Luxor to Aswan: 5-Day Nile Cruise with Temples & Full Board

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.89 (100 reviews) 92% rated it 5 stars

Free cancellationTravelers' pick

1/14

Duration5d

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN · AR +3

PickupAt your hotel

Temple columns sunrise over the nile laughter with guides and ancient stories

You’ll float down the Nile from Luxor to Aswan with all meals included, stopping for temple tours with a real Egyptologist guide and lively evenings on board. Expect moments of silence on deck at sunrise, laughter during local parties, and stories carved into stone walls older than memory itself.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Embark cruise and visit Luxor temples

Arrive in Luxor
Transfer to Nile Cruise
Lunch on board
Visit Karnak Temple
Visit Luxor Temple
Belly dance show

Day 2 — West Bank Luxor and Valley of Kings

Breakfast on board
Optional hot air balloon ride
Visit Valley of the Kings
Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
Stop at Colossi of Memnon
Sail to Edfu via Esna

Day 3 — Visit Edfu and Kom Ombo temples

Visit Edfu Temple
Sail to Kom Ombo
Visit Kom Ombo Temple
Sail to Aswan
Galabia party after dinner

Day 4 — Aswan sightseeing and Nile felucca ride

Breakfast on board
Visit Philae Temple
Visit Aswan High Dam
Visit Unfinished Obelisk
Lunch on board
Felucca ride around Kitchener Island

Day 5 — Disembark and optional Abu Simbel tour

Breakfast on board
Check-out from cruise
Optional Abu Simbel tour
Transfer to Aswan hotel, airport, or train station

The Experience

I’ll never forget how quiet it got as we first pulled away from Luxor — just the slow churn of the river and a breeze that smelled faintly sweet, like dates and something I couldn’t name. Our Egyptologist guide, Hany, grinned at us as we tried (and failed) to pronounce “Karnak” the right way. He said my version sounded like a type of bread. We started at Karnak Temple that afternoon, weaving through those massive columns while Hany pointed out graffiti left by ancient priests. It was hotter than I expected — I mean, really hot — but somehow that made the shade under those stone arches feel almost sacred. Lunch back on board tasted better than it probably should have (I think I was just starving). There was a belly dance show after dinner; some people joined in but I just watched and laughed along.

The second morning in Luxor was all about the West Bank. If you ever get a chance to do the optional hot air balloon at sunrise — do it. I didn’t (bit too chicken), but folks who did came back glowing. We walked through the Valley of the Kings with dust crunching under our shoes and Hany telling stories about tomb curses and lost treasures. The Temple of Hatshepsut looked almost unreal against those cliffs; you could smell limestone baking in the sun. At one point, an old man selling postcards winked at me and called me “Cleopatra.” I still have no idea why.

By day three, sailing south felt hypnotic — hours drifted by between Edfu and Kom Ombo temples, watching life along the banks: kids waving, women doing laundry in bright scarves. The temple of Horus had falcon carvings so sharp they looked new. That night there was a Galabia party on board (think: everyone in loose Egyptian robes), which got silly fast when someone tried to teach us local dance steps. My feet are not made for that rhythm.

Aswan’s quieter than Luxor somehow — maybe it’s just slower? Visiting Philae Temple by boat felt different; water everywhere, birds calling from reeds. The Unfinished Obelisk is massive up close — you can run your hand over ancient chisel marks if you want (I did). Last morning was bittersweet packing up after breakfast; some people went off to Abu Simbel but I stayed behind for one last tea on deck before we disembarked. Still think about that view sometimes.

What’s included

Your journey includes four nights’ accommodation on a 5-star deluxe Nile cruise ship with full board—breakfasts, lunches and dinners onboard—plus afternoon tea each day.
You’ll have all transfers handled by private air-conditioned vehicle from arrival in Luxor to departure in Aswan.
Guided temple visits come with a professional Egyptologist leading every step; bottled water is provided during excursions too.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Egypt Unlimited Tours