Nile Sailing with M/S Concerto
8-Day Nile Cruise Luxor to Aswan
The 8-Day Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan follows the Nile Valley at an easy pace, with ancient temples along the route and seven nights aboard MS Concerto. A dedicated Egyptologist leads visits to the main sites, while the ship gives you a comfortable base between excursions. It is a practical way to see several major monuments without changing hotels each night or arranging separate transfers between Luxor and Aswan.
Your cruise begins with Luxor sightseeing on the east and west banks. At the Karnak Temple Complex, your guide explains the courtyards, columns and sanctuaries built by generations of pharaohs. At Luxor Temple, the long processional approach and massive statues come into view. Across the river, the Valley of the Kings has painted royal tombs cut into the desert hills, followed by the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. The sights are grouped sensibly, leaving you to focus on the details rather than spend the day navigating between them.
Life on board is part of the cruise. Watch the green Nile banks pass from the deck, rest in your cabin during quieter stretches, then join the group when the ship reaches its next stop. Full board meals are included, so meals are straightforward during the cruise; drinks and personal purchases are generally separate. Excursions include walking over uneven ground, steps and exposed areas. Comfortable footwear, sun protection and a steady pace matter more than formal clothing.
Along the river, the cruise stops at Edfu Temple, one of the best-preserved large temples in Egypt. Its reliefs and towering gateway make the visit easy to follow, especially with a guide pointing out the inscriptions and sacred processional route. The stop breaks up the sailing day with a focused archaeological visit before the cruise continues south towards Aswan.
Aswan sightseeing brings a different setting, with granite islands, broad river views and a slower local rhythm. At the Aswan High Dam, you see the engineering project that changed the Nile's flow and created Lake Nasser. The nearby Unfinished Obelisk shows how ancient stoneworkers shaped granite before a flaw halted the work. A visit to Philae Temple follows; it is reached by boat on an island and dedicated mainly to the goddess Isis. The short crossing gives the visit a clear sense of place.
The Abu Simbel excursion is the main extension from Aswan. The temples of Ramses II and Queen Nefertari were relocated when Lake Nasser was created, and their carved façades remain the focus of the visit. The journey requires an early start and a longer road transfer than the regular shore excursions, but it gives you time to see one of southern Egypt's major monuments with your Egyptologist rather than arrange transport independently.
This cruise suits travellers who want a structured introduction to ancient Egypt, couples and families comfortable with guided sightseeing, and anyone who prefers one floating base to repeated hotel check-ins. It may feel demanding if you need fully step-free access or dislike early starts, since several archaeological sites have uneven surfaces and Abu Simbel is a long excursion. Our team coordinates the cruise arrangements, pickups and sightseeing transfers, while your guide connects the history from one site to the next. Bring a refillable water bottle and modest clothing for temple visits; the ship's daily schedule and your guide will confirm the practical details on board.
Luxor, Edfu and Aswan visits listed in the programme
Egyptologist guide for the included sightseeing
Full board meals during the cruise
Sightseeing transfers by air-conditioned vehicle
Pickup and drop-off arrangements according to the confirmed itinerary
7 nights aboard MS Concerto Nile cruise
Abu Simbel excursion from Aswan
Travel insurance
Gratuities for the crew, guide and drivers
Drinks served with meals
Entrance fees not listed in the confirmed programme
International or domestic flights
Personal expenses and laundry
Passport or a copy of your passport
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees for temple visits
Cash for drinks, personal purchases and gratuities
Comfortable walking shoes with good grip
A hat, sunglasses and high-factor sunscreen
Any regular medication and basic personal toiletries
Light, breathable clothing and a warm layer for cooler evenings
A refillable water bottle
The 8-Day Nile Cruise Luxor to Aswan includes seven nights on board, full board meals, and guided sightseeing with a dedicated Egyptologist. The itinerary covers Luxor’s Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon, followed by Edfu, Aswan and Abu Simbel.
Aswan visits include the Aswan High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and Philae Temple. The exact cruise arrangements and any included transfers are confirmed in your booking details.
This seven-night Nile cruise combines scheduled sightseeing with time on board, so the pace is active but broken into manageable visits rather than one continuous day tour. Luxor sightseeing tours usually begin with the west bank before moving to the east bank, while Aswan sightseeing tours take place after the cruise reaches Aswan.
You will walk across temple grounds, uneven surfaces and some exposed areas. Your guide will explain the order of visits and meeting points, while sailing time gives you a chance to rest between excursions.
Pickup for this Nile cruise is arranged in Luxor according to your accommodation and booking details, with the transfer taking you to the ship for embarkation. Our team confirms the meeting point, timing and contact information before the tour, so you know where to meet your representative.
If you are arriving in Luxor independently or need a transfer after reaching Aswan, tell us when booking. Transfer arrangements can depend on your travel plans and the cruise schedule.
The cruise can suit families and many travellers with average fitness, but visits to temples and tombs involve walking, steps, uneven ground and heat. Children can enjoy the large temple sites and boat experience, while travellers with limited mobility should discuss their needs with us before booking.
Accessibility varies at places such as the Valley of the Kings, Edfu Temple and Philae Temple. We can explain the expected walking conditions and help you assess whether the itinerary is comfortable for your group.
Wear light, breathable clothing with shoulders and knees covered for temple visits, plus comfortable walking shoes, a hat and sunglasses. Bring sunscreen, personal medication, a reusable water bottle and a light layer for cooler evenings or air-conditioned areas on board.
Temple grounds and the Valley of the Kings can be sunny and uneven, so practical clothing matters more than formal outfits. Keep your passport and booking information accessible during transfers and excursions.
You can request this Nile cruise by providing your preferred travel dates, traveller details and any transfer or accessibility requirements. We then confirm the available cruise arrangements and send the booking conditions, including the payment schedule and cancellation terms that apply to your reservation.
Cancellation rules can vary by departure date and cruise arrangements, so review those terms before paying. Contact us promptly if your plans change; we will explain the options available under your booking 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
Arrive in Luxor, where our team welcomes you and arranges your transfer to the cruise boat. This first day of the 8-Day Nile Cruise Luxor to Aswan is kept straightforward, giving you time to settle into your cabin, meet your Egyptologist and learn how the next seven nights will run.
After embarkation, you can take in the view from the deck and watch the Nile Valley begin to set the pace for the trip. Meals are served on board, with Full Board Meals included throughout the cruise according to the boat’s daily schedule. If you arrive with extra time, our team can explain the embarkation arrangements and answer practical questions about excursions, cabin facilities and the following morning’s programme.
Your first full day begins with a guided Luxor sightseeing tour on the East Bank. At the Karnak Temple Complex, your Egyptologist explains the sequence of courtyards, pylons and sanctuaries built and expanded by successive pharaohs. The Great Hypostyle Hall is a highlight, with its forest of massive columns and surviving reliefs.
Later, continue to Luxor Temple, where the avenue approach, monumental statues and open courtyards show how royal and religious ceremonies were staged beside the Nile. The two temples are close to the city, so transfers are short and the visits leave time to return to the boat for lunch or rest. The cruise may sail later in the day, depending on the vessel’s navigation schedule; your guide will confirm the order and meeting points on board.
After breakfast, cross to the West Bank for a Luxor sightseeing tour focused on royal tombs and ancient funerary architecture. In the Valley of the Kings, your Egyptologist introduces the purpose of the valley and guides you through the tombs open on the day. The walk includes uneven ground, steps and exposed paths, so comfortable shoes, water and sun protection are useful.
Continue to the Temple of Hatshepsut, built against the cliffs for one of Egypt’s most distinctive rulers. Its broad terraces and long approach make the setting easy to understand from the lower courtyard, while the reliefs explain the queen’s royal image and trading expeditions. On the return route, stop at the Colossi of Memnon for a short view and photographs before returning to the boat. After lunch, the vessel continues south when navigation conditions and the schedule allow.
The boat continues south through the Nile Valley, giving you a slower morning after the previous day’s walking. Breakfast and lunch are served on board, and the deck is a good place to watch farmland, river islands and village life pass by. Your Egyptologist will explain the day’s landing arrangements before the excursion begins.
At Edfu, travel from the riverbank to Edfu Temple, usually by a short local transfer arranged for the group. The temple is dedicated to Horus and is known for its large entrance pylon, detailed walls and unusually complete plan. Inside, follow the processional route through the courtyards and halls while your guide explains how the inscriptions record rituals, myths and temple administration. The site involves outdoor walking and some waiting during group entry, so carry water and keep your camera ready for the broad pylon view.
Return to the boat after the visit, then continue sailing toward Aswan. Dinner and the night are spent on board.
Today is shaped by the river rather than a long shore excursion. Enjoy breakfast on board, then use the quieter hours to rest, read or sit on the deck as the landscape changes from cultivated fields to the drier scenery around southern Egypt. The boat’s crew will share the meal times and any navigation updates, while your Egyptologist remains available to outline the next day’s visits.
As the vessel approaches Aswan, the pace of the journey changes. This is a useful time to organise sun protection, comfortable walking shoes and a small bag for excursions, since the following sightseeing includes several archaeological sites and transfers by road and boat. You can also settle any practical questions about disembarkation, luggage handling or the Abu Simbel excursion later in the programme.
Lunch and dinner are served on board, with the cruise normally moored in or near Aswan for the night. The exact sailing and mooring sequence depends on the boat’s operating schedule.
After breakfast, begin your Aswan sightseeing tour with the Aswan High Dam. Your Egyptologist explains how the dam changed flood control, agriculture and the shape of the reservoir, with viewpoints that show the scale of the structure and surrounding landscape.
Continue to The Unfinished Obelisk, where a deep quarry cut reveals how ancient stoneworkers began shaping a monumental granite obelisk before abandoning it after a flaw appeared. The site has uneven surfaces and open sun, so sturdy shoes and water help. Later, take a short boat ride to Philae Temple, set on an island and dedicated mainly to Isis. The approach across the water gives a clear view of the temple’s pylons before you walk through its courtyards and relief-covered chambers with your guide.
Return to the cruise boat for lunch and a relaxed afternoon. Dinner and overnight accommodation are on board in Aswan.
Leave early for the road transfer to Abu Simbel, a long excursion from Aswan that requires an early start and several hours of travel each way. Our team confirms the meeting arrangements in advance and helps organise the transfer, while your Egyptologist prepares you for the site before arrival. Bring water, sun protection and only the essentials for the journey.
At the temples, see the four seated figures carved into the rock façade of the larger sanctuary and enter the halls beyond them. Your guide explains the temple’s connection with Ramesses II, the smaller sanctuary dedicated to Nefertari, and the relocation project that moved the monuments when the reservoir was created. The visit includes outdoor walking and time in enclosed chambers, where space can feel limited during busy periods.
After exploring the complex, travel back to Aswan. The return journey takes much of the day, so the evening is reserved for rest, dinner and your final night on the cruise boat.
After breakfast, complete check-out and disembark in Aswan. Our team assists with luggage and arranges your onward transfer according to your departure plans. Allow enough time for this process, especially if you are connecting to a flight, train or separate hotel booking.
This final morning closes the cruise route between Luxor and Aswan. Before leaving, check your cabin, safe and luggage carefully, and keep travel documents and valuables with you rather than placing them in bags that will be handled separately. Your Egyptologist or our local team can confirm the meeting point and transfer details for the next stage of your trip.