5-Day Luxor and Aswan Nile Cruise with Abu Simbel

You board the cruise the same day you visit the Valley of the Kings.

A 5-day Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan aboard a 5-star ship with four nights on board, guided tours of Egypt's major temples and tombs, a hot air balloon ride over Luxor, and all meals and entrance fees included. The itinerary combines the west bank sites (Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut) with the river temples of Karnak, Luxor, Edfu, and Kom Ombo, ending at Abu Simbel and the Aswan High Dam. An Egyptology guide leads all tours. Pickup from your hotel is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Luxor West Bank and Nile Cruise Check-in

• Pick up by Egyptology guide Mohamed
• Take motor-boat to West Bank of Luxor
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Queen Hatshepsut Temple
• Visit Carter House
• Visit two giant Statues of Memnon
• Return to East Bank of Luxor
• Check in Nile cruise
• Explore Luxor markets

Day 2: Hot Air Balloon and East Bank Temples

• Early morning pick up to marine
• Take motor boat to West Bank
• Enjoy hot air balloon ride
• Visit Karnak Temple
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Start sailing Nile cruise
• Pass Esna lock
• Sail to Edfu city

Day 3: Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples

• Breakfast on cruise
• Horse-carriage tour to Edfu Temple
• Return to cruise and sail
• Enjoy Nile views and local culture
• Enjoy local drink on sun deck
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple at sunset
• Sail to Aswan city

Day 4: Abu Simbel Temple Tour

• Early morning Abu Simbel tour
• Return to cruise by lunch time
• Rest and refresh on cruise
• Visit Aswan local market in evening

Day 5: Philae Temple and Aswan High Dam

• Pick up from cruise
• Take motor-boat to Philae Temple Island
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Transfer to hotel, train station, or airport

The experience

The cruise departs Luxor on day one after you've already crossed to the west bank to walk the Valley of the Kings and see the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon. You check in to your cabin that evening, then wake early on day two for a hot air balloon ride over Luxor before the ship sails. The route takes you south along the Nile, stopping at Edfu (where you travel by traditional horse-carriage to the Temple of Horus), and Kom Ombo, where the temple sits on the riverbank at sunset. Day four is the full-day excursion to Abu Simbel, departing around 5 a.m. and returning by early afternoon so you can rest before exploring Aswan's local market.

All four nights are spent aboard the ship. Meals, entrance fees to every site, and an air-conditioned vehicle for land tours are included. Your guide is a qualified Egyptologist who leads every stop. If bad weather cancels the hot air balloon, you receive a $20 refund per person. The final morning brings visits to Philae Temple Island and the Aswan High Dam before your transfer to your hotel, train station, or airport at checkout.

What’s included

• Four nights aboard a 5-star cruise ship with all meals.
• guided tours of the Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Edfu's Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, Abu Simbel Temples, Philae Temple Island, and the Aswan High Dam.
• a hot air balloon ride over Luxor.
• entrance fees to all archaeological sites.
• an air-conditioned vehicle for land excursions.
• an Egyptology guide in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French or another language.
• and hotel pickup on day one.

Options for this experience

3 options

Standard Nile CruiseGuide in 5 languages · 6 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00Standard Nile cruises: Blue Shadow 3 cruise, Nile Story cruise, Renisans cruise, Crown Emperor cruise, and Radamis II Nile cruise. Lasts 5 days, and pickup is included.

Deluxe Nile CruiseGuide in 5 languages · 6 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00Deluxe Nile cruises: Amwaj cruise, Le Fayan cruise, Nile Style cruise, Concerto 1 cruise, Radamis 1 cruise, and Blue Shadow 1 cruise. Lasts 5 days, and pickup is included.

Ultra-Deluxe Nile CruiseGuide in 5 languages · 6 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00Ultra-deluxe Nile cruises: May Fair cruise, Movenpick Hames cruise, Sonsesta Moon Goddess cruise, and Minerva cruise. Lasts 5 days, and 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 timesMonday, Thursday and Saturday6 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00

Book up to7h before

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

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Japanese

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Japanese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 20 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Roxana Travel

Is this one for you?Book the Ultra-Deluxe or Deluxe option if you want premium cabin comfort and onboard amenities. The Standard option delivers the same temples, guide, and itinerary at a lower price. If you're traveling solo and want privacy, book a single-person cabin separately. Groups of three can share a triple room at no extra cost.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Japanese.

Can children come?

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

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the difference between the Ultra-Deluxe, Deluxe, and Standard Nile Cruise options?

The three options vary in ship amenities and cabin quality, but all include the same itinerary, guide, meals, and entrance fees. Choose based on the level of onboard comfort you prefer. The sites and activities remain identical across all three.

Do I need to book a single cabin if I'm traveling alone?

If you want your own room, you'll need to make a separate booking for a single person. Travelers in groups of three can share a triple room. Otherwise, cabin arrangements depend on your group size and the option you select.

What happens if the hot air balloon is cancelled?

If weather prevents the balloon flight, the operator refunds $20 per person. The rest of the itinerary (all temple visits, the cruise, and meals) proceeds as scheduled.

Is the pickup from my hotel included?

Yes, hotel pickup is included. On the final day, you can also arrange transfer to a train station or airport instead, depending on your needs.

What are the Valley of the Kings and the Temple of Hatshepsut?

The Valley of the Kings is the burial site of pharaohs including Tutankhamun, carved into the west bank cliffs across the Nile from Luxor. The Temple of Hatshepsut, built by Egypt's female pharaoh, stands nearby and is one of the largest temples in the country.