Nile cruise, Luxor round trip, 8 days / 7 nights

The short answer

Nile Cruise: Luxor Round Trip is an eight-day Nile tour covering Luxor, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan, operated by Discovery Tours Egypt.

• ◈Private

• Cultural
• Archaeology & history

Snapshot

Good to know

Duration

A week-long trip: 8 days and 7 nights

Travel style

Guided Nile cruise itinerary with accommodation arranged on the ground

Accommodation

Comfort, Classic, Prestige or Luxury cruise categories

Operated by

Tours with Discovery Tours Egypt

Destinations

Luxor · Luxor West Bank · Valley of the Kings · Karnak Temple · Hatshepsut Temple · Edfu · Kom Ombo · Aswan · Philae Temple · The Nile

Includes

7 nights’ accommodation · Private transport according to the itinerary · English-speaking Egyptologist · Guided sightseeing · Entrance fees for the sites featured in the itinerary · Meals as outlined in the itinerary

Best for

History enthusiasts · First-time visitors · Couples · Small private groups · Families with older children

Guide languages

Arabic · English · French · German · Italian · Spanish

Background

The facts

Suited to

Is this for you?

What lingers

• 01Explore Karnak Temple, including its avenue of ram-headed sphinxes.
• 02Visit the Valley of the Kings on Luxor's West Bank.
• 03See Hatshepsut Temple, built into the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari.
• 04Call at Edfu and Kom Ombo on the Nile route between Luxor and Aswan.
• 05Visit Philae Temple near Aswan, set on an island in the Nile.

Worth knowing

How this compares

Unlike a one-way Nile itinerary, this Luxor round trip returns to the same starting point, which can make scheduling simpler and can allow more consistent early-morning site visits. Compared with a short Luxor stay, it includes both West Bank monuments and the full Luxor-to-Aswan river corridor, with accommodation and guided sightseeing built into the programme.

The fine print

What's included – and what is left out

1. 01

   At Karnak, look for the Avenue of Ram-Headed Sphinxes linking the complex towards Luxor Temple.

2. 02

   At Philae, allow time for the local boat approach to Agilkia Island.

3. 03

   Ask your Egyptologist which Valley of the Kings tombs are open on your visit date.

4. 04

   Premium tomb access, including Tutankhamun’s tomb, requires a separate supplement unless requested.

Tailor it

Make it yours

The itinerary can be adjusted for private travel, upgraded accommodation categories, or additional nights in Luxor or Aswan. Optional excursions may be added where available, and meal plans can be revised to suit the chosen cruise arrangement. It is also possible to extend the trip with pre- or post-tour stays in Cairo or Hurghada.

Your own specialist deals with each request before you book.

Accessibility

Who can join this

This itinerary requires regular walking on uneven ancient stone, loose sand and cobbles at sites such as the Valley of the Kings and Philae Temple. Expect steps at temple entrances, steep ramps in some hotels, and narrow gangways when boarding local river boats. Transfers use air-conditioned minibuses with step-up entry; vehicles are not fitted with wheelchair lifts. Accessible cabins and rooms on the cruise segment and at partner hotels are limited and must be requested at booking. Guests using a manual wheelchair should expect to be assisted for short stair sections and when boarding local boats. If you have reduced mobility, please tell us your requirements when booking so we can assess feasibility, arrange extra assistance where possible, and advise which days will be most physically demanding.

Before you go

What to pack & wear

The morning of

Meeting point & timing

Where

Arrivals Hall, Luxor International AirportMap

On the ground

Your route

While you're here

Worth pairing

• Luxor TempleRight here
• Karnak TempleRight here
• The Valley of the KingsRight here
• Hatshepsut TempleRight here
• Philae TempleRight here

Why book this with us

Three reasons, stated plainly

1. 01

   Round-trip route allows fuller visits at Edfu and Kom Ombo

2. 02

   Early visits target key temples before peak visitor periods

3. 03

   One Egyptologist-led itinerary links Luxor, Aswan and river towns

– Responsible travel

How we travel here

Transfers are by air-conditioned minibuses and local motor boats operated by Egyptian drivers and crews contracted per trip. We engage English-speaking Egyptologists from Luxor and Aswan, and pay guide fees and site charges directly to local suppliers, which keeps more income in the communities visited. On-board and on-land arrangements aim to reduce single-use plastics by offering refillable water stations and encouraging guests to bring reusable bottles. Meals are sourced from local suppliers in Luxor and Aswan when practical, and optional village visits or craft workshops are organised with community co-operatives that receive a direct fee. As a licensed Egyptian tour operator, we plan schedules so major sites are visited early in the morning, which lowers congestion and the environmental impact of midday coach movements compared with standard day-boat excursions.

• Licensed Egyptologist guides

  State-licensed, and people we have worked with for years

• Fair wages on the ground

  Drivers + guides paid above market

• Site preservation

  We follow the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities' site rules: marked paths, no touching reliefs

• Local teams, real help

  Our own offices in Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, Hurghada, Marsa Alam and Sharm El Sheikh

·In summary

Asked & answered

Frequent questions

1. 01How long is the Luxor round-trip Nile cruise?

   The itinerary lasts eight days and includes seven nights of accommodation. It starts and ends in Luxor, with visits along the Nile to Edfu, Kom Ombo and Aswan. The schedule combines temple visits with time sailing between river towns. The exact order of activities may depend on local arrangements.
2. 02What transfers are included on the Luxor round-trip Nile cruise?

   Private transfers between Luxor Airport, hotels and the cruise berth are included as set out in the itinerary. On arrival, the road journey from Luxor Airport to downtown takes around 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic and luggage collection. International flights are not included, so please share your arrival details when planning connections.
3. 03What is included in the price of this Nile cruise?

   The package includes seven nights of accommodation, an English-speaking Egyptologist for guided sightseeing, private transfers listed in the itinerary, standard entrance fees for the listed visits and meals as specified. Accommodation and cruise arrangements are made by Discovery Tours Egypt with third-party suppliers. Drinks and optional excursions are not listed as included.
4. 04What is not included in the Luxor to Aswan cruise itinerary?

   International flights, visas, travel insurance, optional excursions and personal expenses are excluded. Gratuities for crew, drivers and Egyptologists are also not included unless requested. Premium site supplements may apply for particular additional entrances. Ask us to confirm any optional visits and their arrangements before travel.
5. 05How physically demanding is the Luxor round-trip Nile cruise?

   Expect walking on uneven ancient stone, including at Kom Ombo, and steps or gangways when boarding the cruise ship. Visits also involve walking around large temple sites such as Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings. If stairs, balance or longer walks are a concern, tell us before booking so we can discuss the itinerary with you.
6. 06Can children join this eight-day Nile cruise?

   Children are welcome on this itinerary, which includes temple visits and time sailing between sites. The Egyptologist can adapt explanations to suit younger travellers, but the amount of walking and the early visits may be tiring for some children. Share the children’s ages with us so we can discuss pacing and practical arrangements.
7. 07What clothing and essentials should I take on a Nile cruise in Egypt?

   Pack comfortable shoes with a firm grip, light breathable clothing, a hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen. Daytime temperatures can be high, especially in Upper Egypt from May to September. Choose modest clothing for temple visits, covering shoulders and knees, and bring a light layer for cooler evenings on the river.
8. 08Can I take photographs at the temples on this itinerary?

   Photography rules vary between sites and may change, so check posted instructions and ask your Egyptologist before taking pictures. Some areas or tomb interiors may restrict photography or require a separate permission or fee. Do not photograph people without their consent, and follow staff instructions at Karnak Temple, the Valley of the Kings and other sites.
9. 09When is the best time to take this Luxor round-trip Nile cruise?

   October to April generally brings milder conditions for sightseeing in Luxor and Aswan. Summer, particularly May to September, can be very hot, so temple visits may feel more demanding. For UK travellers seeking winter sun, November to March is a useful period to consider; mornings are often more comfortable for outdoor visits.
10. 10What makes this Luxor round-trip different from a shorter one-way Nile cruise?

    The return itinerary gives more time for visits at Edfu and Kom Ombo than a compressed one-way schedule may allow. It also includes Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, reached by local boat, and visits to the Unfinished Obelisk and Aswan High Dam. At Edfu, the approach to the temple is by horse-drawn carriage.

If plans change

Cancellation and refunds

What you receive back if you cancel depends on how far ahead of your holiday you let us know and the kind of holiday you book. See our current cancellation and refund terms