4-Day Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor: Abu Simbel, Hot Air Balloon

Float over ancient tombs at dawn, then explore temples and Nile calm by day

A 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor aboard a 5-star ship, with an Egyptology guide leading visits to Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. You rise before dawn for a hot air balloon flight over Thebes, tour the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the west bank, and spend three nights in a cabin with all facilities while the ship carries you downriver between stops. Meals, transfers and entry to all sites are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Explore Aswan and board cruise

• Arrive in Aswan
• Visit Philae Temple by motorboat
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Visit local market at night
• Check in Nile cruise

Day 2: Visit Abu Simbel and Kom Ombo temples

• Visit Abu Simbel Temples
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple
• Sail to Edfu

Day 3: Visit Edfu Temple and sail to Luxor

• Visit Temple of Horus in Edfu
• Sail to Luxor
• Visit Luxor Temple

Day 4: Hot air balloon and Luxor sights

• Hot air balloon ride early morning
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• Visit Colossi of Memnon
• Visit Karnak Temple

The experience

The cruise departs Aswan on your first afternoon after a motorboat visit to Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam: a 111-meter structure completed in 1971 that controls the Nile's flow across 3,600 meters of length. You board the 5-star ship that evening and sail south overnight to Abu Simbel, the temple complex Ramses II built around 1244 BC to project Egyptian power into Nubia. The two colossal statues at the entrance stand nearly 20 meters tall. The interior chambers run deep into the rock face. The next day brings Kom Ombo Temple, where two deities (Sobek and Horus) each had their own sanctuary within the same structure, a rare arrangement in Egyptian temple design. The ship continues to Edfu, where the Temple of Horus rises as one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, its falcon deity once the city's protector.

On the final full day in Luxor, you board a hot air balloon around 4:30 am to drift above the west bank as light breaks over the Valley of the Kings. The balloon flight is the only way to see the scale of the royal necropolis from above: the valley stretches across terrain where pharaohs were buried over five centuries, from the sixteenth to eleventh centuries BC. After landing, you visit the tombs themselves, then move to the Temple of Hatshepsut, the three-tiered limestone structure Queen Hatshepsut built 3,500 years ago in Deir el-Bahari. The Colossi of Memnon, two 19-meter statues of Amenhotep III, stand nearby on the plain. The afternoon takes you across the Nile to Karnak Temple, the vast complex dedicated to Amun Ra and his divine family, where construction spanned from the Middle Kingdom through the Roman era. Luxor Temple, on the east bank, closes the tour. It was built during the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Dynasties and retains the pylon and obelisks Ramses II added. The ship docks in Luxor, and you disembark around 4 to 5 pm on the final day.

All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are served aboard the ship. An air-conditioned vehicle handles transfers between the dock and each temple site. Your guide speaks English and holds credentials in Egyptology. Groups stay under 15 travelers. Entrance fees to the temples are paid by card at each site, except for the motorboat to Philae Temple and the High Dam, which are paid in cash. If weather cancels the Abu Simbel trip or the hot air balloon flight, you receive a refund of $25 per adult or $12.50 per child. Children under 6 cannot participate in the balloon flight. Children aged 5 to 11 are charged as adults if traveling with one accompanying adult.

What’s included

• Lunch on the first day through breakfast on the final day.
• three nights in a cabin aboard the 5-star cruise ship with all facilities.
• visits to all temples and sites named in the itinerary.
• hot air balloon flight over the Valley of the Kings.
• horse and carriage rides.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport between sites.
• qualified Egyptology guide throughout.
• hotel or port pickup and drop-off in Aswan and Luxor.

Options for this experience

2 options

5***** Nile CruisesGuide in English · Available from 16 Dec · 9 departure times: the first at 04:00, the last at 12:00Pickup is included.

Luxury ship from Sonesta Ships.Guide in English · 7 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 11:30Cabins are luxurious, with sliding glass doors that open onto private balconies. Nubian Village: after lunch, relax for a while, then head down to the Nile to board a motorboat. Sail slowly to take in the scenery and the views toward the Nubian Village on Soheil Island, enjoy a welcome drink in one of the Nubian families' houses, chat with them to learn about their customs, and walk around the village with your guide. Full board accommodation. Private tours, private care, and a private tour guide. All cabins are non-smoking; smoking is permitted only in open areas. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Lasts 4d, runs every day, 9 start times, from US$ 763.89 per person, with a live guide in English, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and Friday: 08:00, 09:00, 09:30, 10:00, 10:30, 11:00, 11:30 and 12:00Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 04:00Last departure this season: 31 Jan 2027

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

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 or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Fayrouz Egypt Travel

Is this one for you?Book this 4-day cruise if you want to see the major temples of Upper Egypt (Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak and Luxor) without spending a week on the river or arranging separate transport between sites. The ship carries you overnight between stops, so you wake at each new temple. The hot air balloon and the Valley of the Kings fit into a single morning because the group stays small and the guide moves you through each site on a fixed schedule. If you have more time and want to linger longer at any one temple, or prefer a slower pace, a longer cruise may suit you better.

Traveler reviews

4.59★★★★★★★★★★

39 verified traveler reviews

5 ★33

4 ★2

3 ★1

2 ★0

1 ★3

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): 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 is the Aswan High Dam and why does it matter on this tour?

The Aswan High Dam is a 111-meter water barrier completed in 1971 that controls the Nile's flow and generates electricity for Egypt. You visit it on the first day as part of Aswan's introduction. It is one of the engineering landmarks that shaped modern Egypt and sits on the route between Philae Temple and your ship.

Can I take photos during the hot air balloon flight?

Cameras are not permitted in the balloon basket, but you can use your cellphone to photograph the Valley of the Kings and the west bank from the air. Children under 6 are not allowed on the balloon at all.

What makes the Temple of Kom Ombo different from other Egyptian temples?

Kom Ombo is the only major Egyptian temple with two complete sanctuaries side by side, one for the crocodile god Sobek and one for the falcon god Horus. Each deity had its own entrance, pillared halls and inner shrine, a design that arose from the local worship traditions at that site.

How much time do you spend at each major temple?

The itinerary includes full visits to Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak and Luxor Temple across the four days. The ship's schedule determines the length of each stop. You move between sites by vehicle or motorboat, and the guide leads you through each temple's layout and history.

What happens if bad weather cancels the Abu Simbel or balloon trip?

If either excursion is cancelled due to weather, you receive a refund of $25 per adult or $12.50 per child. The tour continues with the remaining sites in Luxor and along the river cruise.

When does the tour end and how do I get back to my hotel?

The tour ends in Luxor around 4 to 5 pm on the final day. You can arrange drop-off at a Luxor hotel on the east bank, the train station or another location. Confirm your preference when you book.