Nile Cruise Aboard M.S Mayfair
Luxor to Aswan 5-Day Nile River Cruise
The Luxor to Aswan 5-day Nile River Cruise includes four nights aboard M.S. Mayfair and guided visits to the monuments of Upper Egypt. You start in Luxor at the Karnak Temples and Luxor Temple, which introduce the religious centre of ancient Thebes, then sail south through the Nile Valley towards Aswan. It suits travellers who want to visit several major sites without changing hotels each night.
Our team plans the sightseeing around the ship’s sailing schedule, with a licensed Egyptologist explaining the history, layout and stories behind each site. At the Karnak Temples, you walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall and take in the scale of the complex before visiting Luxor Temple, where the avenue and courtyards are especially atmospheric later in the day. Expect uneven ground, steps and open areas, so comfortable footwear and sun protection are important.
On Luxor’s west bank, the Valley of the Kings takes you into the burial landscape of New Kingdom pharaohs. Your guide explains how the tombs were cut into the limestone hills and decorated with scenes meant to guide the dead into the afterlife. The visit continues at Hatshepsut Temple, built in terraces against the cliffs, and the Colossi of Memnon, two large seated statues marking the remains of an ancient temple entrance. Entry to individual royal tombs can vary, so the tombs open for your visit may be confirmed locally.
After the ship leaves Luxor, the scenery changes gradually. Fields, villages, palms and desert edges pass by as the vessel follows the Nile. A stop at Edfu Temple takes you to one of Egypt’s most complete ancient temples, dedicated to Horus. Its tall gateway, broad courtyard and well-preserved reliefs are easy to understand with a guide. Between excursions, you have time to rest, eat onboard and watch daily life along the river instead of spending the whole trip on the road.
Aswan has a different landscape, with granite islands, low desert hills and a wider stretch of water. At Philae Temple, you travel by boat to the island sanctuary dedicated to Isis, where carved columns and reliefs remain visible in the open courtyards. You also visit The High Dam, a major modern engineering project that changed water management and created Lake Nasser, followed by The Unfinished Obelisk. Here, you can see how ancient stoneworkers began shaping a huge granite monument before a crack brought the work to a stop.
A felucca sail brings a quieter stretch to the journey. These traditional sailing boats move with the wind, and the experience depends on local conditions and the sailing plan. It is a chance to see Aswan from the water at a slower pace, with the river, rocky islands and changing light around you. The cruise provides a comfortable base, while our team arranges the transfers and sightseeing that can be difficult to coordinate independently.
This Nile voyage suits couples, families with older children and travellers who prefer an organised schedule with time to relax. It is less suitable for anyone who finds stairs, uneven archaeological paths or warm outdoor visits difficult. Meals are served onboard, and the daily programme usually includes one or two sightseeing periods with sailing time in between. Bring a refillable water bottle, light clothing, a hat and shoes with good grip; your final pickup and drop-off details are provided with the booking information.
Full-board meals during the cruise
Felucca sailing in Aswan, subject to local conditions
Licensed Egyptologist guide for scheduled sightseeing
4 nights accommodation aboard M.S. Mayfair Nile cruise
Visits to the listed temples, tombs and monuments
Transfers and assistance according to the cruise itinerary
Gratuities for the crew, guide and drivers
Travel insurance
Entry fees not specified in the booking details
Personal expenses, drinks and laundry
International or domestic flights
Optional tombs, excursions or activities outside the planned programme
Passport or valid travel identification
Light, breathable clothing and a modest outfit for temple visits
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
Refillable water bottle
Small day bag for shore excursions
Sun hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
Any required medication and personal travel essentials
The 5-day Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan includes four nights aboard M.S. Mayfair, sailing between the two cities, guided visits to major ancient sites, and a felucca sail on the Nile. The sightseeing programme includes the Karnak Temples, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, Edfu Temple and key Aswan landmarks.
Accommodation on the cruise is included; confirm the booking details for meals, transfers, guide arrangements and any optional services included in your selected package.
During this 4-night Nile cruise, you visit Luxor’s Karnak Temples and Luxor Temple, then see the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon before sailing south. At Edfu, you visit Edfu Temple, followed in Aswan by The High Dam, The Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple.
The exact order can change with the ship’s sailing schedule and local access arrangements. Visits involve a mix of coach transfers, walking around archaeological sites and time aboard the ship.
This Nile cruise normally begins with pickup in Luxor and ends with drop-off in Aswan, with the confirmed meeting points and transfer arrangements provided with your booking. Our team coordinates the practical details around embarkation, sightseeing and disembarkation.
Tell us your hotel or arrival details when booking so we can check whether a private or shared transfer is available for your itinerary; airport, hotel and train-station transfers should be confirmed in advance.
The cruise can suit families and many travellers with average fitness, but the sightseeing includes uneven paths, steps, open archaeological areas and boarding arrangements that may be difficult for wheelchair users or anyone with limited mobility. Children should remain with an accompanying adult during site visits and while boarding the vessel.
Some visits, including the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and Philae Temple, require walking in warm outdoor conditions. Contact our team before booking so we can discuss mobility needs, walking distances and available assistance.
For a 5-day Nile cruise from Luxor, pack light, breathable clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and a reusable water bottle. Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees when visiting temples and other religious or historic sites, and bring a light layer for cooler evenings on deck.
Keep your passport or accepted travel identification, medications and essential personal items accessible during embarkation and excursions. A small day bag is useful for carrying water and sun protection at the Valley of the Kings and other sites.
You can book the 4-night, 5-day Nile cruise by selecting your preferred travel date and supplying the traveller and pickup details requested on the booking form. Availability, payment conditions and cancellation terms depend on the selected departure and are shown during the booking process.
Read those terms before confirming, especially if your plans may change. If you need to amend or cancel a reservation, contact our team as soon as possible so we can explain the applicable conditions.
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.
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts
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.
All our tour operators are licensed and verified by Egyptian tourism authorities.
Learn more about our licensed partners →Free cancellation up to 24 hours before activity starts
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.
All our tour operators are licensed and verified by Egyptian tourism authorities.
Learn more about our licensed partners →
Your Itinerary
Your 5-day Nile river voyage from Luxor begins with arrival in Luxor and transfer to the M.S. Mayfair for embarkation. After settling into your cabin, our guide meets you for the first sightseeing visit on the East Bank. At the Karnak Temples, you walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall, see the tall columns and reliefs, and follow the temple complex toward its sacred lake. The visit gives you a clear introduction to the scale of ancient Thebes before the quieter pace of the cruise begins.
Later, continue to Luxor Temple, where the avenue leading toward the entrance and the remaining columns set the scene for an evening visit. The temple is especially atmospheric as the light changes, though the exact order may depend on the ship's operating schedule. Return to the M.S. Mayfair for dinner and your first night on the Nile. Your guide and ship crew explain the onboard routine, including meal times, shore visits and the next day's departure.
After breakfast, cross to Luxor's West Bank for a morning among the monuments of ancient Thebes. At the Valley of the Kings, walk into the selected open tombs and see painted burial chambers cut into the rock. The guide explains how the valley was used for royal burials and how the decoration inside the tombs relates to the journey into the afterlife. Conditions are warm and the ground can be uneven, so comfortable shoes and water are useful.
Continue to Hatshepsut Temple, a terraced monument built against the cliffs. Its broad platforms and surviving reliefs make a strong contrast with the narrow tomb entrances visited earlier. The final stop is the Colossi of Memnon, two large seated figures beside the road, where there is time for photographs before returning to the ship.
Once lunch is complete, the vessel begins sailing south toward Aswan. Spend the afternoon watching villages, fields and riverbank scenery pass from the deck. The ship may pause or adjust its sailing schedule for navigation, so shore activity and cruising times follow the day's operating conditions.
After breakfast, leave the ship for a visit to Edfu Temple, one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Egypt. The transfer from the riverfront is arranged locally, and our guide leads you through the monumental entrance, open courtyard and columned halls. Reliefs on the walls show scenes connected with Horus and the temple's rituals, while the overall layout makes it easy to understand how worshippers moved through the building.
Return to the M.S. Mayfair after the visit and continue the voyage toward Aswan. The rest of the day is deliberately less structured: have lunch on board, relax in a shaded seating area or watch the river from the deck. The landscape changes gradually as the boat moves south, with cultivated land close to the water and stretches of desert beyond it.
Use the evening to prepare for the next day's Aswan visits. Shore excursions involve walking over paved and uneven surfaces, and comfortable footwear is recommended. The ship remains your base, with meals and cabin arrangements following the cruise schedule.
After breakfast, begin your Aswan sightseeing with The High Dam, a major modern structure that changed the management of the Nile and created Lake Nasser. From the viewpoint, your guide explains its role in flood control and electricity generation. Continue to The Unfinished Obelisk, where the cut stone still lies in its quarry. The visible cracks show why the work was abandoned and give you a close look at how large monuments were shaped from the bedrock.
Next, travel by boat to Philae Temple, set on an island reached across the water. The temple was relocated during the High Dam project, and the surviving gateways, courtyards and reliefs are best understood with the guide's explanation of both its ancient worship and modern rescue.
Later, take a traditional felucca ride on the Nile, subject to wind and local sailing conditions. The small sailboat provides a calm view of the river and nearby islands before you return to the M.S. Mayfair for your final evening on board.
Enjoy breakfast on board before checking out of the M.S. Mayfair in Aswan. Allow time to settle your cabin account, collect your luggage and confirm the day's onward transfer with our team. Disembarkation normally follows the ship's timetable, so the exact departure window depends on the vessel's port arrangements.
Our team can help organise your transfer from the riverfront to your next accommodation, station or airport according to the arrangements made for your trip. If you have a later departure, keep your luggage together and follow the ship's instructions about storage and access after checkout. The cruise ends in Aswan after four nights on the Nile, with your onward plans continuing from the city.