Nile cruise Aswan to Luxor: 3 nights with temple tours

Three nights aboard a Nile cruise, moving between temples while you sleep

A 3-night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor with a live Egyptology guide, cabin accommodation and all meals included. The itinerary moves you downriver through four days of guided temple visits: Philae and the High Dam in Aswan, Kom Ombo and Edfu en route, then Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Carter House and Karnak in Luxor. An air-conditioned minibus handles all transfers. Horse and carriage transport takes you through Edfu.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Philae Temple2h
2. Temple of Horus3h
3. Valley of the Kingspassing by

Day 1: Aswan tours and Nile cruise embarkation

• Pick up from Aswan location
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Take motorboat to Philae Island temple
• Check in Nile cruise
• Enjoy Nile river views and cultures
• Attend evening disco party on cruise

Day 2: Sailing and Kom Ombo temple visit

• Breakfast on cruise
• Enjoy sailing on Nile
• Relax on cruise sun deck
• Visit Kom Ombo temple at sunset
• Dinner onboard cruise

Day 3: Edfu temple and Esna lock sailing

• Breakfast on cruise
• Sail to Edfu
• Visit Edfu temple by horse and carriage
• Continue sailing to Esna
• Pass through Esna lock
• Enjoy sailing and nature views
• Overnight on cruise

Day 4: Luxor tours and disembarkation

• Breakfast on cruise
• Optional hot air balloon trip
• Arrive in Luxor
• Cross to Luxor west bank
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Queen Hatshepsut temple
• Visit Carter house
• Cross to east bank
• Visit Karnak temple
• Final transfer to Luxor destination

The experience

The cruise departs Aswan after lunch on day one, giving you time to visit the High Dam and Philae Temple with your guide before you board. The boat becomes your base for three nights, and each morning you wake at a new stop downriver. Day two brings Kom Ombo Temple at sunset. Day three takes you by horse and carriage to Edfu Temple, then the boat passes through the Esna lock as you continue sailing. The fourth day ends in Luxor around 4 to 5 pm after a full west-bank itinerary.

Luxor's west bank holds the weight of the tour: Valley of the Kings, where your guide walks you through the tombs; Hatshepsut Temple, the mortuary shrine built into the cliff; Carter House, where the archaeologist who found Tutankhamun's treasures lived; and on the east bank, Karnak Temple, the largest temple complex in Egypt. A hot air balloon trip over Luxor is available as an add-on. Meals run from lunch on day one through breakfast on day four, eaten aboard the cruise or at stops along the way.

Pickup happens from your Aswan hotel, train station or airport in an air-conditioned minibus. The same minibus handles your final transfer to your Luxor hotel or airport. The guide speaks English, Spanish or Arabic. Children from age 1 are welcome, and the cruise accommodates families with triple rooms and specialized infant seats. If your arrival in Aswan is early, the tour can start immediately rather than waiting for the standard noon check-in.

What’s included

• Egyptology tour guide in English, Spanish or Arabic.
• pickup and drop-off by air-conditioned minibus from any Aswan East Bank hotel, train station or airport, and final transfer in Luxor.
• 3 nights aboard a 5-star Nile cruise in a cabin with all facilities.
• horse and carriage transport in Edfu.
• all meals from lunch on day one through breakfast on day four.
• access to Valley of the Kings, Philae Temple, Kom Ombo Temple, Edfu Temple, Hatshepsut Temple, Carter House, Karnak Temple and the High Dam.
• taxes and charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day8 departure times: the first at 06:30, the last at 13:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Arabic

Audio guideEnglish, Spanish and Arabic

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Cupid EgypTravel

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to visit Aswan, Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Luxor's temples in one continuous journey. The fixed 3-night schedule means you'll spend most time on the boat or at sites rather than exploring each city independently.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Arabic.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (1 to 3 years).

What is Philae Temple and why does the tour visit it on the first day?

Philae Temple is an ancient sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Isis, built on an island in the Nile near Aswan. The tour includes it as your first major stop because it sits close to Aswan and sets the pattern for the journey: you visit it with your guide before boarding the cruise, then spend the next three days moving downriver to larger temple complexes.

Can I visit Valley of the Kings without taking the hot air balloon?

Yes. Valley of the Kings is part of the standard itinerary on day four in Luxor and is included in the tour. The hot air balloon trip over Luxor is optional and costs extra. You can explore the valley on foot with your guide instead.

What happens during the sailing between Aswan and Luxor?

On day two, you sail and watch the Nile landscape while enjoying local drinks on the sun deck. Kom Ombo Temple is visited at sunset. Day three includes sailing to Edfu, the horse and carriage excursion to Edfu Temple, then passage through the Esna lock as the boat continues downriver. Both days include meals aboard and overnight stays on the cruise.

Does the tour include entry fees to the temples?

The tour includes access to all the temples and sites listed in the itinerary, but entrance fees are not included in the price and are paid separately at each site.

What meals are provided and where do I eat them?

Meals start with lunch on day one and end with breakfast on day four. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included on days two and three. Most meals are eaten aboard the cruise. Some may be at stops along the way. Drinks on the cruise cost extra.

How early can the tour start if I arrive in Aswan before noon?

If your flight or train arrives early, the tour can begin immediately upon your arrival rather than waiting for the standard 12:00 pm cruise check-in. Your guide will pick you up and start the Aswan sightseeing right away.