Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise: Abu Simbel & Hot Air Balloon

Summary

Sunrise balloon over Luxor temples, Nile cruise days, Abu Simbel’s silence

You’ll float above ancient Luxor at sunrise in a hot air balloon, sail down the Nile past villages and temples with an Egyptologist guide, stand quietly before Abu Simbel’s giants after an early start from Aswan, and share laughter (and maybe too much sweet tea) on deck as Egypt drifts by outside your window.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to feel so small standing in the Valley of the Kings — the air was dry and cool that morning, dust swirling around our shoes as our guide (Ahmed, who never seemed to sweat) pointed out faded hieroglyphs with a battered flashlight. He told us stories about Hatshepsut’s temple that made me laugh — something about her being the “first lady with gloves,” which I still don’t totally get. The statues of Memnon looked like they’d been waiting forever. I kept thinking: this is really Egypt, not just a picture in a book.

The hot air balloon ride over Luxor was way quieter than I thought it’d be. You just hear the burner now and then — then nothing but wind and your own heartbeat. Floating above Karnak Temple as the sun came up felt unreal; my phone photos don’t do it justice (plus my hands were shaking). After landing, we wandered through Luxor Temple before getting back on the boat. The Nile itself is slow and hypnotic — green fields on one side, desert on the other. Sometimes you catch kids waving from the banks or see fishermen in tiny boats. There was this one afternoon where I just sat on deck sipping sweet tea, watching Edfu drift by.

Horse-drawn carriage rides to Edfu Temple are bumpier than you’d think (my tailbone still remembers), but it’s worth it for those columns inside — they’re massive up close. At Kom Ombo Temple, we arrived right at sunset and everything glowed gold for a minute. Our Egyptology guide explained some story about crocodile gods; I pretended to understand but mostly just stared at the river turning pink. Nights on board were loud with music or quiet with distant calls to prayer — depends who you sit near at dinner.

Abu Simbel is a long drive from Aswan (don’t let anyone tell you otherwise), but when you finally stand in front of those giant statues after hours of highway and sand… it’s like time stops for a second. It’s hard to talk about that place without sounding dramatic so I’ll just say: go if you can. We finished in Aswan wandering through its market, spices everywhere and people haggling over scarves or dates. I bought hibiscus tea for my mom; she says it tastes like summer now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Luxor Nile cruise and Valley of the Kings

• Pick up by Egyptology guide
• Take motor boat to west bank
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Queen Hatshepsut temple
• See the two giant statues of Memnon
• Return to east bank and check in cruise
• Explore Luxor markets
• Attend evening disco party on cruise

Day 2 — Hot air balloon and Luxor temples

• Early pick up to marine
• Take motor boat to west bank
• Enjoy hot air balloon ride
• Visit Karnak temple
• Visit Luxor temple
• Cruise starts sailing
• Pass Esna lock
• Sail to Edfu city

Day 3 — Edfu and Kom Ombo temples

• Breakfast on cruise
• Horse carriage to Edfu temple
• Return to cruise and sail
• Enjoy Nile river views and culture
• Drink local beverage on sun deck
• Visit Kom Ombo temple at sunset
• Sail to Aswan city

Day 4 — Abu Simbel tour and Aswan market

• Early morning Abu Simbel tour
• Return to cruise for lunch
• Rest and enjoy cruise facilities
• Visit Aswan local market in evening

Day 5 — Aswan tour and departure

• Disembark after breakfast
• Take motor boat to Philae island temple
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Transfer to hotel, train station, or airport

Top questions

How many nights is the Luxor to Aswan Nile cruise?

The cruise lasts 4 nights between Luxor and Aswan.

Is hotel pickup included for this Nile cruise?

Yes, door-to-door transfers from your hotel or port are included at both ends.

Do I need to arrange tickets for Abu Simbel separately?

No, entry fees and transport to Abu Simbel are included in your tour package.

Are meals provided during the cruise?

All meals are included from lunch on your first day through breakfast on your last day aboard.

Can children join the hot air balloon ride?

Children under 6 years old cannot join the balloon trip for safety reasons.

What languages does the guide speak?

The main guide speaks English; other languages are available upon request for an extra fee.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You’ll stay in a private cabin aboard a 5-star Nile cruise ship with full facilities.

If weather cancels Abu Simbel or balloon rides, what happens?

If either activity is canceled due to weather, you’ll receive a partial refund per person.

What’s included

Your trip covers pickup and drop-off from your hotel or port in both Luxor and Aswan, all entry fees for sites like Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings, guided tours by an expert Egyptologist throughout the journey, four nights’ accommodation on a 5-star Nile cruise ship with all meals included from lunch on day one through breakfast on departure day, horse-and-carriage transport at Edfu Temple, plus unforgettable experiences like a sunrise hot air balloon ride over Luxor (weather permitting) and an early morning excursion to Abu Simbel — all taxes and charges taken care of so you can just soak it all in.