4-Day Nile Cruise from Aswan to Luxor with Philae and Karnak

4 Days Round trip from Airport Moderate pace

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The journey

Trip highlights

01 Cruise from Aswan to Luxor with onboard meals, entertainment, and overnight stays
02 Visit Aswan's High Dam and the island-set Philae Temple by motorboat
03 Explore Kom Ombo Temple and the Crocodile Museum, then ride by horse carriage to Edfu Temple
04 Discover Luxor's West Bank, including the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, and the Colossi of Memnon
05 Tour Luxor's East Bank highlights at Karnak Temple and Luxor Temple
06 Optional sunrise hot air balloon ride over Luxor's monuments on the final morning

Sail the legendary Nile from Aswan to Luxor on a 4-day/3-night cruise that blends relaxing onboard time with guided visits to some of Egypt's most iconic ancient sites. Begin in Aswan with the impressive High Dam and the beautiful Philae Temple, reached by motorboat, then continue north with shore excursions to Kom Ombo and Edfu. In Luxor, explore both the West and East Banks, including the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple, Karnak Temple, and Luxor Temple. Buffet meals, onboard entertainment, and overnight stays on the cruise complete the journey, with an optional sunrise hot air balloon ride available on the final morning.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 4 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Luxury

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Aswan, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Luxor, Esna

Languages English, French, German, Italian

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Aswan and Philae Temple Tour

Morning: Pickup from Aswan Airport, hotel, or train station and transfer to the Nile cruise for check-in.
Afternoon: Enjoy lunch on board, served buffet-style, before starting your Aswan tour.
1. Visit the High Dam, Egypt's famous modern engineering feat.
2. Continue to Philae Temple, the majestic Temple of Isis on Agilkia Island, reached by motorboat.
Evening: Dinner on board, evening entertainment, and overnight stay in Aswan.

Day 02

Kom Ombo, Edfu, and Sailing via Esna Lock

Morning: Breakfast on board while sailing to Kom Ombo.
Mid-morning: Visit Kom Ombo Temple, dedicated to Sobek and Horus, as well as the Crocodile Museum.
Afternoon: Return to the ship and enjoy lunch while sailing to Edfu. Then visit Edfu Temple, dedicated to Horus, by horse carriage.
Evening: Continue sailing toward Luxor via Esna Lock. Dinner on board, an Egyptian Galabeya Party, and overnight stay in Luxor.

Day 03

Explore Luxor's West and East Banks

Morning: Breakfast on board, followed by a tour of Luxor's West Bank.
1. Explore the Valley of the Kings, home to the royal tombs of the ancient Pharaohs.
2. Visit Hatshepsut Temple at Deir el-Bahari, a magnificent cliffside temple.
3. Stop for photos at the Colossi of Memnon, the giant statues.
Afternoon: Return for lunch. Later, tour Luxor's East Bank.
1. Visit Karnak Temple, the grandest temple complex in Egypt.
2. Continue to Luxor Temple, a stunning ancient temple in Luxor city center.
Evening: Dinner on board, a folklore show, and overnight stay in Luxor.

Day 04

Check-out and Optional Sunrise Balloon Ride

Optional trip (early morning): Take a sunrise hot air balloon ride over Luxor's monuments.
Morning: Enjoy your final breakfast on board.
Check-out: Check out and receive luggage handling assistance.
Departure: Transfer to Luxor Airport, hotel, or train station.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Airport 5 cities · 4 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

3 nights / 4 days accommodation on a full-board basis (breakfast, lunch, and dinner).
Direct pickup and drop-off transfers from and to Aswan and Luxor airports or hotels.

What's Not Included

Sightseeing and transport package (optional add-on):
Cost: $200 USD per person for the entire 4-day tour, which includes:
Professional licensed tour guide.
All transfers in modern, air-conditioned vehicles.
Entrance tickets to all mentioned monuments and temples (Karnak, Luxor, Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut, Edfu, Kom Ombo, High Dam, and Philae).
Flight or train tickets: International or domestic flights, or train tickets to Luxor and from Aswan.
Beverages: Soft drinks, mineral water, and juices on board (charged extra to your cabin account).
Optional tours: Excursions such as Abu Simbel or a hot air balloon ride in Luxor.
Tipping (gratuities): For cruise crew, tour guide, and drivers.
Personal expenses: Souvenirs, laundry, spa services, or personal purchases.

What to bring

1. Essential Documents & Money:
- Passport (valid for at least 6 months) and visa.
- Cash (EGP, USD, or EUR for local markets and tipping).
- Credit/debit cards.
2. Clothing & Footwear:
- Light, breathable cotton clothing for daytime tours.
- A light jacket or sweater for cool Nile evenings.
- Extremely comfortable walking shoes or sneakers for ancient sites.
- Swimwear for the cruise top-deck pool.
- Smart-casual outfits for dinners and evening shows.
3. Sun Protection:
- Sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat or cap.
- High-SPF sunscreen.
4. Health & Personal Care:
- Personal daily medications.
- Basic first-aid kit (hand sanitizer, motion sickness, or stomach medication).
- Insect or mosquito repellent.
5. Electronics:
- Camera or smartphone with plenty of storage.
- Portable power bank.
- Travel power adapter (standard European 2-pin plug, Type C/F).

Know before you go

1. Cultural Etiquette & Dress Code:
- Modesty in public: Egypt is relatively conservative. Wearing clothes that cover the shoulders and knees is appreciated, especially when visiting mosques and local markets.
- On cruises and at resorts: Swimwear, shorts, and casual summer wear are completely fine on the cruise ship sun deck and at tourist sites.
2. Currency & Payments:
- Local currency: Egyptian Pound (EGP).
- Cash is king: While major hotels accept credit cards, cash is essential for local bazaars, small transport, and tipping.
- Tipping culture (baksheesh): Tipping is customary in Egypt for drivers, cruise crew, guides, and luggage porters.
3. Weather & Climate:
- Sun protection: The sun in Upper Egypt (Luxor & Aswan) is strong year-round. Sunglasses, hats, and SPF are essential.
- Temperature drops: Winters are warm and sunny during the day, but Nile evenings can get chilly. Pack a light jacket or sweater.
4. Health & Tap Water:
- Drink bottled water: Always drink sealed bottled water; tap water should only be used for showering or brushing teeth.
5. Photography Rules:
- Never take photos of military sites, police checkpoints, or strategic infrastructure.
- Standard smartphone photography is generally allowed at most sites, but professional cameras inside certain tombs might require specific permits or small fees.