Deluxe Nile Cruises

Iberotel Crown Emperor Nile Cruise

★★★★★ 4.9/5 TripAdvisor 235 traveller reviews Operated by Egypt Holiday Makers
01Overview

A serene 3 or 4-night voyage between Luxor & Aswan

Experience Egypt's rich legacy in style on board the Iberotel Crown Emperor. Traveling on a Nile cruise between Luxor and Aswan makes up one of the best trips for any member of our collection of Deluxe Nile Cruises. Here, the traveler will be able to appreciate the elegance of tastefully furnished cabins, enjoy time at the pool and lounges with magnificent views over the river, dine on both international and local cuisine, and spend leisurely afternoons in traditional Egyptian shows. Travelers will also have the chance to visit the Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, the Valley of Kings, Temple of Edfu, Temple of Kom Ombo, and even the Aswan High Dam during shore tours, while enjoying the scenic and tranquil banks and villages of the river on their travels from Luxor to Aswan.
RouteLuxor ↔ Aswan
Duration3 Nights - 4 Nights
BoardFull board
GuideLicensed Egyptologist
02Day by day

Cruise itinerary

3 Nights · from Aswan

Aswan to Luxor

Day 1

Arrival in Aswan

Welcome to Aswan! Your trip starts right away when you reach the airport. You will be welcomed and escorted by a tour representative from either the airport or your hotel to your next destination, the Aswan High Dam. It is one of the biggest embankment dams in the world and played a crucial role in transforming the Nile and saving the amazing Nubian monuments from the floods caused by it. After that, you will explore the unfinished obelisk which is a remarkable and rare site of how the Pharaohs created their monuments since it was left unfinished due to a crack found while carving.You will take a motorized felucca to the temple of Isis which was transported to the new island called Agilkia because of building the dam. In case you have enough time, you can make a tour around the island of Elephantine and see the granite structures at the First Cataract of the Nile. Lunch will be offered at a local restaurant before transferring to the cruise.

Meals: Lunch – Dinner
Overview On Cruise
Day 2

Kom Ombo Temple — Sail to Edfu

Post-breakfast from the cruise, you will be transported via car to reach Kom Ombo, around 45 kilometers northward. No other Egyptian archaeological monument can compare to Kom Ombo in that it has been designed as a completely symmetrical double temple – one half of which is consecrated to Sobek, the crocodile god, while the other is dedicated to Haroeris, the older version of Horus. With two perfectly identical hypostyle halls consisting of offering chambers and sanctuaries, Kom Ombo stands in all its glory. In addition to the temple, there is an interesting Crocodile Museum where mummies of crocodiles excavated from this precinct can be seen. After lunch at a local eatery, your cruise resumes for Edfu, northwards along the banks of the Nile. While spending the day, you will have time enough to observe sugar-cane fields and sandstone cliffs along the banks, and also spot some Nubian villages. Towards the evening, you will be briefed about your planned tour to Edfu Temple tomorrow by your on-board Egyptologist.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch – Dinner
Overview On Cruise
Day 3

Edfu Temple — Sail to Luxor — Luxor Temple

Boarding the boat at Edfu, breakfast will be served prior to making your way to the temple in the traditional horse-drawn calèche. Edfu’s Temple of Horus is one of the most well-preserved ancient temples in Egypt and it can easily be told from the structure. The temple consists of the pylon gateway, the hypostyle hall, inner sanctuaries, roof terraces, and is filled with inscriptions detailing rituals, the Horus and Seth mythology, and rules on sacred buildings not found elsewhere. Lunch will be provided by the local restaurant. When the boat departs for Luxor to the north, the afternoon is yours to spend freely on the Nile. After the visit to the site, a private vehicle will take you to Luxor Temple via the East Bank area of Luxor. Luxor Temple was erected mainly by Amenhotep III and Ramesses II and has a unique appearance during this period in the day. It features colonnade halls, sun courts, and a procession of sphinx statues. You will board your boat once again via a private vehicle at Luxor.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch – Dinner
Overview On Cruise
Day 4

Luxor West Bank — Departure

Following a final breakfast on board, you leave the ship and make your way across to the West Bank of the Nile – the burial site of ancient Thebes, where the New Kingdom pharaohs were buried. At the Valley of the Kings, visit three royal tombs where you'll explore the walls covered with funerary scenes from the Amduat and Book of Gates. The Egyptologist accompanying you will interpret the iconographic scheme in the tomb's interior, telling the story of the royal soul's passage through the night. Then visit the terraced mortuary temple of Hatshepsut carved out of a limestone cliff, featuring relief scenes illustrating the divine birth of Hatshepsut and the expedition she conducted to the land of Punt. Before leaving for lunch, there will be a quick stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two giant statues of Amenhotep III marking the entrance of the greatest mortuary temple ever built in Egypt. You have lunch at a local restaurant, and then you continue to the airport of Luxor by private car.

Meals: Breakfast – Lunch
4 Nights · from Luxor

Luxor to Aswan

Day 1

Arrival in Luxor — East Bank Tour

On your arrival at Luxor airport or the train station, a representative will welcome you and take you straight to your cruise ship at the Luxor dock. Once you have settled in and got acquainted with your surroundings, your afternoons will give you the opportunity to explore two of the mightiest structures from ancient Egypt. First, you will visit Karnak Temple Complex, which is considered as the largest temple complex that was ever built; it spans an area of over 2 square kilometers, built throughout a period of more than 2,000 years by different pharaohs, even though its image is now quite common. From there, you will proceed to visit Luxor Temple, which is a relatively recent monument from the late New Kingdom and is linked to Karnak Temple via the Avenue of Sphinxes.

Overview On Cruise
Meals: Lunch – Dinner
Day 2

Luxor — West Bank Tour

Breakfast will be provided onboard the ship prior to being transported by private transport to the West Bank, the side reserved for the funerary processions of the kings during ancient times, where the change in landscape begins to put into perspective the magnitude of what the kings of the New Kingdom had constructed for themselves for eternity. On the Valley of the Kings where there are more than 60 decorated tombs, you will see selected chambers where the wall paintings are drawn from the Amduat and the Book of Gates. From there comes the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el Bahari, with its three terraces that are cut right out of the limestone rock faces, along with its reliefs depicting the divine birth of Hatshepsut and the expedition to the land of Punt. Next comes the Colossi of Memnon, two giant statues of Amenhotep III sitting down, measuring 18 meters in height and guarding the entrance to the biggest Mortuary Temple ever built in Egypt. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will be taken back to your cruise by a private car. At sunset, your ship will leave Luxor heading to Edfu.

Overview On Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch – Dinner
Day 3

Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples

The cruise arrives at Edfu, and you will access the temple via a carriage drawn by horses – the traditional method of entry into the temple and certainly a fitting one. Edfu Temple is regarded as the best-preserved temple in the whole of Egypt, with the temple's towering pylon, hypostyle hall, inner sanctuary, and roof terraces intact, inscribed with Ptolemaic ritual texts throughout. It is amazing how the legends surrounding Horus and Seth can be seen inscribed throughout the walls of the temple. You will travel back to your cruise via carriage. Kom Ombo is the location for your next port of call, where a truly unique temple awaits along the banks of the river Nile. Constructed in perfect symmetry as a double sanctuary, this temple is a tribute to the gods of Sobek and Haroeris (elder Horus), with two sets of structures that mirror each other including two hypostyle halls, offering halls, and sanctuaries. While having lunch aboard your cruise boat, the vessel sails towards Aswan.

Overview On Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch – Dinner
Day 4

Aswan Day Tour

Breakfast is provided on board before embarking on a full day of sightseeing in Aswan. First up is the High Dam, constructed in 1970, which represents an impressive feat of engineering and marked a change for Egyptian agriculture and power as well as the creation of Lake Nasser, which is among the largest reservoirs in the world. Next comes the Unfinished Obelisk, which is located in a quarry of granite and offers a unique insight into just how the Pharaohs did what they did. Enjoy the ride on your private motorboat that will take you to the Philae Island, home to the Temple of Isis, a Ptolemaic temple complex that was successfully relocated to the island to preserve it from being submerged by water when the Aswan Dam project was started. You will have lunch at a local restaurant while enjoying the tour. After lunch, slow down for the rest of the afternoon with a private sail on a felucca around the Elephantine Island and the banks of Nubia with the beautiful granite rocks of Aswan going past you on the river’s own slow pace.

Overview On Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch – Dinner
Day 5

Departure from Aswan

There will be an ending breakfast service on board prior to your check-out from the cruise ship. A transfer car will drive you back to Aswan Airport or Train Station, depending on your mode of departure.

Meals: Breakfast
03What’s included

Included & excluded

  • Meet and assist upon arrival with flowers/departure.
  • Accommodation at Nile Cruise on Full Board Basis.
  • Entrance fee for all sightseeing mentioned in the programs
  • All Transfers by a private air-conditioned vehicle
  • bottle of mineral water during Daily tours
  • Egyptologist English guide during tours.
  • All Taxes & Service charges.
  • Any Extra meals and beverages.
  • All personal expenses.
  • Any Optional tours.
  • Tipping
04On board

Ship features & facilities

  • 24 hours reception
  • Internet service
  • Laundry service
  • Large sun deck with swimming pool and pool bar
  • Gift shop
  • Doctor on calls on board.
  • Beauty saloon
  • Meeting space
  • International telephone & fax
  • Disco
  • Luxurious Lounge
  • All cabins have large panoramic windows facing the Nile
  • Cabins are equipped with private W/C, bathtub, and hairdryer.
  • TV, satellite TV reception, closed circuit video, internal telephone, and music system.
  • Cabins are fully air-conditioned with individually controlled thermostats.
  • Individual safety box in all cabins, at no extra charge
05Good to know

Pricing, booking & policies

Prices are in US dollars per person per trip, and you can pay in any other currency. Child Less than 3 Years is Free of Charge Child Rate applies to children from 3 to 11 Years Old Sharing Parents Cabin. Children more than 12 Years old pay an adult Rate Rates Include Tours as Per the Cruise Program Rates Include Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Rates Include Transfers From Airport / Train Station / Hotel upon arrival A Triple Cabin is a Normal Double Cabin, an extra Bed, or a Sofa Bed Rates are subject to change in case of any changes in airport taxes, cruise rates, transport rates, or government taxes. Rates are not valid during Christmas, New Year or Easter. Travel insurance and entry visa charges are not included in the package. Official Method of Payment: Cash and Credit Cards
The customer receives a confirmation voucher via email within 24 hours of successful booking. We are offering a low down payment of just 25% to secure your spaces on tour, including hotel rooms, cruise cabins, domestic flight tickets, and other travel-related services. The remaining balance can be paid up to two days before your arrival date or in cash upon arrival at the destination to your tour manager, making you're booking a risk-free investment.
Cancellation after confirmation with payment before 30 days of the commencement of the tour: 10% of the value of the tour package. Canceling the tour 30 to 20 days before commencement of the tour: 25% of the value of the package Canceling 19-15 days before commencing the tour: 50% of the tour cost Canceling 14-11 days before commencement of the tour: 75% of the tour cost Canceling before 10 days or less before the tour date: No refund for the tour
A valid Passport for 6 months, Sunblock & Sunglasses, Sanitizer gel & Water holder, Warm clothes in winter, Cotton clothes in summer, Camera & Umbrella, A Hat & Comfortable shoes.
06Questions

Cruise FAQ

The best time is between October and April, with October–November and March–April being the prime months in this range. In terms of climate, temperatures during October–April average 25–30°C in daytime and cold enough in the evening to require a light sweater; ideal conditions for tourism. This is when most cruise ships sail through the waters of Panama. Prices are relatively high as well as the number of tourists since Christmas and New Year festivities happen in December and January. For a better weather condition coupled with low prices and small number of tourists, the two periods mentioned above are preferable.
Food is linked to the category of the ship. In case of Standard Nile Cruises, the food comes in the form of buffets, and is good enough for cultural tours although it is more about value than taste. As for the Deluxe Nile Cruises, they provide more quality in terms of presentation, a greater number of dishes and the possibility of choice between à la carte and buffets. The Luxury Nile Cruises represent the highest level of food services with gourmet menus and à la carte dishes prepared from high-quality ingredients. The highest level is provided in private Dahabiya Nile Cruises which include an exclusive chef preparing special dishes according to customers' needs. Private Dahabiya Nile Cruises can only accommodate 60-80 people, which is impossible in bigger vessels. Therefore, the quality of the food increases significantly when moving from the Standard class to the next one.
Cruise prices fall within the range of $400 - $4,500+, depending largely upon the type of the cruise ships used during the voyage between Luxor and Aswan, lasting four to five nights. The cost of budget cruises starts at approximately $450, while the price of deluxe cruises lies between $700-$1,200. Boutique dahabiyas and ultra-luxury cruises cost from $1,500 upwards and $4,000 upwards, respectively. For example, a 4-night journey from Luxor to Aswan will cost you from $440 aboard a budget cruise liner up to $1,170+ for luxury suites-only. The standard set of inclusions is the entry ticket for the temples, three daily meals, transportation to and from the ship to attractions, and an Egyptologist guide. Exclusions include international flights, Egypt visas, insurance, and excursions (Abu Simbel, hot air balloon).
The traditional journey lasting 4 to 5 days from Aswan to Luxor is great for first-timers with about 10 days at their disposal to visit Cairo, go on the Nile cruise, and even take some time off in the Red Sea. This tour includes the visits of Kom Ombo, Edfu, and all significant temples and tombs in Luxor. Whether one travels from Aswan to Luxor or the other way round makes no difference because the same landmarks will be covered anyway. For those with enough time at their disposal (2 weeks and more), there is an opportunity to take the longer Cairo to Aswan cruise along the whole Nile, usually lasting 15 days.
Yes. Egypt is overall very safe to travel to in 2026, with no civil unrest and excellent security/policing across the nation, along with an even lower incidence of violent crime compared to most Western nations. Egypt's track record has been consistently improving in terms of security over the past decade. Egypt’s famous tourist cities like Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan are all under no advisory regarding travel and remain safe with tourism security monitoring sites of interest and Nile cruises. Currently, the U.S. State Department rates Egypt at level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution), with advisory areas specifically Northern and Middle Sinai along with certain border regions and deserts – none of which are on regular Nile river cruise itineraries.
Traveller reviews

What our guests say

★★★★★
Faultless from the first email to disembarkation. The ship was spotless, the food excellent, and every temple visit was perfectly timed to avoid the crowds.
Verified review · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Our Egyptologist made every site come alive. Egypt Holiday Makers handled all the logistics so we could just enjoy the Nile. Worth every penny.
Verified review · TripAdvisor
★★★★★
Booked the Movenpick and it exceeded expectations. The route was beautifully paced and the team answered every question on WhatsApp within minutes.
Verified review · TripAdvisor
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