Luxor to Aswan Nile Cruise with Valley of the Kings Entry

Summary

Private cruise between Luxor and Aswan exploring ancient tombs temples and riverside life with expert guides

You’ll drift down the Nile from Luxor to Aswan with a local guide who knows every story behind those ancient stones. Walk through Karnak’s shadowy columns, descend into pharaohs’ tombs in the Valley of the Kings, taste fresh bread on deck each morning, and end your days watching river life slide by — all with meals included and someone always ready to answer your questions or share a joke.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll be honest, I almost missed my pickup at Luxor airport because I got distracted by the smell of cardamom coffee drifting from a little kiosk near the exit. Our guide — Mahmoud — found me anyway, grinning and holding up my name. He didn’t seem bothered at all. That’s how it started: not quite as planned, but somehow better for it. We jumped straight into the day, weaving through Karnak’s columns so tall they made my neck ache just looking up. There was this moment when Mahmoud traced his finger over some faded hieroglyphics and told us how pharaohs wanted their names to last forever. It made me think about what sticks around after we’re gone — sorry, getting philosophical already.

The Nile cruise itself felt like a moving home base. Every morning I’d wake up to that soft slap of water against the hull and sunlight sneaking through the curtains. Breakfast was always something fresh — flatbread still warm, honey that tasted like wildflowers. On deck, you could see farmers waving from the shore or kids splashing in muddy water (one tried to race our boat on a donkey; he lost but took it well). The day we visited the Valley of the Kings was hotter than I expected; inside the tombs it smelled like old stone and dust, but also something sweet I couldn’t place. Our local guide explained how each symbol told a bit of someone’s story — I tried reading one myself and got it totally wrong, which made everyone laugh.

One afternoon at Edfu Temple, a little girl selling postcards tried teaching me her favorite Egyptian word (I still can’t pronounce it). The Kom Ombo crocodile mummies were stranger than I imagined — leathery and weirdly dignified. By Aswan, we’d gotten used to Mahmoud’s jokes and his habit of buying us tiny cups of mint tea at every stop. The felucca ride at sunset was quieter than I thought it would be; just wind in the sails and that orange-pink light on the water. Sometimes you expect big moments to feel dramatic but they just sneak up on you instead.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrive and explore Luxor East Bank

• Arrive at Luxor Airport
• Meet tour guide at exit
• Visit Karnak Temple and Hypostyle Hall
• Explore Luxor Temple and statues
• Board Nile cruise boat
• Enjoy lunch and dinner onboard

Day 2 — West Bank sites and Nile cruising

• Explore West Bank and Colossi of Memnon
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• Tour Valley of the Kings
• Optional visit to Tutankhamun tomb
• Cruise to Edfu
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner onboard

Day 3 — Temples at Edfu and Kom Ombo

• Visit Temple of Horus at Edfu
• Cruise to Kom Ombo
• Tour Kom Ombo Temple and crocodile mummies
• Cruise to Aswan
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner onboard

Day 4 — Aswan temples and felucca ride

• Boat to Philae Temple on Agilika Island
• Visit Unfinished Obelisk granite quarries
• Felucca ride around Aswan Islands
• Enjoy scenic sundowner
• Breakfast, lunch, and dinner onboard

Day 5 — Disembark and optional Abu Simbel visit

• Optional trip to Abu Simbel temples
• Transfer to Aswan Airport
• Breakfast included

Top questions

Is pickup included for this Nile cruise from Luxor?

Yes, complimentary airport arrival transfer is included in Luxor.

How many nights does the cruise last between Luxor and Aswan?

The Nile cruise lasts four nights over five days.

Are entrance fees for sites like Valley of the Kings included?

Yes, entry fees for all mentioned sites are included in your tour package.

What kind of accommodation is provided on this tour?

You’ll stay onboard a 5-star standard Nile cruise ship on a full board basis.

Is there an option to visit Abu Simbel during this trip?

Yes, visiting Abu Simbel is optional with an extra fee and involves a road trip from Aswan.

Are meals provided during the cruise?

All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are included while onboard.

Will there be a local guide throughout the journey?

Yes, expert local guides accompany you during all excursions listed in the itinerary.

What are some key attractions visited on this route?

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

What’s included

Your journey includes airport pickup in Luxor, all entrance fees for temples and tombs along the route from Luxor to Aswan (like Karnak Temple and Valley of the Kings), guided tours with knowledgeable locals at every stop, comfortable accommodation aboard a 5-star standard Nile cruise ship with all meals provided daily — plus air-conditioned transport for every excursion before you’re dropped off at Aswan airport or continue onward if you choose Abu Simbel.