Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor: 4 Days Temples, Valley of Kings

Summary

Private Nile River Cruise: Ancient Temples & Local Life

You’ll travel down the Nile in comfort while seeing Egypt’s most famous temples and tombs up close—with expert guides who make history feel alive and plenty of time to soak up local sights along the way.

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed as we boarded in Aswan was the faint scent of river water mixed with fresh bread from a nearby vendor. Our guide, Youssef, greeted us with a wide grin and a few words in our own language—he seemed to know everyone along the dock. After settling into our cabin (those Egyptian cotton sheets really are something), lunch was served on board—simple but tasty, with plenty of local salads and grilled chicken.

We started off at the High Dam. It’s massive up close—hard to believe it’s been holding back the Nile since the 1960s. The sun was already strong by midday, so bring a hat if you’re sensitive. Later, we hopped onto a small motorboat for Philae Temple. The ride itself was half the fun—kids waved from passing boats and you could hear distant calls from the market. Philae felt peaceful, tucked away on its island, and our guide explained how it was moved stone by stone when the dam was built. Before heading back, we stopped at the Unfinished Obelisk—a chunk of granite still lying in its ancient quarry, cracks and all.

The next morning started early with breakfast on deck—coffee tasted better watching the river wake up. Kom Ombo Temple sits right on the water; crocodile carvings everywhere (Sobek’s temple). There’s even a small mummified crocodile museum inside—easy to miss unless your guide points it out. Lunch was outside again as we drifted toward Edfu. In Edfu town, horse-drawn carriages line up for visitors; ours had bright blue tassels and jingled all the way to Horus Temple. The walls here are covered in stories—our Egyptologist pointed out battle scenes I’d have missed otherwise.

Luxor’s west bank is something else entirely. The Valley of the Kings feels quiet and dry—the air smells faintly of dust and old stone. We ducked into tombs decorated with colors that haven’t faded much after thousands of years (it gets warm inside; water bottles are a must). Hatshepsut’s temple is carved right into the cliffside—it almost blends in until you get close enough to see columns rising out of rock. On the way back, we stopped quickly at Colossi of Memnon—two giant statues just standing there by themselves beside a busy road.

On our last day after breakfast (served early), we checked out but left our bags on board while exploring Luxor’s east bank. Karnak is huge—you could spend hours wandering through columns as tall as houses. Our guide knew shortcuts through quieter corners where you could actually hear birds instead of crowds. Last stop: Luxor Temple itself, right in town near little cafés and souvenir stalls selling cold hibiscus juice.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Aswan City Tour and Nile Sailing

• Visit High Dam
• Sail to Temple of Philae
• Visit Unfinished Obelisk

Day 2 — Kom Ombo and Edfu Temples

• Visit Temple of Kom Ombo
• Lunch on sun deck
• Chariot ride to Temple of Horus
• Relax on board and Folkloric Show

Day 3 — Luxor West Bank Tour

• Explore Valley of the Kings
• Visit Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
• See Colossi of Memnon
• Lunch on board

Day 4 — Luxor East Bank and Departure

• Tour Karnak Temples Complex
• Visit Temple of Luxor
• Transfer by private van

Top questions

Is this Nile cruise suitable for families with young children?

Yes, families are welcome! There are infant seats available and strollers can be used both on board and during excursions.

Are meals included during the cruise?

All meals are included while you're on board—breakfast, lunch, and dinner feature local dishes and international options.

Will there be an English-speaking guide?

A private Egyptologist guide who speaks your language will accompany you throughout all tours.

Is this tour accessible for wheelchair users?

The ship and vehicles are wheelchair accessible; let us know your needs when booking so we can help arrange everything comfortably.

What’s included

You’ll have a private Egyptologist guide throughout your journey; all entrance fees between Aswan and Luxor are covered; full-board accommodation on your Nile cruise ship; air-conditioned transport for excursions; help from our staff during your stay; taxes and service charges included too.