3-Day Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor: Valley of the Kings & Temples

Sail past five millennia of temples while sleeping on the river

A 3-day, 2-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor with an expert Egyptologist guide, staying aboard a 5-star boat and visiting the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Kom Ombo Temple, Temple of Horus at Edfu, Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple. All meals, transport between sites and guided tours are included. Entrance fees to the temples are an optional add-on at checkout, as is a hot air balloon ride over the West Bank on day three.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Kom Ombo Temple Visit

• Arrive in Aswan and meet guide
• Visit Philae Temple
• Lunch
• Sail to Kom Ombo
• Explore Kom Ombo Temple
• Dinner and overnight on cruise

Day 2: Edfu Temple and Luxor Arrival

• Breakfast onboard
• Horse carriage to Edfu Temple
• Sail through Nile Valley and Esna Lock
• Lunch onboard
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Optional Karnak Temple visit
• Dinner and overnight on cruise

Day 3: Luxor Tour and Departure

• Optional early hot air balloon ride
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut and Colossi of Memnon
• Visit Karnak Temple
• Transfer to Luxor Airport or station

The experience

The boat leaves Aswan with breakfast and a visit to Kom Ombo Temple, a double shrine built for the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus. After lunch onboard, you sail toward Edfu, arriving the next morning to ride a horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Horus: one of Egypt's best-preserved ancient temples. The cruise continues through the Esna Lock and down the Nile Valley to Luxor, where you dock for the final two nights. Dinner and overnight stays happen aboard the 5-star boat each evening.

Day two in Luxor starts with the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs including Tutankhamun were entombed. You then visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, built for one of Egypt's most famous queens, and stop for photos at the Colossi of Memnon. The afternoon takes you to Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex ever built and spanning 2,000 years of construction. An Egyptologist guide leads all site visits and explains the history and architecture at each stop. If you book the optional hot air balloon ride, it departs at 5:00 AM on day three for views of the West Bank and surrounding temples before the ground tours begin.

Your guide speaks English and meets you at the airport, train station or hotel in Aswan to start the journey. All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are served onboard. Transport between sites uses an air-conditioned vehicle. The boat is wheelchair accessible, and transportation to and from the sites accommodates wheelchairs as well. Entrance fees to the temples are optional and chosen at checkout, as is the hot air balloon ride.

What’s included

• All meals onboard (breakfast, lunch and dinner each day).
• expert Egyptologist guide throughout the 3 days.
• air-conditioned transport between all sites.
• 3-night accommodation aboard a 5-star Nile cruise boat.
• guided tours of the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Kom Ombo Temple, Temple of Horus at Edfu, Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple.
• pickup from Aswan airport, train station or hotel.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday and SaturdayDepartures at 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 25 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Go Tours Egypt

Is this one for you?This cruise suits travelers who want to see Egypt's major temples without arranging separate transport or accommodation: the boat moves you downriver each night while you sleep, and the guide handles every stop. Small groups and families travel together aboard the same vessel, sharing meals and the same Egyptologist throughout.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

1 verified traveler review

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What temples do I actually visit on this 3-day cruise?

You visit five major temples: Kom Ombo Temple on day one; the Temple of Horus at Edfu on day two; Luxor Temple on day two evening; the Valley of the Kings on day three; Temple of Hatshepsut on day three; and Karnak Temple on day three afternoon. The Colossi of Memnon are a photo stop on day three.

Does the price include entrance fees to the temples?

Entrance fees are optional and added at checkout. The cruise, guide, meals, transport between sites and accommodation aboard the 5-star boat are included in the base price.

Can I take a hot air balloon ride over Luxor?

A hot air balloon ride over the West Bank is optional on day three, departing at 5:00 AM. It is an add-on you choose at checkout and offers panoramic views of the Valley of the Kings and surrounding temples before the ground tours begin.

How does the horse-drawn carriage work at Edfu?

On day two morning, after breakfast, you take a horse-drawn carriage from the dock to the Temple of Horus at Edfu. This is the local transport method used to reach the temple from where the cruise docks.

What meals are provided each day?

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served onboard the cruise boat each day. Meals are included in the tour price.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to Aswan to start the cruise?

No. Your Egyptologist guide meets you at Aswan airport, train station or hotel and handles transport from there. Pickup is included in the tour.