Aswan to Luxor Nile Cruise: Abu Simbel & Balloon Ride

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Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/28

Duration4d

GroupUp to 70

LanguagesEN · AR

PickupAt your hotel

Sailing the nile between aswan and luxor temples sunrise over the valley

You’ll drift down the Nile from Aswan to Luxor on a 5-star cruise boat, visit Abu Simbel at sunrise with a local guide, ride horseback through Edfu’s streets to Horus Temple, and float above Luxor in a hot air balloon as dawn breaks over ancient tombs. Expect laughter, quiet moments by the riverbank, and memories that sneak up on you later.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and Aswan sightseeing

Visit Philae Temple by motorboat
Visit Aswan High Dam

Day 2 — Abu Simbel and Kom Ombo visit

Early morning trip to Abu Simbel Temple
Return to cruise for lunch
Sail to Kom Ombo
Visit Kom Ombo Temple
Dinner on cruise and sail to Edfu

Day 3 — Edfu Temple and Luxor arrival

Horse carriage ride to Edfu Temple
Return to cruise and sail to Luxor
Cross Esna Lock
Lunch and afternoon tea on board
Visit Luxor Temple
Dinner on board with belly dancing

Day 4 — Luxor balloon ride and tours

Hot air balloon flight over Luxor
Breakfast and check out
Visit Valley of the Kings
Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
Photo stop at Colossi of Memnon
Visit Karnak Temple
Transfer to hotel, airport, or station

The Experience

The first thing I remember is the sound of water slapping gently against the hull before sunrise — I was still half-asleep when our guide, Khaled, handed me a cup of cardamom tea on the deck. We’d just left Aswan behind, and honestly, I didn’t expect to feel so calm watching the palm trees slide by. The air smelled faintly of diesel mixed with river mud and something sweet from breakfast downstairs. Khaled pointed out little fishing boats drifting past; he said most families here have fished these banks for generations. I tried to imagine what that’s like, growing up with the Nile right outside your window.

Abu Simbel was a blur of early-morning yawns and nervous excitement — we set off before dawn in a minibus (the stars were still out), and I’m not sure I’ve ever seen stone look so alive as those giant statues at first light. Our group was small enough that we could actually hear our guide’s stories echoing off the walls inside. There’s this hush in those chambers, broken only by someone’s footsteps or a camera beep (I forgot to turn mine off, oops). Back on board, lunch tasted better than it should’ve after such an early start — maybe it was just relief or maybe cruise food is secretly good?

I loved how each stop along the Nile had its own rhythm. At Edfu, we rattled through town in horse-drawn carriages; my driver grinned at my clumsy attempts at Arabic (“shukran!” — he laughed every time). The Temple of Horus felt impossibly tall and cool inside compared to the heat outside. Later, drifting past Kom Ombo at sunset, there was this orange glow on everything — even the crocodile mummies looked less creepy somehow. It all felt strangely timeless.

The balloon ride over Luxor is still hard to believe happened. Five in the morning and suddenly you’re floating above fields and tombs with other balloons dotting the sky like confetti. My hands shook a little (not sure if it was nerves or just cold) but seeing Karnak and the Valley of the Kings from above… well, you know how some things just stick with you? That view does. We landed with sand in our shoes and everyone grinning like kids.

What’s included

Your journey includes pickup from your Aswan hotel (east or west bank), all transfers between temples like Philae and Karnak, entry fees for sites including Abu Simbel (unless replaced by Habu Temple), three nights aboard a 5-star Nile cruise boat with meals onboard, guided tours with an experienced local guide throughout Aswan, Edfu, Kom Ombo and Luxor stops; plus an early morning hot air balloon ride over Luxor with certificate. Horse-drawn carriage rides are covered too — so you can just focus on soaking it all in along Egypt’s legendary riverbanks.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Go Tours Egypt