Aswan to Luxor Nile Cruise: Abu Simbel, Temples & Full Board

From Aswan’s markets to Luxor’s ancient wonders, cruise the Nile with temple stops, local stories and full board comfort

You’ll travel from Aswan to Luxor by Nile cruise with a local guide, stopping for sunrise at Abu Simbel and exploring temples like Kom Ombo and Karnak. All meals are included on board, plus transfers from airport or train station. It’s not just history—it’s laughter over tea, early mornings in ancient places, and small surprises along the river.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and Aswan sightseeing

• Meet tour guide at airport or station
• Transfer to Nile cruise before lunch
• Visit High Dam, Unfinished Obelisk, Philae Temple
• Lunch on board
• Dinner on board
• Overnight in Aswan

Day 2 — Kom Ombo and sailing to Luxor

• Breakfast on board
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple
• Visit Abu Simbel
• Lunch on board
• Sail to Edfu
• Sail to Luxor, late arrival
• Dinner on board

Day 3 — West Bank Luxor tour

• Breakfast on board
• Visit West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Queen Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon
• Lunch on board
• Dinner on board
• Overnight in Luxor

Day 4 — East Bank tour and departure

• Check out after breakfast
• Visit East Bank: Karnak and Luxor Temples
• Transfer to Luxor airport or train station

The Experience

The first thing that happened? My suitcase wheel broke right outside Aswan station. I was trying not to look panicked when a man named Hany (our guide) just grinned and said, “Welcome to Egypt! Don’t worry, we have time.” He meant it. That set the tone — nothing rushed, everything somehow working out. The air smelled like cardamom and diesel as we made our way through the market toward the river. I kept getting distracted by the colors: pomegranates stacked up next to plastic toys, women in bright scarves haggling over spices. Our cruise ship looked almost too shiny next to all that chaos.

We started early for Abu Simbel — 4am is not my hour, but seeing those temples appear out of the desert haze felt unreal. Hany told us how they moved the whole thing stone by stone when the dam was built (I still can’t wrap my head around that). There was this moment when everyone went quiet inside; you could hear sandals on cool stone and someone’s phone buzzing in their pocket. Breakfast back on board tasted better after that — maybe because I was half asleep or maybe because Egyptian bread is just good.

Days blurred into each other in a nice way: Kom Ombo’s crocodile carvings, Edfu with its dusty columns, endless tea poured by smiling waiters who remembered how I take it after one try. At sunset you’d see farmers waving from the banks and kids shouting “hello!” while goats wandered along muddy paths. I tried saying “shukran” once and got a thumbs-up from a crew member who laughed at my accent. Nights were quiet except for the hum of engines and distant music drifting over water.

The last morning in Luxor felt heavier than I expected. Karnak Temple just before noon — sunlight bouncing off centuries-old walls, our group standing in shadow listening to Hany explain something about Amun-Ra while a cat darted between our feet. We checked out after breakfast but lingered longer than planned near Luxor Museum, not quite ready for it all to end. I keep thinking about that slow drift down the Nile — how sometimes you need things to go slightly wrong before they feel real.

Top questions

Is pickup included for this Aswan to Luxor Nile cruise?

Yes, pickup is included from either Aswan airport or train station before lunch on your first day.

Are meals provided during the Nile cruise?

Yes, all meals—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—are included while on board.

Does this tour visit Abu Simbel?

Yes, there is an early morning visit to Abu Simbel Temple as part of the itinerary.

Are guided tours included at each temple stop?

Yes, a local guide leads tours at all major sites such as Kom Ombo, Karnak Temple, and Valley of the Kings.

Is this Nile cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options and all areas of the cruise are wheelchair accessible.

Can infants or small children join this cruise?

Yes, infants can ride in strollers or prams; specialized infant seats are available if needed.

How many days does this Aswan to Luxor Nile cruise last?

The cruise lasts four days with overnight stays on board between Aswan and Luxor.

Is public transportation available near embarkation points?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby both in Aswan and Luxor.

What’s included

Your trip includes pickup from Aswan airport or train station before lunch on day one; four days aboard a full-board Nile cruise with breakfast, lunch and dinner; guided tours of temples like Kom Ombo, Philae Temple and Karnak; visits to Abu Simbel at sunrise; all sightseeing listed in the program; plus comfortable air-conditioned transport throughout your journey until transfer at Luxor’s end point.