The Nile cruise, from Aswan to Luxor

The pyramids of Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo; in Aswan, the temple of Philae on an island in the lake between the dams, and Abu Simbel, about 300 km to the south; three to four nights by boat downriver, calling at Kom Ombo and Edfu; and Luxor, with Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings across the river.

Day by day Open the itinerary in the app

Cairo → Aswan → Luxor · 7–10 days

The route on the map, in the itinerary’s order.

EgyptCairo
Days
3–4
When
Jan–Mar · Nov–Dec
Per person/day
Average 70–120 USDMid-range · per person/day
Cost scope
Per person per day: accommodation, meals, urban transport, visits and a small allowance for extras. Flights excluded; larger purchases vary. Editorial estimate, not a quote.
EgyptAswan
Days
2–3
When
Jan–Feb · Nov–Dec
Per person/day
Average 1,490 EGPMid-range · per person/day
Cost scope
Per person per day: accommodation, meals, urban transport, visits and a small allowance for extras. Flights excluded; larger purchases vary. Editorial estimate, not a quote.
EgyptLuxor
Days
2–3
When
Jan–Mar · Oct–Dec
Per person/day
Average 70–120 USDMid-range · per person/day
Cost scope
Per person per day: accommodation, meals, urban transport, visits and a small allowance for extras. Flights excluded; larger purchases vary. Editorial estimate, not a quote.

Who it is for

For a first trip to Egypt that wants the southern temples as well as Cairo, and would rather travel between Aswan and Luxor by river, sleeping on board.

Not for anyone travelling in summer: from May to September Aswan’s average highs sit between 39 °C and 42 °C, and in Luxor highs reach 40 to 43 °C from June to August.

The strategy

Cairo gets three days: Giza and the Grand Egyptian Museum; Islamic Cairo on foot, from Ibn Tulun to al-Muizz Street; and Coptic Cairo with the museums. From Cairo, fly to Aswan, whose airport is about 25 km from the centre, on the west bank; by train the journey takes a day or a night. Aswan gets two or three days: Philae at opening time, with the Nubian Museum in the afternoon; the Tombs of the Nobles, Elephantine and Gharb Soheil; and Abu Simbel, leaving around 4:00 or 5:00 with about three hours on the road each way. Cruise boats moor along the Corniche and take 3 to 4 nights to Luxor, calling at Kom Ombo and Edfu: they are full-board packages booked in advance. Luxor gets two days, one for each bank: the temples and the market on the east and, on the west, the Valley of the Kings early, before the heat. For the way home, Luxor has flights of about an hour to Cairo. From November to February all three cities are in their best season; December and January are the high season, with pricier hotels and cruises. Egypt’s entry rules depend on your passport: check the official visa2egypt.gov.eg portal.

What you will see

Giza pyramids and the Sphinx, Cairo. Three 4th Dynasty pyramids (about 2560–2510 BCE).
Philae Temple, Aswan. The sanctuary of Isis, begun by Ptolemy II and expanded until Roman times, is Aswan's main monument and can only be reached by boat, from the landing south of the old dam.
Karnak, Luxor. Ancient Egypt's largest religious complex, with about 2 km² built and rebuilt over 1,500 years.

Day by day