Nile Sailing with M/S Concerto
Luxor to Aswan 5-Day Nile Cruise on Concerto
Description
This 5-day Luxor to Aswan Nile cruise aboard Concerto brings Egypt’s best-known ancient sites together in one well-planned voyage. You begin in Luxor, where the scale of Karnak Temples and the evening atmosphere around Luxor Temple set the tone for the days ahead. Between guided visits, the ship travels south at an easy pace, giving you time to watch villages, farmland and desert edges pass along the banks of the Nile.
Our team arranges the sightseeing in a practical order, with a licensed Egyptologist explaining the history, symbolism and building methods behind each site. At Karnak Temples, you walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall and its forest of columns before seeing the sacred lake and temple courtyards. Luxor Temple is especially atmospheric as the light softens, and the avenue leading towards Karnak shows how the two temple complexes once formed part of a larger religious centre.
On the west bank, the Valley of the Kings takes you into the burial ground of Egypt’s New Kingdom rulers. The included tombs can vary according to the authorities’ opening arrangements, but your guide will explain the painted scenes and the purpose of the chambers you enter. Nearby, Hatshepsut Temple rises in terraces against the cliffs, while the Colossi of Memnon remain visible across the plain. These visits involve walking over uneven ground, with some steps and exposed areas.
The cruise continues south to Edfu, where a short transfer takes you to Edfu Temple. Its large pylons, enclosed courts and detailed reliefs make it one of the clearest surviving examples of a complete ancient Egyptian temple. The visit contrasts with Luxor: instead of a vast temple district shaped by many generations, Edfu is a more contained monument dedicated to Horus, with columns and inscriptions that remain easy to read in places.
Aswan brings a different landscape, with granite outcrops, calmer stretches of water and islands scattered through the river. You visit the High Dam, a major modern engineering project that changed water management and agriculture in Egypt. At the Unfinished Obelisk, you can see how workers cut a monument directly from the granite before a flaw brought the work to a halt. The marks in the stone make the site particularly useful for understanding how obelisks were shaped.
A boat ride takes you to Philae Temple, set on Agilkia Island after the original temple complex was moved to protect it from the rising waters created by the High Dam. The sanctuary, courtyards and reliefs are best seen with time to look closely rather than rush through. The island setting gives this final sightseeing visit a quieter feel, especially when the river is calm and the surrounding granite landscape comes into view.
- Guided visits to Karnak Temples, Luxor Temple and the west bank of Luxor
- Ancient temples at Edfu and Philae, plus key Aswan landmarks
- Five days of accommodation aboard the Concerto Nile cruise ship
- Time on deck to follow the changing Nile scenery between excursions
Concerto suits travellers who want the main Luxor and Aswan sights without arranging separate transfers, guides and hotel changes. The cruise keeps your accommodation with you as you travel, while the daily programme combines sightseeing with time to rest onboard. It suits couples, families with older children and travellers who prefer an organised route. It is less suitable for anyone who finds heat, steps, uneven surfaces or early starts difficult. Bring comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and modest clothing for temple visits; your final cruise documents will confirm the meeting and departure details.
Included
Transfers connected with the cruise itinerary
Guided sightseeing with a licensed Egyptologist
Visits to the listed temples and monuments
Meals according to the booked cruise plan
Accommodation aboard the Concerto Nile cruise ship
Transport for scheduled shore excursions
Excluded
Entry visas and personal travel insurance
Any services not listed as included
Optional activities and additional excursions
International or domestic flights
Tips for guides, drivers and cruise staff
Drinks and personal expenses onboard
Don't forget
Passport and required travel documents
Light, breathable clothing and a modest outfit for temple visits
Reusable water bottle
Any required medication and basic travel essentials
Small day bag for shore excursions
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
Frequently Asked Questions
This 5-day Nile cruise includes accommodation aboard the Concerto, sailing from Luxor to Aswan, and sightseeing at Karnak Temples, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, the Colossi of Memnon, Edfu Temple, the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple.
Meals, guided visits, entrance fees and transfers depend on the package selected, so check the inclusions shown with your booking before you travel.
The Concerto Nile cruise lasts 5 days, with visits arranged around sailing between Luxor and Aswan rather than long daily road journeys. You usually explore Luxor’s east bank first, see the west bank sites before sailing, visit Edfu during the cruise, then finish with Aswan’s major sights.
Excursions involve walking on open ground and through temple complexes, while some sightseeing takes place in the cooler morning hours.
Pickup and transfer arrangements for this Luxor-to-Aswan Nile cruise depend on where you are staying in Luxor and on the inclusions of your booking. Our team confirms the meeting point, pickup details and transfer arrangements with you before the cruise begins.
If you are arriving by train, flight or road, send us your arrival details so we can check the most practical way to reach the ship. Drop-off arrangements in Aswan should also be confirmed before travel.
The cruise can suit families and many travellers with average fitness, but visits to the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu Temple and Philae Temple include walking over uneven surfaces, steps or sloping paths. Children should stay close to an accompanying adult during shore excursions.
Ship access and ancient sites may be difficult for wheelchair users or anyone who cannot manage stairs. Tell our team about mobility needs before booking so we can discuss the route and available assistance.
Bring light, breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, sun protection and a refillable water bottle for the cruise and temple visits. Modest clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is practical when visiting religious or historic sites, including Luxor Temple and Philae Temple.
- Hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
- Light layers for cooler evenings on deck
- Small day bag, medication and identification
- Swimwear if you plan to use the ship’s facilities
Cancellation terms for the Concerto Nile cruise are set out in the booking conditions and can vary according to how far in advance you cancel and whether cruise arrangements have already been confirmed. Review those terms before paying or ask our team to explain the applicable conditions.
Any changes to traveller names, dates or pickup details should be sent to us as soon as possible, since cruise space and transfers are subject to confirmation.
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Why travelers choose A1Toureg
- Transparent pricing with no unexpected fees.
- Reserve today and pay on the day of your tour on most excursions.
- Free cancellation on selected tours.
- Organized with trusted licensed Egyptian partners.
- Fast confirmation and personal assistance.
- Comfortable transportation for every journey.
- Support in English, German, French, Italian, Russian & more.
- We're with you every step of the way.
Your unforgettable Egypt journey starts with a booking you can trust.
* Available on selected tours. Flights, cruises and special bookings may have different cancellation policies.
Keep things flexible!
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts
Ways You Can Pay!
If you choose to pay online, a secure payment link can be provided after booking. For assistance or alternative payment options, please contact us via WhatsApp.
Your Itinerary
Your 5-day Nile cruise departing Luxor begins with arrival in Luxor, where our team welcomes you and arranges the transfer to the Concerto cruise ship. After check-in, settle into your cabin and take time to learn the ship’s layout before the sightseeing begins. The crew will confirm the daily schedule, meal arrangements and any details you need for the voyage.
Your first visit is to Karnak Temples, a vast complex of sanctuaries, courtyards and columned halls built over many centuries. A licensed Egyptologist explains how the temples expanded under successive pharaohs, with time to walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall and see the scale of the site at close range. Continue to Luxor Temple, where the avenue, pylons and riverside setting give a different view of ancient Thebes. Return to the ship for dinner and your first night aboard, with the Nile close by and the next day’s west-bank visits ahead.
After breakfast, cross to Luxor’s west bank for a morning visit to the Valley of the Kings. The valley contains royal tombs cut into the desert hills, and your guide explains the burial customs, wall paintings and practical challenges involved in protecting the chambers. Entry to individual tombs can vary, so the exact selection is confirmed locally on the day.
Continue to Hatshepsut Temple, whose terraces rise against the limestone cliffs. The broad approach and surviving reliefs help show how the temple was designed for ceremony and royal presentation. Before returning to the ship, stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two large seated statues that once guarded the entrance to a temple complex. Reboard the Concerto and begin sailing south. The afternoon is spent on the river, with meals and rest on board as the landscape changes from Luxor’s monuments to agricultural villages and fields along the Nile.
The Concerto continues south after breakfast, following the ship’s navigation schedule toward Edfu. When the vessel docks, travel from the riverfront to Edfu Temple for a guided visit. The temple is dedicated to Horus and is known for its preserved entrance pylons, relief-covered walls and clear plan. Your guide will point out the large falcon imagery and explain how the sanctuary functioned within ancient Egyptian religious life.
Return to the ship after the visit and continue the cruise toward Aswan. This is a quieter part of the itinerary, giving you time to read, rest on deck or watch the riverbanks pass at an unhurried pace. Navigation and docking times can change with river conditions and the ship’s operating schedule, so the onboard team confirms the exact programme each day. Meals are served on board, and the evening is spent on the Concerto as the ship makes its way deeper into Upper Egypt.
Arrive in Aswan and begin the day with a visit to The High Dam, a major modern engineering project that changed irrigation, electricity generation and settlement patterns along the Nile. From the viewpoints near the dam, your guide explains its role in managing the river and the creation of Lake Nasser. Continue to the Unfinished Obelisk in the ancient granite quarries, where a huge section of stone remains connected to the bedrock. The site shows how workers shaped monumental stone and why a flaw could stop an obelisk before completion.
Later, take a short boat ride across the water to Philae Temple. The temple complex was relocated to higher ground to protect it from rising water, and its island setting makes the approach part of the visit. Walk through the pylons, courtyards and columns while your Egyptologist explains the worship of Isis and the later use of the site. Return to the Concerto for your final night on board in Aswan.
Enjoy breakfast on the Concerto before completing check-out and disembarking in Aswan. Allow time to settle your cabin account, collect your belongings and follow the crew’s instructions for leaving the ship safely. Our team can then assist with your onward transfer according to the arrangements attached to your booking.
This final morning is kept practical rather than adding another major monument, since disembarkation time depends on the ship’s docking position and the day’s travel plans. If you have a later onward departure, ask our team about suitable arrangements for luggage and free time in Aswan. Keep essential documents, medication and valuables with you during the transfer, and check that nothing remains in the cabin before leaving the Concerto.