Christmas and New Year are the most popular weeks of the year on the Nile. The weather is at its best, the temples are lit by low winter sun, and the cruise ships celebrate the holidays on board. This guide covers our 4-day Christmas and New Year cruise from Aswan to Luxor, what it includes, what it costs, and how to fit it into a longer trip, using the itinerary and prices published on our own cruise pages.
Can You Take a Nile Cruise Over Christmas and New Year?
Yes. The Nile cruise ships sail right through the holidays, and late December is one of the busiest times on the river. Our 4-day Christmas and New Year cruise sails from Aswan to Luxor with three nights on a 5-star ship, full board, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees and holiday celebrations on board.
The holiday weeks are also the highest-priced weeks of the year on the Nile, so this is a trip to plan early. If your dates are flexible, the section on timing below shows what you save by sailing just before or just after the holidays.
What Is Included in the Christmas and New Year Nile Cruise?
The 4-day Christmas and New Year Nile cruise includes three nights on a 5-star Nile cruise with full board, an Egyptologist guide, entrance fees to the sites in the program, transfers in air-conditioned vehicles, and all service charges and taxes. International flights, the Egypt visa and tips are not included.
- Included: 5-star cabin for three nights, full board, Egyptologist guide, entrance fees, transfers, service charges and taxes.
- Not included: international flights, the Egypt entry visa, tips and personal expenses.
- Starts and ends: you board in Aswan on day 1 and finish in Luxor on day 4, with a transfer after the last visits.
What Is the Day-by-Day Itinerary?
Day 1 is Philae Temple and Aswan, then you board for lunch. Day 2 sails north to Kom Ombo and Edfu. Day 3 is the Luxor West Bank: the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon. Day 4 is Karnak and Luxor Temple before your transfer onward.
| Day | Where | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aswan | Philae Temple on its island and the city's sights; board the ship for lunch |
| 2 | Kom Ombo and Edfu | The double temple of Sobek and Horus at Kom Ombo, then Edfu, the best-preserved temple in Egypt |
| 3 | Luxor West Bank | The Valley of the Kings, the terraces of Hatshepsut Temple and the Colossi of Memnon; last night on board |
| 4 | Luxor East Bank | Karnak after breakfast, then Luxor Temple, and your transfer |
Because the ship sails with the current from Aswan, three nights are enough to cover the main temples. If you are deciding between this direction and a longer cruise from Luxor, our guide to Luxor to Aswan or Aswan to Luxor compares the two routes day by day.
How Much Does a Christmas Nile Cruise Cost?
Our 4-day Christmas and New Year cruise starts from $850 per person. The price depends on group size: $910 each for 5 to 8 travelers, $1,085 each for 2 to 4, and $1,760 for a solo traveler. Entrance fees, full board and the Egyptologist guide are already in the price.
| Travelers | Price per person |
|---|---|
| Solo | $1,760 |
| 2 to 4 | $1,085 |
| 5 to 8 | $910 |
| 9 or more | On request |
Our regular cruises also sail over the holidays, at their holiday rates for departures from December 20, 2026 to January 4, 2027. For two to four travelers:
| Cruise | Holiday price, 2 to 4 travelers |
|---|---|
| 4-day Christmas and New Year cruise, Aswan to Luxor | $1,085 |
| 3 nights from Aswan (Abu Simbel optional) | $1,190 |
| Classic 4 nights from Luxor | $1,215 |
| 4 nights from Luxor (Abu Simbel optional) | $1,400 |
For every season and group size, see our full Nile cruise price guide for 2026/27.
How Is Christmas Celebrated on a Nile Cruise?
On our Christmas and New Year cruise, festive celebrations and evening entertainment on board are part of the trip, alongside the daily guided visits. Days are spent at the temples with your Egyptologist, and evenings are spent on the ship as it sails between Aswan and Luxor, with the holiday atmosphere on board.
Egypt has its own Christmas too. The Coptic Christian community, one of the oldest in the world, celebrates Christmas on January 7, so travelers who stay into early January will see a second round of celebrations in Egyptian towns and churches.
What Is the Weather Like on the Nile in Late December?
Late December is one of the most comfortable times to see Upper Egypt. Days in Aswan and Luxor are usually sunny and pleasantly warm, which makes long temple visits easy. Evenings and early mornings are cool and can feel cold on the open deck while the ship is sailing, so bring warm layers.
- Pack a warm sweater or light jacket for the deck and early starts, plus a sun hat and sunscreen for the middle of the day.
- Bring comfortable shoes for the Valley of the Kings and Karnak, where you walk on uneven ground.
- Plan for short winter days: the sun sets early, so visits start in the morning.
Our Egypt packing list covers the rest.
How Do You Combine the Cruise With Cairo, Abu Simbel or Luxor?
Most travelers add two or three days in Cairo for the Pyramids and the Grand Egyptian Museum, then fly to Aswan for the cruise. Since the cruise starts in Aswan, Abu Simbel fits best the day before you board. It finishes in Luxor, so a sunrise balloon ride the next morning is easy to add.
- Before the cruise: a private 4-day Cairo tour for the Pyramids, Saqqara and the museums.
- The day before boarding: the Abu Simbel private day tour from Aswan, from $100 per person.
- After the cruise: a Luxor hot air balloon ride at sunrise, from $95 per person.
Is It Worth Cruising Over the Holidays, or Should You Go Before or After?
It is worth it if your time off falls over the holidays and you want the festive evenings on board. If your dates are flexible, sailing before December 20 or from January 5 gives the same weather and temples for less: on our 3-night cruise from Aswan, two to four travelers pay $1,015 each instead of $1,190.
The holiday rates on our regular cruises apply to departures from December 20 to January 4. Departures from October 1 to December 19 and from January 5 to March 25 are priced at the main winter rate, which is lower on every cruise.
FAQs About Christmas and New Year Nile Cruises
- When does the Christmas and New Year cruise sail?
It sails over the Christmas and New Year holiday season, 4 days from Aswan to Luxor. Send us your travel dates on WhatsApp and we will confirm which departures are available. - Are entrance fees included?
Yes. Entrance fees to the sites in the program are included, along with full board, the Egyptologist guide, transfers, service charges and taxes. - Is Abu Simbel included in the Christmas cruise?
No. It is not part of this cruise, but you can see it on our private day tour from Aswan the day before you board. - Can I join the Christmas cruise as a solo traveler?
Yes. The price for a solo traveler is $1,760, with the same full-board program, guide and entrance fees as everyone else on board. - Where does the cruise start and finish?
You board in Aswan on day 1 and finish in Luxor on day 4, with a departure transfer after the visits to Karnak and Luxor Temple.
See the full program on the Christmas and New Year Nile cruise page, or compare all our departures on the Nile cruises page. Send us your dates and group size on WhatsApp and we will confirm availability and the price for your group.
