4-Day Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor: Hot Air Balloon at Dawn

Float over the West Bank at dawn, then walk through tombs and temples along the Nile.

A 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor includes a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over Luxor's West Bank, visits to the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, and major temple complexes including Karnak and Luxor Temple. You travel aboard a cruise ship with a live English-speaking guide, making stops at Kom Ombo Temple and the Temple of Horus en route, with all transfers by private air-conditioned vehicle and entry fees included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Aswan – Aswan City Tour

• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Explore Philae Temple
• See the Unfinished Obelisk

Day 2: Nile Cruise – Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Luxor

• Visit Kom Ombo Temple
• Lunch on the cruise
• Explore Temple of Horus in Edfu

Day 3: West Bank and East Bank of Luxor & Hot Air Balloon Ride

• Hot air balloon ride at dawn
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Tour Temple of Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon

Day 4: Disembarkation Final Departure

• Visit Karnak Temple
• Explore Luxor Temple

The experience

The itinerary starts in Aswan with the High Dam and Philae Temple, then moves to the Unfinished Obelisk to see how ancient stonemasons shaped granite blocks thousands of years ago. From there you board the cruise ship for the sail south toward Luxor, stopping at Kom Ombo Temple (dedicated to both Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the falcon god) and the Temple of Horus at Edfu, one of Egypt's best-preserved Ptolemaic structures. Meals happen on board between sites.

The centerpiece is day three: a hot air balloon launch at dawn over Luxor's West Bank, floating above the desert landscape before landing near the Valley of the Kings. From there you visit the tombs of pharaohs like Tutankhamun, then move to the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, whose terraces rise against the cliffs, and the Colossi of Memnon: two 3,000-year-old stone statues standing guard over the necropolis. On the final morning you visit Karnak Temple, one of the largest temple complexes ever built with towering columns and halls dedicated to the god Amun, and Luxor Temple in the modern city center before disembarking.

You choose between a single cabin or double cabin at checkout. Private transfers pick you up and move you between sites throughout the cruise, and all temple and monument entry fees are covered. A live English-speaking guide travels with the group and shares context at each stop. The cruise accommodates all fitness levels, and specialized infant seats are available if needed.

What’s included

• Hot air balloon ride at dawn over Luxor's West Bank.
• all entry fees to temples and monuments.
• private air-conditioned vehicle transfers throughout the tour.
• three nights' accommodation aboard the cruise ship.
• live English-speaking guide.

Options for this experience

2 options

Double CabinUp to 30 per booking · Guide in English · 06:00, 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00Pickup is included for two people sharing a double cabin

Single CabinUp to 15 per booking · Guide in English · 06:00, 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00Pickup is included for a solo traveler booking a single cabin

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

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday and FridayDepartures at 06:00, 07:00, 08:00 and 09:00

Book up to5h before

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

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by Luxor Egypt Tours

Is this one for you?Book the single cabin if you're traveling alone or prefer your own space. The double cabin suits couples or those who want to share. The 4-day length fits a long weekend and covers the major West Bank sites and temple complexes without the time commitment of a longer cruise.

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Top questions

Can children come?

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

What's included in the hot air balloon ride over Luxor?

The hot air balloon flight at dawn over the West Bank is included in the tour price. You float above the desert landscape and ancient sites before landing near the Valley of the Kings, where the day's ground exploration begins.

How many nights do you spend on the cruise ship?

You spend three nights aboard the cruise ship, with overnight accommodations on the vessel after each of the first three days. The fourth day is disembarkation and final departure after visiting Karnak and Luxor temples.

What is the Valley of the Kings and what will you see there?

The Valley of the Kings is where pharaohs including Tutankhamun were buried in tombs hidden beneath the desert sands. The tombs are decorated with vivid hieroglyphics and contain priceless treasures, and you explore them on the morning of day three after the balloon ride.

Which temples will you visit and what makes them different from each other?

You visit Philae Temple (dedicated to Isis), Kom Ombo Temple (shared by Sobek and Horus), the Temple of Horus at Edfu (a Ptolemaic structure), the Temple of Hatshepsut (a mortuary temple with terraced architecture), Karnak Temple (a massive complex with columns and halls), and Luxor Temple (located in the modern city). Each reflects different periods, gods, and architectural styles across three thousand years.