Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor: Temple Visits with Egyptologist

Glide past ancient temples and timeless Nile landscapes with expert stories at every stop

A 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor combines three nights aboard a 5-star ship with guided visits to nine major temples and archaeological sites, including the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple Complex, and the Temple of Hatshepsut. Your certified Egyptologist guide leads excursions at each stop while you travel downriver. Airport pickup, all transfers, and onboard meals are included. Children from age 5 are welcome.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Aswan city tour and cruise start

• Arrive in Aswan and meet guide
• Transfer to Nile cruise ship and check in
• Enjoy lunch on board
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Take motorboat to Temple of Philae
• Visit the Unfinished Obelisk
• Return to cruise ship and relax

Day 2: Kom Ombo and sail to Edfu

• Have breakfast on ship
• Sail to Kom Ombo
• Tour Kom Ombo Temple
• Sail to Edfu and dock
• Relax on board

Day 3: Edfu Temple and Luxor East Bank

• Breakfast on ship
• Ride horse carriage to Edfu Temple
• Return to ship and sail to Luxor
• Visit Karnak Temple Complex
• Explore Luxor Temple at night
• Dinner on board
• Enjoy Egyptian Folkloric Show

Day 4: Luxor West Bank exploration

• Breakfast and check out from cruise
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Tour Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon
• Transfer to Luxor Airport or Train Station

The experience

The cruise departs Aswan after you check in by noon on day one. After lunch aboard, you'll visit the Aswan High Dam, take a motorboat to the Temple of Philae dedicated to the goddess Isis, and see the Unfinished Obelisk carved from red granite. Day two brings an early breakfast and a sail south to Kom Ombo Temple, which was built for two gods (Sobek the crocodile deity and Haroeris the falcon-headed god), then continues downriver to Edfu. On day three, a traditional horse-drawn carriage carries you to the Temple of Horus before the ship sails through the Esna Lock toward Luxor. That afternoon you'll explore the sprawling Karnak Temple Complex, which covers roughly one hundred acres and holds multiple temples, halls, obelisks and sculptures. In the evening, Luxor Temple is lit for night viewing, followed by an Egyptian Folkloric Show aboard the ship.

Your final morning begins with checkout at 8:00 AM and a full day on Luxor's west bank. You'll walk through the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs were buried in decorated tombs, then visit the Temple of Hatshepsut carved into the mountainside: a monument to one of Egypt's most powerful female rulers. The Colossi of Memnon, two massive statues that once guarded a mortuary temple, close out the tour before transfer to Luxor Airport or train station.

A private air-conditioned vehicle picks you up from your arrival point and handles all ground transfers. Your guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and several other languages, and travels with the group throughout. Meals are served aboard the ship each day.

What’s included

• Three nights aboard a 5-star Nile cruise ship with cabin accommodations.
• all meals served on board.
• a certified Egyptologist guide for all temple and site visits.
• private air-conditioned vehicle transfers from your arrival point to the ship and between all excursion locations.
• airport or train station drop-off on departure.
• guided tours of Kom Ombo Temple, the Temple of Horus at Edfu, Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor Temple (night viewing), the Valley of the Kings, the Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon.
• a motorboat ride to the Temple of Philae.
• a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride to Edfu Temple.
• an Egyptian Folkloric Show on the ship.
• and meet-and-assist service at arrival and departure.

Options for this experience

2 options

A 3-night, 4-day journey from Aswan to LuxorGuide in 8 languages · 12:00Program of 3 nights and 4 days: this option books a 4-day trip from Aswan to Luxor with 3 nights. Duration: 4 days. Meals: 3 dinners, 3 breakfasts and 3 lunches. Pickup is included.

A journey from Luxor to Aswan lasting 4 nights and 5 daysGuide in 8 languages · 12:00Program of 4 nights and 5 days: this option books a 5-day trip from Luxor to Aswan with 4 nights. Duration: 5 days. Meals: 5 dinners, 5 breakfasts and 5 lunches. Pickup is included.

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

Before you book

Lasts 4d, runs every day at 12:00, from US$ 855 per person, with live guides in 8 languages and as a private tour.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 12:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Ukrainian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Egypt Tours Travel

Is this one for you?Choose this cruise if you want temples and tombs delivered to you in sequence: the ship repositions overnight while you sleep, so each morning brings a new site without backtracking or planning separate logistics.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Ukrainian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What's the difference between the 4-day Aswan-to-Luxor cruise and the 5-day Luxor-to-Aswan option?

The 4-day cruise runs from Aswan to Luxor and includes the sites listed in this itinerary. A 5-day, 4-night option reverses the direction, starting in Luxor and ending in Aswan, with an extra day added to the journey.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the ship, or is pickup included?

Pickup from your arrival point is included. A private air-conditioned vehicle and driver will collect you and handle all transfers to the ship, between excursion sites, and to your departure airport or train station.

What happens during the sail between Aswan and Luxor? Do you stay on the ship the whole time?

You spend nights aboard the ship, but most days include guided excursions at specific stops. Day two is mainly a sail from Kom Ombo to Edfu with time to relax on deck. The ship passes through the Esna Lock on the way to Luxor, and you have free time in Aswan on the evening of day one.

Are entrance fees to the temples included in the cruise price?

Entrance fees to the temples and archaeological sites are not included in the cruise price and are paid separately. All other transfers, meals aboard, and the guide service are covered.