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

Eight temples in four days, guided by an Egyptologist who knows what each one means

A 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor with a professional Egyptologist guide, staying aboard a five-star ship with a swimming pool and full board. The itinerary covers Abu Simbel (relocated by UNESCO in 1964), Philae, the Aswan High Dam, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Karnak and Luxor temples. Hotel pickup and all transfers are included. The optional hot air balloon over Luxor's west bank departs early on the final morning.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Aswan cruise check-in and sightseeing

• Check in to Nile cruise
• Have lunch onboard
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Visit Philae Temple
• Dinner onboard

Day 2: Abu Simbel and Nile sailing

• Early visit to Abu Simbel temples
• Return to cruise for lunch
• Sail and visit Kom Ombo Temple
• Sail to Edfu and overnight
• Dinner onboard

Day 3: Edfu temple and sail to Luxor

• Visit Edfu Temple early morning
• Sail to Luxor via Esna Lock
• Overnight in Luxor
• Meals onboard

Day 4: Luxor temples and departure

• Disembark from cruise
• Optional hot air balloon ride
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• Visit Karnak Temple
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Arrange departure transfer

The experience

Four days means Abu Simbel fits inside the trip without rushing the rest. You leave Aswan after lunch on day one, visit the High Dam and Philae Temple that afternoon, then wake around 4 am on day two for the drive south to Abu Simbel: the colossal temples carved into a mountainside and relocated by UNESCO in 1964. The round trip takes about eight hours, and the cruise waits. By afternoon you're sailing again past Nubian villages, fishing boats and both riverbanks. Kom Ombo Temple comes next, built with a shared design for two gods (the crocodile-headed Sobek and the falcon-headed Horus), then an overnight stop in Edfu.

Day three starts early at Edfu Temple, the most well-preserved temple in Egypt and dedicated to Horus. The ship navigates through the Esna Lock on the way to Luxor, where you spend the final night. On day four, the optional hot air balloon lifts off at dawn for 45 minutes over the west bank's ancient sites. Whether you take it or not, the day includes Valley of the Kings (where more than 24 New Kingdom pharaohs are buried in cliff tombs), Hatshepsut Temple (built by Egypt's most famous female pharaoh), Karnak Temple (the largest in Egypt), and Luxor Temple with its avenue of sphinxes. Disembarkation happens around 2 pm, with transfer to your hotel, airport, bus station or train station arranged.

The ship is five-star with a swimming pool, and meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea) are served on board every day. A professional Egyptologist travels with your group throughout, explaining what you're seeing at each site. All entrance fees to the temples and sites are not included in the price, but all other transfers, the bus to Abu Simbel, accommodation and meals are. Door-to-door hotel pickup on day one and final-day transfer are part of the booking.

What’s included

• All eight temple sites in the itinerary (Abu Simbel, Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Karnak and Luxor).
• the bus tour to Abu Simbel.
• three nights in a five-star Nile cruise with a swimming pool.
• breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea each day.
• a professional Egyptologist guide throughout.
• all transfers from and to your hotel on day one and day four.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and Friday9 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 15:00Last departure this season: 14 Dec

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 to 90 years) · Youth (7 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Infant (1 to 2 years): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.You can choose from 47 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 effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Egypt wondrful tours

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and travels with your group at every site, so you understand the history and meaning of each temple as you stand in front of it. This works for anyone who wants context, not just a list of names.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 17 years); Child (3 to 6 years); Infant (1 to 2 years): free.

How early do I need to wake for Abu Simbel?

Abu Simbel requires a 4 am departure on day two. The round trip takes about eight hours, and you return to the cruise by lunchtime when it begins sailing toward Kom Ombo.

What is Kom Ombo Temple known for?

Kom Ombo Temple has a unique design shared by two gods: Sobek, the crocodile-headed deity, and Horus, the falcon-headed god. It's one of the few Egyptian temples built for two deities at once.

Is the hot air balloon included, or do I pay extra?

The hot air balloon over Luxor's west bank is optional and booked separately at checkout. It runs for 45 minutes at dawn on the final morning and is not part of the standard cruise price.

What temples do I visit in Luxor on the last day?

The final day includes Valley of the Kings (where pharaohs from the New Kingdom are buried in cliff tombs), Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak Temple (the largest in Egypt), and Luxor Temple with its sphinx-lined avenue. Tours wrap by 2 pm for your departure transfer.

Are meals included on the cruise?

Yes, all meals are included: breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea are served on board each day. The ship has a swimming pool and full-board entertainment.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to and from the cruise?

No. Door-to-door transfers from your hotel are included on day one, and a departure transfer on day four takes you to your hotel, airport, bus station or train station.