4-Day Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor: Private Guided Tours

Four days on the Nile with a guide who knows the pharaohs

A 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor combines three nights aboard a 5-star ship with guided tours of eight major temples and tombs, led by a licensed Egyptologist. The itinerary covers Philae Temple, the Aswan High Dam, Kom Ombo Temple, Temple of Horus, Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon. All meals, cabin accommodation, entrance fees, and hotel or airport pickup in both cities are included. Abu Simbel Temples are available as an optional add-on.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Aswan - Nile Cruise

• Visit Temple of Isis on Philae Island
• Explore Aswan High Dam views
• Enjoy lunch on board
• Dinner on Nile Cruise

Day 2: Nile Cruise Excursions and Abu Simbel Option

• Optional trip to Abu Simbel Temples
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple
• Breakfast on Nile Cruise
• Lunch on Nile Cruise
• Dinner on Nile Cruise

Day 3: Edfu Temple, Esna Lock, and Luxor Arrival

• Horse carriage to Temple of Horus
• Discover Karnak Temple
• Breakfast on Nile Cruise
• Lunch on Nile Cruise
• Dinner on Nile Cruise

Day 4: Luxor West Bank and Departure

• Explore Valley of the Kings
• Visit Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• See ancient Egyptian stone materials
• Photo stop at Colossi of Memnon
• Breakfast on Nile Cruise

The experience

The cruise departs Aswan with a visit to Philae Temple, relocated stone by stone to an island after the High Dam was built, its columns and sacred carvings framed by Nile water. From the top of the dam itself you see Lake Nasser stretching toward Sudan: the world's largest artificial lake, built to control the river's annual flood. The ship then sails south, and you can choose an optional early-morning trip to Abu Simbel Temples, where Ramses II's colossal statues guard an inner sanctuary that aligns with the sun twice a year. The round trip takes roughly six hours.

As the cruise moves north toward Luxor, stops include Kom Ombo Temple, shared by the crocodile god Sobek and the falcon god Horus, with mummified crocodiles still on display in its museum. At Edfu, you ride a horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Horus, one of Egypt's best-preserved temples, its courtyards and reliefs depicting Horus's victory over Seth. Karnak Temple, the largest religious structure ever built, sprawls across the landscape with avenues of ram-headed sphinxes and the towering columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall.

The final day in Luxor covers the West Bank: the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs including Tutankhamun rest in color-filled tombs; the Temple of Hatshepsut, rising in terraces from the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari to honor Egypt's most powerful female pharaoh; and the Colossi of Memnon, two granite statues that have guarded the West Bank for over 3,400 years. A licensed Egyptologist guide leads every excursion, explaining the stories of gods, queens, and kings. All meals are served aboard ship, cabins are air-conditioned, and the rooftop offers river views between stops.

What’s included

• Three nights aboard a 5-star Nile cruise ship with air-conditioned cabins and rooftop views.
• all meals on board.
• guided sightseeing at eight major sites including Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Temple of Hatshepsut, Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, the Aswan High Dam, and the Colossi of Memnon.
• entrance fees to all listed attractions.
• hotel or airport pickup and drop-off in Aswan and Luxor.
• a licensed Egyptologist guide in your chosen language.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday and FridayDeparts at 12:00

Book up to2d before

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

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Chinese and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Nile Cruisers Egypt

Is this one for you?Book this cruise if you're traveling as a couple or family and want the temples and tombs explained by someone who knows the history: the guide leads every stop, not just a few. The fixed itinerary and four-day span fit eight major sites into one trip without rushing between them.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian and Chinese.

Can children come?

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

Can I visit Abu Simbel Temples on this cruise?

Abu Simbel Temples are available as an optional add-on excursion during the second day in Aswan, requiring an early start and roughly three hours each way. The temples were relocated stone by stone to save them from the rising Nile after the High Dam was built.

What is the Temple of Hatshepsut and why is it on the itinerary?

The Temple of Hatshepsut is a terraced monument rising from the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari on Luxor's West Bank, built to honor Egypt's most powerful female pharaoh. Its colonnades and architecture make it one of the most visually striking temples on the Nile.

Does the price include meals and drinks aboard the ship?

All meals are included aboard the 5-star cruise ship. Alcoholic and soft drinks are not covered and can be purchased separately.

How does the cruise move between temples if I'm staying on the ship?

The ship sails overnight between major stops, so you wake at each new destination. During the day, guided excursions take you to temples and tombs by coach or horse-drawn carriage, then you return to the ship for meals and rest.

What does the Egyptologist guide explain during the tours?

The licensed Egyptologist guide leads every excursion and uncovers the stories of gods, queens, and kings that shaped Egyptian civilization, explaining hieroglyphs, temple architecture, and the beliefs that guided the pharaohs.