Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor: Abu Simbel, Balloon & Temples

Summary

Four days on the Nile between Aswan and Luxor—temples, sunrise, and laughter

You’ll float between Aswan and Luxor on a 5-star Nile cruise, waking up early for Abu Simbel’s sunrise statues and soaring over Luxor in a hot air balloon. Expect temple visits—Philae, Kom Ombo, Edfu—and evenings full of local music or maybe even dancing yourself silly. This trip isn’t just about monuments; it’s all those little moments in between.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Arrive Aswan and Nile Cruise Tour

• Pick up from Aswan hotel or airport
• Transfer to 5 stars Nile cruise
• Lunch on board
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Visit Philae Temple by motorboat
• Dinner on board
• Enjoy folkloric show

Day 2 — Abu Simbel and Kom Ombo Temples

• Early pick up for Abu Simbel visit
• Tour Abu Simbel Temples
• Return to cruise for lunch
• Sail to Kom Ombo city
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple
• Sail to Edfu
• Dinner on board and Galabeya party

Day 3 — Edfu Temple and Luxor East Bank

• Breakfast on board
• Visit Edfu Temple
• Relax on sundeck sailing to Luxor
• Cross Esna Lock
• Lunch on board
• Visit Karnak Temples
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Dinner on board

Day 4 — Hot Air Balloon and West Bank Tour

• Hot air balloon ride over Luxor
• Photo stop at Colossi of Memnon
• Visit Queen Hatshepsut Temple
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Transfer to Luxor station, airport or hotel

Top questions

How long is the Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor?

The cruise lasts 4 days and 3 nights, traveling from Aswan to Luxor.

Is hotel pickup included for this Nile cruise?

Yes, pickup is included from your hotel in Aswan, or from Aswan airport or train station.

Does this tour include Abu Simbel?

Yes, there’s an early morning group trip to Abu Simbel included.

Are meals provided during the cruise?

All meals are included while onboard: breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Is there a hot air balloon ride over Luxor?

Yes, a hot air balloon ride over Luxor’s West Bank is part of this itinerary.

Are entrance fees to temples included?

No explicit mention of entrance fees being included; check booking details for confirmation.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

You’ll stay three nights on a 5-star Nile cruise ship with full board.

Can vegetarians or vegans be accommodated?

Yes—vegan and vegetarian meal options are available if requested when booking.

What happens if the hot air balloon is canceled due to weather?

If canceled for bad weather, you’ll receive a $20 USD refund per person.

Is this tour suitable for families with children?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels; children under 6 can’t join the balloon ride but can join other activities.

What’s included

Your four-day journey includes pickup from your hotel or arrival point in Aswan, all transfers by air-conditioned vehicle, three nights aboard a 5-star Nile cruise with full board meals (breakfasts, lunches, dinners), guided tours with an Egyptologist at each stop including Philae Temple by motorboat and Edfu Temple by horse carriage transport, bottled water during excursions off-ship, group visit to Abu Simbel at dawn, sunrise hot air balloon ride over Luxor (weather permitting), plus nightly entertainment like folkloric shows or galabeya parties before you finish in Luxor.

What’s the experience like?

Someone’s pouring tea into tiny glasses as we drift past a cluster of palm trees—my first real moment of quiet since landing in Egypt. I’d barely set foot on the Nile cruise ship in Aswan before our guide, Mahmoud, was waving us over with a grin and a “yalla!” for the High Dam. The air smelled like warm stone and river water. At Philae Temple, we reached the island by motorboat—there’s something about the slap of water against wood that sticks with you. I tried to say “Isis” in Arabic; Mahmoud just smiled and let me butcher it.

Abu Simbel meant a 4:30am start (I know), but seeing those colossal statues at sunrise made my sleepiness feel pretty small. Our group was quiet at first—maybe out of awe, maybe just tired—but then someone started laughing about how their camera battery died at the worst possible moment. Back on deck later, we watched Kom Ombo Temple appear out of nowhere along the riverbank. It’s wild how these places just rise up from the sand like they’re waiting for you. The galabeya party that night was hilarious—I still have sand in my shoes from dancing.

Edfu Temple came with horse carriages clattering through town (hold tight), and then suddenly we were gliding toward Luxor. Karnak’s columns made me feel tiny; Luxor Temple glowed gold in late afternoon light while kids played football nearby. But honestly? Floating above the West Bank in a hot air balloon is what I keep replaying—the hush up there before sunrise, looking down at fields and tombs and realizing how much history sits under your feet here. Our guide handed out breakfast boxes after landing; mine had an orange that tasted sweeter than any I’ve had back home.