5-day Nile cruise Luxor to Aswan from Cairo: Valley of the Kings

Four nights aboard a five-star cruise between Egypt's two greatest temple cities

A 5-day, 4-night Nile River cruise from Cairo combines domestic flights, a guided tour of Upper Egypt's ancient sites, and four nights on a five-star cruise ship sailing from Luxor to Aswan. You visit the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens on the first day, then spend the next three days cruising past Karnak Temple, the Temple of Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae Temple, with an Egyptologist guide, all meals, and a traditional felucca sailboat ride included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Cairo to Luxor and West Bank tour

• Pick up from hotel in Cairo or Giza
• Transfer to Cairo airport and fly to Luxor
• Meet local representatives in Luxor
• Cross Nile to West Bank of Luxor
• Visit Valley of the Kings tombs
• Visit Valley of the Queens
• Visit Temple of Queen Hatshepsut at El Deir El Bahari
• Cross to East Bank and transfer to Nile Cruise
• Board cruise before lunch
• Lunch on board
• Afternoon tea on board
• Dinner on board
• Enjoy belly dance show
• Overnight on cruise

Day 2: Luxor East Bank and sailing to Esna

• Breakfast on board
• Visit Karnak Temple Complex
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Lunch on board
• Sail to Esna and cross Esna lock
• Enjoy natural views and islands during sailing
• Afternoon tea on board
• Disco party on board
• Overnight on cruise

Day 3: Edfu and Kom Ombo temples

• Breakfast on board
• Visit Edfu Temple by horse carriage
• Sail to Kom Ombo
• Lunch on board
• Enjoy Egyptian tea on sun deck
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple
• Afternoon tea on board
• Dinner on board
• Galabeya party on board
• Overnight on cruise in Kom Ombo

Day 4: Aswan sightseeing and felucca ride

• Breakfast on board
• Sail to Aswan
• Visit High Dam and Granite Quarries
• Visit unfinished obelisk
• Motorboat ride to Philae Temple
• Lunch on board
• Felucca sail around Kitchener's Island and Elephantine
• Afternoon tea on board
• Dinner on board
• Overnight on cruise in Aswan

Day 5: Disembark and flight to Cairo

• Breakfast on board
• Disembark from cruise
• Optional Abu Simbel trip by plane
• Free time
• Transfer to Aswan airport
• Fly to Cairo
• Transfer to hotel in Cairo
• End of service

The experience

You fly from Cairo to Luxor on day one, where a guide meets you at the airport and takes you straight to the West Bank. There you walk through the Valley of the Kings to see royal tombs from the New Kingdom, then visit the Valley of the Queens and the Temple of Queen Hatshepsut before boarding the cruise for lunch. The ship becomes your base for the next four days, and each morning you wake to a new temple or site within reach of the Nile.

Day two focuses on Luxor's East Bank: the Karnak Temple Complex with its 132 columns and the Temple of Luxor dedicated to Amon Ra. The cruise then sails south and crosses the Esna Lock, a working waterway where the ship descends as the water level drops: a moment most travelers find striking. You'll see felucca sailboats and islands throughout the journey, with time on deck to photograph them. Day three takes you by horse carriage to the Temple of Edfu (dedicated to Horus), then to Kom Ombo, a temple shared by two gods, which you reach on foot from the ship. On day four the cruise arrives in Aswan, where you visit the High Dam, the Granite Quarries and an unfinished obelisk, then sail on a traditional felucca around Kitchener's Island before returning for dinner.

All meals are served on board: breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, plus afternoon tea each day. A belly dance show and disco party are part of the evening entertainment. Your Egyptologist guide speaks English, Spanish or Arabic and is with you at every site. Transfers from your Cairo or Giza hotel to the airport and back at the end are included, as are all entrance fees to the sites, the domestic flights, and the A/C transport between the ship and temples.

What’s included

• Egyptologist guide in your chosen language.
• domestic flights Cairo to Luxor and Aswan back to Cairo.
• four nights aboard a five-star cruise ship.
• all meals from lunch on day one through breakfast on day five.
• afternoon tea served daily.
• felucca sailboat ride in Aswan.
• entry to the Valley of the Kings, Valley of the Queens, Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Temple of Edfu, Kom Ombo and Philae Temple.
• horse carriage transport to Edfu Temple.
• air-conditioned van or bus transport between sites.
• door-to-door transfers from your hotel in Cairo or Giza.
• taxes and service charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (31 to 50 years) · Senior (51 to 90 years) · Youth (11 to 30 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Arabic

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 10 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Special trips

Is this one for you?The cruise departs early on day one and involves full days of walking and climbing at ancient sites, so come ready to move. If you prefer a slower pace or have mobility concerns, ask about the optional Abu Simbel excursion on day five. It is separate, so you can skip it and rest instead.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (11 to 30 years); Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3).

What is the Valley of the Kings and what do you actually see there?

The Valley of the Kings is a burial ground where pharaohs of the New Kingdom were entombed in rock-cut tombs carved into the desert cliffs. You walk into several of these tombs to see painted walls, hieroglyphics and burial chambers, guided by your Egyptologist who explains the history and religious beliefs behind the decorations and layout.

Can I visit Abu Simbel on this cruise?

Abu Simbel is offered as an optional excursion on the final morning in Aswan before you fly back to Cairo. It is not part of the standard itinerary and requires a separate booking and additional cost.

What does the felucca ride involve?

A felucca is a traditional Arabian sailboat. On day four in Aswan you sail on one for leisure around Kitchener's Island and Elephantine, taking in the river landscape and local life along the Nile.

Do I need a visa to enter Egypt, and is it included?

A visa is required for most nationalities entering Egypt, but it is not included in this tour package. You will need to arrange it before departure or obtain it on arrival, depending on your nationality and Egypt's current entry requirements.