Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor: Abu Simbel & Valley of Kings

Rock-cut temples and pharaonic tombs carved into the Nile's banks

A 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor visits eight major temples and tombs across Upper Egypt, with three nights aboard a five-star cruise boat. The itinerary includes the Abu Simbel temples (built for Ramses II), the Kom Ombo and Edfu temples, and on the final day, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's mortuary temple, and Karnak Temple. A hot air balloon ride over Luxor at dawn is available as an optional add-on.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Aswan and board Nile Cruise

• Pickup from hotel or station
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Visit Incomplete Obelisk
• Visit Philae Temple by motorboat
• Board cruise ship for lunch
• Dinner on board

Day 2: Abu Simbel visit and sail to Kom Ombo

• Early pickup for Abu Simbel trip
• Visit Abu Simbel Temples
• Return to cruise for lunch
• Sail to Kom Ombo
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple
• Dinner on board

Day 3: Edfu Temple visit and sail to Luxor

• Breakfast on board
• Visit Edfu Temple by horse carriage
• Return to cruise for dinner
• Visit Luxor Temple if time permits

Day 4: Valley of Kings and Luxor temples

• Optional hot air balloon ride
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon
• Visit Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple
• Disembark and transfer to hotel or station

The experience

The cruise departs from Aswan with a pickup from your hotel, airport or train station. On day one, your guide takes you to the Aswan High Dam, the world's largest embankment dam built across the Nile, then to the Incomplete Obelisk in the stone quarries of ancient Egypt. By motorboat, you visit Philae Temple, built during Egypt's Greco-Roman period under Ptolemy II, before boarding the cruise boat for lunch and your first night onboard.

Day two starts before dawn: at 4:30 am your guide picks you up for the Abu Simbel trip, traveling with a small group to arrive by 8 am at the rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel, built for King Ramses II and Queen Nefertari. After exploring the site, you return to the cruise by noon for lunch, then sail toward Kom Ombo, where you visit the temple on a guided tour before dinner onboard. Day three takes you by horse carriage to Edfu Temple (the Temple of Horus) on the west bank of the Nile, then back to the ship for your final night aboard. If the cruise arrives in Luxor before sunset, you'll visit Luxor Temple that evening. Otherwise it's included on day four.

The final morning offers an optional hot air balloon ride at sunrise to see Luxor and the Nile from the sky (charged separately). After landing, you explore the Valley of the Kings, where pharaohs carved tombs into the mountains to hide treasure and protect mummies. The day continues with the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon, then Karnak Temple. You disembark in the afternoon at Luxor train station or your hotel, with the option to be dropped at west bank hotels for an additional fee.

What’s included

• All transfers in air-conditioned vehicles with qualified drivers.
• a small-group guided excursion to Abu Simbel with an English-speaking tour guide.
• a professional tour guide for all temple and tomb visits.
• three nights' accommodation aboard a five-star cruise boat.
• and meet-and-assist service from English-speaking representatives.

Before you book

Lasts 4d, runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 start times, from US$ 279 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday, Wednesday and Friday10 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 11:30

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Infant (under 6): free

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 30 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Go Tours Egypt

Is this one for you?Book this if you want eight major temples and tombs in four days with overnight river transport between sites. The 4:30 am Abu Simbel departure is essential to fit this pace. Choose a longer cruise instead if you need a later morning start.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years); Infant (under 6): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What temples and tombs will I actually visit on this cruise?

The itinerary covers eight major sites: Philae Temple and the Aswan High Dam on day one; Abu Simbel temples on day two; Kom Ombo Temple also on day two; Edfu Temple (Temple of Horus) on day three; and on day four, the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's mortuary temple, the Colossi of Memnon, and Karnak Temple. Luxor Temple is visited either on the evening of day three or day four depending on arrival time.

How early do I need to wake up for the Abu Simbel visit?

Your guide picks you up at 4:30 am on day two to travel to Abu Simbel, arriving around 8 am to explore the rock-cut temples before returning to the cruise by noon for lunch.

What is included in the price and what costs extra?

The cruise includes all transfers in air-conditioned vehicles, a small-group guided trip to Abu Simbel with an English-speaking guide, a professional tour guide for all tours, three nights' accommodation aboard a five-star cruise boat, and meet-and-assist service. Entrance fees to the temples and tombs are not included. The hot air balloon ride over Luxor is optional and charged separately. Gratuities are recommended at 10 US dollars per person per night for the boat crew, drivers and guide.

Where does the cruise pick me up and drop me off?

Pickup is from your hotel in Aswan, Aswan Airport, or the train station. At the end of the cruise, you are dropped off at Luxor east bank hotels in the afternoon, or at west bank hotels for an additional 10 US dollars per person.

Is the hot air balloon ride included?

The hot air balloon ride over Luxor at sunrise on day four is optional and costs extra. It departs early in the morning before the day's temple visits begin.

What happens if my cruise departs on a Saturday, Tuesday or Thursday?

On those departure days, the Abu Simbel temples visit is replaced by a visit to Habu Temple in Luxor instead.