Nile Cruises and Upper Egypt

A visit to Upper Egypt is a must on any tour of Egypt. Between Luxor and Aswan, you’ll find a land of astounding natural beauty and some of Egypt’s finest temples and tombs. A traditional or luxury Dahabiya Nile cruise is one of the best ways to discover Upper Egypt.

Traditional multi-deck Nile cruises visit the main sites, have between 30 and 60 cabins, and offer onboard luxuries, including swimming pools and a bar that makes a good cocktail! The smaller lateen-sailed Dahabiya cruises have between five and ten cabins, spend more time sailing, and offer a more immersive Nile experience. It is also possible to explore Upper Egypt’s monuments by car while staying in hotels in Luxor and Aswan – an option to consider if you want more time at the sites.

When travelling upriver from Luxor, the first site of interest in Upper Egypt is the small Temple of Khum at Esna. Continuing from here through an exotic landscape, you’ll arrive at El Kab, the ancient Nekheb, with its fascinating rock tombs. Further on, the magnificent Temple of Horus at Edfu is one of the most complete temples in Egypt. In antiquity, Edfu was believed to have been the site where the falcon god, Horus, won a battle with the evil Seth to avenge his father, Osiris. It is a mandatory stop for all cruises. South of Edfu, at Gebel el-Silsila, the Nile shrinks to one of its narrowest widths in Egypt. This minor site is usually visited on a Dahabiya cruise and contains several small shrines and the Speos of the Pharaoh Horemheb. Beyond here, the scenery becomes increasingly desert-like. All Nile cruises pause their journeys at Kom Ombo to visit the important Temples of Haroeris and Sobek. Then, as you approach the wonders of Aswan, Dahabiya cruises often make stops at Daraw to see the camel market and on a Nile island to visit a Nubian village.

Detailed descriptions of the captivating monuments in Luxor and Aswan are provided on individual pages, offering in-depth insights into the historical and cultural significance of each city’s iconic landmarks.