4-Day Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor: Temples & Abu Simbel

Three nights aboard a 5-star cruise while the temples come to you at each stop.

A 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor with 3 nights aboard a 5-star ship, guided tours of Aswan's High Dam and Philae Temple, stops at Kom Ombo and Edfu, and full-day sightseeing in Luxor's Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple. All meals, door-to-door transfers in both cities, an English-speaking Egyptology guide, and motorboat to Philae are included. Abu Simbel and hot air balloon are optional add-ons you choose at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Aswan guided tour and cruise embarkation

• Pick up from Aswan meeting point
• Transfer to 5-star Nile Cruise
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Boat ride to Philae Temple
• Guided tour of Philae Temple
• Free time at Philae Temple
• Return to Nile Cruise

Day 2: Abu Simbel and Kom Ombo temple visit

• Explore Abu Simbel
• Return to Nile Cruise
• Cruise sailing
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple
• Cruise sailing towards Edfu

Day 3: Edfu temple visit and sail to Luxor

• Free time on cruise sailing
• Visit Edfu Temple
• Cruise sailing to Luxor

Day 4: Luxor temples and drop off

• Optional hot air balloon ride
• Breakfast and check out
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• Stop at Colossi of Memnon
• Visit Karnak Temple
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Drop off in Luxor city or train station

The experience

Four days means you collect the major temples of Upper Egypt without rushing between them. The cruise itself is the transport: you board in Aswan, sleep aboard for three nights, and wake each morning at a different stop. Day one covers Aswan's sights on land: the High Dam, an engineering project from the 1960s, and Philae Temple on an island in the Nile, reached by motorboat. Your guide walks you through the temple, then leaves time to explore on your own.

Days two and three are the sailing itself. The ship stops at Kom Ombo Temple, where your guide meets you on deck, then continues downriver to Edfu Temple, dedicated to the god Horus. Between stops you're free to rest on the ship or watch the Nile pass. All three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) are buffet service aboard. The boat's name is confirmed a few days before departure once the government grants sailing permission.

Day four in Luxor splits between the West Bank and East Bank. An optional hot air balloon departs early morning (weather permitting, cancellations are refunded). Then you cross to the Valley of the Kings, where 66 tombs sit carved into rock, followed by the Temple of Hatshepsut, Egypt's only female pharaoh. On the return, you stop at the Colossi of Memnon, two massive seated statues, before visiting Karnak Temple, a complex of more than 20 temples covering nearly two miles, and Luxor Temple at day's end. Drop-off is to your Luxor hotel or downtown by 3 to 4 PM.

Abu Simbel is a separate option: a guided group excursion to the temples carved into a mountainside in the south, included if you book that tier. Transfers from Aswan East Bank hotels are included. Pickups from West Bank hotels or Aswan airport cost extra. In Luxor, drop-off to West Bank hotels also carries an extra charge. The guide speaks English, and Spanish, Italian, French and two other languages are available.

What’s included

• All meals aboard the 5-star cruise (breakfast, lunch and dinner for 3 days).
• 3 nights accommodation on the ship.
• guided tours with an English-speaking Egyptology guide to Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor.
• motorboat to Philae Temple.
• door-to-door transfers in Aswan and Luxor.
• cart ride at Edfu Temple.
• all service, taxes, landing and parking fees.
• meet-and-assist by English-speaking representatives.

Options for this experience

3 options

Cruise without Abu Simbel, without balloonGuide in English · 10 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:30Pickup is included

Cruise and Abu Simbel, without balloonGuide in English or Arabic · 10 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:30Pickup is included

Cruise plus Abu Simbel and balloonGuide in English · 10 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:30Abu Simbel and balloon included, pickup is included

You pick the guide language when booking.

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

Before you book

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and Friday10 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (12 to 98 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effort

Operated by Egypt Best Holidays

Is this one for you?Book the option with Abu Simbel and balloon if you want the full sweep of Upper Egypt's temples in one trip and have the morning free on day four. The cruise-only option works if you prefer to skip the long Abu Simbel excursion or travel with young children under 6, who cannot join the balloon flight.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What's included in the 4-day cruise and what costs extra?

The cruise includes 3 nights aboard the 5-star ship, all meals, guided tours to Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu and Luxor, motorboat to Philae Temple, door-to-door transfers in both cities, and an English-speaking Egyptology guide. Abu Simbel and the hot air balloon are optional add-ons you select at checkout. Pickups from Aswan West Bank hotels or airport, and drop-off to Luxor West Bank hotels, cost extra per person.

Does the hot air balloon always run on the last morning?

The hot air balloon is optional and departs early on day four if you book that option. The Egyptian Ministry of Aviation can cancel it due to bad weather, in which case your payment is refunded. Children under 6 are not permitted. You can photograph with your cellphone but not with a camera in the basket.

How many temples do I visit and where are they?

You visit eight temples across four days: Philae Temple in Aswan (by motorboat), Kom Ombo and Edfu temples during the cruise sailing, and in Luxor on day four, the Valley of the Kings (66 tombs), Temple of Hatshepsut, Karnak Temple complex with its Hypostyle Hall and papyrus-shaped columns, and Luxor Temple. Aswan High Dam is also included on day one.

What happens on the cruise between temple stops?

The ship sails the Nile between Kom Ombo and Edfu on days two and three. You sleep aboard each night, wake to a new location, and have free time to rest on deck or explore the ship between guided stops. All meals are served as buffet service aboard.

Can I choose my pickup location in Aswan?

Pickups are included from Aswan East Bank hotels and a central meeting point. Pickups from West Bank hotels or Aswan airport cost extra per person. In Luxor, drop-off is included to East Bank hotels and downtown. West Bank hotels require an additional charge.

How long does the tour take and when does it end?

The tour runs 4 days and 3 nights. It ends in Luxor on the final day between 3 and 4 PM, with drop-off to your hotel or downtown. Drop-off to Luxor airport or West Bank hotels is available for an extra fee.