

The days are built around Valley of the Kings, Karnak and the Esna Lock, Edfu and Philae and Disembarkation. Each one is set out below with what you will see, how you get there and which meals are included.

The defining moment of this route: private Egyptologist for the Valley of the Kings. Your travel specialist can add a night, swap a day or change the order before you book.

Signature Highlights

Private Egyptologist for the Valley of the Kings
Valley of the Kings, Luxor
Karnak and the Esna Lock
Edfu
Philae and Disembarkation, Aswan
Abu Simbel, Aswan

Day by day

Your Itinerary

9 days

01
Day 1 · Luxor, Egypt
Arrival in Luxor
Private transfer to your Nile ship, moored on the east bank, and Luxor Temple lit up at dusk.
- Private airport transfer
- Boarding in Luxor
- Luxor Temple at dusk
Meals:
D
02
Day 2 · Luxor, Egypt
Valley of the Kings
An early start on the West Bank with a private Egyptologist: the royal tombs, Hatshepsut's terraced temple and the Colossi of Memnon.
- Valley of the Kings
- Temple of Hatshepsut
- Colossi of Memnon
Meals:
BLD
03
Day 3 · Esna, Egypt
Karnak and the Esna Lock
The vast temple complex of Karnak and its hypostyle hall, then sail south through the lock at Esna.
- Karnak Temple
- Great Hypostyle Hall
- Through the Esna lock
Meals:
BLD
04
Day 4 · Edfu, Egypt
Edfu
The Temple of Horus, the best-preserved major temple in Egypt, then an afternoon sailing to Kom Ombo.
- Temple of Horus
- Afternoon on deck
- Sailing to Kom Ombo
Meals:
BLD
05
Day 5 · Aswan, Egypt
Kom Ombo to Aswan
The double temple of Sobek and Haroeris at Kom Ombo and its crocodile museum, then a felucca around Elephantine Island at sunset.
- Kom Ombo double temple
- Crocodile Museum
- Felucca at sunset
Meals:
BLD
06
Day 6 · Aswan, Egypt
Philae and Disembarkation
Disembark and visit the Temple of Isis at Philae, moved stone by stone above the rising water, and the High Dam, then check in to your Aswan hotel.
- Morning disembarkation
- Temple of Philae
- Hotel night in Aswan
Meals:
B
07
Day 7 · Aswan, Egypt
Abu Simbel
The temples of Ramses II and Nefertari at Abu Simbel, by short flight or about three and a half hours by road each way.
- Great Temple of Ramses II
- Temple of Nefertari
- Flight or road transfer
Meals:
B
08
Day 8 · Aswan, Egypt
Aswan at Leisure
The botanical gardens on Kitchener's Island, a Nubian village visit by boat and the spice market.
- Kitchener's Island gardens
- Nubian village by boat
- Aswan souk
Meals:
B
09
Day 9 · Aswan, Egypt
Departure from Aswan
Private transfer to Aswan airport for your flight via Cairo.
- Morning at leisure
- Private airport transfer
- Optional Cairo extension
Meals:
B

Inclusions

Handpicked luxury accommodations across the journey
Daily breakfast; select lunches and dinners as noted
Private airport transfers and inter-city ground movement
Curated experiences and reserved access as listed
24×7 on-trip concierge from our India desk

Not included

International airfare unless explicitly mentioned
Visa fees, travel insurance and personal expenses
Meals and experiences not listed in the itinerary
Gratuities for guides, drivers and hotel staff
Anything of a personal nature (spa, minibar, laundry)

Transfers

Private arrival and departure transfers with a named driver
Moves between stops by private car, rail, ferry or domestic flight, as shown day by day
Timings reconfirmed with you the evening before each transfer

Visa & Documentation

Visa guidance provided by our documentation desk
Recommended to hold passport valid for 6+ months
Digital pre-arrival forms handled on your behalf where possible

Common Questions

When is the best time for a Nile cruise?+

October to April. Summer days in Luxor and Aswan regularly pass 40°C, so tours start at dawn.

Do Indian passport holders need a visa for Egypt?+

Yes. Egypt offers an e-Visa to Indian passport holders, applied for online before travel.

What should we wear at the temples?+

Light, loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees, a hat and comfortable shoes. Mosques and churches in Cairo ask women to cover their hair.

How far in advance should we book?+

Three to four months ahead gives the widest choice of rooms and guided days, and more for school holidays, festivals and peak season. Shorter notice is often possible; ask and we will check live availability.

Can the itinerary be customised?+

Yes. Every journey is a starting point: add or remove nights, swap a day's plan, change hotels or reorder the route, and your travel specialist re-plans the whole trip around it.

What is the payment schedule?+

Your quote sets out the deposit that confirms the booking and the date the balance is due. Both depend on the hotels, airlines and guides involved, so they are agreed with you before you pay anything.