3-Day Nile Cruise from Cairo: Hot Air Balloon & Abu Simbel

Rise above Luxor at dawn, then sail past seven temples in three days

A 3-day Nile River cruise from Cairo combines flights, a 4-star hotel night in Luxor, two nights aboard a 5-star cruise ship, and guided visits to eight major temples including the Valley of the Kings, Karnak, Edfu, Kom Ombo, and Abu Simbel. A sunrise hot air balloon flight over Luxor's west bank opens day two; a private Egyptologist guide speaks English and leads all temple visits; meals and return transport to Cairo are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Fly to Luxor and hotel check-in

• Pick up from Cairo accommodation
• Drive to Cairo airport
• Fly from Cairo to Luxor
• Meet driver at Luxor airport
• Transfer to 4-star hotel

Day 2: Hot air balloon and Luxor sightseeing

• Early morning hot air balloon ride
• Visit Valley of the Kings tombs
• Tour Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon
• Visit Karnak Temple on east bank
• Lunch and check-in on river boat
• Boat departs for Edfu
• Dinner and free time on boat

Day 3: Edfu and Kom Ombo temples visit

• Breakfast on board
• Horse-drawn carriage to Edfu
• Guided visit of Temple of Horus
• Lunch on board while sailing
• Visit Temple of Kom Ombo
• Dinner and free time on boat

Day 4: Abu Simbel tour and return to Cairo

• Check out and take breakfast box
• Visit Abu Simbel Temples
• Return to cruise for luggage
• Transfer to Aswan airport
• Fly from Aswan to Cairo
• Meet driver at Cairo airport
• Transfer to hotel in Cairo

The Experience

You're picked up from your Cairo hotel in the afternoon and flown to Luxor the same day, arriving with time to check into a 4-star hotel. Day two starts before sunrise: a hot air balloon lifts off over the west bank while the light is still soft, and you drift above the archaeological sites below. After landing, your guide takes you into the Valley of the Kings to explore three royal tombs with walls covered in hieroglyphs, then to the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut: a three-story limestone structure with open balconies and statues of Osiris and Queen Hatshepsut. You'll see the Colossi of Memnon, then cross to the east bank for Karnak Temple, the largest in the complex, dedicated to Amun and his family. Lunch and your first night on the cruise ship follow.

Day three moves downriver. After breakfast on board, you take a horse-drawn carriage to Edfu to visit the Temple of Horus, the best-preserved religious site in Egypt, built of imposing sandstone. Lunch happens on the boat as you sail to Kom Ombo, where an unusual temple honors two gods. Your guide explains how it was constructed. Dinner and free time round out the evening on deck.

Day four is the longest. You check out early with a breakfast box, then travel to Abu Simbel: twin temples carved into the mountainside in the 13th century BC under Pharaoh Ramesses II, one of Egypt's most stunning complexes. After the tour, you return to the ship for your luggage, then fly back to Cairo (1 hour 30 minutes). Your driver meets you at the airport and returns you to your hotel. All flights, the 4-star night, two cruise nights with full board (excluding drinks), horse carriage in Edfu, and the private guide are included.

What’s included

• Round-trip flights from Cairo to Luxor and Aswan back to Cairo.
• one night at a 4-star hotel in Luxor with breakfast.
• two nights aboard a 5-star cruise ship with all meals included.
• a sunrise hot air balloon flight over Luxor's west bank.
• a horse-drawn carriage to the Temple of Horus in Edfu.
• guided entry to the Valley of the Kings, Karnak Temple, Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Temple of Horus, Kom Ombo Temple, and Abu Simbel Temples.
• a private Egyptologist guide who speaks English.
• and hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairo.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Nice tours

Is this one for you?Book this cruise if you want the major Nile temples and Abu Simbel covered in one trip without building the itinerary yourself: the flights, ship, guide, and timing are arranged so the three days hold together. The hot air balloon on day two is the only sunrise activity. If you prefer to sleep in, check the itinerary details before booking.

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Top questions

What's included in the 3-day Nile cruise from Cairo?

The package includes round-trip flights from Cairo to Luxor and back, one night at a 4-star hotel in Luxor, two nights on a 5-star cruise ship with all meals, a sunrise hot air balloon flight, a horse-drawn carriage to Edfu, entrance to all temples, and a private English-speaking Egyptologist guide. Drinks on the cruise are optional and paid separately.

Do I need to arrange my own transport in Cairo, or is pickup included?

Hotel pickup and drop-off in Cairo are included, so your driver collects you from your accommodation in the afternoon of day one and returns you after you land on day four.

What temples will I visit on this cruise?

You'll see eight major sites: Karnak Temple and the Valley of the Kings on day two; the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon on the same day; the Temple of Horus in Edfu on day three; Kom Ombo Temple also on day three; and the Abu Simbel Temples on day four. Aswan Market is also visited.

When does the hot air balloon flight happen, and what do I see?

The balloon lifts off before sunrise on day two over Luxor's west bank, so you watch the sun come up over the archaeological sites spread below. After landing, your guide takes you into the Valley of the Kings and the temples nearby.

How long is the flight back to Cairo on day four?

The return flight from Aswan to Cairo takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. You'll be picked up from the cruise ship after breakfast and transferred to Aswan airport, then met at Cairo airport for the drive back to your hotel.

Can I choose which cruise ship I travel on?

Yes, you select your ship at checkout: Luxury, Deluxe, or Standard. All include full board (meals), accommodation, and the same itinerary and guide service.