4-Day Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor: Abu Simbel & Ancient Temples

Four days sailing Egypt's river, temples at every stop

A 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor with three nights full board, visiting five major temples and Abu Simbel on a small-group excursion. You sail past Kom Ombo and Edfu, take a horse carriage to Edfu Temple, and explore Luxor's west bank (Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and Karnak) with a professional Egyptologist guide throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Aswan sightseeing

• Arrive at Aswan airport or station
• Transfer to Nile Cruise by private car
• Check-in after lunch
• Visit High Dam and Philae Temple
• Overnight in Aswan

Day 2: Abu Simbel and Kom Ombo visit

• Small group tour to Abu Simbel
• Lunch on board
• Sail to Kom Ombo
• Visit Kom Ombo temple and crocodile museum
• Sail to Edfu
• Overnight in Edfu

Day 3: Edfu Temple and sailing to Luxor

• Breakfast on board
• Horse carriage to Edfu Temple
• Return to Nile Cruise
• Sail to Esna and cross Esna lock
• Sail to Luxor
• Optional sound and light show at Karnak temple
• Overnight in Luxor

Day 4: Luxor sightseeing and departure

• Breakfast and checkout
• Visit West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut temple, Colossi of Memnon
• Lunch break
• Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple
• Transfer to bus station, train station or airport

The experience

The cruise departs Aswan on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday. After arrival and transfer to your ship, the first afternoon takes you to the High Dam and Philae Temple, with time at Aswan Market before settling in for the night. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea come daily. The ship carries a swimming pool for the hours between stops.

Day two splits into two parts. A small-group excursion with an English-speaking guide heads to Abu Simbel (the colossal temples carved into the mountainside), then returns for lunch aboard. The afternoon brings sailing to Kom Ombo, where you visit the temple and its crocodile museum before continuing to Edfu for the night. Day three starts with a horse carriage ride to Edfu Temple, the best-preserved temple in Egypt and dedicated to the falcon god Horus. After returning to the ship, you sail through Esna's lock and on to Luxor, arriving for the evening.

The final morning covers Luxor's west bank: the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon. After lunch, you visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple before transfer to your airport, train station or bus. A sound and light show at Karnak is available as an optional add-on.

What’s included

• Small-group Abu Simbel tour with English-speaking local guide.
• professional Egyptologist guide for all temple visits.
• three nights full board accommodation on the Nile cruise with breakfast on the fourth day.
• all transfers by air-conditioned car from Aswan arrival to Luxor departure.
• onboard swimming pool access.

Options for this experience

4 options

3N Accommodation ONLYUp to 30 per booking · Guide in 5 languages · 12:00 and 12:303 nights of accommodation only: 3-night cruise with accommodation only; sightseeing and the Abu Simbel tour are not included. Meals: lunch at the start, breakfast at the end. Pickup is included.

Accommodation + SightseeingUp to 15 per booking · Guide in 5 languages · 12:00 and 12:303 nights / 4 days. Included: private air-conditioned vehicle, tour guide, pickup and drop-off. Excluded: entrance fees, Philae motorboat. Pickup is included.

Full packageUp to 30 per booking · Guide in 5 languages · 12:00 and 12:303 nights / 4 days with tours and entry fees. Included: private air-conditioned vehicle, tour guide, pickup and drop-off, entrance fees, Philae motorboat. Pickup is included.

Full package with a balloon ride.Up to 30 per booking · Guide in 5 languages · 12:00 and 12:303 nights / 4 days with tours, tickets and balloon. Included: private air-conditioned vehicle, tour guide, pickup and drop-off, entrance fees, Philae motorboat and hot air balloon ride. Pickup is included.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and FridayDepartures at 12:00 and 12:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (12 to 80 years) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (2 to 5 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Chinese and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 28 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Show You Egypt

Is this one for you?The 4-day span lets you cover five temples and Abu Simbel without rushing. Each stop gets its own morning or afternoon rather than a quick photo stop. If you have only two or three days, the shorter cruises skip Abu Simbel or combine multiple temples into single days. If you have six days, a longer itinerary adds more time in Luxor or explores further south.

Traveler reviews

4.86★★★★★★★★★★

29 verified traveler reviews

5 ★28

4 ★0

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Chinese and Japanese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (2 to 5 years): free.

What temples do I visit on a 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor?

You visit Philae Temple in Aswan, Kom Ombo temple with its crocodile museum, Edfu Temple (reached by horse carriage), Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple. Abu Simbel, the colossal temples carved into the mountainside, is included on a separate small-group excursion on day two.

How does the Abu Simbel trip work on this cruise?

Abu Simbel is a small-group excursion with an English-speaking local guide on day two. You leave after breakfast, visit the temples, and return to the ship for lunch, so the full outing fits inside the sailing schedule.

What meals are included during the 4 days?

Full board means breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea each day you are aboard the ship. On the fourth day, breakfast is included before you depart for your airport, train or bus station.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to and from Aswan?

No. A private air-conditioned car picks you up from Aswan airport, train station or bus station and transfers you to the ship. On day four, the same service takes you from the ship to your departure point.

What is Edfu Temple like, and how do I get there?

Edfu Temple is the most well-preserved temple in Egypt, built for the falcon god Horus. On day three, you travel there by horse carriage from the ship, explore the temple, and return to continue sailing toward Luxor.