Nile Cruises from Aswan

Visiting Aswan is an experience full of mysticism and if you do it aboard a boat on the waters of the Nile, then this experience goes up a notch. Due to its geographical location, the city is a starting point or mandatory stop for those who want to visit temples and shrines that are symbols of Egyptian culture.

Undoubtedly, venturing to know these archaeological sites on a cruise is one of the best things to do in Aswan, not only by saving time and money, but for being able to navigate in waters full of history and spirituality. You can choose between a 3-day trip from Aswan to Luxor, a cruise with hot air balloon ride, a visit to the Nubian village, a tour of the temples closest to Aswan and much more.

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

The first day you will delve into 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 honor 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 ship and go overland to Abu Simbel, an archaeological site of great value built in 1274 BC.

On the third day, you will enter the temple of Edfu, built in honor of the god Horus. Afterwards, you will go to the archaeological complex of Karnak, where you will see the temple of Luxor, the colonnade built under the command of Amenhotep III and the statues in honor 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 great pharaohs of the new Egypt.

Details of interest

• 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 get to know its best kept treasures.

Once you board the luxury cruise, you will visit three must-see destinations close to the city: the High Dam, the Unfinished Obelisk and the Temple of Philae. The next day, you will go to the Temple of Kom Ombo, in honor of 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 offers.

Arriving on day 4, the ship 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 honor of Ramses II and the other dedicated to Queen Nefertari. Now, if you don't have enough time for a trip of so many days, I recommend that you sign up for a 1-day excursion to the Abu Simbel temples, so you don't miss 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 visit experience and you will see most of the tourist attractions of the area aboard a luxury boat.
• Disadvantages of this option: the entrance fee to the attractions to be visited is not included in the price of the excursion.

The more adventurous find unique experiences in Aswan, such as getting into a hot air balloon at dawn to admire the scenery surrounding the Nile. So, if you're 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'll see destinations thousands of years old and samples of Egyptian culture and history that have survived the passage of time. First, you will pass by the temples of Philae and the High Dam. The next day, you will delve into the treasures of the Abu Simbel temples and also visit the temple of Kom Ombo.

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

On the morning of Day 4, the most awaited moment will arrive: flying in a hot air balloon over the coast of Luxor to see the scenery of this town like never before. You will also pass by 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 ride a hot air balloon 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 tours that last a short time, one option you have is to join this boat excursion 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 in front of Aswan where a community of Nubians settled. Accompanied by a guide, you will learn about the history of the people and observe their colorful houses of vibrant tones. You will learn about the Nubian culture through various elements such as the Nile crocodiles.

But the experience does not 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 colors of the surroundings in a photograph.

On the other hand, keep in mind that the island is home to other traces of ancient Egypt, so consider approaching the pyramid of Elephantine and the temples of Khnum and Heqa-ib, buildings that were part of the time of the pharaohs.

Details of interest

• Price: about 42 €.
• Duration: 3 hours.
• Advantages of this option: it is a private tour in which you will know a Nubian settlement in a short time and with the comments 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 at your hotel door in an air-conditioned car (this is of utmost importance because 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 exploring the following archaeological sites:

• The Aswan High Dam, built for three main purposes: to combat drought, produce electricity and control the rise of the Nile level. 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 was not able to stand upright. The 40-meter-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 among which stands out the temple dedicated to the goddess Isis, dating from the third century BC.

Details of interest

• Price: usually 42 €.
• Duration: 6 hours.
• Advantages of this option: in one tour you will visit three of the most important destinations near Aswan with 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 approximately.

To start the journey, you will be picked up 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 mandatory stops on most Nile cruises. Here, you will see the stone columns and walls in honor of the god Haroeris and the god Sobek, known as the crocodile god.

After you have finished exploring the site, it will be time for lunch and prepare to continue your journey to the Temple of Edfu. This sanctuary is dedicated to Horus, the falcon-headed god. When you arrive, you will 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 will be time to return 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 places of interest, 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 how the tranquility of the waves penetrate your spirit, join a panoramic tour of the Nile. In it, you will ride in a falucca, a boat for a few people from where you can observe the environment bathed in the colors 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 great pictures, while listening to historical facts about the place from a guide.

In addition to the urban environment mixed in the desert, you will see a melancholic scene composed 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 the possibility of making a stop in this natural environment, if you wish. You will only have to pay the entrance fee.

Details of interest

• Price: the tour has an approximate price of 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 Botanical Garden of Aswan.

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

In the shortest cruises the visit focuses on 1 or 3 places at most, such is the case of the tour to the temples of Kom Ombo and Edfu from Aswan. Meanwhile, 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 the protagonist of universal history in general and the history of Egypt in particular. So sailing on it becomes much more than a pleasant 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 move around Egypt, since many of the attractions are only accessible by river, or are located on the banks of the river, which makes it pertinent to undertake a trip down the Nile to visit temples, shrines and other attractions of high archaeological value in the same trip. This way, you will save time and money while enjoying the comfort of traveling in a luxury boat or the simple experience of moving through these sacred waters.