Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor: Abu Simbel, Edfu & Balloon

Float above Luxor at dawn, then walk through four thousand years of temples in a single journey.

A 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor combines boat accommodation, guided temple visits at Abu Simbel, Edfu, and the Valley of the Kings, plus a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over Luxor. Hotel pickup, an Egyptology guide, entrance fees, and all meals aboard are included. You choose between Deluxe, Standard, or Ultra-Deluxe cabin options at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Explore Aswan and board Nile Cruise

• Arrive in Aswan
• Pick up from hotel, train station, or airport
• Take motor-boat to Philae Temple
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Check in Nile Cruise
• Enjoy lunch on cruise
• Rest and refresh
• Attend evening Nubian party

Day 2: Visit Abu Simbel and sail to Edfu

• Pick up early for Abu Simbel Temple
• Return to Aswan around 1 pm
• Cruise sails towards Kom Ombo
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple
• Cruise sails towards Edfu
• Enjoy sailing and natural views

Day 3: Visit Edfu Temple and sail to Luxor

• Enjoy breakfast on cruise
• Visit Edfu Temple by horse-carriage
• Sail and enjoy local village views
• Drink Egyptian tea on sun deck
• Pass Esna lock
• Arrive Luxor at sunset
• Visit Luxor local market
• Drink upper Egyptian sugar cane juice

Day 4: Hot Air Balloon and Luxor temples

• Hot Air Balloon ride over Luxor
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Queen Hatshepsut Temple
• Visit Colossi of Memnon
• Drive to East Bank
• Visit Karnak Temple
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Transfer to hotel, train station, or airport

The experience

How does a 4-day itinerary work when you're traveling by boat? The cruise departs Aswan after you're picked up from your hotel, airport, or train station. Day one takes you by motorboat to Philae Temple, then to the Aswan High Dam before you board the cruise for the evening. A Nubian party runs that night, hosted by the crew. Day two starts before dawn, around 5 a.m., for the drive to Abu Simbel, the massive rock temples carved into the desert. You're back aboard by early afternoon, and the cruise sails south toward Kom Ombo, where you stop to visit another temple, then continues toward Edfu.

Day three is the Temple of Edfu, reached by horse-carriage from the riverbank. You'll drink Egyptian tea on the sun deck while the boat sails past local villages on both banks, passes through the Esna lock, and arrives in Luxor at sunset. There's time to visit the local market and try fresh sugar cane juice if you want. The final morning, around 5:30 a.m., you rise for the hot air balloon flight above Luxor's west bank. The highlight most travelers book this tour for. After landing, the guide takes you to the Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut's temple, the Colossi of Memnon, then across to the east bank for Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. You're transferred to your hotel, train station, or airport by midday.

The boat itself is your accommodation for three nights, and it moves while you sleep, so you wake up at each new destination. An air-conditioned vehicle handles all ground transport between sites. Your guide is a qualified Egyptologist who speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, or another language depending on your booking. All entrance fees to temples are paid upfront, so there's no stopping at ticket windows. If bad weather cancels the hot air balloon, you get a $20 refund per person.

What’s included

• An air-conditioned vehicle for all ground transport.
• 3 nights aboard a 5-star Nile cruise boat with meals.
• hotel, airport, or train station pickup in Aswan.
• entrance fees to Philae Temple, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple.
• a qualified Egyptology guide in your chosen language.
• and the hot air balloon flight over Luxor on the final morning.

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 cruise options: Blue Shadow, Sara, or Renaissance Nile Story, or Celia cruise, Radamis II, or Semiramis II Nile cruise. Duration: 4 days. Pickup is included.

Deluxe Nile CruiseGuide in 5 languages · 6 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00Deluxe Nile cruise options: Nile Style cruise, Le Fayan cruise, Primium cruise, Radamis I Nile cruise, Concerto 1, Blue Shadow, or Royal Signature. Duration: 4 days. Includes pickup.

Ultra-Deluxe Nile CruiseGuide in 5 languages · 6 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00Ultra-deluxe Nile cruise options: May Fair cruise, Minerva cruise, Sonsesta Moon Goddess, Esplanade Nile cruise, or Concerto 2 Nile cruise. Duration: 4 days. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Lasts 4d, runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 6 start times, from US$ 875.19 per person, with live guides in 5 languages, in groups of up to 15 and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and Friday6 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 12:00

Book up to8h 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 18 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 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Roxana Travel

Is this one for you?Pick a cabin tier based on your budget: all include the same itinerary, Egyptology guide, and meals while the boat carries you overnight between Aswan, Abu Simbel, and Luxor's major temples.

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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 included in the 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor?

The package includes 3 nights aboard a 5-star cruise boat, hotel or airport pickup in Aswan, an air-conditioned vehicle for all ground excursions, entrance fees to Philae Temple, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, and Luxor temples, a qualified Egyptology guide, and all meals aboard the cruise. The hot air balloon flight is part of the itinerary on the final morning.

When does the hot air balloon ride happen, and what if the weather doesn't cooperate?

The hot air balloon flight takes place around 5:30 a.m. on the final day, before you visit the Valley of the Kings. If weather cancels the flight, the operator refunds $20 per person, and you proceed with the temple visits on the ground.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the boat in Aswan?

No. Hotel, airport, or train station pickup in Aswan is included, so your guide or driver meets you and brings you to the cruise dock to board.

What are the cabin options on the Nile cruise?

You choose between Deluxe, Standard, or Ultra-Deluxe cabins when you book. If you're traveling alone and want your own room, book the single-person option. Groups of three can request a triple room, or individuals in a group can make separate single bookings.

How much time do you spend at each temple?

Abu Simbel gets a full morning visit before you return to the boat by early afternoon. Kom Ombo and Edfu are stops during the sail south. The Valley of the Kings, Karnak, and Luxor temples fill the final morning and early afternoon on the last day. Exact timing depends on the guide's pacing and how long you choose to linger at each site.

Is this tour accessible for people with mobility needs?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, transportation options are wheelchair accessible, and the tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Infants can travel in a pram or stroller, and specialized infant seats are available.