Luxor to Aswan: Nile Cruise Tour with Temples & Valley

Summary

From Luxor’s temples to Aswan’s riverbanks, five days of ancient stories

You’ll drift down the Nile from Luxor to Aswan with a private Egyptologist guiding you through ancient temples and tombs—Karnak’s columns at sunset, painted chambers in Valley of the Kings, falcon gods at Edfu—and share quiet moments on deck between stops. All meals are included onboard your 5-star cruise ship, with pickup and transfers handled so you can just watch history unfold outside your window.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered if the Nile really is as wide and slow as it looks in old movies? I did, until we landed in Luxor—dusty heat, taxi drivers shouting in Arabic, and then that first real look at the river. Our guide, Hossam, greeted us right at the airport (he had my name on a sign and everything), then whisked us onto the cruise boat. I remember standing on the deck that afternoon, the air thick with sun and the faint smell of diesel from passing feluccas. Karnak Temple was our first stop—columns so massive you can’t help but touch them just to see if they’re real. Hossam explained how each pharaoh tried to outdo the last; I tried to imagine what it sounded like when thousands gathered here for festivals. It was hard not to feel small.

The second day started early—Valley of the Kings before breakfast. The tombs are cooler inside than you’d think, painted ceilings still bright after all these centuries. Our group got quiet walking through those tunnels; maybe it’s just the weight of time. At Queen Hatshepsut’s temple, I tried to pronounce her name (Li laughed when I butchered it), and we squinted up at cliffs where birds nested in cracks. Lunch back on board tasted like cumin and tomatoes—I never figured out what that bread was called but kept asking for more.

Sailing south toward Edfu felt timeless. The riverbanks slid by—kids waving from palm groves, goats picking their way along sandbars. The Temple of Horus looked almost too perfect under that hard blue sky; Hossam pointed out carvings of falcons while a local vendor tried (and failed) to sell me a plastic scarab. Kom Ombo was quieter, half-ruined but somehow more honest because of it. We watched sunset from the sundeck—just us and a couple from Milan drinking tea in silence—and I still think about that view sometimes.

By the time we reached Aswan, I’d stopped trying to keep track of which god belonged where—Isis here, Sobek there—but our guide never seemed tired of questions. The High Dam was bigger than expected; Philae Temple shimmered on its island like something half-remembered from a dream. On our last morning, we wandered through Aswan Market smelling spices and watching old men play dominoes near piles of pink granite. Then it was over—bags packed before breakfast, one last look at the Nile through foggy glass as we headed for the airport.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrival and Luxor East Bank Tour

• Arrive at Luxor airport
• Meet representative and transfer to Nile Cruise
• Visit Karnak Temples Complex
• Visit Temple of Luxor

Day 2 — Luxor West Bank Tour and Sail to Edfu

• Breakfast on board
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• Visit Colossi of Memnon

Day 3 — Edfu and Kom Ombo Temples

• Breakfast on board
• Visit Temple of Horus in Edfu
• Lunch on board while sailing to Kom Ombo
• Visit Temple of Kom Ombo
• Relax on sun deck

Day 4 — Aswan City Tour

• Breakfast on board
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Sail to Agilika Island
• Visit Temple of Philae
• Visit Unfinished Obelisk

Day 5 — Disembarkation and Departure

• Breakfast on board
• Check out from Nile Cruise
• Transfer to Aswan airport

Top questions

How long is the Nile cruise tour from Luxor to Aswan?

The tour lasts 5 days with 4 nights onboard a Nile cruise ship.

Are meals included during the Nile River cruise?

Yes, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included each day while onboard.

Is hotel pickup or airport transfer provided?

Yes, pickup from Luxor airport is included at arrival and transfer to Aswan airport at departure.

What main sites are visited during this tour?

Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Philae Temple in Aswan.

Is there a local guide during visits?

Yes, an English-speaking Egyptologist guide accompanies you throughout all site visits.

Is this Nile cruise wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation options and most areas are wheelchair accessible.

Can vegetarians be accommodated on this trip?

Yes, vegetarian options are available if advised at time of booking.

Are entrance fees included in this tour?

The price includes guided visits but check directly if entrance fees are covered or paid separately onsite.

What’s included

Your journey includes pickup at Luxor airport by an English-speaking representative who’ll get you settled onto your 5-star standard Nile cruise ship for four nights’ full-board accommodation—all breakfasts, lunches and dinners taken care of onboard. You’ll have bottled water daily and travel between sites by air-conditioned vehicle with a qualified driver plus private Egyptologist guiding every step until your transfer to Aswan airport at tour’s end.