Long Nile Cruise (Cairo to Aswan)

A rare, extended voyage sailing the full length of the Egyptian Nile from Cairo through Middle Egypt to Luxor and Aswan.

Long Nile cruises follow the river all the way from Cairo south to Luxor and Aswan, the route taken by travellers in the age of steamers. Because of the time required, the many locks and bridges, and periods when security restrictions limited sailing in Middle Egypt, only a very small number of ships offer this journey, and departures are infrequent.

The route

Typical itineraries run for about 11 to 14 nights and may include:

• Cairo and Giza: the pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum before sailing.
• Middle Egypt: Beni Hassan’s rock-cut tombs, Tuna El Gebel and Hermopolis near Minya, and Tell El Amarna, the city of Akhenaten.
• Abydos and Dendera: the Temple of Seti I and the Temple of Hathor, both known for their fine reliefs.
• Luxor to Aswan: the classic temples of Karnak, Edfu and Kom Ombo, ending at Philae.

On board

Ships on this route are usually upscale, with spacious cabins, full board and expert Egyptologist guides. The long days of sailing past villages, palm groves and farmland that few tourists see are a large part of the appeal. Some international river cruise companies offer round-trip sailings from Cairo that cover part of this route, sometimes combined with flights.

Tips

Check the exact itinerary carefully, as some long cruises sail only Cairo to Luxor or use flights or road transfers for parts of the route. Book many months ahead for the November to March season. Ask about current access to Middle Egyptian sites, which can change.

Last checked October 2026. Prices are rough guides and change by season and operator; book with a licensed operator. Sources: tourradar.com, taoticket.com.