4 Nights 5 Days Classic Nile Cruise from Luxor to Aswan | Egypt Tours

From

$812.25$855.00

Duration

5 days

Tour Type

Nile Cruise

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Overview

Experience the timeless magic of river travel on this classic 4-night Nile cruise from Luxor to Aswan.

This 5-day journey sails upstream against the current, allowing for a more leisurely exploration of Upper Egypt’s greatest ancient treasures.

Begin in the world’s largest open-air museum—Luxor—exploring the West Bank’s Valley of the Kings and the East Bank’s colossal Karnak Temple. Sail south to the best-preserved temple in Egypt at Edfu, visit the unique double temple of Kom Ombo, and conclude in the tranquil city of Aswan with the romantic island temple of Philae.

With 5-star accommodation, full-board dining, an expert Egyptologist guide, and all entrance fees included, this is the quintessential Nile experience for travelers seeking depth, comfort, and timeless beauty.

Tour Highlights

Valley of the Kings – Enter three royal tombs on Luxor’s West Bank, including the legendary necropolis of the pharaohs
Hatshepsut Temple – Marvel at the dramatic three-tiered mortuary temple of Egypt’s only female pharaoh
Colossi of Memnon – Stand before the iconic 18-meter-high twin stone giants
Karnak Temple Complex – Walk among 134 massive pillars at the largest religious site ever built
Luxor Temple – Admire the stunning riverside temple dedicated to the rejuvenation of kingship
Edfu Temple – Arrive by horse-drawn carriage to Egypt’s best-preserved temple, dedicated to Horus the falcon god
Kom Ombo Temple – Explore the unique double temple dedicated to Sobek the crocodile god and Haroeris the falcon god
Philae Temple – Take a motorboat to the romantic island sanctuary of the goddess Isis, relocated during the UNESCO rescue project
Aswan High Dam – Visit Egypt’s modern engineering marvel that controls the Nile’s annual flood
Unfinished Obelisk – See the massive granite obelisk that cracked during carving, revealing ancient stone-working techniques

Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Duration	5 days / 4 nights
Group type	Small group on a 5-star classic Nile cruise
Guide	English-speaking Egyptologist for all site visits
Included	Full board (all meals), 5-star cruise accommodation, entry tickets, guided tours, transfers
Start point	Your hotel in Luxor or Luxor Airport / Train Station

Included/Exclude

4 nights accommodation on a 5-star deluxe Nile cruise ship
All meals freshly prepared onboard with a variety of Egyptian and international cuisine
Welcome drinks and afternoon tea onboard
Private air-conditioned transfers from your Luxor hotel, airport, or train station to the cruise
English-speaking Egyptologist guide for all tours and site visits
Entrance fees to all mentioned sites
Motorboat transfer to Philae Temple
Horse-drawn carriage transfer to Edfu Temple
All service charges and local taxes
Bottled mineral water during tours
24/7 customer support from Egypt Tours

Any drinks with meals (soft drinks, juice, wine, beer, or spirits – available for purchase onboard )
Tipping for guide, cruise crew, and drivers
Entry to Tutankhamun's tomb in the Valley of the Kings
Entry to Seti I tomb in the Valley of the Kings
Hot air balloon ride over Luxor's West Bank
Abu Simbel temples excursion
Nubian Village visit in Aswan
Sound and light show at Karnak Temple
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, laundry, or massage services etc
Anything not explicitly mentioned in "What's Included"

Tour Plan

Day 1: Luxor – Arrival & East Bank Wonders

Step 1: Pickup from Your Luxor Location (10:00 AM – 11:00 AM)

Your Egypt Tours representative will pick you up from your Luxor hotel, Nile cruise, or Luxor International Airport / Train Station. Meet your Egyptologist guide and transfer directly to begin your sightseeing.

Step 2: Visit Karnak Temple Complex (11:30 AM – 1:30 PM)

Begin your Luxor exploration at the magnificent Karnak Temple – the largest religious complex ever built. Walk through the Avenue of Sphinxes, stand beneath the 134 towering columns of the Hypostyle Hall, see the sacred lake, and explore the obelisks of Hatshepsut and Thutmose I. Your guide will explain how generations of pharaohs added their mark over 1,500 years.

Step 3: Lunch Break (1:30 PM – 2:30 PM)

Enjoy a set-menu lunch at a quality local restaurant in Luxor (vegetarian option available – drinks not included).

Step 4: Visit Luxor Temple (3:00 PM – 4:30 PM)

Explore the beautiful Luxor Temple, dedicated to the rejuvenation of kingship. Admire the massive statues of Ramesses II, walk along the Avenue of Sphinxes connecting it to Karnak, and see the Roman frescoes hidden inside this ancient temple.

Step 5: Board Your Nile Cruise & Check-in (5:00 PM)

Transfer to the pier and board your 5-star Nile cruise ship. Settle into your comfortable cabin with Nile views. Enjoy a welcome drink and settle in.

Step 6: Dinner & Overnight in Luxor (7:30 PM onwards)

Enjoy a delicious dinner onboard. Optionally, take an evening stroll along the Nile Corniche or book the Luxor Temple sound and light show (extra cost). Overnight docked in Luxor.

Overnight: 5-star Nile Cruise docked in Luxor

Meals: Lunch & Dinner (Breakfast not included on Day 1)

Day 2: Luxor West Bank – Sail to Edfu

Step 7: Early Morning Breakfast (7:00 AM – 8:00 AM)

Enjoy breakfast onboard before the day's exploration.

Step 8: Optional Hot Air Balloon Ride (5:00 AM – 7:30 AM)

Very early morning optional excursion (extra cost – $80–100 USD payable locally). Soar above the Valley of the Kings and Luxor's West Bank at sunrise for breathtaking aerial views. Return to the cruise for breakfast.

Step 9: West Bank Tour – Valley of the Kings (8:30 AM – 10:30 AM)

Cross to Luxor's West Bank and enter the legendary Valley of the Kings. Your ticket includes entry to 3 royal tombs of your choice (excluding Tutankhamun and Seti I). Your guide will help you select the best open tombs and explain the meaning behind the stunning funerary art.

Step 10: Temple of Queen Hatshepsut (10:45 AM – 11:45 AM)

Visit the dramatic three-tiered mortuary temple of Egypt's only female pharaoh. Marvel at the architecture that blends seamlessly into the surrounding cliffs while your guide shares the story of Hatshepsut's rise to power and her eventual erasure from history.

Step 11: Colossi of Memnon (12:00 PM – 12:20 PM)

Stop for photos at the two massive 18-meter-high quartzite statues that once guarded Amenhotep III's mortuary temple.

Step 12: Return to Cruise & Sail to Edfu (12:30 PM onwards)

Return to the cruise and enjoy lunch as the ship begins sailing south toward Edfu. Relax on the sun deck and watch rural Egyptian life pass by.

Step 13: Afternoon at Leisure – Sail to Edfu (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM)

Continue sailing south. Enjoy the pool, afternoon tea, or simply watch the timeless Nile landscape unfold.

Step 14: Arrival in Edfu & Dinner (6:30 PM onwards)

Anchor near Edfu. Enjoy dinner onboard as the sun sets over the Nile.

Overnight: 5-star Nile Cruise docked near Edfu

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 3: Edfu Temple – Kom Ombo Temple – Sail to Aswan

Step 15: Breakfast Onboard (7:00 AM – 8:00 AM)

Enjoy breakfast onboard before the day's exploration.

Step 16: Visit Edfu Temple – Temple of Horus (8:30 AM – 10:30 AM)

Take a traditional horse-drawn carriage (included) to the Temple of Horus at Edfu. This is one of the best-preserved temples in all of Egypt – remarkably intact because it was buried under desert sand for centuries. Walk through the massive pylon gates, admire the black granite statue of Horus, and explore the well-preserved reliefs depicting the eternal battle between Horus and Set.

Step 17: Return to Cruise & Sail to Kom Ombo (11:00 AM – 12:30 PM)

Return to the cruise and enjoy the scenic sail toward Kom Ombo.

Step 18: Visit Kom Ombo Temple (1:00 PM – 2:30 PM)

Disembark to explore the unique double temple dedicated to two gods – Sobek the crocodile god and Haroeris the falcon god. The temple is perfectly symmetrical, with two entrances, two hypostyle halls, and two sanctuaries. Visit the small Crocodile Museum to see mummified crocodiles discovered in nearby tombs.

Step 19: Return to Cruise & Sail to Aswan (3:00 PM – 7:00 PM)

Return to the cruise and continue sailing south toward Aswan. Enjoy the peaceful rhythm of the river and watch the sun set over palm-fringed villages.

Step 20: Arrival in Aswan & Dinner (7:30 PM onwards)

Arrive in Aswan and anchor for the night. Enjoy dinner onboard. Optionally, take an evening stroll along the Aswan Corniche.

Overnight: 5-star Nile Cruise docked in Aswan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Abu Simbel Optional Excursion – Aswan Sightseeing

Step 21: Optional Abu Simbel Excursion (4:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

Very early morning optional excursion (extra cost – $120–150 USD payable locally). Depart by private vehicle (3 hours each way) to visit the magnificent Temples of Abu Simbel – Ramesses II's colossal rock-cut temple dedicated to the sun gods and the smaller temple of his beloved queen Nefertari. Return to the cruise by lunchtime.

OR Relaxed Morning on Cruise (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

If you prefer to rest, enjoy the cruise facilities, sun deck, and river views while docked in Aswan.

Step 22: Lunch Onboard (12:30 PM – 1:30 PM)

Enjoy lunch onboard the cruise.

Step 23: Afternoon Aswan Tour – High Dam & Unfinished Obelisk

Embark on your Aswan sightseeing tour:

Aswan High Dam – Visit Egypt's modern engineering marvel. Learn how this massive project controls the Nile's annual flood, provides electricity to the nation, and created Lake Nasser.
Unfinished Obelisk – Explore the massive obelisk still lying in its original granite quarry. This obelisk cracked during carving, giving archaeologists rare insight into ancient stone-working techniques.

Step 24: Optional Nubian Village Visit (4:45 PM – 7:00 PM)

Optional excursion (extra cost – $20–30 USD payable locally). Take a motorboat to a traditional Nubian village, painted in bright blues and yellows. Meet local families, learn about their unique culture and language, and enjoy mint tea in a colorful home.

Step 25: Dinner & Overnight in Aswan (7:30 PM onwards)

Enjoy dinner onboard. Overnight docked in Aswan.

Overnight: 5-star Nile Cruise docked in Aswan

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 5: Philae Temple – Disembarkation

Step 26: Breakfast & Check-out (7:00 AM – 8:30 AM)

Enjoy your final breakfast onboard and check out of your cabin.

Step 27: Visit Philae Temple (9:00 AM – 10:30 AM)

Take a motorboat across the Nile to the island sanctuary of Philae Temple. This beautiful temple complex, dedicated to the goddess Isis, was painstakingly relocated during the UNESCO rescue project when the High Dam was built. Your guide will share the legends of Isis, Osiris, and Horus as you explore this romantic and well-preserved site.

Step 28: Transfer to Your Aswan Destination (11:30 AM)

Disembark from the cruise for the final time. Your private driver will transfer you to Aswan International Airport, your Aswan hotel, or your next destination. Tour ends.

Meals: Breakfast- Lunch