Aswan to Luxor: Nile Cruise 3-Night Temples & Valley Tour

Summary

Ancient wonders, river mornings, laughter with guides, temple stories

You’ll float along the Nile from Aswan to Luxor on a three-night cruise with full-board comfort, guided by an Egyptologist who brings ancient temples and tombs alive with stories. Expect quiet moments at Philae Temple, laughter at Kom Ombo, and awe inside Karnak and Valley of the Kings — all while life unfolds along the riverbanks outside your window.

What’s the experience like?

Hands gripping the railing, I watched the Nile slide by — muddy green and slow, with little flashes of blue where the sun caught it. Our Egyptologist guide (Omar — he wore sunglasses even at breakfast) pointed out a cluster of white egrets in the reeds. “This is how pharaohs traveled,” he said. I’d never been on a ship like this before — not fancy-fancy, but comfortable in a way that made me want to linger over strong coffee as we drifted past villages. The air smelled like river water and something sweet from the kitchen below decks. I tried to say “shukran” for my tea; Omar grinned, corrected my accent, and then just switched to English.

The first stop was Kom Ombo Temple. It’s strange — you walk up from the boat and there’s this double temple, part for Sobek (the crocodile god), part for Horus. The stone felt warm under my hands. Someone in our group joked about crocodiles still lurking nearby; Omar just shrugged and said, “Maybe.” Later at Philae Temple (you have to take a boat again — smaller this time), I noticed how quiet everyone got when we stepped onto the island. The carvings are so sharp they almost look new. There was this moment where an old woman selling postcards waved at us from her bench; she had gold teeth and laughed when I tried to bargain in Arabic. I didn’t get a discount but she taught me how to say “good luck.”

I didn’t expect the High Dam to be so… massive? It’s just concrete but somehow impressive when you’re standing right next to it, hearing stories about how it changed everything here. Then there’s the Unfinished Obelisk — lying on its side like some giant’s toy left behind. You can see where workers gave up after hitting a flaw in the granite thousands of years ago. It made me think about all the things people start and never finish.

The last day was Luxor: Karnak Temple first (columns so big you feel tiny), then Luxor Temple as dusk settled in — golden light catching dust motes in the air. Valley of the Kings was dry and silent except for our footsteps echoing down into tombs painted with colors that shouldn’t have survived this long but did anyway. Someone asked if we could take photos; our guide shook his head gently (“Just memories today”). By then I’d stopped caring about pictures anyway — some things are better kept inside your own head.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore Aswan monuments and sites

• Visit Philae Temples by water taxi
• See the High Dam
• Explore the Unfinished Obelisk quarry

Day 2 — Cruise to Kom Ombo and visit temple

• Visit Kom Ombo Temple

Day 3 — Discover Luxor East Bank temples

• Visit Karnak Temple
• Visit Luxor Temple

Day 4 — Tour Luxor West Bank monuments

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

Top questions

Is pickup included for this Nile cruise tour?

Yes, all transfers as per itinerary are included with pickup provided.

How long is the Aswan to Luxor Nile cruise?

The cruise lasts 3 nights between Aswan and Luxor.

Are entrance fees for attractions included?

Yes, entrance fees for all sightseeing stops are included in your booking.

Is food included during the cruise?

Yes, full board meals are provided during your stay on the 5-star Nile cruise ship.

Will we have an English-speaking guide?

Yes, private English-speaking Egyptologist guides accompany you throughout according to itinerary.

Are visits to Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings part of this trip?

Yes, both Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings are included among other sites.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options and areas are wheelchair accessible throughout.

Can infants or small children join this cruise?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller during excursions.

What’s included

Your journey includes all transfers with convenient pickup service, three nights’ accommodation aboard a 5-star Nile cruise ship on full board basis (all meals), entry fees for every monument visited from Aswan through Kom Ombo to Luxor’s West Bank sites, plus private guiding by an experienced English-speaking Egyptologist throughout each stop along your route.