4-day Nile Cruise from Aswan: Hot Air Balloon & Abu Simbel

Abu Simbel's colossal temples rise from the desert at dawn, when your small group arrives before the crowds.

A 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor with 3 nights aboard a cruise ship, visiting Philae Temple, Abu Simbel Temples, Kom Ombo Temple, and Valley of the Kings. The itinerary includes a sunrise hot air balloon flight over Luxor and a horse carriage ride to Edfu Temple. A professional guide leads the tour in English, Spanish, French or German, with pickup from your Aswan hotel and drop-off in Luxor.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Aswan sightseeing and cruise embarkation

• Pick up from hotel in Aswan
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Visit Incomplete Obelisk
• Visit Philae Temple by motor boat
• Board cruise ship for lunch and accommodation
• Dinner on board

Day 2: Abu Simbel and Kom Ombo temples

• Early morning visit to Abu Simbel Temples
• Return to ship for lunch
• Sail to Kom Ombo
• Guided tour of Kom Ombo Temple
• Dinner on board

Day 3: Edfu Temple and final cruise night

• Breakfast on board
• Visit Edfu Temple by horse carriage
• Return to ship for dinner

Day 4: Hot air balloon and Luxor sightseeing

• Sunrise hot air balloon flight
• Check out and leave luggage on ship
• Visit Valley of the Kings and nearby sites
• Pick up luggage and drop off in Luxor

The experience

Aswan High Dam and the Unfinished Obelisk set the pace on day one, before you board the cruise ship for lunch and settle in for the night. Day two starts early: a small group heads south to Abu Simbel, where your guide walks you through the temple complex and its history, then the ship sails north to Kom Ombo for an afternoon visit before dinner onboard. Day three takes you by horse carriage across the Nile to Edfu Temple on the west bank, a route that moves at the rhythm of the river itself.

The final morning belongs to the hot air balloon. You rise before sunrise, leave your luggage at the ship's reception, and drift over the Nile as it lights up. After landing, the day opens into the west bank's major sites: Valley of the Kings, the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, the Colossi of Memnon, Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple. The ship waits to return your bags, and you're dropped at Luxor train station or your hotel in the afternoon.

Transfers in a private car handle pickups and drop-offs. Mineral water travels with you on excursions. Three nights of accommodation sit on the cruise itself, so you wake each morning already at the next stop. The ship choice (Luxury, Deluxe, or Standard) sets the comfort level for meals and cabins, but the itinerary and guide remain the same across all three.

What’s included

• Mineral water during excursions.
• private car transfers and hotel pickup and drop-off.
• 3 nights of accommodation aboard the cruise ship.
• guided tours of Philae Temple, Abu Simbel Temples, Kom Ombo Temple, and Valley of the Kings with a professional guide.
• horse carriage ride to Edfu Temple.
• sunrise hot air balloon ride over Luxor.

Options for this experience

3 options

Standard ShipGuide in English · 06:00 and 07:00Pickup is included

Deluxe ShipGuide in English · 06:00 and 07:00Pickup is included

Luxury ShipGuide in English · 06:00 and 07:00Pickup is included

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

Before you book

Days and timesMonday to FridayDepartures at 06:00 and 07:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (11 to 60 years) · Child (6 to 10 years) · Infant (under 6)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French and German

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 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Nice tours

Is this one for you?Choose your ship level at checkout (Luxury, Deluxe, or Standard) based on the cabin comfort and dining you want during the three nights aboard. The small-group format at Abu Simbel and the early morning timing mean you explore the temples before the day heats up and the site fills.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 10 years); Infant (under 6).

What is Abu Simbel and why does the tour visit it so early in the morning?

Abu Simbel Temples are two massive rock-cut temples in southern Egypt, built during the reign of Ramesses II. The tour visits early to arrive with a small group before larger crowds gather at the site, giving you space to explore and listen to your guide's explanation of the complex's history.

Do I need to book a hot air balloon ride separately, or is it included in the cruise?

The sunrise hot air balloon ride is included in the 4-day cruise package. On day four, you'll wake before dawn, check out of your cabin, and head straight to the balloon for the flight over Luxor before visiting the Valley of the Kings and other west bank temples.

How does the horse carriage ride to Edfu Temple work?

On day three, after breakfast, your guide picks you up from the ship and takes you by horse carriage across the west bank of the Nile to Edfu Temple. The carriage is part of the included itinerary, and you return to the ship for dinner and your final night aboard.

What's the difference between the Luxury, Deluxe, and Standard ship options?

All three ship options follow the same 4-day itinerary and are led by the same professional guide. The difference lies in cabin comfort and onboard dining. You choose the ship level that fits your budget and preference for accommodation quality during the three nights at sea.

Where does the tour end, and how do I get back to my hotel in Luxor?

The tour ends in Luxor on the afternoon of day four, after the Valley of the Kings visit. You're dropped off either at Luxor train station or directly at your hotel, depending on your preference. Your luggage is returned from the ship before the final drop-off.