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

Abu Simbel rises at dawn, well before most travelers wake up.

A 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor aboard a 5-star ship with an Egyptology guide, stopping at Kom Ombo and Edfu temples en route. You sail between ancient sites, explore the High Dam and Philae Temple on arrival, visit Abu Simbel before sunrise, and spend your final day in Luxor's Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and Karnak Temple. A hot air balloon ride over Luxor is included, along with all meals, door-to-door transfers, and a horse carriage ride in Edfu.

The experience

You arrive in Aswan and transfer straight to the ship. That afternoon, before the cruise departs, you visit the High Dam and Philae Temple by motorboat, then settle in for your first night aboard. The real draw comes early on Day 2: a 4 a.m. departure to Abu Simbel, the colossal temples carved into the mountainside that most travelers only see in photographs. After returning to the ship, you sail to Kom Ombo Temple, which sits on a bend in the river and is visible from the deck. The next morning brings Edfu Temple, explored before breakfast, followed by an afternoon visit to Luxor Temple as the light changes. A horse carriage takes you through Edfu's streets between these stops.

Day 4 is the Luxor finale. The hot air balloon launches at dawn, floating above the river valley while the temples and farmland unfold below. After landing and breakfast, you move through the sites on the west bank: Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs are buried in rock tombs; Hatshepsut Temple, the mortuary shrine built into limestone cliffs; the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues standing alone in a field; and Karnak Temple, the sprawling complex of pylons and columns. An Egyptology guide walks you through each one, explaining the hieroglyphics and the history. You check out at 8 a.m. on the final morning, though the itinerary notes visits continue through the day before departure.

Meals happen on the ship: breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day, served buffet-style. The air-conditioned vehicle handles all ground transfers, and the ship itself is the accommodation. Entrance fees to the temples are not included in the price, nor is tipping. The guide speaks English or Spanish, and children from age 1 are welcome aboard.

What’s included

• All meals aboard the ship (breakfast, lunch, and dinner for 4 days).
• door-to-door transfers to and from the port.
• hot air balloon ride over Luxor.
• motorboat entry to Philae Temple.
• horse carriage ride in Edfu.
• Egyptology guide for all temple visits.
• air-conditioned vehicle for ground transport.
• entrance to the ship and overnight accommodation.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 3 May 2027

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

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 17 pickup points.

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 effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Egypt wondrful tours

Is this one for you?The early starts (Abu Simbel at 4 a.m., Edfu at 5:30 a.m., and the balloon at dawn) are what fit all four major temple zones and the river journey into a single 4-day itinerary. If you sleep late or prefer a slower pace, a longer cruise might suit you better. If you want to see the highlights without returning to Aswan, this route covers them in one push.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

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

What is Abu Simbel and why do we go there so early?

Abu Simbel is a pair of massive temples carved directly into a mountainside in southern Egypt, built by Ramesses II around 1250 BCE. The 4 a.m. departure gets you there before the heat peaks and before other tour groups arrive, so you see the colossal statues and interior chambers in relative quiet and cooler conditions.

How much walking is involved each day on this cruise?

The walking varies by site. Kom Ombo and Edfu temples involve moderate exploration of courtyards and halls on flat ground. Luxor's Valley of the Kings requires climbing into and through tomb interiors. Hatshepsut Temple involves walking up a ramp and through colonnaded terraces. The ship itself is your base, so you return to it between stops to rest.

What do the temples actually look like when you arrive? Are they crowded?

Kom Ombo Temple overlooks the Nile from a hilltop and is visible from the ship as you approach. Edfu Temple sits inland and is reached by carriage. It is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt, with tall pylons and a columned courtyard still largely intact. Karnak Temple is vast, with multiple pylons, obelisks, and halls spread across a large site. Early departures (like the 5:30 a.m. arrival at Edfu) mean you explore before the main tour groups, though you will not be alone.

Are there any free moments to explore Aswan or Luxor on my own?

The itinerary is structured around the ship's schedule and guided site visits. You have overnight stays in Aswan, Edfu, and Luxor, so time between activities and after dinner is yours to spend as you wish: walking the waterfront, shopping in the bazaar, or resting on the ship.