5-Day Nile Cruise Luxor to Aswan: Private Egyptologist Guide

Five days following the Nile from temple to temple with your own Egyptologist

A 5-day Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan aboard a 5-star vessel with a private licensed Egyptologist guide, visiting Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and the Aswan High Dam. You stay in a private cabin with full board meals and receive private transfers throughout. The operator provides 24/7 support and handles all logistics from arrival to departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Luxor – Karnak & Luxor Temples

• Visit Luxor Temple
• Explore Karnak Temple

Day 2: Explore Luxor’s West Bank – Valley of the Kings & Hatshepsut Temple

• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Discover Temple of Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon

Day 3: Visit Edfu & Kom Ombo Temples

• Explore Temple of Horus in Edfu
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple

Day 4: Explore Aswan – Philae Temple, High Dam & Unfinished Obelisk

• Visit Philae Temple
• See Aswan High Dam

Day 5: Breakfast, Check-out & Private Departure Transfer

• Breakfast on board
• Departure from Aswan

The experience

You arrive in Luxor and are met for transfer to the cruise ship. Your first day covers the two temples in Luxor itself: Karnak Temple with its Great Hypostyle Hall of 134 giant columns, and Luxor Temple in the heart of the ancient city. Both stand on the east bank of the Nile, and your Egyptologist walks you through the hieroglyphs, the royal ceremonies they hosted, and the gods each one honored. You sleep aboard the ship that night.

Day two takes you across the Nile to Luxor's West Bank, where the Valley of the Kings holds more than 60 tombs carved into the desert cliffs, including Tutankhamun's. You also visit the Temple of Hatshepsut, built into the cliffs of Deir el Bahari to honor Egypt's first great female pharaoh, and stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two stone statues over 18 meters high that have stood for more than 3,400 years. The ship sails south while you rest.

Days three and four move downriver to Edfu and Kom Ombo. The Temple of Horus in Edfu, built in 237 BC, is one of the best-preserved temples in Egypt and shows the battle between Horus and Seth carved into its walls. Kom Ombo sits on the riverbank between Edfu and Aswan and is dedicated to two gods (Sobek the crocodile god and Horus the Elder) with a symmetrical design that mirrors both. A nearby Crocodile Museum displays mummified crocodiles found in the area. Your cabin is your base each night as the cruise moves south.

On day five you reach Aswan and visit Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, dedicated to the goddess Isis and relocated stone by stone after the Aswan High Dam was built. You also see the dam itself, completed in 1970, which created Lake Nasser and controls the Nile's annual flood. After breakfast on board, you're transferred to your next destination. A licensed English-speaking Egyptologist is with you throughout, explaining the sites, the hieroglyphs, and the history behind each one.

What’s included

• Private sightseeing tours at Karnak Temple, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple, and Aswan High Dam.
• private air-conditioned transfers throughout.
• private cabin with Nile views and full amenities.
• full-board meals aboard the 5-star cruise vessel.
• licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guide.
• all taxes and service charges.
• 24/7 customer support from Egypt Rest Tours.

Options for this experience

3 options

Standard Nile CruiseUp to 14 per booking · Guide in English · 30 departure times: the first at 00:00, the last at 20:00Standard Nile Cruise, pickup is included

Deluxe Nile CruiseUp to 2 per booking · Guide in English · 31 departure times: the first at 00:00, the last at 20:30Deluxe Nile Cruise, includes pickup

Luxury Nile CruiseUp to 3 per booking · Guide in English · 33 departure times: the first at 00:00, the last at 21:00Luxury Nile Cruise, pickup 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, Thursday and Saturday33 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 00:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats available

Operated by ERT Nile Cruises

Is this one for you?Choose among the Luxury, Deluxe, or Standard Nile Cruise options at checkout to match your preference for cabin style and onboard amenities. The private Egyptologist guide and itinerary remain the same across all three, so the difference is in the vessel and the cabin experience you select.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5).

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 temples do I visit on the first day in Luxor?

Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. Karnak is the largest religious complex ever built in ancient Egypt, with the Great Hypostyle Hall containing 134 giant columns. Luxor Temple sits in the heart of the ancient city and was dedicated to the Theban Triad (Amun, Mut, and Khonsu), and served as the center of the annual Opet Festival.

Does the cruise include meals and a cabin?

Yes. You stay in a private cabin with Nile views and full board meals throughout the 5 days aboard the 5-star vessel. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are provided each day you're on the ship.

What is included in the price besides the cruise and cabin?

Private sightseeing tours at each stop as listed in the itinerary; private air-conditioned transfers to and from your hotel, airport, or cruise port; all taxes and service charges; and a licensed English-speaking Egyptologist guide throughout the tour. The operator also provides 24/7 customer support.

Is the Valley of the Kings on this cruise?

Yes, on day two. The Valley of the Kings is on Luxor's West Bank and holds more than 60 tombs carved into the desert cliffs, including the famous tomb of Tutankhamun. You also visit the Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the same day.

What happens on the final day in Aswan?

You visit Philae Temple on Agilkia Island, dedicated to the goddess Isis, and see the Aswan High Dam, completed in 1970. After breakfast on board, you receive a private transfer to your next destination or hotel.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to and from the airport?

No. Hotel, airport, or cruise port pickup and drop-off are included in the tour price, so your transfer is arranged as part of the booking.