8-Day Nile Cruise from Sahel Hashesh to Aswan

After breakfast, travel across the Nile to the west bank of Luxor. The first visit is the Valley of the Kings, where selected tombs are open according to the day’s arrangement. You walk between the desert hills and enter decorated burial chambers, whose painted scenes show beliefs about the afterlife. Tomb floors and passages can be uneven, so comfortable shoes are useful.

Continue to Queen Hatshepsut temple at Deir el-Bahari. Its broad terraces rise against the limestone cliffs, and your guide explains the story of Egypt’s female pharaoh and the temple’s purpose. After returning to the east bank, visit Karnak temple, beginning with its avenues and courts before reaching the Great Hypostyle Hall. This is a full sightseeing day with walking in open areas, followed by time to rest on board as the ship prepares for its southbound sailing.

The ship continues south along the Nile after breakfast. Much of the morning is spent on board, giving you a slower view of villages, cultivated fields and the riverbanks. This is a useful time to sit on the deck, read, or speak with your guide about the sites ahead. Meals are served according to the ship’s schedule, and the exact sailing time depends on navigation and the programme for the day.

In Edfu, leave the ship for a guided visit to Edfu Temple. The temple was dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god, and its large entrance pylons, reliefs and inner halls are unusually well preserved. The approach may involve a short local transfer before the visit. Listen for instructions about the meeting point, then return to the ship for dinner and an evening sailing or overnight stay, according to the cruise schedule.

Begin with breakfast on board while the ship follows the Nile towards Kom Ombo. The river scenery changes gradually as farmland, palms and small settlements pass the deck. Your guide remains available to explain the day’s visit and the practical arrangements for returning to the ship, including the time allowed at the temple.

Visit Kom Ombo temple, built on raised ground beside the river and dedicated to two deities: Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. Its duplicated layout, carved reliefs and surviving columns help explain the unusual shared design. Some areas are exposed to the sun, so carry water, wear a hat and take care on the stone surfaces. After the tour, return on board for lunch and continued sailing towards Aswan, with the afternoon available for rest or quiet time on deck.

After breakfast, begin the Aswan sightseeing programme by visiting the Aswan High Dam. Your guide explains how the dam changed water management, electricity production and settlement patterns along the Nile. Continue to the Unfinished Obelisk, where the abandoned cut in the granite shows how ancient stoneworkers shaped large monuments. The ground can be uneven, and the open site may feel warm during the day.

Next, travel to the landing point for the boat ride to Philae temple, located on an island in the reservoir. The short boat journey gives you a clear view of the temple setting before you walk through its courtyards, pylons and sanctuaries. The monument was moved during the dam projects, a detail your guide will explain on site. Return to the cruise ship afterwards for lunch or rest, depending on the day’s operating schedule.

This day is planned at a gentler pace after several early sightseeing visits. Breakfast is on board, followed by free time to use the ship’s common areas, sit on the deck and watch the Nile landscape around Aswan. You can review photographs, speak with your guide about the monuments visited so far, or simply enjoy a quiet morning without a road transfer.

Lunch and dinner follow the cruise schedule, while the crew continues the normal onboard service. There may be time for optional local arrangements if they are available through the programme, but these are separate from the main sightseeing sequence and should be confirmed with our team. Keep personal documents, medication and valuables with you, and follow the crew’s instructions when moving around the ship. This pause lets you relax before the final night of the 7-night Nile cruise stay.

Spend the final full day of the programme on board, with breakfast and the ship’s scheduled meals included in the normal daily routine. The pace remains easy, giving you time to enjoy the river from the sun deck or rest in your cabin. If the ship is moving, you will see the changing banks and agricultural areas that make the Nile valley so different from the surrounding desert. Sailing arrangements can vary, so listen for announcements from the crew.

Your guide can help confirm the next day’s disembarkation instructions, including where to leave luggage and when to meet for the return transfer. Pack items you need during the drive separately from larger bags. In the evening, enjoy your last dinner on the cruise and prepare for an early start if required. The day closes the sightseeing section of this chance to visit Egypt’s top highlights between Luxor and Aswan without adding another long excursion.

After breakfast, complete check-out from the cruise ship and collect your luggage from the designated area. Our team meets you for the return road transfer from Aswan to Sahel Hashesh. The drive is long, so settle in with water and keep travel essentials close at hand. Breaks may be arranged when practical, depending on the route, traffic and road conditions.

As the journey continues north and east, your Nile cruise programme comes to an end. Use the transfer time to organise photographs, confirm that you have collected all belongings and check any onward travel arrangements. We take you to your drop-off point in Sahel Hashesh, where the service ends. If you have mobility concerns or need help with luggage during disembarkation, tell our team in advance so we can explain the arrangements clearly.