This 7-day Nile cruise spends six nights on a 5-star ship, sailing from Luxor to Aswan with a detour north to the temples of Dendera and Abydos. With an Egyptologist guide, you visit every major site along the way, from Karnak and the Valley of the Kings to Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae. Full board on board and road transfers from Hurghada are included.
Important information
- Limited departures: Fewer ships sail the 6-night route with Dendera and Abydos than the standard 3- and 4-night cruises. Book early, especially from October to April.
- Your ship: The package uses a 5-star Nile cruise ship. The ship’s name and cabin type are confirmed at booking.
- Abydos by road: Abydos is not on the river, so the visit involves a road journey from the ship.
- Transfers: The road transfer from Hurghada to Luxor takes about four hours. The return from Aswan to Hurghada on day 7 is longer, so expect to arrive in the late afternoon or evening.
- Schedule changes: Sailing times, overnight stops and the order of visits can change because of lock queues, river levels or local regulations.
- Season: October to April is the most comfortable time. From May to September, temperatures are very high, especially at Abydos, Luxor and Aswan.
- Passport: Carry your passport; it is needed at check-in on the ship and may be requested on the road to Abydos.
- Tips: Tipping the ship’s crew is customary, usually collected at reception at the end of the cruise.
- Children: Children aged 0–3 travel free and children aged 4–11 pay half the adult price when sharing a cabin with two adults.
What to bring?
- Passport
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
- Light clothing that covers shoulders and knees, plus a warm layer for winter evenings on deck
- Swimwear for the sun-deck pool, if the ship has one
- Smart-casual clothes for dinner on board
- Egyptian pounds or US dollars in cash for drinks, extra tickets and tips
Who is this tour for?
This cruise suits history enthusiasts, travelers returning to Egypt who want to see more than the classic sites, and anyone who prefers a slower journey with time to enjoy the river. It works well for couples, older travelers and families with older children.
It is less suited to travelers with limited time or a tight budget. The 3-night and 4-night cruises cover the main temples between Luxor and Aswan in fewer days.
Trip info
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Abu Simbel, hot-air balloon, Tutankhamun's tomb
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Standard 5-star Nile cruise ship; Shared cabin (2 beds), ship confirmed at booking
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Full board
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Egyptologist guide; entrance fees to the listed sites included
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1
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99
Full tour overview
Shorter Nile cruises cover the stretch between Luxor and Aswan. A 6-night cruise has time to go further: before heading south, the ship sails north of Luxor to Dendera, giving you access to two of the finest temples in Egypt that most visitors never see.
From Hurghada, a road transfer of about four hours takes you to Luxor, where you board the ship and visit Karnak and Luxor Temple. The ship then sails north to Dendera. Here you explore the Temple of Hathor, known for its painted astronomical ceilings and rooftop chapels, and travel on to Abydos for the Temple of Seti I, whose carved reliefs are among the finest from ancient Egypt and include the king list of pharaohs.
Back in Luxor, you visit the West Bank: the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. The ship then sails south through the Esna lock to Edfu and Kom Ombo, with time to relax on deck between visits. The cruise ends in Aswan with the High Dam, the island Temple of Philae and a felucca ride, before you disembark and travel back to Hurghada.
The cruise suits history enthusiasts, travelers returning to Egypt and anyone who prefers a slower journey with more time on the river. If you have less time, the 4-night cruise from Luxor to Aswan covers the main sites in five days.
Tour highlights
- Sail six nights on the Nile on a 5-star cruise ship
- Visit the Temple of Hathor at Dendera and its painted ceilings
- See the carved reliefs and king list in the Temple of Seti I at Abydos
- Explore Karnak, Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings with an Egyptologist
- Stop at the temples of Edfu and Kom Ombo
- See Philae and take a felucca ride in Aswan
- Enjoy full board on the ship and road transfers from Hurghada
