Luxor to Aswan: 5-Day Nile Cruise with Balloon Ride

From Valley of the Kings to Aswan’s busy markets by river

You’ll float over Luxor at dawn in a hot air balloon, wander ancient temples with a local guide who brings their stories alive, and relax as your Nile cruise drifts from Luxor to Aswan. Expect lively evenings onboard and quiet moments watching life along the riverbanks — it’s an experience that lingers long after you’re home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — West Bank tour and cruise departure

• Meet tour representative in Luxor
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• See Colossi of Memnon
• Explore Temple of Hatshepsut
• Board 5-star Nile cruise boat
• Enjoy lunch onboard
• Relax with afternoon tea
• Dinner and belly dance show

Day 2 — Balloon ride and East Bank tour

• Early morning hot air balloon ride
• Breakfast onboard
• Visit Temple of Luxor
• Tour Karnak Temple
• Lunch onboard
• Sail to Esna
• Afternoon tea onboard
• Evening disco party

Day 3 — Edfu and Kom Ombo temples

• Visit Ptolemaic Temple of Horus in Edfu
• Lunch onboard while sailing
• Explore Kom Ombo Temple
• Dinner onboard
• Galabeya party onboard
• Overnight in Kom Ombo

Day 4 — Aswan sights and cruise

• Sail to Aswan
• Visit High Dam and Temple of Philae
• Lunch onboard
• Afternoon tea onboard
• Dinner onboard
• Overnight in Aswan

Day 5 — Disembark and departure

• Breakfast onboard
• Disembark cruise
• Transfer to Aswan Airport

The Experience

I didn’t expect the air in Luxor to smell so sweet at sunrise. The first morning, climbing into that balloon basket with my heart thumping louder than I’d admit, I caught myself grinning like a kid. Our guide, Mahmoud, just winked and said, “Wait till you see the river from up here.” He was right — the Nile looked almost unreal from above, winding through green fields and dust-colored villages. I tried to take a photo but honestly, it didn’t even come close.

The cruise itself felt like a slow exhale after months of city noise. We’d drift along for hours, watching farmers wave from the banks or kids splashing in the water. Lunches were always something warm and tomatoey (I never did figure out what those little green herbs were), and there was this one afternoon where I just sat on deck with tea, listening to the call to prayer echo across the water. It’s strange how peaceful it felt — except when we hit disco night on board. Let’s just say Egyptians know how to dance; I do not.

Walking through Karnak Temple with Mahmoud explaining stories about gods and pharaohs — he had this way of making it feel less like a history lesson and more like gossip about people he knew. At Kom Ombo, he pointed out crocodile carvings and told us about Sobek; I tried saying his name in Arabic (badly), which made everyone laugh. The sun was hot but dry, so it never got sticky like back home.

By the time we reached Aswan Market on our last day, I was already dreading leaving the boat. There’s something about waking up each morning with new temples outside your window that gets under your skin — in a good way. Even now, weeks later, sometimes I catch myself daydreaming about that stretch of river between Edfu and Kom Ombo…

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Nile cruise?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included for your convenience.

How long is the cruise from Luxor to Aswan?

The Nile cruise lasts 5 days and 4 nights between Luxor and Aswan.

Are meals provided during the cruise?

All meals are included as per itinerary: breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily.

Is there a hot air balloon ride in Luxor?

Yes, an early morning hot air balloon ride over Luxor is part of the tour.

What temples will we visit during this trip?

You’ll visit Karnak Temple, Valley of the Kings, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple in Aswan, among others.

Is this tour suitable for children or families?

Children are welcome but must be accompanied by an adult; infants can use prams or specialized seats.

Is wheelchair access available on this Nile cruise?

The tour is wheelchair accessible according to provided information.

Can I add Abu Simbel to my itinerary?

An optional trip to Abu Simbel by plane can be arranged upon request in Aswan.

What’s included

Your journey includes hotel pickup and drop-off in both Luxor and Aswan, entrance fees to all major sites along the route (like Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings), all meals as listed (breakfasts, lunches, dinners), a sunrise hot air balloon ride over Luxor (with refund if canceled), accommodation aboard a 5-star Nile cruise boat each night, plus guided tours led by knowledgeable locals throughout your trip.