4-day Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor: Temples and guided tours

Four days on the Nile with an Egyptologist, sleeping aboard the cruise ship

A 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor includes three nights aboard a 5-star cruise ship, all meals, and guided tours of Philae Temple, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings, and the Temple of Hatshepsut. An Egyptologist guide travels with you, explaining the history at each stop, while the ship handles the transport between sites.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Aswan sightseeing

• Meet guide at Aswan arrival point
• Transfer to 5-star Nile Cruise
• Visit Philae Temple by motorboat
• Return to cruise for lunch
• Optional visit to Nubian community on Sohail Island

Day 2: Abu Simbel and Kom Ombo temples

• Optional early morning Abu Simbel trip
• Return to cruise for lunch
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple
• Dinner on board and sail to Edfu

Day 3: Edfu Temple and Luxor arrival

• Breakfast on board
• Horse carriage ride to Edfu Temple
• Return to cruise and sail to Luxor
• Cross Esna Lock
• Lunch and afternoon tea on board
• Transfer to visit Luxor Temple
• Dinner and belly dancing show on board

Day 4: Luxor tours and departure

• Optional hot air balloon ride over Luxor
• Breakfast and check out
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• Photo stop at Colossi of Memnon

The experience

The cruise departs Aswan and moves south to north along the Nile, stopping at temples and archaeological sites over four days. You board the ship before lunch on day one, then visit Philae Temple by motorboat the same afternoon. Day two includes Kom Ombo Temple and an optional early-morning trip to Abu Simbel. On day three, you ride in a horse carriage to Edfu Temple, then sail to Luxor, where you see Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple in the late afternoon and evening. The final day takes you across the Nile to the West Bank: the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs carved tombs into the mountains; the Temple of Hatshepsut; and the Colossi of Memnon, twin quartzite statues that once guarded an ancient mortuary temple.

Your guide is a qualified Egyptologist who speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese and travels with the group throughout. Meals are served on board (breakfast, lunch and dinner each day), and you sleep in a cabin on the ship all three nights. The itinerary is fixed, so you know each day's stops in advance. Optional add-ons include a hot air balloon ride over Luxor at sunrise and a visit to a Nubian village on Sohail Island, both arranged separately.

Hotel or airport pickup in Aswan is included, and the ship handles all transport between sites. Entrance fees to the temples are not included in the package price and are paid separately at each location.

What’s included

• Professional Egyptologist guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• three nights accommodation on a 5-star Nile cruise ship on full board basis with all meals and afternoon tea.
• hotel or airport pickup in Aswan.
• all transport between sites and guided tours at each temple and archaeological location.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and Friday

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (6 to 12 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

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.

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 effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Marca Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want temples explained by an Egyptologist while traveling with a group on a fixed route. Choose a self-guided option instead if you prefer exploring at your own pace.

Traveler reviews

4.80★★★★★★★★★★

30 verified traveler reviews

5 ★27

4 ★2

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★1

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 12 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What temples do I visit on a 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor?

The cruise includes Philae Temple near Aswan, Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple (visited by horse carriage), Luxor Temple, and Karnak Temple. On the final day you also see the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon on the West Bank.

Do I stay on the cruise ship all four days?

You stay aboard the 5-star cruise ship for three nights. The ship is your hotel and the base for all daily tours. You board before lunch on day one and check out after breakfast on day four.

Is an Egyptologist guide included with the cruise?

Yes, a professional Egyptologist guide travels with the group and explains the history and significance of each temple and site. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese.

What meals are provided during the 4-day cruise?

All meals are included on a full-board basis: breakfast, lunch and dinner each day aboard the ship, plus afternoon tea on the sundeck during the sail to Luxor.

Are entrance fees to the temples included in the cruise price?

No, entrance fees to the temples and archaeological sites are not included and are paid separately at each location. The package covers the ship, guide, meals and transport between sites.

Can I add optional activities like the Abu Simbel trip or Nubian village visit?

Yes, both Abu Simbel Temple and a visit to a Nubian village on Sohail Island are available as optional add-ons arranged separately. The Abu Simbel trip departs early in the morning and returns by noon. The Nubian village tour is a 3-hour boat excursion with tea in a traditional home.