Nile Cruises from Aswan

Visiting Aswan is an experience full of mysticism, and if you do it on board a boat on the waters of the Nile, then the experience takes on a whole new level. Due to its geographical location, the city is an obligatory starting point or stop for those who wish to visit temples and sanctuaries that are symbols of Egyptian culture.

Without a doubt, venturing to visit these archaeological sites on a cruise is one of the best things to do in Aswan, not only because it saves time and money, but also because you can sail in waters full of history and spirituality. You can choose from a 3-day trip from Aswan to Luxor, a hot air balloon cruise , a visit to the Nubian village, a tour of the temples near Aswan and much more.

One of the best ways to learn about Egyptian history and its traces is to take part in a 3-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, where you will visit the most emblematic monuments of Egyptian culture on board a boat full of amenities such as swimming pool, disco, bar and more.

On the first day you will get to know some corners of Aswan and its surroundings. You will visit the Temple of Philae, named after the island where it was originally located (today it is located in Agilkia). This series of buildings was built in honour of the gods Osiris and Isis, around the 3rd century BC.

Next, you will also see the High Dam, a structure built to control the levels of the Nile River and provide electrical power. On your second day, you will disembark from the boat and go overland to Abu Simbel, an archaeological site of great value built in 1274 BC.

On the third day, you will visit the temple of Edfu, built in honour of the god Horus. You will then go to the archaeological complex of Karnak, where you will see the temple of Luxor, the colonnade built under Amenhotep III and the statues in honour of Ramses II. The adventure will end on the east bank of Luxor, where you will explore Thebes and the necropolis with the remains of the great pharaohs of New Egypt.

Interesting details

• Price: from €376.
• Duration: 4 days and 3 nights.
• Advantages of this option: the price includes meals, the accompaniment of an expert guide in Egyptian culture and transfers to and from your hotel.

The Aswan region, surrounded by the Nile, is a destination you can explore in endless ways, so if your trip is for a week or more, you should know that there is an 8-day cruise (corresponding to 7 nights), where you can get a much more complete picture of the heart of Egypt and see its best kept treasures.

Once you board the luxury cruise ship, you will visit three must-see destinations close to the city: the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Philae. The following day, you'll head to the Temple of Kom Ombo, which honours the crocodile god. The third day of your itinerary is dedicated to exploring the ship to the fullest, taking advantage of all the programming it has to offer.

On Day 4, the boat will head to the Temple of Karnak, known as the sanctuary of Amun, and the Temple of Luxor, where the Opet festival was held.

On days 5 and 6 you will continue to visit historic temples such as the Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon and the Temple of Edfu, while on day 7 you will end your exploration at the famous temples of Abu Simbel, where you will see the temple in honour of Ramses II and the other dedicated to Queen Nefertari. However, if you don't have enough time for such a long trip, I recommend you sign up for a day trip to the Abu Simbel temples, so you don't miss out on this important attraction.

Details of interest

• Price: from €1050.
• Duration: 8 days and 7 nights.
• Advantages of this option: You will have a more complete sightseeing experience and see most of the area's tourist attractions on board a luxury boat.
• Disadvantages of this option: Entrance to the attractions to be visited is not included in the price of the excursion.

For the more adventurous, Aswan offers unique experiences, such as taking a hot air balloon ride at sunrise to admire the scenery around the Nile. So, if you are interested in such an adventure while enjoying the experience of appreciating Egyptian culture, consider joining a 4-day cruise from Aswan to Luxor with hot air ballooning.

In the 4 days and 3 nights aboard a luxurious ship, you will see destinations that are thousands of years old and samples of Egyptian culture and history that have survived the passage of time. First, you'll pass the temples of Philae and the High Dam. The next day, you will explore the treasures of the Abu Simbel temples and visit the temple of Kom Ombo.

On Day 3, you will go to the temple of Edfu, which you will reach by horse-drawn carriage. On the way, you will see the natural beauties and beautiful panoramas of the local villages near the Nile River. By sunset, you will be navigating the waters towards the Luxor Temple, where you will see displays of Islamic, Egyptian and Christian symbols.

On the morning of Day 4, you'll get your most awaited moment, flying in a hot air balloon over the coast of Luxor to see the scenery of Luxor like never before. You will also pass the Colossi of Memnon, the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Valley of the Kings.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £320.
• Duration: 4 days and 3 nights.
• Advantages of this option: You will see the most famous destinations in the region, travel on a 5-star cruise ship and take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise.
• Disadvantages of this option: Entrance fees to temples and other attractions are not included in the price of the activity.

If you want to cruise the Nile on short tours, one option is to join this boat trip to the Nubian village from Aswan. This is a private activity in which your group will be the only one to board the boat, with a maximum capacity of 15 people.

You will cruise the waters of the Nile in the direction of Elephantine Island, a territory located opposite Aswan where a community of Nubians settled. Accompanied by a guide, you will learn about the history of the people and see their colourful houses of vibrant hues. You will learn about Nubian culture through various elements such as the Nile crocodiles.

But the experience doesn't stop there, as you will also have the opportunity to enter the home of a Nubian family group and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. Take the opportunity to capture the striking colours of the surroundings in a photograph.

On the other hand, bear in mind that the island is home to other traces of ancient Egypt, so consider visiting the Elephantine Pyramid and the temples of Khnum and Heqa-ib, buildings that were part of the Pharaohs' era.

Interesting details

• Price: around 42 ¤.
• Duration: 3 hours.
• Advantages of this option: this is a private tour in which you will get to know a Nubian settlement in a short time and with the commentary of a guide.

If you want to visit the most historically and culturally significant destinations located near Aswan, then I invite you to take a tour of the Philae Temple, the High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk, where you will see these three major attractions in one day.

The adventure begins with a pick-up from your hotel door in an air-conditioned car (this is of utmost importance as you will be in an area with a desert climate). You will depart for the boat that will take you along the waters of the Nile River and begin to explore the following archaeological sites:

• The Aswan High Dam, built for three main purposes: to combat drought, to produce electricity and to control the rise in the level of the Nile. It was inaugurated in 1971 and is a construction of great architectural value.
• The Unfinished Obelisk, a structure built during the reign of the Pharaoh Hatshepsut, which for some reason failed to stand upright. The 40-metre-long structure stretches out on the ground to be appreciated by visitors, who try to imagine its majesty 3500 years ago.
• The Temple of Philae, a complex of buildings including the temple dedicated to the goddess Isis, dating from the 3rd century BC.

Interesting details

• Price: usually €42.
• Duration: 6 hours.
• Advantages of this option: in a single tour you will visit three of the most important destinations near Aswan in the company of an expert guide in Egyptian history.
• Disadvantages of this option: lunch is not included in the price of the activity.

If you are looking for the best 1 day tours from Aswan, one of the options you have is to join this guided experience to the temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu, which you can complete in about 7 hours.

To begin the journey, you will be met at the door of your hotel and set off to the first destination: the Temple of Kom Ombo. Upon arrival, you will notice that this mystical site is one of the must-see stops on most Nile cruises. Here, you will see the stone columns and walls in honour of the god Haroeris and the god Sobek, known as the crocodile god.

When you have finished exploring the site, it will be time for lunch and prepare to continue your journey to the Temple of Edfu. This shrine is dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god. When you arrive, you'll probably see ancient-style horse-drawn chariots, another way to visit the site.

Explore the temple and what it holds in each of its chambers, appreciate the sculptures, the great pylon and the extensive courtyard. When the visit is over, it's time to head back to Aswan, or connect with another experience of your choice.

Details of interest

• Price: usually around €260.
• Duration: 7 hours.
• Advantages of this option: the total price includes entrance fees to the sights, an Egyptologist guide and also lunch during the tour.

As you know, the waters of the Nile surround the city of Aswan, and if you want to feel the tranquility of the ripples penetrate your spirit, join a scenic tour of the Nile. Here, you'll ride in a falucca, a boat for just a few people from which you can observe the surroundings bathed in the colours of the sunset.

The idea is that you sail down the Nile at the end of the day, so that you can appreciate the last rays of the sun and its reflection on the nearby islands. You can also take the opportunity to take some great pictures while listening to historical facts about the place from a guide.

In addition to the urban atmosphere blended into the desert, you will see a melancholic scene of palm trees and other plants that make up the Aswan Botanical Garden, which you can see from a distance on Lord Kitchener's Island. In fact, you should know that there is an opportunity to stop off in this natural setting if you wish. You will only have to pay the entrance fee.

Interesting details

• Price: the tour costs approximately €80 per person.
• Duration: 1 to 2 hours.
• Means of transport: Falucca.
• Advantages of this option: you will appreciate not only a great sunset, but also wonderful views of the Elephantine Island and the Aswan Botanical Garden.

The length of Nile cruises depends largely on your goals as a tourist. You will find very diverse options, ranging from short tours that take 3, 6 or 8 hours, to tours on cruises lasting between 2 and 8 days.

On the shorter cruises the visit focuses on 1 or 3 sites at the most, such as the tour to the temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu from Aswan. While the tours with a duration in days include visits to more attractions. In some cases, cruises even choose to offer alternative experiences, such as horse-drawn carriage rides or hot air balloon rides.

The Nile is a mythical river that has been at the centre of world history in general and Egyptian history in particular. So navigating it becomes much more than a pleasurable experience, as these waters have witnessed great mythological and historical feats.

On the other hand, the river continues to be one of the best ways to get around Egypt, as many of the attractions are only accessible by river, or are located on the banks of the river, making it pertinent to take a trip down the Nile to visit temples, sanctuaries and other attractions of high archaeological value in one trip. This way, you'll save time and money while enjoying the comfort of travelling on a luxury boat or the simple experience of moving through these sacred waters.