New Year’s Eve Nile Cruise (Luxor to Aswan)

Written by the Egypt Day Tours team and reviewed by our licensed Egyptologist guides. Last updated September 2026.

See in the New Year on the Nile, with a festive gala dinner, temples by day, and Egypt’s greatest river drifting past your window. A private, all-arranged holiday between Luxor and Aswan over the turn of the year.

There are few better places to start a year than on the deck of a Nile cruiser, glass in hand, the lights of Luxor or Aswan glowing on the water and three thousand years of history behind you. This is New Year’s Eve the way Egypt does it: a gala dinner, music and dancing on board, and the calm of the river when midnight has passed.

Your cruise runs the classic stretch between Luxor and Aswan, the most temple-rich water in the world. By day you step ashore with your private Egyptologist to explore Karnak and the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, the double temple of Kom Ombo, and Philae on its island near Aswan. By night you are back on board, unpacking once and watching Egypt slide by.

The New Year’s Eve sailing is the centerpiece. Ships lay on a festive gala dinner and a party to welcome midnight, and because your whole trip is private, you set the pace around it: a slow morning after the celebration, an extra temple, a felucca at sunset, whatever suits you. We match you to a five-star or luxury vessel with a strong track record for the holiday sailings, since these book out first.

We handle everything end to end: the right ship and cabin for your dates, all transfers, your guide, entrance fees, and the flights or train between Cairo and Luxor or Aswan if you want to add the pyramids to your trip. You tell us how you want to spend the turn of the year, and we build it around you.

Included

• ✓ New Year’s Eve gala dinner and on-board celebration
• ✓ Nile cruise Luxor to Aswan (or reverse) with full board
• ✓ Private Egyptologist guide for all guided visits
• ✓ All temple visits: Karnak, Valley of the Kings, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae
• ✓ All transfers and assistance
• ✓ Entrance fees to included sites
• ✓ Bottled water on tour days

Excluded

• ✗ International and domestic flights
• ✗ Optional Cairo and pyramids extension
• ✗ Egypt entry visa
• ✗ Drinks outside meals, personal expenses and tips

Tour Highlights

• ◆ A festive New Year’s Eve gala dinner on the Nile
• ◆ Karnak, the Valley of the Kings and Luxor’s west bank
• ◆ Edfu and Kom Ombo temples right on the river
• ◆ Philae Temple on its island at Aswan
• ◆ A private guide and your own pace over the holiday
• ◆ One unpacking, a new view every morning

Pricing

Festive-season dates book out early and prices move with demand. Message us with your dates for a firm quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the New Year’s Eve cruise run?

Sailings covering 31 December vary slightly by vessel, and the festive ships fill early. Tell us your arrival dates and we will secure a cabin on a cruise whose itinerary includes New Year’s Eve on board.

Is the gala dinner included?

Yes. The New Year’s Eve gala dinner and on-board celebration are part of the holiday sailings. Some ships also add live music and a party to welcome midnight.

Luxor to Aswan or Aswan to Luxor?

Both directions visit the same temples. We pick the direction that fits your flights and the festive sailing dates, and we tell you which vessel and route we are booking before you commit.

Can we add Cairo and the pyramids?

Absolutely. Most guests fly or take the train between Cairo and Luxor or Aswan. We can build a full Christmas-and-New-Year trip that opens in Cairo and finishes on the Nile.

Why book the festive cruise early?

New Year’s Eve is the single busiest sailing of the year and the best cabins on the best ships go first. Booking early is the difference between the cruise you want and whatever is left.