Your Complete Guide to Cruising the Nile
How to plan the perfect Egypt river cruise: choosing your dates, your itinerary and your ship, plus the temples waiting along the way.
Best Time to Cruise the Nile
How each season compares for weather, crowds and price.
Osiris Odyssey
From $1,199 per person. A 4-day guided cruise, Luxor to Aswan with all tours.
Horus Holiday
From $1,399 per person. Five days at a relaxed pace, four nights aboard.
Amun Adventure
From $1,699 per person. The full eight-day round trip with guided tours.
Our Cruise Ship
Cabins and suites, a sun deck and pool, and full-board dining aboard the M/S City & Sea Adonis.
Guest Testimonials
Why travellers rate us 4.9 stars on Google from over 1,000 reviews.
What makes a Nile cruise special
No other journey in Egypt rivals a Nile cruise. Instead of long road transfers and a new hotel every night, you settle into one comfortable cabin and let the river carry you past temples, villages and golden desert. Mornings are for exploring ancient wonders with a guide; afternoons belong to the sun deck as the scenery slides by.
The cruising heartland lies between Luxor and Aswan in Upper Egypt, a roughly 200-kilometre ribbon of river that strings together more world-class monuments than anywhere else in the country. A guided programme aboard the M/S City & Sea Adonis connects them into one effortless trip.
Where you will sail
Cruises run between two unmissable cities, calling at riverside temples along the way:
- Luxor: the temples of Karnak and Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and the terraced temple of Hatshepsut.
- Edfu and Kom Ombo: two of Egypt’s best-preserved temples, moored right beside the ship.
- Aswan: the island Temple of Philae, the High Dam, Nubian villages and a felucca sail at golden hour.
Start planning here
Work through this guide in order: pick your season with the best time to cruise, decide on length with how many nights to sail, preview the temples and excursions, and sort the practicalities with what to pack and our visa, safety and tipping tips. When you are set, our guided programmes start with the four-day Osiris Odyssey from $1,199.
- Route: Luxor to Aswan
- Programmes: 4, 5 or 8 days with tours
- Best season: October to April
- Rated: 4.9 on Google (1,000+ reviews)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Nile cruise include?
Our guided programmes include sightseeing excursions with a licensed Egyptologist and full-board dining aboard the M/S City & Sea Adonis, so once you are on board the temples and meals are taken care of.
How long should a Nile cruise be?
Between four and eight days. The shorter Osiris Odyssey and Horus Holiday cover the highlights, while the eight-day Amun Adventure gives you the most time at each site.
Which cities does the cruise visit?
The classic route runs between Luxor and Aswan, with temple stops at Edfu and Kom Ombo along the way.
When is the best time to go?
October to April brings cool, dry, sunny weather that is ideal for sightseeing. Summer is hot but quieter and better value.