4-day Nile cruise Aswan: Valley of Kings & Temple of Horus

Four days sailing the Nile from Aswan to Luxor, stopping at temples and the burial ground of pharaohs

A 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor with a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or another language, staying in a standard cabin aboard a luxury cruise boat. You visit Temple of Philae by motorized boat, explore Kom Ombo and the Temple of Horus, walk through Karnak's Great Hypostyle Hall and Temple of Luxor on the east bank, then cross to the west bank to see the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon. Entrance fees and meals are included throughout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Explore Aswan and board cruise

• Arrive in Aswan and meet guide
• Visit Temple of Philae by motorized boat
• Visit granite quarries and Unfinished Obelisk
• Board Nile cruise boat and enjoy lunch
• Felucca ride around Aswan Islands at sunset

Day 2: Sail to Kom Ombo and Edfu

• Early breakfast on board
• Sail to Kom Ombo
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple
• Lunch on board
• Sail to Edfu and overnight stay

Day 3: Visit Horus Temple and Luxor

• Visit Temple of Horus
• Cruise to Luxor
• Visit Temple of Karnak
• Visit Temple of Luxor

Day 4: West Bank tour and disembark

• Explore West Bank and Colossi of Memnon
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Optional visit to Tutankhamun tomb
• Transfer to Luxor airport

The experience

The cruise begins in Aswan with a 4-hour day tour before you board. Your guide meets you at the airport exit and takes you by motorized boat to Temple of Philae on the island of Agilika, a sacred complex dedicated to the goddess Isis that blends Egyptian, Greek, and Roman architecture. You then visit the granite quarries to see the Unfinished Obelisk, a monolith one-third taller than any other ancient Egyptian obelisk, which reveals the precision of Egypt's stonemasons. After boarding your Nile cruise boat for lunch, you ride a felucca, a traditional sailboat, around the Aswan Islands at sunset.

Over the next two days, the boat sails south toward Luxor. Day two takes you to Kom Ombo Temple, where you have breakfast on board and lunch before sailing to Edfu. On day three, you see the Temple of Horus, built in 230 BC and dedicated to the falcon-headed god of the sky. The temple's colors and carvings are unusually well preserved. Back on the cruise, you arrive in Luxor and visit the Temple of Karnak on the east bank, walking through the Great Hypostyle Hall with its 80-foot columns, then the Temple of Luxor with its three colossal statues of Ramses II and 50-foot columns of Amenhotep III.

On the final morning, you disembark and cross to the west bank to explore the Necropolis of Thebes. You see the Colossi of Memnon and the Temple of Hatshepsut, built by ancient Egypt's first female pharaoh. The Valley of the Kings, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where pharaohs and nobles were buried for 500 years beginning in the 16th century BC, is the centerpiece: you enter the tomb of Tutankhamun, discovered in 1922, where an extra ticket is available on the spot. A transfer to Luxor airport ends the tour.

What’s included

• Entrance fees to all temples and sites.
• a live guide in your chosen language.
• accommodation in a standard cabin aboard the luxury Nile cruise.
• meals as listed for each day.
• motorized boat to Temple of Philae.
• felucca ride around Aswan Islands.
• transfers and transport between sites.
• airport pickup in Aswan.

Information

Lasts 4d, runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 08:00, from US$ 449 per person, with live guides in 5 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and FridayDeparts at 08:00Another time? ›

GroupPrivate7 group tours ›

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Italian and ChineseOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 4 pickup points.

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 85 years) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (5 to 12 years) · Infant (under 5)

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 effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Around the world tours

Is this one for you?The 4-day span fits the major temples and the Valley of the Kings into one journey without rushing, though day four involves a 4-hour west bank tour with walking before your airport transfer. Choose this length if you want both the Nile's temples and the pharaohs' burial ground without extending to a longer cruise.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (5 to 12 years); Infant (under 5).

What is the Temple of Philae and why was it moved?

The Temple of Philae is a sacred complex on the island of Agilika dedicated to the goddess Isis, blending Egyptian, Greek, and Roman architecture. It was dismantled and reassembled when the Aswan High Dam was constructed to prevent it from being submerged.

Can I enter the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings?

Yes, you can enter Tutankhamun's tomb, discovered in 1922 by British archaeologist Howard Carter. An extra ticket is available to purchase on the spot. It is not included in the cruise price.

What temples do I visit on the east bank of the Nile in Luxor?

On the east bank you visit the Temple of Karnak, where you walk through the Great Hypostyle Hall with its 80-foot columns, and the Temple of Luxor, which features three colossal statues of Ramses II and 50-foot columns built by Amenhotep III.

How much walking is involved on the west bank tour?

The west bank tour lasts 4 hours and includes walking through the Temple of Hatshepsut, viewing the Colossi of Memnon, and exploring the Valley of the Kings and Tutankhamun's tomb. The pace is moderate with stops at each site.

What meals are provided during the cruise?

Lunch and dinner are included on day one; breakfast, lunch, and dinner on day three; and breakfast on day four. Meals on board are part of your cabin package.