The DWA Nile Cruise pairs a well-appointed 5-star ship with a maximum of 12 guests per departure, giving this Nile Cruise Egypt itinerary a genuinely personal pace. An expert English-speaking Egyptologist accompanies every excursion, guiding guests through the same legendary temples and monuments that have drawn travelers to Upper Egypt for centuries. Comfortable, well-designed cabins, attentive service, and full-board meals support a relaxed rhythm on board, with time built in to take in each site rather than moving through it quickly. The route runs between Aswan and Luxor, with departures every Friday from Aswan and every Monday from Luxor.
Meet and assist service upon arrival and departure
Assistance from onboard personnel during the stay and excursions
All transfers by air-conditioned deluxe vehicle
Full-board accommodation on a 5-star cruise
All Nile cruise excursions as listed in the itinerary
Entrance fees to all sights between Luxor and Aswan
English-speaking tour guide during excursions
All service charges and taxes
Any extras and personal spending
Tipping
Guests are met at Aswan's airport or railway station and transferred to the DWA for embarkation before lunch. After check-in, the afternoon includes guided visits to Philae Temple and the Unfinished Obelisk, followed by dinner on board. Philae Temple sits on a small island reached by a short motorboat crossing and was dismantled and reassembled on higher ground when the Aswan High Dam threatened to submerge it. The Unfinished Obelisk, abandoned mid-carving after a crack appeared in the granite, remains in its original quarry.
Visits: Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk
Overnight: Aboard the DWA in Aswa
After breakfast, the ship sails north toward Kom Ombo, with the morning open for the sundeck. Afternoon tea is followed by a guided visit to Kom Ombo Temple, then the ship continues on to Esna for dinner. Kom Ombo Temple sits directly on the riverbank and is dedicated simultaneously to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder, giving the structure a mirrored layout with duplicate halls and sanctuaries. Ancient crocodile mummies found near the site are displayed in a small museum on the grounds.
Visits: Kom Ombo Temple
Overnight: Aboard the DWA in Esna Scheduled timings may be adjusted due to operational or environmental factors.
The day begins with a guided visit to Esna Temple, followed by breakfast and a sail toward Luxor through the Esna Lock. The afternoon includes guided visits to Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple on the East Bank, with dinner and a belly dance show that evening. Esna Temple, dedicated to Khnum, the ram-headed creator god, sits well below the surrounding street level after centuries beneath the modern town. Karnak Temple spans 200 acres and was built by roughly 30 pharaohs over 1,300 years, while Luxor Temple is best seen as floodlights take over at dusk.
Visits: Esna Temple, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple Entertainment: Belly dance show
Overnight: Aboard the DWA in Luxor Scheduled timings may be adjusted due to operational or environmental factors.
After breakfast and check-out, the day continues with guided visits to the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut on Luxor's West Bank, followed by transfer to Luxor's airport or railway station. The Valley of the Kings holds more than 60 royal tombs, including that of Tutankhamun, discovered nearly intact in 1922. The Temple of Queen Hatshepsut rises in three colonnaded terraces against the limestone cliffs, honoring a ruler who governed Egypt as pharaoh for more than two decades.
Visits: Valley of the Kings, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Each departure of the DWA Nile Cruise carries a maximum of 12 guests, supporting a more personal pace at every site visited. Scheduled timings across Days 2 and 3 of both itinerary directions may be adjusted due to operational or environmental factors. Guests can join this Nile Cruise Egypt itinerary by flying directly into Aswan or Luxor depending on the chosen direction, or combine the sailing with a wider Egypt itinerary that includes Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza through our Egypt Tour Packages.
Small-group sailing with a maximum of 12 guests per departure
Expert English-speaking Egyptologist guide on every excursion
Full-board meals throughout, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner
All temple entrance fees and ground transfers included
Evening entertainment featuring a cocktail reception, Galabeya party, and Egyptian cultural show
Two directions available: 4 days from Aswan or 5 days from Luxor
Comfortable cabins with individually controlled air conditioning and Nile views
Cabins aboard this Nile Cruise Egypt vessel are comfortable and well-appointed, each with individually controlled air conditioning, a private bathroom, satellite TV, and Nile views. The main restaurant serves full-board meals throughout the cruise, the sundeck offers space for afternoon tea and open-air relaxation, and the lounge and bar host evening entertainment. Additional services include Wi-Fi on board, room service, laundry service, daily housekeeping, and meet-and-assist service throughout the stay.
Both directions cover Philae Temple, the Unfinished Obelisk, Kom Ombo Temple, Esna Temple, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, with entrance fees included.
Each departure carries a maximum of 12 guests, keeping excursions personal and unhurried at every site along this Nile Cruise Egypt route.
The 4-day Aswan-to-Luxor direction begins in the quieter south and builds toward the West Bank finale in Luxor. The 5-day Luxor-to-Aswan direction starts with Luxor's sites on Day 1 and 2 before heading south, ending in the more relaxed city of Aswan.
All meals from the first lunch through the final breakfast, all temple and site entrance fees, an English-speaking Egyptologist guide, and all transfers by air-conditioned vehicle are included. Tips and personal expenses are not included.
Yes, guests can fly directly into Aswan or Luxor depending on the chosen direction, or combine the sailing with a wider Egypt itinerary that includes Cairo and the Pyramids of Giza.
Ready to sail the DWA Nile Cruise? Share your preferred direction and travel dates, and this Nile Cruise Egypt itinerary can be arranged around them, including any extension to our Egypt Nile Cruises collection or a stop in Cairo. Book Now
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Real Experience
I traveled alone and was a little unsure about doing Egypt by myself, but this itinerary worked really well for me. Having the transfers, hotels, d...
I traveled alone and was a little unsure about doing Egypt by myself, but this itinerary worked really well for me. Having the transfers, hotels, domestic flights and guides already arranged took away most of the stress. Cairo and Luxor felt like two completely different sides of Egypt. The Pyramids were obviously a highlight, but I actually enjoyed the Valley of the Kings and Karnak even more than I expected. Five days went quickly, but I never felt like I had wasted a day getting from place to place.
Read MoreMy husband and I chose this because we wanted Cairo but also wanted to experience the Nile rather than spend the whole holiday moving between hotel...
My husband and I chose this because we wanted Cairo but also wanted to experience the Nile rather than spend the whole holiday moving between hotels. Great choice. We loved Philae Temple in Aswan and the cruise itself was probably our favorite part of the week. Waking up and seeing the Nile outside instead of another city hotel was something special. Edfu and Kom Ombo were also much more interesting with a guide explaining what we were looking at. Luxor at the end was the perfect finish.
Read MoreAbu Simbel was the main reason I picked this particular tour and it was absolutely worth the journey. The scale of the temples is difficult to appr...
Abu Simbel was the main reason I picked this particular tour and it was absolutely worth the journey. The scale of the temples is difficult to appreciate until you're standing there. We also had three nights on the Nile cruise, which gave the trip a nice change of pace after Cairo and Aswan. My only advice would be to bring comfortable shoes because you see a lot in eight days! Very well organized overall and I appreciated not having to think about flights and transfers once we arrived.
Read MoreWe were already flying such a long way from Australia, so combining Egypt and Jordan made much more sense than visiting only one country. Seeing th...
We were already flying such a long way from Australia, so combining Egypt and Jordan made much more sense than visiting only one country. Seeing the Pyramids at the beginning and Petra near the end made this one of the most memorable weeks we've had travelling. I also really liked the day visiting Mount Nebo, Madaba and the Dead Sea because it was quite different from the archaeological sites. Petra was spectacular and the walk through the Siq before the Treasury appeared is something I'll remember for a long time.
Read MoreTwelve days sounded long when we booked, but by the end I was glad we hadn't chosen a shorter trip. There is a lot to see in Egypt. We had Cairo, t...
Twelve days sounded long when we booked, but by the end I was glad we hadn't chosen a shorter trip. There is a lot to see in Egypt. We had Cairo, the train south, the Nile cruise and Luxor, and then Hurghada gave us a few days where we could finally slow down. That balance made a huge difference. After temples, museums and early starts, spending the last part of the holiday by the Red Sea was exactly what we needed. I would choose this itinerary again over a shorter sightseeing-only tour.
Read MoreWe did this trip as a family of four and our kids still talk about sleeping on the train and then getting on the Nile cruise. For them those were a...
We did this trip as a family of four and our kids still talk about sleeping on the train and then getting on the Nile cruise. For them those were adventures in themselves! For us, having everything organized made travelling around Egypt much easier. The Pyramids were the big moment everyone was waiting for, but we were surprised by how much we enjoyed Aswan. The cruise days were comfortable and gave us a bit of downtime between the temple visits. Our guide also did a great job keeping the history understandable for the children rather than overwhelming them with dates.
Read MoreI booked primarily for the archaeological sites, so my expectations were quite specific. The itinerary delivered. Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, ...
I booked primarily for the archaeological sites, so my expectations were quite specific. The itinerary delivered. Giza, the Grand Egyptian Museum, Philae, Abu Simbel, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings give you an impressive overview of different periods of Egyptian history. Having an Egyptologist guide was particularly valuable at the temple complexes where it is easy to miss important details if visiting independently. Abu Simbel and Karnak were the two outstanding sites for me. The Nile cruise also provided a welcome slower rhythm between visits.
Read MoreWe added Egypt to our honeymoon and honestly didn't know what to expect. It ended up being one of the best parts of the whole trip. Seeing the Pyra...
We added Egypt to our honeymoon and honestly didn't know what to expect. It ended up being one of the best parts of the whole trip. Seeing the Pyramids together was surreal, but the quieter moments on the Nile cruise were what made it feel really special for us. We would sit and watch the scenery from the ship after the excursions and it felt completely different from Cairo. Luxor was incredible too, especially the Valley of the Kings. Seven days was a good amount of time for us and the itinerary covered much more than we could have planned ourselves.
Read MoreOverall this was an excellent holiday and we saw much more of Egypt than I expected. Cairo was intense but fascinating, the Nile cruise was fantast...
Overall this was an excellent holiday and we saw much more of Egypt than I expected. Cairo was intense but fascinating, the Nile cruise was fantastic and Luxor deserves every bit of its reputation. Some sightseeing days are quite full, so this is not a holiday where you sleep late every morning. For us that was fine because we came to see Egypt properly. Hurghada at the end was a smart addition because we had time to rest after all the touring. I gave four rather than five stars only because I personally found the overnight train tiring, but the itinerary itself was very good.
Read MoreI had wanted to see a total solar eclipse for years, and the idea of combining it with Egypt immediately caught my attention. What makes this itine...
I had wanted to see a total solar eclipse for years, and the idea of combining it with Egypt immediately caught my attention. What makes this itinerary exciting for me is that the eclipse isn't treated as the entire holiday. Cairo, the Pyramids, Saqqara, Aswan, Abu Simbel and the Nile cruise make it a proper Egypt journey before reaching Luxor for the main event. Having the eclipse viewing built into a wider itinerary is exactly what I was looking for rather than trying to arrange transport and accommodation independently around such a major date.
Read MoreThis was my first visit to Egypt and five days worked perfectly with the time I had available. Giza was everything I hoped for, but Luxor surprised...
This was my first visit to Egypt and five days worked perfectly with the time I had available. Giza was everything I hoped for, but Luxor surprised me the most. The Valley of the Kings and Karnak were the highlights for me. Using domestic flights between Cairo and Luxor also meant we spent more time sightseeing instead of losing a day traveling between the two cities.
Read MoreI booked this trip alone and appreciated having the main transportation and sightseeing already organized. I never felt like I had to work out what...
I booked this trip alone and appreciated having the main transportation and sightseeing already organized. I never felt like I had to work out what came next. The sleeper train was a new experience for me, and then spending several nights aboard the Nile cruise gave the trip a completely different pace. Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings were easily my favorite visits.
Read MoreWe didn't want to fly all the way to Egypt and only see Cairo, so the longer itinerary was a good fit for our family. We had the Pyramids and museu...
We didn't want to fly all the way to Egypt and only see Cairo, so the longer itinerary was a good fit for our family. We had the Pyramids and museums, then Aswan and the Nile cruise, followed by Luxor. Finishing with several nights in Hurghada was a great decision because everyone had time to relax by the Red Sea after the sightseeing portion of the trip.
Read MoreCombining Egypt and Jordan was exactly what we were looking for. Seeing the Pyramids at the beginning of the trip and walking through the Siq towar...
Combining Egypt and Jordan was exactly what we were looking for. Seeing the Pyramids at the beginning of the trip and walking through the Siq toward Petra later in the week gave us two completely different experiences. I also really enjoyed the day covering Mount Nebo, Madaba and the Dead Sea. It was a very good choice for travelers who don't want to limit their holiday to one country.
Read MoreI have been interested in ancient Egypt for years, so choosing an itinerary that included Abu Simbel was important to me. Seeing the temples in per...
I have been interested in ancient Egypt for years, so choosing an itinerary that included Abu Simbel was important to me. Seeing the temples in person justified the longer route immediately. I also enjoyed how the journey connected Cairo with Aswan and then continued along the Nile toward Luxor. Having a guide at the archaeological sites added a lot to the experience because there were details I would never have noticed on my own.
Read MoreWe traveled with our two children and they loved how different each part of the week felt. One day we were standing beside the Pyramids and a few d...
We traveled with our two children and they loved how different each part of the week felt. One day we were standing beside the Pyramids and a few days later we were sailing on the Nile. The temple visits were interesting without making the entire holiday feel like one long history lesson. For our family, seven days was a very manageable length for seeing Cairo and Upper Egypt together.
Read MoreCairo was full of surprises. The pyramids were the main reason we visited, but we also loved the museums, historic streets, and lively atmosphere o...
Cairo was full of surprises. The pyramids were the main reason we visited, but we also loved the museums, historic streets, and lively atmosphere of Khan El Khalili. There was always something interesting to see.
Read MoreWe started our day early, but arriving at Abu Simbel made it completely worthwhile. The enormous statues and the details inside the temples were ex...
We started our day early, but arriving at Abu Simbel made it completely worthwhile. The enormous statues and the details inside the temples were extraordinary. It was easily one of the highlights of our trip.
Read MoreFrom Cairo to Aswan, each stop offered a completely different experience. We especially enjoyed exploring the local markets and learning more about...
From Cairo to Aswan, each stop offered a completely different experience. We especially enjoyed exploring the local markets and learning more about Egyptian culture along the way.
Read MoreWe spent the first part of our holiday exploring Cairo before heading to Hurghada. It was a great combination. The historical sites were impressive...
We spent the first part of our holiday exploring Cairo before heading to Hurghada. It was a great combination. The historical sites were impressive, and the beach was exactly what we needed afterward.
Read MoreEgypt had been on my bucket list for years. Seeing the pyramids in person was incredible, and exploring the temples in Luxor made the experience ev...
Egypt had been on my bucket list for years. Seeing the pyramids in person was incredible, and exploring the temples in Luxor made the experience even better. Every destination had something special.
Read MoreI've always been interested in ancient Egyptian history, so visiting these places in person was a dream come true. The tombs, temples, and museums ...
I've always been interested in ancient Egyptian history, so visiting these places in person was a dream come true. The tombs, temples, and museums were even more impressive than I expected.
Read MoreWe wanted our honeymoon to include both adventure and relaxation, and Egypt was a wonderful choice. Exploring ancient temples together and enjoying...
We wanted our honeymoon to include both adventure and relaxation, and Egypt was a wonderful choice. Exploring ancient temples together and enjoying peaceful evenings by the Nile made the trip feel truly memorable.
Read MoreThis was our first time in Egypt, and we wanted to see as much as possible. From the Pyramids of Giza to the temples in Luxor, every destination of...
This was our first time in Egypt, and we wanted to see as much as possible. From the Pyramids of Giza to the temples in Luxor, every destination offered something different. We came home with so many wonderful memories.
Read MoreAfter spending several days exploring historical sites, Hurghada was a lovely change of pace. We enjoyed the beach, the clear water, and having tim...
After spending several days exploring historical sites, Hurghada was a lovely change of pace. We enjoyed the beach, the clear water, and having time to relax together.
Read MoreI had seen photos of Abu Simbel many times, but nothing compares to standing in front of those enormous statues. The details inside the temple were...
I had seen photos of Abu Simbel many times, but nothing compares to standing in front of those enormous statues. The details inside the temple were fascinating, and the entire visit felt special.
Read MoreI didn't know much about Aswan before visiting, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of our holiday. Philae Temple was beautiful, and the ...
I didn't know much about Aswan before visiting, but it turned out to be one of the highlights of our holiday. Philae Temple was beautiful, and the views across the Nile were absolutely lovely.
Read MoreThe combination of Cairo and the Nile cruise worked really well for us. We enjoyed the busy atmosphere of the capital before slowing down and spend...
The combination of Cairo and the Nile cruise worked really well for us. We enjoyed the busy atmosphere of the capital before slowing down and spending a few peaceful days on the river.
Read MoreLuxor completely surprised me. Karnak Temple was enormous, and walking through the Valley of the Kings was an experience I'll never forget. I could...
Luxor completely surprised me. Karnak Temple was enormous, and walking through the Valley of the Kings was an experience I'll never forget. I could have easily spent another day exploring.
Read MoreWe really enjoyed our time on the Nile. The scenery changed throughout the journey, and stopping to explore ancient temples made each day interesti...
We really enjoyed our time on the Nile. The scenery changed throughout the journey, and stopping to explore ancient temples made each day interesting. Sitting on the deck in the evening was probably my favorite part.
Read MoreEgypt had been on our travel list for years, and it was wonderful to finally experience it. Seeing the pyramids up close was unforgettable, but we ...
Egypt had been on our travel list for years, and it was wonderful to finally experience it. Seeing the pyramids up close was unforgettable, but we also loved the quieter moments exploring the streets of Cairo.
Read MoreI had wanted to visit Egypt for years, and the experience was everything I hoped for. From the pyramids to the temples of Luxor, each destination o...
I had wanted to visit Egypt for years, and the experience was everything I hoped for. From the pyramids to the temples of Luxor, each destination offered something special.
Read MoreStarting our trip in Cairo and continuing with a Nile cruise was a great combination. We discovered remarkable historical sites while also enjoying...
Starting our trip in Cairo and continuing with a Nile cruise was a great combination. We discovered remarkable historical sites while also enjoying peaceful moments on the river.
Read MoreOur family enjoyed discovering Egypt together. The historical sites were fascinating for everyone, and the combination of activities kept the trip ...
Our family enjoyed discovering Egypt together. The historical sites were fascinating for everyone, and the combination of activities kept the trip interesting from beginning to end.
Read MoreVisiting Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings was an amazing experience. The ancient monuments were breathtaking, and we enjoyed discovering t...
Visiting Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings was an amazing experience. The ancient monuments were breathtaking, and we enjoyed discovering the stories behind them.
Read MoreThe Nile cruise was the highlight of our vacation. Waking up to views of the river and visiting ancient temples along the way made every day memora...
The Nile cruise was the highlight of our vacation. Waking up to views of the river and visiting ancient temples along the way made every day memorable.
Read MoreWe had a wonderful time exploring Egypt. The pyramids were even more impressive in person, and Luxor was full of fascinating history. The itinerary...
We had a wonderful time exploring Egypt. The pyramids were even more impressive in person, and Luxor was full of fascinating history. The itinerary offered a lovely balance of sightseeing and free time.
Read MoreCairo was full of surprises. We loved visiting the Pyramids of Giza and exploring the city's historic streets. There was so much to see and learn t...
Cairo was full of surprises. We loved visiting the Pyramids of Giza and exploring the city's historic streets. There was so much to see and learn throughout the day.
Read MoreAswan quickly became one of my favorite places in Egypt. The Nile views were beautiful, and visiting Philae Temple was a wonderful experience.
Aswan quickly became one of my favorite places in Egypt. The Nile views were beautiful, and visiting Philae Temple was a wonderful experience.
Seeing the enormous statues at Abu Simbel was unforgettable. The scale and detail of the temples were incredible, and the visit was one of the high...
Seeing the enormous statues at Abu Simbel was unforgettable. The scale and detail of the temples were incredible, and the visit was one of the highlights of our journey.
Read MoreHurghada was a beautiful addition to our Egypt holiday. The clear water and relaxing coastal atmosphere made it a lovely place to unwind after expl...
Hurghada was a beautiful addition to our Egypt holiday. The clear water and relaxing coastal atmosphere made it a lovely place to unwind after exploring the ancient sites.
Read MoreAlexandria was such a lovely surprise. We enjoyed walking along the Corniche, visiting the famous library, and discovering the city's history. It w...
Alexandria was such a lovely surprise. We enjoyed walking along the Corniche, visiting the famous library, and discovering the city's history. It was a refreshing change from the busy streets of Cairo.
Read MoreI loved waking up to the views of the Nile every morning. The temples were fascinating, but my favorite moments were simply relaxing on deck and wa...
I loved waking up to the views of the Nile every morning. The temples were fascinating, but my favorite moments were simply relaxing on deck and watching the scenery pass by.
Read MoreI've always been fascinated by ancient Egypt, so visiting Karnak and the Valley of the Kings was a dream come true. The scale of the temples is som...
I've always been fascinated by ancient Egypt, so visiting Karnak and the Valley of the Kings was a dream come true. The scale of the temples is something photographs really can't capture.
Read MoreAswan quickly became one of my favorite places in Egypt. The Nile views were beautiful, Philae Temple was impressive, and the whole city had a calm...
Aswan quickly became one of my favorite places in Egypt. The Nile views were beautiful, Philae Temple was impressive, and the whole city had a calm atmosphere that made our stay really enjoyable.
Read MoreWe wanted something different for our honeymoon, and Egypt gave us exactly that. Exploring ancient sites together and spending relaxing evenings be...
We wanted something different for our honeymoon, and Egypt gave us exactly that. Exploring ancient sites together and spending relaxing evenings beside the Nile created memories we'll treasure for years.
Read MoreThis was my first time in Egypt and I only had a few days available. Seeing both Cairo and Luxor made the trip feel much more complete. The Pyramid...
This was my first time in Egypt and I only had a few days available. Seeing both Cairo and Luxor made the trip feel much more complete. The Pyramids were unforgettable, but I think the Valley of the Kings was the place that surprised me most.
Read MoreI had always wanted to explore ancient Egypt beyond Cairo, and this trip gave me exactly that opportunity. Philae, Edfu, Karnak and the Valley of t...
I had always wanted to explore ancient Egypt beyond Cairo, and this trip gave me exactly that opportunity. Philae, Edfu, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings were all very different. Having the Nile cruise between visits made the journey itself part of the experience.
Read MoreWe expected the Pyramids to be the highlight, but the days along the Nile became some of our favorite memories. Aswan was beautiful, and visiting t...
We expected the Pyramids to be the highlight, but the days along the Nile became some of our favorite memories. Aswan was beautiful, and visiting the temples while traveling toward Luxor made the journey feel special. Karnak was incredible in person, and I would happily do the cruise again.
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