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

Four days aboard a Nile cruise, moving between eight major temples without packing or driving.

A 4-day private Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor includes three nights on a 5-star ship, visits to the Aswan High Dam, Philae Temple, Abu Simbel, Kom Ombo, Edfu, Karnak, Luxor Temple, Valley of the Kings, Temple of Hatshepsut, and the Colossi of Memnon. A private English-speaking Egyptologist guide leads the tour. You board in Aswan and disembark in Luxor on day four.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Aswan tour and Nile cruise check-in

• Pick up in Aswan
• Visit Aswan High Dam
• Take motor-boat to Philae Temple
• Check in Nile Cruise
• Enjoy lunch and rest on board

Day 2: Abu Simbel optional and Kom Ombo visit

• Optional Abu Simbel private tour
• Return to cruise for lunch
• Sail to Kom Ombo
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple
• Chariot ride to Temple of Horus in Edfu
• Return to ship and relax
• Dinner and folkloric show on board

Day 3: Edfu and Luxor East Bank tour

• Visit Edfu Temple
• Visit Luxor Temple
• Visit Karnak Temple Complex

Day 4: Luxor West Bank tour and departure

• Check out after breakfast
• Visit Valley of the Kings
• Visit Temple of Hatshepsut
• Visit Colossi of Memnon
• Transfer to Luxor departure point

The experience

The cruise departs Aswan with a morning visit to the Aswan High Dam and a motorboat ride to Philae Temple on its island in the Nile. You check into your 5-star cabin the same afternoon, then sail downriver. Day two offers an optional early-morning trip to Abu Simbel (the two massive rock temples built by Ramses II) before returning to the ship for lunch and sailing to Kom Ombo. That afternoon you visit the Temple of Kom Ombo, then continue by chariot to the Temple of Horus in Edfu, one of Egypt's best-preserved temples. An Egyptian folkloric show runs on board that evening.

Day three moves through Luxor, starting with the Temple of Horus in Edfu (if you didn't see it the day before), then the Luxor Temple and the vast Karnak Temple complex with its 134-column hypostyle hall. Day four begins with checkout after breakfast and a full morning on Luxor's west bank: the Valley of the Kings, where 63 tombs hold the remains of pharaohs and nobles; the Temple of Hatshepsut with its distinctive terraced architecture; and the Colossi of Memnon, two 20-meter stone statues. The tour ends by 2 p.m. at Luxor airport, train station, or your hotel.

Your private guide speaks English and is present throughout. All ground transfers use air-conditioned vehicles, and meals are served on board. Entrance fees to the temples are not included in the cruise price and are paid separately at each site. An optional hot air balloon ride over Luxor's monuments can be arranged on the final morning.

What’s included

• Private Egyptologist guide in English.
• three nights' accommodation on a 5-star Nile cruise on a full-board basis.
• motorboat transfer to Philae Temple.
• all ground transfers in a private air-conditioned vehicle.
• meet-and-assist service at arrival and departure.
• portage assistance during the tour.
• all fees and taxes.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private 4-day, 3-night Nile cruise sailing from Aswan to LuxorGuide in 10 languages · 10 departure times: the first at 07:00, the last at 16:00Pickup is included

Single Cabin (Solo)Guide in 10 languages · 7 departure times: the first at 01:30, the last at 15:00Single cabin featuring a king-size bed, plus a private tour guide aboard the Nile cruise. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 4d, runs Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 start times, from US$ 450 per person, with live guides in 10 languages, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday: 07:00, 08:00, 09:00, 10:00 and 11:00Wednesday and Friday: 07:00, 08:00, 09:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00 and 16:00

Book up to12h before

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

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, MNP and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 135

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Etro tours

Is this one for you?Book this cruise if you want to see Egypt's major temples without changing hotels or arranging separate transport between sites. The ship moves overnight, so you wake at each new location and visit temples with a guide while the Nile does the traveling for you. A single cabin is available for solo travelers. The private guide and vehicle are shared with no other groups.

Traveler reviews

4.88★★★★★★★★★★

16 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, MNP and Dutch.

Can children come?

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

What is the Temple of Kom Ombo and why does it stand out from the other temples on this cruise?

The Temple of Kom Ombo is unusual because it was built to honor two gods (Sobek, the crocodile god, and Haroeris) rather than one. It sits on the Nile's bank and is visited on day two of the cruise as the ship sails between Aswan and Luxor.

Can I visit Abu Simbel on this cruise, or is it a separate booking?

Abu Simbel is an optional excursion on day two. Your driver picks you up around 4:30 a.m., and you arrive at the two massive rock temples by 8 a.m., returning to the ship by noon for lunch. The trip is arranged through the cruise operator.

What happens on the last day of the cruise in Luxor?

Day four includes the Valley of the Kings (63 tombs carved into the west bank), the Temple of Hatshepsut (built by the female pharaoh and known for its terraced design), and the Colossi of Memnon (two 20-meter stone statues). The tour finishes by 2 p.m., and you transfer to Luxor airport, train station, or your hotel.

Are entrance fees to the temples included in the cruise price?

No. Entrance fees to all temples are not included and are paid separately at each site during the tour. Your guide will assist you at each location.

What meals and drinks are provided on the cruise?

Lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner are served on board each day. Water and other drinks are not automatically included. You can purchase them on the ship.