The 4 Best Nile Cruises in Luxor

The tradition linking Luxor to the Nile River dates back to ancient Egypt, when the city was still called Thebes and occupied a sacred and strategic location during the reigns of the pharaohs. Due to its importance in trade and as a navigable route to the territories of other civilisations, the Nile has a lot to tell and one of the best ways to discover it is through a cruise on the river.

Among the best activities you can do in Luxor are cruising the river on a cruise or on a felucca, a typical local boat. You can choose from half-day, full-day or even multi-day sailing experiences, with stops at other nearby sites that also developed around the Nile and the prosperity it brought since the origins of ancient Egypt.

If you want to enjoy a complete and unforgettable experience on the Nile, you can embark on a 4-day cruise from Luxor to Aswan, the city located at the eastern end of the river and home to the famous waterfalls. This trip will allow you to explore the historical and cultural wealth of ancient Egypt at your own pace, in a perfect combination of independence and the assistance of an expert local guide.

On the first day of the tour, you will visit the main sites in the city on the banks of the Nile, such as the Karnak and Luxor Temples, where the stories of the gods Amun, Mut and Khonsu come to life. During these stops, you will discover the interior of these religious buildings and also the skyline of Luxor from the east and west sides of the river.

The second day will allow you to discover the Valley of the Kings on one of the best hot air balloon rides in Luxor. In addition, after watching the sunrise from above, you can explore the valley famous for containing the tombs of the most renowned Egyptian kings, such as Tutankhamun. You can also visit the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon.

The third day will take you to the Temple of Edfu and the Temple of Kom Ombo, allowing you to experience the luxury of ancient architecture and the history of these religious sites. The trip culminates on the fourth day with a visit to the Temple of Abu Simbel in Aswan, before returning to Luxor.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £770 per person. This cost usually includes return transfer with hotel pick-up and entrance fees for activities.
• Duration: approximately 4 days.
• Advantages of these excursions: you can discover the main attractions along the banks of the Nile on a luxury cruise.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: they require several days in the city, so they are not compatible with a short stay in Luxor.

The Temple of Dendera, located in the city of the same name, is a beautiful religious building that is often overlooked in tourist recommendations for areas near the Nile. On these excursions, you can rescue it from oblivion with a cruise that will take you the few kilometres between Luxor and Dendera, allowing you to discover not only the river landscapes but also the temple itself.

During the trip, from the deck of the boat, you will be able to see some of the monuments and archaeological sites that feature on the best tours of Luxor. You will also be able to admire the landscape surrounding both banks of the river and, in most cases, enjoy a buffet lunch.

Please note that Dendera is located north of Luxor, while most Nile cruise excursions go to the Aswan waterfalls in the south, so these experiences will allow you to discover the northernmost part of the river, which is not often seen on tours of the Nile.

As you approach the Temple of Dendera, the best preserved temple in Egypt dedicated to the goddess Hathor, you can take a guided tour that will immerse you in its rich history and significance on a full-day excursion that not only offers a journey through the waters of the Nile, but also a complete cultural experience.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £110 per person, including lunch and entrance to the Temple of Dendera.
• Duration: approximately 12 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: not only will you discover one of the most famous stretches of the Nile River, but also one of the most beautiful and least visited temples north of Luxor.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: apart from seeing the temples on the banks of the Nile from the deck, these tours do not usually include any stops other than Dendera.

If you want to enjoy an authentic experience during your visit to Luxor, you can opt for an excursion to Banana Island on a traditional Egyptian felucca, the region's iconic boat, which will take you on a trip along the Nile with views of the city from the river. This will allow you not only to sail on a traditional African barge, but also to discover the Luxor skyline from a different perspective.

Upon arrival at Banana Island, you will have the opportunity to explore this natural oasis full of banana, mango and guava plantations. The lush vegetation will immerse you in an environment of pure nature, offering you a unique experience in the middle of the Nile. There you can also learn about the fertile banks of the river, which made this tributary famous and turned ancient Egypt into an agricultural powerhouse in the region.

On Banana Island, you can also learn about some of the conspiracy theories surrounding ancient Egypt, as there are ancient plantations that did not originate in the fields of Africa, which baffles experts and leads them to wonder how they got there. This curious question will be the main excuse to review the theories about the construction of the pyramids of Cairo.

On the return trip to the coast of Luxor, which is usually included in the best excursions in the city, you can generally enjoy a traditional Egyptian meal on board. In addition, in the late afternoon, you can watch the sun set on the horizon, painting the ancient city of Thebes in shades of orange in an unmissable visual spectacle on the banks of the Nile River.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £45 per person. This cost usually includes lunch and the guided tour of Banana Island.
• Duration: around 4 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: you will discover the fertile banks of the Nile, which contributed to the river's fame during ancient Egypt.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: although the climate is usually warm on the Nile, on cold days the low temperatures can spoil the experience of travelling by felucca.

If you want a quieter and shorter experience that only includes a trip along the Nile, you can opt for a private river excursion by felucca. These experiences, recommended at sunset, allow you to discover the horizon and the setting sun while sailing and observing everyday life on the banks, which involves camels, donkeys, farmers and fishermen.

The convenience of these private tours, which usually include round-trip transfers to your hotel, lies in the fact that you can visit one of the most famous stretches of the Nile on a short tour, which is ideal if you are planning a short stay in the city and do not have time for a multi-day tour. You can also combine this trip with a visit to Karnak Temple at night to experience the sound and light show.

One of the best views of the skyline you will see on this tour is the sun slowly setting over the West Bank and the Valley of the Kings. During the tour, you will also have the assistance of an expert local guide from the crew, who will tell you about the history and legends of the sites you encounter on either side of the river during the tour.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately £25 per person.
• Duration: around 2 hours.
• Advantages of these excursions: these are short trips along the Nile River, ideal for enjoying during a short stay in the city and for combining with other experiences near the riverbank.
• Disadvantages of these excursions: Although they are private tours, unlike other similar experiences, in this case you cannot modify the routes or choose your own itinerary.

You can book these excursions in advance online when planning your itinerary, or once you are in the city. Keep in mind that Luxor is usually a very busy city throughout the year in Egypt, especially due to the spillover effect of tourism in Cairo, so if you book in advance you will be able to choose the best conditions for your experience and secure the price.

In addition, if you organise an itinerary before your trip, you can effectively combine any of these Nile tours with other typical experiences in the city, such as participating in hot air balloon rides in Luxor or taking excursions to the outskirts of this destination. River cruises are so popular among the local offerings that you will usually be told about them and offered them as soon as you get off the plane at the local airport.

If you book online, you will also have the details of the tour operator in advance, which will make your excursions safer and also avoid the need to pay in cash when you arrive at the port area.

On this type of excursion, you will discover the natural beauty that characterises the Nile River and also learn about its historical importance, which is inextricably linked to the history of Luxor and Thebes, the ancient name of the city when it was the capital of the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt. Throughout the tours, whichever one you choose, you will learn about its vital role in trade and international exchange.

If you opt for a felucca trip , not only will you enjoy a local and authentic experience, but you will also learn about the importance of agriculture on the Nile River, as these boats were used to transport raw materials to nearby sites along the Nile route. During the tours, you can also visit nearby temples located on the banks of the tributary.

On longer tours, such as the 4-day cruise from Luxor to Aswan, you can enjoy a more relaxing experience that will not only take you to the end of the river, but also allow you to discover the Nile waterfalls and other archaeological sites that form part of the main circuit of the tributary.

Keep in mind that in ancient Egypt, life revolved around the river, so from the boat you can discover the cities that emerged thanks to its tireless flow and the fertility of its banks. If you are really interested in local history, you will not find a better way to discover it than on one of these excursions.

If you are planning to visit Luxor and have already decided to take a trip on the Nile, I recommend booking the activity in advance, which will allow you to have all the information about the experience before you arrive at the riverbank. This will make the tour safer and allow you to relax, whether you choose a cruise or a felucca, a traditional boat used by local civilisations.

Also, keep in mind that informal services are very common in Egypt and can be somewhat disorganised. By booking online, you can be sure to have the provider's information in advance, which will be useful in case of any mishaps. On the other hand, if you are travelling during one of the Islamic religious holidays, keep in mind that many activities are suspended or modified, especially during Ramadan.

The Nile is a central pillar of Egyptian culture, as it was around it that one of the most advanced civilisations of its time was formed. So, if you are planning to visit Luxor, which became the most important city in ancient Egypt, you cannot miss out on sailing along this tributary to learn about its significance.

In addition, this river crosses the entire city from end to end, so most of Luxor's attractions are located in an area close to the banks of the Nile. This will allow you to easily access cruise or felucca trips on the river and also combine this experience with a visit to the Temple of Karnak or the archaeological site of the Colossi of Memnon.