Nile Cruise Aswan to Luxor: Temples & Valley of Kings

The cruise itself is the route: you wake in a different temple town each morning without packing a bag.

A 4-day Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor combines accommodation, transport and guided sightseeing in one itinerary. You visit the Temple of Philae on day one, then sail south to Kom Ombo and Edfu, crossing the Esna Lock before reaching Luxor on day four. The final day includes the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's temple and the Karnak and Luxor temples on the east bank, with an Egyptologist guide in your chosen language and all meals on board.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Aswan sightseeing

• Pick up at Aswan airport or hotel
• Board the Nile cruise ship
• Visit Temple of Philae
• Felucca ride on the Nile River
• Dinner and overnight on board

Day 2: Kom Ombo and Edfu visit

• Optional Abu Simbel excursion
• Sail to Kom Ombo
• Visit Kom Ombo Temple
• Sail to Edfu
• Overnight on board

Day 3: Edfu and Luxor navigation

• Visit Edfu Temple
• Sail towards Esna
• Cross Esna Lock
• Sail to Luxor
• Overnight on board

Day 4: Luxor sightseeing and departure

• Breakfast and disembarkation
• Visit West Bank: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Colossi of Memnon
• Visit East Bank: Luxor and Karnak Temples
• Transfer to Luxor airport
• Flight to Cairo and hotel transfer

The experience

The boat leaves Aswan after airport pickup and a first visit to the Temple of Philae. That afternoon you take a felucca, a traditional Egyptian sailboat, downriver past the Agha Khan Mausoleum, Elephantine Island and the Botanical Garden. Dinner and your first night happen on the cruise ship itself, so the journey begins the moment you board.

Day two and three are sailing days with temple stops. You visit Kom Ombo, dedicated to two gods (the crocodile-headed Sobek and the falcon-headed Haroeris), then continue to Edfu and the Temple of Horus. The ship crosses the Esna Lock on the way to Luxor. An optional excursion to Abu Simbel can be arranged on either day two or day three, depending on flight schedules and the ship's navigation plan. Full board means breakfast, lunch and dinner on board each night.

The final morning in Luxor splits into two banks. The west bank holds the Valley of the Kings, the Funerary Temple of Hatshepsut (Deir el Bahari) and the Colossi of Memnon. After lunch, the east bank brings you to the Temples of Luxor and Karnak. A transfer takes you to Luxor airport for a domestic flight to Cairo, where a hotel transfer completes the journey. Your Egyptologist guide travels with the group throughout, speaking English, Spanish, Italian, French or Arabic depending on your preference.

What’s included

• Airport or hotel pickup in Aswan.
• three nights on the Nile cruise with full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
• guided visits to the Temple of Philae, Kom Ombo Temple, Temple of Horus, Valley of the Kings, Funerary Temple of Hatshepsut, Colossi of Memnon, Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple.
• a felucca sailboat ride on the Nile.
• an Egyptologist guide in English, Spanish, Italian, French or Arabic.
• transfer to Luxor airport and domestic flight to Cairo.
• hotel transfer in Cairo.

Before you book

Days and timesWednesday and FridayDepartures at 11:00 and 12:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (17 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (6 to 16 years) · Child (3 to 5 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 35

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 45 pickup points.

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

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Esencia de Egipto

Is this one for you?Four days is long enough to visit five temple sites and sail the full stretch from Aswan to Luxor without rushing the stops, but short enough to fit inside a longer Egypt itinerary. If you have more time, a 6-day cruise adds Abu Simbel and more sailing time. If you have less, a 2-day version covers only Aswan and Kom Ombo.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 16 years); Child (3 to 5 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What is the Temple of Philae and why does the cruise visit it first?

The Temple of Philae is an ancient Egyptian temple dedicated to the goddess Isis, relocated to an island in the Nile to preserve it from flooding. It is the first major site you see after boarding in Aswan, setting the tone for the historical journey ahead.

Does the cruise stop at the Valley of the Kings?

Yes, the Valley of the Kings is visited on the final morning in Luxor, on the west bank. You also see the Funerary Temple of Hatshepsut and the Colossi of Memnon before crossing to the east bank for the Temples of Luxor and Karnak.

What happens on the felucca ride and when does it take place?

The felucca ride occurs on the afternoon of day one after visiting Philae. You sail in a traditional Egyptian sailboat and pass the Agha Khan Mausoleum, Elephantine Island and the Botanical Garden from the water, then return to the ship for dinner.

Is the Abu Simbel excursion included in the cruise?

Abu Simbel is an optional add-on that can be arranged for either day two or day three, depending on domestic flight availability and the ship's sailing schedule. It is not part of the standard itinerary.

What meals and accommodation are provided during the 4 days?

Full board means all breakfast, lunch and dinner are served on the cruise ship for all three nights. You sleep on board each night, so there are no separate hotel bookings to arrange.

How does the tour end and how do you get back to Cairo?

After the temple visits in Luxor on day four, a transfer takes you to Luxor International Airport for a domestic flight to Cairo. A hotel transfer in Cairo is arranged upon arrival. Accommodation there is available at an additional cost.