5-Day Nile Cruise from Luxor to Abu Simbel: Ancient Temples

Colossal statues, desert tombs, and temples carved into cliffs along the Nile

A 5-day guided Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan and Abu Simbel, staying aboard a 5-star cruise ship with all meals included. You visit Karnak and Luxor temples on the first day, then rise early for a hot air balloon ride over the West Bank before exploring the Valley of the Kings and Temple of Hatshepsut. The cruise continues to Edfu and Kom Ombo, then departs early for a full-day excursion to Abu Simbel's colossal temples near the Sudanese border. The final day covers Aswan's High Dam and Philae Temple on an island. A professional English-speaking guide leads all site visits. Hotel pickup in Luxor and all entrance tickets are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Luxor East Bank & Nile Cruise Departure

• Private hotel pickup in Luxor
• Visit Karnak Temple Complex
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Transfer to Nile cruise ship and check in
• Enjoy welcome lunch on board
• Relax on deck admiring Nile scenery
• Enjoy welcome dinner on board

Day 2: Sunrise Hot Air Balloon & Luxor West Bank

• Sunrise hot air balloon ride over West Bank
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• Stop at Colossi of Memnon
• Return to cruise ship for lunch
• Sail toward Edfu, relax on deck
• Dinner on board

Day 3: Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples

• Visit Temple of Horus at Edfu
• Lunch on cruise sailing to Kom Ombo
• Explore Kom Ombo Temple
• Sail toward Aswan enjoying Nile views
• Dinner and entertainment on board

Day 4: Abu Simbel Excursion & Return to Aswan

• Full-day guided tour to Abu Simbel Temples
• Visit Great Temple of Ramses II
• Visit Temple of Hathor
• Return to Aswan with lunch and dinner on board
• Evening relaxation under the stars

Day 5: Aswan Highlights & Departure

• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Boat trip to Philae Temple
• Optional visit to Unfinished Obelisk
• Farewell lunch on board or local restaurant
• Transfer to hotel, train station, or airport

The experience

The cruise departs from Luxor with a visit to Karnak Temple Complex, one of the largest religious sites in the world. Its Hypostyle Hall alone contains 134 massive columns carved with hieroglyphics and scenes of ancient pharaohs. You then walk through Luxor Temple in the city center, famous for its avenue of sphinxes and grand pylons, before boarding your 5-star cruise ship for lunch and an afternoon of sailing along the Nile.

On the second day, you rise before dawn for a hot air balloon ride drifting above the West Bank's desert, tombs, and monuments, with aerial views of the Nile Valley spreading below. After landing, a guide takes you through the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs including Tutankhamun were buried in tombs decorated with vivid wall paintings and hieroglyphs. You then visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, built into the cliffs and dedicated to Egypt's first female pharaoh, and stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues standing on the Theban plains. The ship sails toward Edfu while you relax on deck.

Days three and four move downriver through the temples. At Edfu, you explore the Temple of Horus, one of Egypt's best-preserved temples, with towering pylons and a central sanctuary dedicated to the falcon-headed god. At Kom Ombo, a unique double temple honors both Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the Elder. The site includes a small museum with crocodile mummies and ancient surgical instruments. On day four, you depart early for Abu Simbel, a full-day excursion near the Sudanese border. The Great Temple of Ramses II dominates the site with its colossal seated statues. The interior chambers are aligned so sunlight illuminates the inner sanctum twice yearly. Nearby stands the smaller Temple of Hathor, carved with statues and reliefs honoring Ramses II's queen Nefertari. You return to Aswan in the afternoon, passing scenic Nile landscapes.

The final morning in Aswan includes the High Dam, a modern engineering feat that transformed Egypt's irrigation, and a boat trip to Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, dedicated to the goddess Isis. The temple's courtyards and colonnades sit tranquil on the water. Its relocation saved it from flooding decades ago. An optional visit to the Unfinished Obelisk in the granite quarries shows how ancient craftsmen carved stone. After a farewell lunch, you transfer to your hotel, train station, or airport.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide at all sites.
• 4-night stay aboard a 5-star Nile cruise ship with full board meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily).
• sunrise hot air balloon ride over Luxor's West Bank.
• entrance tickets to Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Abu Simbel Temples, Aswan High Dam, and Philae Temple.
• transportation in air-conditioned vehicles between sites.
• hotel pickup in Luxor on day one and transfer to your hotel, station, or airport on day five.

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Thursday and SaturdayDepartures at 09:00, 10:00, 11:00 and 12:00

Book up to4h before

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

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 2 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Egypt Nile Cruise

Is this one for you?Book this if you want an English-speaking guide to decode hieroglyphics and temple layouts across five days, reaching Abu Simbel without skipping the earlier sites.

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Top questions

Can children come?

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

What's included in the 5-day Nile cruise price?

The cruise includes 4 nights aboard a 5-star ship with all meals, a professional English-speaking guide at every site, the sunrise hot air balloon ride over Luxor, entrance tickets to all temples and monuments, transportation in air-conditioned vehicles, and hotel pickup in Luxor on day one.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the temples?

No. Hotel pickup in Luxor is included, and all site visits are led by a professional guide. You travel between sites in air-conditioned vehicles, and the ship handles transport along the Nile.

What is the Valley of the Kings like when you visit it?

The Valley of the Kings is the burial ground of ancient pharaohs, including Tutankhamun. The tombs are decorated with vivid wall paintings and hieroglyphics depicting the journey to the afterlife. Your guide explains the history and significance of each tomb you enter.

How early does the hot air balloon ride start?

The sunrise hot air balloon ride departs early on day two, before dawn, so you drift above the West Bank as the sun rises over the desert, tombs, and Nile Valley. You land in time to visit the Valley of the Kings afterward.

Is the Abu Simbel excursion a separate cost?

Abu Simbel is included in the cruise itinerary as a full-day guided excursion on day four. You depart early from Aswan and return in the afternoon, with lunch and dinner served onboard during the journey.

Can I visit the Unfinished Obelisk in Aswan?

Yes, the Unfinished Obelisk is an optional stop on the final morning in Aswan. It sits in the granite quarries and shows the stone-carving techniques ancient Egyptian craftsmen used. Your guide can arrange this visit if you wish.