Luxor, Aswan & Abu Simbel: Nile Cruise with Train from Cairo

Summary

Ancient wonders by river from Cairo with sunrise at Abu Simbel

You’ll drift down the Nile between Luxor and Aswan with a local guide who brings ancient stories to life—wake early for sunrise at Abu Simbel, ride carriages through Edfu’s streets, and wander among pharaohs’ tombs in Valley of the Kings. This journey isn’t just temples—it’s slow mornings on deck and small moments you’ll carry home.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely finished our tea at Giza station when the overnight train started rolling south—windows rattling, Cairo lights slipping away behind us. It was late, but I couldn’t really sleep; too much anticipation for this six-day Nile cruise from Cairo to Luxor via Aswan and Abu Simbel. The carriage smelled faintly of old upholstery and cardamom someone was drinking nearby. By dawn, I was craning my neck for those first flashes of the Nile outside Aswan. Our local guide met us right on the platform—Amira, who immediately started telling stories about her grandmother’s village upriver. She had this way of making even the High Dam sound like a family memory.

I’m not sure what I expected from the cruise ship itself—maybe something stuffy? But honestly, it felt easy: cabins with big windows (I left mine open at night for the river air), meals that always arrived just when you were hungry again, and a sun deck where people lounged in everything from jeans to galabeyas. The highlight was that 5am drive out to Abu Simbel—so quiet you could hear your own breath as we walked toward those massive statues in the half-light. Amira whispered facts about Ramses II while I tried (and failed) to take a photo that did it justice. On the way back, she handed out sweet tea; I burned my tongue but didn’t care.

Sailing north again, we stopped at Kom Ombo temple—half for Sobek (the crocodile god), half for Horus—and then Edfu, where you actually ride a horse-drawn carriage through town to reach the Temple of Horus. The driver grinned when I tried to say “shukran” right; he just shook his head and laughed. There’s something about seeing regular life go by on both banks—the kids waving from dusty lanes, laundry flapping on rooftops—that makes all those ancient carvings feel less remote somehow. By Luxor, after passing through Esna lock (which took ages but nobody seemed bothered), it was almost hard to leave the boat behind.

The last day hit me harder than I thought: standing in Valley of the Kings with sunlight slanting across tomb entrances while Amira explained how they carved these rooms out of stone thousands of years ago. My shoes filled with sand; my mind filled with names I can’t pronounce but won’t forget soon either. Karnak’s columns made me dizzy looking up—so much color still clinging there after all this time. We ended up catching our train back to Cairo just as dusk settled over Luxor, everyone a bit quieter than before. Even now, weeks later, sometimes I catch myself thinking about that cool river breeze or Amira’s laugh echoing off temple walls.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Train to Aswan from Cairo

• Pick up from hotel
• Drive to Giza train station
• Overnight train to Aswan

Day 2 — Aswan city tour and cruise

• Meet local guide in Aswan
• Visit High Dam and Philae Temple
• Lunch on board
• Afternoon tea and dinner
• Evening disco party on cruise
• Overnight on Nile cruise

Day 3 — Abu Simbel and Nile sailing

• Early visit to Abu Simbel temples
• Return to cruise and start sailing
• View Nubian and Egyptian cultures
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple
• Sail to Edfu
• Enjoy tea on sun deck
• Dinner onboard
• Overnight cruise

Day 4 — Edfu temple and sail to Luxor

• Breakfast on board
• Visit Edfu Temple
• Sail to Luxor via Esna
• Pass Esna lock
• Arrive in Luxor
• Overnight cruise

Day 5 — Luxor West and East bank tour

• Breakfast and disembark
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Explore Temple of Hatsheput
• Photo stop at Colossi of Memnon
• Visit Karnak Temple
• Transfer to Luxor train station
• Overnight train to Cairo

Day 6 — Arrival in Cairo and transfer

• Arrive Cairo train station
• Transfer to hotel in Cairo or Giza

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Nile cruise tour?

Yes, door-to-door transfers from your hotel in Cairo or Giza are included at both ends of the trip.

Are meals provided during the Nile cruise?

Yes, breakfast, lunch, dinner—and even afternoon tea—are served onboard starting with lunch on your first cruise day.

How do you get from Cairo to Aswan?

The tour includes first-class air-conditioned train tickets for overnight travel between Cairo and Aswan (and back from Luxor).

Is there an Egyptologist guide throughout?

Yes, a professional Egyptology guide accompanies you during all main site visits along the route.

Do you visit Abu Simbel on this itinerary?

Yes, there is an early morning excursion by road from Aswan to explore Abu Simbel temples before returning to your cruise.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You stay three nights aboard a 5-star Nile cruise ship (private cabin) plus two nights on overnight trains.

Are entrance fees included for sites like Karnak or Valley of the Kings?

All entry fees for listed sites—including Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings—are covered in your booking.

Can children join this tour? Are there family rooms?

The tour is suitable for families; children can share rooms with parents (max two children per room).

What’s included

Your journey covers hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairo or Giza, all transfers between cities by first-class A/C train (with sleeper upgrade available), three nights in a private cabin aboard a 5-star Nile cruise including all meals onboard—from lunch on arrival day through breakfast before disembarkation—and guided tours at every major site: Abu Simbel temples at sunrise, Philae Temple in Aswan, Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples (with horse carriage ride), plus full days exploring both banks of Luxor including Valley of the Kings and Karnak Temple. All entry fees are included so you can just show up—and let someone else handle logistics while you soak it all in.