Aswan & Luxor: 4-Day Nile Cruise, Abu Simbel & Hot Air Balloon

Summary

Sailing the nile from aswan to luxor with sunrise temples and balloon rides

You’ll ride a Nile cruise between Aswan and Luxor with hotel pickup included, visit Abu Simbel at sunrise with an expert guide, float above Luxor in a hot air balloon, and explore ancient sites like Philae Temple and Valley of the Kings. Expect moments of laughter, local flavors, and quiet wonder you’ll carry home long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

We got picked up in Aswan early — I was still shaking off sleep when we met our guide, Hossam, who greeted us with this big grin and a joke about “Nile time.” The city felt different than Cairo somehow — slower, warmer. We took a small motorboat out to Philae Temple and the water smelled faintly sweet, like reeds. There was this old man selling tea on the dock who winked at me when I tried to pay with too many coins. By afternoon, after seeing the High Dam (honestly bigger than I’d pictured), we checked into the cruise ship. The room was nicer than I expected. That night there was a Nubian party on board; I tried dancing but mostly laughed at myself.

The second morning started before dawn — 5am for Abu Simbel. It’s a long drive south through desert that looks endless until suddenly those giant statues appear out of nowhere. Our Egyptologist guide told stories about Ramses II that made the place feel less like a postcard and more… lived in? On the way back I fell asleep on the bus and woke up just as we were pulling up to Kom Ombo Temple. There were kids waving from the riverbank as we sailed away; one of them had a plastic bag kite. Something about that stuck with me.

I didn’t expect to love Edfu Temple so much — we rode there by horse carriage (the horse’s name was Aisha), and it felt almost surreal passing through narrow streets at sunrise. Egyptian tea on the sundeck after? Perfect. The cruise drifted past villages where people waved or just watched us float by; it’s quieter than you’d think out there except for birds and sometimes music echoing across the water. Arriving in Luxor as the sun set painted everything gold, even my hands looked different holding a glass of sugarcane juice from the market.

The last day started with something wild: floating over Luxor in a hot air balloon just after 5:30am. The Valley of the Kings looked small from above but later walking inside those tombs — colors still bright after thousands of years — it felt huge again. Hossam pointed out details in hieroglyphics I would’ve missed; he seemed genuinely excited every time someone asked questions (even my dumb ones). Karnak Temple was our last stop before heading off in different directions, tired but kind of buzzing inside.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Aswan and board Nile Cruise

• Arrive in Aswan
• Visit Philae Temple by motor-boat
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Check in Nile Cruise
• Enjoy lunch on cruise
• Rest and refresh
• Attend evening Nubian party

Day 2 — Abu Simbel and sail to Edfu

• Early pick up for Abu Simbel temple
• Return to Aswan
• Start sailing towards Kom Ombo
• Visit Kom Ombo temple
• Sail towards Edfu

Day 3 — Visit Edfu temple and sail to Luxor

• Enjoy breakfast on cruise
• Visit Edfu temple by horse-carriage
• Sail past local villages
• 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

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Nile cruise?

Yes, pickup is included from your hotel, train station or airport in Aswan.

How many nights do you spend on the Nile cruise?

You spend three nights onboard a 5-star Nile cruise boat between Aswan and Luxor.

Are entrance fees to temples included?

Yes, all entrance fees for sightseeing between Aswan and Luxor are covered.

Is there an Egyptologist guide during tours?

Yes, you’ll have a qualified Egyptology tour guide throughout your trip.

What is the schedule for visiting Abu Simbel?

You visit Abu Simbel early on day two around 5:00 AM, returning by early afternoon.

Is breakfast or lunch provided on board?

Your stay includes meals such as breakfast and lunch during your time on the cruise.

Is transportation wheelchair accessible?

Yes, vehicles and most areas are wheelchair accessible for this tour.

If hot air balloon is canceled due to weather do you get refunded?

If canceled for bad weather you receive $20 per person refund for that activity.

What’s included

Your trip covers hotel pickup in Aswan or drop-off in Luxor (airport/train/hotel), three nights’ accommodation aboard a 5-star Nile cruise boat with meals included along the way, all entrance fees to major sites like Philae Temple, Abu Simbel, Edfu Temple and Valley of the Kings, guided tours led by an Egyptologist throughout your journey between Aswan and Luxor—and yes, that sunrise hot air balloon ride over Luxor if weather allows.