nilodia.
Illustration of a felucca on the Nile at dawn

EGYPT · FROM THE RIVER TO THE TEMPLES

Egypt,
following the Nile.

Compare Nile cruises and plan your visits, from the pyramids of Giza to the temples of Abu Simbel.

3 or 4 nights?
Explore the map Temples
Felucca at dawn · illustration

NILE ROUTES

The Nile atlas

Choose the cruise direction and select a stop to see where you board, where you disembark and which visits need another transfer.

Southbound · 5 days Luxor → Aswan

Northbound · 4 days Aswan → Luxor

Cairo Luxor Edfu Kom Ombo Aswan Abu Simbel
SailingExcursion by roadSchematic map, distances not to scale.

Off the route

Cairo

The pyramids and museums of Cairo are visited separately. If you arrive in Cairo, arrange your connection to the boarding city.

Before booking a train or domestic flight, check the day and meeting point of your boarding.

Egyptian Ministry · Giza Plateau ·

Boarding

Disembarkation

Luxor

Karnak and Luxor Temple stand on the East Bank. The Valley of the Kings and Hatshepsut’s temple are on the West Bank.

4 nightsGive the operator the address of your accommodation and ask which bank the pick-up is on.

3 nightsThe listing places the West Bank visits on the last day. Confirm the drop-off point before booking your onward journey.

Egyptian Ministry · Ancient Thebes ·

Stop

Edfu

Two great pylons mark the entrance to the Temple of Horus. Edfu is a stop on both routes.

The visit needs a short transfer from the mooring. Ask how it works and what alternatives are offered if you have mobility needs.

Egyptian Ministry · Temple of Edfu ·

Stop

Kom Ombo

The temple has two sanctuaries, one for Sobek and one for Haroeris. From Luxor you reach it after Edfu; from Aswan, before.

The Crocodile Museum is explicitly mentioned in the 4-night listing. If you want it on the 3-night route, ask for confirmation.

Egyptian Ministry · Temple of Kom Ombo ·

Disembarkation

Boarding

Aswan

The Philae complex stands on Agilkia Island. From Aswan you reach it by boat, and it appears in both programmes.

4 nightsIf you want to add Abu Simbel after disembarking, first check whether your option already includes it.

3 nightsIf you are staying on an island, check whether the pick-up is at your accommodation or at a meeting point on the mainland.

Egyptian Ministry · Philae ·

By road from Aswan

Abu Simbel

The rock-cut temples of Ramses II and Nefertari are reached by road from Aswan, south of the cruise route.

The visit is optional in the listings: read your chosen option before buying a separate excursion.

Egyptian Ministry · Abu Simbel ·

Open the comparison

HOW TO LINE UP THE STOPS

Where does your trip start?

Start with the part you still have to organise. Cairo and Giza are off the route, while Abu Simbel needs a connection from Aswan.

  1. Stops in Cairo and Giza

    Combine the pyramids with one visit chosen by location. The Tahrir museum is downtown; the Grand Egyptian Museum is in Giza.

    Plan your visit to Giza

  2. Four or five days on the Nile

    If you can start from either city, also weigh the meals, the visits already included and the connection after disembarking.

    Compare the two routes

  3. A detour to Abu Simbel

    Put the excursion on the days you are in Aswan. If you have a cruise, check your option before buying the transfer.

    Prepare the visit

VISITS AND EXCURSIONS

Temples and pyramids

Pick a stop to see the entrances, the starting point and the guided options.

Where to go

Choose your base

Find the visits to make before you board or on your days ashore.

Luxor

Luxor

Aswan

Aswan

Marsa Alam

Excursions from Marsa Alam

Sharm el-Sheikh

Excursions from Sharm El Sheikh
What to book in Egypt

More to do

Day trips, adventures and experiences

Day trips, activities and tours you can book on Civitatis.

Cairo · Tahrir

Cairo: tours and day trips

The full-day Cairo tour and the other excursions: how to choose for the days you have in the city.

Giza

Egypt and the Red Sea in 11 days

The 11-day circuit adds the Red Sea to Cairo and the Nile. What it covers and when it suits you.

Cairo · Tahrir

Alexandria day trip from Cairo

The one-day excursion from Cairo to Alexandria: stops, length and what to check.

Cairo · Tahrir

Nile dinner cruise with a show

Dinner and a show on a Nile boat in Cairo: what it includes and how it differs from the multi-day cruise.

Cairo · Tahrir

Cairo by night: evening tour with dinner

Al-Muizz Street, Khan el-Khalili and a traditional dinner: the Cairo evening tour, what it includes and who it suits.

Giza

Giza pyramids by quad bike

A quad bike ride around the Giza pyramids: what it includes, how long it lasts and what to check first.

Cairo · Tahrir

Islamic Cairo and the Coptic quarter

Mosques and Al-Moez Street on one side, churches and the Coptic Museum on the other: two visits to know historic Cairo.

Lake Nasser

Abu Simbel: day trip or 2 days?

The one-day excursion from Aswan or two days with a night on site and an evening show: how to choose.

Upper Egypt

Abydos and Dendera from Luxor

The temples of Abydos and Dendera on a day trip from Luxor: what you see and what to check.

Upper Egypt

Edfu and Kom Ombo: from Luxor or Aswan?

The same round of temples from Luxor or Aswan: how to choose according to where you sleep.

Luxor · West Bank

Hot air balloon over Luxor at dawn

The balloon flight over Luxor’s west bank: pick-up, length and what to check beforehand.

Upper Egypt

Nubian village and Aswan by boat

A Nile crossing and a morning in the Nubian village of Gharb Soheil: what it includes and what to check.

Lake Nasser

Lake Nasser cruise: 4 or 5 days

Four or five days on Lake Nasser, between Abu Simbel and the temples of Nubia: how to choose.

Upper Egypt

Nile cruise: Aswan to Luxor or the reverse?

The direction of the cruise changes the first and last day: where you board, what you see first and where you get off.

TOUR OF EGYPT

Cairo, the Nile and the Red Sea

An 11-day itinerary taking in the pyramids, a Nile cruise and a stay in Hurghada.

See the tour