Respect ToursEgypt Through Local EyesChoose your route, your style of boat and your pace. We help you match the right Nile cruise to your dates and your group.
A Nile cruise in Egypt lets you unpack once and still reach Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. Respect Tours offers four ways to sail: Luxor to Aswan, Aswan to Luxor, a dahabiya sailing boat, and a Lake Nasser cruise to Abu Simbel. Most cruises run 3 to 4 nights, and a dahabiya can take up to 6, with a licensed Egyptologist at every stop. Pick the route below, or send your dates and we will suggest one.
The right Nile river cruise in Egypt depends on how many nights you have and what you want to see. This table puts the four routes side by side.
| Route | Typical length | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Luxor to Aswan | 4 nights | First visit, the classic itinerary |
| Aswan to Luxor | Usually 3 nights | A shorter trip, ending at Karnak and the Valley of the Kings |
| Dahabiya | Usually 3 to 6 nights, depending on the boat | Small groups and a slower pace |
| Lake Nasser | Usually 3 to 4 nights | Abu Simbel and remote Nubian temples |
The Luxor to Aswan Nile cruise is the classic Nile cruise itinerary and the one most first-time visitors choose. You start in Luxor with Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, then sail south with stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo before reaching Aswan. Our 4-night version sails every Saturday.
The Aswan to Luxor Nile cruise sails downstream and usually takes 3 nights, so it suits travelers with less time. You see Philae, Kom Ombo and Edfu first and finish in Luxor. That order keeps the largest sites for the end of the trip.
A dahabiya is a traditional sailing boat, far smaller than a cruise ship, so groups are small and the pace is slow. The stops are often quiet riverbank sites, depending on the wind and the program. The Dahabiya Nile cruise suits travelers who prefer calm mornings to the facilities of a large ship.
A Lake Nasser cruise sails on the Nile's great reservoir above the High Dam, away from the towns. It heads toward Abu Simbel and temples such as Kalabsha, Wadi el Sebua and Amada, which were moved in the 1960s to escape the rising water. The exact stops depend on the program.
Once you have a route, choose a package. Each package below lists its cabin, meals, guided sightseeing with a licensed Egyptologist and the transfers in its itinerary. Rates change with the departure date and cabin type, so send us your dates and we will confirm the price for your sailing.
Current rates per person on our package cards exclude the holiday periods.
Most Nile cruise packages cover the items below. The exact list sits on each package page, and we confirm it again in your quotation.
These items appear in most Nile cruise packages:
These items are usually paid separately:
Most days start early with a temple visit before the heat builds. You return to the ship for lunch, then spend the afternoon on deck while the banks slide past: palm groves, farmland and small villages. Evenings are quiet, with dinner on board. The season you sail in changes how those days feel.
The best time for a Nile cruise is usually October to April, when days are cooler and sightseeing is comfortable. Summer sailings are possible but hot.
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| October to November | Warm days, pleasant evenings, the busy season begins |
| December to February | Mild days, cold evenings on deck, peak demand, so book early |
| March to April | Warmer days and fewer crowds than in winter |
| May to September | Hot weather, often above 40°C in Luxor and Aswan, fewer visitors |
For month-by-month detail, read our guides to a Nile cruise in November and a Nile cruise in December.
Booking a Nile cruise takes six steps, from choosing a route to confirming your deposit.
Respect Tours has arranged Egypt travel from Cairo since 1978 and has served more than 140,000 travelers. We are affiliated with IATA and ASTA, and our tourism authority license is published on the site.
Every sightseeing stop on a Nile cruise is led by a licensed Egyptologist from our team. We check each sailing before you travel and follow your trip while you are in Egypt. Prices are quoted up front, and what is not included is written out in the quotation.
Nile Cruise With Friends: How to Plan the Perfect TripRead the guide 
Nile Cruise in December: Weather, Packing & Booking GuideRead the guide 
Lake Nasser Cruise: Route, Temples, Ships & Travel TipsRead the guide 
Nile Cruise in November: Weather, What to Pack & Booking TipsRead the guide 
Best Nile Cruise from Aswan to LuxorRead the guide 
All-Inclusive River Nile Cruises: What's Really Included?Read the guide Often yes, with planning. Ships use gangways, and temples have steps and uneven ground. Tell us about any mobility needs when you inquire, and we check the ship, the cabin and each stop before we quote.
Yes, tipping is customary in Egypt and is usually not included in the package price. Guides, drivers and ship crew are tipped separately. As a guide, travelers usually tip $5 to $10 per person per day for guides and $3 to $5 each for drivers and ship crew, so bring small notes.
Yes. Travelers often add Cairo, the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum before or after the cruise. We can arrange domestic flights, hotels and transfers in one program, as in our Egypt classic tours.
Unlikely. The Nile is a calm river and cruise ships sail slowly, so most guests notice little movement. Lake Nasser is wider and can be windier, so tell us if motion bothers you.
Now pick Luxor to Aswan for a first visit, a shorter Aswan to Luxor, a calm dahabiya, or Lake Nasser. Send us your dates and the number of nights you have. A Respect Tours specialist will suggest the route and confirm the price. Plan your Nile cruise with us today.
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Respect Tours – Egypt Through Local Eyes. Since 1978, we’ve served 140,000+ travelers with expert-guided tours, transfers, hotel bookings, and seamless travel services across Egypt.
