4-Day Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor: Valley of the Kings & Karnak

Float past four millennia of temples without leaving your ship.

A 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor combines onboard comfort with guided visits to Egypt's major temples: Philae and the High Dam in Aswan, Kom Ombo and Edfu en route, then Karnak and Luxor Temple on the East Bank, plus Valley of the Kings and Temple of Hatshepsut on the West Bank. An early morning hot air balloon ride over Luxor's West Bank rounds out the final day. All entry fees, meals, an Egyptology guide, and 3 nights in a 5-star cruise ship are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Departure from Aswan

• Arrive and meet local representative
• Visit the High Dam
• Explore Philae Temple
• Enjoy lunch, tea, and dinner onboard
• Attend evening disco party

Day 2: Aswan to Kom Ombo

• Visit Abu Simbel
• Return to cruise for lunch
• Sail towards Kom Ombo
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple
• Sail to Edfu and overnight

Day 3: Edfu and Luxor East Bank

• Visit Edfu Temple
• Sail towards Luxor via Esna
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Explore Karnak Temple complex
• Overnight on Nile Cruise

Day 4: Luxor and West Bank with Balloon

• Early morning hot air balloon ride
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Explore Temple of Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon
• Transfer to Luxor station, airport, or hotel

The experience

The itinerary trades the hassle of separate day trips for a single floating base. You board in Aswan, visit the High Dam and Philae Temple on day one, then the ship becomes your hotel as it sails south. Kom Ombo Temple appears on the second day, Edfu Temple (dedicated to Horus) on the morning of day three. By afternoon you're in Luxor, where you tour Luxor Temple and Karnak: the latter's Hypostyle Hall alone covers 5,356 square meters and holds 134 columns, each 70 feet tall.

The final day starts before dawn with a hot air balloon ride over the West Bank, giving you an aerial view of the landscape before you descend to walk through Valley of the Kings (where over 60 pharaohs lie buried in cliff tombs), Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon. A qualified Egyptology guide leads all temple visits. Meals follow the itinerary (breakfast, lunch and dinner daily), and an air-conditioned minivan handles ground transport between sites and the ship. The cruise ends with transfer to Luxor airport, train station or hotel.

Wheelchair accessibility is available throughout. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller. The 5-star ship accommodations mean you unpack once and wake in a new city each morning, with the Nile's scenery unfolding from your cabin or deck.

What’s included

• Meet-and-assist service at arrival and departure.
• 3 nights accommodation in a 5-star Nile cruise ship.
• all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) as per itinerary.
• entry to Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple (Temple of Horus), Luxor Temple, Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Unfinished Obelisk.
• hot air balloon ride over Luxor's West Bank.
• qualified Egyptology guide in your chosen language.
• transport by air-conditioned minivan.
• portage assistance when needed.

Options for this experience

2 options

A four-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, including a guided excursion each dayGuide in English, Spanish or French · 12:00 and 12:30Pickup is included

Booking for DecemberGuide in English, Spanish or French · 12:00 and 12:30Christmas or New Year: pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesSaturday and SundayDepartures at 12:00 and 12:30

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (3 to 8 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and French

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 15 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Icon Tours Egypt

Is this one for you?Book this cruise if you want to see Egypt's major temples without moving hotels each night. The ship handles the logistics while you focus on the sites. The 4-day length fits a long weekend or the middle stretch of a longer Egypt trip. If you have more time, the 6-day version adds Abu Simbel, and if you have less, the 2-day option covers fewer temples but moves faster.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and French.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 8 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What temples do I actually visit on this 4-day cruise?

You visit Philae Temple in Aswan on day one; Kom Ombo Temple on day two; Edfu Temple (Temple of Horus) on day three morning; then Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple on day three afternoon and evening. On day four, the West Bank includes Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon. All entry fees are included.

How does the hot air balloon fit into the schedule?

The hot air balloon ride happens early on the final morning over Luxor's West Bank, before you visit the temples and tombs on foot. It gives you an aerial perspective of the ancient sites before you explore them at ground level.

What meals are provided each day?

Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily according to the itinerary. Meals are taken onboard the 5-star cruise ship, except for lunch on day one (after your Aswan temple visits) and any meals during shore excursions if the schedule requires it.

Do I need to arrange my own transport between the ship and temples?

No. An air-conditioned minivan and qualified guide handle all ground transport between the cruise ship and each temple site. Meet-and-assist service is included at arrival and departure.

What happens on the last day after the West Bank tour?

After visiting Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, you're transferred to Luxor Airport, Luxor Train Station, or your Luxor hotel, depending on your onward travel plans.