Night by nightليلة بليلة
- Day 1 — Aswan. Board at midday. Philae Temple, the High Dam and the unfinished obelisk in the afternoon; a felucca at sunset.
- Day 2 — Kom Ombo. Sail north to the double temple dedicated jointly to Sobek and Haroeris, with its crocodile museum next door. Continue to Edfu overnight.
- Day 3 — Edfu and Esna. The Temple of Horus in the morning, then the run down to Esna and through the lock.
- Day 4 — Luxor. Arrive and disembark. The West Bank or Karnak follows, usually from a hotel rather than the boat.
Abu Simbel is normally taken the day before boarding, from Aswan.
Why it's cheaperلماذا أرخص
| One night fewer | Three nights instead of four, sailing with the current. |
|---|---|
| Less included sightseeing | Luxor's East and West Banks usually fall outside the cruise, so you arrange them separately. |
| Repositioning | Boats need to return north, and the downstream leg is the easier one to fill. |
| Best for | Travellers who plan Luxor hotel nights anyway, or who are flying home from Luxor. |
| Watch for | Packages that quote this direction but describe Luxor sightseeing as included — check whether it's on the boat or after disembarkation. |
The four-night upstream version is on the Luxor to Aswan page.
Aswan before you sailأسوان قبل الإبحار
Aswan rewards an extra night before boarding. It's the calmest city on the Nile — Nubian villages on the west bank, the Old Cataract terrace, the Nubian Museum, and feluccas working between the islands at sunset. Adding a night here is one of the cheapest upgrades available to an Egypt trip.
Common questionsأسئلة شائعة
How long is the Aswan to Luxor cruise?
Three nights, sailing downstream. It's the shorter and usually cheaper of the two directions.
Is the 3-night cruise long enough?
It covers Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu and the sail itself. What it doesn't include is Luxor sightseeing, which you'll arrange from a hotel after disembarking.
Why is Aswan to Luxor cheaper?
One night fewer, sailing with the current, and less included sightseeing — Luxor's temples usually fall outside the cruise on this direction.
Should I add a night in Aswan before the cruise?
Yes if you can. Aswan is the calmest city on the river and it's also where Abu Simbel trips depart from.